Seeing pictures of paradise islands makes you want to travel to the Philippines, but how much does it actually cost? This question bothered me a lot before booking the trip. This is the reason why I wrote all our costs down and sharing with you today.
First of all, we traveled for 3 weeks (excluding flight days). This is the ideal time to visit the country (of course if you don’t have time or money for 4 weeks). In 2 weeks, you have to reduce the number of places you want to visit, because you won’t have time for everything, you will be in rush all the time and you won’t be able to enjoy the beauty of the country.
We have traveled from the end of October until mid-November. This time of the year is the end of the wet season and the beginning of the dry season. Websites say, that it is also the season of typhoons, but typhoons are all year round. Since it was not high season yet (which is from December to March) the prices can be slightly cheaper than other times of the year.
A lot of people are afraid of the rain in November; we only got caught in rain twice in 3 weeks. One time we waited in front of a shop and the owner got us 2 chairs while we were waiting. The locals are so friendly here! Of course, we bought some snacks after this, because we wanted to say thank you.
Our travel style:
Before we get right into it, I would like to detail our travel style. We tried our best to save money everywhere. Most of the places were booked through Agoda a couple of hours before arriving. We only stayed at cheap hotels, we didn’t book anything fancy with pool and beautiful views. These places had a big bed, a basic bathroom with towels. Some places offered a hot shower, others no, you don’t really need in this heat anyway. We only booked accommodation with air-conditioning, except in El Nido, that was a big mistake. Most of the hotels/guesthouses had free drinking water (cold and hot, so you can make coffee or tea in the morning). A couple of times we were lucky enough to get free breakfast (mostly fried eggs with ham, toast/rice or pancakes). Other times, we found a big spider in the bathroom (it doesn’t mean the same will happen to you, don’t freak out). Geckos in the bedroom are not rare either. With all that said, let’s jump into it.
All the prices are for 2 (two) people. Counted with 1₱=0,018€ CLIKC HERE for a currency converter.
Flight: Vienna – Manila one way: 600€
Don’t worry, this is probably the highest cost of all. We flew with Saudia airlines. We had one stop in Jeddah for 3 hours. The price included 2 checked-in luggage (we didn’t need any), food (3 times), earplugs, blanket, in-flight entertainment, basically everything. Another airline that can be cheap is Kuwait airlines. You don’t have to worry about transit visa in the Arabic countries, because from the plane, you are directly transferred to the transit area. The rates from Europe can differ from 300-400€ one way. Check them out on Skyscanner.
To save money, we traveled hand luggage only. One bigger backpack ( 50l. ) and a smaller every-day-use backpack per person (for laptop and camera gear).
Visa: 0 ₱
For less than 30 days, most of the nationalities can enter the country for free.
Sim card: 1500₱ (27€)
I bought 24GB mobile data, but I probably used half of it. You can get one for 1000₱ with less Gb. The coverage was not the best. Several places I had no signal at all, but what can I say? We were in the Philippines.
Accommodation Manilla 2 nights HOP INN Ermita: 3188₱ (57€)
Probably the most expensive accommodation we had. It was very clean and safe in the middle of Manila.
Flight: Manila – Puerto Princesa: 2480₱ (44€)
Cebu pacific is the cheapest for domestic flights, but always check Skyscanner for the best deals. The flight is not longer than a ride on a rollercoaster.
Van ride Puerto Princesa – El Nido: 1000₱ (18€)
The worst experience ever. 6 hours sitting in a van loaded with people. This is a thing you only do once in life, next time you pay extra for the flight directly to El Nido. It was a great option to save money, but being smashed for 6hours is no-one’s piece of cake.
Accommodation in El Nido 3 nights, JUST INN: 2700₱ (48€)
The only accommodation I booked at home. I’ve heard how busy El Nido is, so I had to make sure we have a place to stay. The price was surprisingly cheap, but it had no air-conditioning even though it said on Tripadvisor.
2 Snorkeling equipment from the local market: 1200₱ (21€)
Since we used them often, it was cheaper to buy them than rent every time. You have to bargain. Never accept the first price.
ISLAND HOPPING PRIVATE TOUR: 6000₱ (107€)
Including environmental fee and entrance to big lagoon, excluding 250₱ kayak rental.
Okay, a private island tour doesn’t sound like part of a budget trip but hear me out. I was interested in places from tour A and tour B, which we did in 1 day. If we go on the public tour, we spend 2 days and we are with 20 other people. Tour A costs 1300₱ and tour B 1200 per person = 5000 pesos for 2 people, 2 days. For 1000₱ pesos extra who wouldn’t choose the private tour?
So, if you are planning to do this Tour anytime soon, I highly recommend you book with Jerick. He is the most polite and nicest person we meet in the Philippines. You can find him on Facebook and book with him for a better price than at any Excursion Center. I leave the link down below, you can just click on the name:
Ferry El Nido to Coron: 3520₱ (63€)
This is a surprisingly high price. I did my research before, and there are no cheaper options. If you want to get from El Nido to Coron, you have to take a ferry. There are 4 flights per week, but it must be very expensive. Buy your ferry ticket on your first day in El Nido, the tickets sell out fast.
Coron private island hopping: 4000₱ (71€)
Entrance fees included. It was especially for my birthday, so it was no question we will get a private tour. If you are in Coron and you want to enjoy your time island hopping, you will have to take a private tour. Otherwise, you find yourself in the middle of a Chinese group and thousands of orange lifejackets. A private tour is an incredible experience, I would not save money on it.
