10 Day Philippines Itinerary: El Nido, Cebu & Bohol + Free Google Sheets Template
Matt - September 22, 2026
Ten days in the Philippines gives you enough time to combine one historic city, Palawan's limestone islands, Cebu's heritage core, and Bohol's countryside and beaches. This route uses Manila as a short arrival base, three nights in El Nido, two nights in Cebu City, and three nights on Panglao.
The sequence is designed around the country's island geography. A flight connects Manila with El Nido, another flight links El Nido with Cebu, and a fast ferry continues from Cebu to Tagbilaran in Bohol. Flying home from Bohol-Panglao International Airport keeps the final day simple.
You can use the free 10 Day Philippines Itinerary Google Sheets template as the itinerary for your own trip. It includes the scheduled plan, specific locations, official links, lodging bases, transfer notes, unscheduled alternatives, packing items, pre-trip tasks, costs, and sample cost-splitting rows.
Itinerary Outline
- Day 1: Arrive in Manila and explore Intramuros
- Day 2: Fly to El Nido and watch sunset at Las Cabanas
- Day 3: Big Lagoon and El Nido island-hopping
- Day 4: Nacpan Beach and Corong Corong
- Day 5: Fly to Cebu and settle into Cebu City
- Day 6: Cebu's heritage core and local food
- Day 7: Ferry to Bohol and stay on Panglao
- Day 8: Tarsier sanctuary, Chocolate Hills, and Loboc River
- Day 9: Balicasag snorkeling and Panglao beaches
- Day 10: Depart from Bohol
The route gives El Nido three nights for one full island-hopping day and a flexible beach day. Cebu has a complete heritage day, and Bohol has separate days for the inland countryside loop and the water around Balicasag.
Best time and pacing for a Philippines trip
December through April is generally the easiest period for this route because Palawan and the Central Visayas tend to have drier weather and more settled conditions. January through March is especially popular, so reserve domestic flights, central lodging, and boat tours early when traveling in those months.
Sea conditions can still change on any date. Island-hopping operators may adjust the order of lagoons and beaches, and ferries can change schedules because of weather or operations. Keep the El Nido boat day and Balicasag day tied to your lodging bases rather than to same-day flights.
May is warmer and can still work well. Rain becomes more frequent from June into October, and tropical weather can affect flights, ferries, and boat trips. Check current forecasts and operator notices shortly before each transfer.
The sample template uses February dates. It is paced for travelers who want active days with time for meals, transfers, and a quieter afternoon after each flight.
Day 1: Arrive in Manila and explore Intramuros
Arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport and transfer to a hotel with practical access to the airport and Manila's historic center. International travelers should complete the free official Philippines eTravel registration within 72 hours of arrival and save the QR code for the journey.
Spend the afternoon in Intramuros, Manila's walled historic district. Begin around Plaza Roma and Manila Cathedral, then follow the streets toward Fort Santiago. The fort's gates, walls, plazas, river views, and Rizal Shrine connect the district's colonial history with the life of national hero Jose Rizal.
Continue to San Agustin Church if its visitor hours fit your arrival day. The stone church and adjoining museum contain religious art, carved doors, cloisters, and historic objects within one of Intramuros's most important surviving buildings.
Have dinner inside Intramuros or return toward your hotel. The first day works best with a flexible start because airport arrival time and city traffic vary.
Day 2: Fly to El Nido and settle into Palawan
Take a morning flight to Lio Airport in El Nido. Check the operating airport and terminal on the airline's current booking page, since Manila airport assignments can change. Domestic baggage allowances also vary by fare, so compare those details before choosing a flight.
Stay in El Nido town for easy access to restaurants and the tour departure area, or choose Corong Corong for a quieter base near sunset views. Both areas are a short ride from Lio Airport.
Use the late afternoon for Las Cabanas Beach. The broad west-facing view makes it a natural sunset stop, and the beach is close enough to town that the evening remains easy. Have dinner in El Nido town or Corong Corong and confirm the next morning's pickup or meeting point with your island-hopping operator.
Day 3: Big Lagoon and El Nido island-hopping
Reserve an island-hopping day that includes Big Lagoon, commonly associated with El Nido's Tour A. The lagoon is known for calm turquoise water framed by steep limestone walls. Kayaks are often used for the inner section, with access and timing managed through local permits.
The official El Nido island-hopping guide is a useful overview of the area. Confirm the day's exact islands, lagoon permit, lunch, snorkeling gear, environmental fees, dry-bag arrangements, and weather policy with the operator you book.
Tours may include Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Seven Commandos Beach, or another stop based on conditions and current access. Expect most of the day to be on the water, with a beach or island lunch and several swim or snorkel stops.
Return to town in the afternoon and leave the evening open for dinner. The boat schedule and sea conditions determine the exact finish time.
Day 4: Nacpan Beach and Corong Corong
Travel north to Nacpan Beach for a slower day on land. The long beach, open sea view, and room to walk make it a good complement to the enclosed lagoons and boat stops from the previous day. Arrange a return tricycle or van time before settling in, particularly when road conditions have been affected by rain.
