Tailor-Made Trips to Philippines

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Philippines Travel Insights

Discover Siargao and take a surf lesson in the Philippines surf capital or watch surfers from iconic Cloud 9 Beach
Map of 5 Days in the Philippines - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
5 Days in the Philippines - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With five days in the Philippines, focusing on one or two regions is wise. First-timers seeking a mix of history, cuisine, and adventure will enjoy Manila heritage and street food tours paired with Boracay watersports. Those keen on culture and hiking will appreciate a Bangaan Rice Terraces trek and the chance to learn about Ifugao culture. At the same time, travelers eager for an island getaway can try surfing in Siargao, island hopping in El Nido, or snorkeling among Coron's shipwrecks and coral gardens.

Enjoy three days exploring Siargao Island and its treasures like the Magpupungko Rock Pool on a highlights tour
Map of 1 Week in the Philippines - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in the Philippines - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With one week to explore the Philippines, you can choose between urban adventures, beach and water activities, or a mix of both. Manila and Cebu City are ideal locations to delve into the country's history and fit in nature-based day trips, while Moalboal and Oslob, located on Cebu Island, are perfect destinations for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. If you're eager to island-hop, opt for a stay in El Nido. Or, include time on Bohol Island for inland adventures, such as to the famed Chocolate Hills.

On an itinerary to Bohol, you'll spend some time contemplating the distintive Chocolate Hills
Map of 10 Days in the Philippines - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas
10 Days in the Philippines - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With 10 days in the Philippines, you can split your time between Manila, Cebu Island, and Boracay during a well-rounded tour of the city, mountains, and beaches. Or, delve into the local culture and stay in rice terrace-surrounded villages while making your way between Manila, Banaue, and Baguio. Other options include a relaxing island-hopping trip featuring Palawan and Coron, memorable diving opportunities from Moalboal, and nature excursions on Bohol Island.

Night markets and street food await when the sun goes down in Manila
Map of 2 Weeks in the Philippines - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
2 Weeks in the Philippines - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With two weeks in the Philippines, you can delve into the country's culture, nature, and islands on a highlights tour featuring Dumaguete, Bohol Island, and Cebu City, or opt for an active adventure that gets you out hiking among terraced rice fields, dramatic valleys, and to serene waterfalls. You can also pack in stays in six different destinations on a fast-paced tour. Or, if it's beach time you're after, set your sights on an island paradise trip featuring Bohol, Palawan, and Coron.

Discover the very timid tarsier on Bohol, the Philippines
How Many Days to Spend in the Philippines

While six days is a popular duration for kimkim travelers, 10 days are recommended for a more thorough trip to the Philippines. You can spend time on the archipelago's largest island, Luzon, swim under waterfalls on Siquijor, admire the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, and snorkel among colorful fish off the coast of Cebu. This gives you enough time to island hop, relax on pristine beaches, and discover the country's unique landscapes without feeling rushed.

Discover Palawan's Snake Island at low tide in the dry season
Best Time of Year to Visit the Philippines

The dry season (December to May) is the best time to visit the Philippines as the sun is shining, the sea is calm and clear, and the conditions are perfect for a range of outdoor activities. There are also advantages of traveling in the wet season (June to November), including lower prices and fewer crowds, as well as pockets of the country that remain pretty dry.

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Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Philippines
Travel specialist Sarah Lindsay
active 14 hours ago

Sarah Lindsay

I’m Sarah, and I founded Do You Travel because travel and helping people are my passions. Me and my team of Philippines experts and local guides offer years of experience and knowledge to create a...

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Travel specialist Leo Cuesta
active 23 hours ago

Leo Cuesta

I'm the founder and president of Uncharted Earth, an adventure travel company that specializes in lesser known and relatively undeveloped travel destinations. We seek out unspoiled nature...

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Travel specialist Cami Sarmiento
active 16 hours ago

Cami Sarmiento

I'm the vice president of Uncharted Earth, an adventure travel company that specializes in lesser known and relatively undeveloped travel destinations. We seek out unspoiled nature destinations and...

read more...
Travel specialist Leny Vergara
active 6 hours ago

Leny Vergara

Hello! I'm Leny. Travel is my passion, and if you're anything like me, you believe the best adventures happen off the beaten path. Japan is the first country I lived in, and I fell in love with it....

