Important Information

PHILIPPINES VISA: Most tourists visiting the Philippines for fewer than 30 days are not required to obtain a visa in advance of their arrival. Your passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months after the date you enter the Philippines.

CULTURE SHOCK: While the Philippines is known for its friendly and hospitable culture, and major cities and tourist destinations are increasingly open and inclusive, there are still some challenges. In popular tourist spots like Manila, Cebu, Boracay, and Palawan, LGBTQ+ travellers are generally welcomed, and these areas often have thriving LGBTQ+ communities and venues. However, in more rural or conservative areas, travellers might face social attitudes that are less accepting.

LOCAL LGBTQ+ SCENE: Manila and Boracay offer lively gay nightlife and cosmopolitan vibes. In Manila, visitors will find a thriving LGBTQ+ community with a wide array of bars, clubs, and events, particularly in the Poblacion neighborhood. Boracay, renowned for its laid-back atmosphere, also hosts lively LGBTQ+ gatherings and inclusive beach parties.

WEATHER: In March, the Philippines typically enjoys warm and pleasant weather as it transitions from the cooler dry season into the hotter months. Daytime temperatures usually range from 77°F to 89°F (25°C to 32°C), with lower humidity and plenty of sunshine. This period is ideal for beach outings and outdoor activities, though occasional brief showers may occur, particularly in the latter part of the month.

REQUIRED VACCINATIONS: Based on the entry requirements for the Philippines, there are no mandatory vaccinations. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, consult with your doctor or a travel medical clinic. Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.

ELECTRICITY: You will need an international travel plug/adapter for Type A, B, and C sockets. Visit the Philippines page on Power Plugs and Sockets of the World for more info. During our Ginto Island camping experience (1 night), there will be no electricity to power/charge devices, including C-PAP machines.

CONNECTIVITY: All of our hotels will have Wi-Fi access. If you require connectivity, we recommend purchasing an international data plan or local SIM card (with an unlocked device). Even with a SIM card or roaming plan, coverage may be weak. On days 7 and 8, we’ll have no connectivity while camping on Ginto Island.

Room Configurations: This tour features boutique hotels with limited rooming options. Some couples may be required to sleep in twin rooms with 2 beds on ocsasion, and some bathrooms lack privacy, meaning solo travelers sharing a room will need to work with their roommate to schedule private time in the bathroom (4 nights).

Island Camping (1 night): We’ll camp for one night in single-person mesh tents on the beach. A permanent structure will provide shelter in case of rain, we’ll have clean/modern toilets and showers, and our meals will be prepared by chefs. There is no electricity on the island and no ability to charge electronic devices or power CPAP machines. 

Filipino cuisine is heavy on pork, seafood, and rice. Gluten-free and vegan travelers will face limited options—especially in more remote areas. If you have strict dietary needs or allergies (especially to gluten, fish, or shellfish), please confirm your preferences/allergies as early as possible. We’ll do everything we can to accommodate you, but we also recommend packing protein supplements or snacks just in case.

The weather is unpredictable, and climate change is making things more challenging. While we’ve scheduled these tours outside of traditional typhoon season (July to October), there’s no guarantee. High winds, boat delays, and flight cancellations are possible. If you’re someone who struggles with itinerary changes or unpredictable conditions, this may not be the trip for you.

We include several domestic flights to hop between islands. While they’re short, they’re also subject to delays—especially if weather acts up. Expect basic economy seating, crowded airports, occasional long queues, and sometimes, standing-room-only waiting areas.

Guests will be required to wade through knee- to chest-deep water and climb up a ladder to hop on and off excursion boats, sometimes into chest-deep water with sand or other debris. For this reason, this tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility.

We’re dedicated to ensuring our tours are safe for everyone, and it is our belief that each traveller has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travellers from illness. Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, nor to isolate in the event of respiratory illness. Our Hosts and/or Group Leaders may ask those with respiratory or cold symptoms to wear a mask in confined areas. Local laws may be more strict and will always supersede our policies.

Out Adventures is all about good times with like-minded folks. Whether we’re sitting around a campfire or indulging in five-star decadence, our goal is to make the experience magical. We also support the communities we visit by hiring local guides, staying at locally-owned accommodations whenever possible, and seeking out authentic local cuisine. It all adds up to a great way to immerse yourself in the culture.

Daily breakfast, 5 lunches, and 8 dinners are included.

Makati Diamond Residences
118 Legazpi Street, Legazpi Village,
Makati City, Philippines 1229
+63 2 8878 9699

Standard check-in time is between 2PM and 3PM. We are unable to arrange early check ins, however you are able to store your luggage and explore the central area near the hotel while you wait. If you would like a guaranteed early check-in, you will need to reserve a pre-tour night of accommodation.

The Lind
Station 1, Barangay Balabag, Boracay Island,
Malay, Aklan, 5608 Philippines
+63 28 835 8888

If you would like to extend your stay, additional accommodations can be booked in advance.

If you are happy with the services throughout your trip, a tip is recommended. Tipping details will be provided in your final trip documentation, however we recommend budgeting approximately $140 – $200 USD.

The local currency is the Philippine peso (₱). Credit cards are accepted in most tourist destinations and at the resorts, but it’s a good idea to carry some local currency for smaller shops that will only accept cash and G-Cash (a local mobile wallet).

NOTE: We recommend carrying approximately $400 USD to be used in case of an emergency, or if your credit/ATM cards are placed on hold. This should be in addition to any spending money.