Return to El Nido after lunch for a rest, café stop, or short walk through town. Spend the late afternoon in Corong Corong, where the west-facing shoreline and offshore islands create another strong sunset view.
Tour C is the main alternative for this day. It often focuses on beaches and snorkeling around Matinloc and nearby islands, subject to local access and conditions. Choose it when a second full boat day is a higher priority than Nacpan.
Day 5: Fly from El Nido to Cebu
Transfer to Lio Airport and fly to Mactan-Cebu International Airport. A nonstop flight keeps the route efficient when it operates on your travel date. Confirm the current schedule directly with the airline before reserving the Cebu hotel.
Stay near Cebu's heritage core for easy access to the Day 6 sights, or choose Cebu IT Park for a larger concentration of hotels and evening dining. Use the first afternoon for check-in and a relaxed walk near your base.
Sugbo Mercado is a useful evening option when it is operating. The market brings together many food stalls in Cebu IT Park, making it easy for a group to try different dishes in one place.
Day 6: Cebu heritage and local food
Begin at Magellan's Cross and the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino. These neighboring sites sit at the center of Cebu's early colonial history and remain active religious and civic spaces. Dress respectfully and allow time for worshippers and local events around the complex.
Continue to Fort San Pedro, a compact stone fort near the waterfront, then walk or take a short ride to the Heritage of Cebu Monument in the Parian district. The monument brings together scenes and figures from Cebu's history in a dense sculptural tableau. Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House is nearby and works as an additional stop for domestic architecture and period furnishings.
Have Cebu lechon for lunch or dinner. Several restaurants specialize in the city's roast pork, and group-style ordering makes it easy to pair it with rice, vegetables, and other Cebuano dishes. The official Cebu City guide provides more context for the city's heritage sites and current visitor information.
Day 7: Take the ferry from Cebu to Bohol
Travel to Cebu Pier 1 for the fast ferry to Tagbilaran. OceanJet is one of the operators on the route. Review the live schedule for your date, reserve in advance during busy periods, and arrive with time for ticket and baggage procedures.
From Tagbilaran, continue by road to Panglao. Alona Beach has the largest concentration of restaurants, tour desks, and nightlife, while quieter parts of Panglao suit travelers who prefer a resort or beach-focused stay. The island is also convenient for Bohol-Panglao International Airport at the end of the trip.
Use the afternoon for Alona Beach and confirm the next day's driver or countryside tour. A dinner at Bohol Bee Farm in Dauis can combine regional ingredients with a sea-facing setting; allow enough travel time from Alona.
Day 8: Tarsiers, Chocolate Hills, and Loboc River
Hire a driver or join a small countryside tour for Bohol's inland loop. Begin at the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella. The sanctuary protects habitat for the small nocturnal primates. Visitors follow a quiet forest path and should respect staff guidance about noise, distance, and photography.
Continue to the Chocolate Hills in Carmen. More than a thousand rounded hills spread across the interior of Bohol. Their color changes with the season, while the main viewing complex provides the broad elevated panorama associated with the landscape.
Reserve a Loboc River lunch cruise for the middle of the day. The boats move through a lush river corridor while lunch and local music are served on board. Confirm the current boarding point and departure time when booking.
Stop at Baclayon Church on the return toward Panglao if visitor access and timing allow. The coral-stone church and museum add another historical layer to a day otherwise focused on wildlife and landscape.
Day 9: Balicasag snorkeling and Panglao beaches
Leave early from Panglao for a boat trip toward Balicasag Island. The surrounding marine sanctuary is known for clear water, coral, sea turtles, and reef fish. Choose an operator that follows local marine rules, confirms environmental fees, and explains how wildlife encounters are managed.
Boat routes and snorkeling locations depend on sea conditions. Some trips also include a sandbar or another nearby stop. Return to Panglao around midday, then have lunch and spend the afternoon at Dumaluan Beach or near your hotel.
Hinagdanan Cave is a land-based alternative when weather makes a boat day unsuitable. Check current access and swimming conditions before visiting.
Day 10: Depart from Bohol
Transfer to Bohol-Panglao International Airport for the flight home or onward connection. The airport is on Panglao, which makes departure simpler than returning by ferry to Cebu.
Leave a generous connection before an international flight, especially when the itinerary involves separate tickets. Travelers with an early international departure from Cebu can instead return to Cebu on Day 9 and spend the final night near the airport.
Where to stay in Manila, El Nido, Cebu, and Bohol
Manila
Intramuros places the historic district outside your door. Makati and Bonifacio Global City offer a wider range of hotels and restaurants, with longer trips to the Day 1 sights. For a one-night arrival stay, prioritize a location that works for both your landing airport and the next morning's departure terminal.
El Nido
El Nido town is the most convenient base for tour departures, restaurants, shops, and evening activity. Corong Corong has more sunset-facing lodging and remains close to town by tricycle. Lio has a quieter resort setting near the airport.
Cebu
The heritage core suits a short sightseeing stay centered on Magellan's Cross, the basilica, Fort San Pedro, and Parian. Cebu IT Park has modern hotels and many dining options. Choose a base with straightforward access to Cebu Pier 1 for the Bohol ferry.
