Formalities & preparation
Before heading to the Philippines
Visa: French (and most EU) nationals don't need a visa for a tourist stay of 30 days or fewer in the Philippines. You simply need a passport valid for at least 6 months after your return date and an onward ticket out of the country.
⚠️ The eTravel Card, mandatory! Every traveller arriving in the Philippines must have an eTravel Card. Fill in the form at least 72 hours before departure on etravel.gov.ph to avoid any hassle. The QR code generated is checked both at boarding and on arrival. Don't forget it — it's always verified.
Recommended vaccines: hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and standard vaccines up to date. Consult your doctor or an international vaccination centre a few weeks before departure. An antimalarial treatment may be recommended depending on the areas you visit. Find all my health recommendations in my complete pre-departure checklist.
Your flight: you'll generally arrive in Manila (MNL) before catching a domestic connection to Coron (USU) or Puerto Princesa (PPS). The main domestic airlines are Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines. Book ahead — prices rise quickly. For all my tips on finding the best flight deals (including smart layovers!), check out my pre-departure checklist.
Your backpack: the Philippines means beaches, boats, excursions and a few nights out — pack light. Swimwear, biodegradable sunscreen (mandatory for snorkelling), quick-dry clothes, a light jacket for flights and cool evenings by the sea. Find everything I pack for Southeast Asia in my full backpack guide.
Heads up: on arrival in Coron, a local tax is payable in cash directly at the airport. Get some Philippine pesos as soon as you land in Manila.
No Grab in the Philippines! Unlike most Southeast Asian countries, Grab isn't available on the Palawan islands. To get around, you'll use tricycles (the local tuk-tuks, negotiable), shared vans between towns, and boats between islands. Always ask your accommodation to recommend trusted drivers — they almost always have reliable contacts.
Facebook groups: very useful in the Philippines, especially for sharing taxis, organising group excursions, and finding travellers to split the cost of private boats. Search "Philippines Backpackers", "Palawan Travel", "Coron Travelers".
Overview
The itinerary at a glance
Manila → domestic flight → Coron (3-4 days) → 3-day Cruise Coron → El Nido → El Nido (1-2 days) → Port Barton (1-2 days) → Puerto Princesa (optional) → flight home
Stop 1 · 3-4 days
Coron, the perfect starting point
The town and surroundings
Explore on foot, by tricycle and by scooter
The Manila → Coron flight is an experience in itself. A small propeller plane, dozens of islands and turquoise lagoons scrolling beneath your feet, a breathtaking aerial view over the Palawan archipelago. If you're the type to look out the window (and here it's truly non-negotiable), you arrive already awe-struck before even setting foot on the island. Don't forget the local tax payable in cash at Coron airport on arrival.
The town of Coron is a pleasant surprise. Less touristy than El Nido but very much alive, with a real lively centre to explore on foot in the evening. Food courts, local markets, brunch cafés, seafood restaurants — the atmosphere is warm and relaxed.
Where to stay: J&J Homestay in a dorm is a safe bet for meeting people. Simple, well located, perfect backpacker vibe. Book ahead in high season.
Rent a scooter and explore the surroundings at your own pace. Worth seeing: the Seven Falls waterfall, the rice terraces in the hills, and the stunning Marcilla Beach, a turquoise lagoon bordered by a wide beach you could wander for hours. The kind of place you don't want to leave.
Full-day outrigger boat excursion
The perfect day : snorkelling, kayaking and a beach barbecue feast
The day starts at the local market, where you buy everything you'll need for a beach barbecue lunch: fresh fish, prawns, chicken, spices, vegetables and tropical fruit. All local, all cooked on the boat. It's one of the best meals of the whole trip.
Then off by outrigger boat between the islands. On the programme: Twin Lagoon, where you swim between two lagoons connected by a crack in the rock, Kayangan Lake, considered one of the cleanest lakes in Asia with its transparent emerald-green water, Atwayan Beach and coral gardens to explore by snorkel and kayak.
