Things To Do In The Philippines
Whether you're after an adventure or looking to relax in the Philippines, learn a little more about how you can get more out of each stop!
Things to do in El Nido
Relax
If you’ve come to El Nido to relax, you’ll have several different stretches of beach to choose from. The beautiful beaches of Corong Corong and Las Cabanias are the perfect places to watch the sun slip down behind the karst at the end of the day.
Adventure
Seeking more of an adventure? One of the most popular things to do here are the island and lagoon tours. Tour A and C are popular picks with prices ranging from $26-30. If you’re a tough negotiator you might be able to get it for as low as $19. These tours offer snorkeling and kayaking ($7 per kayak) in a distinct natural paradise. For lunch they serve up an incredible barbecue spread - arguably the best meal in El Nido! The sights of these tours are stunning but they would be a little more enjoyable without the crowds.
Note: Foreigners may be required to purchase an Eco-Tourism Development Card for $4 in order to do tours.
Explore
Looking for an independent adventure? Rent a motorbike and explore Palawan on your own. You can easily make your way to waterfalls and beaches while soaking in all of the lush greenery and beautiful mountains along the way. Heading south out of El Nido town will take you along a beautiful stretch of coast towards Corong Corong Beach and Las Cabanias Beach. Heading north will take you to Nacpan Beach, waterfalls, a hot springs, Duli Beach, Mariposa Beach, and Verde Safari Beach. Palawan is the kind of place where it would be worth spending a week or two doing a motorbike tour around the whole island. If you have the time - do it and tell us about it!
things to do at nacpan beach
Explore
If you need some activity, walk to the southern end of the beach and take the trail leading up the hill to an incredible viewpoint. It’s a short, easy walk up to the first bluff, which offers stunning views of the beach below. It’s a little more difficult to reach the top viewpoint, which unfortunately has less impressive views in comparison to the first platform. Another way to explore is by paddleboard or kayak ($5/hr). There are two islands off the coast waiting to be explored.
Relax
Not up for an adventure? Check out the Nacpan Beach massage hut. The hours of operation at the hut are pretty sporadic, but if you’re lucky and it’s open during your visit here, you will be rewarded with a peaceful massage to the sounds of the ocean for only $10.
things to do in port barton
snorkel
A tour is a MUST here! Far less crowded and less expensive than the tours in El Nido, the water is crystal clear and the beaches are almost untouched. For $13 you can swim alongside sea turtles and over incredible reefs in pristine waters while dropping into the unspoiled beaches surrounding Port Barton.
Note: A $1 Eco-Tourism Development Card is required to do activities on the water. These are purchased at the bus station.
Explore
A waterfall is an hour walk from the beach however it’s a little tricky to find. It’s not the most impressive waterfall in Southeast Asia given how long it takes to walk there. However, it is likely you will have the place to yourself, as it is pretty remote. The cold water gushing down is also a refreshing perk after the long, hot walk. You’ll find a rope tied next to the waterfall where you can climb on the rocks for some small jumps. Don’t feel like walking it? Motorbike rides can be arranged for $2 each way.
Wander On: Head down to Besaga Resort for the BEST banana nutella pancake breakfast in Palawan.
things to do in bohol
Explore
Spend the day exploring the Chocolate Hills. These playful hills are located approximately an hour and a half from the pier, 1 hour and 45 minutes from Alona Beach and 1 hour and 35 minutes from White Beach. Rent a motorbike ($6.50) for the trip. The road is in great condition and the drive is beautiful. On the way you will go through an impressive man-made forest. You can expect a $1 entrance fee upon arrival at the Chocolate Hills. If you have time, drop into the Tarsier Sanctuary to see the cute little endangered mammals.
