More often than not, when people travel to the Philippines, they go for the islands and beaches. For me, I go for the volcanoes and wildlife. I decided to dedicate half of my time exploring the volcanoes while leaving the other half for the islands, and boy, was that a great idea.
I got to see the most symmetrical cone-shaped volcano in the world. I also got to swim with the whale sharks in the wild (not the ones where they feed them) and hang out with the friendly people of Palawan in Sibaltan. What more could I ask for?
Within this itinerary, you will be able to experience both adventure and relaxation within one trip. From the thrills of hiking volcanoes to sitting on a hammock and enjoying the sunrise in Palawan, here is the ultimate 3-week Philippines itinerary for backpackers!
The Philippines Itinerary Map
Quick Summary
| ☀️ Day 1: | Manila |
|---|---|
| ☀️ Day 2: | Mt Pinatubo |
| ☀️ Day 3: | Lake Ta'al |
| ☀️ Day 4-5: | Legazpi |
| ☀️ Day 6: | Donsol - Whale Sharks |
| ☀️ Day 7-10: | Cebu |
| ☀️ Day 11-13: | Bohol |
| ☀️ Day 14-17: | Palawan |
| ☀️ Day 21: | Coron |
3 Weeks Backpacking Philippines Itinerary
Day 1: Manila (4 nights)
- 📍 Stay: Hop Inn Hotel Tomas Morato Quezon City
- 🕐 Time: 4 nights
- 📖 Full Guide: Manila (external site)
First day arriving in Manila, take a day to walk around the streets of Makati and explore the Intramuros district where the colonial architecture is located. San Agustin Church and Fort Santiago are a few attractions worth seeing when you are there.
After you are done with the old town, take a jeepney (it is an adventure in itself) and visit the World's first Chinatown, find a local restaurant and enjoy the local cuisine. The food here is amazing with plenty of choices to choose from. Plus, it's really REALLY cheap!
- Philippines One Life Adventures - 10 Days (10 days)
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Day 2: Mt Pinatubo (1 night or day trip from Manila)
- 📍 Stay: BOGNOT LODGE
- 🕐 Time: 1 night or day trip from Manila
Note: Mount Pinatubo's Capas trail reopened on June 23, 2025 after the temporary tourism suspension earlier that year. Access is regulated through the local tourism system, and visitors should arrange the trek with an accredited operator and confirm current weather, military-exercise, and trail advisories before traveling. The current Capas tourism schedule lists an early registration cut-off, so this is still a trip you need to start very early.
When I did this trip independently, I took a taxi to Pasay Bus Station and hopped on a bus bound for Capas, which took 2 - 3 hours. I got off around the McDonald's junction, and continued by tricycle for about 30 minutes to Santa Juliana, the jump-off point for Mt .Pinatubo. That basic route is still useful, but the trek is now more formally regulated. The Capas tourism office requires an approved booking with an accredited tour operator, and the crater trip uses a local 4x4 plus a guide. Current published local-government rates list the 4x4 at 3,000 PHP for up to five people, a local guide at 500 PHP per vehicle, a 300 PHP Capas tourism fee per person, and a 400 PHP Botolan fee per person.
I would no longer turn up in Santa Juliana hoping to find a shared jeep on the spot. Arrange the Pinatubo trip in advance with an accredited operator, especially if you are coming from Manila, since registration and departures are early and access can change with weather or military activity. You can still stay around Santa Juliana or join a Manila-based day tour if you prefer not to organize the transport yourself.
Day 3: Lake Ta'al (Day trip from Manila)
Taal is still an easy day trip south of Manila, but the experience is completely different from when I visited. You can no longer take a boat to Taal Volcano Island and hike to the crater. As of September 2026, PHIVOLCS keeps the entire volcano island within the Permanent Danger Zone and says entry onto the island, boating on Taal Lake, and access to the Main Crater should not be allowed. Instead, visit Tagaytay or another legal viewpoint around the caldera for views of Taal Volcano and the lake, and check the latest PHIVOLCS bulletin before your trip.
My photos and experience here are from when crater hikes were still permitted. That route, including hiking down toward the crater lake and swimming, is no longer available. Treat this section as a record of my earlier trip rather than a route to follow today. For a current visit, stick to legal viewpoints outside Taal Volcano Island.
