KAT's 2-Week Guide to the PhilippinesWow, I am in love with this island country! From towering pines in the northern Mountain Province, to steep rice terraces, the bluest water I have ever seen, and relaxing palm tree-lined beaches, the Philippines has it all. I spent 2 weeks adventuring north to south, so here are my stops and recs!Authorskatherinebeard
DestinationsPhilippinesItinerary

Batad & Banaue

Lhoren's Inn and Restaurant
wow. what a homestay... i had no idea that we were going to have to hike into the stay and that we'd wake up to the most amazing views of the surrounding rice terrace amphitheatre. the woman who owns the inn, Lhoren, is so kind and helped us organize our tour of tappiyah falls and around the rice terraces. she also helps organize any meals that you would like to have in her home. the rooms are very basic: bed, mosquito net, no screens on windows, but the location is PREMIERE.
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Batad Rice Terraces
picture one million shades of green, terraces neatly carved into the sheer sides of cliffs and mountains, and teeny tiny stairs that rise and fall through the terraces as you're hiking through them. nothing could prepare me for the incredible sight that this UNESCO site would be. it is SUPER remote, in northern Luzón, making it hard to reach and "well preserved" per say. it is about a 12 hour (private) ride from Manila.
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Tappiyah Falls
after a long hike through the rice terraces in the sun, the hike down to the falls for a swim felt euphoric.splashing in the gushing falls and the cool water could not have felt better... now the hike back up was another story lol.
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Batad Guided Tour
make sure you head out into the rice terraces with a guide and check in with the local tourism authority... it is REQUIRED!
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Sagada

Aniduwan Lodging Home
we stayed at this adorable mountain-style cabin that was just outside of downtown sagada, nestled into the forest. the property had a deck, perfect for admiring sunset or the morning cloud inversions in the valley. each night we'd put in breakfast orders, which were traditional filipino options, but their omelettes were especially delicious.
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Hanging Coffins of Sagada
cool to see the traditional hanging coffins that celebrate death by bringing loved ones closer to the afterlife, the heavens, by hanging them above ground instead of burying them below. the tradition comes from the Kankanaey people and began what is believed to be centuries ago.
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Sumaguing Cave
this was NOT my favorite stop. the cave was cool, but getting down was slippery, dark, and covered in bat poop. if spelunking and staglamites are your thing, then this is for you, but personally, i should've explored another option.
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Bomod-ok Falls
a beautiful hike through rice terraces, down into the valley reveals the gushing falls and a little pool area to swim in! make sure to bring water shoes and your swimsuit with you... when we were there it was cold and rainy, so sadly we opted out of swimming. the hike takes about 2 hours in total. * note that if you don't want to hike all the way back out, there is a shuttle option from the small town, fidelisad, where they will use a jeepney to shuttle you out by car!
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Sagada Weaving
got the cutest woven bag here for only ~$12! there are live demonstrations of weavers at work as well as a selection of their same products, from scarves to bags and wallets, and more!.
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Zoe' Bean Cafe
a road trip stop with a view and delicious filipino food! order a mango shake paired with their pancit and fried cheese rolls. there is also a great souvenir shop downstairs and next door where i got the most beautiful handcrafted, wooden bowls at the shop on the first floor & next door.
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Sagada Taste Restaurant
as a group, not our favorite, but did the trick. we got a yummy pork sisig paired with sinigang and lemon pie (which was weirdly a super popular thing in sagada) for a later dinner. their tables fill up fast, and their traditional northern luzon cuisine sells out too, so if there are specific dishes you want to try, like pinikpikan or etag, get there earlier.
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Sagada Brew
traditional Filipino caldereta and pinikpikan dishes are must-trys here! if you're still itching for a sweet treat their lemon squares are also quite delicious. the vibe is super earthy and relaxed.
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Yoghurt House
for some reason while we were here, we kept seeing yogurt everywhere, so of course, we had to give it a try as a sweet treat. we all thought it was frozen... but i got a cup with honey and it was definitely some thick and sweet yogurt.
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Eduardo's
delicious pretzel-style-pizza breads. they were open early too, so it made for a great road trip snack before leaving town.
