essay about how beautiful philippines is

Philippines Travel: The Beauty of the Country and its Wonderful People

• Last updated: February 27, 2023
• Asia , Destinations , Philippines

Home » Travel Blog » Philippines Travel: The Beauty of the Country and its Wonderful People

Our trip to the Philippines started terribly. We got food poisoning from an Indian restaurant in Phuket where we arrived from Koh Lanta  to take our flight to Manila. Actually, we kind of ‘missed’ the flight. The traffic was fine that day, the guesthouse we lived was close (20 minutes of walking) and we arrived to the airport six hours before the departure.

What we overlooked, however, was that the departure time was 00.25 on the 1st of April, which meant we should have arrived at the airport the evening of the 31st. But we arrived on the 1st in the afternoon, when the plane was already long gone. April Fools Day was indeed foolish.

But it all turned out fine in the end; we caught a flight the following day, arrived safely to Manila at 4 am, spent ten hours at the airport, tasted a lot of Filipino food and took another plane to Caticlan and a local bus to Pandan in Antique, one of the four provinces of the Panay Island.

We loved the small town of Pandan and its barangays (a Filipino term for a village, district or ward) so much that we decided to do a tour of other small towns and villages so that we could stay in contact with locals and avoid crowds on the beaches that were filling up quickly due to the Easter holidays.

A vast number of Filipinos were travelling to see their relatives in different parts of the country or to spend their vacation on the beach, which coincided with very high rates for flights.

We spent the majority of our time with locals and we were incredibly touched by their stories, their humble yet bright personalities and vivacious energy. Now, we would like to thank them for some lessons that have influenced us.

To do that, we are dedicating this post to all of the dear people of the Philippines whom we met on the road. Many of you do not have the internet, a computer, and some of you have little to no electricity, but the world is small and we do believe these words will find you one day.

Traveling to the Philippines with a family? Then make sure you get the right visa. For more information, please check out Philippines eTA for Children Requirements . 

Philippines Travel: The Beauty of Wonderful People

Your smiles are charming.

We did nothing but smile on the streets, in the hotels, at the markets and in the bistros everyday. The elderly, children, vendors, and fishermen; all of you smiled after the first surprised look crossed your faces.

You welcome foreigners warmly

“Where are you from?” and your other curious questions started many conversations. After we responded, you proudly said, “Welcome to the Philippines!”

You love singing

A luggage porter at the airport sings, a shop assistant sings (at 4 am!), a guy selling tickets for a local bus sings, staff members in hotels sing. Not to mention that karaoke in small villages is as common as a bakery shop. There is even karaoke in the jungle!

Join some of the local tours in the Philippines:

• Oslob Whale Shark Swimming and Kawasan Falls Canyoneering
• From Bohol & Panglao Island: Full-Day Bohol Tour
• Boracay: Island and Beach-Hopping Boat Tour with Snorkeling

You are big basketball lovers

No matter how small or destroyed a town or village is after a typhoon, there is always a court for outdoor basketball. Over 30°C and hot sun? No problem. You still manage to start a game with some friends.

Heading to Thailand? Check out our comprehensive travel guide Thailand Independently

Your politeness is impressive

“Yes, ma’am”, “Yes, sir” was something we were getting used to for a while. And despite us requesting that you call us by our first names, you kept on with your high standards of politeness.

Heading to South-East Asia? Read more of our articles.

• Why You Should Visit the Philippines as a Digital Nomad
• Things to do in Tibiao: Ecotourism in the Philippines
• Ecotourism in Southeast Asia: Tips on Destinations and Activities
• 15 Things to Do and Best Hotels in Koh Lanta, Thailand
• Things To Do in Kota Kinabalu: a City of Seafood, Beaches and Durian
• Free Things to Do in Singapore: Tips From A Frequent Visitor
• How to Visit Halong Bay from Hanoi, Vietnam
• Where to Stay in Singapore: The Ultimate Guide

Your wild nature is a magnificent experience

Lush, wild forests, saturated, green rice fields like those in Banaue , waterfalls and rivers, all in unspoiled beauty. There is much more to admire than just your beaches, especially your hills and hidden gems of small islands that offer spectacular views of the landscape, villages, rivers and unpaved roads, where only a local can manage to ride a motorbike!

Read more about Philippines in this guide of Boracay .

How helpful you are

Where to eat, what to see, how to get somewhere: you suggested tips and insider info without us even asking you.

