PHILIPPINES

The Philippines – April 2022 🇵🇭✨

Two Incredible Weeks in Paradise

This was one of the most amazing trips I’ve ever taken. The Philippines completely stole my heart! 🤩

Days 1–3: Banaue

Our adventure began in Manila.

From there, we headed to the bus station and took an overnight bus to Banaue, arriving in the early morning.

Exploring Banaue

When we arrived, we met our guide, Abner, who accompanied us throughout our entire three-day stay.

He picked us up in his tricycle (a popular local form of transportation) and took us to the guesthouse that was included in his tour package.

Abner was fantastic, knowledgeable, kind, and incredibly helpful. If you’re planning a trip to Banaue, I highly recommend finding a great local guide who can help you explore the area and learn about its culture.

Banaue is famous for its breathtaking rice terraces, often referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” 🤩

Each day we hiked through the terraces, walking along narrow paths between the layers of rice fields stacked high into the mountains. At times it felt a little intimidating, but I always felt safe.

During our stay we visited:

Stunning viewpoints overlooking the rice terraces
Traditional villages
The famous village of Batad
Natural hot springs
Cultural sites and local communities

We also learned a great deal about the traditions and daily lives of the local people.

Our guide handled all the logistics, including transportation and restaurant recommendations, which made the experience completely stress-free.

It was absolutely perfect.

Abner is an excellent guide, and if you’re planning to explore Banawi, I highly recommend going with him. 😄 You can reach him on WhatsApp at +639361575053

Days 4–8: Boracay 🏝️

After returning to Manila on another overnight bus, we headed straight to the airport and flew to Boracay.

Domestic flights in the Philippines are surprisingly affordable when booked several months in advance.

Boracay is all about beautiful beaches, luxury resorts, relaxing massages, and delicious desserts. 😋

Where We Stayed

We stayed at Fairways and Bluewater Boracay.

The resort was excellent, though there are certainly even more luxurious options on the island.

Things to Do in Boracay

The beaches are filled with vendors offering various tours and activities.

We tried:

Helmet diving
Transparent kayaking
Buggy rides

All were fun and enjoyable experiences.

White Beach

The island’s most famous beach.

White Beach is divided into three stations and stretches along a beautiful coastline lined with restaurants, cafés, bars, and shops.

It’s the perfect place to spend an entire day.

Puka Beach

Another beautiful beach worth visiting if you’d like a quieter atmosphere away from the crowds.

Desserts You Must Try

Halo Mango

One of Boracay’s most famous dessert spots.

Coco Mama

Known for serving delicious coconut-based ice cream desserts.

Both were absolutely worth the hype. 😋

After five relaxing days in Boracay, we continued our journey to what became my favorite destination in the entire country.

Days 9–13: El Nido, Palawan 😍

We flew directly from Boracay to El Nido with AirSWIFT.

And wow…

In my opinion, El Nido is the most beautiful place in the Philippines. 😍

Where We Stayed

We stayed at Charlie’s El Nido.

The hotel was brand new and beautifully designed.

Although the room felt somewhat small compared to accommodations we stayed in elsewhere, A bit overpriced for the room we were given.
The property itself was modern. Larger room options were available as well.

Island Hopping Tours

The main reason people visit El Nido is for the famous island-hopping tours.

There are four primary routes:

Tour A
Tour B
Tour C
Tour D

We chose Tours A and C, which are generally considered the most popular.

And honestly?

They were absolutely breathtaking.

The scenery was so beautiful it almost didn’t seem real. 🤩

Turquoise lagoons, limestone cliffs, white-sand beaches, hidden coves, and crystal-clear water everywhere.

Tour A

Our first tour was with a highly recommended local operator – Ivan

The boat was noticeably larger than many of the others, the crew provided excellent service, and the food served on board was fantastic.

It ended up being one of the highlights of the entire trip.

Tour C

For our second tour, we joined another local company Spider, because our first choice was fully booked.

The guide was wonderful, the weather was perfect, and the scenery was just as spectacular.

No matter which route you choose, El Nido’s landscapes are unforgettable.

El Nido Canopy Walk

In addition to the island tours, we also completed the Canopy Walk.

This short activity includes suspension bridges and a scenic viewpoint overlooking El Nido and the surrounding islands.

The walk takes approximately one hour and starts within walking distance of the town center.

The panoramic views at the top are incredible.

We booked this activity through Klook, a platform I’ve successfully used in several countries over the years.

Beaches in El Nido

One of the best things about El Nido is that you can spend each day exploring a different beach.

Lio Beach

A beautiful beach located near our hotel.

One fun feature is that airplanes fly directly overhead as they approach the nearby airport.

Las Cabañas Beach

One of the most beautiful sunset spots in El Nido.

We loved walking along the shoreline and exploring the nearby small islands and rock formations.

The entire area is stunning.

After five wonderful days in El Nido, we flew back to Manila for the final part of our trip.

Days 14–15: Manila

Where We Stayed

We stayed at I’m Hotel in the Makati district.

Situated in Makati, one of Manila’s best neighborhoods
Close to restaurants, shopping, and nightlife
Conveniently located near Beni Falafel

The hotel was excellent and highly recommended.

We booked a Superior Room, which was huge, comfortable, and luxurious.

One of the hotel’s most unique features is its transparent swimming pool located on an upper level, creating a fun and memorable experience.

The location was fantastic.

SM Mall of Asia

During our stay in Manila, we visited SM Mall of Asia, one of the largest shopping malls in the world.

The mall offers endless shopping, restaurants, entertainment options, and beautiful waterfront views.

We had a great time exploring it.

Internet & Connectivity

For internet access throughout the Philippines, I highly recommend using an eSIM.

Setup was simple, reliable, and convenient, and it worked well throughout our trip.

Final Thoughts

The Philippines is an absolutely stunning country.

From the dramatic rice terraces of Banaue to the white-sand beaches of Boracay and the unreal beauty of El Nido, every destination felt completely different yet equally unforgettable.

What impressed me most wasn’t just the scenery, it was the people.

Everywhere we went, locals were warm, welcoming and friendly.

This trip exceeded every expectation and remains one of my favorite travel experiences to date. ❤️

If you’re looking for a destination with incredible nature, paradise beaches, unforgettable island adventures, and some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet, the Philippines should absolutely be on your list.

Enjoy your trip! 🤗

For more photos, travel tips, and location tags, feel free to follow along on Instagram. 📸✨

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