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Trip Reviews for Philippines

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

My Philippines introduction (Palawan & Manila)
Philippines | Mar 19 - Mar 24, 2026

Chuck
Chuck W.
Palo Alto, CA | Reviewed on Mar 31, 2026
Cami did a very good job planning my trip! My flight arrived in Puerto Princesa 15 minutes earlier than scheduled, so I arrived before my guide, Rick, who did arrive at the scheduled time :-). Rick gave me a nice city tour as planned, skipping a temple, at my request — I had seen more than enough temples! My day tour of the Subterranean River NP (mangrove and cave tours) was very nice — the highlight of my visit to Puerto Princesa! My trip in a “public van” was a nightmare — one of the... Read more

Cami did a very good job planning my trip! My flight arrived in Puerto Princesa 15 minutes earlier than scheduled, so I arrived before my guide, Rick, who did arrive at the scheduled time :-). Rick gave me a nice city tour as planned, skipping a temple, at my request — I had seen more than enough temples! My day tour of the Subterranean River NP (mangrove and cave tours) was very nice — the highlight of my visit to Puerto Princesa!

My trip in a “public van” was a nightmare — one of the worse travel experiences of my life! I was the 10th of 10 oassengers, squeezed into a temporary seat with no seat belt or headrest squeezed between two oversized men pressing hard against me on my sides! This was a 6 hour ride — I feel lucky to have lived through it !

My 2 days in El Nido went as planned — 2 days island hopping with snorkeling at each island including lunch and some caving. I was not picked up by a tricycle as expected, but by a tour agent on foot, as I was in easy walking distance of the gathering spot.

I was picked up on time for my ride to the El Nido airpprt and again at the Manila airport for my ride to the hotel. I used the Grab app to visit downtown Nanila before deoarting for Guam :-)

I had goid weather throughout ;-)

Local specialist: Cami Sarmiento

Flawless logistics incredible memories
Philippines | Mar 13 - Mar 25, 2026

Vanessa
Vanessa W.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Mar 26, 2026
Doreen in Baguio was so knowledgeable about the culture and area. Andrew was such a helpful guide on the island hopping tours that we asked for him on our second day along with the same speedboat captain and crew. They know the best time to go to each island to limit crowds and had so much patience when we wanted to stay longer in some locations. Ed was the best driver to Baguio and ended up being our driver to the airport on our last day. We were so happy to see him again. Our last hotel in... Read more

Doreen in Baguio was so knowledgeable about the culture and area. Andrew was such a helpful guide on the island hopping tours that we asked for him on our second day along with the same speedboat captain and crew. They know the best time to go to each island to limit crowds and had so much patience when we wanted to stay longer in some locations. Ed was the best driver to Baguio and ended up being our driver to the airport on our last day. We were so happy to see him again. Our last hotel in El Nido was the best. We would ask for a different hotel in Puerto Princessa if we return. Aziza was old and needs updating. But the staff were very pleasant. All of the logistics worked flawlessly.

Hotel Reviews
Microtel by Wyndham Baguio

Great staff. Room was comfortable. Restaurant on property was not that great.

Authenticity & Character
Well kept landscaping.
Location
Located in the city and within walking distance to dining.
Staff
Very pleasant and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms and lobby were very clean.
Aziza paradise hotel
Puerto Princesa

Older hotel. Needs updating. Didn't see any pool tables (shown in picture above) limited seating by the pool.

Authenticity & Character
Lobby was open and clean. Some lighting was not working and not enough fans for the lobby.
Location
Close to airport.
Staff
Everyone was very nice and accommodating.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room did not have pleasant smell. Roosters right by room crowed during the night and kept us awake.
El Nido Coco Resort
El Nido

By far the best resort of our trip. Lived having our own bungalow right across from the pool and restaurant.

Authenticity & Character
Grounds were full of flowers and plants.
Location
Quiet, away from the town and streets.
Staff
The restaurant staff were so friendly and accommodating.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The resort was spotless and very well maintained.
City Garden Grand Hotel
Manila

Expansive breakfast buffet and amazing rooftop view of Manila.

