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The Philippines in 13 days: Coron, El Nido & Boracay
Hidden lagoons, shipwrecks, limestone cliffs and some of the most beautiful beaches on Earth — island-hopping across three of the best spots in the archipelago.
Duration
13 days
Best time
December – May
Islands
Coron · Palawan · Boracay
I travelled
2018
With more than 7,000 islands, you’d need about three months to see the whole of the Philippines. This 13-day route is how I’d do it in under two weeks: Coron for lagoons and wrecks, El Nido for the limestone islands of Palawan, and Boracay to finish on the beach.
It’s the exact itinerary I followed in 2018, with the boat tours worth booking, where to stay and what to pack.
The route at a glance
Manila → Coron → El Nido → Boracay
Tap a stop on the map to jump to that part of the trip
Day by day
The itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Manila
Land in Manila and spend the night there to recover from the long flight, ready for the short hop to Coron the next day.
Days 2–5 · 4 nights
Coron Island
A one-hour flight from Manila. Ease in with an evening soak at Maquinit Hot Spring, then spend a full day on the Coron Ultimate Tour: Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoons, Barracuda Lake, the Skeleton Wreck, Siete Pecados, Malwawey Reef, Banol Beach and CYC Beach.
Days 6–9 · 4 nights
El Nido, Palawan
Take the fast ferry from Coron to El Nido (about 3.5 hours) and catch your first sunset at Marimegmeg beach. Then alternate island-hopping days with a lazy beach day in between.
Day 7 · Tour A: Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commandos Beach, Shimizu Island
Day 8: beach day
Day 9 · Tour C: Secret Beach, Hidden Beach, Tapiutan Island, Talisay Beach, Star Beach, Helicopter Island
Days 10–12 · 3 nights
Boracay
One last morning on the beach in El Nido, then a short flight to Boracay. Two full days with nothing to do but swim, relax and watch the sunset.
Day 13
Back to Manila & home
Domestic flight back to Manila to connect with your international flight home.
More time?
Islands to add to your trip
Bohol
The Chocolate Hills, the tiny tarsiers and a lazy cruise on the Loboc river — an easy ferry ride from Cebu.
Oslob, Cebu
Swim with whale sharks off the south of Cebu, then cool off at the turquoise Kawasan Falls nearby.
Siquijor
A small, laid-back island of waterfalls, cliff-jumping and quiet beaches — perfect to slow down.
Siargao
The surf island.
When to go
The best time to visit the Philippines
The dry season, roughly December to May, is the best time for island-hopping: calm seas and sunny days.
Best Rainy season
Before you go
My top 3 tips for the Philippines
01
Pick the right base in El Nido
El Nido town for budget stays, Las Cabanas for sunsets, Lio Beach for luxury and Nacpan for a wild, empty beach.
02
Choose islands by style
Siargao for surfing, Palawan for beaches and marine life, Coron, Cebu and Dumaguete for culture and diving.
03
Pack waterproof gear
You’ll spend most days on boats: bring a dry bag and a waterproof cover for your phone and camera.
Tailor-made
Want this trip, made for you?
I’ll design your Philippines itinerary around your dates and style — flights between islands, ferries, boat tours and the right beach hotels.
On this page
Photo gallery
The Philippines through my lens