Day 4 - 5: Legazpi (3 nights)
- 📍 Stay: Emerald Boutique Hotel
- 🕐 Time: 3 nights
After Manila, you can either take a bus or a plane to Legazpi City, where you will be met with a view of Mayon Volcano. If you take a flight from Manila, be sure to seat yourself on the left side of the aircraft for a view from above.
There are plenty of adventures to be found in Legazpi. First, take a tricycle to the Cagsawa ruin early in the morning (7 AM) and beat the crowd. After seeing the Mayon Volcano, walk out from the ruin towards the road; you will find many ATV operators offering an ATV tour to one of the many spots around the volcano.
I went with this ATV tour and I happened to be the only one in the group and had a blast exploring the beautiful scenery around the volcano.
The ATV ride is still a fun way to explore the landscape around Mayon, but how close you can go depends on the volcano's current alert level and local restrictions. As of September 21, 2026, Mayon is at Alert Level 2 and PHIVOLCS prohibits entry into the 6-kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone. The volcano's status can change quickly, so check the latest bulletin and follow local closures before booking an ATV route. My ride here was from an earlier trip, when conditions were different.
On your way back, you can drop by the Daraga Church and enjoy another perspective of the Mayon volcano.
Day 6: Donsol - Whale Sharks (day trip)
From Legazpi, you can easily take a day trip from the city to Donsol with transportation available at the Legazpi Bus Terminal. Once you arrive in Donsol, you can take a tricycle to the Donsol Whale Shark Interaction Center, where you can charter a boat to swim with the whale sharks in the wild, the way it should be done.
I personally prefer Donsol over the whale shark experience in Oslob because Donsol's encounters are based on finding free-swimming whale sharks rather than provisioning them with food. Feeding wildlife can alter natural behavior, which is why I chose to see them in Donsol instead. Wherever you swim with whale sharks, follow the local briefing, keep the required distance, and never touch, chase, block, or feed the animals.
Donsol remains one of the best-known places in the Philippines for a more natural whale shark encounter. The official interaction is guide-led, sightings depend entirely on wildlife movement and sea conditions, and they are never guaranteed. Morning trips are generally recommended, and you have to register and attend the conservation and safety briefing before entering the water.
Day 7 - 10: Cebu (4 nights)
- 📍 Stay: OYO 227 Palladium Suites Hotel
- 🕐 Time: 4 nights
- 📖 Full Guide: 26 Awesome Things to do in Cebu: Best Tourist Spots (via journeyera.com)
The city itself is not very attractive, but Cebu City gives us the perfect base for exploring the surrounding natural wonders such as Kawasan Falls, Osmeña Peak, and Pescador Island.
You can also spend more days in Cebu doing day trips like going canyoneering at Kawasan Falls, tour around Moalboal Islands, before heading next to Bohol, our next destination.
Day 11 - 13: Bohol (3 nights)
- 📍 Stay: ARAMARA Resort
- 🕐 Time: 3 nights
When you are in Bohol, I highly recommend renting a motorbike and exploring the landscape at your own pace. Visiting the Chocolate Hills, the Tarsier Sanctuary and Bilar Man-Made Forest can be done in one trip, and riding a motorbike between these places is a highlight in itself as it takes you through lush forests on curvy roads.
If you have time left in Bohol, you can also go to Anda to explore the Cabagnow Cave Pool or simply chill out at the beach.
Day 14 - 17: Palawan (4 nights)
- 📍 Stay: Frendz Hostel El Nido
- 🕐 Time: 4 nights
- 📖 Full Guide: 20 Awesome Things to Do in El Nido: The Ultimate Guide (via journeyera.com)
Spend a day or two in El Nido and explore the beautiful lagoons and beaches around Palawan with an island-hopping trip. I still recommend Palawan Boat Tour A for a first visit. In 2026, shared Tour A trips are commonly around 1,500 PHP per person, with the mandatory El Nido Eco-Tourism Development Fee currently 400 PHP per person and valid for 10 days. Lagoon stops can also carry a separate 200 PHP user fee, so check exactly what your tour price includes before booking. It is touristy here but still beautiful nonetheless.
Personally, El Nido was a bit too crowded for me. So, if you want to avoid the tourists, rent a motorbike, drive to Sibaltan, and stay at the Erlittop Resort. With the price of a hostel, you will get the whole cabin to yourself, overlooking the sunrise beach. They also offer a snorkeling tour around the northern part of Palawan, away from the crowd.
