One Life Adventures 15% Discount Code & Philippines Review

One Life Adventures Philippines Tour

We love a bargain! And we also have a passion for encouraging others to travel! So it is a pleasure to be able to give you this discount Code with One Life Adventures and help make travel as affordable as possible! We also value your time, so don’t worry, you won’t have to sift through a whole essay to find a hidden code, in fact, its directly below in bold!

We value your time! So, if you already know why you are here and want to get the One Life Adventures discount code straight away then here it is:

FrequentFlyer15

You can use this One Life Adventures Promo code for a massive 15% off ANY tour on the website!

Thank us later 😉

However, if you would like to get the full low-down of what to expect on the award winning 14-day One Life Adventures Philippines Tour then check out our full review below! We have written this as a daily itinerary so you have an idea of what to expect each day. However, bare in mind that the tour itinerary may change over time and could differ from the dates Beth went.

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One Life Adventures Philippines Review

Day 1: Manila

The tour starts in the bustling city of Manila in the evening time. You will meet your group at the famous Z hostel for a welcome dinner and a free cocktail! If you arrive on day one of the tour, One Life Adventures will organise an airport transfer for you. Just tell them your flight details and someone will be waiting with a sign. If you arrive before day one we recommend using the Grab App (Like Uber in Asia) to book a taxi.

The best airport to fly into is Manilla Airport. You can check out prices from your location using Sky Scanner below:

After your welcome dinner, we highly recommend checking out Z Hostels roof terrace with stunning panoramic views across Manila!

Honestly, we wouldn’t recommend spending too long in Manila prior to the tour, as most of the stunning attractions in The Philippines are in the other islands. However, if you arrive early then we would recommend taking the free walking tour with Z hostel! You could also consider a trip to the old city which Beth did, but this was not part of the One Life Adventures tour.

Don’t tire yourself out too much on day one though, as you are up bright and early around 4am to catch a flight to Puerto Princesa.

Day 2: Puerto Princesa

Arrive in Puerto Princesa bright and early! There is a quick stop off at the accommodation to drop bags and then you are off to the very unique Iwahig Prison!

Also known as the “Prison Without Walls,” Iwahig is an unconventional penal facility that offers a fascinating glimpse into an alternative approach to incarceration and rehabilitation. Spanning a vast 64,000 acres, twice the size of Paris, this open-air prison allows inmates to roam freely across the sprawling grounds, which include rice paddies, coconut plantations, and even a town square with a church and recreation centre.

Incredibly, some prisoners are allowed to live with their families, and there is even a school on site! Rather than being confined behind bars, the prisoners of Iwahig are given the opportunity to learn valuable skills through farming, handicrafts, and even performing dances for visitors. The dancers call them selves the prison backstreet boys, and on the One Life Adventures tour you get the hilarious experience to dance with them. 

You also get the opportunity to ask the prisoners about their stories and why they ended up incarcerated. This is particularly interesting, especially for those interested in true crime. However, it also provides a unique understanding of the drastic differences in prisons throughout the Philippines and an insight into Filipino culture and law. 

Following the prison visit, you can choose to head back to the accommodation for cocktails around the pool or you could choose to visit some of the other top places in Puerto Princesa such as the Butterfly Ecological Garden and Tribal Village. If you want to check out other top things to do in Puerto Princesa you can check out our full travel guide here: 5 Epic Things To Do In Puerto Princesa | NOT Just An Airport.

Day 3: The Underground River & Port Barton

The following day we made our way up to the famous Underground River! This was one of Beth’s favorite parts of the entire tour! This extraordinary location is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature! 

Included in the package with One Life Adventures is a guided boat tour through the subterranean river system, which stretches 8.2 kilometres into the limestone landscape. The tour only visits the first 1.5 kilometres due to the time it takes to sail the entire river. That being said, 1.5 kilometres is more than enough to truly appreciate how remarkable the underground river is, with hollow chambers reaching over 100m high; this otherworldly site is an underground labyrinth. 

One of the most unique aspects of the tour is the requirement for complete silence during the boat ride. This rule, aimed at preserving the delicate ecosystem, allows you to fully appreciate the grandeur and otherworldliness of the interior of this huge cave system. The sheer size and beauty of this destination are beyond words; it is truly a sight that will leave you in awe!

You are provided with a headset that talks you through each location throughout the journey. The audio is fascinating and a lovely touch, as the guides also cannot speak inside the cave system. 

Following this epic tour, you head off for a delicious buffet lunch at Cacaoyan Forest Park & Restaurant! This was absolutely delicious and is an included meal with One Life Adventures.

Top Tip: After dinner make sure to check out the gardens hidden behind the restaurant! Nestled amidst a lush pocket of jungle, this hidden garden transports visitors into a whimsical world where old-growth trees thrive. As you wander around, you will encounter a delightful array of artistic installations, from a towering bird’s nest structure to epic tree houses!   

