Backpacking Philippines | best places to go

Visit Philippines

Pack your bags for the Philippines, a tropical paradise that beckons backpackers with its pristine beaches, vibrant culture, and welcoming locals. Pros? Dive into crystal-clear waters, explore lush rice terraces, and experience a melting pot of cultures in bustling cities. The low cost of living makes it a budget-friendly destination. However, be prepared for occasional weather disruptions and prioritize safety in certain areas. The Philippines offers an unrivaled blend of natural wonders and cultural diversity, making it a top choice for backpackers seeking an authentic Southeast Asian adventure, where each island promises a unique and unforgettable experience.

Best known for:Known for: people | backpackers | beach life
Best time to visit: November - May

Why to go?
Why backpacking in Philippines

People

People in the Philippines are known for their warm and welcoming nature. Hospitality is deeply ingrained in the Filipino culture, and visitors are often greeted with open arms and genuine smiles. Filipinos are renowned for their friendliness, …

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Backpackers

The backpacker scene in the Philippines is vibrant and diverse, offering a range of experiences for travelers on a budget. With its stunning beaches, lush jungles, and friendly locals, the country has become a popular destination for backpackers …

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Beach life

The Philippines is great for beach life and snorkeling because of its stunning white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and diverse marine life. With over 7,000 islands, the country offers a wide variety of beach destinations, each with its own …

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Cheap

The average costs for backpacking in the Philippines can vary depending on various factors such as the duration of the trip, the destinations visited, and the traveler's spending habits. On average, budget backpackers can expect to spend around …

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Scenery

The Philippines is known for its stunning natural landscapes, including pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, lush rainforests, and dramatic mountains. Some of the best sceneries to explore in the Philippines include the world-famous white sand …

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Mountains

The Philippines is home to many stunning mountain ranges that are perfect for exploration. One of the most popular destinations is the Cordillera mountain range in northern Luzon. This area is known for its picturesque rice terraces, lush greenery, …

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Wildlife

The Philippines is great for seeing wildlife because of its incredible biodiversity. With over 7,000 islands, the country is home to a wide variety of unique and diverse ecosystems, from lush rainforests to pristine coral reefs. This provides a …

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Food

The food in the Philippines is so good because of its rich and diverse culinary heritage. Influences from Spanish, Chinese, Malay, and American cuisines have all contributed to the unique flavors and dishes found in Filipino cuisine. The use of …

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Uniqueness

Exploring the Philippines is a unique and off the beaten track experience due to its diverse and stunning natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and warm and welcoming people. From the pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters of Palawan to the …

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💡 Highlights
Top-5 things to do in Philippines

Palawan Island: Explore the stunning beauty of Palawan Island, known for its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and breathtaking limestone cliffs. Visit the Underground River, one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, and go island hopping to discover hidden lagoons and coral reefs.
Banaue Rice Terraces: Marvel at the magnificent Banaue Rice Terraces, carved into the mountains by indigenous people over 2,000 years ago. These terraces are not only a stunning sight but also a testament to the ancient engineering skills of the Ifugao people.
Chocolate Hills: Visit Bohol’s famous Chocolate Hills, a unique geological formation consisting of more than 1,200 perfectly cone-shaped hills. During the dry season, the hills turn brown, resembling giant chocolate kisses.
Mayon Volcano: Explore the majestic Mayon Volcano in Albay. With its perfectly symmetrical cone shape, Mayon is considered one of the world’s most beautiful volcanoes. Hike to its base or enjoy the view from nearby Cagsawa Ruins.
Intramuros: Immerse yourself in Manila’s rich history by exploring Intramuros, the oldest district of the city. Walk along the cobblestone streets, visit historical sites like Fort Santiago and San Agustin Church, and learn about the Spanish colonial period.

But Philippines offers more...

🌆 Cities: Boracay, Cebu, Davao, Manila

🎎 Festivals: Ati-Atihan Festival, Kadayawan, Pahiyas Festival, Panagbenga, Sinulog

🏔️ Hikes: Mt. Apo, Mt. Batulao, Mt. Mayon, Mt. Pulag, Taal Volcano

🏞️ National parks: Apo Reef Natural Park, Mount Apo, Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, Mount Pulag, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River

🏝️ Regions: Batanes Islands, Bohol, Palawan, Sapa and the Northern Highlands, Surigao del Norte region

🌤️ When to go?
Best time to go backpacking Philippines

The best time to visit the Philippines for backpacking is during the dry season, which typically runs from November to April. This period offers the most favorable weather conditions with less rainfall and lower humidity. It is ideal for outdoor activities, exploring the beautiful beaches, and hiking in the mountains. However, it's worth noting that the Philippines is a tropical country, so it's always advisable to be prepared for sudden weather changes.JUNJULAUGSEPOCT

detailed advice per month

Risk level: medium (50%)
Safety advice for Philippines

Terrorist attacks could occur anywhere in the Philippines. Possible targets include aviation and airports, public transport, hotels, shopping malls, restaurants, major events, places of worship and tourist areas. Be alert to possible threats. On 3 December 2023 there was a terrorist attack in Marawi City resulting in four dead and many injured, leading to heightened security arrangements in Mindanao and elsewhere, including Manila.

Kidnappings occur in the Philippines and kidnappers may target popular tourist areas. The threat of kidnapping and piracy in the southern Philippines is high, especially in the area of the Sulu Archipelago. If you travel to the southern Philippines despite our advice, get professional security advice. Ensure your accommodation has proper security measures. Don't travel by boat.

Protests can turn violent. It's illegal to take part in political rallies if you're not Filipino. Avoid large public gatherings.

Violent and other serious crime is common. Many crimes involve guns. Gangs often drug tourists before robbing or assaulting them. Pickpocketing, bag snatching, and scams are common. Don't leave food or drinks unattended. Avoid using public transport. Be careful in crowded shopping malls and other public places. Only use ATMs in secure locations.

Typhoons, tropical storms, flooding, landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis are common. These events may disrupt essential services. Know your accommodation's evacuation plan.

source: smartraveller.gov.au

source: www.gov.uk

Philippines
My tips to get you on the way!
Does Philippines sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.

Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.

Lonely Planet

Rough Guide

Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Philippines. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Philippines may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.

Check visa requirements for Philippines

Check vaccination requirement for Philippines

Get your travel insurance

Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Philippines, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.

Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.

Hostelworld

Expedia

My personal packing list 🎒
author

Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.

Money & Documents
Passport, visa (originals + some photo copies)
Passport photographs
Credit and debit cards (on world profile)
Cash (US$ or €)
Money belt
Vaccination proofs

Clothing
Light, quick-dry clothing
No jeans, too heavy
Ultralight rain/wind jacket
Thermo underwear
Quick-dry towel
Sunglasses

Electronics
Mobile phone + charger
Power bank
Travel adapter
Local sim card (buy it on arrival)

Health
Toothbrush
Deo
Sunscreen, lips sunburn
Anti-diarrhea
Paracetamol
Blister plasters
Anti-mosquito (DEET)
Toilet paper
Nail scissors

Others
Small number lock
Waterproof packing cubes (for dirty clothes)
Card game(!)
Ear plugs
Travel pillow