Your faith in God is profound

It was a big visual change for us, to come to the Catholic Philippines from Buddhist Thailand. Buddhist string bracelets were replaced by crosses on necks, temples and altars became churches, chapels and statues of Jesus and Holy Mary.
The churches we visited in Panay and Manila were full and many young and children attended the masses, compared to some predominantly Catholic European countries.

You are impressively family-oriented

You used to work and live abroad and you’ve come back because of your aging parents or a family you have a strong bond with. No matter how good the job was you had, you prefer to take care of your loved ones until they get better.
Many of you also come back to retire in your homeland or plan to do so in the future.

It was not easy to explain to you that we left our homelands to travel around the world using only phone contact with our families.

Your women are so pretty

Those of you in the countryside and small provinces simply shine with their pure, feminine beauty with no artificial, cosmetic additions. In the cities this changes, but we consider this an inevitable side effect of commercial pressures in all large, global cities.

Join some of the tours to do in the Philippines:

• Puerto Princesa Underground River Day Tour
• El Nido: Island Hopping Tour A Lagoons and Beaches
• Manila: Old & New 4-Hour City Tour

You love sweet, salty and fat

We had heard so many contrasting opinions about your cuisine and honestly, the food we tasted was very nice. We especially enjoyed the homemade meal we tried at our Couchsurfing host in Manila, but very often the amount of sugar or salt in your dishes was too much for us.

You are great storytellers

Once you see there is someone who is ready to listen to you, you tell your story and you are not at all shy when talking about your private life.

You speak English even in small neighbourhoods

Sometimes it was a simple “good afternoon” that you loudly declared with a smile on your face, other times you started to chat about different countries and our travels. Whether it was kids running on the shore, ladies at the markets or a solitary man living alone in a forest, all of you were happy to share your time with us and made a great effort to have a conversation.

You guys can play with anything!

We might have been staring at you too much when you were playing with your flip-flops or with bottle lids. No need for expensive toys here!

You do your best to preserve hidden islands

In some areas, you follow strict ‘carrying capacity’ rules in order to preserve the natural treasures of waterfalls and forests. You restrict the number of tourists who can enter areas during a certain period of time and we think that’s an amazing approach! But we feel you must become more active in keeping trash out of your forest and rivers.

Oh, your jeepney!

What makes them so special is the way you paint them and how you pass the money to a driver via other passengers!

You always keep a positive spirit

When we saw your destroyed schools, huts and boats from typhoon Yolanda that hit you in November 2013, we had only one thought: the God you believe in so much could allow this to happen only to a people who have tremendous power to cope with tragedy.

You remember exactly what you were doing that day, where you ran to hide and how long the hell lasted in your barangay.

Now, almost six months later, when you’re still waiting for your shelter to be repaired or build from the scratch, you smile! You smile and you help those who have less than you.
“Bahala na,” you say. You really live the moment, not caring about tomorrow or the past.

Even if this might prevent you from planning for the future, you live your life fully, with love, open hearts and a willingness to help those who need it.

The things we learned about other cultures so far have been precious for us. But the things you have taught us are crucial for our self-development, too.

People of the Philippines, you have helped us to realize that humanity is something that connects this world. We must remember that we are all the same, no matter which corner of the earth we were born in.

Pack & travel:

• Best Camera for Travel Photography
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Essential Travel Planning Resources

Planning your next adventure.

Here are some of our go-to resources that we’ve personally tested over the years.

Find Your Accommodation

Whether you’re looking for hotels or hostels Booking.com is ideal for finding great hotel deals worldwide, with a wide range of options to suit any budget.

Book Your Flights

For unbeatable flight deals, we also recommend Booking.com Flights as they search across airlines and travel sites to ensure you get the best prices. It’s our favorite tool for finding affordable flights, no matter your destination.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a must-have! Protect yourself from unexpected events like illness, injury, or cancellations. Here’s what we recommend:

* TrueTraveler (only EU citizens): Perfect for long term travelers looking for comprehensive and affordable coverage. * SafetyWing (for everyone) Great for digital nomads, long and short term travelers.

Rent a Car for Your Trip

Need the freedom to explore at your own pace? Renting a car is a great way to travel off the beaten path. We recommend Discovercars.com a fantastic comparison website that helps you find the cheapest rates from all the major rental companies worldwide.

Book Your Activities

From guided tours to skip-the-line tickets, use Get Your Guide to plan unforgettable experiences wherever you’re going. It’s one of the best platforms for activities and tours.

