Coron was incredible. The water was unbelievably clear, and the diving around the shipwrecks and lagoons was amazing. It also felt much less crowded than the Thai islands, which made it easier to relax. Hostels were social and it was easy to meet people without the place feeling like a nonstop party.
El Nido was also beautiful. The island hopping tours, limestone cliffs, and hidden beaches were highlights, especially Tours A and C. It’s a bit more touristy than Coron but still far more relaxed compared to places like Phi Phi. The locals were friendly, the food was good, and joining group tours as a solo traveler felt very natural.
I spent two nights in Manila at the end. A lot of people criticize the city but I actually enjoyed it. Bonifacio Global City was clean and modern with great food and bars, and Intramuros was interesting for the history. Traffic is pretty intense, but using Grab makes getting around easier.
Overall the Philippines feels really underrated for solo travel. You get the same kind of tropical scenery as Thailand but with fewer crowds and it’s generally cheaper too.
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