3 Weeks In The Philippines Itinerary

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I’ve been to the Philippines so many times now; some were before the pandemic, and the most recent was a month ago. I’ve visited a lot of places in the Philippines, and I understand why it can be hard to fit everything into just a 20-day trip.

The Philippines is one of the most diverse countries in Southeast Asia. The culture, language, and traditions are split between Asia, Spanish, and the Pacific.

It is a popular destination for beach holidays due to the many scenic beaches, diving spots, and snorkelling adventures a traveller can do here. Many visitors don’t know that the Philippines is also an ideal destination for hiking. 

In this article, I will show you a sample of 3 weeks in the Philippines itinerary covering all major regions, including fun activities. There are plenty of direct flights to the Philippines from the US and some from Europe. Hong Kong, Japan, the Middle East, Singapore, and Thailand are the most popular connections.

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE GOING TO THE PHILIPPINES

there are 4 photos, cliffs with clue water and boats, brown small hilly mountain, fine sandy beach with rocky island, houses on steep steps - 3-weeks in the philippines

Before you start packing your swimsuit, there are things you should remember that will help you write or plan your own itinerary that suits you. These tips should help you write your travel itinerary and create a better 3-week packing list.

When is the best time to travel to the Philippines

The best time to visit is between November and March because these months are generally the dry seasons. December to February offers such an amazingly cooler temperature. However, December is super busy, which is the peak month driving accommodation prices high.

I highly recommend you avoid April and May, when it’s too hot to do anything. At the same time, June to September is prone to typhoons, which are not only a bad time for any beach holiday but also lead to many flight cancellations.

ALSO READ: Best beach destinations for a 3-week trip and how to plan a beach vacation

Are 3 weeks enough for the Philippines

20 days in the Philippines is a reasonable amount of time. Of course, the more, the better. However, having limited time doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit.

In 3 weeks, you can visit cities, explore the islands, go hiking, and learn about the country’s rich culture. You can list 4-5 cities to include on your Philippines itinerary. With careful planning, you can really maximise your time (e.g. choosing cities that are near one another or have direct flights to each other).

To make the most of your time, it’s best to take a domestic flight when possible instead of travelling on the road. It’s also essential to have some sort of itinerary to have a visual idea of your trip. This will also help you check how to get from one place to the other the best way.

3 weeks in the Philippines budget

This country is very affordable if you want to spend 20 days here. The accommodation is the most costly part of the trip compared to its neighbouring countries, but it offers lower quality. It’s still cheaper than Europe or Norther America, though.

During my 20-day trip to the Philippines, I spent around $1,500. I travelled comfortably, stayed in private rooms in mid-range hotels and ate out the entire time.

You can make it more affordable if you don’t mind sleeping in bunk beds in a hostel and eating street food. A shoestring budget for the Philippines will be less than $900 for a 3-week trip.

If you plan to splurge a bit, perhaps you are on your annual holiday, wedding anniversary, or honeymoon, $2,500 will make your trip luxurious. A $100-a-night room will book you in a four or five-star resort, and you can dine at fancier restaurants.

Language and currency

English is one of the primary languages in the Philippines, together with Tagalog. Most of the street signs, the law, and announcements in public areas are in English.

You will be able to communicate with locals in English, but learning some basic phrases is highly appreciated, such as salamat (thank you), kamusta (hello/how are you), and magkano (how much).

The Philippine peso (PHP) is the currency here, and ATMs only spit out pesos. ATMs also only dispense a maximum of $200 (10,000 PHP per transaction. Cash is still the king here, but places like restaurants and hotels accept payment by bank card.

How to get around the Philippines

This country’s primary means of transportation, especially in rural places, are tricycles, jeepneys, and buses. In the cities, you can use ride-hailing apps like Grab, (car/taxi), Joyride (motorbike), Moveit (motorbike), and Angkas (motorbike).

In Metro Manila, there are railways. However, these are very busy and often too crowded during rush hour.

Due to its thousands of islands, the best way to get from one island to another is by bus, boat, or flying. You can rent a car in Manila, but it will cost a fortune to bring it on a ship. There are no global car rentals in Metro Manila, such as Avis, Budget, etc.

You can take taxis in some places within the island and provinces, but usually, a tricycle or bukyo, and jeepneys are the standard options. Jeepneys are hard to use though. Make sure to ask a local if the jeepney is going to the place you wish to go.

Flying can be a challenge here as well. Not all islands have direct flights to one another. In some areas, you must connect back to Manila or Cebu. This is the reason it’s vital to plan your trip accordingly.

First, list the places you want to see and check online how to get from one place to another. In this way, you can always avoid tracking back to Manila.

Visa

The Philippines is very welcoming; in terms of local hospitality and visa policies. Almost all nationalities get to enjoy free-visa between 30 to 59 days. Travellers with passports from South Asia, Central Asia, and some African countries have to apply for a visa beforehand.

