The Philippines Through Our Eyes
We're Scott and Jenice — an American planner and his Filipina wife from Pampanga. These are the islands we keep coming back to, the food we actually eat, and the prices we actually paid.
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Plan Your Route
Click any island to explore. Use our AI trip planner to build a custom itinerary with real prices, transport options, and local tips.
Plan Your Trip with AI ➝The main island. Skip Manila, fly into Clark. Mountains in the north, surfing in the east, history everywhere.
Island-hopping paradise. Heart of Philippine beach culture with best diving, waterfalls, and mystical islands.
The Last Frontier. Dramatic limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, clearest water on the planet.
The road less traveled. World-class surfing in Siargao, volcanic islands in Camiguin, Davao's durian country.
In-Depth Guides
Every price verified. Every restaurant visited. Every tip from personal experience.
Siquijor
Isla del Fuego — Island of Fire
From $25/day
Cebu
Queen City of the South
From $30/day
Bohol
Nature's Wonder in the Heart of Visayas
From $30/day
Dumaguete
City of Gentle People
From $25/day
Boracay
Where It All Began
From $50/day
El Nido
Lagoons, Limestone, and the Bluest Water You've Seen
From $50/day
Siargao
The Island That Won't Let You Leave
From $35/day
Tacloban
Gateway to Eastern Visayas
From $20/day
Samar
The Philippines' Last Frontier
From $18/day
Biliran
The Island Province Nobody Knows
From $15/day
Iloilo
The Heart City of the Philippines
From $20/day
Guimaras
Mango Capital of the World
From $15/day
Legazpi
City of Mayon
From $20/day
Donsol
Whale Shark Capital of the Philippines
From $18/day
Laguna
Hot Springs & Waterfalls South of Manila
From $25/day
Batangas
Volcanoes, Beaches & Bulalo South of Manila
From $25/day
Puerto Galera
Mindoro's Dive Capital & Beach Escape
From $25/day
Clark & Angeles
Former US Air Force Base — Central Luzon Hub
From $35/day
Manila
Gateway to the Pearl of the Orient
From $30/day
Subic
Manila's Favorite Weekend Escape
From $40/day
Puerto Princesa
Palawan's Gateway Paradise
From $35/day
Batanes
The Islands Where Trust Is the Currency
From $50/day
Camiguin
The Island Born of Fire
From $25/day
Coron
Palawan's Ancient, Untamed Side
From $45/day
Davao
The Philippines' Most Disciplined City
From $30/day
Laoag
The Sunshine City That Fought Back
From $20/day
Vigan
Where Three Cultures Built One Street
From $25/day
Sagada
Mystical Mountain Retreat
From $20/day
Bacolod
The City of Smiles
From $25/day
Tagaytay
Ridge City with a View
From $30/day
Malapascua
Thresher Sharks & Island Quiet
From $30/day
Caramoan
Hidden Gem of Bicol
From $22/day
Zambales
Off-Grid Beach Escape
From $18/day
Baler
Birthplace of Philippine Surfing
From $20/day
Pagudpud
Boracay of the North
From $18/day
La Union
Surf Capital of the North
From $22/day
Cuyo Island
Palawan's Best-Kept Secret
From $15/day
Banaue
Stairway to the Sky
From $18/day
Sipalay
Jewel of the Sugar Island
From $20/day
Baguio City
The Summer Capital
From $25/day
Bataan
Where the Death March Began
From $25/day
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What Makes This Different
No press trips. No sponsored stays. Just two decades of personal experience.
Real Prices
"Every price is one we paid"
₱150 sisig at Aling Lucing's. ₱1,700/day car rental in Clark. We verify every number on-site.
Family Connections
"Jenice grew up 15 minutes from Clark"
Her brothers, her mom's birthday lechon, the Korean BBQ her family loves. This isn't research — it's lived experience.
No Sponsored Content
"We don't take press trips"
No hotel comps, no tourism board deals. We pay full price and tell you what we actually think.
Your Guides
An American travel planner and his Kapampangan wife — 23 years, 20+ trips, and a toddler who's already island-hopping.
Most Philippines travel advice comes from bloggers who visited for two weeks. We've been doing this since 2003 — back when Clark airport weighed passengers before boarding and Grab didn't exist. Between Scott's logistics obsession and Jenice's family roots in Pampanga, we cover angles no single travel writer can.
Scott Murray
20+ trips since 2003
Logistics, Route Planning & Budget
Ferry schedules, budget breakdowns, and the practical stuff that makes or breaks a Philippines trip.
Jenice Murray
Born in Bulacan, raised in Pampanga
Culture, Food & Local Knowledge
The insider perspective on food, customs, language, and the things guidebooks never mention.
Explore by Interest
Snorkeling circuits, festival calendars, regional food guides, and WWII heritage trails.
Start Planning
Get our free Philippines travel checklist — ferry routes, packing lists, and budget tips we wish we'd had on trip one.