Best beaches and islands in The Philippines!
HOW TO GET THERE
General tip concerning all Filipino domestic airlines: If you’re not in a hurry to book, watch out for promo fares on their websites as fares can drop considerably. Hyperlinks to various transportation companies given on first mention.
1. El Nido
Several airlines fly from Manila to El Nido, either through a commercial airline or via chartered plane. Flight time: approximately 75 minutes. Domestic flights (El Nido-Manila)- SEAIR Chartered plane (El Nido-Manila)- Island Trans voyager (charter airline of El Nido Resort; their guests get priority reservations.)Depending on where you’re headed, from the El Nido airport tricycles can take you to El Nido town.
Ferries sail from a nearby marina to the islands, or your resort can make arrangements to meet you at the airport. Domestic flights (Puerto Princesa-Manila)Alternatively, the following airlines fly to Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan:- PAL Express – Cebu Pacific – Air Philippines – AirAsia. From the Puerto Princesa airport, you need to travel to El Nido by road. Take a multi-cab or jeep to the San Jose Terminal (20 minutes).
At the station, find the El Nido-bound buses. These are open-air, non-airconditioned buses. (Approximately eight hours, with stops at Taytay and Roxas Towns, about P300 ($6.60) for a one-way trip). Best to book seats and check schedules in advance:- Sweety Transport, +63 919 716 2210/+63 926 699 8700- Win Eulen Joy Liner, +63 939 945 9888The San Jose Terminal is also the departure point for shuttle vans.
Prebook to reserve a seat:- El Nido Boutique and Art CafeThe following vans are air-conditioned and more comfortable than buses (approximately six hours, P600 ($13) each passenger/P7,000 ($155) for entire van):- Fortwally Shuttle Company, +63 920 9815702/+63 917 276 2875 – Savior Shuttle Company, +63 929 622 5974- Eulen Joy, +63 939 945 9888
2. Boracay
The most direct way to get to Boracay is to fly to Caticlan, Panay Island (either from Manila or Cebu City) .Domestic flights (Caticlan-Manila)- PAL Express- Cebu Pacific- Air Philippines- SEAIRDomestic flights (Caticlan-Cebu)- Air PhilippinesFrom the Caticlan airport, take a tricycle to the Caticlan jetty port.
Alternatively, fly to Kalibo first.Domestic flights (Kalibo-Manila)- PAL Express – Cebu Pacific- Air Philippines- SEAIR Domestic flights (Kalibo-Cebu)- Air Philippines Domestic flights (Kalibo-Clark, Pampanga)- Air Philippines- PAL Express- SEAIR- AirAsia International flights to Kalibo- Philippine Airlines also flies Hong Kong-Kalibo and Seoul-Kalibo.- AirAsia flies to Kalibo from Incheon, Busan, Shanghai, and Taipei. From Kalibo Airport, travel by road (about two hours).
There are many vans outside the airport that go directly from the airport to the Jetty Port in Caticlan (approx P300 ($6)/passenger).Buses are available as well at the airport. You can take your chance with what is at the terminal (P200 ($4.50)) or book ahead via travel agencies such as Southwest Tours.
Which can organize the entire journey to Boracay (P300-P450 ($6-10), including boat transfer).From Caticlan Jetty Port, there will be many banka’s (ferry boats) ready to take you to White Beach, Boracay, about 15 minutes away.
Pay a terminal tax (P75 ($1.50)) and an environmental fee (P75 ($1.50)) at the port before boarding.You’ll need to wade in the water a bit so dress accordingly. For a small amount, boatmen will carry your luggage to shore. Tricycles on the island will take you to your resort. Cost is roughly P20 ($.50)) /passenger, but may rise depending on the location of the resort.
3. Palaui
From Manila, board a bus headed to Santa Ana. (Approximately 14-16 hours):- GV Florida Transport (only one with direct routes to Santa Ana from Manila and Tuguegarao) +63 2 7433809/+63 2 781 5894.Otherwise, fly or take a bus to Tuguegarao City.
Bus to Tuguegarao- Victory Liner (approximately 10 hours).Domestic flights (Tuguegarao-Manila)- Air Philippines- Cebu PacificWhen you get to Tuguegarao, take a tricycle and tell the driver to take you to the van terminal bound for Santa Ana.
The van trip will take about three hours.At Santa Ana, buy supplies for your island trip then take a tricycle to the San Vicente Port. Register at the visitor’s bureau.Hire a boat (P600 ($13) and a guide (P400-P2,000 ($9-$44) to take you to Punta Verde, Palui Island. Ask for a return trip. Pay the port fee (P50($1.10)). Register again, this time in the community logbook.
4. Panglao
Hop on a plane to Tagbilaran City if you’re coming from Manila.Domestic flights (Tagbilaran-Manila)- PAL Express- Cebu Pacific- Air Philippines- AirAsiaOr, take an international flight to Cebu City (Mactan Cebu International Airport) then get on a fast ferry to Tagbilaran City (approximately hours).
The ports are quite near the airport.Ferry services (Cebu-Tagbilaran)- Super Cat – Oceanjet. Upon arriving in Tagbilaran City, a cab or a “habal-habal” (motorcycle with driver) can take you to Panglao.
