Solo Travel in the Philippines: My Honest Guide After 30 Days

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So you’re looking for the next great spot to flock to solo…why go backpacking in the Philippines? Well, it has one of the strongest backpacker scenes in SEA, with hotspots so sticky that it’s a common trend to book three nights and stay for a week. Don’t be surprised if you stay in a decent hostel and end up checking out with a new gang and a completely altered itinerary to keep the good times rolling. Island-hopping tours basically put friend-making on easy mode by throwing strangers together on a boat for a day and letting the snorkelling and sunset beers do the rest.

English is an official language here, which takes a significant amount of the stress out of solo travel. Asking for directions, negotiating a tricycle fare, sorting out a ferry ticket, all of it is manageable without a phrasebook or a prayer. It doesn’t hurt that Filipinos are the most salt-of-the-earth genuine folks you’ll meet either. They’re easy to talk to, quick to help, and generally delighted you showed up to their island. That friendliness makes a world of different when you’re travelling alone and need help figuring things out on the fly.

Activity-wise, the Philippines covers a lot of ground. You can head to Siargao for the surf, dive in Moalboal, chase waterfalls in Cebu, hit the nightlife in Manila, or do absolutely nothing on a white sand beach for a week. Whatever kind of traveller you are, the country has a version of itself that suits you and other like-minded solo travellers.

Cost-wise, the Philippines is affordable compared to a lot of beach destinations, though it’s worth knowing that some islands, particularly Palawan, can be pricier than you’d expect. Budget carefully depending on where you’re headed. But generally, if you come with the broke backpacker mentality of staying in hostels, eating local and filling days with free activities, you should be pretty sweet on a budget.

An honest heads-up: the Philippines is easy socially, but it’s not always easy logistically. The country is made up of over 7,000 islands, which sounds dreamy until you’re scrambling to rebook a cancelled ferry with a flight out in three days. Plan your route carefully, build in buffer time for weather delays, missed connections, and the general chaos of island travel, and you’ll have a brilliant time. Fight your Philippines itinerary, and it’ll fight you back.

It goes without saying that there is no end of things to do in the Philippines to keep yourself entertained. But as a solo traveller, those things can look slightly different. Here are my all-time favourite things to do as a solo traveller in the Philippines that you can’t miss.

1. Make New Friends

I’m no stranger to solo travel anxiety, but the Philippines has a way of dissolving it quickly. The backpacker scene here is buzzing, especially in spots like El Nido, Siargao, and Cebu. A significant chunk of the people you’ll encounter are also travelling alone and looking to not eat dinner by themselves for the fifth night running… Meeting like-minded and friendly people is super easy, even for introverts like me.

The single best thing you can do is stay in a hostel. Not a private room in a hostel, an actual dorm, or at minimum a hostel with a functioning common area and some kind of social life. Friends Hostel in El Nido and Sinag Hostel in Siargao were my top favs from my travels, but honestly, so long as you check out the reviews beforehand, any social hostel will do the job at landing you some new pals.

My hostel non-negotiables when solo travelling:

• Show up to hostel events
• Sit in the common area instead of retreating to your bunk with your phone (when your social battery allows)
• Book a group island-hopping tour – preferably through the hostel if they offer it
• Say yes to low-pressure plans, a beach walk, a market run, a cheap dinner somewhere. You don’t need to force it. Just stay open, and the connections tend to happen on their own

If you’re looking to branch out from the usual backpacker bubble, you’re in luck. Filipinos tend to be warm and genuinely curious about visitors. They also speak fabulous English and making friends with locals in this country is a walk in the park. Grab a couple of San Miguels, offer one to a local, and have a good ol’ natter. What’s the worst that could happen?

2. Go Island Hopping

The Philippines is the land of island hopping. I mean, with over 7,000 islands to explore, it’s to be expected, no? And whether you lap up a tour on any given day or you’re a stubborn DIY-er like myself, you have to suck up the fact that, at some point, you’ll be on a boat tour. How else will you get to explore this country’s hidden corners and secret crevices?

Tourer or not, one thing is certain – it’s a great way to meet people as a solo backpacker. Whether you’re snorkelling, fishing, boozing and boogying, you’ve got a bunch of other backpackers in the same boat (quite literally). There’s no need to plan logistics; just rock up, bring a dry bag and a full social battery and away you go.

