Indonesia & Philippines on the Map
First, you can quickly find the Philippines and Indonesia on a map of Southeast Asia. The Philippines is in the northeast. Indonesia is in the south. You can also see other countries nearby, like Malaysia and Singapore.
- Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago, stretching across Southeast Asia between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It spans an enormous area from west to east—roughly the same distance as from London to Moscow.
- The Philippines lies to the northeast of Indonesia, consisting of over 7,600 islands in the western Pacific Ocean. It sits between the South China Sea and the Philippine Sea, positioned beautifully as the gateway between Southeast and East Asia.
As the map shows, Indonesia and the Philippines are island neighbors. But they do not share a land border. For tourists, this means you need to fly between them.
Philippines Maps: Tourist, Islands & Travel Map of PH
What Is Each Country Like? Indonesia VS Philippines
Once you know where they are, you can learn about the "personality" of each place. This isn't about choosing one country over the other. It's about helping you decide how to spend your time in each destination.
Indonesia, in short, is about volcanoes, yoga, Komodo dragons, and temples. I call its vibe "Earth and Fire." It is a place for adventure, relaxation, and healing.
- One day, you might be hiking to the crater of Mount Bromo for sunrise. The next, you could be exploring Borobudur, the world's largest Buddhist temple.
- In Bali's town of Ubud, a deep spiritual energy is something you will feel in the yoga studios.
- And of course, you can see real-life "dragons"—the famous Komodo dragons—in Komodo National Park.
The Philippines is all about lagoons, whale sharks, rice terraces, and white beaches. This is the ultimate destination for island hopping and beach trips.
- Your journey might take you to El Nido and Coron, where kayaking in crystal-clear lagoons is a must.
- It's also possible for you to snorkel with gentle giants, like whale sharks, in Cebu or Donsol. The 2,000-year-old Banaue Rice Terraces will surely leave you in awe.
- And on islands like Boracay, you are going to find some of the softest, whitest sand in the world.
The Philippines and Indonesia Destinations Map
Now that you have a good feel for where these two countries are and their unique personalities, let's dive deeper into their top destinations. In this section, we will show you 3 maps.
One map gives you a big-picture view of the top spots and cities in both countries. The other two maps focus on Indonesia and the Philippines individually, showing their destinations and the flight routes that connect them.
Top Choices from Your Indonesia “Menu”
Bali (“The All-Rounder”): This is Indonesia's most famous island. Known as the "Island of the Gods," Bali is loved for its unique Hindu culture, the spiritual town of Ubud, and its world-class surfing beaches.
Yogyakarta: This city attracts many visitors with its royal palaces, where you can experience true Javanese culture. It is also the gateway to the incredible temples of Borobudur and Prambanan.
Lombok: Just east of Bali is its neighbor, Lombok. People often say Lombok is like "Bali from 20 years ago." The feeling here is more relaxed and laid-back.
Komodo: This is where you get to have your own National Geographic moment. It's home to the world’s largest lizard, the amazing Komodo dragon.
Jakarta: As Indonesia's capital city, Jakarta is the country's center for business and economy. It is mainly a destination for city life and urban experiences.
Raja Ampat: Found at the eastern edge of Indonesia, this remote group of islands sits in the heart of the Coral Triangle. This location makes it one of the absolute best diving spots on Earth.
Yogyakarta Indonesia Map 2026 | Yogyakarta Map for Tourist
Major Destinations in The Philippines
Palawan (“The Crown Jewel”): Let’s be honest, this place is probably the reason you added the Philippines to your list. Its beauty is simply stunning.
- El Nido: Famous for its tall limestone cliffs and hidden lagoons. Boat tours, known as "Tour A, B, C, or D," are the best way to explore them.
- Coron: It also has amazing lagoons, but Coron is world-famous for something different: diving to see sunken WWII shipwrecks and swimming in the incredibly clear Kayangan Lake.
Cebu: This island is a major hub for flights. From here, many travelers go to swim with whale sharks in Oslob or dive into the "sardine run" in Moalboal.
Boracay (“The Famous White Beach”): Home to one of the most celebrated beaches in the world. Its sand is famously soft and white.
Siargao: This is the surfing capital and a paradise for chilling out. Surfers from all over the globe come here for its world-class wave, "Cloud 9."
Manila: As the capital of the Philippines, Manila is the country's main gateway and transportation hub.
Palawan Maps (2026): Tourist Map of Palawan Island
El Nido Maps: Tour Map with A B C D for Free Download
Coron Map, Palawan: Coron Island, Coron Town & Toursit Map
Boracay Island Map: Map of Boracay Beaches (2026)
Cebu Tourist Map: Map of Cebu Island Philippines (2026)
Siargao Island Map: Siargao Island Tourist Map
Manila Philippines Maps: Tourist Map of Manila Download
Indonesia and Philippines Tourist Map: Top Attractions on Map
With limited vacation time, you need to set priorities. This map helps by showing you the exact locations of the very best attractions. These are the places that will give you the most rewarding experiences for your time in Indonesia and the Philippines.
