How I packed for 14 days in the Philippines
Fourteen days between city and islands force you to pack carefully. Here's what I brought, what I didn't need, and what I wish I'd packed from the start.
Fourteen days between a city like Manila and three islands as different from each other as these force you to think about your packing a little more carefully than on a normal beach trip. Here's what I brought, what I didn't need, and what I wish I'd packed from day one.
What I used most, without a doubt: water shoes. Between island hopping, caves and reefs, having your feet protected at every stop made the difference between enjoying the plan and constantly worrying about where you step.
A close second: a small dry bag for your phone and wallet — everything constantly gets wet on boat excursions, and losing your phone in the middle of a lagoon is not a story you want to be the star of, I promise you.
Biodegradable sunscreen was another must that I almost forgot to pack: at several stops on the El Nido tour, regular sunscreen simply isn't allowed, to protect the coral reef.
The key to packing for the Philippines isn't bringing a lot, it's bringing exactly what you need so you're not relying on finding anything on the fly on a small island.
What I didn't need: fancy "going out" clothes I barely touched. Between the heat, humidity and casual atmosphere of the islands, comfortable, lightweight clothing wins hands down on almost every day of the trip.
What I wish I'd brought from the start: a bigger power bank than the one I took. Your phone drains fast on a full day of excursions, and not every boat has anywhere to charge anything.
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