Philippines

by Chris Rowthorn, Michael Grosberg, Lonely Planet

Complete, practical country guide for independent travellers. Dedicted diving chapter by diving & snorkelling specialist Heneage Mitchell. Includes information on tropical rainforests, coral- studded seas, volcanic mountains and adventure activities.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Reference, Asia

492 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Arielle Rae Aguilar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always like reading books about my country so I can see the perspective of the Philippines from someone who did not grow up there. I have to say it is enjoyable to know what people think of our country and sometimes what they say about the Philippines is very flattering. This book is accurate (mostly) and is very knowledgable, even to someone who lived there. It is also very useful if you are planning a trip there

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whislt the content is as expected, fantastic, I'd never buy again for Kindle. The inability to flip, highlight, flag, plan and bookmark intuitively made this a pain to work with whilst on the go - especially around so much water.

[Lars Denkewitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to read a travel guide? Well lets say, read the "about" chapters of the country such as history and cultural introductions plus some of the regions, where you have been traveling?

The history and cultural description chapters to the country, in this case The Philippines, do give quite a good understanding in the people and live. It creates a bigger relation between the traveler and the country he/she is visiting. Thus it gives a deeper interest and experience throughout the journey I believe.

For the particular locations, you should take them as rough guides but not as plan. Do not follow strictly this book, nor carry it all the time along the way. Better, find yourself a few ideas and goals, very you are heading to but then, alter your journey on the way and make it your own experience, the book can not give you anyway. It is important to aim for a goal to make you moving, not to achieve the exact same one.

The book itself, even though very profound, can neither be complete nor up-to-date, even if you purchased the newest edition. Beware of this and don't start with wrong expectations.

Enjoy the Philippines.

* (have been traveling to Palawan and Coron)

[Julia Dove · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it very useful to plan my itinerary to Philippines and generally learn about a country I knew very little before traveling there. I think Philippines is not an easy destination to plan, because of the hundreds of gorgeous islands (it is really so hard to pick), and the lower digitalization in some parts, and the guide was also good to explain what we really have to plan ahead, what we can reserve directly there, etc. I also appreciated the sustainability-related notes. Not all attractions in Philippines are very sustainable (e.g., feeding fish so they show up where tours go, allowing tourists to snorkel too close to the reef); the guide informs about options and potential sustainability concerns in a useful but not judgmental way.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

My review of this book is: out-of-date. Which is sad since my edition was published only two years ago in 2021. There are sites marked as highlights that we could not even visit when we were there in November 2023. I have relied on several Lonely Planet guides during my travels over the years and this is the first time they did not live up to my expectations. Recommend confirming everything with a second source before making any plans.

[astraeus · Rating 4 out of 5]

very detailed travel guide for philippines, especially for amateur backpackers
particularly for metro manila and cebu island
i would recommend to all travelers who want to or plan to visit philippines to read this beforehand, to digest some basic history and culture of philippines in advance so that you could better understand the country when you are stand on their soil

[Tat2d · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used it specifically for my visit to Palawan. In that regard, it served it's purpose well. Quite informative for the island of Palawan and the locations I visited. I can't speak on the rest of the book

[David Bengo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing guide

It has been an entertaining read, with interesting facts and information. Would have liked some more pictures, but the wast information about the country, locations and people make up for it.

[Amber · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horribly outdated. Prices listed do not even come close to actual prices, information on transport is often wrong, full of places that don't exist anymore. If we can't count on information to be remotely correct, than what's the purpose of a travel guide?

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say. Lonely Planet guides are excellent. Too bad the shelf life is short.

[Andres LeonRangel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful but lacks details due to pandemic

Due to pandemic the quality of things went down. Great reference book for those travelling to the gorgeous Philippines 🇵🇭

[Nick Salenga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book of my dream vacation to go to Philippines to see all my relatives on my dad’s side of the family.

[DeeJade · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Lonely Planet Philippines (Travel Guide)" is an indispensable companion for anyone planning a trip to this beautiful and diverse Southeast Asian nation. This comprehensive travel guide lives up to the high standards we've come to expect from Lonely Planet.

The book excels in providing up-to-date information on the various regions of the Philippines, making it easy for travelers to plan their itineraries and make the most of their visit. It covers everything from the bustling metropolises of Manila and Cebu to the serene beaches of Palawan and the lush landscapes of Luzon.

One of the standout features of this guidebook is its detailed cultural insights. It goes beyond just listing tourist attractions and dives deep into the local customs, traditions, and history of the Philippines. This added depth allows travelers to connect on a more meaningful level with the people and places they encounter during their journey.

The practical tips and recommendations for accommodation, transportation, dining, and activities are extremely helpful, whether you're a backpacker on a budget or a luxury traveler seeking the finest experiences.

However, it's important to note that like any travel guide, the information in "Lonely Planet Philippines" may change over time due to evolving circumstances or new developments. Therefore, it's a good idea to supplement this book with current online resources and local advice for the most up-to-date information.

In conclusion, "Lonely Planet Philippines (Travel Guide)" is a must-have for anyone planning to explore the Philippines. It offers comprehensive coverage, cultural insights, and practical advice, making it an invaluable tool for an unforgettable trip to this enchanting archipelago.

