Philippines: Rice Terraces, Secret Lagoons and 7,641 Islands in 14 Days
The Philippines is an archipelago of over 7,000 islands where each seems to have its own personality: turquoise lagoons hidden between limestone cliffs, rice terraces sculpted 2,000 years ago and whale sharks swimming alongside you. 🏝️ Here's how we spent 14 days in Southeast Asia's paradise.
Manila and the Banaue rice terraces
Manila is a city of extreme contrasts. The historic walled city of Intramuros, with San Agustín Church (UNESCO World Heritage) and Fort Santiago, tells the Spanish colonial story. Binondo, the world's oldest Chinatown (founded 1594), offers dim sum and lumpia rivaling Hong Kong.
From Manila we flew to Banaue, where the Ifugao rice terraces—hand-carved 2,000 years ago—rise like stairways to the sky. They're UNESCO World Heritage and considered the "eighth wonder of the world." The Batad terraces, accessible after a 45-minute hike, form a perfect natural amphitheater.
We stayed at a family guesthouse in Batad (€15/night) and dined with the family: sticky rice, pork adobo and garden vegetables. Ifugao hospitality is touching. The ritual of trekking through the terraces at dawn, when mist lifts from the valleys, is a spiritual experience.
Tip: hire a local guide (500-800 PHP/day ≈ €8-13). They know secret trails and share ancestral stories about the spiritual meaning of the terraces.
El Nido: Otherworldly lagoons
El Nido, in Palawan, is probably the most spectacular seascape on the planet. Jungle-covered limestone cliffs rise directly from turquoise sea, forming secret lagoons, hidden beaches and pristine reefs.
Tour A is the classic: Big Lagoon (kayaking between cliffs while rays swim beneath crystal-clear water), Small Lagoon (accessible swimming through a rock opening), Secret Lagoon (a natural pool surrounded by 360° cliffs) and Shimizu Island for snorkeling.
Tour C took us to Hidden Beach (accessible only by swimming through a rock tunnel), Helicopter Island and Star Beach. Each beach is more beautiful than the last. Tours cost 1,200-1,500 PHP (€20-25) including grilled seafood lunch on the beach.
Evenings in El Nido are magical: the town has a special energy with beach bars, live reggae and Asia's best rum coco. Art Café and Happiness Beach Bar are our favorites.
Coron: Shipwrecks and hidden lakes
Coron is a snorkeling and diving paradise. The Japanese WWII shipwrecks (12 ships sunk by American aviation in 1944) are Asia's best wreck dives.
Kayangan Lake, "the cleanest lake in the Philippines," has crystal-clear water with 15-meter visibility. Swimming among submerged rock formations surrounded by tropical fish is surreal. Twin Lagoon connects two lagoons through a rock opening that submerges with the tide.
Barracuda Lake is unique: thermocline water where layers of cold freshwater and warm saltwater (38°C) mix, creating a blurry visual effect underwater. It's a diving experience that exists nowhere else in the world.
Malcapuya and Banana Beach are Coron's most beautiful beaches: white sand, no crowds and perfect waters for snorkeling. We lunched on freshly caught seafood prepared by the boat crew right on the beach.
Cebu and the Oslob whale sharks
In Cebu, swimming with whale sharks in Oslob is the trip's most impactful experience. These gentle giants up to 12 meters long approach the shore each morning to feed. Floating 2 meters from a whale shark while its 1.5-meter mouth filters plankton is awe-inspiring.
Kawasan Falls in Badian are three-tiered turquoise waterfalls where you can swim in natural pools surrounded by jungle. Canyoneering from Alegría to the falls is a 4-hour adventure jumping from cliffs and sliding down natural water slides.
Sumilon Island has a sandbar that changes shape with the tides and crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkeling. From the observation platform you can spot manta rays and turtles.
Cebu City has its own charm: the Basilica del Santo Niño (the Philippines' oldest church, 1565), Magellan's Cross and Carbon Market, where Cebu's lechón (roast pig) is considered the world's best. Anthony Bourdain called it "the best pig I've ever had."
Practical tips and budget
The Philippines is surprisingly affordable. Inter-island transport is by cheap domestic flights (AirAsia, Cebu Pacific: €20-60 per flight when booked in advance) or overnight ferries (€5-15).
Tricycles and jeepneys (colorful buses recycled from American jeeps) are local transport: 8-20 PHP (€0.15-0.35) per ride. Island hopping tours include boat, guide, lunch and snorkel gear for €20-30.
Budget for 14 days (2 people): Domestic flights: €300-500. Accommodation (guesthouses and resorts): €500-800. Island hopping tours: €200-300. Meals: €250-350. International flight: €400-600/person. Miscellaneous (visas, SIM, local transport): €100-150. Total: €1,750-2,700 for two people.
Best time: December-May (dry season). June-November is typhoon season, especially September-October. The Philippine peso (PHP) is easily exchanged. A local SIM (Globe or Smart, 300 PHP ≈ €5) with unlimited data is essential. Filipinos are probably the friendliest and most smiling people in the world.