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Philippines Vacations

Tropical paradise where everyone can find their own slice of heaven

The Ultimate Postcard-Worthy Paradise: A Philippines holiday promises beaches with their crystal-clear waters, stunning white sands, paired with and warm, hospitable locals create an unrivalled beach getaway that turns holiday dreams into unforgettable reality.

Spanning over 7,000 islands, this Southeast Asian destination unveils a paradise of unspoiled beaches, emerald rainforests, and hidden coves waiting to be discovered. The Philippines offers intrepid travellers a rare blend of exhilarating adventures and breathtaking natural wonders in one of the world's last authentic island escapes. Its history blends indigenous traditions with centuries of Spanish colonisation, American governance, and Asian heritage, creating a truly unique cultural identity. Unlike many of its neighbours, the Philippines is predominantly Christian, with English widely spoken, making it especially accessible to international travellers.

For first-time visitors, iconic destinations like Boracay, Palawan (El Nido or Coron), and Cebu are excellent starting points. These offer a mix of white-sand beaches, clear waters, and accessible tourist infrastructure. Manila or Cebu City can also provide a taste of urban Filipino life and culture.

Returning travellers might explore more off-the-beaten-path locations such as Siargao (surfing and laid-back island life) or Banaue in the north for mountain treks and rice terraces. These lesser-known regions offer a deeper connection to the country’s stunning landscapes and heritage. The trip we recommend for those returning to the Philippines is Family Island Exploration.

The Philippines is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Popular activities include island hopping through limestone cliffs and lagoons in El Nido or Coron, diving in world-renowned sites like Apo Reef or Tubbataha Reefs, and snorkelling in shallow coral gardens. Surfing in Siargao, hiking in northern Luzon’s rice terraces, and kayaking through turquoise waters are also favourites. For cultural experiences, travellers can explore historic Intramuros in Manila, visit local markets, or attend colourful festivals like Sinulog or Ati-Atihan. For our favourite heritage and exploration holiday see: Cebu Cultural and Adventure tour.

Due to its island geography, getting around the Philippines often involves a mix of domestic flights, ferries, and local transport. Major cities and tourist hubs are connected by low-cost airlines like Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines. Ferries and fast boats link nearby islands (e.g., from Cebu to Bohol or El Nido to Coron). On land, common transport options include jeepneys, tricycles, buses, and vans. While travel can take time due to distances and logistics, the scenic routes and friendly encounters along the way make the journey part of the adventure.

Cambugahay Waterfalls Siquijor Island Philippines 2

Family Island Exploration Philippines

A family-friendly tour of the Southern Islands of the Visayas
$1,647 pp. Learn more
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Nia, our Philippines specialist, says

"The Philippines is a treasure trove of over 7,000 islands, each more captivating than the last. From the iconic rice terraces of Banaue to Boracay’s sugar-white beaches, every corner is a feast for the senses. Meet tiny tarsiers in Bohol, uncover the mystical charm of Siquijor, dive into Cebu’s blend of culture and adventure, and be mesmerised by Palawan’s underwater wonders. Dumaguete’s sandbars and the playful dolphins of Panglao are experiences you’ll never forget."

When to go to the Philippines

A month-by-month guide of when to visit the Philippines

  • Best
  • Good
  • Mixed
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

January

January is a great time to visit the Philippines. It offers pleasant weather with cooler temperatures, making it ideal for exploring cities like Manila and experiencing the Sinulog Festival in Cebu. Waters are clear for diving and snorkelling.

February

February continues the favourable weather, suitable for beach activities and island-hopping in Palawan. It's an excellent time for cultural events and exploring the Ifugao Rice Terraces.

March

March is still a good time to visit, with comfortable temperatures. Enjoy the Panagbenga Festival in Baguio and explore the beaches of Boracay. Waters are perfect for water sports.

April

April is ideal for island adventures and water sports. Explore the beaches of El Nido and enjoy the Pahiyas Festival in Lucban. It's warm but pleasant for outdoor activities.

May

May is generally good, but it marks the beginning of the wet season in some regions. Enjoy the colorful Flores de Mayo celebrations and dive in Apo Reef.

June

May is generally good, but it marks the beginning of the wet season in some regions. Enjoy the colorful Flores de Mayo celebrations and dive in Apo Reef.

July

July continues the rainy season. Explore the lush rainforests of Mindanao and enjoy cultural experiences. Coastal activities are not advisable.

August

August still sees rainfall, so focus on cultural experiences. Explore historical sites in Cebu and enjoy local festivals. Beach activities are limited.

September

September provides pleasant weather with fewer crowds. Explore the cultural gems of Luzon, hike Mount Pulag, or immerse yourself in the rich history of Corregidor Island.

October

October has some rainfall but is still good for travel. Attend cultural events in Manila, explore the culinary scene, and visit historical sites like Intramuros.

