Itinerary Manila, Banaue, Coron, El Nido & Cebu

December is an excellent season to visit the Philippines: it's the start of the dry season, offering sunny weather, clear seas for diving/snorkeling, lush landscapes after the rainy months, and festive local events.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	$1,400
🏨 Accommodations	$560
🧳 Gear	$200
🗺️ On-site	$1,100
Total	$3,260

🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇵🇭 Manila - 1 day

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏛️ Intramuros ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Historic walled city with Spanish colonial architecture — ideal first stop, easy to explore on foot.

• [ ] 🏙️ Rizal Park ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Lush urban park, central to Philippine history — visit Rizal Monument.

• [ ] 🎨 National Museum Complex ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Artifacts and art on Philippine history/culture — free entrance, leave backpacks at locker.

• [ ] 🏙️ Binondo (Chinatown) ⭐ (~1h)

  • Explore the world’s oldest Chinatown; try street food and historic churches.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Poblacion Bars ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Lively, eclectic neighborhood with rooftop bars and local music.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Ilustrado Restaurant ⭐⭐⭐
  • Heritage Filipino cuisine in Intramuros — try adobo, sinigang, $15-20/meal.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Mall of Asia (~2h)
  • Giant mall with bayfront sunsets and entertainment.

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🇵🇭 Banaue (Ifugao Rice Terraces) - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏞️ Banaue Rice Terraces ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • Breathtaking 2,000-year-old terraces — sunrise views best; bring a rain jacket.

• [ ] 🥾 Batad Rice Terraces + Tappiyah Falls Hike ⭐⭐⭐ (~5h)

  • Hike among amphitheater terraces, then cool off at the picturesque falls.

• [ ] 🏙️ Banaue Viewpoint ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Best overall panorama — light morning mist.

• [ ] 🏛️ Ifugao Museum ⭐ (~1h)

  • Learn about indigenous culture.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Batad Pension and Restaurant ⭐ (~2h)
  • Cozy spot for post-trek rest, local cuisine served.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Uyami’s Green View Lodge ⭐⭐
  • Hearty mountain food — try pinikpikan or native chicken, $7-10/meal.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🌳 Hungduan Terraces (~2h)
  • Quieter, less-touristed rice fields.

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🇵🇭 Coron (Palawan) - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏞️ Kayangan Lake ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Iconic turquoise water and limestone cliffs — early morning for fewer crowds.

• [ ] 🏝️ Twin Lagoons ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Swim & snorkel among ethereal caves and brackish water.

• [ ] 🏝️ Coron Island Hopping Tour ⭐⭐⭐ (~8h)

  • Multiple islands: Banol Beach, Siete Pecados Marine Park, Coral Garden.

• [ ] 🏞️ Mount Tapyas Hike ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Short, steep climb with panoramic views — sunset recommended.

• [ ] 🌳 Maquinit Hot Springs ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Unique saltwater hot springs — best after a day of activities.

• [ ] 🤿 WWII Wreck Diving ⭐⭐ (~4h)

  • Dive/snorkel to Japanese shipwrecks.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Luis Bay Restobar ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Harbor view bar with local live band.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Lolo Nonoy’s Food Station ⭐⭐
  • Budget-friendly Filipino seafood, grilled blue marlin, $6-8/meal.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏝️ Bulog Dos/ Malcapuya Island (~4h)
  • Longer island excursion, powder-sand beaches.

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🇵🇭 El Nido (Palawan) - 4 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏝️ Island Hopping Tour A (Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island) ⭐⭐⭐ (~8h)

  • Most iconic tour — dramatic karsts, lagoons, snorkeling.

• [ ] 🏝️ Island Hopping Tour C (Hidden Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach) ⭐⭐⭐ (~8h)

  • Best for white sand and coral diversity.

• [ ] 🥾 Taraw Cliff Canopy Walk ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Short but steep zip-trek with panoramic town/island views. Local guide required.

• [ ] 🏖️ Las Cabañas Beach ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Chill beach with sunset bars and ziplines.

• [ ] 🌊 Nacpan Beach ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Long, palm-fringed beach — less crowded.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 SAVA Beach Bar ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Seafront cocktails and music; beach party vibes.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Artcafé ⭐⭐⭐
  • Traveler hub — Filipino and international brunch/dinner, rooftop, $10-15/meal.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏖️ Duli Beach (~2h)
  • Quiet surf spot; 45 min drive north.

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🇵🇭 Cebu (Cebu City, Moalboal, Oslob) - 4 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏙️ Cebu City Heritage Walk (Magellan’s Cross, Basilica del Santo Niño, Fort San Pedro) ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Explore centuries of mixed Spanish & local history.

• [ ] 🏞️ Kawasan Falls Canyoneering ⭐⭐⭐ (~6h)

  • Adrenaline-filled climbing, cliff-jumping & swimming; requires guide.