I prefer to eat in bakeries for 10₱ or have smaller accommodation, just to save money and afford this experience. On the internet, the island-hopping prices are outdated, the prices were increased from last season. We had to bargain for this price.
TIP: don´t go to any agency. Go straight to the Harbour and talk with the owners of the boats. You will save the commission and be able to tip the driver.
This could be the best way for him to take you to some secret places where most of the tourists would ever visit.
Coron – Cebu flight: 4000₱ (71€)
Cebu pacific again, one of the smallest planes I ever traveled with. I booked this flight too late; you can get cheaper flights than this.
Sirao Garden: 1620₱ (28€)
Although the entrance fee to the garden is 60₱ each, it is far from Cebu city. We took a GRAB from our hotel to JY shopping mall. Instead of stopping there, he offered to take us to the garden and back for 1500₱. Days later, we were wandering around JY mall, and every motorbike driver asked us if we go to the Sirao garden. They called habal habal. They offer around 300-400 ₱, but they take both of you on the same motorbike, not the safest option between mountains! Safety is more important than cheap prices.
Bus Cebu city – Moalboal: 250 ₱ (4€)
It takes around 3,5 hours and the bus was not air-conditioned, only the windows were opened.
Waterfalls (Kawasan, Kabutongan): 850₱ (15€)
The entrance fee for Kawasan falls was 100₱ and the parking 50₱. We spent the morning there, we walked up to the 3rd level of the waterfall without a guide, we swam in the waterfall and we even tried the Tarzan swing. We didn’t do the famous canyoneering (which would be 1200per person).
In the afternoon, we drove to Kabutongan falls. It was 700₱ in total (entrance, private guide, life jacket) We spent an hour at the waterfall climbing, swimming and jumping from 6-10m heights. I still can’t believe we found this hidden gem. There was no one there. Kawasan falls is always packed with tourists.
Bus from Moalboal to Cebu City: 310₱ (5€)
Due to my plans, we should have gone to Oslob, but our drone got wet, so we tried to go back to Cebu to fix it. (We haven’t found anyone so we just went to Oslob the next day.)
Bus Cebu city to Oslob: 400₱ (7€)
Air-conditioned bus, it only took 3 hours and the view was beautiful.
Swimming with whale sharks: 2400₱ (43€)
The excursion is 1000₱ each, but it is outside of Oslob, so you have to take a tuk-tuk. It is not the most ethical excursion, because they feed the whale sharks, but at least they don’t kill them anymore. Swimming with these giants left me speechless.
Direct ferry Cebu – Siquior: 400₱ (7€)
The cheapest ferry we ever took. I had all the row to myself, so I could lay down and sleep.
Ferry Siquijor – Bohol: 1525₱ (27€)
The price includes the luggage fee (you can only take a small item onboard) and the terminal fee. It took approximately 2 hours.
Ingkumhan falls: 500₱ (9€)
The price was not given, our guide said: it is up to you how much you pay. We visited 3 waterfalls the Ingkumhan falls, a hidden waterfall and a twin waterfall. It took us all day, but it was the best time hanging out with locals.
If you are in the Philippines and planning a visit to these 3 waterfalls, I recommend to you to talk with Sakuragi (Yes, he is a big fan of the Cartoon series “Slum Dunk”).
I leave his facebook account down below for you to see photos and message him:
Ingkumhan falls.
Ferry Bohol – Cebu: 1140₱ (20€)
Luggage and terminal fee included.
Flight Cebu – Bangkok – Stockholm: 520€
We flew out of Mactan Cebu International Airport. Our plane ticket included the airport tax, but other people had to pay 850₱ per person before passing security. We flew with scoot airlines and Norwegian airlines.
Daily budget 2400₱ (43€) for 21days = 50400₱ (900€)
We wrote down all our costs during our trip. Some day we spent more, other days less. On average, we spent 2400₱/ day. This price includes all the food and drinks we consumed, motorbike rentals, laundry, accommodations (except El Nido and Manila, I’ve counted them above), souvenirs, smaller entrance fees, airport transfers, tuk-tuk and grab rides, supermarkets, and pharmacies.
All costs in 3 weeks: 2711€ for 2 people everything included. It means we spent 1355 € per person, for 3weeks with countless adventures and memories.
Keep in mind, that I haven’t included any vaccines you might need to take before your holiday and travel insurance. Both of these are your personal decisions.
Our costs without international flights were 1591 € together. You can have a look at the flight prices from your country on Skyscanner and add it to this number.
Price ranges:
For budget-accommodation expect to pay between 700- 1200₱/night (12-21€).
Motorbike rentals are between 350-550₱ (6-10€), Fuel 50₱ (1€) extra.
Dry-cleaning 150-200₱ (3-4€) (we did it once a week)
Dinner in Filipino style restaurant is around 300-500₱ (5-9€)
Dinner in occidental restaurants is between 500-1000₱ (9-17€)
2 local beers are around 80₱ (1,5€)
You can get 10 donuts for 50₱ (1€)
Mosquito spray, sunscreen, after-sun cream are between 200 and 400₱ (3-7€)
Most entrance fees are 50-100₱ (1-2€) like Chocolate hills, Nacpan beach…
So that’s it! I hope you got an idea; how much you have to save for this dream trip. Now go and make your dreams come true! It will worth the hassle, I promise.
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Be ready to explore!
Anita.-
