Philippines
7,000 islands of turquoise lagoons and powder-soft beaches.
Plan my Philippines tripNo obligation — ideas, hotels & an indicative cost, usually within 30 min.
South-East Asia's last great island secret — and now visa-free for Indians
The Philippines is the kind of place you have only seen on a screensaver until you are standing in it — limestone karsts rising straight out of jade-green lagoons in El Nido, the long sweep of Boracay's White Beach turning gold at sunset, tarsiers blinking from the forests of Bohol. For years it sat just out of reach for most Bangalore travellers; in 2026 it has quietly become one of the easiest tropical escapes going, with Indians now allowed in visa-free.
It rewards the unhurried. A typical trip mixes one or two island bases — Palawan for the lagoons, Cebu and Bohol for whale sharks and the Chocolate Hills, Boracay for the beach life — with slow boat days, snorkelling stops and fresh seafood lunches on sandbars. Honeymooners love it for the privacy, families for the easy water, divers for some of the clearest water in Asia. We build it island by island so you are not spending the whole holiday in transit.
Plan Philippines with our experts
What you'll see and do
El Nido lagoons, Palawan
Kayak the Big and Small Lagoons past limestone cliffs and hidden coves.
Coron's shipwrecks and lakes
Crystal-clear Kayangan Lake and WWII wreck snorkels.
Boracay's White Beach
Four kilometres of powder-white sand and golden sunsets.
Cebu whale sharks and waterfalls
Swim with whale sharks at Oslob and chase the tiers of Kawasan Falls.
Bohol's Chocolate Hills and tarsiers
A thousand grassy mounds and the saucer-eyed tarsier.
Diving and snorkelling
Some of Asia's clearest water and richest reefs.
Island sandbar lunches
Boat days that pause on bare sandbars for grilled seafood.
Manila's old town and food
Intramuros' Spanish-era walls and a buzzing food scene.
Ways to do Philippines
Palawan Lagoons — El Nido & Coron
Islands Sampler — Cebu, Bohol & Boracay
Indicative routes only — every itinerary is customised to your dates, budget and pace.
Honeymooners
Private beachfront stays in El Nido or Coron, sunset boat days and quiet sandbars, away from the crowds.
Beach and island families
Calm Boracay swimming, gentle snorkelling, whale sharks at Cebu and short hops between islands.
Divers and snorkellers
From El Nido snorkels to Coron wrecks and the reefs of Apo and Tubbataha.
Travel tips from our team
- Do your free eTravel registration at etravel.gov.ph within 72h of flying — never pay a third-party site
- If you hold a valid US/UK/Schengen/AU/CA/JP/SG visa, carry it — it gets you 30 visa-free days instead of 14
- Travel Nov–Apr; Jun–Oct is typhoon season (Palawan is the safest bet then)
- Carry a return ticket and hotel bookings — immigration can ask on the 14-day route
- Inter-island flights and boats take time — do not cram three islands into a short trip
- Carry some US dollars; card acceptance thins out once you leave the main towns
Philippines, answered
Do Indians need a visa for the Philippines in 2026?
For most trips, no — visa-free up to 14 days, or up to 30 days if you also hold a valid US/UK/Schengen/Australia/Canada/Japan/Singapore visa or residence. A longer-stay e-Visa (up to 59 days) is only for staying beyond those limits. Everyone must do the free eTravel registration before flying.
What is eTravel?
A free online declaration every traveller completes at etravel.gov.ph within 72 hours before departure; it generates a QR code scanned at the airport. It is separate from the visa-free entry and it is always free — never pay a third-party site.
When is the best time to go?
November to April, in the dry season (December to February is most reliable). Avoid June to October, the typhoon-prone period. If your dates fall then, Palawan is the safest choice as it is rarely affected.
How do I get there from Bangalore?
There are no direct flights, so you fly one-stop — usually via Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok or Hong Kong — into Manila or Cebu, taking roughly 8.5 to 11 hours including the connection.
Which islands should first-timers pick?
For a honeymoon or a lagoon-and-beach trip, Palawan (El Nido and Coron) is the classic choice. For variety, combine Cebu, Bohol and Boracay. We usually suggest no more than two island bases in a week so you are not always in transit.
Other international destinations
Plan your trip with us
Tell us where you'd like to go — we reply quickly, and the visa, documents and booking are handled officially by email, phone or in person.
Ready for Philippines?
Tell us your dates and who's travelling — we'll come back with ideas, hotels and an indicative cost.