The rest of this day is spent travelling up to Port Barton in a private mini van, and once you arrive, you land in paradise!

We arrived in time to grab some sunset cocktails on Port Barton’s Itaytay beach which was right on the door step of our beach front accommodation.

Day 4/5: Island Hopping & Beach Camping

Wake up on day 4 ready to start a two day island hopping adventure! Island hopping is perhaps the most renowned thing to do in Port Barton and all meals throughout this whole 2 day trip were included with the One Life Adventures tour!

On this day, the first stop is a local school visit! This was such a lovely experience, we got to watch a performance and play games with the kids, as well as learn about their education and schooling environment! A unique feature of One Life Adventures Philippines tour.

Following this we sailed across turquoise waters for a day of snorkeling and island hopping! What is particularly special about island hopping in Port Barton is that the tours are far less busy than in other regions in Palawan, such as El Nido and Coron, meaning you can often have whole beaches to yourself! In our experience, One Life Adventures do a great job of making their tours as authentic as possible, often choosing less crowded locations and optimal times to visit!

The day finishes with the most incredible overnight beach camping on Calipayan Island. Staying overnight on this remote island was one of the most incredible experiences, offering the opportunity to immerse in the natural beauty of Port Barton.

Calipayan Island is a tranquil escape, with pristine white sand beaches fringed by swaying palm trees and crystal-clear waters ideal for swimming and snorkelling. There is also a net for beach volleyball and some beautiful beach swings. As night falls, the stars are the most incredible part of this whole experience. With little to no light pollution, these were some of the best stars we have ever seen. Furthermore, if you are lucky, you might see bioluminescent plankton in the water’s edge!!

In the morning, you wake up on the beach to the sound of the waves and the view of the most beautiful sunrise! Words honestly cannot do this place justice! It was a magical experience and we had the entire island just for our One Life Adventures group!

The following day we spent the day island hopping to other incredible locations around Port Barton! This locations included Bigaho Waterfall and Starfish Island, both of which were epic experiences!

This awesome day of adventure came to an end back at Itaytay beach in Port Barton and we chose to spend our last evening in Port Barton at the infamous CoCo Rico Hostel! Safe to say this night got a bit messy aha!

Day 6: Travel To El Nido & Walking Tour

Day 6 is quite a long travel day up to El Nido. The mini van is great but the roads can be quite windy, so if you get travel sick we recommend taking some anti-sickness pills before hand. On arrival you get settled in your accommodation at Spin Hostel, before joining the One Life Adventures guide on a walking tour around El Nido town.

This is a lovely touch as you get to see all the top spots including the best places to eat, the best places to take out money and local pharmacies. The rest of the day is free for you to explore an evening dinner with the group.

Day 7: Cultural Day & Zip Line*

On day 7 you get to take part in The Philippine Experience! This is an epic cultural day where you can delve into the vibrant Filipino way of life and culture.

The Philippine experience starts around 9 am until roughly 14:30/15:00, and highlights include:

• A flora & fauna trek.
• Traditional Filipino stick fighting.
• A cooking class.
• A lesson in coconut milk/oil making.
• The awesome opportunity to climb a coconut tree.
• Local Crafts 
• Traditional dance 
• Filipino games 

One of our favorite moments from this day was hearing the guides’ personal family stories. These stories included tales of survival through the Japanese invasion and how this influenced many aspects of Filipino culture today! Overall, this was a fantastic day, and a highlight of the One Life Adventures tour.  

Following The Philippine Experience, you have the opportunity to ride the Iconic El Nido zipline*. Its important to note that the zipline is an optional activity and not included in the price of the One Life Adventures tour.

This experience will see you flying from the mainland to a tiny island in the middle of the ocean! Pristine shores and crystal-clear waters are your backdrop as you soar 750m to the tiny Depeldet Island.

If you would like to get the full deets on the El Nido Zipline, from whether it’s safe enough to make your grandma proud to how to reach this adrenaline-pumping paradise, and if it lives up to the hype, then check out the complete travel guide here: Thrilling El Nido ZipLine | The Philippines.

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Day 8: El Nido Island Hopping

On day 8 you get to take part in one of El Nidos famous Island Hopping tours, included in the price of the One Life Adventures package! The tour you get to do with One Life is tour B. This is less crowded compared to the other island hopping tours in El Nido and therefore offers an authentic experience.

Some of the destinations covered on tour B include: Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, Cudugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave, and Entalula Beach.

One Life Adventures Promo Code

Incase you missed it, you can use our code FrequentFlyer15 15% off ANY tour on the One Life Adventures website.