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La Trinidad's Strawberry Farm
on the drive back to manila we stopped at the Baguio strawberry farm that sits right in the middle of downtown. we all bought local berries and adorable strawberry themed souvenirs... definitely felt like a super touristy stop, but was fun to get out and stretch our legs.
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Bros Inasal Sagada Mountain Province (Bro's Inasal Sagada Mountain Province)
eat lunch in an upside down house in Sagada! after a busy morning hiking, we enjoyed pork etag sandwiches and nachos here. definitely wasn’t life changing food, but for the views and the unique space, it was worth it!
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El Nido

Entalula Bed & Breakfast
this bed and breakfast honestly deserves 10 stars. the location right on the water was incredible (not to mention the outstanding views), the rooms were always neat and tidy, the breakfasts were filling (and had the most amazing fresh fruit at reasonable prices), and the whole family that works here is beyond kind-hearted and accommodating.
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Nacpan Beach
easily one of the most beautiful beaches i have visited in my life. take a 25-20 minute trike from el nido for a day (~$2500 pesos for a private driver) along the white sand shores and sparkling blue waters. with the beating sun coming down, you'll want to spend the whole day splashing in the refreshing waters just like we did. make sure to grab a coconut from a stand along the shores for a cold treat!
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BABA Street Food
now that we were by the coast it was time for some seafood, so we got a shrimp rice bowl for lunch paired with banana blossom dumplings which denise said i had to try. they are a traditional filipino flavor.
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Coko's El Nido
expensive coconuts, but quick and easy service for cravings. the coconuts are ice cold!
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Midtown El Nido Bakery
try their ube swirl cookies! great for grab and go treats.
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Grounded 100% Arabica Coffee, El Nido Branch
the best coconut latte i have ever had. topped with real coconut shavings, the flavor is sweet but does not overdo it.
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AP KALA beach bar & modern cafe
a gorgeous, beachfront spot for drinks and dinner at sunset.
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Maa's Grill
HUGE portions of delicious Filipino food. the pancit bihon is a classic, but their prawns in tomato sauce are truly outstanding.
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Cara-Bar
for the freshest piña colada of your lifetime, come to this beachside bar! they will hand-squeeze the coconut milk out of the coconut and right into your drink... but not before letting you try it first! we also enjoyed calamansi (filipino lime) juice here, along with chicken quesadillas, the perfect beachside snack.
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Lion's Sunset Lounge El Nido
for sunset views, drinks, and thai food, this is THE spot. make a reservation ahead of time if you want a coveted table by the open air deck... the best spot for sunset photos! the restaurant is a quick trike ride from downtown to corong-corong beach.
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Miguelito's Ice Cream
a delicious soft-serve sweet treat spot right off of corong-corong beach. their chocolate is SO rich!
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Duli Beach
known for surfing, the clear waters, golden sands, and lush shores of this spot make it so special. definitely not as busy as nacpan, so great for those looking to go a little more off the beaten path. the ~$2500 pesos for a private driver we had paid for nacpan included our trip to duli beach as well for the day.
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my first-ever island hopping tour! from el nido harbor, we got picked up right out of our hotel to head to the banca, a traditional boat, for a day of adventure out on the water. it was beyond magical. imagine the bluest water you have ever seen, white sand beach, vibrant coral reefs, and a delicious filipino lunch buffet! i was really living the dream once i got a coconut from a local vendor, wind in my hair, and towering limestone mountains all around. note: make sure to pack cash for any snacks along the way (there are people selling coconuts, beers, ice cream, etc.) and for extra activities like kayaking or snorkel gear.
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Ipil Ipil Beach
our first stop on the tour that was filled with dramatic views of the limestone mountains surrounding el nido and palawan. it was a sub for seven commandos beach, which is now super touristy and busy... we were the only boat here. the tides had brought in some stinging jellies and plankton, which definitely kept snorkeling interesting, but the beach itself was wonderful! note: when you get a small jelly sting all you have to do is leave it be for 10-20 minutes & they will go away (but also, i am no medical professional & each case is different)
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Paglugaban Island
an amazing snorkeling stop on our tour, with no jellies woohooo, where i got a coconut for ~150 PHP from a local vendor traveling by kayak. living the DREAM here. the coconut was ice cold and while snorkeling i spotted a pufferfish, rainbow fish, urchins, and more! the marine life felt so lively.
