Girl standing underneath coconut trees in white-sand island in Coron, Palawan surrounded by clear blue waters

a Filipina-run budget travel blog

A Filipina’s Guide to Budget Travel, Hiking & Hidden Gems in the Philippines and Beyond

Sharing travel itineraries without breaking the bank.

What’s your trip?

Philippine Travel

Hiking Adventures

A woman walking along a bamboo forest path with tall bamboo stalks on both sides and other people walking in the background

International trips

Hi there and welcome to Graphic Wanderlust!

I’m Andrea, a Filipina traveler passionate about uncovering hidden gems, scenic hikes, and budget-friendly adventures. I created this blog to inform and empower fellow travelers through detailed guides, practical tips, and honest insights that make travel more accessible and meaningful.

Whether you’re exploring the Philippines or planning an international trip, you’ll find inspiration and resources here to help you travel smart, without breaking the bank. Scroll down to discover guides by destination or click the button below to learn more about this blog.

About the blog
Filipina in bikini sitting at the edge of an outrigger boat with clear turquoise water surrounding her

Recent Trips: Where I’ve Been Lately

Top Travel Stories

Start Planning Your Philippine Adventure 🇵🇭

Birdshot view of islands in Culion, Coron, Palawan

A Local’s Ultimate Guide to the Philippines

Explore top tourist spots and hidden gems in the Philippines with local insights, suggested itineraries, and travel tips for first-time travelers.

Read more

Top Philippine Attractions

Girl sitting on a deck fronting the cliffs of Sugba Lagoon in Siargao Island

4-Day Siargao Itinerary: How to Go, Where to Stay, Things to Do

From flights, things to do, places to stay, and where to eat, here’s a handy travel guide and itinerary for a four-day stay on Siargao Island, Philippines!

Coron in 4 Days: A Second Timer’s Travel Guide, Tips and Itinerary

Planning to travel to Coron, Palawan soon? Here’s a handy travel guide on how to go, where to stay, and must-see spots when you have four days on the island!

View of limestone cliffs surrounded by water during sunset

5-Day El Nido Itinerary: Revisiting Tour A and Exploring Nacpan & Duli Beach

Planning a trip to El Nido? Here’s a handy travel guide on what to know, where to stay and where to go if you have five days in this famous Palawan destination!

Hiking Posts

Hikers passing by in front of Maligcong Rice Terraces

Hiking Mt. Kupapey, Mt. Fato and Maligcong Rice Terraces

Find out what to know and expect from Maligcong Rice Terraces and from its two beginner-friendly mountains in Bontoc, Mountain Province, in this weekend excursion. Plus a side trip itinerary to Banaue and Sagada!

Misty grassland area at Mount Pulag with text saying "Hiking Mount Pulag"

Hiking Mount Pulag for the First Time

Climbing the third-highest mountain in the Philippines—what to know, expect, and bring as a first-timer

Revisiting Baguio City: Mirador Hill and Camp John Hay Yellow Trail

Rediscovering Baguio City from a different perspective at Mirador Heritage and Eco Park and Camp John Hay’s Yellow Trail

Travels Beyond the Philippines

🇻🇳 Vietnam

A collage of Cafe Apartments, Bui Vien Walking Street and Tan Dinh Catholic Church with a text across them that states "Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide"

A First-Timer’s Guide to Ho Chi Minh City: 3-Day Itinerary & Tips

First time in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)? This travel guide covers things to know, best places to visit, local cafes, and must-try food for a 3-day itinerary.

4-Day Hanoi DIY Travel Guide: Best Things to Do + Itinerary

Your ultimate four-day DIY Hanoi travel guide! Discover top attractions, day trips, where to stay, and practical tips for your trip.

First-Time Guide to Sapa, Vietnam: How to Get There, Things to Do and Itinerary

From climbing Fansipan Mountain and exploring rice terraces to discovering Northern Vietnamese cuisine, here’s a handy Sapa, Vietnam travel guide for first-time visitors.

🇯🇵 Japan

Collage of three Osaka famous tourist spots including Osaka Castle, Shinsekai and Dotonbori with a text at the center that says "4-Day Osaka Itinerary for First Timers"

4-Day Osaka Guide: Things to Do & Itinerary for First-Timers

Traveling to Osaka, Japan for the first time? Here is a handy 4-day itinerary and comprehensive travel guide to exploring Kansai’s vibrant capital!

3-Day Kyoto Guide: Things to Do & Itinerary for First-Timers

First time in Kyoto, Japan? From Fushimi Inari to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, here is a handy 3-day itinerary and guide to exploring the ancient capital!

Nara Day Trip from Osaka: DIY Travel Guide and Itinerary

Explore Nara on your own with this handy travel guide! Discover train routes, Nara Park, deer feeding, Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha, and local food stops.

🇹🇭 Thailand

Bangkok Day Trip: Day Tour in Ayutthaya

From temple ruins to European-inspired royal buildings, discover what Ayutthaya, Thailand has in store for visitors making a quick day tour in this UNESCO Heritage Site!

Thipsamai and Pad Thai Fai Ta Lu's Pad Thai and Polo Fried Chicken's Deep Fried Chicken

Michelin Street Food Restaurants To Try in Bangkok

Aside from the famous one-starred restaurant of Jay Fai, here are the other Michelin-approved street food restaurants to try if you’re looking for places to eat when in Bangkok!

Temple of Recling Buddha

4-Day Bangkok Travel Guide: Places to Visit, Tips & Itinerary

From must-visit temples to things to try and avoid, here’s a handy Bangkok travel guide on visiting the vibrant capital city of Thailand!

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One thing I never skip when traveling? The food. 🤤 Perk of living in an archipelago? You’ll never run out of new beaches and islands to visit! This trend reminds me why I need a local getaway soon. The Philippines is so beautiful 😩 only running on a 1-hour sleep but not missing the first few hours in a new country Actually, this might be true. I did return to those places. As a meticulous travel planner, one of the things that really surprised me during my first trip to Japan was how understated Nara is in most top-ranking travel guides. Take a break, turn the volume up and listen to Nara’s calming ambient sounds. 🦌✨ POV: You get blown away by Nara’s charm and beauty for the first time 😍 It has only been recently when I started traveling solo and one of my biggest realizations while doing this is this: everything that I need is within me.