Try Housesitting

If you love animals and you prefer going local during your travels, try housesitting, which is an amazing way to travel the world while taking care of the pets whose owners are on vacation. If you use TrustedHousesitters with this link you’ll get $25 discount on annual membership.

Ivana Greslikova

• Published: February 27, 2023

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192 thoughts on “philippines travel: the beauty of the country and its wonderful people”.

amazing pics!!! your zest for travel is contagious 🙂

Thanks, Rommel.Glad our adventures inspire you 🙂 Cheers!

I missed the chance to meet you guys:( Hopefully on your next visit:)

Hi Melo, either in the Philippines or other country, it would be nice 🙂

Thank you very much. Beautiful photos and even more beautiful experience that you shared. I know you have a lot of stories to tell about the Philippines and our people. I’ve lived in Manila for a long time but settled in Iloilo City since 1998. Ive travelled the world but I hope to travel to every corner of my country in my lifetime. Thank you again for sharing a positive post about my country.

Thanks for reading, Paul! Wishing you to explore as much of your homeland as possible!

AMAZING PHOTOS!!! Too bad I missed you guys in the Philippines! Hope you had a great time! Fantastic post, will share it right now!

Hi Sab, many thanks! The world is small, so hopefully we will cross our paths one day 🙂 Enjoy Chiang Mai, it’s a great place for digital nomads… We stayed there for three months and had a fantastic time! Cheers!

There’s some incredible pictures in here that you both should be incredibly proud of, not only for their great composure, but more for the fantastic scenes that you’ve captured.

Hi Dale, thank you very much! We are happy we can share these moments with you and other people. We are very grateful we could witness the lives of Filipinos’ that gave us really a lot! Safe travels, guys!

Hi Ivana. It’s great that you have been to Pandan .My hometown is Sebaste 15 km away from the place . It’s amazing that you have contributed nice experience of our town. I have recently come back from Kalibo capital of Aklan.I built my house there and in the near future I am going home for good because I’m now retired,I love my country and for sure I like to live in the Phil. where can offer me many things.

Awww.. I feel so proud being a Filipino after reading this and looking at the pictures. You captured the essence of who we are as a country, and I was left in awe and sentimental about it! Thank you for this feature! 🙂

Sarah, thank you. We’ve been sincerely honoured that we could visit your country and to know your beautiful culture of warm hearts!

I’m so glad that I had the chance to meet u guys! Love this post and your pictures. I can subscribe every single word.

Filipino people are truly amazing.

I will definitely share this 🙂

Safe travels and I hope we will meet again!

Ciao, Clelia! Thank you, it was a pleasure to meet you and glad that we met in Pandan which turned out for us a wonderful place to start our tour in the Philippines! See you in Italy or in Asia again 🙂

very good blog! I recently been in the Philippines myself and I totally agree with your look on the country and it’s amazing people! it’s more fun in the Philippines 🙂

Hello, Mandy, glad you had similar experience! Thanks for your kind words, too 🙂

wow…. thanks for letting the world know how beautiful my country is <3

Salamat, Grasya!

Thanks for the wonderful pictures….I feel so proud and lucky to see my province ( Antique ) featured in your blog.

Salamat, Shela 🙂 We are pleased to get know your province, too!

You said the most beautiful words about distinct Filipino traits (as well some nooks and corners in the Philippines) that we Filipinos often fail to recognize and appreciate. Salamat. Thank you for reminding to take stock of our many blessings. It’s a blessing too welcome visitors in our country, but getting a heartwarming feedback on these visits is a bonus! God bless you on your future travels guys!

Thank you a lot! We loved these unknown ‘corners’ and remote islands we visited a lot. There’s is a lot to explore and the nature was just breathtaking! Hopefully more Filipinos will travel to these places, too.

We almost went to the Philippines after Japan, but we ended up in South Korea instead. There is so much to love of this country looking through your photos and the jeepney looks so funky, one day perhaps we’ll finally make it there 🙂

Aww, you guys will LOVE jeepneys! They are real pieces of art! I sincerely wish that you’ll make it there one day. Not only because of this incredible transport, but also for the nature and people that are truly spectacular 🙂

Yes, yes, 1000x yes! There are so many things to love about the Philippines and your post pretty much nails them all. The singing! The smiles! The sunsets! The only thing we didn’t really care for in the Philippines was the food, but I think that was really the only blemish on an otherwise wonderful country. (And we were still relatively new travelers, so maybe there were better options to be had and we just didn’t find them.) So glad you enjoyed your time in one of our favorite countries!

