Things to Do in the Philippines

The Philippines is 7,641 islands of white sand, coral reef and volcanic interior, with some of the warmest hospitality anywhere and English spoken almost universally — which makes independent weekend travel unusually easy.

Our placements are based in Tacloban on Leyte, in the Eastern Visayas: off the standard tourist trail, close to genuinely beautiful islands, and in a community that rebuilt itself after Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.

The best things to do in the Philippines

1. Kalanggaman Island

A sandbar island off Palompon, about two hours from Tacloban, with a long spit of white sand running into turquoise shallows. Day trips and overnight camping are both possible, and visitor numbers are capped — one of the finest beaches in the country and barely known abroad.

2. Tacloban and Leyte history

The San Juanico Bridge, the longest in the Philippines, curves across to Samar and is worth the trip for the view. The MacArthur Landing Memorial marks the 1944 return to the islands, and the Haiyan memorials tell the more recent story that shaped the city our volunteers work in.

3. Cebu and Moalboal

A short ferry or flight west. Kawasan Falls’ turquoise pools and canyoneering are the headline; Moalboal has a sardine run you can snorkel straight off the beach, and Oslob to the south is known for whale sharks — though the feeding practice there is ethically contested and many travellers choose to skip it.

4. Samar’s caves and rivers

Across the San Juanico Bridge, Samar has some of Asia’s best caving at Langun-Gobingob, plus the Torpedo boat ride through Ulot River rapids. Wild, green and almost empty of visitors.

5. Siargao

The country’s surf capital, reachable by a short flight — Cloud 9’s reef break, palm-covered interior, lagoons and island hopping to Naked, Daku and Guyam. The classic end-of-placement week.

6. Bohol and Palawan

Two bigger trips worth the effort. Bohol has the Chocolate Hills and tarsiers; Palawan has El Nido and Coron, whose limestone lagoons regularly top world island rankings.

When to visit the Philippines

The dry season runs roughly December to May, with March to May hottest. The rainy season and typhoon risk peak between June and November, and the Eastern Visayas is exposed to storms in that window — travel plans should stay flexible then. Sea conditions matter as much as rain for island trips.

Getting around

Domestic flights are cheap and connect Tacloban to Manila and Cebu. Ferries link the islands, though they are weather-dependent. On land, jeepneys and tricycles cover short distances for very little, and vans (UV Express) handle longer runs.

Seeing the Philippines as a volunteer

Tacloban placements sit within reach of Kalanggaman, Samar and Cebu at weekends. Our the Philippines placements are based in Tacloban, include accommodation, meals, airport pickup and 24/7 in-country support, and leave evenings and weekends free — which is exactly when most of this list gets ticked off. See volunteer programs in the Philippines for live prices and dates, or read our complete guide to volunteering in the Philippines for costs, visas and safety.

the Philippines travel FAQs

Do people speak English in the Philippines?

Yes — English is an official language and is used in education, business and signage, which makes it one of the easiest countries in Asia for independent travel.

When is typhoon season?

Roughly June to November, peaking around August to October. The Eastern Visayas can be affected, so keep weekend travel flexible in those months and follow your coordinator’s guidance.

Should I swim with whale sharks at Oslob?

It is popular but controversial: the animals are hand-fed to keep them in the bay, which changes their natural behaviour. Many volunteers prefer encounters at Donsol, where sightings are wild and unfed.

Is the Philippines expensive?

No — food, transport and accommodation are all inexpensive outside the major resort areas, and domestic flights are frequently very cheap when booked ahead.

Photo: Gcabig2024 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)