Honeymoon in the Philippines? Is it a suitable destination for a honeymoon trip? Personally, I’ve spent years imagining what my honeymoon should be like, so I imagine you must be awash with doubts. For me, after living through such a spectacular and, at the same time, tiring and sometimes stressful moment as a wedding, my honeymoon should include plenty of relaxation, but also a bit of adventure.
After many years traveling around the Philippines, I have no doubt that the country of 7.641 islands is a perfect place for a honeymoon—and here I want to tell you why.
Why plan a honeymoon trip to the Philippines?
I could think of hundreds, but here are the ones I believe are the main reasons:
1. Because the Philippines has the best beaches in Southeast Asia
First of all, because the Philippines has the best beaches in Southeast Asia. Powdery white coral sand, slender coconut palms and turquoise water are their most notable features. Not only that—on the best beaches in the Philippines you won’t find lots of vendors hassling you or blaring music at full blast. If you need peace, many Philippine beaches (with a few exceptions that are busier at certain times of the year) are your best choice.
On the other hand, the Philippines isn’t a wristband destination. With very few exceptions, there aren’t “all‑inclusive” resorts like in the Maldives or the Riviera Maya, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create your own beachy wellness retreat for far less money. In the Philippines you’ll find fantastic seafront hotels, overwater bungalows and even resorts on remote islands where your only concern will be celebrating that amazing moment you’ve just experienced together.
Take a look at the rooms at El Nido Resorts Lagen Island (in El Nido), Two Seasons Coron Island Resort & Spa (in Coron) or Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort & Spa (in Boracay) and tell us you can’t already picture yourselves in one of them. We’ve also put together a selection of the Best hotels for a honeymoon in the Philippines, the Best resorts in the Philippines and Overwater bungalows in the Philippines.
Cresta de Gallo (Romblon)
2. Because the Philippines’ underwater world is one of the richest on Earth
Did you know that the Philippines lies within the Coral Triangle? This is the place with the greatest marine biodiversity in the world, so you’ll be able to marvel at some of the most beautiful underwater scenery during your honeymoon.
In places like Balicasag (Bohol), Port Barton, Apo Island, Moalboal or El Nido you can go snorkeling alongside huge schools of sardines, turtles and loads of sea critters you’ve only seen in documentaries. You can learn more about them by reading Best snorkeling spots in the Philippines. In addition, if you travel in season, you can swim with the majestic whale shark in the wild and in a respectful way.
Not only that—the Philippines is a paradise for divers. If you’ve never tried it, what better time than your honeymoon in the Philippines to get started in the world of scuba diving? In places like Malapascua, Bohol, El Nido or Moalboal—some of the best diving spots in the Philippines—you’ll find 100% professional schools with Spanish‑speaking instructors who’ll help make this a honeymoon you’ll never forget. Diving together is something you’ll never forget.
3. Because you won’t just be lazing around—there’s so much more to do in the Philippines!
Yes, what attracts most people planning a honeymoon in the Philippines are the beaches, but it doesn’t end there. With so many islands you can already imagine there’s so much more to do.
The Philippines’ natural wealth is mind‑blowing. You can visit rice terraces more than 2,000 years old in Batad; drive through the curious Chocolate Hills—more than 1,200 chocolate‑bonbon‑shaped hills located in Bohol; head into the heart of the earth at the Puerto Princesa Underground River; discover lakes and lagoons hemmed in by huge limestone walls as you hop from island to island around the Bacuit archipelago in El Nido; say hello to the world’s smallest primate, the tarsier… And we could go on forever.
What’s more, on your honeymoon in the Philippines you can also get to know the country’s history through its historic buildings. For example, you can travel back to the Spanish colonial era in the Intramuros district (Manila), in the historic center of Cebu or in the best‑preserved colonial city in the Philippines, Vigan.
Have a look at our article What to do in the Philippines and you’ll get an even clearer idea of everything this dream honeymoon can offer you.
Chocolate Hills en Bohol
4. Because the people are the friendliest in all of Asia (and they speak English)
It’s that simple: people in the Philippines are kind and smiling, and they’ll try to lend you a hand whenever you need it. One of the details travelers fall in love with is that feeling of closeness and the good vibes Filipinos usually convey—and that’s made much easier by the language. Most Filipinos, even the little ones, speak fairly fluent English, which lets you connect a bit more with them, unlike in other Southeast Asian countries.
While there are some older folks who still remember those high‑school classes where Spanish was taught, very few people in the Philippines speak Spanish now. That said, you’ll be amazed by the similarity of many Filipino words to our language. In a restaurant you can ask for a mesa alas‑dose, sit on a silla, ask for a tinidor to cut your adobo and have a leche flan for dessert.
5. Because it’s much more affordable than you think
We know honeymoon budgets often skyrocket, which is a pretty big problem for many. Well, good news: the Philippines is a fantastic option for having a honeymoon without counting every last cent.
