In this itinerary, you will get to experience unforgettable memories and will still be able to relax by the beautiful beaches in the Philippines.

The Philippines is quite challenging to plan for travellers because creating an itinerary can get quite overwhelming. There are about 7,641 islands, so choosing the right ones can give anyone a headache.

For this Philippines itinerary, we decided to include some of the most famous spots and skip the destinations that are harder to reach for next time. Because 13 days is really not a lot of time for the Philippines, I included islands that are easily accessible for you to travel there efficiently.

The goal is not to spend too much time on the road, or in the case of the Philippines, in the air.

Most of the popular and touristy islands in the Philippines are accessible by plane. It is not the cheapest option, but it is definitely the most efficient if you are short on time.

DAY 1-3 OF THE PHILIPPINES ITINERARY: BOHOL AND PANGLAO ISLAND

HOW TO GET TO BOHOL

We start our Philippines itinerary in Bohol, more specifically on Panglao Island. Panglao Island is easily accessible by boat or by plane. Nearby is Tagbilaran City Port, which has great connections with Cebu if you are flying there. Book your tickets with OceanJet, as they are efficient and safe for travelling around the Philippines.

There is also Panglao International Airport, which has good connections with Manila. We chose to fly there directly from Manila.

WHAT TO DO IN BOHOL

The main reason many people visit this island in the Philippines is the chance to experience more than just beaches.

The most famous sight in Bohol is the Chocolate Hills. These are natural hills that, in some seasons of the year, turn brown and can look like they are made of chocolate. We visited in May, and some of them had a slightly brown colour.

The best thing we did in Bohol was book a Bohol Nature Tour with Ecotravelers. This isn’t a sponsored review; we genuinely loved our tour with them. The tour isn’t the cheapest, but it is worth it.

It is private, so you get your own driver and a guide. As we are staying in Bohol for three days in our itinerary, it’s also the easiest and most time-efficient way to see most of the popular sights the island has to offer.

On the Bohol Nature Tour, we visited the stunning Pangas Waterfalls, which haven’t yet been discovered by many tourists, so they are a hidden gem in Bohol. With Ecotravelers, you also get to enjoy lunch on the Loboc River, and they take you to see a local market.

And the best part? They bring you to places in Bohol that are far from the usual tourist crowds.

->You can book the Bohol Nature Tour with Ecotravelers here.

WHERE TO STAY IN BOHOL

Our recommendation is the Oceanica Resort. The location is slightly outside the main tourist area, but the beautiful beach makes it well worth it.

It is not the cheapest option, but after seeing other beaches in the area, we think it’s worth the price. The beach that this resort is located on is exactly the kind you imagine when booking your trip to the Philippines.

We recommend booking a deluxe beachfront room, as the rooms are situated in a palm tree forest right on the beach.

->You can book the Oceanica Resort here.

DAY 4-9 OF THE PHILIPPINES ITINERARY: EXPLORING THE BEAUTIFUL SIARGAO ISLAND

We continue our Philippines itinerary with five days on Siargao.

HOW TO GET TO SIARGAO

From Bohol to Siargao, we first took a ferry to Cebu with OceanJet. Then we caught a short flight from Cebu to Siargao. Another option would be to fly from Bohol to Manila and then take a second flight from Manila to Siargao. Sadly, there is no direct connection between these two islands.

The first option is faster and more cost-efficient. After landing in Siargao, you can take a shared van from the airport to General Luna, which is the main tourist town on the island.

WHAT TO DO IN SIARGAO

Enjoy beautiful beaches, go surfing, eat delicious food, go partying, and so much more. Siargao is often called the new Bali. It’s a surfer’s paradise, full of cool, young people. There are many great restaurants, from healthy yoga cafés to stylish dining spots. Many coffee shops serve amazing cappuccinos and more.