Booking through your hostel is the best way to maximise your chances of interacting with other solo travellers. I stayed in a wicked hostel in Coron that has their own on-site tour company that guarantees that you’ll be with a load of backpackers for a guaranteed good time. If you book through a more generic company, you run the risk of spending the day with couples and families. It’s not the end of the world, but certainly not conducive to making new pals. Check what’s included in each tour, some include environmental and park fees, others don’t and more often than not lunch will be included too.

Contrary to popular belief, not every boat is boozy. Though it certainly serves as a social lubricant and gives timid solo travellers like me with a bit of Dutch courage to approach people and start conversations. But really, most of the time the surrounding scenery will do most of the heavy lifting – I made some great mates on a boat tour in El Nido, completely sober! If San Maguels are part of the agenda, just be careful in the water. You don’t wanna be that guy that ruins the fun!

3. Surf!

If you’re even a little bit of a surf neek, you know that Siargao has consistently been on the tongue of surfers for years now. What was once an underdog is now even giving Bali a run for its money. It’s got world-class waves and a laid back hey man culture that’ll quickly turn your three-day trip into two weeks.

It’s got breaks to accommodate newbies all the way to the pros, so there’s kind of no excuse not to get out into the water at least once. It’s a Siargao rite of passage. As the self-proclaimed surfing capital of the Philippines, surfers have been catching on to this spot more and more over the recent years. Tbh, you can find half of them crashing at Hiraya Surf Hostel – I’d recommend staying here if you’re keen to make some mates to head out with.

The famous Cloud 9 surf break has the potential to unleash massive barreling waves over a stunning reef and is of such high quality it has hosted WSL (World Surf League) events. If you’re a beginner, never fear, there are a bunch of beginner breaks around the island, including Secret Spot and Jacking Horse. Some of the coolest people I met in the Philippines were people out in the surf – bonding over a common hobby is literally the easiest way to make friends after all. Solo traveller approved.

4. Go Canyoneering

Sending it off big jumps, slippery rocks, and rope swings into enchanting aquamarine water is certainly my idea of fun. And, chances are, if other backpackers have the same definition, you’ll quickly become mates.

Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls on Cebu Island is an adrenaline-filled adventure that most backpackers make the pilgrimage to Moalboal specifically for. Like island hopping, booking through your tour will maximise you chance of thrashing yourself down waterfalls with other solo travellers. Yay!

As terrifying is at looks (and feels) on first sight, this activity is pretty safe, so long as you listen to your instructor and don’t start showing off… Just wear proper water shoes and maybe grab a waterproof phone case if you want to take some snaps. If not, this is the perfect excuse to spend the afternoon offline and frolic with other backpackers just like your inner child would want you to. It’ll knacker you out for sure, but this is an activity accessible to most – no crazy training prior required!

The Philippines is full of jungles, waterfalls, and hidden gems for you to explore and find your own spots to go cliff jumping and canyoneering. But to be honest, joining an organised tour is the best bet in this case to keep things are safe and fun as poss. Just don’t skip it off of your Cebu itinerary.

5. Scuba Dive, Freedive or Snorkel

Scuba diving in Southeast Asia is insane, and the Philippines is a big reason for that. I’d even go so far as to say that the Philippines has some of the best snorkelling, scuba diving and freediving in the world – period. Not only will you have a blast playing mermaids, but it’s also a great way to meet other people who also like to play mermaids!! In diving hotspots like Moalboal and Coron, it’s not hard to bump into other solo travellers who are there simply to scope out the country’s underwater topography.

If you’ve never gone diving before, you’re in luck. The Philippines is one of the cheapest places in the world to dive and get your PADI. With three days spent underwater experiencing some insanely beautiful reefs and marine life, making friends with people in your group is pretty second nature. I still keep in contact with most of the people I did my open water course with, and we were all solo.

If you don’t have the time to go all out and get qualified, fun dives and snorkel tours definitely suffice. Either way, being out on the water with other like-minded travellers is a good way to spend the day solo.

