A little more
Philippines.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to Philippines: what to know before you go

The Philippines is an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands, with limestone lagoons, coral reefs, rice terraces and some of the friendliest people in Asia. Most visitors combine a city stop with island-hopping in Palawan, the Visayas or Siargao. It suits beach lovers, divers and travellers happy to plan around ferries, flights and the weather.

Where to go

• El Nido and Coron, Palawan. Limestone cliffs, lagoons and white beaches in northern Palawan.
• Puerto Princesa Underground River. A navigable river that flows through a cave system into the sea, explored by paddle boat past huge chambers and rock formations.
• Banaue and Batad rice terraces. Terraces carved into the mountains of the Cordillera by the Ifugao people over generations, part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing.
• Bohol. Known for the Chocolate Hills, more than a thousand grassy mounds that turn brown in the dry season, and for the tarsier, one of the world's smallest primates, seen at protected sanctuaries.

Best time to visit

The dry season, roughly December to May, is the best time for island-hopping and beaches. December to February is cooler and the busiest, while March to May is hot.

Staying online in Philippines

4G coverage is good in Manila, Cebu, Davao and most towns, with 5G in parts of the big cities. Speeds and coverage drop on small islands, in mountain areas and at sea between islands, and some beaches and resorts have weak signal. Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafés and malls but can be slow in remote places. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land, so you can book a ride from the airport.