Things to do in Philippines.

Multiple creators call El Nido island hopping the highlight of any Philippines trip, with Tour A and Tour C covering lagoons, hidden beaches, and Entalula Beach via outrigger boat departing El Nido town. Per Time Travel, Tour C costs roughly ₱1,200–1,500 per person (~$20–25 USD) and includes Entalula, widely ranked a top world beach.

Named the #1 beach in the world in 2026 by travel experts per Time Travel; sits on a small uninhabited island in Bacuit Bay with turquoise water, powder-white sand, and dramatic vertical limestone cliffs. Accessed via Tour C island hopping departing El Nido town.

A long, twin beach outside El Nido town praised for its wide stretch of white sand and swaying palms. Global Travel Stories rode mopeds up to it and called it pure paradise; Seohee listed it among her El Nido highlights.

The go-to sunset spot in El Nido, with beach bars and live music described by Global Travel Stories as offering 'perfect vibes'; Seohee paired a sunset there with dynamite snacks and Red Horse beer.

A kayak-only enclosed lagoon with limestone walls rising from emerald water; Global Travel Stories kayaked through it with no other people around, describing it as a nearly private natural wonder inside Bacuit Bay.

A UNESCO-listed underground river and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. NSTV called the experience 'surreal, almost spiritual' as they floated through cave chambers — the main reason visitors flock to Puerto Princesa.

NSTV calls Coron a top-of-list destination precisely because of its multi-stop island hopping, which includes stops not typically found on standard tours. Ella Victoria also made Coron a cornerstone of her West Palawan trip alongside El Nido and Port Barton.

A quiet fishing village in Palawan that NSTV describes as unspoiled by commercial structures and overcrowding, mostly frequented by foreigners. Ella Victoria also visited it as part of her West Palawan circuit, citing its raw natural beauty.

The classic Siargao island tour visits three contrasting islets — Naked Island (bare sandbar with no shade, perfect for sun and sea), Daku Island (where groups stop for lunch among a local community), and Guyam Island. NSTV calls it a must-do on any Siargao visit.

A two-hour boat ride from General Luna leads to Bucas Grande, where travelers swim with stingless jellyfish in Sohoton Cove, explore multiple caves (including Crystal Cave and Bolita Cave), and do cliff jumping. NSTV rates it 1,200–3,500 pesos depending on departure port.

Consistently cited as the Philippines' most popular beach — four kilometers of fine white sand with beach bars, parasailing, and windsurfers. Dabble and Travel, on their fourth visit, still called it their 'favorite island on planet Earth,' while Travel Escapes gave an honest first-day take on the crowds.

A quieter, more natural beach on the northern tip of Boracay known for its coarser shell sand and calmer atmosphere, visited by Jm Banquicio for a family seafood feast including what's billed as the best oyster sisig on the island.

Manila's 16th-century Spanish walled city, explored best by guided tricycle tour according to Seohee, who brought her Korean friend through its cobblestone streets to experience Filipino colonial history and culture firsthand.

The world's oldest Chinatown, highlighted by Seohee for its food adventures including Chuan Kee's noodles and tendon rice — a key stop on any Manila food tour.

One of Manila's most affordable and lively street food zones, where Seohee tried palabok, siopao, siomai, squid, magic water, and fish balls — calling it the place to go for cheap and delicious food in Manila.

A famous and vibrant Manila night market that Seohee found surprisingly safe and welcoming despite warnings, known for grilled scallops, oysters, balut, and free Red Horse beer from friendly locals.

The streets around the University of Santo Tomas host a dense cluster of street food vendors and budget restaurants, where Seohee tried Devil Chicken at Graje Grill, grilled blood (beta max), quail egg dimsum, and mango graham shakes in a single food crawl.

One of Manila's most beloved Filipino restaurants — Seohee visits repeatedly and highlights the squid sisig, sinigang, and bagoong rice, with the bagoong rice at ₱130 and full meals under ₱700 making it strong value for the quality.

Manila's legendary budget shopping district where Seohee spent only ₱2,000 and filled bags with clothes, accessories, and random finds across 168 Mall, 999 Mall, and outdoor market stalls — a local institution for bargain hunting.

An iconic row of converted jeepney food stalls near Makati's business district where local office workers eat sisig, lomi, liempo, and pares for as little as ₱35 per dish. Seohee called the sisig so good she 'almost cried' and declared it a must-try for anyone in Makati.

An amusement park on Tagaytay Ridge with a Ferris wheel offering panoramic views and a roller coaster. Seohee's Korean friend tried it and declared Tagaytay her favorite place in the Philippines.

The Philippines' northernmost island group, famous for rolling hills, stone-house Ivatan culture, free-roaming horses, lighthouses, and dramatic seasides. NSTV calls it a bucket-list destination that proves every Philippine island has its own unique charm; Music Travel Love filmed there for the scenery.

A tiny volcanic island off Cagayan de Oro with seven volcanoes, cold-spring pools, waterfalls (including a 20-meter high fall), and the sunken 16th-century Old Church Ruins. NSTV calls it probably the most underrated destination in the Philippines.

A mystical spring-fed river known for its impossibly deep blue water and unclear source. NSTV made the trip specifically to see it firsthand after years of buzz, and found the broader Surigao del Sur province offered far more beyond the river itself.

A remote, rarely visited island group accessible by fastcraft from Surigao City or Siargao. NSTV calls it elusive due to inaccessibility but describes raw and natural beauty that rewards those who make the effort.

One of Asia's largest religious and cultural festivals, held annually in January in Cebu City to honor the Santo Niño. The Country Collectors called it 'one of the largest, loudest, and most powerful cultural celebrations in Asia,' blending faith, ritual dance, and massive street celebrations.

A small island north of Cebu long considered a diver's paradise for its reliable thresher shark sightings and sunken ship wrecks. NSTV covered it as an island that's beautiful for both divers and non-divers.

A little-known island a short distance from Cebu that Dabble and Travel call an incredible hidden gem, featuring cliff-side resort accommodation and the uncrowded natural beauty that larger Cebu destinations lack.

The Philippines' largest zoological park at 170 hectares in Carmen, Cebu, housing over 1,000 animals including an African Savanna zone. NSTV says many Cebuanos have been raving about it and it offers a first-hand experience with animals from around the globe.

A small island south of Cebu reached by ferry from Dumaguete (₱310), known for Paliton Beach (₱20 entry), JJ's Beach (₱20 entry), Tubod Marine Sanctuary snorkeling (₱500), and affordable karinderias. Seohee did two unplanned solo trips there and called it one of her best experiences.

Known as the coldest place in the Philippines, Mt. Pulag is famous for its sea of clouds and dramatic mountain landscape. Seohee rented a jeepney with Filipino friends for a full local road-trip experience from Baguio through Ambuklao Dam to reach the summit area.

Dabble and Travel describe Romblon's island hopping as an uncrowded, hidden-paradise alternative to Boracay or El Nido, visiting Cobrador Island, Alad, and Logbon with cliff jumping, snorkeling, and virtually empty beaches for an entrance fee of just ₱30.

An untouched cluster of islands near Iloilo City described by Dabble and Travel as a 'New El Nido' — crystal-clear water, empty white sand beaches, and remote islands with barely any tourists, making it one of the Philippines' best hidden gems in 2026.