The Philippines is home to thousands of paradisiacal islands, fabulous rice fields, a mysterious underwater world and extremely hospitable locals. The diversity of the landscape beautifully suggests that this magnificent archipelago could be explored endlessly and that vacationing in the Philippines would be a magical, inspiring adventure.
The Philippine archipelago consists of 7641 islands and is located in the Pacific Ocean near the equator, as part of the region known as Southeast Asia. The country’s tropical islands, characterised by white sandy beaches, coconut palms, lush vegetation and rugged mountains, are easily accessible from major gateway cities such as Manila, Clark, Cebu and Davao.
Most tourists visiting the Philippines start their trip with a visit to the capital, Manila. Manila is not only the economic heart of the country but also the epitome of modern architecture. The metropolis is home to several commercial business districts like Bonifacio Global City, Makati, and Ortigas where skyscrapers are ubiquitous, resembling those from Hong Kong or New York. Nevertheless, the main attraction for tourists is its extremely intriguing old town called Intramuros that is reminiscent of those usually found in Europe, and which dates back to the time of the Spanish colonial era.
Tropical beaches
The islands of the Philippines regularly appear on lists of the best beaches in the world. Long stretches of sandy beaches with white sand are common, but there are also beaches with red, brown, grey, yellow and even pink sand. Famous beach destinations include Boracay Island, El Nido (Palawan), Panglao (Bohol) Camiguin Island, Caramoan, and Camarines Sur.
Boracay Island is regarded as one of the prettiest islands in the Philippines thanks to its white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. Boracay has ideal conditions for kitesurfing and therefore, it is a mecca for sports enthusiasts. What’s more, the island is bustling with life when the rest of the Philippines is still asleep. So if you love good clubbing until dawn and relaxing on incredibly soft sand, this is the perfect holiday destination for you.
Another dreamy vacation destination in the Philippines is the Palawan Island region. It delights everyone with its unspoilt and natural landscape. This is a place where you can admire the magnificent limestone cliffs. It is considered one of the most beautiful places on earth, a must-see when in the Philippines. The hills of the island of Palawan are covered with jungle, at the foot of which there are wonderful white beaches, fabulous coral reefs and turquoise waters. The most famous village on the island, El Nido is a great base for exploring the dozens of paradisiacal islets that dot the Palawan region.
Unique landscapes
The Philippines is best known not only for its islands and marine life but also for some unique, picturesque landscapes: the chocolate hills of Bohol, the rolling hills of Batanes, the majestic Mayon volcano in Bicol, and numerous waterfalls and canyons that provide tourists with a large dose of nature and adventure.
Diving, surfing and swimming with whale sharks
Diving in the Philippines is a magical experience – it is the country with the highest level of marine biodiversity in the world. Divers experience spectacular falls, deep dives, underwater caves, wrecks, and the widest range of fish, crabs, coral and many other marine species.
Some of the most popular dive sites include: Apo Reef National Park, Puerto Galera, Anilao, Verde Island, Tubbataha Reefs, Coron, Panglao, Malapascua, Moalboal, Pescador Island, Apo Island, Dumaguete and Panglao Island.
Panglao is a number one destination for anyone who is a fan of diving. Colourful coral reefs, huge sea turtles and beautiful underwater vegetation are just some of the attractions that await tourists who want to immerse themselves in the blue of the surrounding waters. Surfing is also a popular activity, with Siargao Island, La Union and Baler being some of the most popular destinations for water sports enthusiasts. While in the Philippines, you can also experience swimming alongside giant whale sharks in Donsol, Sorsogon and in Oslob, Cebu.
World heritage sites
There are six UNESCO world heritage sites in the Philippines. Three of them are natural areas, categorized as protected areas, while the other three are cultural sites.
The island region of Palawan is home to the Puerto Princesa Underground River National Park, which features a spectacular limestone karst landscape with an underground river. The area is also an important habitat for biodiversity conservation, comprising a complete ‘mountain to sea’ ecosystem and some of the most important forests in Asia.
Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park is a unique atoll reef with a very high density of marine species. It also serves as a breeding ground for birds and sea turtles.
Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, a mountain ridge located in Mindanao in the southern part of the Philippines, provides critical habitat for many plant and animal species.
The historic city of Vigan in the northern Philippines was founded in the 16th century and is the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial city in Asia. Its architecture reflects a blend of indigenous culture with elements of Chinese and Spanish/European culture. The city was founded by settlers from various locations and it was a major trading post in pre-colonial times.
The Baroque churches of the Philippines, built by the Spaniards in the late 16th century, have a unique architectural style that reflects a fusion of Western religious beliefs with indigenous Filipino practices and crafts.
The Rice Terraces of the Cordillera of the Philippines is one of the most fascinating places in the archipelago – rice fields carved into the contours of the mountains form giant steps leading up to the mountain, showing the delicate balance of tradition, technology and respect for nature.
Fiestas – partying the Filipino way
Fiestas or festivals are a huge part of Filipino culture and are rooted in Christian traditions. It is usually a celebration of the patron saint of a city or province or important events such as a bountiful harvest. It is characterised by colourful parades and costumes, music, street dances and performances, as well as a tradition of food sharing. One of the biggest and most popular fiestas in the country is Sinulog, held in Cebu on the third weekend in January.
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