Hi Steph, we followed your adventures in the Philippines too and we can easily understand now why you do so!!

Aww.. This made me smile. Thank you. I brought a Chinese friend back home in the Philippines (Roxas City, Capiz) this Easter. She loves my countrymen too. She wants to go back and probably marry a Filipino fisherman. Haha..

If she met the same generous and funny guys as we did, then we are not surprised by your friend’s decision 🙂

Gorgeous photos! You definitely portray the Philippines as a beautiful place filled with smiling people. I’d love to visit someday.

Thank you, Anna. If you have a chance in the future, we can only recommend the Philippines!

Some of the friendliest, most giving people I’ve ever met were of Filipino descent (in Australia and the US). I can only imagine it’s a very friendly country by what I’ve seen of its expats. Whether they have a lot or little, Filipinos share and smile. They also introduced me to a whole new style of asian cooking.

That’s so nice to hear about your experience, Michael. I am sure you will love the country if you visit it one day 🙂

Our flight home from Phuket was just after midnight too. We caught our flight, but I kept worrying about going on the wrong day! Glad you had such a wonderful time in the Philippines. My husband’s family is from the Philippines, so I hope we will go some day. I am so not surprised there is karaoke in the jungle!!

Lucky you with the flight 🙂 I am sure your husband can bring you to many places where you can encounter a great hospitality of locals or be charmed by the landscape there!

Wow! I love how you’ve defined our country, culture and our ways. You’re such an amazing writter. I have this habit of skipping through words while reading blogs, but how you made me read your article, word for word, is really something! Salute!

Also, I would like to say Maraming Salamat… For loving and promoting Filipinos to the world. Who knows, maybe someday, the favor you and your colleagues are doing for us (including all other Asian nations), may be the start of a better treatment, respect and equality to Asians around the world.

Again, maraming salamat kaibigan… More power at mabuhay ka!

Daryl, thank you, your words are really kind. Me and Gianni, my partner, co-traveller and photographer of this website, do appreciate them. We will do our best to spread the word about not only Asian countries, but about all other places we visit, so people can be inspired to get know new cultures by their own and share their knowledge and experience, too. Salamat!

Thank you for yourkind words about our people. Little angel smiles coz she see s another angel. Take care.

Thank you, Pabs. We’ve been very grateful that we could get know your people a little bit. Kind greetings to you!

Pure joy to read this kind of blog …while reading I keep telling myself yes we are likes to sing … yes we do sing a lot food is extreme .. salty, sweet and fat- but our seafood is great right?

Thank you for your beautiful post.. hope this blog reach the hearts of other travelers around the world

Hi Czha, thanks for commenting. Right, your seafood was really good 🙂 Gianni was in 7th heaven when we were in Roxas and sampling all the specialities 🙂

Your beautiful words & photos brought tears to my eyes. It made me miss my country, my barangay & most especially my family since I live & work here in the UK. Salamat for sharing the Philippines to the world & good fortune in all your future travels 🙂

Ivy, thank you. Now you have made out eyes wet… Your country is just beautiful and I wish you could see your family and beloved ones as often as you want!

🙁 miss my home…

I’m so sorry to hear that so many people who are commenting here feel homesick, including you, Dennis. We have seen that the conditions for finding a good job are really challenging in the Philippines… On the flip side, you can spread your culture throughout the world and motivate other people to pay a visit to your homeland! All the best for you!

Thank you so much Ivana and Gianni , for being true and kind to others, but most especially for showcasing us Filipinos to the whole world! Hopefully someday, people around the world recognizes the true essence of “being human”, to love without conditions, to give without expecting in return, and to respect each other, no matter what country or place you came from. Again, maraming salamat, God bless you guys and may Almighty God always keep you safe on your travels!

Dondon, thank you for these kind words. We are confident people who will travel one day to the Philippines and those who’ve already been there can only spread a positive word about your country. At least this has been our experience and we are very grateful for that.

Thanks for discovering the true colors of the Philippines. Soon I will be happy to share to you perhaps giving you the tour information of the Eastern Visayas where Typhoon Haiyan first made its landfall way back. The most hidden of scenic spots wherein many of these were not yet captured by cameras….. be the first to show to the world this part of the country. I wish you to be back here in our Philippines which shows you the true colors of life…..

