Solo female travel in the Philippines: Safety, tips, & what to expect

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The Philippines is a dream for ocean lovers, with an abundance of water sports, marine life, crystal-clear water, and the most pristine beaches I’ve ever seen. If you’re a water baby like me, a solo adventure around the Philippines is the perfect trip for some ocean healing. From snorkeling and surfing to island hopping and relaxing on perfect white sand, anyone who loves the water will be enthralled by everything that the Philippines has to offer.

However, you should be aware of some quirks to solo female travel in the Philippines to prepare for your trip. It’s a little more difficult to solo travel than in some other Southeast Asian countries, but don’t worry, because I’ve got you covered! Keep reading to set yourself up for success as you travel through paradise.

Solo female travel in the Philippines: FAQs

Is the Philippines a good place for solo female travelers?

Yes, the Philippines is a good destination for women wanting to explore on their own, especially those who appreciate beaches, islands, and the ocean. The locals are friendly and tourism is a huge industry, meaning that you’ll be warmly welcomed and well taken care of. Many solo travelers have come before you and paved the way for a successful solo adventure. As long as you take standard safety precautions, it’s generally a safe and comfortable destination.

However, it isn’t the easiest place to solo travel. Traveling around the Philippines, whether you’re alone or not, is lengthy and sometimes complicated. But don’t worry – you are more than capable of doing it alone. I’ve prepared this guide to solo female travel in the Philippines to ensure that you’re best prepared for a safe and successful trip.

Siargao, Philippines is one of my top picks for the best places to solo female travel in Asia!

When to travel to the Philippines as a solo female traveler?

The dry season, also the high season, runs from November to April. December to February experience the coolest weather, making them the most pleasant months to travel. However, high season means that prices are higher and things sell out well in advance. Traveling in the Philippines during the high season means better weather but requires planning ahead.

On either side of the dry season is the shoulder season, usually in May and October. During these months, crowds thin out and prices can be cheaper. However, rain can be common as the wet season arrives or lingers.

Keep in mind that weather patterns vary across all 115,831 square miles of the Philippines. While you might experience great weather on one island, that doesn’t mean it will be great on another. Siargao is an example of an island that follows its own weather patterns, with the typical dry season being its rainy season. Do research on your specific destinations to know what to expect.

Where to go in the Philippines as a solo female traveler?

Some top areas in the Philippines that will appeal to solo female travelers are:

• El Nido
• Coron
• Moalboal
• Siquijor
• Bohol
• Siargao
• Boracay

How to get around the Philippines as a solo female traveler?

Getting around the Philippines is more challenging, lengthy, and expensive than in most countries because it’s made up of over 7000 islands. This means that to get between islands, you’ll have to fly or take a ferry.

Once you’re on an island, you can take public buses, shared vans, boats, taxis, tuk-tuks, or motorbikes to get around. The method of transportation depends on which island you’re on. I took my fair share of all forms of transportation across the Philippines, and it was always affordable and easy to track down. You just have to know what form of transportation is your best bet in your specific location, which you can easily figure out by Googling.

How to meet people in the Philippines as a solo female traveler?

Joining organized excursions or a group tour is a great way to make friends while also not having to worry about your transportation and itinerary. Organized excursions are day trips that cover the top sights and attractions in the area, while group tours span many days and areas and also take care of your accommodations. Both are easy ways to meet fellow travelers to enjoy the journey with.

If you’re planning your own accommodation, hostels are the best places to stay to meet new people. By sharing a dorm room with other travelers, you can easily bond and make friends to explore with. Many hostels also organize group activities, such as excursions, dinners, local experiences, and parties. However, not all hostels are created equal when it comes to socializing. Some hostels have a quiet, relaxed vibe, while some have a social, party vibe, and some are in between. It’s important to read hostel reviews to find a vibe that’s a good fit for you.

How to book the best hostels and hotels in the Philippines?

Hostelworld is consistently the best hostel booking platform worldwide, and the Philippines is no exception. There are millions of accurate reviews from fellow solo travelers, so you can find the hostels that best match your vibe. Book your Philippines hostels on Hostelworld today:

Sometimes you need some alone time or just want to indulge in a private room as a solo traveler. When you need to find great hotels in the Philippines, the best booking platform is Agoda. It’s owned by the same company as Booking.com but is based in Southeast Asia, making it great for finding any hotels you need. Book your Philippines hotels on Agoda today:

How to book the best activities and excursions in the Philippines?