Most people come to Siargao for surfing, so there are many excellent schools where you can give it a try. This is the best island in the Philippines to start learning the sport. Even if you’re not a surfer, Cloud 9 is one of the top places to visit on the island. It’s perfect for watching surfers and is also one of the best spots to catch the sunset.

->You can book your surfing class here.

Another great sunset spot is Sunset Bridge. It gets very crowded in the evening, so it’s not ideal if you’re after peace and quiet, but it’s still worth checking out.

The nightlife on the island is also amazing. Almost every night, you’ll find somewhere to go dancing. But if partying isn’t your thing, there is also plenty of peace to be found on Siargao. The island is large enough that it’s easy to find a quiet retreat.

There is also a famous palm tree viewpoint you should visit while on the island.

Another popular thing to do in Siargao is island hopping. With KKJ Travel Services, you get to experience a fun island-hopping trip. 

The easiest way to get around Siargao is by renting a motorbike, as local tuk-tuks can become expensive.

We included five days in Siargao in our Philippines itinerary because the island offers such a wide variety of activities. Whether you want a relaxing break or an active adventure, Siargao has it all.

WHERE TO STAY IN SIARGAO

We stayed at the amazing Kaimana Resort. It’s a resort that offers both rooms and beautiful villas. We chose to stay in a villa for all five nights, and it was the best decision we made. The villas are very clean, spacious, and private.

We loved spending time on our terrace, reading and relaxing. The resort also has a large pool that’s almost always empty, so it often felt like a private pool.

The location is just outside the town, which makes it quiet and peaceful. This was our favourite accommodation during our trip to the Philippines.

->Check the prices and availability of Kaimana Resort here.

DAY 10-12 OF THE PHILIPPINES ITINERARY – RELAX ON THE BEAUTIFUL BEACHES OF BORACAY

We continue our Philippines itinerary with three days in Boracay. We really wanted to experience perfect turquoise waters, which is why Boracay is included in this Philippines itinerary.

HOW TO GET TO BORACAY

There are, unfortunately, no direct flights from Siargao to Boracay, so you have two options: transfer through Manila or through Cebu. Check which option is more affordable at the time of your trip.

Also, Boracay does not have an airport on the island, so all visitors must take a boat after landing. Many agencies offer this transport. We used Southwest Tours and were really happy with them. They were reliable and fast.

Most hotels in Boracay offer transport, but it can be more expensive, especially if you want a private transfer.

WHAT TO DO IN BORACAY

There are not many things to do in Boracay, because it is mainly a beach holiday destination. The beaches there are incredible. The main beach in town is not even the best one. The best beach is shared among three five-star resorts: Shangri-La, Crimson Resort, and Mövenpick Resort & Spa. The beach there is amazing.

We spent most of our days relaxing and swimming. When you are in the Philippines, do not forget to wear sunscreen, as the sun is very strong. We actually got badly sunburnt on our first day, even though we were lying in the shade.

The town in Boracay is also amazing. There are many bars and restaurants, and the main walking promenade is right on the sandy beach. It is truly a unique tropical paradise, but it can get very crowded.

There are also other activities available, like the amazing sunset cruise with water activities.

WHERE TO STAY IN BORACAY

We did a lot of research about where to stay in Boracay, because our priority was a beautiful beach. We stayed at Mövenpick Resort & Spa, and I must say it was not our favourite hotel, but the beach was perfect.

If you want to experience a better but more expensive stay, the hotels that share the same beach are Shangri-La and Crimson Resort.

DAY 13 OF THE PHILIPPINES ITINERARY – THE VIBRANT MANILA

The last night of our Philippines itinerary is in Manila.

Most people say that Manila is not worth visiting and that you should skip it, but we decided to include it in our Philippines itinerary because we wanted to experience it ourselves and form our own opinion.

WHAT TO DO IN MANILA

If you are following our Philippines itinerary, you are staying in Manila for only one night. It is not a lot of time, but you can still experience a little bit of the city. You should visit Intramuros, which is the oldest district in Manila. There are remains from the Spanish colonial period, and we really enjoyed our time there. If you are not comfortable doing it on your own, you can also check out this guided tour with very good reviews.

