PinnedPH
This article has been updated as of 9/27/2021.
Despite the now-stricter travel measures, four key destinations in the country are reopening their doors to tourism. Cue: packing!
Metro Manila is currently on Alert Level 4 until the end of the month, which means that all individuals below 18 and seniors above 65 are required to stay at home. However, peeps outside of this age bracket can travel for leisure to destinations categorized as under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and Modified GCQ. These include Boracay, Ilocos Norte, Coron, and Siargao, all of which have recently announced acceptance of peeps from the National Capital Region and areas with the same quarantine status.
If you’re intent on breaking free from boredom and routine, here are basic things you need to know about traveling to Siargao, Ilocos Norte, Boracay, and Coron, including travel requirements for each.
Siargao
Known for its laid back, surfer town vibe, Siargao is perhaps the only place in Mindanao that actively promotes tourism to date. Per its Municipal Tourism Office, restrictions apply though. Here are things you can expect upon your arrival on the island:
- Strictly no non-essential mass gatherings and activities such as parties
- Restobars, videoke bars, and places for outdoor gatherings are closed
- No videoke use
- Sale and consumption of liquor is currently banned
- Curfew from 9 pm to 5 am
- Both vaccinated and unvaccinated persons are allowed
Travel requirements for Siargao visitors
- One (1) government-issued ID
- Negative RT-PCR test result (saliva or swab test) issued 48 hours before arrival (applies to all individuals, regardless of vaccination status)
- Booking confirmation for 3D/2N (minimum) from a DOT-accredited
- For individuals staying longer than five days, antigen test is required after the fifth day
- Antigen test after five days from the date of arrival if you’re staying longer
Ilocos Norte
The province’s tourism office recently shared that 75 percent of people employed in the provincial tourism sector have been successfully vaccinated, and that they are reopening to travelers from NCR.
This was followed by Ilocos Norte’s announcement Metro Ilocos Norte Master Development Plan (MINMDP), which aims to highlight key tourism spots including Paoay Lake, Malacañang of the North, Paoay Sand Dunes, Laoag Sand Dunes, Laoag City Center, Badoc Gateway, La Virgen Milagrosa, Kapurpurawan Geo and Renewable Park, Saud Municipal Beach, and Solsona-Apayao Tourism Road, while committing to continued environmental and sustainability initiatives.
Here are some things to expect during your stay in Ilocos Norte:
- All areas are under GCQ, except Laoag, Batac City, Bangui, Burgos, and Marcos, which are under modified GCQ. Under this rule, leisure travel for local residents of all ages are allowed. However, use of the SafePass (SPass) app is advised for efficient contact tracing.
- Almost all tourism-related sectors are open to visitors
- Restaurants accept dine-in guests
- Religious activities operate at 30 percent capacity
Travel requirements for Ilocos Norte visitors
- One (1) government-issued ID
- SafePass registration
- Visitor registration at the Ilocos Norte website
- For tourists from Alert Level 4 areas: Negative RT-PCR test result (saliva or swab test) taken within 72 hours prior to arrival, negative rapid antigen test result taken within 24 hours, OR negative rapid antigen test taken upon arrival in Ilocos Norte
- For tourists from Alert Levels 1, 2, and 3 areas: Negative rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours OR negative rapid antigen test taken upon arrival in Ilocos Norte
- Booking confirmation from a DOT-accredited accommodation or travel agency
Coron
Coron announced gradual reopening to tourists using a “point-to-point (P2P) bubble tourism” system beginning September 22. Through the said policy, fully vaccinated non-Palawan residents from other areas outside Palawan can visit through facilitation by approved island resorts and DOT-accredited agencies only. Come November 15, guests from all parts of the Philippines will be allowed entry to Coron.
Meanwhile, Palawan residents are allowed entry to any resort, as long as they comply with the requirements for local residents.
Guests belonging to the same household can share rooms.
To ensure improved safety, Coron has also required full vaccination of workers from P2P bubble hotels. These hotels must also provide point-to-point transfers from their point of origin to the destination (i.e. resort).
Travel requirements for non-Palawan residents
- Vaccination card showing full vaccination (at least 15 days after administration of single-dose vaccine e.g. Janssen OR at least 15 days after the administration of the second dose of a two-dose vaccine)
- Unvaccinated minors are required to be accompanied by a fully vaccinated parent,legal guardian, or adult siblings
- Negative RT-PCR (swab) test result taken within 48 hours prior to the flight
- Booking confirmation from DOT-accredited accommodation
- S-Pass registration
- Payment of P200 environmental fee (upon arrival)
Travel requirements for Palawan residents
- Vaccination card showing full vaccination (at least 15 days after administration of single-dose vaccine e.g. Janssen OR at least 15 days after the administration of the second dose of a two-dose vaccine)
- Negative antigen test result taken within 24 hours
- Booking confirmation from DOT-accredited accommodation
Boracay
With its chalky 7-kilometer beach, Boracay remains one of the most popular local destinations even amid the pandemic. Here’s what to expect once you arrive there:
- Plenty of restaurants and bars are still closed
- Water sports are allowed,but at a significantly reduced capacity
- Body temperature is taken prior to swimming in beaches. Swimming is only allowed from 6 am to 6 pm.
- Curfew is enforced from 11 pm until 6 am.
- Public utility vehicles (PUV) can only accommodate 50% of their total capacity.
Travel requirements for Boracay visitors
- One (1) government-issued ID
- Negative RT-PCR (swab) test taken within 72 hours for non-residents
- S-pass registration
- Accomplished health declaration form via the Provincial Government of Aklan website
- Booking confirmation from a DOT-accredited accommodation with COA
- Travel itinerary
