Philippines

Why the Philippines

Seven thousand six hundred and forty-one islands. This is the number that is always quoted when talking about the Philippines, and it says the essential: here, travel is a question of water. Palawan lagoon of icy turquoise surrounded by limestone cliffs, Pacific surf on Cloud 9 in Siargao, coral beds of Tubbataha among the richest on the planet... The archipelago is a living encyclopedia of the most beautiful that the sea can offer.

But the Philippines is not just about the beach. Vigan, a Hispanic jewel frozen in the seventeenth century, reminds us that Manila was for two centuries the only port between Asia and Europe on the route of the Acapulco galleon. Banaue unfurls its rice terraces carved two thousand years ago into the slopes of the northern Cordilleras of Luzon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And Bohol concentrates the Chocolate Hills, the tarsier and the beaches of Panglao within a radius of thirty kilometers: a destination in its own right.

English is the language of everyday life, the Filipino culture mixes Malay, Chinese and Spanish influences with a sincere hospitality that facilitates every step. For those who are willing to organize themselves (domestic flights, boat crossings, weather), the Philippines offers one of the best intensity-budget ratios in Southeast Asia.

When to go

The dry season, from November to April, is the ideal window. February and March are the golden months: minimum rainfall (30 to 41 mm in Manila compared to 241 mm in June), temperatures between 23 and 32°C, calm seas, excellent underwater visibility. December and January attract more travelers (Filipino Christmas, end-of-year celebrations) but remain very pleasant.

The typhoon season runs from June to November. About twenty typhoons hit the archipelago each year, mainly between July and September. Domestic flights and boat crossings are regularly cancelled, with isolated islands cut off from the mainland. To be avoided at all costs for a tour. Palawan (El Nido, Coron) benefits from a slightly staggered dry season: November to May.

The month of April is marked by Holy Week, with spectacular processions, but also by a peak in attendance. Siargao is surfable all year round, with the best conditions from September to March.

How much does it cost

The Philippines remains an affordable archipelago, but inter-island travel is an expense item to be anticipated. A well-constructed trip varies between 45 and 90 euros per day all inclusive, excluding flights.

A meal in a carenderia (local canteen) costs 3-5 euros. A mid-range restaurant (grilled fish, fresh seafood) costs 8-15 euros. Accommodation ranges from 20 euros for a clean guesthouse room to 80-150 euros for a premium beach bungalow.

The item that makes the difference: domestic flights and boat crossings. Manila-El Nido, Manila-Siargao or Cebu-Boracay by plane cost from 30 to 80 euros one way. Plan for 150 to 300 euros for internal transport depending on your itinerary. Island hopping tours (day trip by boat with guides) are generally 15-30 euros per person.

An organized 12-day tour from France starts at around 1,800 euros per person excluding flights. The Paris-Manila flight (with stopover) starts at 550 euros in low season.

Where to go

The archipelago is divided into three main areas: Luzon in the north, the Visayas in the center, Mindanao in the south (the western and central parts of which are not recommended, see the FAQ). Most tours favor Luzon and the Visayas, with Palawan as the main destination.

Palawanis the priority for a first trip: El Nido and its limestone lagoons, Coron with its freshwater lakes and World War II shipwrecks, Puerto Princesa and its UNESCO-listed underground river. The island can be explored slowly, by boat, to the rhythm of the tides.

The Visayasform the vibrant heart of the archipelago. Cebu is the natural gateway to Bohol (Chocolate Hills, tarsiers), Oslob (whale shark diving) and the diving spots of Moalboal. Boracay alone concentrates the most famous beach in the country and a vibrant nightlife.

North Luzonreserves its treasures for those who take the time: Vigan and its UNESCO Hispanic center, Banaue and its thousand-year-old rice fields, the Cordillera and its Ifugao ethnic groups. Manila, often overflown, deserves at least a day in Intramuros.

Siargaois the trendy destination of the last decade: surfing, island-hopping and sunsets on coconut groves. Accessible by flight from Cebu or Manila.

Our itineraries

In pictures

Practical advice

Formalities

French nationals enter the Philippines without a visa for 30 days, upon presentation of a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of entry and a return or onward ticket. No prior procedure is necessary.

For longer stays, the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) offers extensions on site. It is advisable to register on the register of French nationals abroad (Ariane service of the Quai d'Orsay) to receive alerts in real time.

Zones not recommended:Western and Central Mindanao, Sulu Archipelago. Avoid these areas without exception. Eastern Mindanao is not recommended except Camiguin, Dinagat and Siargao. Luzon, Visayas, Palawan and Siargao are accessible normally.

Health:no compulsory vaccination on entry. Recommended: DTP, hepatitis A and B, typhoid. Antimalarial prophylaxis recommended for Palawan outside urban centres (P. falciparum species present). Effective mosquito protection essential.

Getting around

The Philippines can be explored by combining several modes of transport. Domestic flights (Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, AirAsia) connect the larger islands in less than an hour and are often the only realistic option. Ferry crossings (2GO, Starlite) connect coastal cities, but the durations can be long (Manila-Cebu: 22 hours).

On each island, the tricycle (motorcycle taxi equipped with a sidecar) is the king of transport for short distances: 1 to 3 euros. The jeepney, a colorful and iconic bus from the American military Jeeps of 1945, criss-crosses the cities for a few pesos. Scooter rental (5 to 10 euros per day) is ideal on tourist islands such as Bohol and Siargao.

Plan your domestic flights in advance, especially during the peak season: the Manila-El Nido and Manila-Siargao routes sell out quickly between December and March.

Culture and uses

Filipinos practice a fervent Catholicism inherited from 333 years of Spanish colonization: religious holidays (Easter, Christmas) are celebrated with an intensity rare in Asia. Politeness is achieved through the word "po" added at the end of the sentence to show respect for the elders.

English is spoken everywhere, including in rural areas, which makes it much easier to exchange. A smile and a few words of Tagalog ("salamat" for thank you, "mabuhay" for welcome) are always appreciated.

Tipping is not mandatory but welcome in restaurants and hotels (5-10%). Price negotiations are common in markets and with tricycles, but avoid haggling in restaurants with a menu displayed.

Frequently asked questions