PHPANA.PH Team · Philippines travel teamPublished June 5, 2026 · 4 min read
Philippines 2 Weeks Itinerary: The Perfect Route
Two weeks feels both too short and surprisingly generous when you land in the Philippines. The archipelago stretches across 7,641 islands, but with smart routing you can taste four of its most iconic regions without spending half your trip at airports. This guide is built for first-timers who want beaches, culture, and just enough adventure to come home with great stories.
Overview of the Route
The backbone of this itinerary is a loop: Manila to El Nido (Palawan) to Puerto Princesa to Cebu to Bohol to Siargao to Manila. Every leg is served by Cebu Pacific or AirAsia with fares rarely above $40 when booked two to four weeks out.
- Days 1-2: Manila - orientation and food
- Days 3-6: El Nido, Palawan - lagoons and island hopping
- Days 7-8: Puerto Princesa - Underground River
- Days 9-10: Cebu City and Oslob whale sharks
- Days 11-12: Bohol - Chocolate Hills and Panglao
- Days 13-14: Siargao - surfing and island life
Days 1-2: Manila
Most international flights land at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Grab a Grab (the local ride-hailing app) to Makati or BGC - both neighborhoods are safe, walkable, and full of great food. Spend day one recovering from jet lag with a walk through Intramuros, Manila's walled Spanish colonial city. The entrance is free; horse-drawn calesa rides inside cost about 150 PHP per person.
Book Philippines tours & activities
Island hopping, whale shark watching, canyoneering and more. Best prices on GetYourGuide & Klook.
On day two, hit Bonifacio Global City for modern Filipino cuisine. Try a kare-kare (oxtail in peanut stew) at a traditional Filipino restaurant, then grab a balut from a street vendor if you are feeling adventurous. The night market along BGC's high street runs until midnight.
Where to stay: Budget travelers love the hostels along Makati's Poblacion strip. Mid-range: The Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences in BGC (~3,500 PHP/night).
Days 3-6: El Nido, Palawan
Fly Manila to El Nido with AirSWIFT (~1 hour, ~60-90 USD). El Nido is the gateway to the Bacuit Archipelago - a cluster of limestone karst islands with turquoise lagoons that routinely top global best-beaches lists.
Book Tour A on day three: the Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island. 1,200 PHP per person including lunch. Day four: Tour C covers Hidden Beach, Matinloc Shrine, and Helicopter Island. Days five and six are for DIY kayaking to Corong-Corong lagoon and watching the sunset from Las Cabanas Beach.
For tour bookings in El Nido, local operators at the town pier offer the best prices.
Days 7-8: Puerto Princesa
Take the shared van from El Nido to Puerto Princesa (~5-6 hours, 600-800 PHP). Day seven is the UNESCO-listed Puerto Princesa Subterranean River - book online at least a week ahead because permits are capped. The river tour lasts about 45 minutes by paddle boat through cathedral-sized limestone caves.
Day eight: Honda Bay island hopping (Luli, Cowrie, and Starfish islands). Fly back to Manila in the evening, or connect directly to Cebu.
Days 9-10: Cebu
Cebu is the Philippines' second city and transport hub of the Visayas. Wake up early on day nine and head to Oslob (3 hours south) for the whale shark interaction - 1,500 PHP per person, 30 minutes in the water. Back in Cebu City, visit Magellan's Cross and the nearby Basilica del Santo Nino, then explore the Sugbo Mercado night market for dinner. Day ten: rent a motorbike (400 PHP/day) and ride the mountain loop through Transcentral Highway.
Days 11-12: Bohol
Take the fast ferry from Cebu to Tagbilaran (2 hours, ~350 PHP). Rent a scooter and do the Chocolate Hills Loop - Carmen viewpoint is the classic shot. Visit the Tarsier Conservation Area near Loboc (80 PHP entry) to see the world's smallest primates. Day twelve: head to Panglao Island for diving at Alona Beach. A two-tank dive runs about 2,500 PHP with equipment. Non-divers can snorkel Balicasag Island for 800 PHP.
Days 13-14: Siargao
Fly Cebu to Siargao (40 minutes, ~1,500-2,500 PHP). Siargao is the Philippines' surf capital - Cloud 9 reef break is the iconic spot. Stay in General Luna, the main village.
Day thirteen: watch the surfers at Cloud 9 from the boardwalk (free), then rent an island-hopping boat to Naked Island, Daku Island, and Guyam Island (1,500 PHP/boat). Day fourteen: explore Sugba Lagoon in the island's north by motorbike. Fly home from Siargao via Cebu or Manila.
Budget Breakdown (Per Person)
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range |
|---|
| Domestic flights | 8,000 PHP | 15,000 PHP |
| Accommodation (14 nights) | 7,000 PHP | 21,000 PHP |
| Food | 5,600 PHP | 11,200 PHP |
| Tours and activities | 6,000 PHP | 12,000 PHP |
| Transport | 2,000 PHP | 4,000 PHP |
| Total | ~28,600 PHP (~$500) | ~63,200 PHP (~$1,100) |
Practical Tips
- Book AirSWIFT early - El Nido flights sell out months ahead in high season (Dec-Apr).
- Cash is king outside Manila and Cebu.
- Travel insurance is non-negotiable during typhoon season (Jun-Nov).
- SIM cards: Buy Globe or Smart at the airport. 299 PHP for 10 days of unlimited data.
See our 3-week Philippines itinerary if you can extend your trip, or the 10-day first-timer route if you are pressed for time.
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