I’m always happy to share tips and recommendations for a trip to the Philippines so I’ve put together this short guide. There is so much to see and do in the Philippines so instead of writing about everything, I have hand-picked my recommendations to a select few. Feel free to shoot me a note if you need more tips.

While the capital, Manila, is teeming with history, delicious dining options, and a lively nightlife, I suggest you only stay there for a couple of days then head off to the islands. Manila is a sprawling city that has its fair share of heavy (!) traffic so make sure to allot extra travel time when you explore.

Food and Drink
Manila has a thriving food and drink scene. For Filipino food, check out:

• Manam (comfort food, Pinoy style)

• Trellis

• Via Mare

• Sarsa (Negrense cuisine)

• Bistro Remedios

• Abe (Kapampangan cuisine)

Here’s what to order:

• Appetizers: mangga’t bagoong, chicharon bulaklak, beef salpicao, gambas

• Entrees: pork sisig, adobo flakes, kare-kare, sinigang, laing, Bicol express, bagnet, lechon kawali

• Dessert: leche flan, buko pandan, buko pie, bibingka, sans rival, halo-halo

My restaurant list:

• Mamou for steak and pasta

• Alba, Terry’s, and Las Flores for Spanish food

• Luk Yuen, President, North Park, for Chinese food

• Yurakuen, Ooma and Ramen Nagi for Japanese food

• Spices, Benjarong, Mango Tree and Som’s for Thai/Southeast Asian cuisine

Activities
Check out the Malacanang Palace tour (advance booking required) for tales on past presidents and explore the world’s oldest Chinatown on Ivan Man Dy’s Chinatown food tour.

For a dose of American history, explorethe fort ruins and war memorials on Corregidor Island. I’ve heard great things about the bamboo bike tour of Intramuros.

For art and history museums, I highly recommend the Ayala Museum, the Metropolitan Museum, and the National Museum.

If you have time, make a day trip to Pampanga, a province known for its culinary excellence. The Spanish trained the Kapapampangan chefs on European cooking techniques because Pampanga was Manila’s food basket. Check out Everybody’s Cafe, Downtown Cafe, Susie’s Cuisine, and Cafe Fleur. The next time I visit I want to go on the famous Bale Dutung experience.

Shop for traditional Filipino goods at Kultura, a specialty store that carries all things Filipino, and Kamuning Market for local crafts.

Islands
With pristine beaches just an hour away from Manila, you must visit these islands:

• Palawan - Visit the stunning lagoons in El Nido and Coron, and explore the Puerto Prinsesa Underground River. Check out Tao Experience Palawan for boat expeditions and island retreats.

• Batanes - The northernmost island of the Philippines, Batanes is a gem of an island. Stay at Fundacion Pacita for picturesque views of the island’s rolling hills and pristine waters.

• Donsol - Here you can swim with a whale shark, watch thousands of fireflies along the river, and feast on mouth-watering Bicolano dishes.

• Boracay - Famous for its powdery, white sand, Boracay is an awesome spot for nature, adventure, and nightlife.

• Cebu and Bohol - You can travel between these two via ferry. Try the famous Cebu lechon, visit the Chocolate Hills, say hello to the tarsier (the world’s second-smallest primate), and cruise down Loboc river.

Where to stay
I highly recommend Seda Hotel ($120/night) which is conveniently located in Bonifacio Global City, a business district close to Ninoy Aquino International Airport. This hotel is walking distance to a wide range of restaurants, bars, and shopping areas.

Other tips
Traffic in Metro Manila is always heavy, especially when it rains, so allow for extra travel time. You might want to create an account with Grab, a ride hailing app, as this is the most convenient way to get around the city.

Smart and Globe are two major telecom companies. They usually give out sim cards at the airport if you purchase $20 worth of phone credit. Their pre-paid mobile internet plans cost $50 for 50GB over 30 days.

Happy to answer questions about your upcoming trip. Feel free to leave comments or questions below.

I will constantly update this post as I find new tips to share. If you liked what you read, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube to stay up to date on my latest travel finds.