Best places to visit and things to do
The Philippines is known for its fertile green rice fields, crowded townships, fiery volcanoes, rich culture and history, and cheerful people. The more you explore, the less it seems to be. To familiarize you with the lush beauty of Philippines travel, let us guide you through the ultimate Philippines travel guide in this article.
Tourism: Discovering the Philippines Offers Experiences of a Lifetime
With year-round sunshine, stunning beaches, and countless opportunities for surfing, island-hopping and diving, the Philippines attracts tourists in large numbers year-round. Plus, there’s more to these islands than pristine sandy beaches and island activities. There are striking Spanish churches, ornate tribal villages, quaint rice fields and, of course, much more beyond the coastline. If you happen to go deep into these islands, you will come across too many cultures present. Especially during festivals and celebrations in the Philippines, the fluent fusion of American, Islamic, Spanish and Malay is evident.
How to Get to the Philippines
Just a disclaimer, you won’t find any direct flights from India to the Philippines. However, you can still travel to the Philippines to reach Manila via Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. You can board any day of the week and the journey is usually hassle-free. If you are looking for more affordable flight options then Chennai, Kolkata and Bangalore will cost you less than Delhi or Mumbai. For even more affordable prices, you can book low-cost flights during the off-season so you can have a budget-friendly trip to the Philippines. AirAsia Philippines, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Scoot are some of the flights that fly from India to the Philippines. In addition, during the holidays, especially the high tide during the Chinese New Year period from January to February, please be sure to book tickets in advance. While it is mainly the holiday season that complements the full glamor of Philippine tourism, you can still visit this place at any time of the year.
best travel destination
From the tropics and mountains to the cities, the landscape in every corner of the Philippines stretches. You might enjoy a day strolling the old colonial streets of Manila’s capital, or spot the unusual sighting of little tarsiers at your private resort in Bohol. The luxurious mountains offer a one-of-a-kind hiking experience. Since the Philippines is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, it’s no surprise that this place has some of the best beaches in all of Asia, as well as great scuba diving opportunities. With so many tourists traveling in and out of the Philippines, keep scrolling to learn about everything this destination has to offer.
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Boracay
With 12 beaches in total, Boracay is considered the beach capital of the Philippines. Located in the western region of the Visayas, this island is the perfect place for beach lovers to spend a relaxing day at the beach. On the west side of the island is White Beach, known as one of the best beaches in the Philippines. The island is also known for some of its best resorts, so finding comfortable accommodations after a tiring day at the beach isn’t a big deal.
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Cebu
Located in the important Visayas district, this Cebu island is regarded as the harbor for some excellent scuba diving options in the Philippines. If you are keen on underwater sports and activities, Cebu is your one-stop destination as it allows you to get close to sea turtles, stunning coral reefs and whale sharks. Some of the best views in the waters off Cebu are the sea caves, which attract legions of admirers and photographers across the globe, especially those who are looking for some unusual diving experiences.
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Banawi
Considered one of the main attractions of tourism in the Philippines, the rice terraces of Banaue are one of the most stunning sights in the destination. The rich green terraces are the agricultural marvel of the region. Some of the terraces should have been hand-carved on the mountain more than 2,000 years ago. For incredible views of the rice terraces, watch the entire landscape at sunrise overlooking the fading mist and painted sun!
Manila
Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is located on the island of Luzon. It is a busy city with a constant flow of people. For the ultimate drive to familiarize yourself with the local way of life, take a trip in a brightly lit jeepney, which happens to be your basic form of transportation when visiting Manila’s top tourist attractions. Often packed with locals, bumping from street to street in a historic jazz jeep will be one of the notable features of your visit.
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Coron Island
Known for being one of the best diving spots in the world, this Coron island is a truly verdant paradise. With turquoise green and sapphire blue waters, this towering island sits right at the pinnacle of Palawan, the westernmost part of the Philippine archipelago. Due to the presence of such intricate debris here, the island is known for diving and hiking.
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Puerto Princesa
Caves, gorgeous nature reserves and rocky islands are hidden treasures in the Philippines travel books. The seaside town of Puerto Princesa is where you’ll find all these treasures of the island nation. In particular, Subterranean River National Park is a great place to visit to explore the 5 km long subterranean river and stunning limestone caves. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers boat tours to help you explore the whole place.
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things to do in the philippines
From fantastic surf spots, dramatic rice terraces, glistening volcanoes to heavenly seaside activities, there’s a range of fun and inspiring things to do while exploring this special chapter of Philippine travel. The Philippines is a true blue equatorial wonderland, offering the ideal picture for many adventures and activities such as snorkeling, swimming, island hopping, diving, cruising and many more. To help you explore this magnificent paradise in detail, this ultimate Philippines travel guide has it all covered.
Explore Makati
Exploring all that Makati has to offer is simply one of the best things to do in the Philippines. As the country’s renowned financial hub, this destination is the ultimate address for countless skyscrapers, the finest shopping malls, chic entertainment complexes and great restaurants. Strolling through the Ayala Triangle Gardens, exploring art and culture at various museums, sampling unique cuisines, stopping at striking churches, having a good time at elegant shopping malls, and exploring lovely flea markets is a great way to visit Maca Some of the many reasons why Tee is on your bucket list.
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Visit Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, located among the current 7 Wonders of Nature. Touring this natural wonder is one of the most incredible things about discovering the Philippines. The river pours out from below the St. Paul Mountains and flows through a series of caves. Stopping at this location is certainly a worthwhile experience.
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Explore Higdanan Cave
Located in Bohol, Hinagdanan Cave is built of limestone and is naturally lit by bright sunlight peeking through tiny passages. You should visit this cave not only for its beauty but also to see the stalagmites and stalactites that flow from the ceiling and floor. Not only that, but the cave even has a spectacular lagoon that visitors can dive into for a relaxing swim for an additional fee.
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walk across the bamboo suspension bridge
Known by the name Tigbao Hanging Bridge, the Bamboo Hanging Bridge is one of the least common bridges in Bohol and daring to walk on it is one of the most adventurous things to do in the Philippines. Whenever you search for the ideal Philippines travel guide, put this on your bucket list. Basically, these are two bridges built to span the West Patan River, currently one of the most fascinating attractions in the Philippines.
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See Mayon Volcano
Mayon Volcano is a true wonder, eye-catching allure but also dangerous due to its catastrophic explosion. It is the most active volcano in the Philippines and attracts tourists with its magical appearance, ideal conical structure and stunning beauty. Cruising along Volcano Mayon is one of the most adventurous things to do in the Philippines, not only for seeing the massive volcano but also for a range of daring activities like camping, ATV rides and hiking. Next time you start, don’t forget to bookmark this location while browsing the best Philippines travel guides.
Best Time to Visit the Philippines
Given the climate and temperature range, the best time to visit the Philippines is between November and April. The generally dry climate during these months also allows for comfortable visits to the country’s remote areas and beautiful islands. The months between May and November are also preferable as it is usually less crowded and has a pleasant climate.
This story first appeared on Travel + Leisure India.