Back to the itinerary …

Day 9: Canopy Walk & Free Day

On this day you get to take part in the canopy walk included in the One Life Adventures tour! However, if you are afraid of heights you may want to sit this one out aha! You are harnessed in and completely safe the whole time but there is quite a long swinging rope bridge that isn’t for the faint hearted..

At the end of this climb through the trees and limestone cliffs, you are rewarded with beautiful panoramic views of El Nido Bay.

Following the canopy walk you have free time to spend however you wish! Our awesome One Life Adventures guide gave us a number of optional activities too choose from. A lot of our group chose to do a boxing class and had an amazing time! Beth went with an additional island hopping tour. There are actually 4 different island hopping tours to choose from in El Nido. These are the rough itineraries for each:

Tour A: Highlights include the Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos Beach.

Tour B: This tour features Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, Cudugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave, and Entalula Beach.

Tour C: Explore Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach, Hidden Beach, Star Beach, and Helicopter Island.

Tour D: Discover Cadlao Island, Pasandigan Beach, Natnat Beach, Bukal Island, and Paradise Beach.

If You Would Like To Book Your Tour In Advance, Check Out These Options Below:

You can also check out our complete travel guide on El Nido if you are looking for other top things to do in this epic location: 13 Best Things To Do In El Nido | The Philippines | Travel Guide.

Day 10: Travel To Coron

First and foremost, this day will see you saying goodbyes to those doing the One Life Adventures 10-day tour while the rest of the group continue on to the stunning Coron.

Day 10 is quite a long travel day. The tour takes the classic ferry route from El Nido to Coron. The journey took roughly 4-5 hours and honestly, it was a lot more comfortable than other ferries we have experience such as the crossings to Gili T in Indonesia. Beth was actually able to sleep nearly the whole journey. There is aircon, decent seats and they even bring round snacks half way through! However, if you feel the sea, we would recommended taking a sea sickness tablet before hand just incase.

Once you arrive, you get time to chill and check into the new accommodation before heading out to dinner and exploring Coron town. We even got to catch a basketball game as we walked round, which is the national sport in the Philippines.

Day 11: Coron Free Day

This day is yours to do as you please in Coron! Normally we are not always keen on days like this on group tours as we like to be keeping busy every day. However, this day was perfect!

Firstly, for those who wanted to, the awesome One Life Adventures group leader took some of the group up to the iconic Mt Tapyas view point! This activity is free and super close to the accommodation. Although we didn’t go on this day, Beth visited at the end of the tour and so here are some pictures of what to expect.

Others could choose from various different options and the group leader was super helpful in organising the activities of preference for everyone. Beth chose to do another island hopping tour which was super affordable (Less than £25 including lunch). These were some of the islands we visited but bare in mind this was an optional extra and not included in the One Life Adventures Tour.

If you want to do an Island hopping tour on your free day, we have created a list of the locations each tour visits to help you make your decision! All tours typically include a delicious lunch! However, most of the locations visited in Tour A, B and D are covered as part of the One Life Adventures Tour. For this reason we went with Tour C.

Tour A: Highlights include The Barracuda Lake, Coral Garden, Cyc Beach, Kayangan Lake, and the Twin Lagoons.

Tour B: This tour features Barracuda Lake, Twin Lagoon and Skeleton Wreck.

Tour C: Explore Banana Island, Bulog Dos Island and Malcapuya Island.

Tour D: Discover Lusong Gunboat Snorkel, Lusong Coral Garden and Pass Island.

If You Would Like To Book Your Tour In Advance, Check Out These Options Below:

Day 12: Twin Lagoon, Barracuda Lake & Pass Island

This day was a lot of the groups favorite on our One Life Adventures tour! It was filled with seeing some of the most iconic places in The Philippines and ends at the most incredible overnight stay on Pass Island!

The first incredible stop of the day was the Barracuda lake. This natural wonder lies nestled away in the heart of the Calamian Islands and is a testament to the Philippines’ stunning beauty, boasting crystal-clear turquoise waters and towering rock formations. The lake’s epic scenes draw adventurers from all over the world. The terrain at the lake is formed by ancient volcanic activity and its unique geography creates a surreal underwater landscape.

You can read our full travel guide on The Barracuda Lake here: Barracuda Lake, Philippines | Is It Dangerous? This guide includes; the best time to visit, the legend of the lake, top travel tips for your visit, flying a drone at the lake and safety considerations. However, we do have one important tip to mention here!…

The second iconic stop of the day was The Twin Lagoons. The postcard-perfect beauty of these lagoons is perhaps most famously associated with Coron, and they definitely live up to the hype! We enjoyed an hour or two here with the group swimming and lounging on a large floaty our awesome group leader brought along!

