A country where everything is on an island
The Philippines is not one mainland with a few islands around it, but thousands of islands, with constant crossings by boat and plane between them. Understand that logic and you understand how to travel there.
Four things worth knowing in advance
1. Everything goes via Manila or Cebu
From Europe you fly with a connection to Manila in the north, or to Cebu in the middle of the country. From Prague you can reach Cebu with a single connection in Dubai (Emirates); Manila has more connections. Details in the chapter Flights. From there you continue on smaller planes or by boat. Cebu is the natural hub of the Visayas: most boats and short flights to the islands on this page leave from here.
2. You travel between islands by sea
Fast boats (fastcraft) have airline-style seats and air conditioning. Slow ferries (RoRo) also carry cars and buses. Small islets are reached by wooden outrigger boats called bangka. Timetables change and sailings are cancelled in strong wind, so build spare days into your plan.
3. On the islands: tricycles and motorbikes
There are hardly any taxis. For short trips there is the tricycle (a motorbike with a sidecar cabin), for hills the habal-habal (motorbike taxi), and between towns jeepneys, vans and buses. The most comfortable option is to hire a car with a driver for the day through your accommodation.
4. Cash, fees and “Filipino time”
Hotels and larger restaurants take cards; otherwise you pay in pesos. Ports charge small terminal and environmental fees. Things move a little more slowly, boats sometimes leave late, and people are exceptionally friendly and happy to help.
In the Philippines, it is not distance that takes the most time but transfers. Fewer islands and longer stays on each mean more experiences.
How you will travel
From planes to motorbikes with a sidecar. Prices are approximate; timetables change, so always check with the operator before you travel.
Fast boat (fastcraft)
The main connection between Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor and Dumaguete. The biggest operator is OceanJet. Trips take 1–2 hours, and tickets can be bought online or at the port. Large bags are checked in and sometimes cost extra.
RoRo ferry
Slower, cheaper large ships that also carry cars. This is how you sail, for example, from Camiguin to Bohol (about 4.5 h, only on some days of the week). There is often karaoke on board and local passengers.
Bangka
A wooden boat with outriggers on both sides. It takes people to small islands (Apo Island, White Island, Mantigue) and on trips along the coast. Expect to get wet and keep your luggage in a dry bag.
Tricycle
A motorbike with a cabin for two or three people. Short trips in town or to the beach cost a few dozen pesos. Agree the price before you set off.
Jeepney and multicab
Colourful, decorated minibuses, a symbol of the Philippines. They run fixed routes and stop when you wave. Cheap and an experience in themselves, but uncomfortable with luggage. Camiguin has smaller “multicabs”.
Car with driver and scooter
On the islands, the best way to see more in a day. On Camiguin, a driver with a car costs from roughly 1,000 PHP (≈ €14) a day and a scooter about 450–600 PHP (≈ €6–9) a day (local price lists, 2026). For a scooter you need an international driving permit with category A, and a helmet.
Domestic flights
Cebu Pacific (including its subsidiary CebGo), Philippine Airlines and the smaller Sunlight Air fly. The planes are often small, baggage limits are strict and flights are often delayed. Leave at least 4–5 hours between a domestic and an international flight.
How to buy tickets
Flights directly from the airlines. Boats online (OceanJet, 12Go, Barkota) or at the port. Operators announce cancellations and timetable changes mainly on Facebook; the Pamasahe website collects them.
Grab
Works like Uber in the big cities (Manila, Cebu). On smaller islands you rely on tricycles and drivers recommended by your accommodation.
Into Cebu, home from Manila
The best deal is a “multi-city” ticket: fly into Cebu, closest to the islands, and fly home from Manila, which has the most connections to Europe. Prices for New Year change fast, so they are not listed here; below is how to search and what to look for.
Out: Prague → Cebu
Recommendation: Emirates via Dubai, with a single connection. Emirates flies from Dubai to Cebu roughly daily Verified 5 Nov 2026. The route is a loop Dubai–Cebu–Clark–Dubai: it flies directly to Cebu, and on the way back from Cebu it stops in Clark near Manila.
Other options with two connections: via Singapore (Singapore Airlines, Scoot), Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific) or Seoul (Korean Air), or via Manila with a domestic flight to Cebu.
Verified Qatar Airways has cancelled its Doha–Cebu route for winter 2026/27; with Qatar you can only reach Cebu via Manila. Turkish Airlines does not fly direct to Cebu.
