menu facebook twitter instagram pinterest youtube search chevron-down chevron-up
  • About
    • About Kristin
    • Press
    • Contact Me
    • Work With Me
  • Blog
    • Archives
    • Best of the Blog
  • YouTube
  • Solo Female Travel
  • Home
  • Tours
  • Destinations
  • Travel Resources
    • Outdoors 101
    • Itineraries
    • Spiritual Travel
  • SEARCH

Be My Travel Muse

Solo Female Travel

The Philippines has excellent scuba diving, gorgeous beaches, and with over 7000 islands, one could explore endlessly. It's a nation full of different cultures, religions and can be a fun party destination as well. Play your cards right, and it can be a pretty cheap and easy place to visit, especially as part of a couple or with friends.

Filipinos are legendary for their friendliness and hospitality, and I have found this to be true, especially in lesser-known destinations like Romblon Island and Camiguin. That said, anywhere you go you'll find smiling faces and a welcoming vibe.

I keep coming back to the Philippines because it's so high value, friendly, and varied. Though traveling in an archipelago presents longer days and its own challenges, the journey is the destination in the Philippines, which has endless sandbars, beautiful waterfalls, and of course, tons of gorgeous beaches.

Where in The Philippines?

Philippines Placeholder
Philippines

Get to Know The Philippines

The perfect Philippines itinerary

The True Cost of Travel in the Philippines

Philippines island hopping guide

What changed my mind about the Philippines

15 of the most beautiful places in the Philippines

The friendliest place in the Philippines

My favorite island in the Philippines

Watch My Vlogs from the Philippines

https://youtu.be/mh82GuuggBk
https://youtu.be/2cnhMUxfX2A
https://youtu.be/JlPzBZWl1kc

Quick Tips

  • 'Hello' and 'Thank You' in Tagalog: "Kumusta" and "salamat sa iyo". Though English works in the Philippines, contrary to popular belief, English is not all that widely spoken outside of Manila
  • Currency: Philippine Peso (click here for current conversion rates)
  • Visa: 30 day visa-free entry for most nationalities. You will most likely be asked for proof of departure in addition to your passport before being permitted entry to the country
  • Safety Rating: Ranked 134 on the Global Peace Index with a score of 2.52 (USA is ranked 128 with a score of 2.40). While most tourists are not victims of violent crime or political conflicts, theft is common, particularly in the cities
  • Solo Travel Friendliness: Warnings about the country’s unstable political state and tourist kidnappings are pretty scary, but in general I found the Philippines to be a friendly place for solo travelers. Some locals were curious why I was traveling all by myself, but I never felt unsafe or threatened in the Philippines. Use your common sense and stay away from the no-go zones in Mindanao, and always keep an eye on your belongings. The basic stuff goes a long way
  • Climate: Climate: Rainy season lasts from June to October in the western Philippines including Manila, while central/eastern Philippines, like Bohol, have no well defined season (including extreme south near Borneo like Bongao), even seeing more rain in easternmost parts, like Legazpi, during the opposite time of year
  • Best SIM cards: Globe offers the best data plans
  • Modesty Considerations: While fashion runs the spectrum in major cities like Manila, the Philippines are still relatively conservative – avoid flashing of bare skin especially when you are not on the beach
  • Random useful tip: Try to avoid the Philippines during Christmas as travel around the country becomes difficult and expensive.

Accommodation

Budget Solo Travelers ($7 - $15): Dorms are not as common in the Philippines as in the rest of Southeast Asia. Here, budget accommodation often means a small room with little more than a bed, 4 walls, and a small fan. However, do not be discouraged! Sometimes, all it takes is a beautiful sunset right in front of your bungalow to make up for it, and the Philippines definitely have a lot of that to offer. Book dorms ahead of time if possible, as cheaper beds with good ratings are often booked out very quickly. Finding other solo travelers to share a room with is also a good way to cut the costs.

Mid Budget Solo Travelers ($15 - $30): A private room at hostels starts at $15, which usually comes with free Wi-Fi and breakfast. Airbnb is on the rise in most major cities and tourist destinations, with a private fan room starting at $10 - $40. On the islands, expect to pay $20 - $30 for a bungalow with a private bathroom.

Food

Local Food Spots ($1 - $5): This is where the Philippines gets more affordable. Local food is generally cheap and delicious, with BBQ chicken with rice costing about $1. Small restaurants on the street offer adobo and lechon for about $2 - $3. Beer is very cheap, with a big bottle costing only $1.

Restaurants & Seafood ($5 and up): American fast food culture is prominent in the Philippines. There are also small restaurants that serve rice and noodles with huge varieties of dishes. Mid-range restaurants serve local and western cuisine. Seafood is fresh and inexpensive – a large grilled fish from a beachfront restaurant runs around $10.

Transportation

Getting There: The main international airports are Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila), Mactan-Cebu International Airport (Cebu), and Francisco Bangoy International Airport (Davao).

Getting Around Town: Jeepneys are repurposed, wildly painted American jeeps that roam around all major cities in the Philippines serving as the main public transportation. There are no fixed schedules or bus stops. The routes are painted on the windows, and they are simply hailed and stopped by passengers. Make sure to get on one to experience the Philippine transportation icon and hang out with the locals. Another fun way to get around town is on a tricycle, which is usually available in the rural areas. Uber has also recently arrived in Philippines.

Inter-city Traveling: Long distance bus routes cover pretty much the entire country, making inter-city traveling efficient and relatively easy. 12Go Asia is an excellent online booking website if you would like to book your trips ahead, though it is entirely possible to just show up and hop on a bus at the bus station. From island to island, ferry, or bangka is the way to go, and domestic flights are also available if you prefer flying from a city to another.

