Get above Manila’s city noise. This seven-hour private tour takes you into the cooler Tagaytay Highlands for mountain views, tropical fruit, local crafts, and a broad look at Taal Volcano. I especially like the private format and the chance to shape the day around your interests. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking … Read more
Manila tastes best one bite at a time. This three-hour food tour takes you through Binondo, Manila’s Chinatown, where you walk between restaurants, markets, and street-food stops while sampling about 10 Filipino dishes. The food provides the route, but the real subject is Manila itself, a city shaped by Filipino, Chinese, Spanish, and other outside … Read more
Whale sharks make a long day worthwhile. I like the mix of Oslob whale sharks and Tumalog Falls, and I like that transport, boat rides, snorkel gear, tickets, and lunch are bundled into one price. The main drawback is the early start and the possibility of a long wait at the whale shark area, so … Read more
Coron packs a lot into one day. This 8.5-hour private boat tour links the island’s headline sights with excellent snorkeling, clear lakes, dramatic cliffs, and a generous cooked lunch. I especially like the chance to see Kayangan Lake and Barracuda Lake on the same outing, plus the personal care offered by guides such as Jerome, … Read more
El Nido’s best scenery is scattered offshore. This private island-hopping trip brings you to Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commando Beach, and Payong-Payong Beach in about seven to eight hours. I like the private boat and guide, since your group can move at its own pace instead of waiting for a large crowd. … Read more
Coron’s best sights come by boat. This eight-hour shared tour packs Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Sunset Beach, Reef Garden, Skeleton Wreck, CYC Beach, and Barracuda Lake into one full day. I like the mix of scenic water stops and easy snorkeling, and the large local buffet served in a traditional kubo hut is a real … Read more
Five famous stops, one private boat. This six-hour El Nido tour packs Big Lagoon, Entalula Island, Snake Island, Helicopter Island, and Cadlao Lagoon into a single day on Bacuit Bay. I like the private-group setup, which gives you more room to set the pace and ask the guide for help, and I like that kayaking, … Read more
See Palawan beyond the beaches. This $15 half-day outing gives you a quick, useful introduction to Puerto Princesa, with stops at a WWII fort, a crocodile rescue center, a weaving workshop, a hilltop ranch, and several local landmarks. I like the small maximum group of eight and the fact that a separate driver lets the … Read more
Coron’s best water stops fit into one busy day. Coron Island Tour B combines two unusual swimming spots, coral reefs, a shallow shipwreck, and a beach lunch for about $35 per person. I like the mix of scenery and snorkeling, and I especially like that boat transfers, entrance fees, food, and a guide are included. … Read more
Palawan’s famous cave is worth the long road. This full-day Puerto Princesa trip combines a scenic drive, a motorized boat across the coast, and a quiet paddleboat ride through the Subterranean River. I especially like the included hotel transfers and the generous Filipino buffet lunch, two details that make a demanding day easier. I also … Read more