10 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in the Philippines
Where to Focus Your Time in Indonesia
| Attraction | Why It's a Top Choice |
|---|---|
| Borobudur Temple | The world’s largest Buddhist temple and an iconic cultural treasure. |
| Prambanan Temple | A stunning and grand-scale group of Hindu temples located near Borobudur. |
| Mount Bromo | Home to Indonesia's most famous volcanic landscape and the iconic "Sea of Sand." |
| Tanah Lot Temple | One of Bali's most famous sights, this temple is built on a huge rock by the sea. |
| Uluwatu Temple | Sits on a tall cliff over the ocean; famous for its Kecak Dance performance at sunset. |
| Komodo National Park | The natural habitat where you can see the world's largest lizard, the Komodo dragon. |
| Ubud | Bali's cultural heart, known for rice terraces, the Monkey Forest, and yoga retreats. |
| Kawah Ijen | A rare natural wonder where you can witness a strange "blue fire" coming from the volcano at night. |
Top Attractions of the Philippines
| Attraction | Why It's a Top Choice |
|---|---|
| El Nido | Often called one of the most beautiful island destinations in the world by top travel magazines. |
| Kayangan Lake | Famous for being an incredibly clean and pure lake, with an iconic viewpoint. |
| White Beach, Boracay | The definition of a "perfect beach," with a long shoreline of powder-soft white sand. |
| Moalboal Sardine Run | An amazing sight where millions of sardines form a swirling "storm" just feet from the shore. |
| Kawasan Falls | Famous for its multi-level waterfalls and dream-like pools of "Tiffany blue" water. |
| Chocolate Hills | Over 1,200 cone-shaped hills that turn brown in the dry season. |
| Batad Rice Terraces | The most spectacular rice terraces in the Philippines. Amphitheater-shaped rice terrace landscape |
The Logistics Map - How to Travel Between Indonesia & the Philippines
This is the most important map in this guide. This is the "how-to" map. This map will save you hours of confused searching on flight websites. It shows you the actual pathways.
Direct Flights Between Indonesia and the Philippines
As we learned earlier, flying is the only practical way for a tourist to travel between Indonesia and the Philippines. A friendly warning: don't waste your time looking for ferries.
Bali (Ngurah Rai International Airport) to Manila (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) is the most popular and convenient connection between the two countries. Flight time is approximately 4 hours, covering about 2,400 kilometers.
Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta International Airport) to Manila provides another direct connection with flight times of approximately 4-4.5 hours, especially useful if you're starting your Indonesia journey in the capital or visiting Java's cultural sites first.
The "Magic Hubs": Singapore (SIN) & Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
While some direct flights exist, they are very limited and may not fit your schedule. Now, here is my best "friend's advice." Don't just search for direct flights between the two countries, as this will severely limit your choice of cities.
The secret is to use two "magic hubs": Singapore (SIN) and Kuala Lumpur (KUL). These airports connect to many cities in both Indonesia and the Philippines. Using them opens up a world of possibilities for your travel plans.
From Singapore (SIN):
- To Indonesian cities: Jakarta, Bali, Lombok, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Semarang, and Labuan Bajo
- To Philippine cities: Manila, Cebu, and Iloilo
From Kuala Lumpur (KUL):
- To Indonesian cities: Jakarta, Bali, Lombok, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, and Semarang
- To Philippine cities: Manila and Cebu
Indonesia & Philippines Itinerary Map: Sample Routes for Your Adventure
The "Classic Wonders" Route (2 Weeks): Boracay → El Nido → Cebu → Yogyakarta → Bali
This two-week route combines Indonesia's most accessible highlights with the Philippines' most celebrated natural beauty. It's perfect for first-time visitors who want to experience the best of both countries without excessive rushing.
Days 1-3: Boracay – Relaxation and Water Fun.
From Manila to Caticlan Airport and reach Boracay. Spend one day just relaxing on the beautiful beach and enjoy a sunset cruise in the evening. On another day, you could try snorkeling, diving, or stand-up paddleboarding.
Days 4-5: El Nido Island Hopping.
Boracay to El Nido. An island-hopping tour is a must-do here. A full-day trip usually includes visits to the Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon. There, you can snorkel and kayak in the emerald-green water.
Days 6-7: Cebu. History and Swimming with Whale Sharks
From El Nido, take a flight to Cebu. Visit historical sites like Magellan's Cross and the Basilica del Santo Niño. Afterward, a trip south to the town of Oslob. Under strict and careful guidelines, you can swim with gentle whale sharks in their natural habitat.
Days 8-9: Yogyakarta. UNESCO Sites
Cebu-SIN- Yogyakarta. Plan a full day to visit Borobudur, known as one of the great wonders of the ancient world. You should also see the beautiful Prambanan temple complex. In the city itself, you can explore the Sultan's Palace (Keraton) and the Taman Sari water castle.
Days 10-12: Bali – Culture, Beaches, and Spirit.
Take a flight from Yogyakarta to Bali. Your first stop could be Ubud, which is considered the cultural heart of the island.
Here you can visit the Ubud Royal Palace, walk through the traditional rice terraces, and treat yourself to an authentic Balinese spa treatment for deep relaxation.
Move to the southern part of the island, to a place like Nusa Dua or Uluwatu. Nusa Dua is known for its clean, quiet beaches, while Uluwatu is famous for its dramatic cliffside views and great surfing spots.
Don't forget to watch a traditional Kecak fire dance in the evening or enjoy the amazing sunset at Tanah Lot temple.
Day 13-14: Nusa Penida – A Day Trip to a Wild Coastline & Departure.
A popular choice is the "West Coast" day trip. This tour will take you to see Kelingking Beach, Angel's Billabong, and Broken Beach.
