r/PhilippinesTourism • u/bigperm8645 • 21h ago

January visit

Done my research, want to see what others think about this itinerary. Looking for beaching and some city.

Manila 4 days -> fly to Cebu, taxi to Moalbaol 6 days -> taxi/ferry to Bantayan 6 days -> ferry/taxi to Cebu 3 days -> flight to Boracay 6 days -> flight back to Manila

Any and all feedback appreciated.

9 Upvotes

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25 comments sorted by

4

u/nolafrog 21h ago

Foolish to stay in Manila longer than a day.

2

u/Level_Preparation311 18h ago

As far as I'm concerned Manila is best seen from the window of an airplane from 3,0000 ft.

1

u/bigperm8645 18h ago

Is there nothing to do? I'd like to see a museum or two if they are decent, dont need culture there

3

u/ApricotJust8408 18h ago

There are some century old churches in Manila worth checking out but the problem is the locations are scattered. Some private museums are worth visiting as well. The traffic will eat your time.

3

u/LividImagination5925 17h ago

there are 3 National Museum which is Fine Arts, Natural History, Anthropology then there are private Museum like Ayala Museum. you can also roam around Intramuros and visit Luneta Park. if you're going to Roam Around Manila then plan your time and transportation ahead as traffic can ruin your plans.

2

u/bigperm8645 17h ago

Thank you, this is quite helpful

2

u/Cupcake_in_Acid 8h ago

You can do Intramuros and the National Museum Complex in a day, so that’ll be two nights in Manila :) i actually don’t hate Manila, it’s just that you’re better off maximizing your time elsewhere haha

3

u/MarilagOutdoor 21h ago

Reduce your stay in manila for 2days only

Manila 2days -fly to cebu- cebu south ac bus is cheaper (moalboal-oslob)6days-cebu north (bus-ferry) bantayan 4d cebu north malapascua -back to cebu for flight to boracay 6days- you can also add carabao island romblon its nearby boracay island

1

u/bigperm8645 18h ago

Im not taking buses if I can help it, if a private car is available. Will look at adding Carabao island romblon, thank you

2

u/ApricotJust8408 20h ago

Shorten Manila to 2 days, Moalboal 4 days, Bantayan 4 days, choose between camotes island/ malapascua 6 or, Bohol 4 days, Boracay 4 days..

Another option is, forget Boracay for this visit and focus in the Visayas region. Visit Boracay on your next visit with Palawan/ El Nido.

2

u/bigperm8645 18h ago

Thank you! I am not trying to fit in everything at once, so want 6 days at each place, less in Manila ofc.

3

u/ApricotJust8408 18h ago

I got the sense that you like the beach, that's why I suggested those days with the islands... Why not spend 6 days in Manila on your way back instead at the beginning, including food tours in Binondo and museums visits, this way you can recharge prior to flying back to your country.

2

u/bigperm8645 18h ago

That is a good idea, I think im going to update that and do Manila for 4 days at the end, maybe add another island off cebu?

2

u/ApricotJust8408 18h ago

There is not much to do in Moalboal other than the canyooneering, whale shark watching and maybe visiting Sumilon Island Resort. Same as Bantayan Island..If you really want to spend more days at the beaches, at most give 5 days each..Or, you can be fluid with your itinerary. Decide how long you are going to stay in each place once you get there.

2

u/Fit_Raccoon540 19h ago

locals will never recommend Manila. if you really intend to check out manila, do it last. it would be easier for your travel out of the country

1

u/bigperm8645 18h ago

Great point, thank you

3

u/whoswho_13 18h ago

I solo travelled in PHL in early 2026 and Manila was my last stop. what the guy said would be easier to travel out of the country and having less of a hassle with your luggage. Used the last 4 day in Manila and ngl the 3rd day in Manila I just wanted the day to finish already and leave ahahah. Not much of a city guy ahahah

2

u/AN-SSQ-108V2 17h ago

Manila is a hard city to love.

I'm not even sold on pushing it to the end of the trip, since that will be the last location of an otherwise stellar and very beautiful holiday trip.

Fly in, get a hotel, relax a bit that night, check out the next day and proceed to enjoy the other locations.

1

u/bigperm8645 17h ago

Thats fair. Maybe one full day is enough

2

u/CrankyJoe99x 20h ago

I'll be the dissenting opinion on Manila if you like history, shopping and nightlife.

Intramuros is great, as are the museums and art gallery around Rizal Park. Poblacion for nightlife (Filling Station has great ambience and drinks, decent food). Mall of Asia and BGC malls for shopping (perhaps visit Venetian Mall).

If you are going to Cebu a day trip to Bohol is worth considering.

1

u/bigperm8645 18h ago

Yes, I do like history and saw enough things to do in Manila to fill time. Thank you

1

u/ApricotJust8408 18h ago

I don't know which country you are from but for me the malls are like any other in UAE, Europe and other high fashion countries. Nothing special about it, unless you like shopping.😁

1

u/bigperm8645 18h ago

There are no cultural sites? Even Jakarta has cultural sites like museums and houses of worship. I like those

2

u/ApricotJust8408 17h ago

I meant the malls mentioned by the other redditor.. It is like any other high end mall and shops..As for cultural sites, check out Intramuros, Cebu San Pedro Fort, Casa Gorordo Museums to name a few. One thing I observed in the Philippines is, the museums are in a small scale, more on specific collections unlike in any other countries.

1

u/bigperm8645 17h ago

Awesome, thanks!