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The best things to do when visiting Cebu

By Asia, Cebu, Countries, Philippines

One of the largest and most central islands in the Philippines is Cebu Island. The island is huge, and the most well-known places are Cebu City and the former fisher town Moalboal. Cebu is known as a great diving and snorkelling spot, but has great waterfalls and nature too. Considering its size, it can be hard to decide where to go on this island. Let us help you with this article about the best things to do when visiting Cebu, Philippines.

what to do in Cebu Philippines Mice Around the World

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What to do in Cebu

There’s so much to see and do in Cebu that it can be hard to decide. As the distances are big, we advise you to choose carefully. Here are some of the best things to do in Cebu.

Rent a motorbike and go chasing waterfalls

Cebu has lots of nature which include many stunning bright blue waterfalls. Some are easy to reach, and some are a bit more challenging to find. It will be hard to see all of them as the distances are very big, but definitely include visiting some waterfalls when going to Cebu or Moalboal.

Kawasan Waterfalls

The Kawasan Waterfalls are by far the most famous waterfalls to visit when going to Cebu. They are located close to Moalboal in Badian and can only be entered through the canyoneering. There used to be another entrance through which you visit the waterfalls only, but it got destroyed by a tornado in December 2022.

Canyoneering is one of the most popular activities to do in Cebu.  The tours can be booked everywhere in Cebu City, Moalboal or online. You will climb, jump, hike, swim and slide downstream the waterfalls for about 4–5 hours. In the end, you will arrive at the Kawasan waterfalls with bright aqua-coloured water.

Montpellier Falls

Not interested in following the crowds and up for an off-the-beaten-track experience? Montpellier is your way to go. This beautiful and adventurous waterfall with perhaps even more beautiful scenery is located a bit further from Moalboal than the Kawasan waterfalls. It requires a short (approximately 20 minutes) but challenging hike on a narrow path. You’ll walk through villages, grasslands, and the jungle and will be rewarded with a cool plunge. The view of hundreds of palm trees is breathtaking. The Montpellier waterfall itself is secluded (probably no one around), with crystal clear bright blue water in a jungle scenery.

From the main road, turn left at the gas station. You’ll follow a narrow, steep path through rice fields and jungle with a motorbike. At some point, you’ll have to leave the motorbike (don’t worry, no one will try to steal it) and continue on foot.

Tip: Excited about more hiking and seeing more of Cebu’s extraordinary nature? Consider hiking the Osmoña Peak. This is the highest peak of Cebu and provides a great view of the island.

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Other waterfalls

Can’t get enough of waterfalls? Consider visiting the Inambakan or Kabutongan waterfalls. They are also beautiful but easier accessible. The Dao Waterfalls EcoAdventures also offer canyoning, but are less well known.

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Go diving and snorkelling

Cebu is known as an amazing spot for diving and snorkelling. In Moalboal you can get your Padi or try out dives everywhere, and they offer a variety of diving and snorkelling tours. Moalboal is located in the Tanon Strait that attracts a variety of sea life. It is a large protected area and is home to very rare species of sharks, dolphins, whales and many more.

One of the best snorkelling spots on the island is located right in front of the coast of Moalboal and is called Sea Turtles Snorkelling Zone 1. There is almost a guarantee to see sea turtles and find beautiful creatures on the reef right on the coast. But after 10 meters of swimming, something even more special is waiting for you. The reef suddenly drops to more than 10 meters deep and right at that spot, there is a sardine run of hundreds of these fish. The silver sardine fish glitter in the sunlight shining through the crystal clear blue water, and it is absolutely astounding to witness.

Tip: in love with diving and already in possession of a Padi? Consider diving at Malapascuan. This island is known for having rare Thresher sharks and sometimes even whale sharks.

what to do in Cebu Philippines Mice Around the World
what to do in Cebu Philippines Mice Around the World

Some things to take into consideration when snorkelling in Cebu

Snorkelling and diving in Cebu is amazing, but be careful. Learn from our experiences and prepare yourself before entering the water.

Protect your feet and the coral

We would recommend wearing water shoes or waterproof sandals when snorkelling here because there are sea urchins and little pieces of glass (leftovers from the damage done by tornadoes) in the reef sometimes. If you’re wearing flippers, please be careful not to damage the corals and beautiful creatures living here. Please be respectful and don’t touch or take out anything, you’re a guest! Taking corals out is punishable by law in the Philippines.

Whale shark snorkelling in Oslob

Many blogs recommend going whale shark snorkelling at Oslob, but we strongly advise against doing so. Whale sharks naturally migrate hundreds of kilometres of distance throughout the year, and it is an important part of the ecosystem. Because they feed the whale sharks in Oslob, the marine mammals no longer migrate and it is disturbing the ecosystem. 

Jellyfish

Wessel wasn’t paying attention and got stung by jellyfish. They are see-through white and almost invisible, but it hurts when they sting. The feeling is uncomfortable, but luckily not dangerous at all. We went snorkelling 6–7 times and only saw them once, so you’ll probably have no problems. Just be careful. Couldn’t see them in time like us? Put some vinegar on the stings, that is the only thing that will give you some relief. Avoid washing it with soap.

