Exotic islands. Sun, sand, and sea. An Eastern Asian adventure just waiting for you. The Philippines is the perfect holiday destination.
An idyllic archipelago in the Western Pacific Ocean, the Philippines is an exciting country made up of over 7,000 islands. One of the biggest questions for travellers is choosing which island or islands to visit.
The Philippines are a country of many different sides. You can take a bike ride through pretty rural villages and paddy fields, explore the cosmopolitan streets and colonial architecture of Manila and Quezon City, or relax on some of the best beaches in Asia.
Take a boat trip around picture-perfect bays and headlands or embark on an adventure into the jungles, caves, and mountains that make up the wild side of the Philippines.
Make sure you have a visa for the Philippines and then you’ll be ready to experience the best places this incredible country has to offer.
El Nido, Palawan
Perched at the northern end of the island of Palawan, El Nido is a paradise of crystal-clear turquoise waters and glorious tropical beaches guarded by dramatic limestone cliffs. Due to its natural beauty and diverse ecosystem, it is a protected area.
The white sand El Nido beach has been named in Condé Nast Traveler’s list of “20 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World”, ranked 4th.
Visitors can explore the quaint town of El Nido, go snorkelling in the surrounding sea, or hire a boat to explore the coast.
Getting to El Nido is fairly easy from Manila, either by flying directly on a small plane or taking a larger aircraft to nearby Puerto Princesa in central Palawan.
Cebu
The island of Cebu perhaps best encapsulates everything that’s great about the Philippines.
Considered by many to be the best diving and snorkelling location in the country, visitors have the chance to swim with sea turtles and giant but gentle whale sharks. There are coral reefs and sea caves to explore in Cebu’s unique diving spots.
But the sea isn’t the only thing Cebu has going for it. The island is also home to the lush green panoramas of Sudlon National Park as well as some spectacular waterfalls, including the dramatic Kawasan Falls in the south-west.
Besides the natural beauty of the island, a trip wouldn’t be complete without stopping in historic Cebu City — the oldest city in the Philippines. This metropolis features an eclectic mix of colonial, Easter Asian, and modern architecture and boasts impressive museums, temples, basilicas, and forts.
If you’re looking for the top travel destinations for 2021, look no further than Cebu.
Banaue, Luzon
For a glimpse of the beauty of the rural Philippines, Banaue is the place to go. Vivid green rice terraces have been etched into the steep valley sides in a wondrous feat of agricultural engineering. Two of these — the Batad Rice Terraces and the Bangaan Rice Terraces have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Visitors are more than welcome to visit the indigenous people who live here at Hiwang Village and the Banaue Ethnic Village for a truly authentic experience of the unique culture of the Philippines.
Manila
You can’t talk about the best places to visit in the Philippines without mentioning the capital. Manila is a wonderful city where the past meets the present.
Exquisite colonial buildings rub shoulders with modern skyscrapers; ornate Christian churches and basilicas share the cityscape with classically designed Buddhist and Taoist temples.
The old Spanish walled city of Intramuros forms Manila’s historic heart. Although it suffered heavy damage during World War Two, the area has largely been reconstructed, staying true to the original Spanish style. The San Agustin Church, which survived the Battle of Manila, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Rizal Park is also well worth exploring. Home to various museums, gardens, and monuments, this city park is an important place in Filipino history and remains a symbol of freedom and independence.
Mount Apo
The highest mountain in the Philippines, Mount Apo is a must for hikers, climbers, and lovers of the outdoors.
The 2,954-metre peak is the centrepiece of the Mount Apo National Park. Both the park and the slopes of the mountain are covered with lush tropical rainforest and crisscrossed with rivers, streams, and lakes.
With a rich variety of plants and animals, this is a great place for wildlife lovers and bird watchers to visit. It is the only place on Earth where you can find the endangered Philippine eagle — one of the largest eagles on the planet and the country’s national bird.
Mount Apo is most easily reached from Davao City on the island of Mindanao.
Puerto Princesa
The island of Palawan makes the list for the second time with the idyllic getaway of Puerto Princesa and the nearby national park that shares its name.
The city of Puerto Princesa itself is one of the cleanest and greenest cities in the Philippines. Its beach resorts are among the best in the country and if you’re a fan of seafood, you’ve come to the right place.
The nearby Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is a fascinating and unique location. While jungle grows around the limestone karst rock formations on the land’s surface, the magic of the park is located underground.
The Puerto Princesa River flows through a cave system under the park directly into the sea. You can take a boat around the coast and enter the cave, sailing upriver in the darkness with an experienced guide. There, you might see waterfalls, marine creatures, large bats, intricate rock formations, and more.
There really is no other place like it on Earth.
