Philippines

The Philippines is a country of more than seven thousand islands, and I only scratched the surface. I went in January 2025 for five days, flying from Jakarta to Manila, then on to Coron in Palawan. January is dry season, which makes it a great time for island hopping.

What I did

• Landed in Manila as the gateway to Palawan.

• Flew to Coron on Busuanga Island and based myself in Coron Town.

• Went island hopping around Coron, with lakes, lagoons and snorkeling stops.

• Connected back through Manila on my way to Singapore.

Where to stay

• Coron Town: A small, scrappy port town. The beauty is offshore, and island hopping boats leave from the pier each morning.

• El Nido: Under limestone cliffs on Bacuit Bay, and the other big Palawan base.

• Makati and BGC, Manila: The comfortable bases, with Poblacion for bars and BGC for modern, walkable streets.

• Intramuros, Manila: Near the Spanish walled city, for history lovers.

Where I stayed

• Baydreams Inn - Premium Deluxe Room with Balcony, Coron Town Proper, Coron: 4.77 on Airbnb (132 reviews). Baydreams Inn, clean modern rooms in the heart of Coron.

Getting there and around

• Manila's airport has several terminals, so confirm which one you need and allow serious time, because Manila traffic is heavy.

• Coron's airport is on Busuanga Island, about 30 to 40 minutes by van from Coron Town.

• Flights run from Manila to Coron and El Nido. Otherwise, fly to Puerto Princesa and drive 5 to 6 hours to El Nido.

• A ferry between El Nido and Coron takes around 4 hours and is the scenic way to link them.

• Tricycles are the local taxis in Coron and El Nido.

What to eat

• Adobo: Chicken or pork in vinegar, soy and garlic, the national dish.

• Sinigang: A sour tamarind soup.

• Kinilaw: Filipino ceviche, freshest in Palawan.

• Grilled seafood: Pick it fresh in Coron or El Nido.

• Halo-halo: A shaved ice dessert with everything in it.

What to drink

• Beer: San Miguel is the national lager, and Red Horse is the stronger one. The beer pairs well with sisig in the bars of Poblacion in Makati.

• Spirits: Tanduay rum is the local favorite, and lambanog is a coconut spirit you will be offered in the provinces.

• Cocktails: Rum and calamansi is a simple highball, and the Poblacion bars in Makati make good craft versions.

• Juices: Calamansi juice is a tart citrus drink, and buko juice is fresh young coconut water served in the shell.

• Coffee: Barako coffee from Batangas is strong and bold. Look for it in Manila cafes.

Don't miss

• Island hopping in Coron, including Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon and Siete Pecados.

• Wreck diving in Coron, which is world class.

• The El Nido island tours, including the Big and Small Lagoons and Hidden Beach.

• Mount Tapyas at sunset in Coron, about 700 steps.

• Maquinit Hot Springs at night.

• Intramuros in Manila at golden hour.

Day trips and side trips

• The Puerto Princesa Underground River from Puerto Princesa.

• Calauit Safari Park on Busuanga from Coron.

• Taal Volcano viewpoint from Manila, via Tagaytay.

• Nacpan Beach from El Nido.

Festivals and events

• Sinulog: Cebu City, usually in January. Street dancing honoring the Santo Nino.

• Ati-Atihan: Kalibo, usually in January. A loud, painted street party.

• Dinagyang: Iloilo City, usually in January. Drumming and tribal inspired dance.

• Pahiyas Festival: Lucban, Quezon, on May 15. Houses decorated with colorful rice wafers.

• MassKara Festival: Bacolod, usually in October. Smiling masks and parades.

• Christmas season: Nationwide. It starts in September and the lantern festival in Pampanga is the highlight.

• Wanderland Music and Arts Festival: Manila, usually in March. A popular indie and pop festival.

• Zamboanga Hermosa Festival: Zamboanga City, usually in October.

• Moriones Festival: Marinduque, usually during Holy Week. Masked Roman soldiers parade through the towns.

Music and dance

• OPM: Original Pilipino Music, from ballads to pop, is everywhere. Karaoke is a national pastime.

• Live cover bands: Bars in Makati and Poblacion have live bands most nights.

• Indigenous gong music: Heard at festivals in Mindanao and the Cordillera region.

• Electronic and club music: Manila, Cebu and Boracay have DJ nights and beach parties.

• Dance: Tinikling, where dancers step between clapping bamboo poles, is the signature dance and is shown at cultural shows. Festivals like Sinulog are street dance competitions, and Manila bars and beach parties are where people go out dancing.

Photography spots

• Kayangan Lake: The viewpoint early morning, before the boats arrive.

• Mount Tapyas: Over Coron Bay at sunset.

• El Nido: The Bacuit Bay karsts from Taraw Cliff or the town beach at sunset.

• Manila Bay: The famous sunsets from the baywalk.

• Drones: Must be registered, and some protected areas, including parts of Coron, require extra permits or ban them. Check current drone rules.