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Secret Lagoon
a small keyhole entrance leads to dramatic limestone walls and a small lagoon area for tourists. there is a wait to get in and out of the lagoon... but it was still a cool stop to see. make sure you have water shoes for this!
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Jiji's Beach
right next to the famous secret lagoon, this is a popular docking spot for tours to have lunch. we enjoyed a huge buffet of filipino food: pancit, shrimp, lumpia, and more, along the white sand shores of this sunny spot. the water here was so blue that before lunch, we swam around and snapped lots of photos. the boats along the shore were literalllllly paid actors in the shots
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Shimizu Island
our last stop for the day where we relaxed along white sand shores and did some more intense snorkeling in the middle channel off of the island. we saw the famous blue filipino sea star while snorkeling and splashed in turquoise waters off of the boat.
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El Nido Palawan Private Tour C, with Lunch
definitely a more active tour than tour A was! there was more free swimming and snorkeling involved on this loop. note: make sure to pack cash for any snacks along the way (there are people selling coconuts, beers, ice cream, etc.) and for extra activities like kayaking or snorkel gear.
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Cadlao Lagoon
our first stop, technically part of tour D, but our guides wanted to skip the mantiloc shrine so we did. we paid ~300 PHP for a rental kayak to explore the cerulean waters and limestone cliffs of the lagoon which was more than worth it.
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Secret Beach
stop number two for the day, this secret beach... is not so secret anymore. it is a small sandy area inside a sheltered limestone cove. deni and i had fun swimming through the underwater keyhole that gets you into the cove, though, and there were lots of cool freediving spots around the area where we docked.
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Talisay Beach
our third stop along the way and my FAVORITE. this beach had the bluest water i have ever seen in my LIFE. it was turquoise, so clear, and the best place to swim! an absolute dream, words could not describe my excitement.
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Helicopter Island
our last stop of the day, finally had some shade, and was nestled in a great area for snorkeling. we had the option to relax on the shore, getting out of the sun for a bit, or heading out to see more vibrant marine life. we hung out in the waters near the shore, relaxing after a long day of fun in the sun, taking in the surrounding view of palawan mountains, cliffs, and little, lonesome islands along the horizon. preeeeetty incredible.
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A Little Corner of Paradise
got the cutest beaded and leather bracelet at this local boutique! great jewelry selection.
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Fisheye the Shop
has the best post cards in all of el nido!
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Walang Problema
super cool skate and surf shop with t-shirts and jewelry. "walang problema" translates to no problem or good vibes in english from tagalog.
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Cafe Athena
getting tired of filipino food for weeks? this waterside cafe serves up amazing views as well as great chicken gyros. pair it with a little limoncello for a celebration! cheers.
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Chulas Ice Pop
some of the best popsicles to keep you cool in the el nido heat! i tried both the coconut in chocolate and the classic mango, which were both juuuust perfect in terms of sweetness.
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Tubig Alat
a trip to duli isn't complete without a fresh coconut... this little beachside bar-shack has you covered. (plus the coconuts are cold)
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Rooftop Bar
right above BABA (and an adorable beachy boutique), this bar pours on draft beers!! so exciting to come back to a cold beer after a day of adventuring on the water. i made sure to be careful about water consumption, as many people get sick in el nido, so draft beers were a go-to instead of cocktails!
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El Nido Beach
right outside of our hotel, this beach was a great spot for a taste of the ocean. relaxing along the sunny shores and under palm trees, snapping photos as the sun turned the skies pink, made this a favorite beach that was also super accessible from town, too!
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Corong Corong Beach
just outside of downtown el nido, this is very much a port beach... it did not feel as nice as el nido beach. the sunset views are pretty unparalleled, though, and there are some great markets and restaurants along the beach area.
