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June to December generally sees heavier rainfall, but has mostly sunny days. January to May is hot and dry and is the peak season for Philippines tourism. Please note we don’t run tours in July or August due to the rainy season.
You have a few options, our general advise would be the Yellow Airport Taxis.
Yellow Airport Taxis: These are the official metered taxis that you’ll find in designated taxi ranks at the airport. They are usually more expensive than regular city taxis but are considered safe and reliable.
Coupon Taxis: These are flat-rate taxis also available at the airport. You’ll need to purchase a coupon or voucher for your destination beforehand. These taxis are generally more expensive but are convenient if you want to avoid the hassle of a meter.
Grab (App): One of the most popular ride-sharing options in Manila is Grab. You can book a GrabCar directly from the airport, and the fare is generally reasonable. The app provides an estimated fare, which can give you an idea of the cost before you commit to the ride.
White Taxis: These are regular city taxis that might be waiting around the airport. While cheaper than yellow taxis, they are not officially sanctioned by the airport and are considered less reliable.
Yes. Most Filipinos are Catholic, and churches expect modest dress: cover your shoulders and knees, take off your hat, and keep swimwear for the beach. Some popular sites, such as Simala Shrine in Cebu, check clothing at the entrance and turn away visitors in shorts or sleeveless tops. If you visit a mosque, dress the same way and take off your shoes. A light scarf or sarong in your daypack makes it easy to cover up.
We have a minimum age requirement of 18 years old to join the tour. Group members aged 16-17 years old are welcome to join the tour but only with a family member that will act as their guardian whilst on tour. Some tours also have an upper age limit, which you'll see in the tour's details at the top of its page. While our target age is 20-45, what matters most is mindset. If you’re looking for a backpacking-style experience, with hostel-style stays, local transport, and optional evening activities - you’re welcome to join us.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. You’ll need to show proof of your policy to your group leader upon arrival (on your phone or printed). You can get a quote and purchase your travel insurance here.
We highly recommend that you travel with insurance for complete peace of mind. Please click here.
Globe and Smart are the two main networks, and both sell tourist SIMs and eSIMs at the airports and in town. By law every SIM must be registered: you need your passport, the address of your first accommodation and your return or onward ticket, and a SIM registered to a tourist works for 30 days. Staying longer? Ask the network about extending it. Many travellers now buy an eSIM before they fly and activate it on landing.
Get your SIM at the start, as it can be hard to buy one on smaller islands. Wi-Fi is available at most accommodation but can be slow or missing in remote spots and on island-hopping days.
We recommend using a Wise travel card. It works in most places and supports Apple Pay and Google Pay. ATMs are widely available, but some places may accept cash only, so it’s good to carry some local currency.
Around 1–2 weeks before your trip you will get a welcome email with your trip information and your group leader's contact details. If you need to reach them before then, get in touch with us and we will pass your message on.
Absolutely. Your payment is secure. Backpacking Tours is a licensed tour operator in Thailand (Department of Tourism licence 11/12642), and we use trusted international payment providers. Your booking is safe, and our team is here to support you every step of the way.
Your passport must have at least six months’ validity and two blank pages. You should also have proof of onward travel.
The currency is the Philippine peso (PHP). Cards are accepted in hotels, larger restaurants and shops in cities and tourist centres, but cash is needed almost everywhere else, including markets, tricycles, small eateries and many island businesses.
ATMs are easy to find in the cities, but smaller island towns have few, and they can run out of cash, so take out enough before you go. Most local ATMs add a fee to each withdrawal and limit how much you can take out at once. Keep some small notes for tips and transport.
Tipping is not compulsory, but it is appreciated. Many restaurants add a service charge of around 10%; where they do not, leaving 5–10% for good service is normal. For boat crews, guides and drivers, around PHP 50–100 each at the end of a good day is a welcome thank-you.
Most visits to the Philippines are trouble-free, and the islands on our routes are well travelled. The UK government advises against travel to parts of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago in the far south; none of our trips goes there. Check the latest UK government travel advice before you travel.
Typhoons are the main natural risk, mostly between June and November, and boat trips do not run when the sea is unsafe. In cities, watch for pickpockets and use Grab or official taxis. Drug laws are extremely strict. On the water, always follow your boat crew's safety instructions.
Filipino, which is based on Tagalog, and English are the official languages, and English is widely spoken, so you will get by easily almost everywhere. Many regions also have their own language, such as Cebuano in Cebu and Bohol. A few words are always appreciated: salamat (thank you) and magandang umaga (good morning).
Possibly, depending on your vaccination history and your plans. See your GP or a travel clinic 6–8 weeks before you travel, tell them your full route, and check the Philippines page on TravelHealthPro. They can advise you on vaccines and on avoiding mosquito bites.
There is one entry requirement to be aware of: you need a yellow fever vaccination certificate only if you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.
Yes, we can cater for most dietary requirements. Please notify us prior to arriving on day 1 so we can arrange this for you.
We stay at the award winning Z Hostel in Makati.