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Grab a tricycle

In the Philippines, one of the iconic means of transportation is the tricycle. You will recognize them by the bright colours, biblical texts and friendly Filipinos convincing you to use their service. We used the tricycle to go from the bus station in Moalboal town to the beach and hotel area. We paid around 300 pesos (around €5,-). Hop on the tricycle and enjoy the very bumpy ride. A really fun experience!

what to do in Cebu Philippines Mice Around the World
what to do in Cebu Philippines Mice Around the World

White Beach Moalboal – Basdaku Beach

One of the prettiest beaches in the area is White Beach in Moalboal. As its name implies, expect white sand and a clean beach to spend a day relaxing. It’s also a very nice beach for snorkelling. Sip on a coconut and enjoy the laid-back vibe on this beach. It’s definitely a welcome break in between hiking waterfalls, canyoneering and snorkelling sardines. Keep in mind that especially on the weekends, this place can be very busy, as it’s popular among both locals and tourists. You pay a small entrance fee of 10 pesos (around  €0.17) to enter the beach, this is for the locals to keep the beach clean. If you’re visiting by vehicle, expect another 10 pesos for a motorcycle/scooter and 40 pesos (around  €0.68) for a car. 

what to do in Cebu Philippines Mice Around the World

Best time to travel to Cebu

The best time to visit Cebu and Moalboal is generally January to April. There is a generally dry climate and lots of sun. The temperatures are often lowest in these months between 25 °C and 33 °C. In other months, the Philippines can get quite wet and is unfortunately often struck by hurricanes and big storms. 

How to get there

Cebu City

There’s a bigger airport in Cebu City that allows you to travel basically anywhere in the Philippines. We would advise you to stay in a hotel here for one night, as the buses to Moalboal leave in the morning and take quite some time.

Moalboal

From the central bus station in Cebu City you can take a bus to Moalboal. It will take you around 3–5 hours to get from one place to another, depending on the traffic and number of stops. There are air conditioned luxurious buses and there is a local bus with open windows. We tried both of them and had great, but different experiences each time. The local bus is nice for interacting with Filipinos, and it’s cheaper, you’ll pay around 170 pesos (€2,92). The more luxury bus with airco is a more comfortable way of travelling, you’ll pay around 210 pesos (€3.61).

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Where to stay

Crazy Bears

If you’re travelling on a budget and prefer to stay in a social but good hostel, Crazy Bears Hostel is your place. They offer great cheap tours for many things to do around Cebu such as canyoneering. For solo-travellers they have dorms, but they also have private rooms.

Prices start from €11,- a night for a dormbed and €26,- for a private room.

D’gecko

Our personal favourite would absolutely be D’gecko. It has a Santorini/Greek-like appearance as it’s painted white and blue with beautiful pink flowers. It may be simple for its price, but the beds are so comfortable and the rooms are squeaky clean. The location of D’Gecko is fantastic right across the street from the beach where Sea Turtles Snorkelling Zone 1 is located. They offer good quality motorbikes and the staff is so kind and trying to help with anything. 

Prices start from €29,- a night.

Tipolo Resort

This resort is located across the street from D’gecko and has a beautiful garden overlooking the sea. You will literally wake up, set foot outside your door and have a view on the beautiful corals of Moalboal. It’s slightly more expensive than the other options mentions, but clean, comfortable and still very reasonably priced. The staff is kind and they offer many tours. They have a really delicious restaurant called Filling Station.

Prices start from €48,- a night with a minimum of 2 nights.

Where to eat

Last Filling Station | Tipolo

Our favourite restaurant was Filling Station. They offer a range of great options from local Philippino food to many Western options. We were a big fan of the fresh tuna they use in their pita’s or on their pizza, it’s absolutely delicious. They also serve great breakfast. If you’re staying in Tipoli resort this place will be right outside your door. Find Last Filling Station here.

what to do in Cebu Philippines Mice Around the World

Shaka smoothiebowls

Shaka serves out of this world delicious smoothiebowls and amazing coffee. They are a nice little place located right next to the beach. They serve colourful options like a green bowl or a beauty bowl that will keep your stomach saturated for a couple of hours.Find Shaka here.

what to do in Cebu Philippines Mice Around the World
what to do in Cebu Philippines Mice Around the World

My Greek Taverna

Do you like Greek food just like us? Then pay this place a visit. They serve pita gyros and other nice Greek options. It’s also decorated nicely. Be there in time, because it can get quite busy and there aren’t many seats.Find My Greek Taverna here.

Smooth Café

This place serves beautiful salads and other amazing food like delicious pulled pork sandwiches or great burgers. It’s beautifully designed, and the staff is very kind. For people seeking a quiet place to work, they offer a very comfortable air-conditioned coworking space where they also serve food. Find the Smooth cafe here.

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7 Best things to do in Bohol, Philippines

By Asia, Bohol, Countries, Philippines

Bohol is a great island below Cebu in the Central Visayas region in the Philippines. It is home to unique tiny primates called tarsiers, extraordinary Teletubby hills, beautiful forests, beaches and more. There is a lot to do and see on this island, but the distances are very big. We accepted the challenge of finding the best spots all within a maximum 2-hour drive (by motorcycle) away from the central town and harbour, Tagbilaran. Here’s a list of the 10 best things to do in Bohol, Philippines.

Looking for something?

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What to do

Around Tagbilaran

Tagbilaran is the main city of Bohol and is the place where you will arrive by ferry. Many activities can be done from here.

Tarsier Sanctuary Corella

We absolutely love animals and for us, this was one of the highlights of our trip to Bohol. Philippine Tarsiers are very small (about 8,5-12 cm) carnivorous primates with huge eyes and long bald tails. They cannot move their eyelids, so they move their entire head instead, which is a little creepy. We think they are adorable and remind us of baby Yoda. They are some of the oldest primates on the planet (55 million years old) and have elongated hands and feet to hold themselves in trees.

They really don’t do well in captivity with humans, noise, and light around, causing them to become suicidal and crash their heads into trees. This makes breeding programs hardly possible, that’s why this Tarsier conservation sanctuary was founded. The sanctuary is supported by ecotourism foundations such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Tourism. Lucky for you, you can visit them as a tourist and contribute to their survival.

