Philippines · 1-DAY TOURS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 1-day tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Explore Puerto Princesa’s Underground River by boat, spot Palawan wildlife, enjoy a Filipino buffet, and add a zipline or mangrove cruise.
“the tour guide is super nice and smart. He knows the area really well and we learnt lot. He is funny makes the trip fun. thank you!”
Review of Puerto Princesa’s Underground River day trip, with boat details, wait times, lunch, add-ons, costs, weather rules, and booking advice.
“The underground river was a very unique tour. Riding in a truly philippino boat paddled by ou Philippine guide was amazing. You are in a cave that has enough water to ride a boat. The cave is spectacular and my wife and I highly recommend this tour.”
Explore Palawan’s UNESCO-listed Underground River by van and boat, with hotel transfers, an audio guide, forest views, and optional side trips.
“Really a must-see when in Puerto Princesa! Our guide V was the best, so sweet and helping. Recommend!”
Review of Port Barton from Puerto Princesa, with island hopping, turtle snorkeling, BBQ lunch, travel tips, and honest value advice.
“Tivemos a oportunidade de visitar praias e corais maravilhosos .Port Barton é um sítio encantador . Devíamos ficar mais dias embora seja a 4 h de qualquer aeroporto , vale a pena A equipa da Corazón tours foi impecável.”
El Nido island hopping from Puerto Princesa brings lagoons, beaches, lunch, and a 10-hour road trip in one demanding day.
“We loved the tour when you actually arrive in El Nido which is sub-contracted by another company. The travel from Puerto Princessa probably was too long and travellers are probably best to make their own way down and use the tour companies available in El Nido.”
Combine Cebu’s Osmeña Peak hike with Kawasan Falls canyoneering, including guides, gear, lunch, and hotel transfers for $142.
“Canyoning was well worth it…just amazing. Osmeña Peak was terrible, was just 15 minute walk, the foggy everywhere which is what it looks like every morning due to the climate. Not worth it, don’t do it in the morning…check when the hike is before you do it.”
Swim with Moalboal sea turtles, watch the famous sardine run, and cool off at 98-meter Mantayupan Falls on an 8-hour Cebu tour.
“Overall the experience was cool, but that had less to do with the tour provider and guides than the actual activity itself. We had a driver/guides who spoke little English, if they even attempted to communicate. Little to no clarity around instruction. Our boat failed halfway through, but they got it working again. We were surprised to miss our third stop on the boat tour - again, no communication from the guides. The activities themselves were cool as hell, and the additional gopro purchase was well worth the money. The falls are gorgeous, and worth the addition. We really enjoyed it as a private tour with just us, and at…”
Review of Linapacan Island’s private day trip from El Nido, with five island stops, snorkeling, beach buffet lunch, transport, and practical tips.
“Make sure you get a English-speaking guide! Very underwhelming from rxpectations. Food was good. Crew friendly but NO communication ability”
Escape Manila for Hidden Valley Springs, with crater trails, warm mineral pools, Filipino buffet lunch, and hotel transport included.
“For a day trip, it may not be entirely worth it. Its a fairly long bus trip to a resort that is mostly just a two sets of cascading pools that vary in temperature from luke warm to cool. The food is bland and the place can be quite crowded, which really detracts from the experience. Overall, there are probably better ways to see nature or to sit in hot pools. This trip does neither all that well.”
Review the Puning Hot Spring day trip from Manila, with a 4x4 ride, volcanic mud spa, hot pools, costs, timing, and practical tips.
“the activity itself was amazing! but the activity provider has nothing to do with it, essentially you are booking a car and a driver for a half of the day and it costs like 200 euro which is like 5-10 times more than it should. And at the place of the activity everything is handled by the place itself by additional money which costs fair account.”
See Bohol from Cebu in one long private day with the Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, Baclayon Church, and a Loboc River lunch cruise.
“You should not advertise this as 6-8 hours tour. That much time is just traveling without traffic. I would not have signed up if I knew, this tour takes minimum 12 hours. I had to cancel my evening plans since this tour took so long. Tour guide was good but it’s misleading information to say this tour takes 6-8 hours. This was a private tour”
Visit Inambakan, Kawasan, and Mantayupan Falls from Cebu City, with swimming, local guides, transport, safety gear, and photo stops.
“We were only able to visit Mantayupan and Kawasan Falls. We found out just before departing Kawasan that the remaining waterfall was undergoing cleaning. We asked for a partial refund and received a £6.91 refund. So we paid £143.82 to visit 2 waterfalls. Wasn't happy.”
Escape Manila for Villa Escudero’s carabao rides, Filipino culture, museum, spring pools, and lunch beside a flowing dam spillway.
“Beautiful grounds. Museum really helped put Filipino culture in perspective. The BBQ buffet was delicious and fun eating under the waterfalls. Wished we were able to see the traditional show. Recommend going on a weekend, to see the show.”
See Bohol’s Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, historic churches, and Loboc River on an 8-hour Cebu day trip with ferry, lunch, and guide.
“Fantastyczny przewodnik, rzeczowy z poczuciem humoru, krótkie ale w pełni satysfakcjonujące postoje, urozmaicony program, ciekawe miejsca warte obejrzenia, dobrze zorganizowane.”
See Bohol’s Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, Loboc River, mahogany forest, and Baclayon Church on a packed 14-hour day trip from Cebu.
Pick an island, a reef or a walled city.