Most Out Adventures entail carrying your own luggage on occasion. The following packing list is a guideline, not gospel. Out Adventures specialists are happy to answer any specific questions about how much or little to bring. 

Travel Documents

• Passport
• Flight itineraries
• Travel insurance confirmation including 24-hr emergency collect phone number
• Out Adventures invoice
• Photocopies or an email with photos of important documents such as credit cards/passport/drivers license (we recommend you keep a copy at home as well)
• Credit/ATM cards & cash

General Personal Items

• Smartphone/camera/tablet/charging cords
• Power Plug adapter (https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/philippines/)
• Eye mask
• Earplugs
• Daypack (the Out Adventures Sport Pack you received in the mail)
• Luggage lock
• Guidebook/phrasebook/reading material
• Sunglasses
• Small travel umbrella
• Sun protection/hat
• Travel-sized towel
• Dry bag to protect your devices from water/dust
• Flashlight (mobile phone flashlight may suffice) for Ginto Island

Shoes

• Socks 
• Walking shoes
• Shoes you’d feel comfortable wearing to a nice restaurant
• Sandals

Bottoms

• Underwear
• Jeans/pants you’d feel comfortable wearing to a nice restaurant
• Shorts
• Swimwear

Tops

• Short-sleeved shirts
• Shirts you’d feel comfortable wearing to a nice restaurant
• Waterproof jacket/poncho

Health-related Items

• Face masks/hand sanitizer gel/sanitizing wipes
• Small First aid kit including ibuprofen, acetaminophen, cold/flu tablets, diarrhea tablets, rehydration packs
• Personal Medication in original bottles 
• High protection sunscreen/lip balm
• Toiletries including toothbrush, toothpaste & deodorant
• Insect repellent

For everyone’s peace of mind, travel insurance is mandatory for all Out Adventures tours. This insurance must include medical coverage and emergency repatriation/evacuation. For more details on our requirements and guidance on obtaining coverage, please click here. In addition to meeting our minimum requirements, we strongly recommend insuring the total cost of your trip with cancellation coverage and selecting a policy that covers all activities included in this tour.

All Out Adventures are led by a gay (or gay-welcoming) guide. Whenever possible, we hire destination locals. And we can also connect you with the right people if you’d like to delve deeper into the local culture.

Out Adventures are a great way to meet people from around the world and all walks of life. Bear in mind that everybody’s there for a good time, so mutual respect will go a long way. Please be on time for any meetups, empathetic to the needs of others, and ready to roll with whatever the adventure brings.

Although we can’t tell you who your fellow travellers will be for privacy reasons, we can tell you many great friendships began with an Out Adventure. And just because we’re a gay tour operator doesn’t mean we’re exclusive: friends and family are always welcome to join the fun.

If you’ve never travelled on your own, it’s an amazing way to get to know yourself while making new friends along the way. We can arrange for you to share a room with people in your age range at no charge, or you can pay a supplement for your own room. If there’s an odd number of solos, we’ll rotate a single room on a random basis.

We love when groups of friends join us on an Out Adventure, whether you’re celebrating a major milestone, or you just love to travel together. However, since we have travellers that will be flying solo, or as a couple, we would love your help ensuring everybody feels welcome and has an epic time. Here are some ways you can give us a hand, while also getting to know and befriending your fellow travellers:

• Sit with (and get to know) different people at different meals
• Mix up walking partners on excursions
• Invite solo travellers to join you for an optional excursion or meal
• Enjoy inside jokes in privacy, or let the group in on the secret 😉

If you’d rather relish an exclusive escape with just your own party, we also offer private departures. This is a great way to create and manage your own holiday guest list, while possibly saving money as well. Please contact one of our Adventure Specialists if you’re interested in a customized quote.

This tour is rated 2.5/5. All Out Adventures guests must have a good level of health. All tours, regardless of activity level, involve uneven steps, stairs, walking tours, and you will be required to carry your own luggage from time to time. On this trip, you will be required to hop in and out of boats into shallow water. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate individuals with limited mobility unless they are willing to absorb the cost of a private guide/assistant which varies by country and is only possible on a case by case basis. It is also your responsibility to advise Out Adventures of any pre-existing medical conditions that may increase the risk of you requiring medical attention, or that may affect the normal conduct of the tour and the enjoyment of the tour by other participants.

Below is a breakdown of our Physical Rating guide.

1 – Relaxing

• Very little or no hiking
• Light activities such as walking, bike tours, paddling or swimming are completely optional
• Low altitude
• Suitable for all fitness levels

2 – Light

• Light walking and hiking (2 hours or less per day and at low altitude)
• Light activities such as bike tours, paddling or swimming are completely optional
• Suitable for most fitness levels

3 – Average

• Light walking and hiking (3 hours or less per day, rarely at high altitude)
• Some activities such as biking, paddling or swimming. Active days are mixed with relaxed days
• Suitable for an average fitness level

4 – Demanding

• Walking, hiking is a component of the tour (can range from 2 hours to 6 hours per day, at various altitudes)
• Activities such as biking, paddling or swimming may be mixed in
• Suitable for a good fitness level

5 – Challenging

• Walking, hiking, biking, paddling or kayaking are the vast majority of the trip (can range from 2 hours to 8 hours per day, generally at high altitude)
• Activities will likely happen day after day with limited rest days
• Suitable for above average fitness level

The itinerary is correct at time of publishing. If anything, it will only improve with feedback from prior travellers and our own research. It’s best to reference your final trip documents, rather than our website, in case there have been any changes that affect your departure.