Very good read! One of the best I came across so far.
Could you mention the prices for transport and food in your future articles? would make it even better!
Thank you Hatem for the comments! Yes, the budget parts are missing but I'll work on that in my future articles. Budget is a difficult subject to tackle since it is always changing. I always find the budget provided in travel blog posts outdated since the price of everything is always changing, but i'll come up with something :)
Chris Chris
This is just the kind of article I was looking for during my research period, both in your destination choices and conciseness. Most of the others focus on the touristy beaches only. Thanks!
This is just the kind of article I was looking for during my research period, both in your destination choices and conciseness. Most of the others focus on the touristy beaches only. Thanks!
Thank you Chris! I am glad you like the post. That is the idea of the article. I went there trying my best to avoid the tourist traps and I am pretty happy about it. :) I hope you enjoy the Philippines! Safe travels!
Sophie Clayton
Hey! Just came across your article and found it super helpful! Please could you tell me what time of year you went to the Philippines? I'd really like to swim with the whale sharks around Donsol, but as i'm going in November, maybe I won't have much luck? Thanks!
Hey! Just came across your article and found it super helpful! Please could you tell me what time of year you went to the Philippines? I'd really like to swim with the whale sharks around Donsol, but as i'm going in November, maybe I won't have much luck? Thanks!
Hi Sophie,
I went in early May. I think Feb - April are the peak months but you never know. I was there later than the peak months and we found one. There were also some sighting in November too so you might be lucky. :) I hope this helps!
Chris Gröber
Hey! I really like your itinerary as I am also primarily going to the Philippines for hiking and getting off the beaten track. I've already decided to spend some time on Cebu, Bohol, and Luzon, but I am not sure about Palawan/Coron. They seem a bit touristy trap-y to me and it seems like activities there a geared towards (American) families with money and don't extend much further than boat tours and chilling on the beach. Is my perception too negative and would you agree that Palawan is the 'most beautiful of the Philippines' as most itineraries put it? I also have three weeks in the country but I am thinking of skipping the area in favor of having more time exploring the Visayas and the North.
Hey! I really like your itinerary as I am also primarily going to the Philippines for hiking and getting off the beaten track. I've already decided to spend some time on Cebu, Bohol, and Luzon, but I am not sure about Palawan/Coron. They seem a bit touristy trap-y to me and it seems like activities there a geared towards (American) families with money and don't extend much further than boat tours and chilling on the beach. Is my perception too negative and would you agree that Palawan is the 'most beautiful of the Philippines' as most itineraries put it? I also have three weeks in the country but I am thinking of skipping the area in favor of having more time exploring the Visayas and the North.
Hey Chris,
Thank you for the comments! Palawan and Coron are quite touristy indeed and the boat trips out to explore the islands around it are quite crowded at times but you can choose to stay a little bit outside of the tourist area and you will feel as off the beaten track as it can get in Palawan. You will just have to deal with the crowdedness of the daily boat trips that go to all the beautiful places around it.
If that doesn't sound interesting to you, then I would recommend just skip Palawan. If you don't mind spending a day on a touristy boat trip, I would still recommend Palawan as the lagoons are quite a sight to behold. :)
Thank you for the comments! Palawan and Coron are quite touristy indeed and the boat trips out to explore the islands around it are quite crowded at times but you can choose to stay a little bit outside of the tourist area and you will feel as off the beaten track as it can get in Palawan. You will just have to deal with the crowdedness of the daily boat trips that go to all the beautiful places around it.
If that doesn't sound interesting to you, then I would recommend just skip Palawan. If you don't mind spending a day on a touristy boat trip, I would still recommend Palawan as the lagoons are quite a sight to behold. :)
I hope this helps!
Yes, it does. Thanks so much for taking the time to respond! I’ve decided to stick to the visayas and Luzon.
Very good read! One of the best I came across so far.
Could you mention the prices for transport and food in your future articles? would make it even better!
Thank you Hatem for the comments! Yes, the budget parts are missing but I'll work on that in my future articles. Budget is a difficult subject to tackle since it is always changing. I always find the budget provided in travel blog posts outdated since the price of everything is always changing, but i'll come up with something :)
This is just the kind of article I was looking for during my research period, both in your destination choices and conciseness. Most of the others focus on the touristy beaches only. Thanks!
Thank you Chris! I am glad you like the post. That is the idea of the article. I went there trying my best to avoid the tourist traps and I am pretty happy about it. :) I hope you enjoy the Philippines! Safe travels!
Hey! Just came across your article and found it super helpful! Please could you tell me what time of year you went to the Philippines? I'd really like to swim with the whale sharks around Donsol, but as i'm going in November, maybe I won't have much luck? Thanks!
Hi Sophie,
I went in early May. I think Feb - April are the peak months but you never know. I was there later than the peak months and we found one. There were also some sighting in November too so you might be lucky. :) I hope this helps!
Hey! I really like your itinerary as I am also primarily going to the Philippines for hiking and getting off the beaten track. I've already decided to spend some time on Cebu, Bohol, and Luzon, but I am not sure about Palawan/Coron. They seem a bit touristy trap-y to me and it seems like activities there a geared towards (American) families with money and don't extend much further than boat tours and chilling on the beach. Is my perception too negative and would you agree that Palawan is the 'most beautiful of the Philippines' as most itineraries put it? I also have three weeks in the country but I am thinking of skipping the area in favor of having more time exploring the Visayas and the North.
Hey Chris,
Thank you for the comments! Palawan and Coron are quite touristy indeed and the boat trips out to explore the islands around it are quite crowded at times but you can choose to stay a little bit outside of the tourist area and you will feel as off the beaten track as it can get in Palawan. You will just have to deal with the crowdedness of the daily boat trips that go to all the beautiful places around it.
If that doesn't sound interesting to you, then I would recommend just skip Palawan. If you don't mind spending a day on a touristy boat trip, I would still recommend Palawan as the lagoons are quite a sight to behold. :)
I hope this helps!
Yes, it does. Thanks so much for taking the time to respond! I’ve decided to stick to the visayas and Luzon.