Destination Guides

Where to go in Philippines

Matching Philippines's regions and cities to trip types — first-timers, beach weeks, food trips and family holidays.

6 min read · Updated 2026-08-01

The Philippines is an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands spread across three main groups: Luzon in the north, the Visayas in the middle and Mindanao in the south. It is the region's strongest pure island destination — El Nido and Coron's limestone lagoons, the reefs off Cebu and Bohol, Siargao's surf — but it is also the most logistically demanding, because almost every leg involves a flight, ferry or van transfer. Climate is tropical and varies by coast: the country's weather service classifies several distinct rainfall types, so the west and east sides of the archipelago have opposite wet seasons. The typhoon season runs broadly June to November, mainly affecting the east and north.

The places worth building a trip around

Each of these has its own page with timing, budget and getting-around notes.

Palawan — El Nido & Coron (Island) — Limestone karst lagoons, hidden beaches and wreck diving — the country's signature scenery.
Siargao (Island) — Surf island of Cloud 9, palm interiors, lagoons and a relaxed scene.
Cebu & Bohol (Island) — Canyoneering, waterfalls, whale sharks, Chocolate Hills and easy air access.
Boracay (Island) — White Beach — the country's most developed resort island, with regulated visitor rules.
Banaue & Sagada (Mountain) — Cordillera rice terraces, caves and pine-covered mountain villages in northern Luzon.
Manila (City) — The main gateway — Intramuros history, museums and a big-city food and bar scene.
Donsol & Bicol (Region) — Whale-shark interactions, Mayon volcano and lesser-visited southern Luzon coast.