Hello, Yasee, from what we saw in the Panay island we have understood the place was affected a lot and some scenes and stories in small barangays made us very sad for a while. I believe that a positive attitude of locals together with some help of NGOs and individual support will bring back all necessary things that your people need.

thank you so much for your beautiful write-ups about my country, it made me so proud to be a filipina…..your photos were so enchanting…maraming salamat po uli!

Many thanks, Edwina! The Philippines are simply photogenic 🙂

upon looking those picture u make my tears pour down i really miss my contry my hometown thank you so much that u appreciate the beauty of our country hope in your future travel you can visit my province CEBU where a lot of tourist spot and adventures there salamat at mabuhay !

Hi Rose, I’m really sorry you feel homesick, hopefully you can enjoy your time back home soon. Thanks, we want to visit Cebu, too, since we have heard a lot about it! Take care and wish you to be surrounded by nice people so you do not miss your homeland too much!

Hello, thank you so much for your great appreciation and wonderful blog of experiences about my country, the Philippines. Your thoughts and nice words to our culture reminds us our love ones whom we left behind at home, with their smiles and joys in your very nice photos we can see. We are grateful indeed that you are not just a visitors to us and to our country but you try to live within us in your short journey to the Philippines by sharing your life experienced.

Daghan kaau salamat! Mabuhay and God bless!

Salamat, Gilbert! The love and family bond you are all showing to us is so beautiful! We really loved our time in Antique while staying with locals and by doing this we got a great chance to know your culture better. Take care!

my grand parents are from antique and ilo ilo,. and yes! i also had so much chances visiting our province, thanks for the positive feedbacks, i feel honored to come from such hidden paradise in the philippines, Godbless your journey 🙂

Thanks a lot, Jovs!

madamo gid nga salamat halin sa amon tagipusuon diri sa iloilo..in english more thanks to you from the buttom of our heart from here in iloilo….thanks for appreciating our city,culture,and our people

Hello, Jejun, many warm thanks!

While reading, tears kept flowing from my eyes without me knowing it. I am very emotional about your post on my beloved country. Hoping you will not forget us from now on, wherever your feet got you. Thanks a lot for the every very kind word you wrote. I was raised in small town of Tibiao in Antique. Madamo guid nga salamat!

Hi Danny! We have been keeping the Philippines in our hearts and minds till now, and the friendships we have made there are very precious for us, too. Tibiao!! Our favourite place 🙂 You can check our last post about our eco-adventures there. Take care!

Fantastic! I love the way you right story on what you experienced on your wonderful journey. I’m so glad on how you appreciate my fellow Filipino people. You are so lucky for witnessing our unique culture and been in some beautiful places of our dear country. That is one of my dream to visit those places  when I go back home for good. Right now am still working in a foreign land.

Many thanks kaibigan, Mabuhay!

More power and good luck to your next interesting trip.

Once again, Salamat! 🙂

Hi Marites, Antique welcomes everyone who wishes to explore it 🙂 Good luck with your job abroad and happy returns home!

This blog is so beautiful. Thank you for your beautiful comments about the Philippines. I appreciate your concern for our country. That some people do not care, politicians corrupt, illegal deforestations. We still have a long journey but I am sure it is people’s collective effort that will make the difference.

Francis, we all wish you only the best!

“Maraming salamat po!” 🙂

I am deeply moved with your story about our country. It makes one proud being a Filipino and for an article written as extensive and beautiful as this it makes one Filipino to start loving, exploring and sharing the beauty of her own country.

Yes, to share and spread the voice about the Philippines is one of the best way how we all can show the love for the country! All the best, Kath 🙂

Maraming salamat for the kind words!i am so proud to b a filipino!i just came back from a week of palawan trip 5hrs ago when i saw and read your blog…the words that i dont know how to express about my own experience,you write them all down!and you inspire me to continue to travel,discover and experience all the different islands of my country!more power to your team and may u inspire more people to visit philippines!have a safe travel! 🙂

Hi Mers! Great to hear about your experience in Palawan! We are very happy to read that the post made your feet itchy 🙂 Take care and take a chance to travel whenever you can 😉

thank you so much for appreciating my country Philippines, yes I am a Filipino and proud to be an Ilonggo (ILOILO CITY), hope you could visit again…More power and God Bless you both in your upcoming journeys… Its more fun in the PHILIPPINES…

Many thanks, Jane 🙂 We will go back one day!