Back: Dumaguete → Manila → Prague
Recommendation: a morning domestic flight from Dumaguete to Manila, an international flight home in the evening. From Manila, several airlines fly to Europe with one connection: Emirates (Dubai), Qatar Airways (Doha), Turkish Airlines (Istanbul), Etihad (Abu Dhabi) and others.
Why not via Cebu: on Sunday 17 January 2027 the Sinulog festival peaks in Cebu, and the airport and hotels will be packed. If you want to fly out of Cebu, choose another date.
You can only fly to Camiguin from Cebu (CebGo, once a day). There is no direct flight from Manila.
How to search
- Google Flights, “Multi-city” modeEnter two legs: Prague → Cebu (CEB) on 28 Dec and Manila (MNL) → Prague on 16 Jan. For comparison, also search a return via Cebu only or via Manila only.
- Try nearby dates and airportsThe price calendar shows whether moving a day or two makes it much cheaper. Also compare departures from Vienna, Munich or Berlin, which you can reach by train.
- Buy directly from the airlineOnce you find a flight in a search engine, book it on the airline’s website. If it is cancelled or changed, you then deal with the airline directly, not through a middleman.
- Domestic flights separately, with a bufferBuy the Cebu → Camiguin (CebGo) and Dumaguete → Manila flights from Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines. Do not fly to Camiguin on the day you arrive from Europe; a night in Cebu is your insurance.
- Book earlyThe end of December is peak season in the Philippines, and both domestic flights and planes from Europe fill up. There is only one domestic flight a day to Camiguin, on a small plane.
What to look for
Number of connections and total time
Ideally one connection and under 20–22 hours. Two connections mean a longer journey and more places where something can go wrong.
Connection time
On a single ticket, 2–3 hours is usually enough. Between two separate tickets in Manila, allow 4–5 hours: the terminals are not connected, you go through immigration, collect your bag and take a bus.
One ticket or two
When everything is on one ticket, the airline arranges a new flight if there is a delay and your bag goes through to the destination. With two separate tickets, the risk of a missed connection is yours.
Baggage
On long-haul flights a checked bag is almost always included; on Philippine domestic flights often not, and the limits are strict (small planes to Camiguin). Add a bag online in advance; it costs more at the airport.
Arrival time
Arriving in Cebu at any time of day is fine if you fly on to Camiguin the next day. A late-night arrival means having an airport hotel arranged.
Change conditions
The cheapest fares are usually non-refundable and unchangeable. A fare with date changes is worth the extra in case weather or ferries upset the plan.
Terminals in Manila
In 2026 Manila airport moved airlines between terminals. After booking, and again 72 hours before departure, check which terminal you fly from.
eTravel and insurance
Register on eTravel within 72 hours before arrival (free). On departure, foreigners only declare cash above the limit. Insurance should cover delays and missed connections, not just medical costs.
Check the route operates
Routes to Cebu have changed in recent years (e.g. Qatar’s cancellation). Before buying, check on the airline’s website that the flight really operates on your dates.
Why the middle of the country
In January the north-east monsoon blows, the amihan. It brings rain and waves to the east coast (Samar, Siargao, Dinagat), while the central Philippines lies in its lee. On top of that, this year there is a strong to very strong El Niño, which according to the PAGASA weather service means less rain than usual.
Best prospects
Bohol, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Camiguin and western Palawan. Mostly sunny, calm seas and good conditions for hiking.
Worse prospects
The east coast (Samar, Siargao, Dinagat, Bicol). The most rain, rough seas and cancelled boats.
What to watch out for
Typhoons are less frequent in January than in December, but possible. Because of the drought, waterfalls may run weaker. Mountain summits are often misty and cold.
Verified 5 Nov 2026 PAGASA has announced a strong to very strong El Niño peaking before the end of 2026 and forecasts below-average rainfall in most of the country for December–January. This is a seasonal outlook, not a weather forecast. Follow the actual weather 10–14 days before departure on pagasa.dost.gov.ph and in the PAGASA app.
Four islands around one sea
Camiguin, Bohol, Siquijor and southern Negros lie around the Bohol Sea, linked by short boat trips. So it is best to plan the trip as a loop, not out and back. The map shows what connects to what, and how.
Loop A: volcanoes first
- Arrive in CebuOne night near the airport to rest after the long flight.
- Fly to CamiguinOne direct flight a day, about 40–55 minutes.
- Ferry to BoholFrom Camiguin to Jagna about 4.5 hours; in 2026 sources gave both Mon/Wed/Fri and daily service, so check with the operator.