As we explain in Preparing for a trip to the Philippines, this is a trip for all budgets. Traveling low‑cost, you could spend around 1.000€ per person (not including international flights) on a roughly 20‑day trip. If you want a more comfortable honeymoon in the Philippines, enjoying higher‑end hotels and doing more excursions, with 1.500€ per person for about 15 days you’ll be more than fine. The biggest expense will be hotels—and you can choose how much you want to spend.
Obviously, if you put the trip together on your own, it will be far cheaper than doing it through an agency. Really—using our website you’ll be able to tailor it much more than if you book a packaged tour, and we’ve been roaming around here for more than 15 years, so you’ve got a real mountain of up‑to‑date, first‑hand information that a travel agent doesn’t have.
If you need our help, you can send us your planned route to info@viajarporfilipinas.com and we’ll take a look with no obligation whatsoever.
Calculate your budget in How much does it cost to travel to the Philippines? Is it cheap?
Loboc River Resort
Suggested itineraries for a honeymoon in the Philippines
Now that I hope I’ve convinced you to plan your honeymoon to the Philippines and you already have your flights, the next step is to decide which itinerary you’re going to follow.
We’ll warn you that this is the trickiest step and the one that causes the most headaches because, as it’s not a country with very developed tourist infrastructure, transfers are often long and complicated. Optimizing the route is key to making the most of your days in the Philippines.
On our page of Philippines travel itineraries you’ll find several DIY itineraries of 10, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20 and 30 days that can guide you. However, we’re aware that every couple is different and that you might prefer a slightly more relaxed plan for your honeymoon in the Philippines.
Therefore, here are ideas for a 15‑ and 20‑day honeymoon in the Philippines. Of course, these are just sketches—totally modifiable to your taste:
15‑day honeymoon in the Philippines: Palawan + Siargao
If you’re thinking of taking a honeymoon to the Philippines during the summer months (July, August and September), this route may interest you if you’re worried about the weather. As we explain in When to travel to the Philippines, during these months it’s the dry season in Siargao, which guarantees you some sunny days in this paradise in the south of the country.
Suggested route for your 15‑day honeymoon in the Philippines
Day 1: Flight from Manila to El Nido and accommodation in El Nido to discover the nearby beaches. Recommended hotel: Frangipani El Nido.
Days 2, 3 and 4: Island hoppings in El Nido and nearby beaches. Discover everything about this destination in the El Nido Guide. Recommended hotel: Cauayan Island Resort & Spa.
Day 5: Transfer from El Nido to Port Barton. Relax and pretty beaches—discover what to do in Port Barton. Recommended hotel: Parrots Boutique Resort.
Days 6 and 7: Rest and island hopping in Port Barton.
Day 8: Transfer to Puerto Princesa and flight from Puerto Princesa to Cebu. Night in Cebu, recommended hotel: Waterfront Airport Hotel & Casino.
Day 9: Flight from Cebu to Siargao. Beach time, gorgeous sunset… Recommended hotel: Kalinaw Resort.
Days 10 to 14: Enjoy everything Siargao has to offer: island hopping, natural pools, relaxing on beaches… Recommended hotel: stay a few days at Kalinaw and treat yourselves to a night or two at Nay Palad Hideaway.
Day 15: Flight back to Cebu or Manila and return home. If you need to stay overnight in Manila, we recommend this hotel: Discovery Primea.
Nacpan Beach (El Nido)
20‑day honeymoon in the Philippines: El Nido + Boracay + Bohol + Siargao
For those of you with more days, this Philippines honeymoon combines days of adventure with others of pure relaxation at a fantastic hotel in Boracay, home to the famous White Beach—considered one of the best beaches in the world.
Suggested route for your 20‑day honeymoon in the Philippines:
Day 1: Flight from Manila to El Nido and accommodation in El Nido to discover the nearby beaches. Recommended hotel: Frangipani El Nido.
Days 2, 3 and 4: El Nido, island hoppings around the Bacuit Bay. Discover everything about this destination in the El Nido Guide. Recommended hotel: El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island.
Day 5: Flight from El Nido to Boracay. Day to relax. Recommended hotel: Shangri-La’s Resort & Spa.
Days 6 and 7: Enjoy the beaches and activities we suggest in What to do in Boracay.
Day 8: Flight from Boracay to Cebu and ferry transfer to Bohol. Recommended hotel: Oceanica Resort Panglao.
Days 9, 10 and 11: Diving or snorkeling, beach time… You’ll find more info in What to do in Bohol.
Days 12 and 13: Transfer to Bohol’s interior, to Loboc. You can explore the Chocolate Hills in depth and enjoy its waterfalls… Recommended hotel: Loboc River Resort.
Day 14: Ferry from Bohol to Cebu and flight from Cebu to Siargao.
Days 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19: Get to know Siargao and be amazed by its beaches, island hoppings and motorbike routes. We tell you everything here. Recommended hotel: Kalinaw Resort.