The second place we recommend is SM Mall of Asia, which is the largest mall in the Philippines and one of the largest in Southeast Asia. However, our favourite shopping centre in the Philippines was Greenbelt.

The easiest way to get around Manila is by using Grab. It is affordable, and there are always many drivers available. Just keep in mind that there is a lot of traffic. This is especially important if you need to catch a flight, so make sure you go to the airport early.

WHERE TO STAY IN MANILA

We stayed at The Belamy House. It is not a luxurious place, but it is worth the affordable price. For us, it was important to stay in the Makati area because it is the safest, so we suggest you stay in that area too.

->Check the availability and prices.

ABOUT OUR PHILIPPINES ITINERARY

This itinerary was created to explore as much as possible in 13 days in the Philippines. We did our trip at the end of April and the beginning of May, and we had perfect weather the entire time.

The Philippines truly is a unique country to visit, and it was one of our favourite beach holidays. With our thirteen-day itinerary, you will discover beautiful nature, stunning beaches, and a glimpse of everything the Philippines has to offer.

Our Philippines itinerary is ideal if you are a nature lover or beach enthusiast. In this itinerary, we tried to include as much as possible for you to enjoy the Philippines.

SEE ALSO:

Best Vegan Food in Bohol: Where to Eat on Panglao Island

The post Experience Paradise: The Perfect 13-Day Philippines Itinerary appeared first on Vegan Friendly Travel.

The Philippines, in general, are getting more and more vegan-friendly. Sometimes you will not be able to find anything, but there are some destinations where being vegan is easy.

I would say that Boracay is becoming more vegan-friendly, but there are not as many options as you would hope, especially if you are staying for a longer period of time. We stayed for only three days, so for us, there were enough options.

WHERE TO STAY IN BORACAY?

I chose to stay at Mövenpick Resort & Spa Boracay because of the beautiful beach. After reading online, I learned that this resort is located on the best beach on the island.

Mövenpick Resort & Spa Boracay shares its beach with two other amazing resorts: Crimson Resort and Spa and Shangri-La. Mövenpick is the most affordable option of the three, which is why I chose it.

The hotel is not very vegan-friendly. There are no options for plant-based milk in your coffee anywhere in the resort. Breakfast options are also limited. There is a “healthy” table that has vegan options, but the only truly vegan option there is vegan cake. You can have some fruit, vegetables, and congee.

If I decide to come back to Boracay, I would definitely stay in one of these three resorts again, because the beach was truly amazing, the best on the island. The ocean was so beautiful, it felt like swimming in a pool.

You just need to keep in mind that these three resorts are slightly outside the main restaurant area. However, the resorts offer a free shuttle a few times a day, and tuk-tuk services are available at all times.

BEST VEGAN OPTIONS IN BORACAY

SABORIA KITCHEN & LOUNGE – BORACAY VEGAN LUNCH AND DINNER

This trendy restaurant is right on the walking promenade along the beach in Boracay. The restaurant is nicely decorated, and the view of the palm trees and the beach is amazing.

They offer a fusion of Filipino classics and international flavours. Besides Boracay, you can also find them in El Nido. They offer breakfast too, but there are no vegan options.

For a starter, you can order banana falafel or the Mediterranean trio, which includes bread, hummus, baba ghanoush, and chimichurri. There is also a taro and leek soup.

For the main course, there are a few vegan options like tofu Caesar salad, pancit bihon (these are the traditional noodles), or a mushroom rice bowl. Sadly, there are no desserts available, but there are many other great spots in the area for a vegan dessert.

MANGO MAMA – BORACAY VEGAN DESSERT

Speaking of vegan desserts, Mango Mama is my favourite spot in Boracay. I think I visited Mango Mama once a day while I was there.

