The Philippines.
The Philippines is a Southeast Asian country located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands and islets, located in the South China Sea, the Philippine Sea and the Sulu Sea. The capital, Manila, is a bustling metropolis with a rich cultural and historical heritage.
The Philippines is a beautiful and diverse country that is rich in natural resources. The country is home to some of the world's most beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, and stunning mountain ranges. The Philippines is also known for its vibrant culture, with a wide array of festivals, music, and cuisine. The Philippines has a tropical climate and is known for its warm and humid weather. The country is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including some of the world’s most endangered species. The country is also home to an incredible array of marine life, making it a popular destination for scuba diving and other water sports.
The Philippines is a culturally diverse nation and is known for its friendliness and hospitality. The people are very proud of their heritage and are eager to share it with visitors. The country has a vibrant economy, with a strong focus on agriculture, manufacturing, and services.
 The Philippines is a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year. Visitors from around the world come to experience the country’s stunning scenery, vibrant culture, and friendly people. The country is a great place to explore, with plenty of attractions, activities, and experiences to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach holiday, an adventure-filled tour, or a cultural immersion, the Philippines has something for everyone.
Emerald rice terraces, idyllic beaches, world class diving, tribal villages and jungle covered peaks - you shouldn't take much convincing to book a trip to the Philippines. Known as a diving and island-hopping paradise, the Philippines is a firm favourite for adventurous travelers, with a great mix of beach, jungle and cultural attractions. Philippines is indeed genuinely an incredible country – with an astounding array of variety. Rich in Spanish influence, with a tinge of Americano (‘Hey Joe’ makes a nice change from ‘hello mister’!), the Philippines offers pristine beaches, wildlife rich jungles, diverse culture and a complex infrastructure.
Top Places in the Philippines:
With around 7,500 islands, the Philippines makes up part of the world's largest archipelago. Picking where to go can be tough, as there is so much to see, but here are a few of our favourite destinations to get you started.
Siquijor Island:
From the moment you arrive on the ferry at Siquijor Port it is abundantly clear that the island is as picturesque and chilled out as anywhere that you are likely to find anywhere in Asia. Time seems to have passed Siquijor by and the island is all the better for it.
Endless stretched of white sandy beaches punctuated by beautiful rocky outcrops all fringed by boundless swaying palm trees and lapped by the clear waters of the Bohol Sea, Siquijor is as idyllic as they come, just beware the Voodoo!!
Manila:
A sprawling metropolis that is home to over 1.6 million and estimated to be the most densely populated city in the world, Manila does have a reputation of being a rather crowded & polluted concrete jungle. This reputation is far from being unfounded but Manila does have a rich history and some superb examples of Spanish colonial architecture that now rub shoulders with modern glass skyscrapers.
The walled city of Intramuros, overlooking the Pasig River, is considered to be the heart of Manila and is home Fort Santiago and the stunning San Agustin Church built in the 16th century.
Often considered as simply a stepping stone to one of The Philippines’ seven thousand islands and their exceptional beaches but Manila is most definitely worth a day or so as a stopover.
Bohol:
The island of Bohol is just over an hour’s scenic flight from Manila and is about as central in the Philippines as you can get.
The island is home to beautiful beaches & coral reefs that offer some of the best diving in Asia. In the centre of the island are the Chocolate Hills, a collection of around 1,200 symmetrical grass covered mounds that turn to various shades of brown during the dry season.
The island is also home to the ridiculously cute Tarsier, a primate no larger than a clenched fist.
Boracay:
It’s only 7 kilometres long – yet Boracay has an incredible reputation as being the Philippines top beach destination. Why? The endless soft white sand that really caters for everyone.
World class resorts mingle with local restaurants and bars, nightlife is aplenty, but there is plenty of opportunity to retire to quieter beaches easily reached by tricycles, or better still, bicycles! It’s a great place to try snorkeling, diving, kite boarding, or even skim boarding.
Boracay is not a place for those seeking solitude, but make a great stopover for those wanting somewhere livelier, and of course, some of the best beaches in Asia!
Palawan:
As little as 20 years ago it would be more common to hear ‘Pala-where?’ than Palawan, but this long, slender sea-focused island is now considered very much one of the gems of the Philippines, and can no longer be seen as the countries ‘last frontier’ but is still a rarely visited gem.
Rugged roads and vast distances on the Philippines largest island make traveling by boat more preferable than road – but this is a place to explore the stunning ocean seascapes. World class overwater resorts, stunning beaches and the oh-so incredible underwater life (including the Puerto Princesa Underground River – voted one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 2007) make this a spectacular destination for those prepared to go beyond the established tourist trail.
Siargao Island:
One of the most easterly islands of The Philippines the island of Siargao definitely falls into the ‘off the beaten track’ category. This tear shaped island is home to endless stretches of white sand which are some of the most beautiful beaches in all of The Philippines.
For the more adventurous, the island is also home to ‘Cloud 9’ one of the best known surf breaks in The Philippines which hosts domestic and international surfing competitions.
Philippines Fast Facts
The official languages of the Philippines are Filipino and English. More people speak Filipino than English, but English is widely spoken.
Currency.
Name: Philippine Peso
Time Zones.
The Philippines (GMT +8)
Beers.
Beer in the Philippines is very cheap, compared to in the States. A bottle of local beer will usually cost you around a $2, whilst imported beer will be nearer double the price.
Meals.
A meal from a cheap restaurant or cafe will normally set you back about $5, whilst a dinner in a mid-range restaurant might cost between $15-$25. If you're on a budget, be adventurous and grab lunch from a street food stall for cents.
Taxi Ride.
Taxis in the Philippines are inexpensive and are run on the meter. Journeys will cost anything from $1 to $10, depending on traffic.
Transport.
You're more likely to book a ferry or banka ticket over a bus journey in the Philippines. Either way, tickets are not expensive. Boat tickets can be cheap, but for longer journeys we recommend going with the bigger companies for the safer more enjoyable ride.
Hostels.
A dorm bed in a hostel will cost between $10 and $15, where a single room can range up to $25 per night.
Hotels.
A room in a midrange hotel would be somewhere between $60 and $80.
When to go to the Philippines:
Travel to the Philippines during dry season for the best weather in the islands. For North Luzon, Manila, Palawan and Boracay, dry season is December to February. Other parts of the Philippines have a more tropical climate with more frequent spells of rain and possible typhoons. Shoulder seasons of May and November are also popular times to travel, due to cooler temps and lower prices.
Okay to travel the Philippines alone?
Lots of solo travelers visit the Philippines without any problems at all. As English is widely spoken, it is easy to get directions from locals and you are able to book buses and ferries easily. A great way to travel the Philippines when alone is by booking onto an adventure tour or island-hopping trip. This is great way to meet fellow travelers and make new friends along the way.
How to travel the Philippines on a budget:
The cost of living in the Philippines is very low in comparison to Europe and United States. Snacks and drink can cost less than a dollar, and there are plenty of budget accommodation options available. Getting around the islands by ferry is the cheapest way to travel, but this can take a lot longer than internal flights so leave plenty of time to get around. |
Cebu
Manila
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Palawan
