First Stop: Cebu – Arrival & Taxi Adventures

WOAH! Backpacking in the Philippines was incredible! My journey began at Cebu-Mactan International Airport. I landed around 10 PM, and without thinking twice, I hopped into one of the taxis waiting outside (it wasn’t the most economical option, but I was exhausted and just wanted to sleep). I had booked a budget hostel called HalfWay House Hostel Mactan Cebu Airport, close to the airport for around 6 USD, since I had an early flight the next day to Busuanga, which is located on Coron Island, Palawan.  

I booked all my internal flights inside the country with Philippine Airlines, and all of them went excellent. Regarding my experience the airline had good prices, was on time and the they gave snacks on board 🙂

The Beauty of Coron: Limestones, Lakes, and Sunshine (4 Days)

I remember the view through the airplane window as we neared Coron—it was breathtaking. The limestone cliffs, the surrounding mountains, and the stunning turquoise water were like something out of a dream. Shortly after, I landed in Coron and took a shared taxi to my hostel, Outpost Hostel in Coron.  

On my first day, I had lunch at a McDonald’s—yes, I know, haha! Afterward, I explored the area around the hostel and decided to climb Mount Tapyas around 4 PM to catch the sunset. The climb was tough—700 steps to the top—but I was feeling so energetic and enjoying the exercise. I absolutely love staying active, so it was the perfect way to start my trip.  

Coron Adventures: Barracuda Lake and Diving into Heat

I was thrilled to be in the Philippines, ready to explore its beautiful nature and crystal-clear seas. During the 4 days I spent in Coron, I visited Barracuda Lake, Kayangan Lake, and even had the chance to dive in Barracuda Lake. The water temperature was a scorching 38°C (100°F), and it was unlike anything I had experienced before! I loved the dive, but the heat was unbearable at depths—my body just couldn’t handle it, and I ended up asking the master diver to ascend. Those who know me know I get hot very easily, so imagine how desperate I was for cooler waters.  

The Nido Experience: Finding the Right Hostel (5 Days)

After four days in Coron, I took a 5-hour ferry to my next destination, El Nido, Palawan. My first night was a bit of a disaster. I hadn’t researched the area well, and I ended up booking a hostel on Nacpan Beach, which was far from the center. I had to take a tuk-tuk that charged me 800 PHP to get there, only to realize the hostel was under renovation, had no AC, and was very isolated. The beach, however, was stunning—Napcan felt like a private paradise. But I wasn’t looking to be alone, especially since I wanted to meet people and start exploring some Nido’s tours.  

The next day, I left Napcan Beach and headed to the center of El Nido, where I stayed at Frendz Hostel, recommended by my friend Faby Pereira, a lovely Brazilian woman I met in Belize. Her travel lifestyle inspired me to take the leap and backpack across Asia for four months.  

Faby’s Inspiration: A Digital Nomad Role Model

I feel compelled to mention Faby because meeting her in Belize truly changed my perspective. At the time, she was about to visit her 90th country! I was in awe. She was the first digital nomad I had met, and the way she balanced work and travel amazed me. Faby’s energy and fearless spirit are something I admire deeply. 

The next day, I signed up for Tour A with Haqqy Life at the Hostel reception, hoping to meet like-minded people. And then, just five minutes later, I heard someone mention they were from Chile. I approached her, and as soon as I confirmed she was Latina, we hit it off right away. Her name was Colette, and we had such a blast during the tour, kayaking together and meeting a new friend from all over the world. I absolutely recomend doing tour A!

I remember our lunch after the tour—Colette and I, along with our new friend from Wales, celebrated her birthday at an Italian restaurant called Basil. We ordered calamari and a delicious pizza to celebrate. It was such a fulfilling meal after an exciting day on the water.  

The Quiet of Sibaltan and The Search for Oceanic Manta Rays (2 Days)

The following days in El Nido were wonderful as I continued to bond with amazing people. But soon, I moved on to Sibaltan in my quest to see the majestic oceanic mantas (Mobula rays).

I stayed at Florecitas Beach Resort in Sibaltan—an isolated area with little to do, which left me feeling quite bored the first evening. But the second day was exciting! I went out in search of manta rays with a research group studying the Mobulas and with tha company Dive Sibaltan. Despite not seeing any rays during the first two stations, I didn’t let it dampen my spirit. We continued exploring coral gardens, and I was delighted to spot a flatworm for the very first time in my life.

That evening, I met a researcher working on a Mobula conservation project. She introduced me to Benedict, and we spent hours chatting in the garden of Vue Grand restaurant, laughing and sharing life stories. It was one of those spontaneous moments with strangers that turned into something unforgettable.  Vue Grand Restaurant is a very nice area and a very good restaurant if you come by Sibaltan do not skip this place!

Puerto Princesa: Exploring the Underground River (2 Days)

The next day, I continued my journey to Puerto Princesa, where I visited one of the 7 Wonders of Nature: the Puerto Princesa Underground River. My stay at La Vida Hostel was wonderful. The hostel’s Canadian owner gave me a tour of the area and introduced me to other travelers. That night, I played cards and had a few beers with fellow tourists before heading to a lively spot where I randomly bumped into Liv, a Swedish traveler I had met earlier in El Nido and which we coincidentally had booked the same flight on that week to Siargao!

Siargao: Surfing Dreams Come True (4 Days)

The next day, Liv and I flew to Siargao, the Philippines’ surf capital. There was a slight worry about a tropical cyclone heading toward Siargao, but we went ahead with our plans. Upon arriving, the landscape was starkly different from the limestone cliffs of Palawan. All I could see were palm trees for miles!  

My main goal in Siargao was to take surfing lessons, one of my dreams before turning 30. I stayed at Bajala Hostel (by far the best hostel I have stayed at in all my Asia Trip) and signed up for surf lessons with David, my instructor, the very next day. On my third hour of surfing, I stood up on the board for the first time, and it was an incredible feeling! It was a long-awaited achievement that I will never forget.  

A Lesson from the Surf 

During my lessons, David kept reminding me, “Look ahead, and don’t forget to smile!” I soon realized that when I smiled, everything fell into place. It felt like God was speaking to my heart, reminding me that joy and gratitude are key to everything. This little lesson I learned in the ocean resonated with me deeply—it’s all about enjoying the ride and embracing the journey.  

Dear Reader, if you are planning a trip to the Phillippines I hope my story can help plan your trip accordingly.

Have fun!

Love,

Karem