The Twin Lagoons are tucked away amidst limestone cliffs, offering a serene escape into turquoise waters and stunning surroundings. Accessible via a narrow passage, it almost feels like you’re entering a hidden paradise to swim between the two lagoons. This is also an insane place for a drone flight. See for yourself:

After a stop for a delicious buffet lunch on a harbor side, we made our way to our final destination of the day and home for the night … Pass Island.

Pass Island is an insanely stunning location boasting crystal clear waters, powdery white sands, epic sunsets and the most incredible array of stars at night time! This location was one of Beth’s personal favorites throughout the whole tour! You can check out our complete guide to Pass Island here: Pass Island, Coron | The Ultimate Travel Guide.

Its important to note that after the first two stops of the day the journey to get to Pass Island takes roughly 1.5-2 hours, depending on weather. For us this was a relaxing calm journey, with most of the group sunbathing at the front of the boat. However, we have heard from other groups the water can get quite choppy at times, so be prepared and have sea sickness pills with you just incase!

This islands remote location makes it ideal for those wishing to escape the crowds and experience pristine beaches. You can check out the accommodation you will likely stay in on the One Life Adventures Tour Below. These are awesome beach huts and in our opinion they were comfy and had everything you need! Towels are provided and basic island style shower facilities. There are also mosquito nets and even electricity in the huts with a fan!

In the evening we recommend heading up the small hill to watch the sunset! Our One Life Adventures group leader made this suggestion and it was incredible! See for yourself:

Day 13: Coron Island Hopping

The following morning you will wake to the stunning white sands of Pass Island! You can choose to wake early for sunrise and what a location for it!

After a delicious breakfast we made our way to the next two stops of the day The Lusong Gunboat Shipwreck and Lusong Coral Garden Reef. These two awesome sites are just around the corner from each other but both equally beautiful!

The Lusong Gunboat Shipwreck is a significant World War II historical site that offers a fascinating underwater experience for snorkelers, freedivers, and scuba divers alike. This wreck rests at a depth of 10 meters on its side and, at its shallowest point, is just a meter or so below the surface. Therefore, unlike other wrecks in the area, it is ideal for snorkelling and beginner freedivers.

Lusong Coral Garden Reef is a vibrant and diverse underwater world teeming with colourful marine life and stunning coral formations. This reef, characterized by crystal-clear waters and excellent visibility, offers an array of corals in various hues of pink, blue, yellow, and green. The dense and intact coral formations within the garden serve as a haven for a wide array of tropical fish species, from small and colourful reef fish like clownfish and butterflyfish to larger inhabitants such as parrotfish and snappers. 

After these epic stops we made our way back to Coron and our One Life Adventures guide took the group over to the Maquinit Hot Springs before our final night out with the gang!

Day 14: The Last Day & Goodbyes

On the last day you get breakfast included and you get an airport transfer included in the price of the tour! This is perfectly organised by the group leader depending on the time of your flight! You need to fly out of Busuanga Airport (USU), which is also called Francisco B. Reyes Airport. You can check prices on Skyscanner below:

Alternatively, you can choose to stay for a few more days in Coron, and we would recommend doing this if you have the time, to see all the hidden gems this amazing island has to offer!

If you want to check out other top things to do in Coron you can check out our complete travel guide here: 15 Best Things To Do In Coron | The Philippines | Travel Guide.

Want To Extend Your Stay In Coron After The Tour?

The Best Time To Visit The Philippines

Overall we would say the best time to do a One Life Adventures Philippines tour is within the dry season, typically extending from December to April. During this period, you can expect clearer skies, calmer waters, and minimal rainfall, creating ideal conditions for outdoor exploration. However, bear in mind that this period also sees a surge in tourist activity, resulting in larger crowds and increased accommodation prices.

Average Monthly Rainfall In The Philippines

Shoulder Seasons: If you prefer a quieter experience, consider doing a One Life Adventures tour during the shoulder seasons of May or November when the crowds are fewer and the weather is still pleasant. It’s best to avoid planning your trip during the rainy season, from June to September, as heavy downpours and choppy waters can hinder your plans.

Conclusion

That’s a wrap! Honestly, this was one of the best tours we have been on and, there is a reason it has won Asia Tour of the Year! So, if you would like to take the stress out of planning your Philippines trip and make life-long friends as part of a group of like-minded travelers, a One Life Adventures Philippines Tour may be the one for you!

Don’t hesitate to let us know any questions you might have in the comments below! 

Big Love 

Beth and Denz 

Looking For Other Top Things To Do In The Philippines?

Check our all our Philippines travel guides with all the top things to do in each destination here!

Additionally, you can check out our complete Philippines Packing List, to ensure you are prepped for all that The Philippines throws your way:

Philippines Packing List | Avoid A Runny Tummy & Mosquitos!