Diving in the Philippines at a glance:

• Coron: the home of some of the best wreck diving in the world. If you’re a geek when it comes to wreck diving, you’ll be aaaaaall over Coron
• El Nido: beautiful above and below the water. You’ll get to see the best bits of the reefs…and escape the boat tour crowds featured on a usual El Nido itinerary
• Moalboal: for the famed sardine run, but better. Experience thousands of sardines off the shore but from all angles. Other non-related sardine sites are just as otherworldly
• Panglao: For easy breezy dives with turtle, dolphin and pelagic sightings
• Malapascua: your chance to see the elusive thresher sharks year-round. Sightings are pretty much guaranteed.
• Tubbataha Reef: The Headliner in the Philippines. Only to be done via a liveaboard so a spenny option but a BIG bucket list.

6. Relax at One of the Thousands of Beaches

What better place to have a cheap solo date than on the beach?! With over 7,000 amazing islands in the Philippines, beach hopping here is an endless task that you’ll never really ‘tick off.’ Rent a moped or hop in a tuktuk and go explore! The best beaches always require a bit of a side quest so it pays to be a little more alert if you are venturing out on your own.

This is my go-to activity as a solo traveller when I’m feeling a little burnt out. All you need is your towel, snorkel and a kindle and a full day of beach bumming awaits. It’s a great way to recharge your social battery, especially if you’re going out with the hostel that night and need a little R&R to prepare.

There are a bunch of popular beaches, but there are some seriously golden secret spots in this country. Get Google Maps out, speak to locals, or go off on your own and see what you can find. If you don’t want to tackle it solo, there’s seemingly always a group in the hostel preparing to head out for a big beach-hopping day. If not, be the pioneer! Hostel group chats are golden for this, or good ol’ word of mouth will do.

7. Take a Cooking Class

Look, after over a year exploring South East Asia, Filipino food didn’t blow my mind. It was a tough competition, to be fair. Saying that, taking a cooking class in Cebu is a great way to learn a lot about Filipino traditions, culture, and cuisine. Plus, it’s a great rainy-day activity or just a nice break if you’re bored of lounging on a beach.

You’ll come out of it with a deeper appreciation for just how varied Filipino food is – bonus points if you take one in each spot you explore to spot the difference in regional dishes. The best cooking classes are the ones that take you to markets beforehand to pick your produce and observe how the locals shop for their grub.

Wherever I travel, I love to take cooking classes. It’s fun to do alone, but it’s also a great way to meet fellow foodies and learn a couple of techniques to take home with you. Food will ALWAYS connect people <3

8. Visit a Volcano!

The Philippines is home to around 300 volcanoes, and about 24 of them are active. I’m a massive advocate for hiking volcanoes – nothing gives me a greater sense of achievement and adventure than tackling a challenging summit. There’s something about fighting for your life on a hike that bonds other people also fighting for their life 😉 As a solo traveller, I can confirm it’s super easy to book on a tour and meet friends who are down to sweat with you.

Buuuuuuut, as a solo traveller, obviously you have to risk assess a little more. Some trails don’t require a guide, but that’s not to say you should embark on any trail if there’s a possibility things could get hairy later. If you are winging it, make sure to check current volcanic activity and local advisories before hiking. If in doubt, find other travellers who want to do it together or book a tour to leave the logistics to someone else.

In terms of volcanoes to check out, Taal, Mount Pulag, Mount Arayat, Mount Hibok-Hiok and Mayon Volcano are all epic experiences. Hiking Taal is currently prohibited due to eruptions, but you can still go to viewpoints to see it in all its glory.

“Ok, but if there are over 7,000 islands, where the hell should I go?” I’m getting to that okay!

I’ve compiled a list of the best locations for solo travellers in the Philippines, based on my personal experiences and stories from backpackers I’ve met on the road…

1. Siargao

• Best for: Surfers, slow travellers, and anyone who wants a buzzy social scene
• How long to stay: 5–7 days minimum; most people extend
• Best hostel/social base: Sinag Hostel, General Luna
• Best solo activity: Join a group island-hopping tour to Naked Island, Daku Island, and Guyam Island
• Good to know: Cloud 9 is the famous surf break, but non-surfers won’t feel left out. Hire a motorbike to explore at your own pace, and budget for the fact that Siargao is pricier than you’d expect for the Philippines

When someone tells you that Siargao is one of the best places to visit in the world, roll your eyes, and then go find out for yourself. You might kick yourself by admitting they were right. There’s a reason why people warn you about this place – you’ll book for three days and end up spending the rest of your remaining visa here.