There are a couple of sanctuaries in Bohol, we visited the Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella. Park your vehicle in their car park, expect to pay around 150 Philippine pesos (around €2.50) and prepare for a muddy short walk. Keep in mind that tarsiers get very stressed by noises and that talking, shouting or screaming is strictly prohibited when entering the sanctuary. A free guide will walk you through the sanctuary and point out the little sleepy tarsiers for you to take pictures of. Good thing, because the little buggers are very hard to spot.

Tarsier Sancturary Bohol Philippines Mice Around the World

Bilar Man-made forest

Oh, how we love ecotourism activities! Here’s another one: The Bohol Mahogany Forest, or better known as the Bilar Man-made forest. This 2 km-long forest was as its name indicates built by people as a reforestation project. Make a stop on your way to the Chocolate Hills and admire the large overhanging trees from the road. It is a beautiful stop to take some pictures. More into an active holiday? You can go mountain biking or hike in this forest!

Be aware! Within the man-made forest, there is a tarsier conservation area to be found. It is a popular place to see Tarsiers because it is located close to the chocolate hills. However, this is not an official government-approved sanctuary. They hold the tarsiers captive in small viewing areas, which is incredibly stressful for these little creatures and decreases the duration of their lives by almost half. Please reconsider visiting and go to the tarsier sanctuary in Corella instead.

Tarsier Sancturary Bohol Philippines Mice Around the World

Chocolate or Teletubby Hills?

By far the most popular thing to do in Bohol is the Chocolate Hills. They are called like this because in some months (March until June) the grass turns brown. We visited in January when the hills were green. Although the hills were not iconically ‘brown’, we would still recommend visiting. This unique natural phenomenon cannot be found elsewhere in the world and is very interesting to see. They truly reminded us of the Teletubby hills and were waiting for Tinky Winky to stroll down one of the bulbs.

The hills once used to be corals that date from the ice age and eroded into the limestone, round-shaped hills that appear today. From the Chocolate Hills Complex close to Carmen you have a stunning view of the hills. Park your car, tricycle driver or motorcycle at the car park, buy your entrance tickets for 100 pesos (around €1.70) and wait for the golf cars to take you uphill. There you’ll find a small café and a bunch of stairs that will take you up to the viewpoint.

Tarsier Sancturary Bohol Philippines Mice Around the World

Blood Pact Shrine

The blood pact shrine is an important monumental statue that illustrates the agreement the Spanish and local Filipino’s closed when the Spanish arrived to colonize the Philippines. It tells the story about the sealed ‘friendship’ between the ruler Rajah Sikatuna and the Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, the leader of the Spanish. The monument remembers the blood compact. It’s interesting, if you ask local people about it, that they will tell the story of mutual friendship instead of hostile colonization. This is a great example of how hospitable, friendly and forgiving Filipino people are.

JVGH+XMM, J.P, EK Inting St, Tagbilaran City, 6300 Bohol

Tarsier Sancturary Bohol Philippines Mice Around the World

Chido Café

If you’re visiting the Blood Pact Shrine, you cannot miss the Chido Café located about 50 meters away. This colourfully designed café with healthy food, great coffee and an incredible sea view over Panglao is worth a visit. Take a break, sit back and enjoy the view.

Tarsier Sancturary Bohol Philippines Mice Around the World

Panglao Island

Panglao island is connected to Bohol by a couple of bridges that can be crossed by car. The island is popular among tourists and many delicious restaurants and luxurious hotels are located here. Because many tourists find their way here, it can get quite crowded sometimes. Up to you where to stay! Anyway, Panglao is worth a visit as there are a couple of awesome things to do.

St. Augustin Church

The Philippines is a catholic country and religion is a big part of Filipino culture. We ran into this church by accident as we were driving back to Tagbilaran. Having the sunset in the background, this little church was so picturesque! Imagine the sun going down, and kids playing football in the grass while the priest sings his biblical lyrics. It was very beautiful and rather a great experience than an actual highlight.

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Alona Beach

White beach, green palms and a warm breeze coming from the blue sea? Alona beach is your place to be. It is a really nice beach with diving sites, boats and soft sand. It does get crowded at times, so it’s best to go early if you want to have a calm and peaceful experience. This beach is close to many great restaurants and hotels and awesome for an afternoon stroll.

Tarsier Sancturary Bohol Philippines Mice Around the World

How to get there

To visit Bohol or Panglao you have several options:

Ferry

From Cebu City, go to the Cebu pier 1 and take the ferry to Tagbilaran. The company Oceanjet offers fast ferries and will take you in approximately 2 hours to the Tagbilaran pier. Expect to pay 800 pesos (around €13,50,-) for the normal tourist class, and another 100 pesos (around €1.70) if you’re carrying a backpack or suitcase. They will ask to pay for your luggage after going through security at the port. They will also ask you to pay an additional terminal fee of 50 pesos (around €0.85).

Book ferry tickets here

Plane

You can grab a plane to Panglao International Airport, very close to Alona beach. Fly directly from Manila, Davao or El Nido. The prices fluctuate considerably, the best tip we can give you is to use Skyscanner for booking your flights and book far in advance.

Book flights here

Where to stay

Tagbilaran

Travelbee hotel

Tagbilaran is the city where most ferries will take you. Before continuing your trip, it could be nice to spend a night close to the pier. Travelbee hotel is located a 5-minute walk from the ferry pier and offers very comfortable beds. They have a space to work and breakfast is included. Learn from our mistake and book online to save a lot of money for this place!

Prices start from €25,- a night.

Sweet Home Boutique Hotel

This hotel is also located close to the ferry and offers beautifully designed rooms with nice beds and a delicious breakfast. Some rooms offer a balcony with a sea view.

