Philippines Travel Guide: Visa, Budget, and Itinerary for Indians

Philippines 2025: Island Hopping Paradise One Can’t Miss

The Philippines is home to more than 7000+ islands, located in the southeastern part of Asia. The Philippines was a secret country, and for some years, it has been getting world attention from the tourist community. The country still has many secret hidden islands, Lagoons, water caves, sand beaches, limestone cliffs, has and a variety of foods.

If you want to make a trip with family, friends, or solo, this country offers you the best hospitality, clear water beaches, safe beach parties, scuba diving, and many activities a person loves during is journey. Here’s a guide to plan your journey to the Philippines in 2025.

Is Philippines Worth Visiting? Here’s Why It Should Be Your Next Trip

The Philippines is a country located in the Southeastern part of Asia. A country full of adventure and activities.

Natural Explorations

Consists of limitless islands. According to the senses Philippines has 7000+ islands under its territory, Limestone mountains, white sand beaches, shores with coconut palms, and beautiful lagoons.

Budget Friendly

Traveling in the Philippines is very cheap and affordable to everyone, as compared to any other island. Hotels are way cheaper, street food, island ferries and private island resorts, and 5-star hotels for luxury ones.

Best Places To Visit in Philippines in 2025

Palawan

Start your journey from Palawan, which is often described as one of the most beautiful islands on earth. Two of the provinces are very much famous on this island, the El Nido and Coron, both of them are mostly famous for their Big hidden lagoons, ferry rides, Lakes and and Beautiful karst cliffs. Prefer hotels and homestays to save your budget.

Must Try: island hopping tours, beaches coconut and cocktail parties in (El Nido)
Tip: Stay for at least 3-5days for widely exploring the islands, beach and hall the hidden lagoons.

Sairgao

Next, head to Sairgao, also known for its surfing experience the surfing capital of the Philippines. Charming beaches, Sugba lagoons of Sairgao, Magpunpugko rockpools. The island offers you mountain rock climbing, water surfing, gliding near the beaches and many more thrilling activities like underwater cave exploration and scuba diving into the sea. Don’t forget to visit the Naked Island, Daku Island, and Guyam Island. Naked Island got its name from its surroundings, as there is a lack of trees and mountains on this island, it’s just an island for hopping, parties and beach camping. Guyam Island is famous for its small stretch of coral rocks and beach shells.

Best Time to Visit: If you are a water surfing head visit the island from August to November, and if you are visiting the Philippines to enjoy calm water beaches, the best time for you to visit is March to May.

Bohol

Next travel to Bohol, an island with full of unique formation of nature over 1000+ cone shaped hills which also changes colours according to seasons and weathers one of the most famous hills is the Chocolate hill, and also don’t forget to visit the Alona beach, Balicasag island, tarsiers sanctuaries and Hinagdanan water cave with stunning and calm view. This island is also known as the mini Philippines.

Best For: Visiting with families, first-time solo travellers, and especially for nature lovers.
Top activities: barefoot walking near the coast, trekking the conical mountains, and visiting Panglao Island.

Cebu

At last of your Philippines journey, travel to Cebu, combine the life of city life and wild thrill adventure, historical sites, popular tourist destination, beautiful beaches, and the most thrilling and goosebumps giving thing, the whale shark watching in Oslob.

Perfect For: Travelers who want to explore every activity of the country- culture, history and outdoor fun activities.

Hidden Gems in Philippines

As Philippines is Full of adventure island and activities is also has may hidden places and hidden islands in its surrounding some of them are:

Calaguas Island

This island is located near Camarines Norte it is known for its cleanliness. The clean white sand and breathtaking beaches make it a perfect spot for camping under the sparkling stars. Mostly best hidden spot for a couple camping.

Malcapuya Island

The island is located on the south side of Palawan Island, one of the most beautiful hidden islands in the region. No signal on the island makes it a more precious spot for digital detox.

Gigantes Island

This is a place with huge caves, shoals, and beaches. Shoals are water parts of bodies that are exposed, also known as sandbars occur near the shoreline.

How To Reach Philippines in 2025

Philippines is one of the most attractive tourist places in recent times, which offers you safe, secure, and joyful travel. Some of the international access points to the country.

Manila (Ninoy Aquino International Airport)- It is the main airport or the gateway of Philippines.
Cebu Mactan International Airport- Best airport if you want to start your journey from Visayas Palawan.
Clark International Airport- It is an alternative to the busy Manila airport.

Seasons To Visit Philippines

November to May- Dry seasons with low tourist and people around the country can prefer if you want to roam alone with peace.
January to April-Best season one can visit the country with clear skies and calm and silent seas
July to October- Here the most adventurous season or month to travel to Philippines, if you want to challenge the waves and waters with your surfing skills in Siargao.

Travel Tips

As English is widely spoken in the country there will be no problem in communication, its easy to communicate to the locals.
Filipinos are very much known for there hospitality you will be treated like there own family members.
Use taxis and eco friendly e-cycles for traveling in the cities and island, negotiate well before booking taxis and buying local things.
Carry cash while traveling from one island to another as many locals don’t accept cards and online in the remote areas.

Local Dishes To Try In Philippines:

Lechon (Roasted pig)– Most popular dish in Cebu, made by slowly roasting 2-3week week-old pigs on charcoal, famous for its crispy skin and tasty meat.
Kare-Kare– A dish famous for its thick and rich peanut sauce, it is made using variety of vegetables, eggs and beef. it is often served with shrimp paste and steamed rice.
Sinigang– A healthy breakfast soup one can have in the country made from seafoods, different kind of meats and vegies.
Halo-Halo– Special Filipino dessert or shaved ice cream with many addons, evaporated milk, sweet beans , jellies and may other.
Kinilaw– A raw seafood dish prepared with vinegar and acidic fruit juice.

Smart Packing Tips

Pack light weight clothes like trousers, t-shirts, caps and some stylish clothes.
Prefer slippers, crocs, flipflops on the beach side and sport shoes during traveling and trekking.
Carry extra sunscreen an most of the time you will be exploring out near the beaches or the islands.

Adventure You Shouldn’t Miss

Scuba Diving in Tubbataha Reefs– A site under UNESCO for scuba divers and floaters.
Canyoneering in Badian Cebu– The sport of jumping into flowing rivers, hopping around waterfalls
Surfing– Surfing in Siargao is best surfing experience one can have.
Snorkeling in Apo Reef– It is said to one of the biggest coral system in Asia.
Kayaking in El Nido– Paddling your kayak boats trough one of the most beautiful lagoons and hidden caves.

Philippines, it’s not just a place, it’s an emotion to the traveller and tourism community, the hospitality the country and its people give, the culture they have, the food taste they love and make us taste, the island hopping, and the unbreakable connection with nature. The Philippines, a small country with endless islands, beaches, and memories.

What are you still thinking about?? Skip some workdays, get some holidays, and head to the Philippines for a thrilling natural and tropical adventure. Pack up your bags, the Philippines is waiting.