Yes, 21 meals are included: 11 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 3 dinners, including your welcome dinner in Manila and meals on the island-hopping and camping days. The itinerary shows which meals are included each day.
It’s a fun and unique part of the tour! The tent has two comfy air mattresses, is just 20m from the sea, and there’s a bonfire with music. Basic toilets and showers are available: simple, but totally worth it for the experience 😍
You’ll stay in a mix of twin/double rooms and shared hostel dorms (up to 4 people per room), plus one night of beach camping. It’s a fun mix of comfort and adventure, with every stay chosen for great vibes and location 🌴
No. Drink bottled, filtered or purified water, which is cheap and easy to find, and many places have refill stations if you bring a reusable bottle. Ice in restaurants and bars in tourist areas is usually made from purified water. If you have a sensitive stomach, use bottled water to brush your teeth too.
Filipino food is hearty and full of flavour: try adobo, sinigang (a sour soup), fresh grilled seafood and halo-halo for dessert, and expect rice with almost every meal. It is a meat-loving cuisine, so vegetarians have fewer local options than in some other parts of Asia, but tourist areas have plenty of cafés with vegetarian dishes, and the tropical fruit is excellent everywhere. If you are vegetarian, tell us when you book so we can let the kitchens know.
Fly into Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Manila. Your airport pick-up on day 1 is included, and you can arrive at any time that day.
Fly out of Francisco B. Reyes Airport (USU) on Busuanga, which serves Coron. Your airport drop-off is included: after breakfast on day 14 we take you to the airport, so you can book a flight at any time that day, allowing for the drive and check-in. Hotel check-out is at 11:00.
Not for a stay of up to 30 days if you hold a UK, EU, US, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand passport. You do need to register, free, on the government's eTravel system in the 72 hours before you arrive and keep the QR code, as some airlines will not let you board without it. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your stay, and have your return or onward ticket to hand.
Staying longer than 30 days, for example on a volunteer placement? You can extend by 29 days at a Bureau of Immigration office. Our Philippines visa guide has the details.
Please wait for your booking confirmation email, which tells you when we recommend arriving and departing. You can search and book flights on our flights page.
We will send you your airport transfer information one week before the tour or programme begins.
International flights are not included in the price of any tour and will need to be booked separately. You’re free to book your own flights or book here.
Once you've booked your flights, log in to My Account on our website and enter your flight arrival details. That is how your group leader knows when you are landing.
Arriving before the tour starts, or staying on at the end? Let us know as early as you can so we can check availability and pricing on extra nights.
Please let us know as soon as possible. If you are already en route and a connecting flight changes, contact your group leader or email us so we can still meet you at the airport.
Your deposit ensures your reservation for the tour or program. It guarantees your spot until 60 days prior to the scheduled commencement date, at which time the outstanding balance must be settled in full. Failure to complete payment by the specified deadline will result in the cancellation of your reservation, and the vacancy may be offered to another prospective participant. The remaining balance can be found in your account, and multiple reminders will be sent in advance of the due date to ensure timely payment.
For group tours, your place is confirmed once enough travellers have booked, and always at least four weeks (28 days) before your tour starts. Most group tours are confirmed around six months before departure.
For volunteer or private bookings, please allow 2-3 working days.
If a tour does not run, you get a full refund.
We recommend a minimum of 250 GBP for the full fourteen days, but it depends on what kind of spender you are. We include a spending guide in your welcome pack. You can withdraw from ATMs at various points throughout the tour, but we recommend withdrawing plenty of cash in Manila since you cannot rely on the ATMs in Palawan.
Please note that we have a 20kg limit on checked luggage on our domestic flight from Manila to Palawan, if you need to add extra at the airport you can do so but it can be very costly. We would recommend bringing a suitcase or backpack that weighs under 20kg.
There is a little walking involved in the Philippines but not much. Sandals and some trainers/running shoes would be fine.
The Philippines mainly uses Type A and B sockets (flat pins, the same shape as in the US), with some Type C, and a 220V supply. UK and European travellers need an adapter. US plugs fit, but check your devices work at 220V; most phone and laptop chargers do. Bring a power bank for boat days and remote islands. See our plug and socket guide.
You can arrive at any time on day 1, but if you arrive after 3pm your tour guide won’t be able to personally collect you. Instead they will arrange your car and meet you at the hostel for your first night.
Sleeping in a tent on the beach will be one of the most unique and incredible things you will get to experience. It is a private beach with a purpose-built shelter to protect you from the weather. Each tent comes with a mattress, pillow & sheet and can fit 2 people. There is nothing like waking up on a deserted island, watching the sunrise and going for a morning swim.
Unfortunately we only offer airport pick ups on day 1 of the tour, but we include very easy and straightforward instructions in your welcome pack to help you on getting from the airport to the first hostel.
The main opportunity to swim with whale sharks in the Philippines is located in Cebu which is a different island to Palawan where we visit on tour. While we don’t support or include whale shark swimming on tour, there are ethical opportunities within the Philippines & should you travel further around the country once the tour has finished your guide can help advise you on the best places to do so.
The trip starts in Manila and finishes in Coron.
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