• [ ] 🌊 Moalboal Sardine Run Snorkeling ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Snorkel off the coast to witness millions of sardines, turtles nearby.

• [ ] 🏝️ Pescador Island Hopping ⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • Boat trips for snorkeling/diving, dolphins possible.

• [ ] 🏞️ Osmeña Peak Hike ⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • Accessible summit with panoramic coastal views, sunrise trek recommended.

• [ ] 🦂 Oslob Whale Shark Snorkeling ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Swim with gentle giants, early morning to avoid crowds; responsible operator recommended.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 La Vie Parisienne, Cebu City ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Unique French bakery/bar with wine, cheese, balmy garden setting.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Zubuchon ⭐⭐⭐
  • Famous “best pig ever” — roasted lechon, $10-12/meal.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🌊 Sumilon Island Sandbar (~3h)
  • White sandbar day trip, crystal water.

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🎬 Films & series to watch

🇵🇭 Manila

• [ ] 🎬 Manila (2009) — ⭐ 6.9 — Twin stories about urban life and struggle — Prime
• [ ] 📺 Metro Manila (2013) — ⭐ 7.7 — Thriller tackling city hardship and resilience — Amazon Prime

🇵🇭 Banaue

• [ ] 🎬 Don’t Give Up on Us (2006) — ⭐ 7.2 — Romantic story filmed around the rice terraces — YouTube

🇵🇭 Coron/El Nido (Palawan)

• [ ] 🎬 The Bourne Legacy (2012) — ⭐ 6.6 — Action-thriller, with stunning Palawan scenes — Prime
• [ ] 🎬 Tabing Ilog (TV, 1999) — ⭐ 8.1 — Coming-of-age series with Palawan backdrops — YouTube

🇵🇭 Cebu

• [ ] 🎬 No Other Woman (2011) — ⭐ 6.5 — Drama set in luxurious seaside resorts — Netflix
• [ ] 📺 Juan dela Cruz (2013) — ⭐ 7.4 — Urban adventure, Filipino superhero, Cebu scenes — ABS-CBN

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🍜 Local specialties

🇵🇭 Manila

• [ ] Adobo (stewed chicken/pork with soy/vinegar)
• [ ] Sinigang (tamary soup with seafood or pork)
• [ ] Halo-Halo (shaved ice dessert)

🇵🇭 Banaue

• [ ] Pinikpikan (Ifugao smoky chicken stew)
• [ ] Tinuno (grilled pork/fish)
• [ ] Native mountain rice

🇵🇭 Coron/El Nido (Palawan)

• [ ] Tamilok (woodworm ceviche)
• [ ] Kinilaw (Filipino ceviche)
• [ ] Danggit (crispy dried fish)

🇵🇭 Cebu

• [ ] Lechon Cebu (spit-roasted pork)
• [ ] Danggit (sun-dried fish)
• [ ] Puso (rice in coconut leaves)

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📍 Maps - places to pin

🇵🇭 Manila

1. 🏛️ Intramuros
2. 🍸 Poblacion Bars
3. 🛍️ SM Mall of Asia
4. 🏨 Z Hostel Manila
5. 🍽️ Ilustrado Restaurant

🇵🇭 Banaue

1. 🏞️ Banaue Rice Terraces
2. 🍸 Batad Pension and Restaurant
3. 🛍️ Banaue Public Market
4. 🏨 Banaue Hostel & Restaurant
5. 🍽️ Uyami’s Green View Lodge

🇵🇭 Coron

1. 🏞️ Kayangan Lake
2. 🍸 Luis Bay Restobar
3. 🛍️ Coron Public Market
4. 🏨 Hop Hostel Coron
5. 🍽️ Lolo Nonoy’s Food Station

🇵🇭 El Nido

1. 🏝️ Big Lagoon
2. 🍸 SAVA Beach Bar
3. 🛍️ El Nido Boutique & Artcafe Shop
4. 🏨 Spin Designer Hostel
5. 🍽️ Artcafé

🇵🇭 Cebu

1. 🏞️ Kawasan Falls
2. 🍸 La Vie Parisienne
3. 🛍️ Ayala Center Cebu
4. 🏨 Mad Monkey Cebu City
5. 🍽️ Zubuchon

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✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Manila
• [ ] 🚌 Manila → Banaue (overnight bus)
• [ ] 🚌 Banaue → Manila (overnight bus)
• [ ] ✈️ Manila → Busuanga (Coron)
• [ ] ⛴️ Coron → El Nido (ferry)
• [ ] ✈️ El Nido/Puerto Princesa → Cebu
• [ ] ✈️ Cebu → London

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🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Manila	1	Z Hostel Manila (dorm)	$22
Banaue	2	Banaue Hostel & Restaurant (private)	$50
Coron	3	Hop Hostel Coron (dorm)	$90
El Nido	4	Spin Designer Hostel (dorm)	$140
Cebu	4	Mad Monkey Cebu City (dorm)	$160
Total	14		$462