2 Weeks in the Philippines: An Awesome Itinerary (With Map)
I spent 2 weeks in the Philippines, back in February. Loved it. It was my second time there and I hope one day I’ll get a third. I flew direct from London to Manila on the new Philippine Airlines flight, and then went to Boracay Island, to Bohol and finally to Siargao. The first time I went to the Philippines, again for two weeks, I went to Palawan and Cebu.
– Me having a great time at the Chocolate Hills in Bohol on my Philippines vacation
This Philippines itinerary is for two weeks in Boracay, Bohol and Siargao, but I’ll give some helpful tips on how you can visit Palawan and Cebu too.
If you’re planning on going to the Philippines for two weeks, and you need some help on how to put the trip together, and how it’ll fit, then read on my friend.
2 Weeks in Philippines
Here’s my exact itinerary for 2 weeks in the Philippines, complete with costs, reasoning, hotel recommendations (or ones to avoid) and links to my experiences in more depth.
Summary of this 2-week Philippines itinerary
Last time I spent two weeks in the Philippines, I visited
- El Nido, Palawan – white sand Philippines beaches and looming cliffs – one of the most famous islands in the Philippines too.
- Coron, Palawan – picturesque islands with jungle treks.
- Cebu and Malapascua Island – an island with amazing diving.
- So if you have any questions about visiting there, let me know.
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13 Reasons Why The Tao Experience Was So Good
Exploring the Incredible Kawasan Falls in Cebu
– If you’re feeling confident enough I’d totally recommend hiring a moped during your 2 weeks in Philippines
I’d strongly recommend you choose a maximum of three places to go if you only have 2 weeks in the Philippines. The Philippines are made up of 7,107 islands and getting between them, with the unpredictable island weather, can take some time. There are often delays with flights and ferries and you don’t want to ruin your two weeks in the Philippines itinerary by missing a connection.
Don’t try and fit too much into your Philippines travel itinerary or you’ll end up rushing around too much. If you’re looking for advice on where to go in Philippines, read on!
– I accidentally took this pic with the touch screen on my camera. I really like it!
This is a super detailed breakdown of how I spent two weeks in the Philippines, to help you plan your trip.
Day 1: the flight and arrival into Manila
Day 2: Manila to Boracay
Day 3: yoga and ATV in Boracay
Day 4: yoga, and beach time in Boracay
Day 5: island hopping and massage in Boracay
Day 6: Boracay to Cebu
Day 7: Chocolate Hills and Tarsiers in Bohol
Day 8: Motorbikes of Panglao
Day 9: Ferry to Cebu
Day 10: Cebu to Siargao
Day 11: Motorbike around Siargao Island
Day 12: Chilling on the beach / island hopping tour
Day 13: Motorbiking around Northern Siargao
Day 14: Mangapunko Beach and back to Manila, via Cebu
Day 15: Flight from Manila to London
It’s going to be an amazing Philippines vacation, trust me!
My Philippines 2 week itinerary
– views like this on your Philippines itinerary? Of course!
Day 1: the flight and arrival into Manila
I travelled with Philippines Airlines on the new direct flight from Heathrow to Manila.
It took 13 hours 55 minutes from 21:50 to 19:45, overnight.
The excellent flying hours meant I could just go to bed when I arrived and it didn’t really matter if I slept or not on the flight. Great start to the trip when you’re going that far. It felt like a new plane, with a great entertainment system, and even Wi-Fi on board too. I didn’t actually indulge but it’s $20 for the whole journey, or $5 for an hour and you got 30 mins free. There weren’t any plugs on board but there was a USB charger, so get your Netflix series’ downloaded to your phone before you fly.
Philippine Airlines definitely kept us well fed.
- Meal one: Chicken and rice with a choc dessert
- Meal two: Mushroom panini
- Meal three: Egg and sausage concoction
Just to note though, at Heathrow they’d told me my luggage was going all the way through to Caticlan, Boracay, which I’d thought was strange. So I checked when I got to Manila. And it wasn’t. There was then some confusion about whether I needed to pick it up and check it in again, which unfortunately cost me an hour’s time at the airport that I could’ve been sleeping.