Prices start from €43,- a night.

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Alona Beach

Ohana Panglao Resort

Want a peaceful place located close to the beach (about 1 km) but away from the crowds? This is your place to go. Spacious rooms, a pleasantly heated pool and great Wi-Fi. They offer a free shuttle to the beach.

Prices for private rooms start from €34,- a night.

Ultra Mint Dive resort

This beautifully designed resort is located around 10–15 minutes from Alona beach and offers both private rooms and dorms. It has a lovely pool.

Prices for dorm beds start from €27,- a night and private rooms from €70,-.

Glamping Alona

More into unique experiences? Glamping Alona is a great fit. They offer a camping experience in luxurious tents with a fan and bed. There is a pool and the beach is about a 20–25 minutes walk away.

Prices for tents start around €24,- a night.

Where to eat

Tagbilaran

Chido Café

A colourful café with a stunning sunset and healthy food.

Umaya

Umaya offers delicious Japanese food like sushi, ramen miso and more traditional set dishes. You’ll get a complimentary cup of hot or cold tea and water. During the weekends, they offer all-you-can-eat options.

Spindrift Restobar Lite Port

Up for some fast food in a bar? Go to Spindrift bar. This karaoke bar has local people singing their heart out every night and offers simple, but tasty burgers. A hilarious experience. Their mango shake is also really nice.

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Alona Beach

Molly Bistro

This place is beautifully designed in Bohemian style and the food is absolutely delicious. They also have great cocktails for reasonable prices. Try the seafood pasta! You won’t regret it.

Shaka

Go here to have breakfast with some great fruit bowls and a decent coffee.

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Rooftop view Lub d Makati Manila Philippines Mice Around the World

What to do in one day Manila?

By Countries, Manila, Philippines

Manila, the capital of The Philippines, is often portrayed as overcrowded, polluted, difficult to navigate, and above all—dangerous. While there might be some truth in these statements, they are slightly exaggerated. Most visitors to the Philippines skip Manila and head straight to the country’s more exotic destinations like Palawan, Siargao or Bohol. This is a pity, because there is no way to indulge yourself better in the Philippines’ national history and culture than to explore this Metropole. In this article, you’ll read all about what to do in Manila in one day.

Manila is located on Luzon, the largest, most northern and most populated island of the Philippines. As you can see in the picture below, the metropolitan area of Manilla consists of multiple cities that have grown together (total population of 13,5 million). While Manila is the capital, the largest city is Quezon City. Manila was declared the most densely populated city in the world in 2019.

Map Manila Philippines Mice Around the World

Map of Metro Manila.

Looking for something?

Rooftop view Lub d Makati Manila Philippines Mice Around the World

View from the rooftop restaurant at Hotel Lub d in Makati City.

Interesting info about Manila

History

Manila was declared the nation’s capital in 1901, although it already existed for centuries. The Spanish arrived in Manila in 1571. In the nineteenth century, Spain’s colonies began to become independent of their colonial rulers. Inspired by the Latin-American wars of independence which gained Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Chile, Argentina and Costa Rica independence, the Philippine revolution started in 1896. José Rizal became the most prominent Filipino nationalist fighting the Spanish colonial forces and is now a national hero. He was captured and executed by the Spanish army in August 1896 for conspiring against the Spanish crown. 

In 1898, the United States began interfering with the revolution and aiding the Filipinos because the Spanish sunk an American ship near Havana, Cuba. They captured Manila, and the Spanish rule of the Philippines officially came to an end in 1898. The Americans then incorporated the Philippines as a territory of the United States. The Filipinos tried several times to gain independence from the United States, but it was only after World War II in 1946 that they were formally declared independent of the United States. During the war, the Philippines were occupied by the Japanese, who imposed harsh and cruel rules on the Filipinos from 1942 till 1945. During the battle of liberation in Manila in 1945, more than 100,000 Filipinos died.

Having this history in mind makes seeing Manila way more interesting. The old town of Manila, Intramuros, is the best-preserved piece of Spanish colonial history in The Philippines.

Jose Rizal Manila Philippines Mice Around the World

Memorial on the execution of José Rizal by the Spanish army in 1896. It is located in Rizal park in central Manila. Rizal is worshipped throughout the Philippines and many street names, museums, stations, and institutions are named after him.

St Agustin Church Intramuros Manila Philippines Mice Around the World

The Philippines is called Philippines because of Spanish king Philips II who send an exploration that claimed the land in 1521 as part of the Spanish Kingdom. The influence of both the Spanish and U.S. rule is still widely recognisably throughout Manila, especially in the old walled city, named ‘Intramuros’. On this picture, St. Agustin Church in Intramuros.

Is Manila dangerous?

Manila unfortunately has a very bad image, and many people say it should be avoided. We think this is a shame because the history and culture in this city is very interesting. We always want to have a full picture of a country. As Manila is very different from the rest of the Philippines, we’re really glad we didn’t miss out on the capital.

The Philippines has a big drug problem that’s causing violence. The previous president had quite a violent approach to winning the drug war that caused safety issues for everyone stepping foot there. Ever since there is a new president with a more compassionate approach, it became a lot safer. The city is definitely not 100% safe, but saying you will be in danger by even setting foot outside the airport is an absolute exaggeration. 

Especially as a tourist, you should be fine. As long as you stay in a particular area (Makati) and avoid going far from this area at night, you should be fine. In fact, Makati City was listed among the safest cities in the Philippines. Inform yourself well about the country and make sure you book a Grab and hotel in advance. Plus, follow ground rule number one for every big city: Don’t go where you’re not supposed to be as a tourist, and you’re fine. Going on a slum safari is not cool anyway.