November

November marks the start of the dry season in a few regions. Enjoy the beauty of Banaue Rice Terraces, dive in Apo Island, and explore the beaches of Bohol.

December

December is a popular time to visit, with pleasant weather and festive celebrations. Experience Christmas traditions in the Philippines and enjoy the holiday spirit in cities like Manila and Cebu. Beach activities are great.

Where to go in the Philippines

Top places to visit in the Philippines

George W

This was our 2nd trip organised via Far & Wild from Australia - previously Africa and now Sri Lanka. Nia and the rest of the team were great - excellent itinerary, happy to modify the trip based on my suggestions and research, and they handled some last minute changes caused by a health issue without any problems at all. They were very quick to reply to all messages - and the trip went really smoothly. If you want an up-market holiday, this is a great organisation to organise that sort of trip!

December, 2025
Nick and Carly

Thank you to Nia and Far & Wild. My wife and I wanted to go to Vietnam and capture a real taste of the country from top to bottom but didn't have a clue where to start. We weren’t even sure if it was possible. Through speaking to Nia, sharing ideas and asking questions we were able to book what looked to be an extremely exciting trip - we could not wait to go. The reality of the trip more than matched our expectations. We had unforgettable experiences that we would never have been able to organise ourselves. The true value in this trip was that someone who knew what they were doing could give us the experience we truly craved. Well done Nia, it was a holiday we will never forget and we can’t wait for the next one. Thank you!

November, 2026
Kamal

Had an absolutely amazing 3 weeks in Chile and Argentina! We were a group of 8 friends - 4 couples. The vans used for our private excursions were very good and spacious. All the ground arrangements were as planned … the guides were very good - their English and knowledge was amazing. They made sure we had a good time. The picnic lunches were served in great locations with fabulous views and setup with tables and table cloths! Highly recommend Far & Wild! Looking to book another trip with them next year!

December, 2025
Lucinda F

Seamlessly organised! Brilliant suggestions of where to go which really gave us a 360 view of Kenya and hit our families need for adventure and mine for a bit of luxury.

November, 2025
Richard S

Alistair took time to understand what we were after and came up with an unforgettable Kenyan safari and beach holiday which we will all remember for a very long time. Real memory making trip with our 10 and 12 year old boys. Exactly what we hoped for and more!

November, 2025
Sue S

Otti organised a superb holiday to Kenya and Seychelles for my husband and I and our 2 adult daughters. It was our first safari and we only had a vague idea about where to start. Otti made the process so simple for us, suggesting an itinerary which she tweaked following discussions about the camps and hotels, and was really quick responding to my many queries; she was friendly, helpful and gave me complete confidence we were in excellent hands throughout. Far and Wild clearly have knowledge about the places they are recommending and work as team to provide the best service - definitely a 10 out of 10 for customer service and organising an amazing holiday for us.

September, 2025
Anonymous client

We can't thank the Far and Wild team enough for the most incredible trip we just had in Kenya. Otti really took into account what we were after and delivered an experience that exceeded all expectations. It was the trip of a lifetime! We had the most beautiful and unique time while on safari at the Instinct of the Mara. We really wanted to visit a camp that took ethical and sustainable practices seriously without compromising on the experience... and wow, it was truly wonderful and special! We'll definitely be returning. Our time at Diani beach was also lovely and very relaxing. Every step of the trip was seamless and we didn't have to worry about a thing. We had 4 domestic flights and a handful of car rides to take and everything was extremely organized and ran smoothly. We can't wait to book our next big trip!! Very grateful.

September, 2025
Claire L

Ben and Tamara at Far & Wild were exceptional in every respect. They offered thoughtful advice, excellent recommendations, and meticulous planning, weaving together their personal connections to help our family transform a collection of ideas into a magnificent six-week adventure. Every detail was handled with care - no transaction overlooked - which is all the more impressive given the complexity of moving three people across four regions of the country by every mode of transport imaginable. Their expertise gave us complete peace of mind and allowed us to simply enjoy the journey. I have already recommended Far & Wild to friends and would not hesitate to do so again.

August, 2025
Steven V

So great to be able to leave the details to the professionals at Far & Wild. Our two-week tour of Buenos Aires and southern Uruguay was pitch-perfect to our requests and goals. Amanda understood clearly what we were after, and crafted an idyllic itinerary with our style of hotels, guided tours, and transfers. Complementing Far & Wild's first-person knowledge of the territory were the excellent resources "on the ground" in Argentina and Uruguay to handle last-minute changes and requests. We've found our travel partner!

November, 2025
Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

July, 2024
Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

March, 2024
Orla Rhodes

Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. It was good value for the level of luxury we had.

June, 2024
Arnhild Schia

We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

July, 2024
Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps was ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

June, 2024
AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

May, 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

April, 2024
Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

March, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs About Your Philippines Holiday

Planning a holiday to Philippines? Our experts share advice on everything from what to pack, when to go, to tips for families, covering the questions we get asked the most.

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