Extending your visa is not a problem as well. Simply look for an immigration office near your current location while in the Philippines, and you can choose to extend your visa for a few days up to three months for a fee.

You should also fill out the eTravel Permit 3 days before you arrive and leave the Philippines. There’s a QR code that you must save, which is required upon entry and exit.

Other travel tips

Booking your accommodations should be done as soon as you know your travel dates, especially if you plan to travel in December, March, April, or March, to avoid running out of options. When it comes to domestic flights and buses, you can usually leave this at the last minute.

Below are my favourite travel sites that offer flexible cancellation in case you change your mind or travel itinerary.

HOTELS
VISA
CAR RENTAL
TOURS
FLIGHTS
BUS (EU/US/CA)
TRAINS EUROPE
TRAIN/BUS (ASIA)
TOUR OPTIONS
TRAVEL INSURANCE
TOURS (ASIA)
HOSTELS
BIKE RENTAL
CRUISES
AIRPORT PICKUP

TOP THINGS TO DO IN THE PHILIPPINES (pinned map)

Click the top-right logo to enlarge the map. Credit: map data: Google

3 WEEKS IN THE PHILIPPINES ITINERARY

The Philippines is a tropical country with 7,640 islands and three main geographical divisions: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Since it is an archipelago, the Philippines is surrounded by lush trees, mountains and various bodies of water, making it a perfect destination for nature-related activities. Such as hiking and water activities.

Aside from that, this country is also brimming with diverse cuisines and cultures due to being colonised by the Spaniards, Japanese, and US Americans.

This 20 days in the Philippines itinerary is divided into three sections. One week is in Luzon/capital region, one week is in Visayas (the islands), and one week is in the south (Palawan/Siargao).

You can also save time and money and avoid stress by booking a package tour. The tour company will arrange your transportation, accommodation, and activities. Check the itinerary of this 17-day tour.

Day-to-day overview

  • Day 1: Land in Manila. Get transferred to your hotel and use this day to get a local simcard with data.
  • Day 2 to 5: Explore Metro Manila, maybe a day trip to Tagaytay too or go to Baguio and Ilocos
  • Day 6: Travel from Manila to Boracay by air
  • Day 6 to 8: Enjoy Boracay Island
  • Day 9: Get to Cebu from Boracay
  • Day 9 to 12: Discover Cebu
  • Day 13: Travel to Bohol from Cebu
  • Day 13 to 15: Travel around Bohol
  • Day 15: Fly to Palawan or Siargao
  • Day 15 to 20: Explore Palawan or Siargao
  • Day 21: Fly back to Manila to catch a flight home or to the next destination

Week 1: Luzon for 6 days (Metro Manila and Tagaytay or Bagui and Ilocos)

3 images - colonial houses with a white horse, rice field that designed to look like steps, houses on hilly side - 3-weeks in the philippines

I only recommend you spend 2 days in Manila, the capital city. One, because it’s super traffic, and two, there’s little to do here regarding historical places (except Intramuros). However, it’s a great area to explore some street food. You can also book a day trip to Tagaytay from Manila, which is a time-saver.

There are a lot of places to visit in Luzon alone, but these three places are some of the must-visits. The first one is the province of Benguet, which consists of the city of Baguio, the summer capital of the Philippines. Baguio is famous for its cool climate, cooler places, and activities for the whole family.

Two ways to reach Baguio from Metro Manila: riding a bus or booking a private car. The fastest options would be riding a taxi or driving, but they are also the most expensive. The bus ride is around 6 hours, and the ticket costs $15-$18 per person.

boracay beach, tagaytay mountain, palawan, philippines
Boracay on the left, Tagaytat’s Taal Volcano on the top right, and Siargao on the bottom right

The second is Ilocos. The region of Ilocos is well-known for its historic and well-preserved structures, as well as its beaches and sumptuous foods. It is north of Baguio.

Some of them include Vigan’s longanisa and empanada, which are very different from the usual longanisas and empanadas.

To reach Ilocos from Baguio, you can take a bus, which you can find at Partas Bus Terminal near SM Baguio. The travel time is approximately 5 hours, depending on the number of stops. You can also take a bus down to Laoag and then to Bantay Ilocos Sur. From there, Vigan is just a short ride.

Another way to approach Baguio and Ilocos: You can fly to Laoag, the only airport in Ilocos. Stay and explore for about 2-3 days, then take a nearly 5-hour bus south to Baguio for another 2-3 days. Finally, head back to Manila by bus or car to take a flight to the Visayas.

Week 2: Visayas for 7 days (Boracay, Cebu, Bohol)

3 photos - tarsier, a primate with massive yes and tiny bodies, brown little hills with sunsert background, white sandy beach with trees- 3-weeks in the philippines

The archipelago of Visayas has so much to offer, from diverse culinary to scenic views and historical buildings and welcoming people. You’ll find yourself falling in love with the place and staying there for at least 7 days during your 3 weeks in the Philippines.