Maybe good to mention is that Filipinos are super friendly people who overall speak English well. They have a chill attitude but are very hard-working people who are very welcoming.

Rooftop view Lub d Makati Manila Philippines Mice Around the World

How to get around Manila

Airport to the city

When arriving in Manila with your luggage after a long trip, you want to go to your hotel as quickly as possible. Especially during the night, Manila can feel overwhelming. The easiest way to go from Nino Aquino International Airport to Makati is by booking a Grab at the airport. The Grab pick-up location is located near Terminal 3 at Bay 9. You will recognize your grab driver by the car’s licence plate. Be aware of your luggage and keep valuable items close to you. The busses are unreliable and no one knows if they’ll actually show up.

Not in the mood for arranging a taxi upon arrival? Book a transfer from the Airport to Makati City here.

Inside the city

Manila is a huge metropole and getting around can be quite a challenge. There are several ways to travel, varying in comfort and price.

The easiest transport in Manila is a grab taxi. To go to a specific location, travel fast or transfer to Nino Aquino International Airport, it also the most expensive way of navigating through the city.  ‘Official’ cabs are even more expensive than a Grab taxi.

If you want to travel from Makati City to central Manila (Intramuros), it is easier and cheaper to take a jeepney (shared minibus) or tricycle (motor with passenger cab). Take a jeepney or tricycle to the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and take the metro to Intramuros. 

Motortaxi in Manila Philippines Mice Around the World
Jeepney in Manila Philippines Mice Around the World

Left: Wessel took a motorcycle taxi in Makati to Gil Puyat MRT train station on his journey to Intramuros.

Right: Jeepneys are multicoloured shared minibuses and the most used mode of transportation through the Philippines. They were introduced by the Americans and were exhibited as a national image for the Filipinos at the New York World’s fair in 1964. Tricycles are motorized vehicles consisting of a motorcycle attached to a passenger cab.

Where to stay in Manila

Makati City is where most (international) corporations, hotels, and nightlife is located and is considered the safest place to stay for tourists. It is located roughly 10 kilometres from Nino Aquino international airport and 9 kilometres from Manila.  

We had a lovely stay at Lub d Philippines Makati, a hotel and hostel in Makati with very comfortable beds, a rooftop restaurant with a spectacular view and great food. The facilities were amazing, with a co-working space, gaming area, Skype room and many activities. They even had a space with a couch and shower to wait for check-in or spend the day after check-out. A bed in the dormitories start from €15,- and private double rooms start from €30,-.

Lub d Makati City Manila Philippines Mice Around the World

Lovely twin room at Lub d Hotel in Makati City. This hotel has the best price/quality ratio in our opinion when staying in Manila (1768 Philippine Peso= €30,- per night).

What to do in Manila

Although the metropole of Manila is enormous, most highlights are found in central Manila. We spend two days in the capital, exploring the city’s most famous sights in one day. To help you navigate, we have outlined these sights for you.

Rizal Park Manila Philippines Mice Around the World

The monument honouring José Rizal in the namelike park in central Manila.

Rizal park

Rizal park is named after José Rizal, the Filipino resistance leader against the Spanish rule who was executed in 1896 by the Spanish army. Rizal is a national hero and the Filipinos devoted an entire park to him to honour his legacy. In the park, you find a monument dedicated to him and a martyrdom at the place where the execution took place. 

Courtyard Spanish colonial style Manila Philippines Mice Around the World

Everywhere in Intramuros you will find beautiful courtyards from the Spanish colonial era.

Intramuros

Intramuros (literally: within the walls) is the old walled Spanish colonial town of Manila. Time stood still in this part of the city. Intramuros include a multitude of beautiful colonial houses, churches, and the Santiago fort. It is definitely worth a visit. Just walk around the old streets take pictures of coloured courtyards, have a mango ice cream (the best mango comes from the Philippines), walk into the San Augustin Church or the Manila Cathedral and immerse yourself in the Philippines’ colonial past.

Manila Cathedral Philippines Mice Around the World

Manila Cathedral. We were there just when a couple was getting married.

Second World war Memorial Manila Philippines Mice Around the World

Many people don’t know Manila suffered greatly during its liberation from the Japanese forces during WOII. More than 100,000 civilians died during the battle and much of the city was destroyed.

Binondo

Binondo is another district in Manila and is home to the oldest Chinatown in the world. Even before the Spanish established it in 1594 to keep the Chinese segregated from the Catholics, it was already a hub for Chinese commerce. You can reach Binondo by crossing the Jones bridge over the river passing from Intramuros. Binondo is famous for its delicious street food.

Mango icecream at Rizal Park Manila Philippines Mice Around the World

Rumour has it the Philippines has the best mangos in the world. We could not resist trying.

Crossing Jones bridge Chinatown Manila Philippines Mice Around the World

Crossing Jones bridge from Intramuros into Binondo. The arch marks the entrance to Chinatown.

After visiting Binondo, you can probably have soared legs and want to head back to your hotel in Makati. You can try to take the ferry back on the river Passig. Unfortunately, the boat was already occupied in our case, so we took MRT line back to Gil Puyat station and from there a jeepney to our hotel.

After visiting Manila, you probably want to continue your journey to the more exotic parts of the Philippines. Don’t worry, there are remote places with only a few people and the bluest waters you will ever see. Read our travel itinerary on the Philippines here.

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Travel itinerary Thailand

The perfect itinerary for 3 – 4 weeks Thailand

By Countries, Thailand, Travel Itineraries

Welcome to Thailand. The land of beautiful beaches, delicious food and eternal smiles. From dense jungles to white beaches, and big cities to tranquillity in Buddhist temples, you’ll find it in Thailand. We believe that this Asian pearl is one of the most versatile countries in the region and is a wonderful place to start a trip through Southeast Asia. There are so many places in Thailand worth visiting that making a choice can be difficult. We spent a couple of months in different regions of this beautiful country and have put together an itinerary based on our experiences. Prefer travelling at a fast pace? We think 3 weeks should be enough. If you rather take it easy with a day of relaxing in between, you’ll need four weeks for this trip. We hope our tips will inspire you and make you want to book a ticket to this fascinating country.