- Fast boat to SiquijorFrom Tagbilaran about 2 hours.
- Boat to NegrosFrom Siquijor to Dumaguete 45–90 minutes, departures throughout the day.
- Fly out of DumagueteHome via Manila or Cebu.
The mountains come first, when you have the most energy, and the sea with turtles at the end.
Loop B: Camiguin last
- Arrive in CebuFast boat to Bohol (about 2 hours).
- BoholCountryside and the Chocolate Hills on the way to Anda.
- Siquijor and NegrosFast boats via Tagbilaran or Dumaguete.
- To CamiguinEasiest by plane from Cebu or by ferry from Jagna.
- DepartureCamiguin → Cebu → home.
Good if you want to start gently by the sea. The downside: there is no direct ferry from Negros to Camiguin, so you have to go back via Bohol or Cebu.
Camiguin
Bohol
Siquijor
Negros and ApoWhere to stay and how to find flights
For each base: the recommended area and three real places at different price levels. Each link opens Booking with the dates from the itinerary (3 adults). New Year is peak season, so book early and preferably with free cancellation.
Camiguin · 5 nights 30 Dec – 4 Jan
Stay on the north-west coast (Agoho, Yumbing): quiet, on the beach, closest to White Island, and a short tricycle ride to the springs and waterfalls.
Caves Dive Resort
Agoho, by the sea
Dive resort with snorkelling right off the shore.
Prices and availability 30 Dec – 4 Jan →Agohay Villa Forte Beach Resort
Agoho, on the beach
Beach resort with views of the volcano and the sea.
Prices and availability 30 Dec – 4 Jan →Camiguin Island Golden Sunset Beach Club
Yumbing, on the beach
Beach resort on the north coast, with sunsets over the sea.
Prices and availability 30 Dec – 4 Jan →Anda, Bohol · 5 nights 4 Jan – 9 Jan
The small town of Anda on Bohol's east coast: white Quinale beach, cave pools and waterfalls nearby, much quieter than Panglao.
Cabagnow Seaside Resort
Anda, near Cabagnow cave pool
€budget Estimate
Simple, with a pool, a 7-minute walk to the cave pool.
Prices and availability 4 Jan – 9 Jan →Anda White Beach Resort
Anda, on the beach
€€mid-range Estimate
Right on the white beach, with a pool.
Prices and availability 4 Jan – 9 Jan →Amun Ini Beach Resort & Spa
Anda, on the coast
€€€upscale Estimate
Luxury resort with a spa, the most comfortable option around Anda.
Prices and availability 4 Jan – 9 Jan →Dauin, Negros · 7 nights 9 Jan – 16 Jan
The coast at Dauin, south of Dumaguete: boats to Apo Island, snorkelling from the beach and about 40–50 minutes to the airport.
La Tortue Diving Resort Dauin
Dauin
€budget Estimate
Small dive resort with very good reviews.
Prices and availability 9 Jan – 16 Jan →Pura Vida Beach & Dive Resort
Dauin, on the beach
€€mid-range Estimate
On the beach, with a pool and its own boat trips.
Prices and availability 9 Jan – 16 Jan →Atmosphere Resorts & Spa
Dauin, on the beach
€€€upscale Estimate
Resort with a spa, for resting after day trips.
Prices and availability 9 Jan – 16 Jan →Search for flights
The links open a search with the dates from the itinerary. Compare, then buy directly from the airline.
For the night of 29 Dec, a hotel near Cebu airport (Lapu-Lapu, Mactan) is enough. Also try the long-haul flights as one multi-city ticket in Google Flights: often cheaper, and it protects you if a flight is late.
Check Selected 6 Nov 2026. You book everything yourself, directly with the hotel or airline or through a search site. The links only open a search with your dates. Places are chosen for location and reviews, and nobody pays to be listed. Prices and availability change: read recent reviews and cancellation terms before you book.
Map of places with photos
Every place in the guide on one map. Click a photo on the map or a card in the list. Use the filter to narrow down the island or type of place. Tap the heart on what you want to see. The list is shared: first choose who you are, and for each place you will see who it appeals to. The “♥ Our list” filter shows only the chosen places.
Locations on the map are approximate. The “Google Maps” button in a place card finds the exact spot. The switch at the top right of the map shows a satellite view.
What else, and why it may not work out in January
The Philippines has other beautiful places. Here, briefly, is what they offer and why this page does not put them at the centre.