Maraming salamat po

Salamat, Paul!

such compliments do make us more proud of who we are as Filipinos thou we are facing poverty but we Filipinos still have all the reason to be thank full to Gods blessings in our land

You are doing great, Dawn, despite all the troubles you are facing there!

I have experienced travel through your eyes. Thank you for bringing me to wonderful places of my country. I am one of those filipinos who seldom travel or never ridden a plane. I can only count the few scenic places i’ve seen with my one hand. Your travels have not only seen beautiful places but witnessed the beautiful souls. God be with you and be safe. A very soul-enriching travel indeed.

Hi Ritchelle, I don’t know which part of the Philippines you come from, but wish you to travel whenever you have a chance! Yes, you are right, the people we have met are gorgeous and we are very honoured to get know better some of them.

Thanks for the kind words you have said about our country especially about the Panay Islands. You and your buddy is not only very kind but also very beautifu….God bless you.

Salamat, Reynaldo 🙂

Tears can’t stop falling from my eyes while reading this. My heart rejoiced with gladness that somebody could see the beauty that’s within Filipinos despite the negative impressions we keep on receiving. Thank you for finding time to know the heart of the Philippines, its PEOPLE. You have truly defined the Philippines. The pics are lovely. Thank you much.

Awww, Anne, it’s touching for us to read your comment, too. We are spreading the voice about the Philippines as much as we can, through this blog, but also while traveling and meeting other travellers who have never been there. Thank again for kind words and all the best for you!

I was very touch!!! On how you can put your experienced as I was feeling and actually experiencing it! The essence of your actual experience and writing it, made simple things significant to me. Thank you for opening my eyes!!!I have a beautiful country…Maraming Salamat po! Mabuhay .

Thank you very much for the feedback, Maria! Your country is charming for many people, may they be locals or foreigners 🙂

thank you for the nice write ups and blogs and pics shared about my country, the Philippines…. hope everyone can see the positive beauty of the place and not just the negative ones… mabuhay at maraming salamat!!!!

Salamat, Faith! We would like that more people go to explore your country and know your people. The land of the Philippines has a lot to offer!

Thank you for visiting our country and for visiting my hometown Roxas City, Capiz:) I’m just so proud that I was raised and have lived their! So missing fresh seafoods, the beautiful smiles, typical bbq by the beach, the beautiful beaches and sunset and of course my family back home:( I’m so glad that people coming from other countries appreciate and love my fellow filipinos and my country too! More power to you!

Thanks, Berna In Roxas we had a few awesome seafood feasts and we liked a lot the Olotayan island we visited one morning. Sadly, it was much destroyed by the typhoon last November. But the people there are just amazing! Take care.

One of the best blogs ive ever read! My tears just fall down while reading this and makes me wanna go home and explore my country. Thank you Ivana and Gianni!

Daisy, thank you very much, we are very pleased and happy to inspire also the Filipino expats to travel in their own country. I sincerely wish that you could go and travel through your country!

Thank you for visiting our place … im from iloilo ..its so amazing you guys experiencing our good hopitality as a filipino …. i wonder may be you miss to eat our very own la paz batchoy and pork litson …and some time visit our dinagyang festival im sure you will love it… thanks indeed of your post .

Hi Caesar, Oh, litson was Gianni’s favourite dish! We had a chance to eat it in different provinces and he loved it 🙂

Reading your blog made me homesick – in a good way. Not many travellers explore Iloilo City & I’m glad you guys did. I’m Filipino-Canadian but will always be an Ilongga by heart. I feel your sincerity & kindness through your words. Thank you for appreciating my home country. Safe travels!

Thanks for commenting, Gigi! I hope you have a chance to visit the Philippines and spend some time in Iloilo, too. Take care, wherever in the world you are 🙂

We, Filipinos are very emotional. So, when I was reading your post I felt like crying. We’re glad you came to our country and saw not only with your eyes and hearts. I shared your post with friends who shared them, too. May you continue traveling together and bless more people in your journeys. Thank you soooo much.

Thank you many times, Jodie! For your warm words and for helping us spreading the voice about the Philippines, too.

Hi! Maam Ivana, this story brings tears into my eyes. How I miss my homeland. How I miss living in a very rural life. Working abroad esp. In Middle East when you see nothing but desert and feel nothing but the heat of the sun, made me realize that even my country is not an oil- rich country or as rich as this country, we are still blessed of having beautiful and natural resources, kind hearted and not abusive people and above all else a God- fearing country. your experience and story brings me back to my childhood days when only an empty can, a flip flop, a piece of stick, and a friends can make you Happy for the day. I hope one day you can explore more in mindanao… Thank you! Mabuhay po kayo!

