Philippines Travel Guide: A 12-Day Island-Hopping Itinerary 📚 This guide is based on thorough research from official tourism and government sources rather than a personal visit. Written by Debarun Sana The Philippines is made up of over 7,000 islands, which means no single trip covers "the whole country" — but a well-chosen route through a few of them gives a genuine sense of the range on offer, from limestone lagoons to some of Asia's best diving. This 12-day itinerary covers Manila, Palawan (El Nido and Coron), Cebu, and Bohol. Entry Requirements U.S. citizens can enter the Philippines visa-free for tourism or short business trips of up to 30 days — this has remained the core rule despite some 2026 headlines about an expanded e-visa system, which applies to longer stays, work, and study, not standard tourism. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay, and you'll need proof of an onward or return ticke...