My experience

Coron was a short trip but a good one. The island hopping day was the highlight, with clear water, limestone cliffs and quiet lagoons. Five days is tight, and most of it went on travel, but it was enough to know I want more Palawan. I would recommend it to snorkelers and divers, and to anyone who likes simple island towns.

Cost of living

• Overall: Manila, Cebu and Coron: $$, about 55% cheaper than New York. Manila and Cebu are the cheapest, and island towns like Coron cost more for tours and transport.

• Coffee: about $2.5

• Local lunch: about $4

• Dinner for two at a nice restaurant: about $40

• Beer or cocktail: about $2 / $4

• Ride across town: about $3

• Mid-range hotel: about $60 a night

• Furnished one-bedroom in a good area: about $800 a month in Manila's BGC or Makati, $600 in Cebu City

• Daily budget: about $40 budget, $90 comfortable, $250+ luxury in Manila or Cebu, more on the islands

The Philippines is inexpensive, and Manila is the cheapest part of the trip. Island destinations like Coron cost more for tours and transport, and boat trips add up quickly. Prices are approximate in US dollars as of 2026.

Working remotely

• Wi-Fi: Mixed. Manila's BGC and Makati are decent, often 50 to 200 Mbps, but islands like Coron can be slow and drop out. Get a local SIM as a backup.

• Coworking and cafes: Best nomad cities are Manila for coworking in BGC and Makati, and Cebu City for lower costs and good connections to the islands. Island towns like Coron have few spaces.

• Time zone: UTC+8, 13 hours ahead of US Eastern in winter and 12 in summer.

• Visa for longer stays: US citizens get 30 days visa-free, extendable at immigration. The Philippines has introduced a digital nomad visa. Check current rules.

• Nomad rating: 3 out of 5. Cheap and beautiful, but internet is inconsistent outside the big cities.

Good to know

• Language: Filipino (Tagalog) and English are both official, and English is spoken almost everywhere.

• Currency: Philippine peso. Cash is essential in Palawan, and ATMs in El Nido and Coron can run out, so bring enough from Manila. GCash is the local e-wallet.

• Plugs: Type A and B, 220V. US plugs fit, but check your device voltage.

• Entry for US citizens: Visa-free for tourist stays, and you register on eTravel online before arrival. Check current rules.

• Best time to visit: December to May is dry season, and January is great for Palawan. June to November is typhoon season.

• Getting around: Grab works in Manila, and tricycles cover Coron and El Nido.

• Tipping: Not mandatory, and many restaurants add a service charge. Tip boat crews and guides on island tours.

• SIM/eSIM: Globe or Smart, and Smart often has better signal in Palawan. Buy at the airport or use an eSIM.

• Apps: Grab, JoyRide and Angkas for rides, and GrabFood and Foodpanda in Manila.

• Water: Do not drink the tap water. Use bottled water.

Useful phrases

• Hello: Kumusta

• Please: Pakiusap

• Thank you: Salamat, or Salamat po to be polite

• How much?: Magkano?

• The check, please: Bill po

Nightlife

The Philippines loves to sing and to stay out. I only had five days, so I did not see much nightlife, but Manila has the main scene and karaoke is a national pastime found everywhere. In island towns like Coron, nights are low-key and revolve around beach bars and acoustic music.

• When people go out: Nights start late, bars fill after 9 pm, and Manila clubs run until 3 or 4 am on Friday and Saturday. Coron winds down much earlier.

• Where the action is: In Manila, Poblacion in Makati is the best-known bar district, and Bonifacio Global City has lounges and rooftops. In Coron, the town waterfront has beach bars, karaoke and small live acoustic spots.

• The music: Pop, OPM (Original Pilipino Music) and hip hop in Manila, plus live acoustic covers and karaoke classics everywhere else.

• Good to know: Drinks are cheap by global standards, San Miguel beer is the staple, and covers are uncommon outside bigger clubs. Dress is casual in Coron and smart casual in Manila. Use Grab in Manila, and do not accept drinks from strangers or leave yours unattended.

Meeting people

• Social scene: Filipinos are friendly, English is widely spoken, and conversation comes easily. Manila, Cebu, El Nido, Coron and Siargao have hostels, coworking spaces and island-hopping tours that bring travelers together.

• Apps: Tinder, Bumble and Hinge are widely used, especially in Manila and Cebu. Facebook groups and Meetup are popular, and island hostels are the best place to meet other travelers.

• Etiquette: A smile and a handshake work well. Polite words like po and opo show respect to elders. Time is flexible, and splitting the bill is common, though the person who invites often pays.

• Stay smart: Meet in public, watch your drink, and be careful with unfamiliar offers at bars or from strangers on the street.

Staying safe

• Manila needs normal big-city awareness. Watch for petty theft and taxi scams, and use Grab.

• Wear the life jacket on island tours, and check the weather, because boats can be cancelled at short notice.

• Use sunscreen and bring a dry bag for boat days.