The Philippines is a place that manages to remain off of the average budget backpacker’s Southeast Asian itinerary, which is a surprise because it is a terrific place to travel.
Cheap internal flights link many of the 7000+ islands and good local transport can get you around the islands once you’ve reached them.
This is a country that’s absolutely blessed with natural beauty. It’s also a country that has its own distinct character.
Although heavily influenced by American and Spanish culture through a history of foreign occupation, The Philippines still sets itself apart from the States, Spain and from the rest of Asia. Backpacking the Philippines is a blast and there is a good backpacker vibe on many of these stunning islands.
Check out our post: Top 10 things To do in The Philippines!
How much will The Philippines Cost?
Budget For The Philippines
$60-$70/day for 2 people. (Max $35 Each!)
This amount varies greatly depending on how many flights you take, how much you travel around and whether or not you check out during holiday times, which can drive prices up significantly.
If you’re coming during Easter, expect high prices at tourist spots like Boracay, but you can avoid the price hikes if you head to Palawan.
The Philippines is worth every penny!
Budget Accommodation: ($5-$15/night)
You’ll probably be spending a lot of time in beach bungalows and huts which are basic, but usually an excellent value. rooms in Manila may leave a bit to be desired, and you may find yourself in a heavily prostituted area, but the rooms are usually acceptable even for a picky backpacker.
It is still possible to find low-cost accommodation on Boracay and other top tourist spots you just have to keep your eyes peeled.
If you would rather book an apartment or stay with a host on Airbnb, why not get an Airbnb discount while you’re at it? Make sure you use our special $25 Airbnb voucher Code and save money!
GOAT NOTE: Click here to find hostels in the Philippines for as little as $5 / dorm bed! There are also incredible deals on private double rooms. have a look ?
See our El Nido page for more accommodations.
Eating: ($2-$4/meal)
The Philippines is famous for various chicken and noodle dishes including delicious BBQ chicken, chicken adobo and Pancit Bihon (a tasty rice noodle dish with chicken and vegetables).
You can always find good deals on food from $1 side-of-the-road burger joints to nice fancy meals in a restaurant, you will rarely find an “expensive meal” in the Philippines.
Food In The Philippines – A delicious BBQ Chicken
Rice Terrace & other entrance Fees: (Average $5/person)
There aren’t too many fees in the Philippines. many temples can be entered for free, as well as stunning parks and memorial monuments. There is no entrance fee to most rice terraces but guides can be surprisingly expensive as can the tricycle rides to the famous view points.
They definitely have the tourist price running at these types of sites but just remember that it’s worth the extra few bucks. check out our Banaue page for more about the terraces.
Alcohol: ($0.75 Beer, $3 Cocktails)
San Miguel Beer
The Philippines is one of the least expensive countries to get drunk in. Beers are amazingly cheap, especially in Manila where you can easily find a bucket of 6 beers for less than 5 dollars in a bar.
Outside of Manila the prices go up a bit but it’s always an excellent value. The main beer of choice is San Miguel which is delicious and rarely comes in at over a buck for a small beer. They don’t really do “big beers” in the Philippines but you can sometimes find them at 7-11.
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Highlights & Must-Do’s:
Highlights & must Do’s
The Philippines beaches are famous worldwide, but there is much more to this archipelago than lying on white sand and soaking in the sun.
Under the surface of the sea is an incredible wonderland of aquatic life, while above the surface, away from the beaches, you can find some appealing landscapes both man-made and natural.
There are some nice city parks, old towns and monuments that can be explored for free, as well as some interesting museums.
Palawan:
We may not have seen many of the 7,101 islands, but this one is our favourite. Palawan sits at the far southwestern reaches of the country where it enjoys some of the most diverse landscapes as well as some of the best aquatic life in the country.
It boasts a natural wonder Of The world known as The Underground Cave System and it also has some of the nicest beaches and inexpensive resorts you’ll find anywhere. With stunning beach towns like Port Barton and El Nido, this island is perfect and it’s not on the beaten path!
El Nido
Click here for the best hostels in El Nido & Puerto Princesa on Palawan
Click here for the best hotels in El Nido & Puerto Princesa on Palawan
The Rice Terraces Of Banaue:
This place will blow you away! A staggering 10,369 square kilometers of rice terraces etched out of the mountainside with such incredible ingenuity you’ll wonder how man could accomplish such a feat.
The true wonder lies in the fact that they are more than 2000 years old, so this entire landscape was created long before the creation of the crane and bulldozer.
The Banaue Rice Terraces
Click here for the best hotels, guesthouses & homestays in Banaue
Bohol:
This Island has quite a few incredible sites to see, from the super Mario-esque chocolate hills to the spectacular diving which is routinely provided as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world. You can also try your luck at spotting a Tarsier, the cute little bug-eyed creature endemic to this region. There are so many things to do in Bohol!
The chocolate Hills Of Bohol
Click here for the best accommodations near Bohol
Camp Out On An Island By Yourself:
This is an vital Philippines experience for any backpacker with an adventurous spirit. hire a captain to take you out to one of the thousands of isolated, uninhabited islands and just set up camp.
We camped on an island just north of El Nido on Palawan island and it was surprisingly easy to arrange and extremely cheap! You can even try to borrow a mosquito net from your guesthouse and sleep under the stars!