5. Bantayan
Fly to Cebu City on either a domestic or international flight. International flights to Cebu- Cebu Pacific (via Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea and Japan)- Malaysia Airlines (via Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu) – Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong)- Asiana Airlines (via South Korea)- Korean Air (via South Korea)- Qatar Airways (via Qatar)Domestic flights to Cebu are available from most cities in the Philippines as well.
Upon arrival at the airport in Cebu City, take a taxi and head for the North Bus Terminal. Make sure you get a metered taxi — and that the driver starts the meter. Get out of the cab if the driver won’t comply.Safety tip: hang on to your luggage while getting out of the cab.
If your bags are in the trunk, don’t let the driver open it until you’re ready to grab them. And don’t let insistent baggage handlers take your items if you don’t need them. At the North Bus Terminal, take a bus or shuttle to Hagnaya (approximately three hours).
The CERES bus is recommended — look for the buses that are white and yellow with a sign saying “Air Conditioned” in front, and another sign saying “Hagnaya” on the side.Make sure you take a bus that is scheduled to leave no later than 2 p.m. to give you enough time to catch the ferry to Bantayan. Do not let your luggage out of your sight while on the bus.
Alternatively, you can pay extra for a taxi to take you all the way to Hagnaya (you can haggle but it should cost approx. P2,000 ($44); driver covers fuel costs). At Hagnaya, the last ferry leaves at 5:30 p.m. for Santa Fe, Bantayan Island (approximately 45-90 minutes, depending on seacraft). Ferry Services (Hagnaya-Bantayan) – Super Shuttle Ferry
6. Caramoan
Take a bus or a domestic flight to Naga City. Head to Sabang Port by road, then take a passenger boat to your chosen island.Buses to Naga- Penafancia Tours, +63 54 811 8595 / 472 3615- Philtranco, +63 52 851 8078/+63 52 851 8079, info.philtranco@gmail.com- Victory Liner- Isarog Bus Lines +63 52 913 3551Domestic Flights (Manila-Naga)- PAL Express- Air Philippines- Cebu Pacific- AirAsiaFrom Naga Airport, take a P10 ($.20) tricycle ride to Naga Public Terminal.
At the terminal, you can rent a van for Sabang Port or take a bus to Goa (approximately two hours, P80 ($1.70)). (At Goa, ask around for the jeepney that goes to Sabang Port.)From Sabang Port, take a boat bound for Guijalo Port (approximately two hours, P120 ($2.65)/person).
The last boat leaves at 2 p.m. Get ready to wade (or be carried) to reach land area. Once there, take a tricycle to the town proper (10 minutes away).
The best, easiest and most convenient way to enjoy the trip is to let your resort or the Camarines Sur Tourism Office coordinate your transfers (+63 54 477 3344, +63 54 477 3347).
7. Samal
Fly to Davao City on either a domestic or international flight.International flights to Davao- Cebu Pacific Airlines (via Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea and Japan)Domestic Flights to Davao from several cities in the Philippines- Cebu Pacific Airlines- Air Philippines- PAL Express.
Take a short cab ride to one of three entry points to Samal Island, depending on where you’re headed to: Sta. Ana Wharf, SASA Km 11 Wharf or IGACOS Ferry Terminal (ask your resort for advice on this one).
8. Siargao
There are direct flights to Siargao Island. Siargao airport is 45 minutes away from General Luna, the location of the popular Cloud 9 beach. Tricycles or motorbikes are available; the trip would cost around P150 ($3.30).
Or, if you can spot a tricycle line, board a tricycle waiting to be filled with passengers for P30 ($.60)/passenger.Domestic flights (Manila-Siargao Island)- Cebu Pacific Airlines- AirAsiaDomestic flight (Cebu-Siargao Island)- Cebu Pacific Airlines
9. Great Santa Cruz Island
First, fly to Zamboanga City.Domestic flight (Manila-Zamboanga City)- PAL Express- Cebu Pacific Airlines- Air Philippines Domestic flight (Cebu-Zamboanga City)- Cebu Pacific Airlines Domestic flight (Davao-Zamboanga City)- Cebu Pacific Airlines- Air Philippines In Zamboanga City.
Book your day trip to Great Santa Cruz through the regional tourism office at Lantaka Hotel By The Sea, NS Valderama Street, near city hall. Call +63 62 992 6242 or email dotr9@yahoo.com.
10. Pagudpud
From Manila, take a domestic flight to Laoag (approximately 45 minutes).Domestic flights (Laoag-Manila)- PAL Express- Cebu Pacific Airlines. At Laoag, a free shuttle runs from the airport to city proper.
Or hop on a bus from Manila to Laoag.- Autobus Transport, +63 2 735 8098- Farinas Transit Company, +63 2 731 4507/+63 2 731 4375- Franco Frederico Lines, +63 2 7314473/+63 2 731 2584- Maria de Leon Transit, +63 2 731 4907- Partas Transportation, +63 2 725 1740- Philippine Rabbit, +63 2 456 7667.
In Laoag’s bus station, ask for the bus that is bound for Claveria Cagayan. Ask the conductor to drop you off at Pugudpud’s Baduang Market (approximately one hour). Buses from Manila direct to Pagudpud are also available, though the travel time may take 10 to 12 hours. RCJ Bus Lines +63 2 741 2994/+63 2 792 4939.
Updated Feb 21, 2020.
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