Traveler’s harsh review of the Philippines divides the internet

“Take my advice: try another country. One where your money brings joy, not regret,” said Saahil Indian on his visit to the Philippines. 

An Indian travel creator’s scathing review of his month-long stay in the Philippines has gone viral, sparking heated discussions across Threads, Facebook, and Reddit, with Filipinos and foreign travelers divided over whether his observations were brutally honest or unfairly sweeping.

Travel content creator Saahil Indian (@saahilindian), who describes himself as an “offbeat solo traveller” who has traveled across six continents, published a nine-part Threads post recounting what he called “one of the most disappointing travel experiences of my life.”

“Here’s a brutally honest thread about why I won’t recommend it to anyone looking for value, hospitality, or peace of mind,” he wrote.

The thread remains online and has amassed hundreds of thousands of views, while screenshots and reposts have spread widely across other social media platforms.

Saahil said his disappointment “began at Manila Airport,” which he described as “chaotic, disorganized, and under construction,” adding that “the ‘first impression’ itself was a red flag.”

He also criticized the country’s transportation system, writing that public transport was “practically non-existent,” while inter-island flights were “sometimes more expensive than flights in Europe.” He further claimed that taxis “will bleed your wallet” because fares were “more expensive than neighboring Southeast Asian countries.”

The traveler was equally critical of Filipino hospitality, saying, “Walked into shops and cafes — not a single greeting. No smiles. Compared to Thailand or Vietnam, it felt cold and indifferent.”

He described local food as “mostly deep-fried, bland, or weirdly sweet,” adding, “Even at ‘top’ restaurants. Zero diversity.”

Saahil also raised concerns about yellow tap water in El Nido, expensive accommodations with “cockroaches, outdated interiors, and poor hygiene,” beach litter, and what he described as scams and corruption affecting tourists.

Despite acknowledging that “The Philippines has some natural beauty,” he argued that many other countries “offer 10x better infrastructure, food, and hospitality.”

In one of the thread’s most talked-about remarks, he wrote, “After spending a month here, even India felt 1000x more organized and welcoming.”

He ended his post by advising fellow Indian travelers: “If you’re an Indian tourist, take my advice: try another country. One where your money brings joy, not regret.”

The post quickly spread beyond Threads, with screenshots circulating widely on Facebook and Reddit, where it became the subject of intense debate.

Many Filipino commenters agreed with parts of his assessment, particularly regarding the country’s aging transport infrastructure, high domestic airfares, traffic congestion, expensive hotels, and persistent issues involving airports and tourist destinations. Several pointed out that these are long-standing concerns that Filipinos themselves have been raising for years.

Others, however, disputed his conclusions, arguing that his experience did not reflect the warmth and hospitality many visitors associate with the Philippines. Some also questioned whether a month-long trip could represent a country of more than 7,600 islands, while others felt the thread relied too heavily on personal experiences and broad generalizations.

The viral post has since evolved into a broader conversation about Philippine tourism, prompting discussions on infrastructure, affordability, visitor experience, and whether candid criticism from foreign travelers should be viewed as constructive feedback or an unfair portrayal of the country.

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