Philippines boasting over 7,000 tropical islands offer something for every traveler – be it deserted beaches and cozy bonfires to the thrills and chills.
Get Around Town with philippinesguides.com: Repurposed, colorful American jeepneys are the primary mode of transport; passengers simply hail them down when needed. Uber recently arrived in The Philippines as well.
Philippine culture is immensely varied and draws heavily from Spain’s long presence here. Join a fiesta or family for Nochebuena dinner; alternatively attend mass with religious Filipinos during Christmas season.
Beaches
Philippines offers over 7,000 islands for sun and sand tourism. With picture-perfect beaches boasting less crowds and tourist-focused hawkers than Thailand or Bali beaches, and are often even more breathtakingly stunning than their Thai or Bali counterparts. Relax under palm trees while sipping cocktails under palms; snorkel coral reefs; or sail off on one of their iconic bangka boats to find hidden coves!
White Beach in Boracay has long been considered the finest beach in the world by international travel publications, offering 4 kilometers of powder-white sand. Not only is this location perfect for relaxing, but water sports enthusiasts and diners can also find plenty of food and restaurants here. In northern Philippines lies Nacpan Beach on El Nido island where several resorts sit amidst palm trees – locals refer to this stretch of shore as “Boracay of the North”, offering similar white sand, turquoise waters and picturesque palm tree scene while being quieter and cheaper too.
Camiguin and Siargao* offer some breathtaking beaches as well, with more boutique-y vibes and less major resorts compared to their counterparts in the Philippines. Still great places for snorkelling, sailing, and discovering Second World War wrecks hidden offshore!
Pagudpud Beach on Ilocos Norte island provides something truly extraordinary; known locally as the ‘Boracay of the North’ due to its stunning white sand, clear waters, great restaurants and resort options as well as exceptional watersports such as kayaking, snorkelling and diving activities.
Mindoro and Luzon offer some thrilling trekking opportunities, from exploring Lake Taal with its textbook volcano to hiking Mount Halcon on Mindoro for breathtaking Pantone-swiped views. If you prefer something less strenuous, why not take the fast ferry from Cebu to Bohol* where Alona Beach awaits, snorkel at turtle sanctuaries offer world-renowned Chocolate Hills are visible?
Mountains
Philippines are an incredible mountaineering hotspot and boast an abundance of soaring mountains. November to February are considered ideal times for mountaineering due to clearer weather and less precipitation; making the trails suitable for hiking.
Mount Apo, situated within the Cordillera Central mountain range, is the highest point in the Philippines and a favorite hiking destination due to its steep terrain. Hikers often spend two days hiking up this challenging peak. Additionally, many active and dormant volcanoes exist within this vast island nation of ours.
Taal Volcano in the Philippines is another top mountain hiking spot, featuring volcanic activity which resulted in a stunning turquoise water lake within its crater. Hiking to its summit is considerably simpler compared to other hiking destinations in the Philippines and doesn’t necessitate hiring a guide.
Mount Maculot in Batangas provides an easier hike, boasting stunning panoramic views of Taal Lake.
Philippine rice terraces can be seen throughout the islands, but Banaue’s are particularly impressive and worth making time to see. Carved into hillside slopes and painted vibrant green in color, they serve as a striking contrast against surrounding rainforests and mountains.
The Kitanglad Range Natural Park is the largest mountain range in the Philippines and an attractive place for trekking enthusiasts. Mount Dulang-dulang, at 2,066m is its highest peak and a favorite among experienced mountaineers; additionally it holds special cultural significance as the ancestral homeland of Lantapan’s Talaandig tribe.
This Insight Guide features stunning color photography and is the ideal travel companion for exploring the Philippines. From selecting when and what sights to see to creating a travel plan, everything from when and how to visit is covered here – fully updated post-COVID-19 to include information on newly emerging destinations!
Volcanoes
Philippine archipelago lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, so it should come as no surprise that it boasts numerous active volcanoes. While they may cause destruction at times, volcanoes provide essential benefits – including fertile soil for agriculture and energy for national use. Therefore, no matter whether you consider yourself an adventurer or nature enthusiast, visiting one of Philippines’ popular volcano destinations should definitely be on your bucket list!
Mayon Volcano in the Philippines is widely recognized for its remarkable cone shape and is revered as an iconic stratovolcano that serves as the symbol for Albay province, inspiring numerous stories and artworks about it. Although still active today, Mayon draws in both local and foreign tourists due to its stunning beauty.
Taal Volcano in Tagaytay, approximately one hour and 15 minutes outside Manila, is another highly renowned Philippine volcano. It features an intricate ecosystem encompassing Taal Lake which partially encases Taal Caldera formed by prehistoric eruptions; Taal Volcano itself rises 300 meters with numerous craters including Binintiang Malaki’s cinder cone that looks just like any real volcano should!
Mount Bulusan, one of the Philippines’ four active volcanoes, has erupted 15 times since it first erupted in 1885 and remains one of its most dangerous, but also attracts many climbers and trekkers every year due to its lava dome resembling a landmark natural landmark.
While visiting these stunning Philippine volcanoes, it’s crucial that visitors heed local officials’ advice and prepare accordingly for any volcanic activity that might take place. Carry a first aid kit and map of the area you plan on exploring if your chosen volcano falls within a Permanent Danger Zone; additionally keep your mobile phone charged at all times so as to receive emergency alerts quickly should an eruption take place; try not traveling during an active eruption as this could prove hazardous both locally and for visitors alike.
Rice Terraces
Philippine Cordillera mountain range is well known for its stunning rice terraces, which have been designated UNESCO World Heritage sites. Batad and Banaue’s amazing rice terraces stand out, but this green highland region also provides plenty of hiking and cultural experiences to captivate its visitors.
Visit Banaue and Batad rice terraces are an essential must for any adventurer seeking an escape from urban living. Constructed by Igorot people, these terraces stand out due to two notable characteristics. First, they were constructed using stone rather than soil; and second, their semicircular shapes make walking on them all the more impressive and impressive!
Terraces are a living tribute to Igorot people’s engineering expertise and ability to survive in an extreme landscape with limited water supplies. Furthermore, they symbolize humanity’s spiritual ties with nature.
Unfortunately, terraces are currently facing serious environmental, social and economic changes that present some serious obstacles for their preservation. Climate and rainfall change is making their landscape increasingly susceptible, while biopiracy and unregulated development threaten biodiversity in the area – with local government resources not sufficient enough to respond appropriately.
Even with these issues, terrace clusters inscribed with ancient texts continue to be worked and maintained according to tradition. Tribal practices continue despite Christianization; tribal rituals play an essential role in maintaining equilibrium between humans and nature in the landscape.
One way of protecting landscapes is encouraging rice farmers to switch from traditional cultivation methods to e-commerce, providing an alternative means of profit while still protecting natural environments. By providing necessary support, governments can help ensure terraces will survive.
Visits to the terraces are best timed during April and May or October through November when their foliage is at its most lush. However, those interested in harvest and planting seasons can visit between June to December or August through September.