A visit to the Philippines is incomplete without visiting the most-admired island in the country – Boracay. You can fly from Manila, but you have to travel down to Manila from Vigan/Ilocos. It’s better to take a flight from Laoag to Boracay, which connects to Manila.

Boracay is known for its fine white sand beach, crystal clear water, and lively vibe in the evening. You can enjoy some boat trips, including island hopping, or sign up for some snorkelling and diving activities.

Boracay went through some cleanup and massive renovation to protect the island. It was closed for a period of time, which was also timed during the outbreak of COVID-19. When Boracay finally opened up, the beach was much cleaner, the roads were better, and the water was much clearer too.

You will either land in Caticlan or Kalibo. From Caticlan, you will take the ferry to Boracay an then an electric tricycle (tuk-tuk), motorbike taxi, shuttle bus, or service from your hotel/resort. You must take a 45-minute minivan ride from Kalibo to Caticlan, then the ferry.

From Boracay, you can head to the city of Cebu. It is known as the Queen City of the South as it is Visayas’s trade and industry hub. There are many water activities to do in Cebu. It’s a great place to do some diving, snorkelling and canyoneering. Check out Kawasan Falls and Moalboal as day trips from Cebu City.

From Boracay, there are direct flights to Cebu; the travel time is around an hour, and the ticket costs $40-$90 per person. Caticlan offers a non-stop flight from Kalibo; you need to connect to Manila.

Next, head to Bohol. It is the tenth-largest island in the Philippines, famous for its beaches, national parks, and resorts. Since bodies of water surround the Visayas, the most common mode of transportation is via ferry. The ferry travel time from Cebu Port to Tagbilaran or Tubigon in Bohol is about 2 hours.

However, for those who fear seasickness, there are choices for the faster ferry at a higher price. You have to ride a bus first before riding a ferry.

Compared to those who opt to ride the ferry immediately, the travel time for this is between 4 to 6 hours. Your trip would be worth it because there are tons of things to do and see in Bohol.

Week 3: Palawan or Siargao for 8 days

3 photos - surfing with a big wave, small opening to a cave with boats, cliffs and blue ocean - 3-weeks in the philippines

Palawan is famous for its karst rock formations and impressive biodiversity. It even has an underground river where you’ll see various stalactites and stalagmites in the caves. There are three significant areas in Palawan: Coron, El Nido, and Puerto Princesa.

I recommend you choose between El Nido or Coron to spend 3 days, then head down to Puerto Princessa for 2 days. Both Coron and El Nido are famous spots for snorkelling and diving.

If you are not a fan of those activities, you can simply fly directly to Puerto Princesa and go to Sabang, where the Underground River is.

There are direct flights from Cebu to Coron and Puerto Princesa. Unfortunately, no non-stop flights from Bohol (Panglao) to Coron or Puerto Princesa exist. All flights connect in Manila or Davao.

That’s okay, though, because you can fly to Coron and then make your way down to Puerto Princesa, where you can finish your trip and take a flight back to Manila. Or you can do it the other way around. Fly from Cebu to Puerto Princesa, travel up north and end up in Coron, where you can fly directly back to Manila.

If you want to visit Siargao instead of Palawan, that’s also a great choice. I used the word “or” because there are no direct flights between these places. You can fly directly to Siargao from Cebu, but you have to make a connection from Panglao.

Siargao is a teardrop-shaped island famous for being the surfing capital of the Philippines. There are also tons of other activities that you could do here, including rock climbing, cliff diving and the like. If you prefer to enjoy the shore, these best Siargao beaches offers various spots to check out.

Spending eight days in Palawan is easy, but over a week in Siargao can be too long. That many days in Siargao is perfect unless you’re an avid surfer. If you like a laid-back setting where you spend hours on the beach or on a hammock, Siargao is an ideal place to end your 3 weeks in the Philippines

THINGS TO DO IN THE PHILIPPINES (by city)

Now that you have some ideas on where to spend your 3 weeks in the Philippines, it’s time to show a list of activities and must-see places in each destinations:

Metro Manila

Baguio

  • BenCab Museum
  • Burnham Park
  • Attending the Panagbenga – Flower Festival in February
  • Mines View Observation Deck
  • Baguio Botanical Garden
  • Baguio City Public Market
  • Strawberry Picking – seasonal
  • Mount Pulag

Tagaytay

  • Horseback riding at Taal Volcano Island – you can also do a full-day trip from Manila (horseback riding not included)
  • Puzzle Mansion Museum
  • Picnic Grove
  • Skyranch
  • People’s Park
  • Fantasy World