Travel itinerary Thailand

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Some Facts About Thailand

Best Time to Travel

Thailand is one of those countries that can be travelled all year round. We experienced both the rainy and dry season and had a wonderful time either way. The best time to visit Thailand varies a bit according to the region but is generally between November and February. During this time, the temperatures are a bit cooler than the rest of the year, and it typically doesn’t rain that much.  Expect temperatures between 28 °C- 33 °C degrees and plenty of sunshine. However, Thailand is a tropical country, so a rain shower once in a while can always occur.

Random Fact: Did you know Bangkok is the warmest city in the world? It is around 30 °C degrees all year round!

Religion & Culture

In Thailand, 95% of the population is Buddhist. This is not necessarily a religion, but rather a way of life. Buddhism is an important aspect of Thai culture, please show some respect. You are required to cover your shoulders and knees when visiting temples or palaces. If you refuse to do so, you really won’t get in. Read all about Buddhism in Thailand here.

History

Thailand’s history goes a long way back. Although Dutch and Portuguese traders set up trading posts in the country, Thailand was never colonized, so you won’t see any European influences. Thailand used to be called Siam and Ayutthaya was its capital. Nowadays, Bangkok is the country’s capital and largest city. Thailand was invaded during World War II by the Japanese in 1942 and is famous for the railway bridge in Kanchanaburi which was used in movies after the war. 

Travel Prepared

Thailand is quite a developed country that has welcomed many tourists for years, so you will certainly find large popular Western brands everywhere. Luckily, there is still a lot of chaotic Asian charm to be found.

 Do you like to travel prepared, just like us? Read all our articles on preparing for your dream trip here.

Travel itinerary Thailand

The Perfect Itinerary for Thailand

Our itinerary is based on three weeks. It is a tight schedule. Make sure you book flights and train tickets far in advance, especially in high season. Ticket prices increase, are sold out, or you’re left with bad spots. You can add more destinations to your itinerary or leave some out. We added some suggestions at the end of this article. Feel free to send us a message if you have any questions.

Travel itinerary Thailand

Bangkok

4 days – 3 nights

Most people start their trip through Thailand in the capital Bangkok. An amazing experience to start your journey in South-East Asia but for many a very overwhelming experience. Take your time to get used to the heat, the scents in the little alleys and the busy traffic. Bangkok is best known for its delicious street food, beautiful temples and tall buildings. It is also a city with lots of water, with the Chao Praya River and narrow canals flowing through the city.

The city is alive 24-7 and has a vibrant nightlife. Whether you’re looking for a great night out on Khao San Road, fancy cocktail sipping in one of the many Sky bars or street food tasting in China Town. Bangkok has something for everyone. It is possible to live in this city for a year and still not have seen everything, which is why we’ve created a 3-day itinerary with all the best things to do in Bangkok for you.

How to get there?

Bangkok is an incredibly large, centrally located metropole in South-East Asia. From there, you can fly easily fly to many countries in the region for low prices  if you book your tickets in time. 

There are also super cheap domestic flights throughout the country with airlines like AirAsia, Vietjet Air, Nok Air etc. We can’t stress this enough, book your flights early. If you book in advance, flights often cost as little as €30,- while just beforehand they can go up to €200,-!

Tip: We rarely book flights with the same airline, AirAsia being the exception.  We always search for the best option for the cheapest price. Trip.com is a great website to compare flights. We also use 12AsiaGo or Skyscanner. You can easily compare flights on different dates with different airlines. Read all our tips for booking cheap flight tickets in this article. For us, Amsterdam is quite far away. We therefore frequently fly from Frankfurt, because it is often cheaper, and you can get there by high-speed train from Aachen Hauptbahnhof within 1.5 hours. Brussels sometimes makes a difference too, you can be there in 1 hour and 15 minutes from Breda.

Ayutthaya

3 days – 2 nights

The second destination of this trip is Ayutthaya. In the era of Siam (formerly called Thailand), this was the country’s capital. You’ll find a temple complex with an extraordinary Buddha statue that appears to be incorporated into the roots of a tree, and many beautiful relics from this important time in Thailand’s history. Unfortunately, Ayutthaya was destroyed by the Burmese in the 18th century, leaving the present day ruins. 

Unfortunately, elephant riding is still very popular in this town, something we definitely do not support. Read about the best places to visit in Ayutthaya in this article.

How to get there?

Ayutthaya is located 80 kilometres north of Bangkok and can easily be reached from the capital by train or minivan. We chose to travel there by train and back to Bangkok by minivan. The latter was a lot faster (about 1.5 hours). The train ride to Ayutthaya took at least three hours as the train has low speed in Bangkok because of the many stalls set up on and next to the tracks.  However, both the train market and Bangkok’s central train station (Hua Lamphong) are peculiar and wonderful to have seen and experienced at least once. Book tickets for the train or minivan to Ayutthaya here.

Travel itinerary Thailand

Chiang Mai

5 days – 4 nights

The third destination in this itinerary is Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second largest city located in  the north of the country. Although  Chiang Mai is quite a big city, it doesn’t feel like that at all. As far as we are concerned, it is the most relaxed city in Thailand. We felt so at home in this city that we stayed there for two months … oops. 

