Twin-centreManila & El Nido
- 5★ hotels in both places
- UK flights plus domestic flights
- Transfers in both places
From£1,449per person · 2 sharing
View details
Philippines · Holidays from the UK
Philippines holidays from the UK
Limestone lagoons in Palawan, a long white beach on Boracay and the Chocolate Hills of Bohol. A UK consultant arranges your international and island flights, hotels and transfers as one ATOL protected holiday.
Packages from £1,199 per person, with return flights, hotel and transfers
One stop from the UK
Fly via the Gulf or Asia to Manila or Cebu, approx. 16–18 hours in total.
Islands and beaches
Limestone lagoons in Palawan, White Beach on Boracay and the reefs around Cebu and Bohol.
Island links arranged
Domestic flights, ferries and transfers are booked with your holiday.
ATOL protected
Holidays that include a flight are protected under ATOL 10416.
Philippines holiday packages
Philippines holiday packages
Flights, hotel and transfers in one price. Every package can be changed: more nights, a different hotel or another UK airport.
3 packages · guide prices per person
Twin-centre
BeachBoracay Beach Week
- 5★ hotel near White Beach
- UK flights plus a domestic flight
- Road and boat transfers
From£1,199per person · 2 sharing
View details
Twin-centreCebu & Bohol
- 5★ beach hotels on both islands
- UK flights to Cebu, one stop
- Fast ferries and transfers
From£1,349per person · 2 sharing
View details
Overview
Philippines holiday guide for UK travellers
Philippines holidays from the UK combine a long-haul flight with island beaches, lagoons and coral reefs. There are no direct flights, so most UK travellers fly to Manila or Cebu with one stop, then take a short domestic flight or ferry to the islands. December to May is the dry season.
The Philippines has more than 7,000 islands. In Palawan, El Nido and Coron are known for limestone cliffs, lagoons and island-hopping by outrigger boat. Boracay, a small island off Panay, has White Beach, approx. 4 km of fine sand with hotels and restaurants along it.
Cebu and Bohol, in the Central Visayas, pair beach hotels with day trips inland: the Chocolate Hills, the tarsiers and the Loboc River on Bohol, and Cebu City’s old quarter around Fort San Pedro. Manila, the capital, has the walled city of Intramuros and is the usual gateway for Palawan and Boracay.
Where to stay
Where to stay in the Philippines
Six bases, from the capital to the islands. Transfer times are approximate and depend on your hotel.
Manila
City · History · Food
The walled city of Intramuros, Fort Santiago and the National Museum, with hotels, malls and restaurants in Makati. Most UK travellers spend one or two nights here.
Nearest airport: Manila (MNL), approx. 30–45 mins
Packages from £1,449 pp
El Nido, Palawan
Islands · Lagoons · Couples
Limestone cliffs, lagoons and small beaches in Bacuit Bay. Island-hopping boats leave from the town beach each morning, and Nacpan Beach is approx. 45 minutes north by road.
Nearest airport: El Nido (ENI), approx. 20 mins
Packages from £1,449 pp
Coron, Palawan
Lagoons · Wreck diving · Islands
Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon and the Second World War wrecks of Coron Bay, reached by boat from Coron town. Ask us to add a few nights to a Palawan holiday.
Nearest airport: Busuanga (USU), approx. 40 mins
Boracay
Beach · Families · Couples
About 4 km of white sand on White Beach, with hotels, restaurants and sailing boats along the shore. Puka Beach and the quieter north of the island are a short ride away.
Nearest airport: Caticlan (MPH), approx. 45 mins by road and boat
Packages from £1,199 pp
Mactan, Cebu
Beach hotels · Snorkelling · Families
Beach hotels on the east coast of Mactan Island, close to Cebu’s international airport. Boat trips run to the reefs of the islands offshore, and Cebu City is approx. 45 minutes by road.
Nearest airport: Mactan-Cebu (CEB), approx. 20–30 mins
Packages from £1,349 pp
Panglao, Bohol
Beaches · Diving · Countryside
Alona Beach and quieter bays on Panglao Island, joined to Bohol by bridges. Day trips go inland to the Chocolate Hills, the tarsiers and the Loboc River, or by boat to Balicasag Island.
Nearest airport: Bohol-Panglao (TAG), approx. 15–20 mins
Packages from £1,349 pp
Things to see
Places to see in the Philippines
A few of the sights to plan your trip around. We can suggest hotels close to the ones you most want to see.
