Philippines

photo: avel chuklanov

Philippines

Experience the warm people and culture

Philippines

Experience world famous beach and diving spots

photo: david milmont

Philippines

Check out the nightlife of Manila

For an idyllic international beach vacation, it’s hard not to consider the Philippines with its 7,600+ islands, white sand beaches, towering limestone rock formations and clear waters. Boracay, Palawan and Siargao are consistently named among the best beach islands in the world. For divers the Philippines is a treasure trove and noted as the geographic center of the world’s marine biodiversity. There’s also the cuisine, culture and important history to round out your visit.

Weather and Climate

The Philippines is a year-around destination, unless there's a typhoon, with a dry season (Nov - May) and rainy season (Jun - Oct). The warmest months are March, April, and May. January and February are also ideal months for travel. For beach vacations it's best to travel in the dry season.

Transportation

Getting around locally by public transport can be quite fun and part of the experience. There's the loudly painted jeepneys. For shorter drives there's the trike or tricycle, a motorized rickshaw not unlike Thailand's tuk-tuk with a sidecar, and the pedicab, which is just a bicycle.

Filipino Cuisine

The cuisine of the Philippines is unique in Asia for its influences from other cultures like Spain, the Malays and Chinese, the US and Japan. Being an island seafood is paramount. Roxas City is the Philippines' Seafood Capital. Other popular Filipino foods include adobo, chicken or pork meat cooked in soy sauce and vinegar, and lechon or roasted whole pig (which Anthony Bourdain rated best in the world). Halo-halo is a famous summer staple with crushed ice, milk, and sweetened fruits. You may also wish to try calamansi juice (made of a citrus fruit), pancit (noodles with veggies and meat), sinigang (a tamarind-based sour soup),

Unique Experiences
In Philippines

There are experiences that can only be had by wandering the cities of this wonderful country, soaking up the local culture and creating memories that are off the proverbial beaten path, and all your own.

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UNESCO site

Experience Subterranean River National Park

The Philippines serves up many unique natural wonders including Puerto Princesa Underground River National Park, the longest navigable underground river which is both a UNESCO World...

#Philippines #Puerto Princesa #Southeast Asia

Experience Islands Survivor

A season of "Survivor" was filmed on Caramoan Island in the Philippines, and you, too, can come here for a stay in paradise! (Minus the TV...

#Philippines #Southeast Asia

Experience Surfing in the Philippines

Head to Siargao, the Surfing Capital of the Philippines! (But you don't have to surf to enjoy yourself.) Beaches, coral reefs, waterfalls, and more delight guests…...

#Philippines #Siargao #Southeast Asia #Surfing

Did you know?

The Philippines Basketball Association (PBS) is the second oldest in the world after only the NBA.

While most of Southeast Asian is Buddhist, the Philippines is predominantly Christian, with 80% Roman Catholic because of its Spanish influence.

Filipinos are overly polite. Elderly, disabled, and pregnant women even have their own line at banks, restaurants and taxi queues.

The Philippines is the largest supplier of nurses worldwide, partially due to the limited job opportunities in the country.

More about travel to the Philippines

The Philippines is situated in the Asiatic Mediterranean in the western Pacific Ocean. Dubbed as the “Pearl of the Orient Seas” by missionaries in the 1700s, this otherworldly place is an archipelago consisting of more than 7,000 islands and islets. The country also has a Spanish colonial past, giving it a slightly different flavor from its neighboring countries.

The Philippines is most known for its exotic and pristine beaches with crystal-blue water, which include: White Beach on Boracay Island, Alona Beach of Panglao Island in Bohol, Coron and El Nido Islands of Palawan, Dumaguete and Camiguin Island, just to name a few.

The Philippine diving spots offer an underwater experience like no other. In 2006, a team of marine conservationists declared the Philippines as the geographic center of marine biodiversity in the world. You will find that the Philippines is more than just its beaches and islands; it’s also a paradise for underwater life. Cebu prides itself on diving spots that are at par with the world’s best. You can visit Cebu’s Moalboal, where you can do the sardine run experience and swim with millions of sardines.

Palawan is home to Tubbataha Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which boasts more than half of all known corals. Here you will find yourself swimming with turtles, black and white-tip reef sharks, and manta rays, among others, and admiring the beautiful corals under the water.

The country also doesn’t run out of exciting and adrenaline-pumping watersports. Join the fun canyoneering in Cebu, white water rafting tour in Cagayan de Oro, and parasailing in Boracay. You can explore some of the Philippines’ best waterfalls by joining tours to Kawasan Falls in Cebu, Pagsanjan Falls in Pangasinan, and Bomod-ok Falls in Sagada.For those seeking wellness, there are a host of world-class spas and health centers.

The country’s cultural heritage includes: The Walled City of Intramuros in the heart of Manila, built starting in 1521 and the seat of power in the Philippines during the Spanish era; Corregidor Island with ruined buildings and tunnels, all reflections of the past; Vigan, Ilocos Sur, with well-preserved, Spanish-era cobblestone streets and houses; and the Tabon Cave exploration in Palawan, known as the Cradle of Philippine Civilization because of the significant archaeological artifacts found here.

The Philippines is primarily English-speaking and the Filipinos are known for their hospitality and friendliness. There are joyful fiestas and festivals to join in with the locals throughout the year.

Contact us to customize your trip to the Philippines. You can also learn more about and search for some of our Philippines vacation offers here.