What makes Siargao so magical for solo travellers is the sense of community. Hostels here are epic, and the backpacker and digital nomad scene is seriously thriving. Sinag Hostel is the place near and dear to my heart though; the staff absolutely make it, and it’s cheap as chips. There is something to be said about travellers being ‘stuck’ in one spot for so long that really fosters a sense of community amongst them. If you’ve been lonely on the road for a while, Siargao really is the perfect remedy.

Whether you want to seriously lock in with surfing, beach hop or just party every night away, you’ll get on with Siargao. It’s as low-key as you want to be; some of my favourite days consisted of renting a ped and just exploring with little to no plan. Siargao is the epitome of island life.

2. El Nido

• Best for: Island-hopping, lagoon chasers, and anyone whose camera roll needs a serious upgrade
• How long to stay: 4–5 days, longer if you want to do all four island-hopping tours
• Best hostel/social base: Frendz Hostel El Nido, El Nido town
• Best solo activity: Book a group island-hopping tour
• Good to know: El Nido is one of the pricier spots in the Philippines. Accommodation and tours add up fast, so budget accordingly. The town itself gets busy and a bit chaotic in peak season, but the lagoons make it worth every peso.

El Nido is one of the busiest backpacker hotspots in the country, making it a DREAM for solo travellers. There’ll be tons of other solo backpackers in hostels, on boat tours, on bar crawls…you can’t really avoid ’em in El Nido!

This spot in Palawan is best known for its magical white sand beaches, otherworldly lagoons and marine life to match. Boat tours are the name of the game here, and they do NOT disappoint. If you’ve got time, I really urge you to do more than one and maximise that island-hopping life (Tour A is the classic; start there).

It’s got beauty, popularity…and a price tag to match. Just watch your budget here, as you can be forking out a pretty penny for accommodation (more so than the rest of the country anyway). It’s all worth it though; I stayed at Frendz, a classic backpacker haunt. It’s social; they have an on-site tour company offering wicked tours, and the rooftop pool surrounded by limestone karsts is literally THE reason why you come to El Nido in the first place.

3. Manila

People might see this as a rogue addition, and I get it. I hate cities…but I loved Manila.

Well, I didn’t love Manila, per se, but I did love my stay in the city. Why? Because of the people I met!

Manila is such a hub of backpacker activity in the Philippines purely because you gotta fly in and out of there at some point! It’s unavoidable (so is Cebu City to be fair, so that can be our imaginary number 4.5).

Because of the guaranteed activity in the city, it’s the perfect place to check into a hostel, get your bearings and make contacts, connections, and plans for your onward journey. It was in Manila that I met some friends that I ended up travelling with to other islands as we were all solo and just starting our trips in the Philippines.

I stayed in Ola Hostel and loved it here, so I can defo recommend it to other solo travellers. They have all the apparatus you need to break the ice and strike up conversation, with beer pong, darts, board games and even a karaoke room?! Classic Philippines. Come evening, the rooftop bar comes alive with people mingling and taking in the city skyline. If you’ve got to be a responsible human, it doubles up as a great co-working spot in the daytime.

4. Siquijor

• Best for: Slow travellers, waterfall hunters, and anyone who wants to feel like they’ve found somewhere most tourists haven’t
• How long to stay: 3–4 days
• Best hostel/social base: Fable Hostel, San Juan
• Best solo activity: Hire a motorbike and loop the whole island in a day, stopping at Cambugahay Falls, old churches, and whatever beach looks good
• Good to know: Siquijor is quieter and a great place to soul search – especially with the islands witchy’s roots

Siquijor may be small, but, oh boy, is it mighty. Dubbed as ‘the healing island,’ Siquijor is known for its history of local folk healers who use herbal remedies, prayers, and rituals. Witchy vibes aside, it’s a dream dream destination for anyone sniffing out waterfalls, beaches and lush jungles.

Siquijor is a dreamy spot for solo travellers. It’s not as manic as Palawan or as party-centric as Siargao. It’s a super chilled out lil island where you can explore in the day, hop from beach to beach and the nightlife really goes as far as live music with dinner. There’s one weekly party that the whole island congrugates for, but it’s very much wholesome beach energy rather than a space where feral backpackers can thrive. Sorry lads.

The local people in Siquijor are largely responsible for this atmosphere – they’re legends. They welcome foreigners as their own, and I made some real connections with many of the locals I met here. Don’t be afraid to get out of the backpacker bubble and strike up conversation with them!