Palawan – El Nido
Postcard limestone islands and lagoons, one of the most beautiful places in Asia. But in January it is packed with tour boats.
Palawan – Port Barton
A quiet fishing village on the west coast, which is sheltered in January. The best quieter alternative to El Nido. The Czech Foreign Ministry advises against southern Palawan.
Coron
Kayangan Lake, Japanese shipwrecks and crystal-clear lagoons. Very touristy, and the boat crossing from El Nido is often rough in January.
Batad rice terraces (Luzon)
A village in an amphitheatre of UNESCO-listed terraces, reachable only on foot. In January it is dry with cold nights; the terraces are flooded rather than green. 9–10 hours from Manila.
Sibuyan
A wild island with rainforest and Mount Guiting-Guiting. Verified Climbs in the park are banned until 31 January 2027, and boats are unreliable in January. February to May is better.
What to look forward to beyond the beaches
Filipino food is simple and honest: rice with everything, grilled fish, soups and pork. You eat best in small home-style eateries called carinderia, where you choose from pots behind the counter.
- Lechon – roast suckling pig, the pride of the Visayas.
- Kinilaw – raw fish marinated in vinegar, similar to ceviche.
- Adobo – meat braised in vinegar, soy sauce and garlic, the unofficial national dish.
- Sinigang – a sour tamarind soup.
- Halo-halo – an icy dessert with fruit, beans and ice cream.
- Lanzones – the fruit Camiguin is famous for.
The most authentic moments are often ordinary: the morning fish market, Sunday Mass in a colonial church, evening basketball on the village square. And the loud New Year celebrations, when families eat at midnight and fireworks echo from every village.
A few words of Cebuano
On Bohol, Siquijor, Negros and Camiguin people speak Cebuano (Bisaya). You can get by in English, but a few local words always go down well.
Route ideas
Two variants for 20 days, both departing 28 December 2026 and returning 17 January 2027. I recommend three bases, so you do not have to keep moving. If you want to see more of Siquijor, choose the four-place variant. Take it as a starting point and adjust it to suit you.
Camiguin · 5 nights
Volcanoes, waterfalls, hot springs, White Island. New Year’s Eve in one place, no travel over the holidays.
Anda, Bohol · 5 nights
Cave pools, a waterfall, terraces and a quiet beach. One day trip with a driver to the Chocolate Hills and the tarsiers.
Dauin, Negros · 7 nights
Apo Island with its turtles, Twin Lakes, Mount Talinis and a full-day boat trip to Siquijor. Close to the airport.
| Dates | Where | Nights | How to get there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28.–29. 12. | Prague → Cebu | 1 | Flight with one connection, one night near the airport (just to sleep) |
| 30. 12. – 4. 1. | Camiguin | 5 | Flight Cebu → Camiguin |
| 4.–9. 1. | Anda, eastern Bohol | 5 | Ferry Camiguin → Jagna (Monday), van to Anda about an hour |
| 9.–16. 1. | Dauin, Negros | 7 | Car to Tagbilaran (2.5–3 h), direct fast boat to Dumaguete (about 2 h), car to Dauin |
| 16.–17. 1. | Dumaguete → home | – | Flight via Manila (the Sinulog festival peaks in Cebu on 17 Jan) |
Only two moves between bases. Siquijor and Apo Island are day trips; a night on Apo is an option, not a necessity.
| Dates | Where | Nights | How to get there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28.–29. 12. | Prague → Cebu | 1 | Flight with one connection, a night near the airport |
| 30. 12. – 4. 1. | Camiguin | 5 | Flight Cebu → Camiguin |
| 4.–8. 1. | Anda, eastern Bohol | 4 | Ferry Camiguin → Jagna (Monday), van to Anda |
| 8.–12. 1. | Siquijor | 4 | Car to Tagbilaran, fast boat |
| 12.–16. 1. | Dauin and Apo Island | 4 | Boat to Dumaguete, car |
| 16.–17. 1. | Dumaguete → home | – | Flight via Manila |
More time on Siquijor (Sunday Mass in Lazi, sunsets, quiet evenings), but one more move.
Before you go
Entry
Verified Visa-free for up to 30 days for Czech and most EU citizens. Passport valid for 6 months after departure, plus a return or onward ticket. Mandatory free registration on eTravel within 72 hours before arrival (on departure, just a declaration of cash above the limit). Beware of fake paid websites.