Argy, thank you for the feedback. Happy to hear the article has brought you good memories, but sad to hear you are living less joyful life now. Wish all will be fine around you and that one day you live the life in a country, where you will feel happy!

Next time you come to the Philippines I’ll invite you to my island in Negros Oriental…your story is very beautiful I can’t help myself but feeling imotional. The last time I went home was in 2011 after 10 years that I didn’t able to see my family. I’m planning of going back hopefully I’ll be there before New Years.. Anyways shoot me an email:) I would love to hear from you all..much ❤️❤️❤️

Hi Gayle, Good luck and hopefully you get back home for NY or even earlier to spend some nice time with your family! If you are interested, you can subscribe to our newsletter so you can receive more updates about our travels and projects 🙂

Thank you for the very kind words. I am one of those Filipinos out of the Philippines and this blog entry has made me miss more the simple way of life back home. Yes, no matter how many years we’ve been away, we always look forward to that one day when we go back home and never have to leave. Our family is one of the primary reasons why we leave, and the main reason why we want to go back. Again, thank you for visiting our country and it is nice knowing you and your group had a good time there!

Hi Zandro, All the best for you, your family back home and all beloved ones around you!

Am so glad you enjoyed the Philippines. Most Filipinos are respectful and humble and very welcoming, especially to foreigners and returning Filipinos(balikbayans). I have Filipino friends, though , who don’t think the way you appreciate the Philippines. And I feel sad. Please come back and see more of the Philippines! Cheers!!

Hi Charlie, thanks for commenting! I guess those who do not see the beauty in their homeland anywhere in the world are not satisfied for any reason. May it be a bad or no job, system, neighbourhood, relation etc. So we wish all those who do not feel comfortable in the Philippines to look at it in more positive way and feel more at ease at home soon.

We like people who like us. So when you said you enjoyed your travel to the Philippines and your encounters with the Pinoys (nickname for Filipinos), it is also because you treated the people you met with appreciation and respect. I am sure that the people you talked to will remember you with fondness too, in way they mirrored your kindness and friendliness.

Thank you for the kind words about my country 🙂

Safe travels to you….

Hello Love Joy, we are confident also in the opposite: our hosts and new friends were so friendly that we couldn’t be different to them 🙂 Many thanks!

Ur post about our country is something to be proud of, i couldnt help but 2 share it on my fb’s a/c ….thank u so much….

Many thanks for spreading the word, Juday!

What a great post: this really makes me want to visit the Philippines. Wonderful pictures and sounds like the people are wonderful!!

Thank you for the pictures and stories you shared about my province. Aside from Boracay, we have a lot to show to the world how beautiful Panay is- people, place and food. I am from Iloilo. “Salamat gid sa pagbisita. Halong!” -thank you so much for the visit. Take care!

Definitely, Ruby! There are so many places worth of visit 🙂 We did not make it to Boracay this time, but enjoyed the Philippines a lot, though 🙂

Salamat Ivana and Gianni for sharing this very nice photos and your kind worlds to my dear country. I work in a cruise ship and visited a lot of nice places around the world but there is really no place like home. Hope to see you both in the Philippines on your next visit. God bless you both and thank you again for this very nice blog.

Thanks, Kiko. Many happy voyages to you, too!

Thank you for your kind words and for sharing the world your experience of the Philippines. 🙂

Thank you very much for the feedback, Leo!

Thank you for your kind words. your blog about my country make us all proud to be Pinoys. truly that its more fun in the Philippines and there’s no place like Philippines. Thank you Ivana and Gianni! =)

Salamat, Jhara!

Our pocket is empty but our heart is full..this is the reason why is it that i am so proud to be a filipino. And thank u for letting the world knows what kind of personalities does the filipino have your kind words in every sentence is really appreciated..bearhugz♥

Well said, Von, hearts of Filipinos are absolutely gorgeous!

thank you for visiting philippines…awesome pics…next time you might extend your vacation in the philippines just imagine 7,107 islands… and you just only visited 2 islands hhmmm you missed the 7,105 islands..take care and god bless…

Thanks, Bro Grimes, we are slow travellers and take all easy 🙂 But we want to go back for sure 🙂

I guess all is been said in here.. I just want to thank you & Gianni for choosing my beloved country one of ur destination.. It’s an honored to to have you foreign visitors in my homeland.. Wish u both all the best. DAGHAN SALAMAT.