Because Siquijor isn’t as conventially social as other spots in the country, picking a decent hostel can really make or break your experience. Luckily, there are tons of great hostels in Siquijor, but the one I will always recommend is Fable Hostel. The staff are super engaging and will always try to recruit a gang from the hostel for family dinner at one of the local restaurants. The resident dogs are absolute angels!! I spent many a rainy afternoon just chilling with them and other solo travellers, waiting for a gap in the rain to make our escape.

As far as I’m concerned, Siquijor ranks as level: easy for backpacking solo.

5. Moalboal

• Best for: Divers, snorkellers, and anyone looking to do the iconic sardine run
• How long to stay: 3–4 days
• Best hostel/social base: Chief Mau Moalboal Cebu, Panagsama Beach
• Best solo activity: Sardine run. No debate.
• Good to know: Moalboal is a goldie for diving, which, in the Philippines, is saying something. It’s a small strip of dive shops and beach bars rather than a full-blown town, so don’t expect a lot beyond the water -it’s kind of the whole point

Moalboal is famous for a very specific reason – the wildly absurd sardine run. Right off the coastline, dip just below the surface and you’ll be treated to a show of literally thousands of sardines swimming in unison. Chances are Moalboal is on your itinerary for this activity alone.

Sardines aside, Moalboal is actually a super cute little beach town on the island of Cebu. It’s got a lovely chilled-out vibe to the place, and more importantly, is a very cheap place to visit compared to other spots in the Philippines. Activities range across the full spectrum, from sardine runs, island hopping tours, canyoneering and the obligatory beach bumming in between.

Don’t reaally wanna go solo?

Although it might be safe to travel solo, I find it’s often 10x more fun when you’re travelling with a bunch of new mates! This Best of the Philippines, Manila to El Nido is my top pick for the best tour in the Philippines. This EPIC Tour will have you travelling from Manila to El Nido over 10 Days.

• Number of days: 10 Days
• Group Size: Max 16, avg 14
• Fitness required: Light
• Accommodation type: Comfortable tourist-class

FIND OUT MORE

Your phone is your best travel companion in the Philippines – especially when you’re solo. Here’s what travel apps are worth having downloaded before you land.

Maps and Translation
Google Maps does most of the heavy lifting for navigation, but it’s not infallible in rural areas. Maps.me fills the gaps: download the offline maps for whichever islands you’re visiting, and you’ll have something to fall back on when the signal drops, which it inevitably will at some point

Google Translate is less critical here than elsewhere in Southeast Asia given how widely English is spoken, but it’s still worth having for menus, signage, and on the occasion when hand gestures and broken phrases aren’t getting you anywhere

Accommodation
Hostelworld is your go-to for finding the best hostels in the Philippines and the social scenes that come with them. Booking.com covers a broader range if you’d rather a guesthouse or budget hotel; Booking.com is your girl.

Airbnb is great for finding homestays with a local family. I particularly loved the Airbnb in Baguio I stayed in for this exact reason. Not the most budget or social option compared to a hostel, but a cool experience nonetheless.

Transport and Food
Grab is the Uber of Southeast Asia and works well in cities and larger towns. Use it to avoid the tricycle negotiation dance when you’re tired and just want to get somewhere. If you’d rather hail a tuktuk down, Grab is still useful in giving you a vague price to expect so you don’t get ripped off.

Foodpanda covers takeaway in the bigger cities for those days when leaving the hostel feels like too much of a commitment. GetYourGuide is useful for booking group tours, especially when you’re in a hostel that doesn’t offer its own and doubles as a way to meet people.

Staying Connected
Jetpac is a solid eSIM option for the Philippines, letting you set up an unlimited data plan before you land without faffing about with a physical SIM. Worth sorting before you leave home.

Facebook groups for specific islands and destinations are super useful for up-to-date local info, transport tips, and the occasional travel companion.

Social and Meeting People
Hey, dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge aren’t just for getting laid! Bumble has a specific friend mode that plenty of solo travellers use to find people to explore with. Use them with some common sense, and they can be a decent way to meet locals or other travellers.

Beyond that, Hostelworld group chats are an absolute goldmine for connecting with other travellers staying in the same hostel/location as you. Super super underrated – I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve popped a message in a group chat on my first day and ended up at dinner with a group of new friends a couple hours later.