Safety
Verified 5 Nov 2026 The Czech Foreign Ministry advises against travel to western Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago, and to eastern Mindanao and southern Palawan only if essential. Camiguin is a separate island off the coast of Mindanao: fly there directly from Cebu and check with your insurer that you are covered. Czech citizens should register in DROZD.
Health
The main risk is dengue fever from mosquitoes: repellent and long sleeves in the evening. Discuss vaccinations with a travel clinic. Drink only bottled water. Insurance with air evacuation, covering hikes and snorkelling.
Money and prices
Euro conversions in brackets use €1 ≈ 70 PHP (end of October 2026) and are rounded. Bring euros; look for ATMs in the larger towns (Mambajao, Tagbilaran, Siquijor, Dumaguete). Philippine ATMs usually charge around 250 PHP (≈ €4) per withdrawal and often dispense only around 10,000 PHP (≈ €140) at a time, so it pays to withdraw larger amounts. You need cash for boats, tricycles, guides and admission. As a guide: a tricycle costs around 10 PHP per kilometre, a meal in a carinderia a few dozen to a few hundred pesos, and in better restaurants tip up to 10% (according to TravelBible).
Electricity
220 V. Sockets are mostly the American type with flat pins, sometimes European without earthing. Bring a travel adapter.
What happens in January
New Year’s Eve is very loud (fireworks everywhere), and most businesses are closed on 1 January. Verified The Sinulog festival in Cebu peaks on Sunday 17 January 2027: a huge parade, but a packed airport and hotels, so it is better to avoid Cebu on those days or, on the contrary, plan it in deliberately.
Phone
Buy a SIM or eSIM from Globe or Smart at the airport; registration requires your passport. Useful apps: PAGASA (weather), Grab, Maps.me or offline Google Maps, Google Translate.
Hiking
A local guide and a permit are mandatory for volcanoes and mountains. You set off at dawn; summits are usually in cloud from midday. Take 3 litres of water, sturdy shoes and a rain jacket.
Customs
In church, cover your shoulders and knees. Photograph people only with permission. In marine sanctuaries, do not stand on the coral, and use reef-safe sunscreen.
Packing
Light clothes, a fleece for the mountains, water shoes, your own mask and snorkel, a UV-protection T-shirt, a dry bag, a head torch and a power bank (power cuts happen).
In an emergency
Emergency number 911. Czech Embassy in Manila: +63 2 8811 1155. Czech Foreign Ministry 24/7 line: +420 222 420 222. The largest hospital on the route is in Dumaguete; serious cases are taken to Cebu. Other nationalities: check your own embassy.
What about Laos?
A guide to Laos made the same way is on a separate page. Laos offers monasteries, the Mekong, karst viewpoints and easy train travel, but in January with cold mornings and, above all, no sea.
My choice: the Philippines
Beaches and snorkelling are among the main wishes in the brief, and Laos cannot offer that. The Philippines also has volcanoes, waterfalls and hikes, stable January weather, quiet places and a flight with one connection.
When Laos would win
If you would not miss the sea and were drawn more to culture, rivers and hiking in cooler air. A detailed point-by-point comparison is on the Laos page.
Where to read more
In Czech
The Philippines – a practical guideTravelBible.cz · transport, food, safety, islands The Philippines – safety and adviceCzech Ministry of Foreign AffairsIslands and hikes
Camiguin – history and volcanoesWikipedia Climbing Hibok-HibokPinoyMountaineer Candijay: waterfalls and terraces in eastern Boholbohol-philippines.com · 2026 Anda, Bohol – guideLakwatsero Siquijor – the island of healersWikipedia Siquijor’s best beachesGirl on a Zebra · 2026 Apo Island and the first community sanctuaryWikipedia Apo Island – a day trip from DumagueteBest Philippines Travel Guide · 2026 Twin Lakes BalinsasayaoJonny Melon · 2026 Climbing Mount TalinisJourney EraWeather
PAGASA – the official forecastThe Philippine weather service El Niño is very strongRappler · 5 Nov 2026 Climate outlook November 2026 – April 2027PAGASA (PDF)Getting around
Cebu Pacificflights, including Cebu–Camiguin OceanJetfast boats Cebu–Bohol–Siquijor–Dumaguete Camiguin–Bohol ferryPamasahe · timetable and fares Dumaguete–Siquijor boats12Go · operator overview Pamasahe – boat cancellations and changescurrent overviewEntry and emergencies
eTravel – registrationofficial, free Czech Embassy in ManilacontactsPhoto credits
All photos come from Wikimedia Commons and are used under the free licences stated. Click a name to open the original.