Day 21: Coron (4 nights)
- 📍 Stay: Charms Hotel
- 🕐 Time: 4 nights
You can also spend a few days on Coron Island, where you can hike Mount Tapyas, explore Kayangan Lake, and go on a snorkeling tour. If you are lucky enough, you might even be able to see the Dugongs munching on seagrass along the coast of Busuanga.
If you are coming from El Nido, continue to Coron by ferry or make the journey itself part of the experience with a multi-day island expedition. I would not recommend trying to visit Coron as a day trip from El Nido: the two destinations are far enough apart that Coron deserves its own stay, especially if you want time for Kayangan Lake, snorkeling, wreck diving, or the viewpoints around Coron Town.
Why go to the Philippines?
I can write a whole article on why you should come to the Philippines, but to keep it short, here is a list of reasons why you should make the Philippines your next destination:
- The people are really friendly and they all speak English so communication is easy and efficient.
- You get to experience rare wildlife up close. Seeing tarsiers and whale sharks is definitely the highlight of my trip.
- For thrill-seekers, there are plenty of stunning volcanoes to hike.
- Palawan is literally heaven on Earth.
When To Visit the Philippines?
For this particular itinerary, December to April is generally the easiest period because much of the country is in its drier season, although weather varies considerably between regions and islands.
March and April are also traditionally strong months for whale shark encounters around Donsol, but sightings are wild and never guaranteed.
April can be extremely hot, so I prefer December to February if you want slightly cooler conditions. The wet and typhoon season does not make travel impossible, but ferries, island tours, flights, and volcano trips are more vulnerable to weather disruption.
How to Get to the Philippines?
Manila and Cebu are the country's two most useful international gateways for this itinerary, with Clark also handling a growing number of international flights. Make sure to compare a direct flight with connections through major Asian hubs such as Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Seoul, and Taipei via Skyscanner or Expedia.
Before flying, check the entry rules for your passport. Many nationalities can enter the Philippines visa-free for an initial stay of 30 days, provided they meet the applicable passport and onward-ticket requirements, while others need a visa. International arrivals must also complete the Philippine government's free eTravel registration within 72 hours before arrival. Use only the official government eTravel system, as fake paid registration sites exist.
How To Get Around Philippines?
Traveling around the Philippines can be quite a pain since the country is an archipelago. Bus rides take longer than they should, while flights might not be as budget-friendly.
The fastest way is by plane, and airlines such as Cebu Pacific and AirAsia are well-connected and offer affordable prices.
Buses are the cheapest form of transportation in the Philippines. They can be quite reliable if you are traveling within the main islands. Some operators, like Victory Liner, have scheduled trips that connect the provinces together.
Do not plan this itinerary around long-distance trains. Philippine National Railways suspended its Metro Manila commuter operations in March 2024 to make way for construction of the North-South Commuter Railway. For this route, use domestic flights, intercity buses and vans, and ferries between islands.
For short-distance travel, tricycles and jeepneys remain part of everyday transport in many destinations, while Grab is extremely useful in larger cities such as Manila and Cebu. With tricycles, ask the fare before leaving if there is no posted or metered rate. On the islands, vans, buses, ferries, and locally arranged transfers fill most of the gaps between major tourist stops.
Which tourist SIM card is best for The Philippines?
Globe and Smart remain the two main mobile networks, and both now offer much better 4G/5G coverage than when I first traveled here, although signal can still become patchy on remote islands, at sea, and in mountain areas. I used Globe on my trip, but I would now choose between Globe and Smart based on the places you are visiting.
Globe currently sells a tourist eSIM with 80 GB of data plus unlimited local calls and texts for 30 days at 1,750 PHP, and physical traveler SIM options are also available at major airports. Philippine SIMs and eSIMs must be registered, so have your passport details ready.
Alternatively, if your phone supports eSIMs, you can set one up before arriving and have mobile data as soon as you land. You can browse through available eSIMs here.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
Daily Budget
This place is quite affordable compared to all the other countries in the world. If you are planning a trip here, you can expect to spend around $25 - $45 USD per day per person, which should include accommodation and three meals.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
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9 Comments
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.