Authenticity & Character
Fit into the financial district.
Location
Rooftop view
Staff
Recognized us from our multiple stays and our request for morning mimosas.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were cleaned and lobby was very nice.
Activity Reviews
Private: El Nido Island Hopping Tour B: Caves & Islands
Private: El Nido Island Hopping Tour B: Caves & Islands
El Nido

Loved spending extra time at one of the beaches.

Quality of Experience
Food
Variety and quality
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Andrew and the captain and crew of Seanorita
Transport
Private: El Nido Island Hopping Tour A: Lagoons and Beaches
Private: El Nido Island Hopping Tour A: Lagoons and Beaches
El Nido

Kayaking was awesome.

Quality of Experience
Food
Didn't expect so much food for the four of us!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Andrew was helpful. Especially with our older aunt and uncle getting in and out of the kayak.
Transport
Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour
Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour
Puerto Princesa

Amazing view and depth of the river caves.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Puerto Princesa: Firefly Watching Bay Cruise with Dinner
Puerto Princesa: Firefly Watching Bay Cruise with Dinner
Puerto Princesa

Seeing the fireflies was a great. But, seeing the amount of stars in the sky was really the highlight of the tour.

Quality of Experience
The your guide and boost crew were knowledgeable and very helpful.
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Baguio Whole Day Tour with Lunch (Private Tour)
Baguio Whole Day Tour with Lunch (Private Tour)
Baguio

Doreen fit a lot into one day. She even took us to a place tourist don't typically go. It was extra special.

Quality of Experience
Food
We were tired and ate at the hotel. Which was just ok. We probably would have had better if we felt up to going out.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Doreen, our tour guide and Ed, our driver.
Transport
Ed was great. Safe and on time.
Local specialist: Sarah Lindsay

FANTASTIC PHILIPPINES MONTH LONG TRIP
Philippines | Feb 1 - Feb 27, 2026

paul
paul c.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Mar 12, 2026
What a great trip.
It took a long time to get the trip right, but with the great help ofCami we got there, Cami was very patient as this was a special trip for myself and my wife, getting the balance right between having enough time in one place and getting the accommodation right all took time and Cami was very knowledgeable and helpful .
We spent the whole of February travelling the Philippines and hit was wonderful, saw so many places, great trips and excursions, all private as well...
Read more

What a great trip.
It took a long time to get the trip right, but with the great help ofCami we got there, Cami was very patient as this was a special trip for myself and my wife, getting the balance right between having enough time in one place and getting the accommodation right all took time and Cami was very knowledgeable and helpful .
We spent the whole of February travelling the Philippines and hit was wonderful, saw so many places, great trips and excursions, all private as well which was great.
All pick up from hotels, airports, ferry terminals all went great and according to plan, not one thing what wrong which was amazing
Would defiantly use KimKim again and a big thank you and shout out to Cami.

Thank you very much.

From Shirley & Paul

Hotel Reviews
Holiday Inn Express Manila New Port City
Pasay

Typical busy airport hotel, breakfast was like zoo feeding times, manic and hard to get a seat. Only there for 2 different nights for transfers. Shopping mall over the road is great for for etc.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Two Seasons Coron Bayside Hotel
Coron Town

Great location, staff all very nice Lovely rooms

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Huni Lio
El Nido

Lovely hotel in a great setting, Hun Lio estate is great, nice upmarket feel to it. A good choice of restaurants and downtown only 10-15 mins by tuk tuk Great Staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Henann Resort Alona Beach

Lovely Hotel in a great setting right on the beach and walkable to nightlife/shops etc.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
staff at beach bar a bit rude
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort
Cebu City

Great location. I will say though everything through the hotel is very very expensive, drinks food etc. Staff lovely, location great.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Elysia Beach Resort

Lovely hotel, albeit rather basic (bathroom area) staff are great as is the food. not a lot else to do though.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
bathroom a bit basic (shower awful)
Local specialist: Cami Sarmiento
Cami
Cami Sarmiento
Local specialist in Las Vegas, NV | Replied on Mar 13, 2026

Thank you for your wonderful review Shirley and Paul. I'm very happy to hear you had a great Philippine experience.
Thank you for choosing to travel with us. It was a pleasure to organize your trip and I look forward to organizing another unforgettable trip for you in the future!
Cami

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