Flying in
A nonstop flight from the US to The Philippines would take 10 hours or more, depending on where you’re flying from. Odds are, your destination airport would be NAIA airport. It is the main international airport in The Philippines and is located near Manila, the capital. There are few more international airports located in the bigger islands such as Cebu, Palawan, and Boracay.
How long should you stay?
Plan for no less than ten days. (Ideally, you’d have all the time in the world, but people have jobs, so we have to adjust.) In ten days you should be able to split your time evenly between mountains and islands and see both nature and the big cities. The general recommendation is to start your way at the rice fields on the island of Luzon and end it on the beautiful island of Palawan.
How much?
Traveling is not a cheap hobby, but there are ways to make it a little more affordable. The cost of your trip could differ depending on your choice of attraction, transportation, and accommodation. Still, generally speaking, the cost of living in The Philippines is pretty affordable for the American traveler. A local meal, for instance, can cost anywhere between 50 and 150 Philippine Peso (approximately 1-3 USD).
When is the best time to go?
Since The Philippines is so close to the equator, the weather there is on the tropical side and has two main seasons: the dry season and the wet season. You want to plan for the dry season (nobody likes getting caught in a monsoon) which is from November to April. The temperatures are a little chillier between November and February.
How do you get around?
Well, that depends on where you want to go. There are internal flights, ferries, and public transportation. Usually, public transportation within the islands tends to be irregular with schedules that may or may not be available online. You would do well to check all the information in advance and book tickets ahead of time if you can.
What are the locals like?
In a nutshell — lovely. The locals are kind, somewhat introverted, but happy to lend a helping hand. The local motto is “Bahala Na”, which loosely translates to “leave it to god”. You’d also like to know that most of them speak great English, making it easier for you to get around and ask for directions.