If you plan on sticking around for more than a day, you can spend some time in touristy Alona Beach. For a more local feel try: Dumaluan Beach, White Beach or Libaong Beach. A tricycle ride to these beaches from the pier will cost $5-8. A taxi car will cost closer to $9. An extended stay will allow you time to take advantage of the island hopping, kayaking and diving offered here.
things to do in oslob
Snorkel
For an absolutely unforgettable snorkeling experience hop in the water with Cebu’s notorious Whale Sharks. If you are arriving to Oslob by bus you will be dropped off at the restaurant/hotel right next to the attraction. The cost to swim with the sharks is $24 and fins are an additional $2. Underwater cameras are also offered at an additional cost. This attraction is no secret and you can expect a large number of tourists to be swarming the area as early as 7:00am. After a quick briefing you will be taken 600 feet from the shore where you can see the Whale Sharks coming right up to the surface and feeding. Having such a close encounter with the biggest fish in the world is surreal. They are magnificent creatures. You will be able to snorkel for about 30 minutes while trying to dodge other snorkelers and the sharks. All in all it is pretty incredible, but for us it was a conflicting experience. It is certainly not for everyone and would be much more inspirational to see the sharks by chance in the wild.
Note: You need to arrive before 12pm noon to see the Whale Sharks as this is their feeding time.
Explore
If you’re not interested in swimming with Whale Sharks a trip to Oslob could still be worth your time to visit Tumalog Falls or Sumilon Island.
things to do in moalboal
Dive
Moalboal is a snorkeler’s paradise! The waters here are home to massive schools of sardines, sea turtles, and incredible varieties of tropical fish. Needless to say, the diving here is incredible. If you don’t have your PADI/SSI open water certification this is a great place to get that done. Fun dives are a deal with prices as low as $26 at Neptune Diving Adventure.
Explore
Break away from the underwater world for a day while you’re here to explore Kawasan Falls. In addition to all of the natural beauty that these waterfalls have to offer, they are really fun to climb around on. As you wander back through the three folds of falls you’ll find platforms for jumping, rope swings and bamboo rafts that will tug you under the falls. Rent a motorbike ($7) for the day so you can make the 45-minute drive yourself. You’ll be happy when you can pull off and enjoy some of the views along the coastal drive.
Note: There is a $1 entrance fee and a $1 parking fee.
Relax
Finish your days with a sunset beach massage for only $6! The massage set-up can be found in the sandy area in front of Pacita’s Beach Resort.
things to do in malapascua
Relax
On an island as beautiful as Malapascua you’ll want to spend some time exploring the beaches. To visit the most striking beach on the island, have a local take you by motorbike ($1 each way) to Bantigue Beach. While it might look like something straight out of a postcard today, Typhoon Yolanda hit the beach hard in 2014 wiping out everything. You will find the remains of Bantigue Beach Cove Resort completely abandoned. Development has yet to return to this stretch of beach since so you won’t find any accommodation, restaurants or shops here. After acquiring a healthy sunburn, head over to Logon Beach for a colorful sunset above the boats anchored in the cove.
Dive
Given the large number of dive shops on the island, it’s safe to assume the diving is of the highest standards. If you don’t have your open water or advanced certification, you should consider doing it here. There are loads of dive sites to pick from, one being a deep dive with Thresher Sharks. Although there is not a 100% guarantee that you will see one, it is worth taking the risk to see them in their natural habitat. They are found at 30 meters so you’ll need to be an advanced diver or sign-up for the adventure deep dive certification ($50).
Note: You get what you pay for. We recommend paying the extra $5-10 to go with a reputable dive shop. Diving with sharks is an amazing experience but the wrong divemaster can severely affect your experience.
Explore
As if Malapascua isn’t beautiful enough, hop a two-hour boat ride to Kalanggaman Island for the day and prepare to have your mind blown. The island extends about 753 meters long with a huge sandbar stretching out into crystal clear water. This place is picture perfect. While it’s not cheap for foreigners, you can justify the cost with the views. You can expect to pay $11 for the boat there and back, which includes lunch and an additional $11 for the island fee.
Wander On: For cheap, good eats head to Ging Ging’s. They’ve got the best deals on the island! Tons of other good western spots can be found here as well.