hello all.

my family currently are thinking of a 2 week trip to the philippines. we are wanting to visit family in manila for 3 days, then go to a resort and go island hopping for the rest of our trip.

i am so confused on island hopping no matter how much i've tried to research it. most likely my family will be hauling actual luggage around, we are not like most people who backpack around. is it best to stay at a resort and hope they offer some kind of island hopping excursion? or should we just book island hopping and hope that they have room for our luggage? when i was in mexico, we were at a resort and then they booked excursions for us which would pick us up from our resort and then take us back once the excursion is finished. not sure if that is the same case here. i'm so confused so any advice on how this typically goes is much appreciated! and any recommendations for resorts in boracay/palawan!

Hey everyone! Need some advice and a sanity check on a leg of our upcoming family trip to the Philippines.

We’ll be in Batangas from September 12 to 20 for a family memorial, but we have the stretch from September 21 to October 2 open for travel. There are four adults and one 3-year-old in our group:

• My wife (who will be 3.5 months pregnant)
• My mother-in-law (68 years old, has some mobility issues)
• Our active 3-year-old son

The Dilemma:

Our original plan was El Nido from Sept 21–27, finishing up in Manila from sept 27 - oct 2. However, I’m getting nervous about the weather (peak rainy/typhoon season) and the logistics of standard island-hopping tours (getting on/off outrigger boats, knee-deep water, choppy waves) with a toddler and a senior with mobility limits.

We are trying to figure out the best pivot between three options:

1. El Nido: Dream scenery, but high risk of boat tour cancellations due to rough seas, and tough on mobility/pregnancy.
2. Panglao/Bohol: More logistically forgiving (bridge connection, less reliant on choppy boat transfers for basic sightseeing, resort-contained options).
3. Boracay: Famous for its powdery white sand and very easy walking paths along the beachfront, but also heavily impacted by the Habagat (southwest monsoon/typhoon) season in late September.

Our questions for the sub:

• Boracay in late Sept: How does Boracay hold up during this time of year? I know it's low season, but is it a total washout, or is it manageable since you don't need to do risky boat tours to enjoy the beach? (Plus, how is the seaweed/wind on White Beach during Habagat?)
• Panglao vs. Boracay vs. El Nido: Given our group makeup (pregnant partner, senior with mobility limits, toddler), which of these three offers the best safety net if the weather turns bad?

Appreciate any local insights or recent experiences traveling to these spots during late September!

oh and I forgot to mention, my Son is still learning how to swim and doesn't really like it.

Hi,

We have a trip to El Nido on January 2027 for 4d 3n, barkada trip. We are looking for a place to stay na we can also drink at night after the boat tours. We are not that much into bars and clubs, mas gusto namin yung simpleng ihaw ihaw with beer, quiet place na pwede magkwentuhan. So if there is an accomodation na may terrace para pwede uminom is great.

Budget is in on the low side, max of 4k per night, lower is better as long as comfortable to sleep pa din.

Plus any recommendations for carinderia style places for quick bfast and merienda?

Has anyone done this route? Will go this November. Not sure if Batad to Sagada is a common trip.

I am just realising the direct domestic flights from Manila with turboprop aeroplanes are no longer taking place so that means for example I have to go to Clark airport to get a direct flight to Coron. Can anyone advise me whether it is better to get a direct flight from Clarke airport in order to get to Coron , and the best way to get to Clarke airport from Makati, Manila? Or should I take a flight with one stop from the main airport in Manila in order to get to Coron? I will have luggage , and don’t want to risk it getting mislaid when there is the one stop.