Staying safe in the Philippines is relatively straightforward. As with most places, exercising common sense can take you very far. HOWEVER, there are bad people all over the world, so you shouldn’t be naive to the possibilities of danger.

General Safety
The basics apply here as they do anywhere. Stay in well-reviewed accommodation, keep valuables out of sight, and avoid wandering alone in unfamiliar areas late at night. Flashing expensive camera gear or jewellery usually makes you a target, so it’s best to keep them tucked away. Use Grab in cities rather than flagging down random transport, and if you’re unsure about a particular neighbourhood or beach, ask the staff at your hostel. They’ll know.

Petty theft happens, though it’s not rampant. Being a solo traveller means there’s no one to watch your bag while you swim, so think about that before you leave your laptop on the beach while you go for a dip. I for one always felt safe leaving my bag whilst going for a dip, but you gotta operate on the basis of not bringing valuables that you’d be upset about losing. It’s a very unlikely scenario, but not impossible.

As a solo female traveller, I felt pretty safe in the Philippines. For the most part, locals are kind and will go out of their way to help you out. That being said, catcalling does happens. It’s shit, but is worth being aware of if it happens to you. If you feel a little on edge in mixed dorms, look out for hostels that offer female-only dorms for a little more peace of mind. As with anything, trust your gut if something feels off.

Scooter Safety
Hiring a motorbike is one of the best ways to explore the Philippines…and also one of the fastest ways to end up in a clinic. Wear a helmet every single time, regardless of what the locals are doing. Don’t ride in heavy rain or after dark if you’re not experienced. Don’t ride drunk, full stop. Inspect the bike before you hand over any cash, check the brakes and tyres, and photograph any existing damage. Make sure your travel insurance covers motorbike riding, because a lot of standard policies don’t without the right licence.

Ocean and Adventure Safety
The water in the Philippines is spectacular, and it can also be unpredictable. Check currents and local warnings before swimming, especially on exposed beaches, and avoid going into the sea alone at remote spots where there’s no one around if things go wrong. For diving and canyoneering, choose licensed operators with proper safety equipment rather than whoever offers the cheapest deal on the street. Bring a dry bag on any boat tour, because things get wet, and sometimes the whole boat gets very wet.

I hate how this even has to be mentioned, but, respect the marine life!!! Don’t touch coral, don’t harass turtles, and don’t feed the fish. It’s not just an incredibly shitty thing to do, it actively damages the ecosystems that make the Philippines worth visiting.

Weather and Transport
Around 20 typhoons hit the Philippines each year, with most occurring between June and November. This matters for planning because typhoons ground flights and cancel ferries, sometimes for days at a stretch. If you’re island-hopping during typhoon season, build buffer days into your route. Don’t book a tight connection off a remote island when you have an international flight the next morning. From experience, it’s a gamble you’ll probably lose.

Regional Safety
Most of the Philippines that backpackers actually visit is fine. But some areas carry serious travel advisories, and you need to check the current guidance from your own government before you go, not just skim a blog post.

The UK FCDO advises against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago, and against all but essential travel to the remainder of Mindanao, with exceptions for Camiguin Island, Dinagat Island, and Siargao Island. The advice is due to terrorist activity and clashes between the military and insurgent groups.
gov

Check your government’s travel advisory for the Philippines before you go, and again if your plans change. Advisories are updated regularly and the situation in specific areas can shift. If you’re set on exploring Mindanao, do your research carefully, understand exactly which areas are flagged and why, and make an informed call rather than assuming it’ll be fine because someone on a forum said so three years ago.

Whether this is your first solo trip or your fifteenth, the Philippines has a way of humbling you. Here’s what actually helps.

Planning Tips

• Don’t try to do everything. Pick your islands, commit to them, and move on.
• Leave buffer days between key transport legs. Cancelled ferries and weather delays are part of the deal in a country where islands are separated by long stretches of sea. Thinking you’re in invincible will only get you stung further down the line.
• Book domestic flights early. Prices jump significantly closer to the date which is a killer if you’re travelling on a tight budget,
• Choose hostels in social areas of town, not isolated spots that’ll leave you eating dinner alone every night.