Day 20: Flight back to Cebu or Manila and return home. If you need to stay overnight in Manila, we recommend this hotel: Discovery Primea.
*In this itinerary, you can replace Boracay (perhaps the most touristic area of this Philippines honeymoon) with Port Barton, as in the previous route.
Cadlao Lagoon in El Nido
Other alternatives for your honeymoon in the Philippines
As we were saying, unlike in other countries, in the Philippines there aren’t really “must‑dos” or a fixed checklist—you don’t have to do everything by the book. The key is to read a lot so you can see which destinations best match you and the activities you want to do. Therefore, beyond what we’ve suggested above, here are plenty more ideas you can consider:
- The Coron to El Nido expedition (or vice versa): an epic 4‑day route enjoying paradise islands and great snorkeling on the intermediate islands between both destinations. For service level, camps, boat and the type of travelers who usually go on it, we’d unhesitatingly choose the one run by THIS COMPANY and book at least 2 months in advance. You can read more in our guide Tour from Coron to El Nido.
- A diving course in Bohol: we think it’s a super fun plan you’ll always remember. If you do the theory online (it’s super easy), in a couple of days you’ll be certified to dive wherever you want in the world—including other incredible corners of the Philippines. Here you have all the information you need: Diving course in Bohol. And if you want the contact for our trusted dive center, leave us a comment and we’ll gladly share it.
- A couple of days hidden away in a cabin: beyond simply having a pretty place to stay, the experience of feeling a bit like a castaway or being hosted in a dream spot and just enjoying it seems top‑tier to us. For this, we recommend checking out this one on Nacpan Beach (El Nido), this one in Darocotan (Palawan), or this one on Lagen Island (El Nido).
Coron–El Nido Expedition, a great plan for your honeymoon
Tips to enjoy a honeymoon trip to the Philippines
Now that you’ve decided your honeymoon will be in the Philippines, we’d like to give you some tips so you can enjoy it to the fullest:
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- Plan a relaxed, flexible itinerary. Not only because you may want to take it easy, but because unexpected events happen in the Philippines and transfers are long and tiring.
- In the Philippines, a day spent changing islands is a travel day to be reckoned with.
- Don’t leave your last transfer for the day your flight home departs. Flight cancellations due to bad weather aren’t uncommon.
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- Keep in mind the season in which you plan your honeymoon in the Philippines—check the best time to travel to the Philippines.
- Go to your nearest International Vaccination Center at least 2 months before your trip to check which vaccines for the Philippines you need.
- Take out good travel insurance for the Philippines. If possible, make sure it covers adventure sports—like IATI mochilero. By purchasing through here you’ll get a 5% discount on the one we’ve been using for over 10 years out here.
- Prepare your backpack or suitcase for the Philippines in advance—you’ll need to do a bit of shopping before leaving. If you want to take epic photos, don’t miss our article on travel drones.
This is a short summary because our website has a wealth of information. Here are some articles we’re sure will help you take your first steps toward your honeymoon in the Philippines—or refine it even more:
Preparing for a trip to the Philippines
Tips for traveling to the Philippines
Frequently asked questions about a honeymoon trip to the Philippines
We want to finish this guide to a honeymoon in the Philippines by answering the most common questions couples ask when they think about this trip:
Is the Philippines a good place for a honeymoon?
Absolutely—and for many reasons. In addition to its incredible beaches and underwater life, there’s a variety of activities, whether nature‑related or cultural; the warmth of its people, who also speak English; the prices; and the fact that it’s still a destination that’s far from overcrowded.
What’s the best time to travel to the Philippines?
You can travel to the Philippines year‑round, although the best time is from November to May. That said, from June to October it’s the dry season in other fabulous destinations such as Siargao or Camiguin—ideal for your honeymoon.
Are there overwater cabins or stilt houses in the Philippines?
Yes—you’ll find some incredible ones around El Nido and also in Coron.
What’s the price of a honeymoon in the Philippines?
It depends greatly on how many days you have and the level you want. If you want to do it economically (without being stingy), it’s possible to plan a honeymoon in the Philippines for about 1,500 euros per person (not counting international flights).
Which destinations in the Philippines should you choose for a honeymoon?
Phew! It totally depends on what you want to do… With many years of experience here, we’d recommend a route through, for example, El Nido, Port Barton, Bohol, Siargao or Boracay—but what really matters is that you read a lot to see what fits best with what you’re looking for. If you’re adventurous, something like the Coron to El Nido expedition through deserted islands will blow your mind.
Can you plan a honeymoon in the Philippines on your own?
100000%, yes. Thousands of travelers plan their trips independently every year, and for that, our website is full of practical, simple and up‑to‑date information.
Cambugahay Falls in Siquijor
If you have any questions about your future honeymoon trip to the Philippines, we’ll be happy to help you in the comments.