Group activities and excursions are one of the best ways to meet other travelers on a solo trip.
The best activity and excursion booking platforms for the Philippines are Klook and GetYourGuide. Both websites have thousands of trustworthy travel experiences with verified user reviews. I use Klook and GetYourGuide to book almost all my excursions in Asia.

Solo female travel in the Philippines: Safety

Solo female travel in the Philippines is a wonderful and rewarding experience, as the country is known for its warm hospitality and friendly locals. Most solo female travelers explore its stunning destinations without encountering significant safety concerns. The key to a secure experience is to always take standard safety precautions, such as staying vigilant, avoiding poorly lit areas after dark, and never telling people you are traveling alone. Always be sure to use reputable accommodations and transportation, and tell your friends and family back home your plan. Try connecting with other travelers who can join you or at least know where you’re going for the day. While no destination is entirely risk-free, the majority of solo female travelers find the Philippines to be a welcoming and secure place to explore alone.

There are some areas in the Philippines that travelers should avoid for safety reasons, such as the Sulu Archipelago and Marawi City. These areas are currently listed as “Do Not Travel” on the US Department of State website due to terrorism and civil unrest. Research which areas your government advises avoiding before planning your trip. Additionally, when you’re in big cities such as Manila, practice extra caution and research which areas to avoid. Some travelers report feeling unsafe while in Manila.

Solo female travel in the Philippines: Tips

Book domestic flights and accommodation in advance

Unfortunately, the Philippines is one of the rare countries in Southeast Asia where going on a whim isn’t practical. Because travel between islands requires flights, these get expensive or even sell out if you wait too long. Also, the top accommodations will sell out, sometimes months in advance, during peak season. I booked everything 4-6 months in advance, which I recommend doing if possible. I met many travelers who hadn’t booked ahead, and they were stuck in terrible accommodations with suffering wallets because of it.

Take out lots of cash

You will pay for EVERYTHING in the Philippines with cash. ATMs charge a flat ₱250 fee for every withdrawal on top of your bank’s fee, so I recommend taking out the maximum ₱10,000 every time until you’re getting to the end of your trip. Try to find ATMs for local Filipino banks (BDO always worked well for me) instead of the Euronet ATMs that charge even more fees.

If you’re traveling to a more remote area, take out plenty of cash in advance. Sometimes there aren’t any ATMs that accept foreign cards.

Motorbike taxis and tuk-tuks are your friends

Instead of getting in a taxi or private van alone, it’s much safer (and cheaper!) to take advantage of motorbike taxis and tuk-tuks. Not only is this safer than getting in a closed vehicle with a stranger alone, but you’ll also save money. You can easily hail a motorbike or a tuk-tuk throughout your travels, and the fares are usually negotiable!

Steer clear of Manila

Although traveling through Manila might be unavoidable because it’s home to the major international airport, I recommend spending as little time there as possible. Not only is there not much to do, but it isn’t the safest spot for solo female travelers. I was able to avoid Manila completely by flying into Cebu, but I met many travelers who felt unsafe on the streets of Manila. If you do go to Manila, stay extra alert and do your research on which areas to avoid.

Stay at a social hostel

One of the best ways to stay safe as a solo female traveler is to make friends who you can explore with and look out for each other. Not only is this great for your safety, but it makes the journey more fun to experience it with new friends! However, not all hostels are created equal when it comes to making friends. Some hostels attract travelers who want to keep to themselves, while some attract those who want to socialize. Make sure to thoroughly research hostels and read reviews to find a vibe that’s a good fit for you.

I stayed in some of my favorite hostels ever in the Philippines. I highly recommend Frendz Hostel in El Nido and Hop Hostel in Coron – they’re both social hostels with fun events every day, but also have great quality dorm rooms.

Book your best-fit Philippines hostels today on Hostelworld, the best place to find and book hostels. There are over 200 hostels with thousands of reviews from fellow solo travelers.