Chiang Mai is known being a digital nomad hub and has large number of lovely cafes with the most delicious breakfast/brunch/lunch dishes. Whether you come here to start the day with a healthy breakfast, get some work done in the afternoon or have a late-night read, the cafes are all delicious.

Also, there are many Buddhist temples (300 of them!) located in and around the city. While most of them can be found in the Old City,  the most beautiful gems are hidden in the mountains. To help you choose between all these temples, we wrote this guide. If you are interested in Buddhism, go on a Buddhist retreat with monk KK at  Wat Suan Dok. We learned so much during this retreat that we did it two times and wrote an article about it. 

Northern Thailand is mountainous which makes it even more beautiful. The best way to explore them is to rent a motorbike and sway up the mountain where you’ll get a great view and enjoy the cool temperatures. We wrote an article on Doi Suthep and the surrounding temples and viewpoints. Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand (2.565 metres), is located roughly 100 kilometres from the city and can best be visited using a rental car (we used Europcar situated at Chiang Mai Int. Airport).

The city is also incredibly rich of bars, walking streets and markets, so you won’t get bored in the evening either. Read about the best markets in Chiang Mai here. Do you want to go out and have a good time? Then Chiang Mai has a lot of places to go for you as well to spend your evening. 

Because it can sometimes be hard to choose between 300 temples, countless cafes and all sorts of other fun activities, we wrote this 4-day schedule for Chiang Mai.

Tip: did you know that Chiang Mai is one of the world’s most popular places for digital nomads? In this article, you can read about the best places to work in this city.

Be Aware!: Many blogs recommend going to an elephant sanctuary to wash and feed elephants. We do NOT support this as the conditions these elephants live in are often still poor and tourism simply shifted from riding to washing. Would you still like to see Asian elephants? Then go to the Elephant Nature Park. This is a beautiful park founded by Lek Saengduean Chailert, who is known all over Asia for her amazing work with elephants.

Waterfall Chiang Mai Thailand Mice Around the World

How to get there?

(Night) Train

To get to Chiang Mai, you can take the night train from Ayutthaya. Beware! The night train is incredibly often fully booked, so book your tickets on time and avoid disappointment. We recommend taking an air-conditioned second-class sleeper. If possible, always opt for the lower bed, as these are longer and more comfortable than the upper bed. Especially keep this in mind if you are tall as the beds are made for the average Thai. Book tickets for the night train here.

Bus

There are also many buses going to Northern Thailand, both night buses and day buses. They are comfortable air-conditioned buses and take slightly less time than the trains. Keep in mind that you don’t have a bed like on the train, so if you are a light sleeper you might arrive in Chiang Mai very tired. Book tickets for the bus here.

Plane

You can also choose to travel back by train or minivan to Bangkok. Get off at Don Mueang airport and fly towards northern Thailand from there. Airline tickets are easily booked via Skyscanner for relatively low prices.

Extend your trip

Chiang Rai, Thailand

If you want to make your itinerary through northern Thailand even more special, you can choose to go to Chiang Rai in addition to Chiang Mai. This is the former capital of the Lana kingdom (Chiang= city, Rai= king) where you can visit beautiful white temples.

Laos or Myanmar

From northern Thailand, you can easily travel to both Myanmar (Birma) and Laos. Unfortunately, the former country is currently (2023) very unsafe for tourists due to a civil war.

Laos is a beautiful country where you feel like you’ve gone back in time 40 years compared to Thailand and definitely worth a visit. From Chiang Mai, you can easily book a bus ticket with 12Asia GO to Chiang Khong, on the Mekong River on the border with Laos. It’s a 5.5-hour bus ride and a ticket will cost you just €10. Read our Laos itinerary here.

Doi Suthep Chiang Mai Travel Itinerary Thailand
Foodmarket Chiang Mai Thailand Mice Around the World

Pai

4 days – 3 nights

From Chiang Mai, drive a little further north towards the tiny backpacker village of Pai. Although it has long since ceased to be a sleepy unknown village, it is a fun place to visit. There is a walking street through the village every day, a relaxed atmosphere and beautiful sights nearby. There can be found lovely hot springs, beautiful viewpoints and even a large canyon. Via the the famous Mae Hong Son loop, you drive there in a few hours. We think the route itself is worth it alone. Read which places are worth visiting in our tips for your visit to Pai.

Bamboo bridge Pai Travel Itinerary Thailand

How to get there?

Rent a scooter (motorbike)

By far the most popular way to travel from Chiang Mai to Pai is by scooter. Just keep in mind that according to many countries’ law these are regarded as motorbikes as they are 125cc. This often means you are not insured without a motorbike licence. Check with your insurance company in advance if this is the case, we accept no liability for incorrect statements or misinformation. Of course, renting a scooter is cheap and the ultimate sense of freedom, but there are some disavantages as well. Read our article on the pros and cons of renting a scooter in Asia.

The Mae Hong Son loop has lots of bends, the slopes are sometimes steep and other riders often tear past you like crazy. Especially when it rains and the roads are slippery, the chances of having an accident are relatively high. Are you completely fearless or an experienced motorcyclist? Then we say definitely do it.

Should you have decided you want to take on the adventure, your best bet is to rent a scooter from AYA in Chiang Mai. They have a service where your luggage is taken to Pai by minivan, and the scooter does not need to be brought back to Chiang Mai.

Rent a car

We hired a car Chiang Mai. We found this to be the most relaxed option, especially since we were travelling in the rainy season. In retrospect, we are glad we made this choice, as the Mae Hong Son loop is beautiful, but not without risk. We could also easily carry our luggage in the car and visit many places easily in Pai itself. We hired our car with Europcar. This includes all-risk insurance, which is not included with many local rental companies. 