Packing Tips

• Bring a trusty backpack, not a rolling suitcase. Island footpaths, boat gangways, and hostel staircases will make you regret the wheels.
• Pack good shoes and, for the love of God, leave your heels at home gals.
• Bring a dry bag. Boat tours get wet, sometimes very wet.
• Pack light clothes that dry fast and take up minimal space.
• Bring reef-safe sunscreen from home. It’s harder to find and pricier than expected on some islands.
• Pack a travel towel and spare yourself the sad, crunchy hostel towel situation. My Turkish towel comes everywhere with me.

Social Tips

• Stay in hostels. Not just for the price, but because that’s where the people are.
• Use common areas instead of retreating to your bunk.
• Book group island-hopping tours. Throwing strangers together on a boat for a day does most of the social heavy lifting for you.
• Stay open to changing your plans. Some of the best days start with someone at breakfast saying, ‘We’re hiring motorbikes, want to come?’

Budget Tips

• Eat where locals eat. You’ll spend a fraction of what beachfront tourist restaurants charge.
• Use ferries and buses where you can. Not every journey has to pass through an airport.
• Travel with people you meet to split boat hire, accommodation, and tour costs.

Mindset Tips

• Things will go wrong. Ferries get cancelled, it rains for days, the famous beach is covered in seaweed. Adjust and move on.
• The Philippines rewards flexibility. Rigid itineraries tend to suffer.
• Say yes to things, but trust your gut and never be afraid to set your boundaries.
• Solo travel is not always comfortable and not always fun, and that is not a sign you’re doing it wrong. The good stuff here is worth pushing through for.

My final tip would be to just go for it and also to go with the flow. Nothing ever unfolds exactly how you imagined it, but that’s the beauty of solo travel. Love it or hate it, it’s the name of the game baby.

Travel Insurance for the Philippines

Don’t skip this one. The Philippines is the kind of destination where things go sideways in expensive ways. The activities most people come here for – scooters, diving, surfing, canyoneering, boat tours – are exactly the ones most likely to result in a claim.

Medical care in the cities is fine, but on smaller islands it can be severely limited. If something serious happens somewhere remote, you could be looking at emergency evacuation costs that will ruin you without cover. Typhoon season also means cancelled ferries and grounded domestic flights, sometimes for days at a stretch, so disruption cover is worth having if you’ve got tight onward connections.

Check your policy covers all of them, and read the small print on motorbike riding in particular; plenty of standard policies exclude it unless you hold the right licence for the engine size.

Sort out your insurance before you go. There are several good options, but our overall pick is SafetyWing. Most of the Broke Backpacker team has used it at one point or another, and we’ve filed claims for rabies jabs in Bali, a hospital stay in Mexico, and a clinic visit for a stomach bug that wouldn’t quit. All paid out.

It’s month-to-month, no lock-in, no itinerary required, and you can buy it after you’ve already left. A little over $2 a day if you’re under 40.

New SafetyWing customers: use code BROKEBACKPACKER for 8 free weeks of electronics theft coverage. You have to scroll down and click the pink camera on their landing page to enter it, and you have to do it before creating your account.

Whether this is your first solo trip or your hundredth, the Philippines really has all of the ingredients to cook up a juicy ‘ol solo getaway. The hostels are social, the nature is insanely beautiful and spending most of your time on a boat is a type of social lubricant that lets you make friends fast.

Though getting from A to B isn’t always the most straightforward, every other part of the Philippines will hold your hand, making it a dream for newbie backpackers. Solo never has to mean lonely, though; group tours, family dinners, and diving trips will have you spending most of your day with other (possibly solo) travellers. Even kicking it back in the hostel common area will quickly turn into a group of mates to explore with. That being said, I do love a lil solo date – and a beach day is up there with my favourites.

Pretty much every island blew me away, but if I had to pick a favourite, it has to be Siargao. It wasn’t love at first sight like other places I’ve travelled to, but leaving felt deceptively hard. When I think back to my trip in the Philippines, it’s Siargao that I get pangs for. Solo or not, it’s got such a friendly community feel to it, and it’s pretty much impossible to feel alone here.

Palawan is another great island geared towards solo travellers. Don’t forget to do the iconic four-day expedition from Coron to El Nido (or vice versa) for some of the most insane views in the country. Plus, you’re basically guaranteed to make friends through forced proximity 😉

A final piece of advice: make sure you give your itinerary enough wiggle room. Weather and travel hiccups aside, you’d be surprised by how quickly spontaneous friendships will make you want to throw any original plan out of the window. It’s the joys of solo travel, after all.