Bohol
Alona Beach is convenient for Balicasag departures, restaurants, and tour services. Dumaluan has a calmer beach setting, while Dauis offers quieter resorts between Tagbilaran and Panglao. All three can work with a pre-arranged countryside pickup.
Flights, ferries, and booking logistics
Book the Manila–El Nido and El Nido–Cebu flights after confirming that both routes operate on your dates. Review the airline's live terminal information and baggage rules, then use the flight times to set lodging and activity dates.
Reserve the Cebu–Tagbilaran ferry from the operator's current schedule. Keep arrival and departure days free of fixed boat tours. Ferries and flights can change because of weather and operations, so save current confirmations and recheck them before each transfer.
Book El Nido island-hopping, the Bohol countryside day, and the Balicasag boat after flights and lodging are settled. Ask each operator about inclusions, permits, pickup points, cancellation policy, and weather procedure.
Local transport is a mix of airport transfers, taxis or app-arranged rides in the cities, tricycles around El Nido and Panglao, and pre-arranged drivers for Bohol's inland sights. A rental car is not needed for the route in this template.
Optional ideas and route swaps
In Manila, add the National Museum of Anthropology or National Museum of Fine Arts when your arrival time allows. A full second Manila day could include Binondo, Rizal Park, and more of the national museum complex.
In El Nido, replace Nacpan with Tour C for another day on the water. The Taraw Cliff canopy walk is a shorter option near town, subject to current access.
In Cebu, add the Cebu Taoist Temple or Temple of Leah for hillside views and architecture. Both require extra road time from the heritage core. Travelers interested in beaches and diving could add several nights in Moalboal instead of keeping Cebu City as a short transit base.
On Bohol, Hinagdanan Cave and South Farm Panglao are easy alternatives near the island base. Another full day can be used for Anda, a longer inland route, or a second beach day.
What the Philippines Google Sheets itinerary template includes
- A scheduled 10-day Manila, El Nido, Cebu, and Bohol itinerary
- Unscheduled ideas for museums, beaches, heritage sites, restaurants, and alternative activities on the Itinerary tab
- Specific locations, official links, lodging notes, flight and ferry reminders, and booking details
- A packing list and pre-trip checklist tailored to island travel, boat days, and tropical weather
- Cost fields and sample split-cost rows for transfers, tours, ferries, drivers, and group meals
For a general planner you can adapt to any trip, see the free Google Sheets travel planner and itinerary template.
How Travel Mapper helps with a Philippines trip
The free template keeps the itinerary, lodging bases, links, costs, packing list, and trip notes together in Google Sheets. Travel Mapper for Google Sheets adds the map view so you can review how each day's places fit together across Manila, Palawan, Cebu, and Bohol.
Map review is useful for this route because it combines airports, a ferry terminal, four lodging bases, island-hopping departure points, and countryside stops. Categories give lodging, transport, food, and activity pins different colors, making the itinerary easier to scan.
The add-on also includes drag-and-drop itinerary editing, Google Maps place autofill, emailing the itinerary, and exporting destinations to Google My Maps. The full add-on is available to try for seven days. After the trial, the basic Google Sheets template remains available and you can continue generating templates for free.
The Travel Mapper Chrome extension can add a place from a page you are researching to the itinerary. If you want to review or edit the trip from your phone while traveling, the Travel Mapper web app works in a mobile browser.
Philippines itinerary FAQ
Is 10 days enough for Manila, El Nido, Cebu, and Bohol?
Yes. Ten days supports one night in Manila, three nights in El Nido, two nights in Cebu, and three nights on Panglao. The route includes two domestic flights and one ferry while preserving full days for El Nido, Cebu, and Bohol.
Should I visit Cebu or Bohol first?
Cebu works well before Bohol because direct flights connect El Nido with Cebu, and frequent ferries continue from Cebu Pier 1 to Tagbilaran. Flying out of Bohol then keeps the final departure on Panglao.
Do I need a rental car?
No. Flights and a fast ferry connect the four bases. Airport transfers, taxis, tricycles, tour boats, and a hired Bohol driver cover the local logistics in the plan.
Which El Nido island-hopping tour should I choose?
Tour A is the usual choice for Big Lagoon and a first island-hopping day. Tour C is a strong alternative for beaches and snorkeling. Routes, permits, and access can change, so confirm the exact stops with the operator before booking.
What should I book first?
Book the international flight and the Manila–El Nido and El Nido–Cebu domestic legs first. Next, reserve lodging, the Cebu–Tagbilaran ferry, El Nido island-hopping, the Bohol countryside day, and the Balicasag boat.
Can I customize the Philippines itinerary template?
Yes. Open the free Philippines itinerary template, make your own copy, and adjust the dates, lodging, stops, notes, and costs for your trip.
Get the free Philippines itinerary template
The itinerary is also available as a free Google Sheets template you can copy and customize. Start with the day-by-day plan, then add Travel Mapper when you want to review the itinerary on a map and use the add-on's planning tools.
