Manila, Davao, Samal Islands

Philippines Travel Guide from Nepal: Manila, Davao

By Sonaam

A great option for Nepali travelers looking for something different from the usual Thailand, Dubai or Malaysia trips. Not many Nepali tourists seem to visit the Philippines, especially outside Manila, so places like Davao and Samal Island can feel surprisingly local and uncrowded. Manila is busy and energetic, while Davao offers a much more relaxed experience, with Samal Island adding an easy island escape. With affordable hotels, Grab for transport and eSIMs for mobile data, the Philippines is relatively easy to explore independently.

The Philippines was a surprisingly easy country to travel around independently. Manila was busy and chaotic, but Davao was much more relaxed and felt genuinely local. Samal Island was another highlight because there were surprisingly few tourists around during my visit. For me, the best part wasn't checking off famous tourist attractions. It was experiencing normal city life, eating local food and exploring places that didn't feel overcrowded.