Join organized excursions

Organized day trips and excursions are an easy and safe way to explore the Philippines’ highlights with the help of a tour guide and the company of other travelers. There are so many tours to choose from all across the Philippines, so you can easily find tours that will take you to your top-choice destinations. You’ll have the guidance of a local, organized transportation, a pre-planned itinerary to the best spots, and the chance to mingle with other travelers.

You can either book your excursions through your hostel or you can book your excursions in advance on GetYourGuide.

Join a group tour

Like the sound of an organized tour that takes care of your entire itinerary, including top attractions, transportation, and hotels? Joining a multi-day group tour is the easiest way to discover a new country while making friends and having the guidance of a local. It relieves the burden of having to plan every aspect of your own adventure. It’s also the easiest way to make friends while traveling because the same group of travelers stay together for long periods of time. This is a great way to travel solo but have company and the logistics taken care of along the way. The Philippines is an especially great country to take advantage of group tours if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all 7000+ islands.

Some of the best tour companies for young adult travel in the Philippines are TruTravels and Intro Travel.

Solo female travel in the Philippines: What to expect

Everyone will ask you if you’re alone

More than anywhere else I’ve solo traveled, I constantly encountered the question “are you alone?”. It came from restaurant staff, hotel staff, tour guides, and random locals, both men and women. Have an answer prepared that does not reveal that you’re actually alone. If I’m clearly alone, like on an excursion, I like to say that my friend is back at the hostel sick. If I’m not so clearly alone, like walking to dinner, I like to say that I’m on my way to meet my friend. The most important thing is never to admit you’re alone, and always have an answer that suggests someone is expecting you.

The language barrier won’t be a problem

In all 3 weeks of travel around the Philippines, I never encountered someone who couldn’t speak basic English. Anyone you meet who works in the travel industry will be comfortable with English, and most others have at least a basic level of English. You don’t need to worry about communicating with the locals.

Travel between destinations takes a long time

Moving from one place to another in the Philippines takes a LONG time. I’m talking a full day of travel almost every time you want to move somewhere new. When you’re planning your Philippines itinerary, make sure to consider that travel days are full days. You need to factor this in to make sure you’re getting enough time in each destination. You should also be mentally prepared that a few days of your trip will be wasted just getting around. It’s best to limit how many destinations you choose to include in your trip to minimize wasted travel time.

Island time is real

One of the reasons travel takes so long is that nothing runs on time. “Island time” means that everything runs at a slow and leisurely pace. This can be nice when you’re trying to relax, but frustrating when trying to be efficient. If you’re someone who cares about schedules and punctuality (like me), you should mentally prepare for this. You’ll get where you need to go eventually, so sit back and enjoy the journey.

There are fewer solo travelers than in most other SEA destinations

I was shocked at how many times I found myself to be the only solo traveler in a group of people. Whether it was in my hostel room or on an excursion, I was often surrounded by couples, families, and friend groups. I assumed making friends with other solo travelers would be easy, but at the beginning of my trip, I struggled to meet people who wanted to make friends. While there are plenty of solo travelers in the Philippines and you’ll eventually find them, they won’t be as abundant as in other parts of Southeast Asia.

Everyone is on different routes

Another reason that making friends in the Philippines is more difficult is because everyone is on different routes. Instead of having a clear route, like going north to south or vice versa in Thailand and Vietnam, traveling around the Philippines doesn’t have a set way that makes the most sense. When planning Philippines travel, most people go off of whatever flights and ferries work best at the time. This means that you’ll likely not encounter many of the people you meet again throughout your travels. Each destination requires making new friends who are probably going their separate ways a few days later.

It’s not as budget-friendly as other SEA destinations

I knew the Philippines wasn’t as cheap as the rest of Southeast Asia, but I didn’t expect it to be so expensive. Of course, when you convert it to your home currency, it’s still relatively affordable. But compared to many other backpacking destinations, you’ll be paying a lot more for hostels, food, and transportation. This is especially true in popular tourist areas such as El Nido. While your trip doesn’t have to break the bank, it’ll require planning and budgeting in advance.

Solo traveling the Philippines is a rewarding journey that will take you to pristine beaches, limestone cliffs, top surf breaks, and more. Whether you’re into diving, snorkeling, boating, surfing, island hopping, or just relaxing on the beach, any water lover will thrive. While traveling in the Philippines has its quirks, this guide to solo female travel in the Philippines has you well prepared for a successful, safe adventure.

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