The sun wasn't really playing ball that day, but even under a cloudy sky the colours are incredible and the scenery breathtaking. Back in the late afternoon, early night — big day tomorrow.
The highlight · 3 days 2 nights
The Coron to El Nido cruise
One of the most beautiful experiences of my entire trip. Three days among the world's most stunning beaches and marine life, an incredible atmosphere, unforgettable encounters, memorable meals and sunsets that leave you speechless. If you could only do one thing in the Philippines, this is it.
Meet at Coron port for boarding. Breakfast on board, everyone onto the boats, and off we go for three days ruled by music and the sound of the waves.
On the programme: snorkelling in crystal-clear waters, incredible views over the lagoons, new friends, evenings together, shared dinners, jumping off the boat (including a 7-metre jump in the middle of the open sea!), sunbathing, reading and spectacular sunsets.
We slept in two different spots on tiny remote islets, in small beach bungalows. The last camp even had what it took for a memorable karaoke night. Meals were real feasts: grilled fish, rice, roasted meats, vegetables, mangoes, pancakes — all prepared by the crew with incredible generosity.
The company: there are many operators offering this cruise, with very variable quality. Message me to get my recommendations, my detailed review of the company I used, and information on prices and logistics. I don't name it here because my personal view is worth more than just a name.
Palawan · 1-2 days
El Nido, the postcard
El Nido is Palawan's most famous destination, and for good reason: the scenery is jaw-dropping. Limestone cliffs plunging into a turquoise sea, white-sand beaches accessible only by boat, a lively nightlife and plenty of restaurants. It's much more touristy than Coron, and you feel it.
The Las Cabanas Beach zipline, not to be missed. 750 metres of zipline over the sea, from one island to another, with a 360° view over the bay, for around ₱500 (~€8). You can choose the Superman position for extra thrills. It was brilliant, the view is incredible.
Sunset: Las Cabanas Beach at the end of the day after the zipline. Cocktails, a bonfire, great vibes — the best sunsets of the whole trip. The kind of place you linger without noticing.
Island hopping: the 4 main tours (A, B, C and D) take you for a full day around the islands of Bacuit Bay, with crystal-clear lagoons, fine-sand beaches and exceptional snorkelling sites. We unfortunately didn't have time — another good reason to come back!
Palawan · 1-2 days
Port Barton, my favourite discovery
Port Barton was the unexpected discovery of the whole trip. A fishing village sitting on a stunning bay, far less touristy than El Nido, with a relaxed and authentic atmosphere that completely won me over. I wish I'd stayed longer.
The journey from El Nido is by taxi (ask your accommodation for driver contacts — they always know someone reliable). The road is long but the scenery makes it worthwhile.
Full-day boat excursion to discover the surroundings: Twin Reef, the starfish island, Capsalay Long Beach, White Beach… More gorgeous marine life, a beach barbecue, swimming in turquoise waters. Also a great way to meet other travellers.
Sunset spot: Barton Bistro, right on the beach with comfortable chairs and good cocktails. One of the most peaceful moments of the whole trip.
As with the cruise: message me for the contact of the excursion organiser I used — I'll give you my full review.
And the other islands?
Puerto Princesa and beyond
Puerto Princesa: honestly, I'd advise against spending more than one night here. It's Palawan's main city, handy for connections and buying souvenirs, but without much tourist charm. We stayed one night and that was enough.
What I didn't have time to do but absolutely deserves a mention if you have more time:
Other islands to explore
- Siargao, the Philippines' surfing mecca
- Bohol, the Chocolate Hills and tarsiers
- Cebu, diving with whale sharks at Oslob
- Boracay, legendary beach, more of a party scene
On Palawan itself
- Palawan whale sharks (May-July season)
- Puerto Princesa Underground River (UNESCO)
- Balabac, the archipelago's most wild beaches
- Banaue rice terraces in northern Luzon
The Philippines is a vast country with over 7,000 islands. 10 days is a beautiful first taste, but honestly: it mainly makes you want to come back for more.