Things to Do

Dive in Coron: Palawan is, in my opinion, the best diving spot in the Philippines. Hop on a liveaboard dive trip that consists of 3-4 dives per day and experience living on a boat like a sailor (or pirate)! Diving through the Coron Wrecks and Apo Reef was an amazing experience. Here’s a review and video to give you an idea of what’s in store for you.

Island Hopping: Hop from Coron to El Nido (you will see plenty of signs for ferries on Coron), and from El Nido, take an hour’s bike ride into the stunning Twin Beach – Nacpan and Calitang. There are also many other beaches in El Nido worth checking out so make sure to allocate sufficient time for it. Continue your way to Puerto Galera, a relaxing island with great diving opportunities. Sail through Bacuit Archipelago, Philippines’s version of Halong Bay. Next, take a short flight out to Boracay – it may have turned into a big tourist trap, but it is still beautiful and worth spending a few nights in. The island is notorious for its all-night party scene, so let loose and have fun!

Relax at Camiguin: I spent Christmas Day on this friendly island in 2013, and it was one of my favorite X’mas celebrations ever. I loved it for its relaxing atmosphere and diving. Spend a few days here and hang out with the locals, or simply enjoy the solitude that’s hard to come by these days in Southeast Asia.

Explore Manila: The capital of the Philippines has the country’s inequality on full display, with huge mansions and small houses barely held up by wooden planks next to each other. This alone could make a slow stroll in the city an interesting affair. Visit the National Museum of the Philippines to get a better understanding of the country’s history, and check out Fort Santiago for a quick escape from the city.

Skydive Greater Cebu: Swimming with the whale sharks and the majestic Tumalog Falls are great, but just when you thought you’ve seen it all in Cebu, there’s one more cool thing you can do – skydiving! Just north of Cebu unfolds Bantayan Island, home to some of the best beaches in the Philippines and one of the only places in the Philippines where you can skydive.

Trek to the Asik-Asik Falls: This waterfall was only discovered in 2010. Imagine powerful water streaming down a mountain cliff that is fully covered in green – I have never been there myself, but the pictures look absolutely stunning. This is not your average waterfall, for sure. Getting there involves descending and ascending on stairs that wind around the mountainside, but I am sure the view alone would be worth the effort.

Get to the Top of Chocolate Hills: There are mixed reviews about the mysterious Chocolate Hills of Bohol. Some love and others are underwhelmed by them. Explanations for the formation range from a self-destructed volcano to legends about how the Chocolate Hills are essentially a giant buffalo’s poop. If you are confident on two wheels, getting there via the 2-hour ride from Panglao in Bohol province could be just as fun and challenging as actually being there.

Posts About Philippines

Coron Budget Guide: How Much Does It Really Cost?

Mount Tapyas Hiking Guide (+ Maquinit Hot Spring!)

Where To Stay in Coron, Palawan (Best Hotels)

The Best Group Tours in Coron (Reviews + Itineraries)

El Nido Budget Guide: How Much Does It Cost?

The 5 Best Places to Stay in El Nido (Tried and Tested)

snake island tour b

El Nido Tour B: Is the Group Tour Worth It?

El Nido Tour C: Is the Group Tour Worth It?

El Nido Tour A: Is The Group Tour Worth It?

Big Dream Boat Man Review: The Best Coron Island Hopping Tour

kayangan lake

Palawan’s Best Things To Do: An Awesome Itinerary

coron twin lagoon

11 EPIC Things to do in Coron

coron twin lagoon

Coron Island Hopping: How to Ditch the Crowds

el nido tour b

El Nido, Palawan: 13 Things to Do

big lagoon el nido

El Nido Island Hopping: A Full Guide to Private and Group Tours

coron island hopping

Coron vs. El Nido, Which is Truly Better?

romblon island

El Nido, Philippines is Overtouristed, Here are 8 Amazing Alternatives

where to swim with whale sharks

Where in the World to Swim with Whale Sharks

Someone Tried to Break Into My Hotel Room When I Was Traveling Solo

coron twin lagoon

Everything to Know about Coron’s Twin Lagoon

snake island tour b

El Nido Tour B: Is It Worth It?

el nido tour A

El Nido Tour A: How to Do it Right

honda bay palawan

How to Travel from Puerto Princesa to El Nido

honda bay palawan

The Ultimate Honda Bay, Palawan Guide – DIY

Truly dreamy

The Best Romblon Island Hopping Itinerary

el nido tour

Where to Go in The Philippines: The Perfect Itinerary

Philippines Most Beautiful Places

15 of the Most Beautiful Places In The Philippines

What Changed My Mind about the Philippines

siargao Magapunko Rock Pools

5 Days on Siargao Island, Philippines

cambugahay falls siquijor

Mystical Siquijor: The Best Experiences on the Island

moalboal philippines

Tips From the Banker: The True Cost of Travel in the Philippines

SWIMMING WITH WHALE SHARKS OSLOB CEBU

Bantayan Island: A Hidden Gem In The Philippines

tent sunrise island

Island Hopping In The Philippines

Batad rice terraces the philippines

Banaue, Philippines: The Eighth Wonder Of The World

Filipino Food Pizza

Filipino Food: All the Best Noms from Breakfast to Dinner

coron philippines

Diving Coron; The Best of The Philippines

camiguin philippines

Camiguin, Mindanao: The Friendliest Place in the Philippines

chocolate hills bohol

Is Now a Good Time to Travel in The Philippines?

Recommended Products

Solo female travel guide conqueringmountainscover

I always travel with insurance

HTML tutorial
The backpack I use
Bag protector
Thief-proof shoulder bag
Packing cubes

Stay Connected

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact Me
  • Archives
  • Privacy Policy and Disclaimer

© 2023 · Be My Travel Muse. All Rights Reserved

footer-icon