Minivan

Don’t feel like driving yourself at all and just want to get to Pai quickly? Then you can also travel to Pai in a shared minivan. You can book them here. In a few hours, the minivan rushes through the mountains to Pai. You can also take the van back to Chiang Mai, so if you want to scoot out but not back, that’s possible too.

Canyon Pai Travel Itinerary Thailand

Krabi & Ao Nang

4 days- 3 nights

Time for the beach! Get ready for a long day of travel, from Pai you’ll travel back to Chiang Mai and in one way (by plane) to Krabi in southern Thailand. The coastal town of Ao Nang, in particular, is very popular among travellers, and we totally understand why. Don’t expect a calm charming coastal town, but a coastal strip with lots of restaurants with loud music and neon lights. Despite doing our best to avoid places like this, this place is still worth it. In fact, the surroundings of Ao Nang are breathtakingly beautiful. Surrounded by high slate cliffs with blue-green water make this place a truly unique destination in Thailand.  You can easily visit some of these beautiful islands off the coast from Ao Nang when doing a snorkling tour. The mainland and Krabi Town are also home to some great sights, including the hike to the tiger cave temple. 

Railay Beach Ao Nang Krabi Travel Itinerary Thailand

How to get there?

Plane

Since you’re flying from the North in Thailand all the way to the South, we recommend taking a plane to Krabi. After all, by train you’ll be on the road for about 30 hours, and the price is almost the same. So book a cheap ticket in time with AirAsia or Nokair. Within two hours you fly from Northern to Southern Thailand. Airline tickets are easily booked via Skyscanner.

From Krabi airport, you can easily take a shuttle bus to Ao Nang beach. These vans can be booked anywhere around the airport and will take you to your hotel. There is also a big local bus, but it costs the same and will drop you at the bus stop in Krabi or Ao Nang. From there you walk to your accommodation. We tried both options, and would recommend taking the minibus. This is far more comfortable.

* Don’t have that much time or just like to plan your holiday a bit more relaxed? You could consider flying from Chiang Mai to Koh Samui. You can either stay there for a night or take the boat to Koh Pangnan or Koh Tao.

Koh Nangyuan Koh Tao Travel Itinerary Thailand

Koh Tao

4 days – 3 nights

We think Koh Tao is the most beautiful island in Thailand so far. Imagine soft blue crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches and colourful corals. This in combination with the best diving resorts, cosy restaurants and stunning jungle views make this our favourite Thai island. Koh Tao is only 7 kilometres long from north to south and can be cruised all the way in just 15 minutes by scooter. 

Koh Tao is best known as Thailand’s diving island. You’ll find several diving schools (Padi-certified) of which Ban’s Diving Resort is the most famous. Getting your Padi here is very cheap and the resort is also an experience in itself. Is diving a little too adventurous for you? In that case, you can book one of the many snorkelling tours on the island. We saw a lot of beautiful fish and even some turtles. Koh Tao has a chill and relaxed vibe. Nothing is a must and everything is possible. We can understand that some visitors stay on this small island for months on end. Read our tips for your visit to Koh Tao here.

How to get there?

Khao Tao is an island located in the Gulf of Thailand and can only be reached by boat. There are ferry services from the two other islands, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Samui, and from the mainland from Chumphon and Surat Thani. From Krabi, Surat Thani is the closest and you can easily book a bus from Krabi to Surat Thani with 12AsiaGo for 8 euros per person (travel time 3 hours). 

From Surat Thani, you can take a night or day boat to Koh Tao. The journey is about 7 hours by ferry. This ferry can be booked online or at a shipping company in Surat Thani. We opted for the night boat. You then lay side by side like sardines and it was storming so the boat rocked a lot. All in all, though, a very ‘special’ experience.

*If you travel from Krabi to Surat Thani, you can also choose to stop in Koh Sok national park en route and do a multi-day excursion in the Jungle. Personally, we didn’t think much of it. You sleep in shaky bamboo huts and the staff are not very animal-friendly with monkeys and other animals being lured by throwing fruit at them. Not really the jungle experience we had in mind. 

Koh Pha-ngan

4 days – 3 nights

Koh Pha-ngan is one of three well-known islands in the Gulf of Thailand, along with the slightly larger Koh Samui and tiny Koh Tao. Located right in between, Koh Pha-ngan is the perfect island to take it easy. This island is known for its full moon party which is a crowded event which takes place every month. You’ll find beautiful beaches, lots of laid-back bars and a fun food market. On this island, you can also choose to sleep in a hut on the beach. You can book it here. Read all our tips on Koh Pha-ngan in this article.

How to get there?

Koh Phangan can be reached by ferry from Koh Tao, Koh Samui or from Surat Thani (the mainland). From Krabi, buses and taxis go to Surat Thani. You can also choose to fly to Koh Samui and then take a 45-minute boat to Koh Phangan. Book tickets for the boat here or a flight here.

Hin Kong Beach Koh Pha Ngan Travel Itinerary Thailand

Time to go

Now you have completed your three-week itinerary of Thailand. Time to travel back home. If your flight to Europe departs in the evening, you can choose to take the ferry from Koh Pha Ngan to Surat Thani and fly to Bangkok (Suvernabuhmi) and back to Europe in one day. You can easily buy combi tickets in Koh Pha-ngan for the ferry to Surat Thani and transfer to the airport, which we definitely recommend.

If you want to take it a little easier, you can choose to book a hotel close to Suvarnabuhmi Airport in Bangkok so you can get a night’s sleep first. We opted for Divalux resort. A lovely resort with good food, fine facilities such as a large swimming pool, a modern gym and a free shuttle service to the airport. 

When continuing your travels in Asia, Bangkok is the ideal city for a ticket to Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia or the Philippines. For more inspiration in Asia check out our articles and itineraries here.

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