[Pubudu Wariyapola · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very helpful for determining where to go, what to do, or where to stay. Part of it may be that Philippines is not that exciting (at least the part that I visited - Manila, Dumaguete, and Moalboal were not) - but the descriptions were not detailed enough to know that in advance. Seems to have been written more from a marketing point of view rather than as a resource for travelers. Most of the lodging options described were poor (cross reference with Tripadvisor) and descriptions of dive sites were lacking and incorrect when provided - not written from the point of view of a well-traveled/experienced diver - sounding more like excerpts from brochures for the dive shops or quotes from dive instructors. Town described as vibrant and "knows how to be a city" (Dumaguete) was a mostly run down, over-sized village. The "beach" in Moalboal was a thin strip of sand a 4 mile ride out of town. Most of the "expats" were old American and European men living with young Philippina girls.

[Cori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved how this book went into the history and culture of the places, not just the hot destinations. Made me excited to travel there, and I don’t think I’ll rush back! I think this book served well as a preplanner. I checked it out of the library, so I am not taking it with me which I think suits it fine. Not a lot of ‘in the moment’ help on language, etc. There is an option to download by chapter for the e-book which I might do.

Enjoyed the local histories as well. Since I am going to a part of the country that has had some conflict, I was relieved to see the city I will be in noted as safe! And its by some awesome stuff… Can’t wait to go!

[Katrin · Rating 3 out of 5]

quite a nice book. I was a bit irritated by the layout which left me with a lot of free pages. tried to resize the book, so i´m not sure if iBooks is to blame or lonely planet. the selection of tipps sounds really interesting. it makes hungry for adventure! of course everything is just quickly mentioned, since this is made to just give a glimpse. still a really nice entertaining free ebook with some beautiful pictures, too. could have been more, though. you know me, i love pictures :)

[Alex Timberman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is really useful. I didn't trust it at first because I figured there are too many good places for me to discover on my own that would be as good as the recommended places. But as I discovered the best places to shop, see, and eat, they were all places recommended in the book. A lot of research and expertise and love of the Philippines went into this book and I hope other Lonely Planet books are just as good because I plan on using them again.

[bibliotekker Holman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lonely Planet does a great job of putting together a guide that is both interesting to read and an informative reference. Before going anywhere, I get one of these. I've really tried to use and enjoy a travel guide in eBook form. Unfortunately, it is clumsy and sometimes hard to read in different conditions and use maps. Plus, with a print guide, when travelling, you can just rip out the pages you need.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This volume was not as well laid out as other Lonely Planets. As an example, the language section didn't have a simple page listing common niceties, like 'please' and 'thank you.'

I'm not including accuracy of information in my rating because I used an outdated edition, so very few of the places we visited were included.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting a lot of good points from reading this and I was right.

It missed some of the best highlights and places in the Philippines.

The fatalistic attitude is a facade. Sadly, the author gave much emphasis on this. I wonder if he just googled things and came up with a book. Most Filipinos are hardworking and more prepared than people think.

[Zareek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a fan of Lonely Planet, and I made no exception with this one. You can't help noticing how meticulous their research has been done.

The only thing I disagree is that they didn't include the otherworldly Batanes under Top 15 experience. IMHO, that's the best place In Philippines I've been. But then that's more of a personal opinion, and I highly recommend this book nonetheless.

[Elisse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Een beetje gedateerd, sommige plaatsen bestaan niet meer of bevinden zich momenteel op een andere locatie. Maar erg fijne tips! Ik gebruikte de Lonely Planet tijdens mijn reis van twee maanden in de Filipijnen, in combinatie met tips op TripAdvisor, en ik werd niet teleurgesteld. Leuke adresjes en een bom aan informatie.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really useful way to navigate the maze that is trying to travel the Philippines on public transport, great recommendations for accommodation and ideas to try out. Would recommend booking in advance if travelling over the Chinese New Year, finding accommodation is crazy!

[Marcel Lewicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

An OK guide, but sometimes rather outdated (even for a 2012 guide). I found the rather short chapter on Palawan especially disappointing. It is good for identifying sights and islands to visit, but for in-depth information you should pack Jens Peters's Philippine Travel Handbook as well.

[Triin Preem · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Lonely Planet book bought and proprely used. I'm really satisfied with all the practical info about Southeast Luzon, with my first month here I have used it a lot. The writing style is also really enjoyable. Good thing is, that it is 2015 version, even the prices are accurate.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The travel section in my local bookshop only had this travel guide for the Philippines. I have always been a Lonely Planet reader, but I do tend to supplement them with other guides in order to get a comprehensive feel for the places I'm going to visit.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Partly interested after hearing someone else’s account of their travels, and party virtual escape from cold November days.

It was a good overview of an interesting and colorful place. I was fascinated by the history of the country, and learned a lot that I didn’t know.

[Nu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Comprehensive information, but too much for tourists who want to spend a week in the Philippines.

[Rey fuentes, jr · Rating 4 out of 5]

..to read...

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Headed to Manila, El Nido, and Boracay this January. This book was essential to build the perfect travel itinerary.