Weather
Philippines weather by month
Average daytime highs on Boracay and in Manila, with the sea temperature at Boracay. The chart runs from July to June, so the dry season sits in one block. Hover over or tap a month for the figures.
View as a table
| Month | Boracay | Sea at Boracay | Manila |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul | 31°C | 29°C | 31°C |
| Aug | 31°C | 29°C | 31°C |
| Sep | 30°C | 29°C | 31°C |
| Oct | 31°C | 29°C | 31°C |
| Nov | 30°C | 28°C | 31°C |
| Dec | 29°C | 27°C | 30°C |
| Jan | 29°C | 27°C | 30°C |
| Feb | 29°C | 26°C | 31°C |
| Mar | 31°C | 27°C | 33°C |
| Apr | 32°C | 28°C | 34°C |
| May | 32°C | 29°C | 34°C |
| Jun | 31°C | 30°C | 32°C |
Long-term averages from weather2travel.com. Actual weather varies year to year.
December to May
The dry season on Boracay, in Palawan and around Cebu and Bohol, at around 29–32°C with the sea at 26–29°C. Christmas, New Year and Easter are the busiest weeks.
March to May
The hottest months, with Manila at around 33–34°C. The sea is usually calm, which suits island-hopping and snorkelling.
June to November
The wet season, with heavy showers and a risk of typhoons. Boat trips and domestic flights can be delayed or cancelled in bad weather. Hotels are quieter and prices are usually lower.
Palawan
Muslim-friendly travel
Muslim-friendly travel in the Philippines
The Philippines is mainly Christian, and most Filipino Muslims live in Mindanao, in the south. In Manila there are halal restaurants around the Golden Mosque in Quiapo, but in the beach resorts halal food is limited. Seafood and vegetable dishes are easy to find, and we ask each hotel what it can offer before you book.
- Golden Mosque, ManilaThe Golden Mosque in Quiapo, with halal restaurants in the streets around it
- Halal foodAvailable in parts of Manila; limited on the islands, so we check before you book
- Seafood and vegetablesGrilled fish, prawns and vegetable dishes are easy to find on every island
- Hotel requestsHalal breakfast, qibla direction and prayer mats on request at some hotels; facilities vary
- Meals on your flightsMuslim meals can be requested on most international flights when you book
- Muslim-friendly rankingRanked 8th among non-OIC destinations in the Global Muslim Travel Index
Philippines holiday FAQs
Questions about Philippines holidays
Quick answers for UK travellers. For anything else, our UK team is happy to help.
020 7871 4545How long is the flight to the Philippines from the UK?
There are no direct flights from the UK at the moment. Most UK travellers fly to Manila with one stop in the Gulf or in Asia, approx. 16–18 hours in total, depending on the connection. Cebu has one-stop flights via Hong Kong, Dubai or Singapore. The Philippines is 8 hours ahead of the UK in winter and 7 hours ahead in summer.
When is the best time to visit the Philippines?
December to May is the dry season in the islands we feature, with daytime highs of around 29–32°C on Boracay. March to May is the hottest time. June to November is wetter, with a risk of typhoons, so some boat trips and flights can be delayed.
Do I need a visa for the Philippines?
UK passport holders can usually visit for up to 30 days without a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after you arrive, and you may be asked for proof of a return flight. All travellers complete the free eTravel registration online in the 72 hours before arrival. Rules can change, so check the current entry requirements before you travel.
Is the Philippines a good destination for Muslim travellers?
The Philippines is mainly Christian, and most Filipino Muslims live in Mindanao, in the south. Manila has halal restaurants around the Golden Mosque in Quiapo, but halal food is limited in the beach resorts. Seafood and vegetable dishes are easy to find, and we ask each hotel about halal breakfast, alcohol and prayer facilities before you book.
How do I get between the islands?
By domestic flights from Manila, approx. 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes to El Nido or Caticlan (for Boracay). Cebu and Bohol are approx. 2 hours apart by fast ferry. The domestic flights, ferries and transfers in our packages are included.
Are Philippines holiday packages ATOL protected?
Yes. Holidays that include a flight are protected under ATOL 10416, and you’ll receive an ATOL Certificate when you pay.
More holiday destinations
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Bangkok’s temples and street food, then Phuket or Krabi for limestone cliffs and island hopping.
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A Muslim-majority country with halal food widely available, city sights in Kuala Lumpur and island beaches on Langkawi or Penang.
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Malé atolls · island resorts
Water villas, reefs and white sand, including halal-friendly resorts that suit honeymoons.
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