Top 8 Things to Do in The Philippines 2026

Imagine a waterfall you reach by swimming through a canyon or surfing on a wave so famous that people fly across the world just to paddle out on it, and a deep blue lagoon you swim in while being surrounded by cliffs. What might seem like a dream to you is just an ordinary week in the Philippines.

With over 7,000 islands scattered between the South China Sea and the Pacific, this archipelago packs an unreasonable amount of variety into one place. If you've been searching for cool things to do in the Philippines but aren't sure where any of these places actually are or what happens once you get there, this guide walks you through it all, what each activity is, what it costs, when to go, and exactly where to find it.

What Makes the Philippines Worth Exploring?

You’ll never run out of things to do in the Philippines, and if you want to know where to start, the honest answer is: pick your terrain. Palawan gives you lagoons and underground rivers. Cebu gives you waterfalls and whale sharks. Siargao gives you world class surfing. Luzon's north gives you mountain terraces older than most nations. Manila gives you four centuries of history inside a single walled city. This roundup of things to do and see in the Philippines covers one destination from each of these regions, so you can mix and match based on what you like the most.

El Nido Island Hopping in Palawan

El Nido sits on the northern tip of Palawan, and its main attraction is a set of full-day boat tours (often called Tour A, B, C, and D) that visit different clusters of Bacuit Bay's islands.
Each tour takes you to a handful of lagoons, hidden beaches, and snorkelling spots, and most include a beach lunch. Tour A covers the Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon: at Big Lagoon, motorised boats stop outside and a kayak paddles you in through a narrow passage, while Small Lagoon is entered by swimming through a narrow opening; it's the most popular route for first timers.

• Cost: ₱1,200–1,800 per person for a shared tour, plus a ₱400 Eco-Tourism Development Fee (valid 10 days) and a ₱200 entrance fee per lagoon
• Best time to visit:  November to May, as the seas are calm during this time; Tours A and B run reliably even outside this period
• Where to go: Bacuit Bay, El Nido town, Palawan

Tribe Travel Tip: Book Tour A first if it's your only day as it covers the two most photographed lagoons.

Puerto Princesa Underground River

The Puerto Princesa Underground River is a navigable cave system where a paddle boat takes you on a roughly 45-minute guided tour along the first 1.5 kilometres of the river's 8.2 kilometre length, passing through chambers, bat colonies, and stalactite formations.

• Cost: Around ₱1,085 per person in total (permit, environmental fee, and boat), or ₱2,200–2,500 for a package that’ll include your transfers and lunch
• Best time to visit: You can visit year round, but keep in mind that daily visitor permits are only 900, so you’ll need to book at least a day ahead in peak season
• Where to go: Sabang, about 90 minutes from Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

Chocolate Hills in Bohol

Bohol's interior is covered with an estimated 1,200 to 1,776 near perfectly symmetrical, cone shaped hills that turn from green to brown in the dry months, hence their name. It's a roughly 200-step staircase at the main viewing deck in Carmen that takes you up to a panorama that stretches to the horizon.

• Cost: ₱150 entrance fee for foreign visitors (recently raised from ₱100)
• Best time to visit: November to May for the "chocolate” brown hills; try going early in the mornings so you can avoid both the crowd and the heat
• Where to go: Carmen, Bohol, roughly two hours from Tagbilaran City

Tribe Travel Tip: You can pair this with the nearby Tarsier Sanctuary along with a Loboc River cruise for a full countryside day.

Whale Shark Watching in Oslob, Cebu

Swimming beside the world's largest fish, sometimes within arm's reach, is one of the most famous wildlife encounters you can have in the Philippines.  Sessions run in small groups; you wear a mandatory life vest, and a local spotter stays in the water with you throughout.

Mornings typically bring three to ten sharks gliding close to the boats. Go as early as you can because the water gets busier as the morning wears on, and the sharks tend to be calmer before the crowds build. Many travellers pair this with a short stop at Tumalog Falls, a beautiful curtain like waterfall just ten minutes away, turning one morning into a full half day outing.

• Cost: ₱1,000 per person for foreign visitors
• Best time to visit: Plan your visit between December and May for calmer seas; sharks appear almost every day year round
• Where to go: Barangay Tanawan, Oslob, southern Cebu

Kawasan Falls Canyoneering in Cebu

This is one of the most talked about adventure activities in the Philippines: a 3 to 4 hour route through a river canyon that involves cliff jumps, rope swings, and a swim through a narrow cave passage, ending at a three tiered turquoise waterfall.

• Cost: ₱1,500–2,100 per person, including guide, life vest, and helmet
• Best time to visit: December to May, as the water is clearest then.
• Where to go: Badian, southern Cebu, about 3 hours from Cebu City

Tribe Travel Tip: Keep in mind that only the Badian route is currently open to visitors

Cloud 9 Surfing in Siargao

Siargao is the surf capital of the Philippines, and Cloud 9 is its signature wave , a hollow, barreling right hander that draws surfers from across the globe.

If you’re not an experienced surfer, this might not be for you, though; beginner friendly breaks sit close by, and surf lessons in General Luna accommodate every level.

• Cost: ₱500–800 per hour for lessons; ₱50 to walk the Cloud 9 boardwalk
• Best time to visit: August to November for the biggest, cleanest swells (peak in September–October); June–July has gentler waves if you’re a beginner
• Where to go: General Luna, Siargao Island

Tribe Travel Tip: Even if you’re not a surfer, the boardwalk at sunset is worth the walk on its own.

Banaue and Batad Rice Terraces

Carved into mountainsides some 2,000 years ago by the Ifugao people, these UNESCO llisted terraces are often called the Eighth Wonder of the World. You can reach Banaue's main viewpoints by road, while Batad's amphitheatre shaped terraces will require a trek on foot.

• Cost: ₱50 town tourism fee in Banaue; ₱50 separate fee in Batad
• Best time to visit: Rice is freshly planted between April and May, so you can witness the green landscape. Alternatively, October is harvest season, so you can visit while it’s golden as well.
• Where to go: Ifugao province, Cordillera region, Luzon

Manila's Intramuros

Visit Manila's walled Spanish era city, and you’ll find Fort Santiago, Baluarte de San Diego, and the Museo de Intramuros,  a compact, walkable loop through centuries of Filipino history that you can cover in a single morning.

• Cost: Cost: ₱75 for Fort Santiago, Casa Manila, and Baluarte de San Diego; ₱150 for Museo de Intramuros; a guided walking tour runs about ₱1,200
• Best time to visit:  Plan between November and April, and mornings specifically, since the district offers little shade in the afternoon
• Where to go: Intramuros, Manila

Here's a quick summary table for the Philippines' top things to do with their best times:

Conclusion

This list can go on forever because the Philippines will always have something for you every time you visit. Every island has its distinct rhythm, its activities, and its own vibe, whether that's a slow boat day or an adrenaline filled canyon swim.

If you’re planning your Philippines escape, Holiday Tribe can help you customise your holiday, from stays to documentation assistance, so you can spend less time coordinating and more time in the water. Connect with us to start building your Philippines vacation.