Philippines Travel Guide

Planning a trip to the Philippines? Fantastic! There is so much to love about this country.

In this Philippines travel guide, I share all my best Philippines blogs so you can plan your trip!

But first, if you aren’t convinced yet that the Philippines should be your next trip, read this article with 10 reasons why you should visit the Philippines!

This guide is for overall planning of your Philippines trip. To read guides to individual places in the Philippines, click here.

Philippines

Las cabanas beach, El Nido, Palawan
Las cabanas beach, El Nido

The Philippines is a country of islands – with 7,641 islands making up this country in the western Pacific Ocean. About 2,000 are inhabited and there are many you can visit on your travels. In fact, island hopping is likely to be a big part of any Philippines holiday. It’s easy to do and each island has its own distinct flavour.

The islands are split into three different groups – Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Luzon is home to Manila, the capital. The three groups roughly translate to the northern, central and southern islands in the Philippines. 

Money

The Philippine Peso (PHP) is the local currency and what you are going to need for travel here. There are ATMs readily available in population centres, but they are less available outside large cities. It’s best to stock up when you are in a city for visiting other places.

There are also plenty of money changers and banks at international airports and in major population centres.

The best foreign currency to travel with is US dollars if you want some back up money.

Weather

The Philippines is located in the tropics and is basically hot and humid year round. You can get cooler temperatures in areas like the mountains in Luzon, but generally, you are going to be HOT.

There are three seasons – a hot, dry season from March to May, a wet season between June and November and a cooler dry season from December to February.

November to April is the best time to visit when it is dryer and it is not typhoon season (August to October).  Humidity levels can be high April and May.

Batad Terraces, why visit philippines
There are not just great beaches – Batad Rice Terraces on Luzon – it is cooler here

Getting To The Philippines

The Philippines is well hooked up to the rest of the world. There are flights into Manila from many destinations as well as many international options from Cebu City. There are also other international airports, like in Kalibo for easy access to Boracay.

Philippines Travel Itineraries

Planning your trip to the Philippines but not sure how long you want to spend where and how it should fit together? Check out our itineraries as we have done the work for you!

Best Places To Visit In The Philippines

There are many great destinations to visit in the Philippines but what are the best? If you are looking for Philippines travel inspiration, these articles are for you!

Getting Around The Philippines

Getting around the Philippines is usually quite straightforward, although it can be time consuming and roads are not always great. In the wet season, things are made more difficult and you should check that your transport is still running.

There is a good system of buses, jeepneys and ferries to take you around the islands.

Domestic flights can be a great option. There are many choices and prices can be very cheap. This can be a great way to move between island chains.

Click here for flight prices for domestic flights.

Explore The Regions

Read more detailed guides to the main regions of the Philippines by clicking below.

You can find more information on specific destinations in the Philippines here.