In the Philippines you meet people on boats, because that's how you get anywhere.
Where it happens, along the route#
| Stop | The easy way in |
|---|---|
| Manila | One night in Poblacion, Makati: bars, hostels |
| El Nido | Island-hopping tours A to D, hostels on the beach |
| Coron | Wreck dives, lagoon boats |
| Moalboal | Dive school, the sardine run, Kawasan canyoneering |
| Malapascua | Dawn thresher-shark dive |
| Siargao | Surf lesson at Cloud 9, hostels in General Luna |
Online#
Post your trip on Roavi Community with your dates. Travellers heading to the same island in the next two weeks appear in the same place, and Local Friends can reply. How to find a travel buddy.
Filipinos#
The easiest locals in Asia to befriend, and English makes it instant. A Local Friend lives there and spends a few hours with you at a rate they set: their beach, their lechon place, their karaoke. Rent a friend in the Philippines. If you're the local: the same page explains how to earn from it.
Post your trip and find people on your dates.
Open Roavi CommunityFrequently Asked Questions
Where do solo travellers meet in the Philippines?
El Nido and Coron island-hopping boats, Moalboal's sardine run and dive schools, Malapascua's thresher-shark dives, Siargao's surf lessons and hostels, and Manila's Poblacion bars for a first night.Is the Philippines good for solo travellers?
Yes: English everywhere, famously friendly people, a short route most travellers share, and islands that force you onto boats with strangers. Transport takes time; plan fewer islands.Is there an app to find a travel buddy in the Philippines?
Roavi Community lets you post a trip with your city and dates and see other travellers heading there in the next two weeks, plus Local Friends who live there. Backpacker groups for the Philippines are active too.How do I meet Filipino people?
Easily: ask anything. A karaoke night, a jeepney ride, a barangay fiesta if invited, a Local Friend who shows you their island. Filipinos are the friendliest locals in Asia and most speak English.Is it safe to travel the Philippines with someone I just met?
With the usual rules: public places first, your own money and room, and care with boats in bad weather. Some southern areas are off-limits for other reasons; the route above avoids them.
This article was written with the help of AI and reviewed by the Roavi team.