It is a vegan ice-cream dessert that includes mango coco ice cream, black rice ice cream, warm suman, fresh mango, salted coconut cream, and crunchy latik. In this dessert, it is the most amazing combination of flavours that is perfect for the tropical heat.

Mango Mama dessert is very similar to the famous dessert, mango sticky rice. So, if you love mango sticky rice, this one is definitely the perfect dessert for you.

NONIE’S BORACAY

This is a health-focused restaurant in Boracay with a good selection of vegan options. They use local produce and try to be as environmentally sustainable as possible. This is the restaurant in Boracay where you will find the most vegan options.

For a starter, you can have tempeh salad, pumpkin soup, or banana heart tofu bruschetta. For the main course, you can choose from vegan chorizo balls, tempeh bowl, bao sliders, and tempeh kare-kare.

They also have an all-day brunch menu with a few delicious vegan options. You can enjoy a cold-pressed juice, too. They offer mango sticky rice for dessert, although it wasn’t my favourite, everything else I tried was very good!

COCO MAMA – BORACAY VEGAN

Coco Mama is from the same founders as Mango Mama. The dessert is also vegan and very similar to Mango Mama, but here the ice cream flavours are coconut and coco pandan. You can choose just one flavour or have both.

You can also decide whether or not to have fresh mango on top. This dessert is also amazing, but for me, Mango Mama is even better than Coco Mama.

CHILL OUT BAR & RESTAURANT

This is a restaurant that’s part of a hostel, offering burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, and Asian food. They have a separate plant-based menu where you can find fresh spring rolls, pan-fried tofu, vegetable stew, a burger, and vegan pasta.

They also have a big selection of cocktails, so it is the perfect place for dinner and a cocktail.

UBE MAMA – BORACAY VEGAN

This is another branch connected to Coco Mama and Mango Mama. I sadly didn’t get to try this one, but I definitely will when I come back because it looks amazing.

The dessert includes vegan ube ice cream with ube pudding, salted coconut cream, cornflakes, and sticky rice balls.

SEASON COFFEE

This is a very trendy coffee shop in Boracay with a beautiful view. While sipping a perfect iced cappuccino with oat milk, you can enjoy the scenery.

If you are a coffee lover, this is a spot worth checking out. They also offer matcha latte.

STARBUCKS BORACAY

Starbucks in Boracay is located right on the beach. It is the place where I always know there will be plant-based milk available for coffee.

There’s also an option for some plant-based snacks.

HOW TO GET AROUND BORACAY

How you get around Boracay mostly depends on your location on the island. If you are staying in the popular areas like Station 1 or 2, you can do everything on foot. If you decide to stay at one of the resorts that are a little bit outside that area, you can rent a motorbike or take a tuk-tuk.

Tuk-tuks are not the cheapest, but they are the most practical way to get around the island. The price for a one-way ride from Mövenpick Resort & Spa Boracay to Station 1 was 300 Philippine pesos.

To reach the island, there are a few operators that handle transfers from the airport. We had the best experience with Southwest Travel & Tours. We chose them by accident, and their service was great.

WHAT TO DO IN BORACAY

Boracay is not an island for adventure. It is an island made for relaxation. It’s the perfect destination to spend the day at the beach, and when night comes, you can head into town to stroll around, enjoy a delicious dinner, and do a bit of shopping.

But there are still a few things to do in Boracay. If you’re staying for a longer period, try a Boracay island-hopping tour. You’ll get to experience some snorkelling and visit beautiful beaches on a day trip. A meal is also included in the tour. ->This island-hopping tour on Klook is one of the best-rated in the area.

SEE ALSO:

From Smoothie Bowls to Smashed Avocado Toasts: The Tastiest Vegan Breakfast Spots in Siargao

The post The Best Vegan Restaurants in Boracay (Even If There Aren’t Many!) appeared first on Vegan Friendly Travel.