Boracay: Sunset Boat Party with Snacks

Boracay: Sunset Boat Party with Snacks - Finding the meeting point at White Beach

Sunset turns a short boat ride into a party. I like the low $22 price and the chance to see White Beach, Crimson, and Shangri-La from the water, rather than from another beach chair. I also like the choice between a lively party boat and a more polished double-decker yacht. The main caution is that … Read more

Cebu City: Bohol Countryside Tour with River Cruise Lunch

Cebu City: Bohol Countryside Tour with River Cruise Lunch - Chocolate Hills, Bohol’s famous oddity

Bohol packs a lot into one long day. This trip combines the Chocolate Hills, Tarsier Sanctuary, Loboc River lunch cruise, butterfly garden, mahogany forest, and Sikatuna Mirror of the World, with hotel pickup and ferry tickets from Cebu. I like the strong mix of nature and culture, and I like that the price includes most … Read more

Oslob: Whaleshark Watching, Sumilon Island & Monkey Viewing

Oslob: Whaleshark Watching, Sumilon Island & Monkey Viewing - Whale shark watching at Oslob

Whale sharks, white sand, and monkeys fill one long day. This Southern Cebu tour packs several of Oslob’s best-known stops into a single outing, with private round-trip transport from Cebu or Mactan. I like the easy combination of whale shark watching and Sumilon Island, and I also like that a driver-guide handles the long roads. … Read more

Cebu City: Best of Cebu Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour

Cebu City: Best of Cebu Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour - Sirao Garden starts the day with flowers and mountain views

Cebu packs centuries into one day. This eight-hour guided tour links the city’s major landmarks with mountain viewpoints, local food, markets, and a glowing seaside café, making it a handy introduction if you have limited time. I like the broad mix: you get Magellan’s Cross and Santo Niño Basilica for Cebu’s Spanish-era and Catholic story, … Read more

From Manila: 2-Day Buscalan Tour with Apo Whang-od

From Manila: 2-Day Buscalan Tour with Apo Whang-od - Mountain viewpoints before the trek

Come for the tattoo, stay for the mountains. This two-day trip from Manila takes you into Kalinga for a rare meeting with Apo Whang-Od, the legendary mambabatok, or traditional hand-tapped tattoo artist. I like the chance to see Buscalan beyond its famous name, with a homestay, a local guide, a trek through the mountains, and … Read more

Palawan: Private Sailing Yacht Cruise in El Nido

Palawan: Private Sailing Yacht Cruise in El Nido - Starting at 10 a.m. in Corong Corong

Trade the tour boats for a sail. This private El Nido cruise gives you a quieter way to see Bacuit Bay, with a 43-foot Beneteau Oceanis 430, two island stops, snorkeling, lunch, and a sunset return. I especially like the small group limit of five and the chance to visit beaches beyond the usual island-hopping … Read more

From Manila: Tagaytay Countryside Wonders: A Half-Day Tour

From Manila: Tagaytay Countryside Wonders: A Half-Day Tour - Starting from Manila’s hotel districts

Cool air, volcano views, and fruit stalls await. This five-hour outing gives you a simple break from Manila without requiring a full day away. I like the chance to see Taal Volcano from several viewpoints, and I like that the tour pairs famous scenery with a stop at a local fruit market and pineapple field. … Read more

Palawan: Honda Bay Island Hopping Cruise

Palawan: Honda Bay Island Hopping Cruise - The morning pickup and 13-person van

Honda Bay keeps island hopping simple. This nine-hour trip from Puerto Princesa combines three popular stops, a motorized boat, a Filipino lunch, and hotel transport for $40. I like the easy all-in setup and the chance to share the day with a small group, usually 13 people in the van. The biggest catch is that … Read more

Cebu: Dao, Inambakan, Kawasan and Mantayupan Waterfalls Trip

Cebu: Dao, Inambakan, Kawasan and Mantayupan Waterfalls Trip - The early ride to Samboan and Dao Falls

Four waterfalls, one very long day. This Cebu road trip links Dao, Inambakan, Kawasan, and Mantayupan Falls, giving you a broad look at the island’s forest pools, tall cascades, and swimming spots. I like the variety, and I like that a private vehicle, local guide, entrance fees, hotel transport, and drinking water are included. The … Read more