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El Nido Bus Terminal
go online and book a recliner chair in one of these transfer buses from puerto princesa (if you aren't flying directly to el nido). the ride is abour 5 hours and we found that this "public" bus was wayyyy nicer than the transfer shuttles. Cherry is the way to go!
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Kitchen Bar Coffee HUB
a quick and easy stop for international cuisine, or great filipino options as well. the tofu bihon express as well as the arroz caldo we're just what we needed after a 5 hour ride from puerto princesa.
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Boracay

Dennis Guest House
an adorable, sometimes long-term, stay just steps from the station 3 section of white beach. the house has 2 levels, but we stayed on the second that is complete with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a kitchen area.
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White Beach
one of the prettiest beaches i visited & all open to the public! stake your spot early if you are in station 2 because it gets super busy!
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Bulabog Kitesurfing Beach
home to the famous coconut tree... get up bright and early to beat the crowds and snap a photo on the famous hanging tree. note: be ready to climb up its trunk (it is higher than it looks!) there are also lots of kitesurfing schools here, as well! it can be hard to learn and master, but if you want to try it out or dedicate a few days to learning, it is much more affordable here than in other parts of the world!
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Nonie's Boracay
a new, modern restaurant that does modern twists on classic filipino food. the temphe kare-kare was an outstanding vegetarian take on the original, and the bistek tagalog blew my mind. their ginger shots are also super refreshing to add to any meal!
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ICE FLAKES Boracay White Beach
MY FAVORITE PLACE YET. truly & shamelessly, i came here 1-2 times every day because of how much i loved the desserts here. coming in fresh fruit flavors, their light and airy ice is a dream. try it with toasted coconut flakes or condensed milk, or go raw. i GOBBLED these up! my favorite flavor was the mango or mango-coconut. will forever dream about this dessert.
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Upperhouse Spa
i had a great 60 minute massage here for only 11 (when booking through klook)! they greet you with ginger tea and the facility is clean, cool, and modern.
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Boracay Sunset Cruise with Party DJ & Unlimited Food and Drinks
one of the best nights in the philippines, where about 5 of us enjoyed cocktails, jumping in the sparkling waters of boracay, and hanging out as the vivid sunset came alive in the evening. this sunset cruise is the perfect way to spend your last night here!
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Aplaya the Beach Bar & Italian Food
a great spot for an upscale italian dinner, their diavola pizza with an aperol spritz was my favorite!
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Island Izakaya
great spot for groups. their tasting and sharing menu is not only affordable, but delicious. there were just plates and plates of food continuously coming to our table after we ordered!
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Cafe Maruja
a mermaid-themed café right on the beach with swing-style chairs, specialty coffees, acai bowls, and amazing lunch spreads. their iced latte with cold foam kept me fueled all day long, paired with a fresh and cold acai bowl coated in honey and coconut.
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Caleo D'Mall Boracay
the best place for souvenir shopping – think bikinis, jewelry, linen clothing, bags, and so much more, all in one place with many storefronts. make sure to stop by uswag arts and crafts for the most beautiful woven purses and bags at reasonable prices.
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The Sunny Side Cafe
a beachside café (with two locations) serving up whole brunches! the fruit plate was so fresh, and perfect for the beach, and i also really enjoyed my traditonal omelette with a touch of pesto. the presentation here was also surprisingly upscale and wonderful. the cheesy pull from the grilled cheese is a MUST as well!
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Boracay Beach Path
on hard pack sand, along the beach storefronts, this path is perfect for runners in the early morning (before it gets too hot). to go from station 3 to station 1 and back is about 3 miles!
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I Love Boracay
if you are already headed to bulabog beach, this is right along the shores and a fun little stop for a tourist-y photo. there are usually trikes lined up here available, too.
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The Monkey Tree Cafe and Bar
a great, beachside café with iced matchas! nice, relaxing environment to chat with friends and enjoy in the morning.
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Bliss Wash
after 2 weeks of adventures, it was more than time to laundry since i packed a small backpack only. this spot does paid by weight & can have your clothes back to you in just 4 hours. wrinkless, folded, and smelling divine, i completely recommend this spot!
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