Ilocos

  • Vigan City – especially Calle Crisologo
  • Bangui Windmills
  • Sumaguing Cave
  • Bomod-ok Falls
  • Paoay Sand Dunes
  • Banaue Rice Terraces – is located 6 hours both from Vigan and Baguio

Boracay

Cebu and Bohol

  • Kawasan Falls – go canyoneering, check the tour reviews and the price
  • Taoist Temple
  • Magellan’s Cross
  • Mactan Shrine and Mactan Island – sign up for an island-hopping boat trip
  • Fort San Pedro
  • Chocolate Hills
  • Tarsier Conservation Sanctuary – you can do a Bohol day trip to cover all the top attractions in just a day
  • Loboc River Cruise
  • Hinagdanan Cave
  • Panglao Island – join a tour that covers Bohol and Panglao Island
  • We do not recommend Whale Shark watching in Oslob due to ethical reasons

TIP: You can also book a full-day tour to Bohol from Cebu to avoid staying overnight in the town.

Coron

El Nido

  • Las Cabañas Beach
  • Tour A – Bacuit Bay, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos
  • Port Barton – located between El Nido and Puerto Princesa, a place away from big crowds
  • Tour B – Bacuit Bay, Popolkan Island, Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave, Pinagbuyutan Island
  • Nacpan Beach
  • Tour D: Hidden Beaches and Lagoons

Puerto Princesa

Siargao

  • Cloud 9
  • Sugba Lagoon
  • Magpopongko Rock Pools and Flats
  • Tayangaban Cave Pool
  • Sohoton Cove National Park
  • Green Lagoon
  • Guyam Island
  • Jellyfish Sanctuary – combo with Sohoton Cave for a day trip

DISHES FROM THE PHILIPPINES THAT YOU SHOULD TRY

3 images of Filipino food - on the left is chicken adobo. in the middle the ice-shaved halo-halo. on the right is a kare-kare - 3 Weeks in the Philippines itinerary

The Philippines might not be known for its cuisine, but if you know what to look for, you can definitely find some tasty and must-try dishes here. Here’s a list of awesome dishes from the Philippines that you should try:

  • Adobo: Chicken or pork marinated in vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic, then browned and simmered.
  • Sinigang: Sour soup made from tamarind, often with pork, shrimp, or fish.
  • Lechon: Whole roasted pig, crispy on the outside and tender inside.
  • Kare-Kare: Oxtail stew with a peanut sauce, often accompanied by eggplant and string beans.
  • Pancit: Noodle dishes with a variety of ingredients, such as Pancit Canton or Pancit Malabon.
  • Bicol Express: Spicy dish made of pork, shrimp, or fish cooked in coconut milk and chilli.
  • Laing: Dried taro leaves cooked in coconut milk, chilli, and shrimp paste.
  • Paksiw na Bangus: Milkfish stewed in vinegar and spices.
  • Halo-Halo: Mixed dessert with shaved ice, sweetened fruits, jellies, leche flan, and ube topped with ice cream.
  • Bibingka: Warm rice cake topped with butter, salted egg, and cheese, traditionally enjoyed during the Christmas season.
  • Puto: Steamed rice cakes, often served with savoury dishes or enjoyed on their own with a slice of cheese on top.
  • Calamansi Juice: Freshly squeezed juice from calamansi (a small citrus fruit), sweetened to taste.
  • Tuba: Fermented coconut sap, also known as coconut wine.
  • Sago’t Gulaman: A refreshing drink with tapioca pearls and gelatin cubes in caramelized brown sugar syrup, served cold.

WHERE TO STAY IN THE PHILIPPINES (by city)

To finish off, below is a list of hotels you can check out when booking your accommodations in each city, depending on your budget:

Vigan, Ilocos

Metro Manila

Tagaytay

Boracay

Cebu

Coron

El Nido

Puerto Princesa

SUMMARY OF 3 WEEKS IN THE PHILIPPINES

The Philippines is a beautiful country with many scenic spots and adrenaline-inducing activities. In fact, many other beautiful places and cities weren’t included on the list because you would definitely have to extend your stay to these different places, including Rizal, Laguna, Batangas, Dumaguete, Siquijor, Boracay, and the archipelago of Mindanao. 

Nevertheless, we hope you enjoyed this compilation of itineraries for a 3 weeks holiday in the Philippines. In case the Philippines is not for you or is unsuitable for your travel date, I recommend you check out our 3 weeks in Vietnam and Cambodia itinerary, spend solely in Vietnam for 3 weeks, or 3 weeks in Japan and South Korea.

SAVE THIS ITINERARY ON YOUR PINTEREST:

Embark on a budget-friendly 3-week adventure in the Philippines! Explore the rice terraces of Banaue, island-hop in Palawan, dive in Apo Reef, and relax on the beaches of Boracay. Choose budget accommodations like guesthouses or homestays. via @threeweektraveller