1.jpg)
Seeking for outdoor fun and a unique backpacking adventure? When backpacking in the Philippines you will experience one of the less-visited countries of Southeast Asia - because of the missing connection to the mainland relatively few Southeast Asia backpackers make the effort to visit this archipelago of over 7000 islands.
Backpacking in the Philippines is especially suitable for diving, surfing, beach vacations, trekking and mountaineering, and even for those craving for fun and nightlife.
A predominantly Catholic population, the Philippines is a former American colony that has adopted much of the American way of life. This includes malls and fast-food chains without end and here, the most popular sport is basketball. All these make the Philippines appear much more western and less exotic than its neighboring countries.
A touch of Latin America with colorful fiestas and colonial architecture by the Spanish (who were replaced by the Americans as colonial power after almost 400 years) underpins the whole thing.
The Philippines offer a cheap travel destination with an immense number of beaches and diving paradises. You can climb volcanoes, surf, waterfalls, and caves. Also, there is exuberant nightlife and friendly people.
Due to the extreme weather conditions with monsoons and typhoons every year, you should plan your travel time in this country well. In addition, there are also safety concerns in some parts of Mindanao that you should be aware of. But, don't fret, the country is generally safe for both local and foreign visitors.
Backpacking in the Philippines Overview
- Round trip flights from Germany to Manila are available from $500. No direct flights are available. Best connection with Cathay Pacific with a stopover in Hong Kong (approx. 14h in total). Chinese airlines and Saudia are often cheap. For comparison, you can also have a look at Skyscanner.
- Visa-free entry for most foreign nationals for 30 days. Extendable by at least 29 days, further extensions are also possible. A Retirement Visa over 35 is also available.
- German visitors: More information about entry and customs regulations for the Philippines can be found at the German Foreign Office
Highlights You Shouldn’t Miss
- Diving paradises (e.g. Malapascua in Cebu, Apo Reef Mindoro, Coron in Palawan, Moalboal in Cebu, Puerto Galera)
- Dream beaches and islands (e.g. Siquijor, Camiguin, Port Barton, Pagudpud)
- Nightlife & Fiestas (e.g. Ati-Atihan, MassKara, Cebu Sinulog Festival)
- Trekking in Sagada, the rice terraces of Banaue and on various volcanoes (Lake Taal & Taal Volcano, Mount Pinatubo. Also in one day and without a guide you can climb Mount Arayat, Maculot and Makiling. Larger tours with guide offer Mount Mayon, Kanlaon and Apo)
- Spanish colonial heritage e.g. in Vigan, Intramuros, Taal, and Silay
- Karst landscapes of the Bacuit Archipelago, the Calamian Islands & Caramoan Peninsula
- Surfing in Siargao, Catanduanes or in San Juan La Union
- Swimming and snorkeling with whale sharks (Donsol or Pintuyan) and dolphins (Sinacaban)
- Cave systems (Underground River, Sohoton National Park & Catbalogan Caves)
- Unusual natural attractions in Bohol (Chocolate Hills and the Tarsiers )
- Remarkably Friendly Filipinos
A Few Downsides
- Philippine food less inferior compared to other Asian cuisines
- Sex Tourism (Hotspot is Angeles City, also noticeable in Puerto Galera)
- Unsafe ferries & partly bad traffic infrastructure
- Damaged corals
- Manila and other big cities
- Security issues in Mindanao
Backpacking in the Philippines: Typical Route
Manila - Taal Sea & Volcano - Puerto Galera or Boracay - Coron - El Nido - Port Barton - Subterranean River National Park - Puerto Princesa - Iloilo/ Bacolod (Silay/ Mount Kanlaon) - Dumaguete (Apo Island/ Siquijor) - Cebu - Bohol - Camiguin - Cagayan de Oro - Siargao - Pintuyan/ Padre Burgos - [Sohoton National Park or Catbalogan Caves - Legazpi (Donsol/ Mount Mayon) - Pagsanjan Waterfall] - Manila - [Mount Pinatubo - Rice Terraces of Banaue, Batad & Bontoc - Sagada - Baguio - San Juan La Union - Vigan - Laoag - Manila]
Most backpackers in the Philippines start from Manila and head south towards Visayas and Palawan. If you have time you can also take North Lucon with you. The other way around is also possible.
Instead of the detour to Palawan as described above, you can also travel directly from Boracay to Negros.
You can get to Boracay either by ferry Batangas - Caticlan (9h) or via Puerto Galera and Roxas.
Sensible possible shortcuts:
From Manila directly to Coron, Puerto Princesa, or El Nido by flight or ferry.
From Siargao directly back to Cebu or Manila by flight.
Tips for Getting Around the Philippines
- Confusing long-distance bus system with countless small providers, but often only mini-vans or jeepneys
- Road conditions are sometimes not the best, unpaved, etc.
- Some of the larger long-distance bus companies are Philtranco, Victory Liner, and Ceres Liner
- Costs are low, for example, a bus ride from Manila to Baguio (7h) costs $9 in an air-conditioned bus
- You can find useful information for bus trips via Pinoytravel
- Ferries are logically a common means of transport for the many islands. Bangkas are not recommended for longer distances. Tickets normally cost between 10 and 25 € in the cheapest class
- Fast ferries offer Fastcat, Oceanjet, Weesam, and Supercat
- Other major providers are 2GO, Trans-Asia, Montenegro, Super Shuttle, Starlite, Lite Ferries, and Cokaliong
- Depending on your destination, you can book some of them online at Pinoytravel or Barkota
- There is a wide range of cheap flights in the Philippines with Cebu Pacific and AirAsia; also, there is Philippine Airlines. Tickets for domestic flights cost on average between 25 and $50.
- On short distances, Jeepney or Tricycles are the normal means of transport
- Poor public transport in cities
- Manila has a (not adequate) Literal and Metro system (system card) and a ferry service on the Pasig River
There are a smaller number of hostels, nipa huts on the beach, and many inexpensive guest houses. Guesthouses and hotels in the Philippines can be booked online, for instance via Agoda or Travelbook. At least for the first night you should book in advance for your convenience. Also, hot showers in cheap accommodation may not always be available.