If you’re travelling on from Manila, like you will do with this 2 week Philippines itinerary, then check when you’re at Heathrow.
Basically, if you’re travelling on the Philippine Airlines flight to Boracay, stopping in Manila, you need to just pick up your luggage, take it with you, and bring it back the next morning when it’s time to check in for your flight. Triple check if they tell you different.
I’d recommend you compare your flight prices for the Philippines on netflights.com.
More tips for your arrival into Manila
- Get your hotel to sort a pick up, so nice to have your driver actually know where your hotel is.
- None of the ATMs at the airport worked, so don’t rely on them. Take some currency with you, like any sensible person would. I had to get the taxi to stop at an ATM along the way.
- Have your flip flops at the ready, arriving into Manila was HAWT.
Where I stayed in Manila
I stayed at the NoMadsMNL Backpackers Homestay for 995 php (£13) for one night. It was a decent hotel room, for the price, but did have shared facilities. Definitely more for the backpacker end of the market, although I did have a balcony and the owners were really nice. The taxi from the airport cost 200php (£2.80).
Day 2: Manila to Boracay
I was up at 4am from the early night and ravenous from the jetlag. I had a noodle cup from downstairs for 50 (70p). I lay in bed and watched the sun rise over my little Manila street above my balcony. Breakfast was included in the price and I went downstairs for one of the free coffees and saw the tuna sandwich breakfast laid out for me.
With the night and morning in Manila, you could go out and explore with this Philippines itinerary. I was too tired though, and didn’t really have the desire. Cities weren’t my intention for my two weeks in the Philippines.
My flight to Caticlan (Boracay) was at 12 noon to 12:50 with Philippine Airlines. I paid the hotel price of 200php (£2.80) back to Manila Airport. No dramas.
The flight was 50 quick minutes and the beautiful Filipino beaches of Boracay appeared in front of me. Boracay airport is actually on Caticlan, the island next door, and a boat journey away.
– 2 weeks in the Philippines and you’ll definitely need a few planes
I arrived into the airport and tried to do the crafty thing of getting to my hotel by paying the vendors separately to save money. Didn’t work though and I think at these rates it’s just easier to pay a rep for a package to get to get a taxi to the port, boat across, and transfer to my hotel (600php / £9). Always trying to find the hack when I’m backpacking in the Philippines, but sometimes it’s easier to just pay!
The journey to the port ended up being totally walkable and on the other side she seemed to prioritise everyone else, getting them into a van, which I was annoyed about as she left me hanging there. And then, for some reason, she got me my own private tricycle and I was taken straight to my hostel.
Sweet. I did not question this.
Got to the W Hostel. Looked ok, excited to see they had yoga, dropped my stuff and went off to explore.
Gawd I was overwhelmed. It was sooo busy and crazy on White Beach at Station 2. I’d pictured private sands but no, nuh uh.
– seriously, this is the best Philippines 2 week itinerary you’ll find
I got a mango shake and went to watch the sunset with a few thousand other people. I spotted a place advertising Tuna Poke bowls, and so got involved. Yum. I was so tired but it was only about 8pm so went for a massage at Shy for (400 php / £6). So relaxing, and needed. And then came home and went to sleep for hours.
Didn’t even wake up when the other people came in my dorm.
Where I stayed in Boracay
W Hostel Boracay – 4-bed dorm for 5,300 php for 4 nights (£74)
W Hostel was ok. I really liked my bed, and my room, and the fact that there was a rooftop garden with a pool to dip in and cool off. Big points there. It was the staff and the toilets that let it down. I feel like everywhere else I went people were lovely, not here. Also, they kept telling me yoga was on, which it clearly wasn’t, and I’d arrive ready. The toilets and showers were disgusting. As in, it was always wet in there and stunk of piss. Good WiFi though. And great location.
If you’re backpacking in the Philippines, and have low standards but a desire to party and be in the centre of the action – this is the hostel for you.
Day 3: yoga and ATV in Boracay
Woke up early to do yoga at the hostel, yet no yoga despite asking three people and being assured it was on. Meant to be at 8. Realised at 8.10