**GOAT NOTE: highly RECOMMENDED!**
Camping Out On A Deserted Island Near El Nido
Go Snorkelling Or scuba Diving:
The waters around The Philippines are blessed with some of the most incredible sea life anywhere on earth. The corals are stunning and there are so many dive/snorkel sites to choose from that you could spend years here and still not see them all.
This place is truly a diver’s paradise and exudes an underwater-lovers vibe everywhere you go. To miss the treasures below the surface of The Philippines would be like visiting Egypt and skipping the Pyramids.
Scuba Diving In The Philippines
Snorkel With Whale Sharks:
Head down to the South end of Luzon and get in the water with these graceful giants. Donsol is one of the few places on earth where these gentle goliaths congregate and swimming with them is an vital Filipino experience.
Click here for the best hotels, homestays & guesthouses in Donsol
Boracay:
Okay so it’s not exactly off the beaten path, but Boracay is a must-see site in The Philippines. many backpackers fear that it will be overrun with expensive accommodation and all-inclusive package tourists, but there are still some backpacker spots that may not be right on the main stretch of sand, but they will have a better vibe.
Click here for the best hostels on Boracay
Click here for the best hotels on Boracay
Manila may not be a “must-visit” place or highlight of a trip to the Philippines, but it’s a city that most travellers will find themselves in during their stay. It’s a main transport hub of the islands. check out the best places to check out in the big city of Manila, here.
Off The Beaten path In The Philippines:
Off The Beaten Path
It’s important while travelling around the world to find a place to yourself. A place where few other backpackers go and a place that you feel like you alone have discovered.
The guidebooks don’t always accurately portray hidden gems and sometimes they miss out on them completely.
We like to list off the beaten path ideas from our own personal experience and because we were limited by stormy weather during our stay in the Philippines, we were unable to reach some of the truly hidden gems that we had planned to. We will be updating this list upon our return to The Philippines.
Port Barton:
A lot of people know of Port Barton but it seems that few people venture here. This funky beach town is set near one of the countries most stunning island chains and you can hire a boat to take you out on day trips to the surrounding islands.
Click here for the best accommodations in Port Barton
Any Deserted Island:
It’s surprisingly easy to hire a boat to drop you off on a deserted island in The Philippines. We’d recommend ensuring cellular coverage if you’re being dropped off and left alone as you never know how reliable the boatman will be.
Bring lots of water and food for backup, even if you’re going to try to hunt for your own dinner!
An Isolated Island
What Is The budget accommodation like In The Philippines?
Budget Accommodation
The hotels and guesthouses in The Philippines are of a terrific value. Although the average room cost is a little bit higher than other countries in Southeast Asia they are usually of pretty high standards. beach huts and bungalows in The Philippines are actually of better value than similar places in Thailand and you will typically get breakfast included.
Click here for the least expensive (and best) hostels in the Philippines
Click here for top hotels, guesthouses and homestays in the Philippines
Pros Of budget Backpacking In The Philippines:
Pros Of Backpacking The Philippines
The Philippines is a terrific place for backpacking on a budget and it is incredible that more people don’t make their way over here on a typical Southeast Asian itinerary.
The country exudes an excellent backpacker’s vibe and boasts some of the best beaches and scenery in the world.
From the powdery white sands of Boracay and the dreamy islands around Palawan to the Banaue rice terraces and Bohol’s chocolate hills, the Philippines has something for everyone.
The ease Of camping On Islands:
As we stated above, there is nowhere else better to fend for yourself in a tropical paradise. It’s no wonder they’ve filmed Survivor here in so many different languages. This place is made for tropical solitude.
Funky Transport:
If you travel in the Philippines, you’ll definitely find yourself in a Jeepney. These cool, chromed out rides are left over from world war II and they have since been “pimped out”.
It’s humorous to see the variety of slogans and pictures that are artistically painted on the side of these old relics. From religious quotes to sexual innuendos, these are the funkiest modes of transport in the world.
A usually proud Jeepney Owner
Cheap Flights:
Most backpackers like to take public transport so that you can mingle with the locals and “see the countryside”. Ya ya, we’ve said it hundreds of times as well. but when internal flights are cheaper than bus and ferry rides, you soon find yourself selecting the cheaper, more comfortable option. Flights can be had for as little as $20, making it hard to resist!
The Scenery:
There is no doubt that The Philippines is a stunning place. everywhere you look, something catches your eye. There are so many amazing landscapes and stunning beaches here that your camera will be working overtime.
A stunning Sunset in El Nido
Cons Of travel In The Philippines:
Cons Of Backpacking The Philippines
No matter how terrific a country is, there will always be a few cons to go along with the pros. the Philippines is so full of terrific culture, stunning sites and lost islands that there are sure to be a few things to enjoy out for. nowhere is perfect right?
There aren’t many cons to travelling here, but the few that stick out are provided below.
Holiday season Crowds:
During holiday season, The Philippines becomes extremely busy. Millions of Filipino families have left home to find better work abroad, so when the holidays come, so do the returning family members making it a nightmare to book transportation and hotels.
Luckily you can avoid it by spending a week or so on the lesser checked out islands like Palawan, but make sure you book your flight and hotel at least a week or two before. If you’ve planned your stay in the Philippines during Christmas or Easter, don’t worry it won’t spoil y