The warmth of the locals: one of the things that struck me most in the Philippines. People are remarkably warm and welcoming, smiling, curious, always ready to help. It's something you don't find everywhere, and it gives this trip a very special feel.
Things to try: lechon (roast suckling pig), adobo (chicken or pork braised in vinegar and soy sauce), sinigang (sour soup with vegetables and meat), grilled barbecue seafood, and Philippine mangoes — among the best in the world.
What's next · Transit stop
Cebu, solo for the finale
After saying goodbye to my friends, I found myself alone in Cebu for a final stop. The city is pretty nice, lively, good energy — but honestly nothing that particularly stood out compared to the rest of the trip. It's mainly a very practical city for connections: Cebu airport is one of the Philippines' best-connected hubs, easy to fly onward to other islands or abroad.
If you have time, the surroundings of Cebu are worth exploring: the beaches of Moalboal for diving, Kawasan Falls, or the whale sharks at Oslob (with a critical eye on the ethics, as with whale shark encounters in Indonesia). For me, it was time to move on to the next destination.
A huge thank you to them for coming to find me during this solo trip ✨
What's next? On to Thailand for the next chapter. Southeast Asia never stops surprising me.
The numbers
Budget for 10 days in the Philippines
The Philippines is slightly more expensive than Indonesia for backpackers, mainly due to inter-island transport (domestic flights, boats) and excursions. But it remains a very accessible destination.
| Item | Estimated budget |
|---|---|
| International flight (from France, return) | €700 - 1,200 |
| Domestic flights (Manila → Coron + return) | €80 - 200 |
| Accommodation (dorm, 10 nights) | €80 - 150 |
| Coron → El Nido cruise (3d/2n) | €250 - 350 |
| Excursions (Coron, Port Barton) | €60 - 100 |
| Las Cabanas zipline El Nido | ~€8 |
| Local transport (tricycles, taxis, boats) | €50 - 100 |
| Food (street food + local restaurants) | €100 - 180 |
| Local taxes (Coron, El Nido, ports) | ~€30 |
| Total excluding international flight | ~€650 - 1,100 |
Budget tips: domestic flights booked in advance cost 2 to 3 times less. Port taxes and "environmental fees" (₱200 on arrival in El Nido) often catch people off guard — bring cash. Book the Coron / El Nido ferry early: tickets are ₱1,800 reserved in advance, but over ₱2,500 bought on the dock.
🎒 Plan your trip properly: for everything on how to pack light for beaches and boats, find the best flight deals (including clever layovers!), admin, health and vaccines, check out my dedicated guides: my complete pre-departure checklist and my backpack tested for Southeast Asia.
Practical information
Everything you need to know
Formalities
- No visa required for under 30 days (🇫🇷)
- eTravel Card mandatory (etravel.gov.ph)
- Passport valid 6 months after return
- Onward ticket out of the country required
Recommended vaccines
- Hepatitis A and B
- Typhoid
- Tetanus/DTP up to date
- Antimalarial depending on areas
Getting around
- No Grab on Palawan
- Tricycles within towns
- Shared vans between towns
- Outrigger boats (bangkas) between islands
Money
- Cash essential everywhere
- ATMs in Coron, El Nido, PP
- Wise card recommended
- Negotiate tricycle prices!
Solo friendly?
Yes, absolutely. Excursions, hostels and the cruise are perfect for meeting people. Some caution in certain areas at night, but nothing alarming. Locals are very welcoming.
Best season
- Dry season: Nov → May
- Peak: Dec → Mar (book early)
- Low season: Jun → Oct
- Typhoons possible Jul → Sep
Planning your Philippines trip?
Cruise contact, Port Barton excursions, itinerary advice — message me, I answer everything.