Many thanks, Ramil! We appreciated your comment!

Great read! Can’t help but to get a bit emotional while reading it, been away from home for a year now. It’s also my dream to travel and see the beauty of my country, thank you for giving me another reason to do so. Will explore when I get back. God bless you and Maraming Salamat!

Salamat, Charles! I wish you to travel across the Philippines as much as possible 🙂 Take care!

I would like to thank both of you for showing the good part in us. Thank you for taking some time to talked to us and appreciate in your most sincerest way. From our heart “Maraming Salamat Po!

Thanks for your feedback, Jun Seyan!

Salamat Ivana. Godbless

Thanks, Patrick!

Hello Ivana,

One can only read between your lines. It is with sincerity and honesty you describe the places, the people you came across. Many of us Filipinos were touched by your kind words. You expressed your appreciation to our beautiful country that we as Filipinos sometimes never have the time to fully enjoy, because we are so busy trying to make a living to better the lives of our parents and family.

Thank you for taking the time to write positively about our people who inspite of hardship are honest, giving and kind.

May the LORD guide you and Gianni in your travel as you spread wonderderful words about other culture.

Frank Massachusetts

Hi Frank, many thanks for these kind words and your blessing!

Thank you very much for taking time to visit my beloved homeland Philippines especially to the city of love ILOILO CITY♥♥♥

Thank you Mel, your comment is much appreciated!

Thank you so much for this wonderful article on your blog. I am an American that so much loves the Philippines it almost hurts! I have made many trips to the Philippines and you describe this amazing country and people so well. The Philippines is a beautiful country as far as landscape…but what makes the Philippines so good for me is the people. I have NEVER met people so warm, so gracious, so welcoming, and so so so positive as filipinos.

I wish more people in the world could visit the Philippines as you did…not just the nice resorts but down in the streets in the nitty gritty. What an amazing place and people. For those of you reading my post…if you haven’t been to the Philippines…Go! For filipinos that, for some reason, don’t realize how good your country is…open your eyes. Sure there is a lot of poverty…but you and the rest of the filipino people make your country amazing. I am proud to say I truly love the Philippines.

Hi Todd, wow, so kind words from you! I’m sure soon this country will be welcoming more and more travellers. I can see already now that more and more people choose Philippines as their vacation destination. And that’s wonderful!

Thanks, Ivana for the article. I came from a small town in Aklan-Buruanga, you passed thru it on the way to Libertad and Pandan. I live here in cold Chicago. You truly love the Philippines. Someday I will come home and spend the rest of my life there!

Hi Winston, thanks, I am very glad you’ve liked reading the post. Wishing you beautiful time in Chicago and may your dream to stay in your homeland in the future come true. All the best for you and your beloved ones !

Thank you for the kind words about my motherland. I’ve lived in the US ever since I was 9 (almost 22 now), but my Filipino pride stays true and strong. I love reading about travelers’ experience in the Philippines; it always gives me the biggest smile! It makes me proud to be from a country that treats everyone so well, even though, as you pointed out, we’ve had our share of tragedies. I don’t know the next time I get to visit the Philippines, as I am currently in college, and in the process of trying to get into Pharmacy school. However, seeing entries like these makes me feel at ease. I may be thousands of miles away, but I’ll always be a Filipina.

Thank you, Erv and wish you lot of success at your college and hopefully you’ll get a chance to see the Philippines one day again!

Thanks Ivana…you are one of the reason why we, the Filipino people continues to smile…without highfalutin words you were able to describe and praise the quality of our natural essence – in simple terms about a simple people…mabuhay ka Ivana, you are welcome to come back a million times…

Many warm thanks, Victor, we felt great among Filipinos and it’s a country which we definitely wish to explore more 🙂

This is absolutely beautiful! Thanks for bringing such a wonderful group of photos and people into my life through this post!

Thanks a lot Chanel!

Incredible photos! We travelled to Palawan last year and just thought it was so beautiful. I’d love to travel some more of the Philippines, I’m sure you could spend months and months island hopping there!

Wow, I bet you had a great time in Palawan, Charlie. We had to skip it last year, as we arrived just for Easter and flight tickets cost a fortune at that time 😀 Yeah, you’re right, you can do an epic islands hopping in the Philippines. I wonder if there is a person who did all of those 7107 islands. That could be a life challenge, right?

Thank you for this blog! I got inspired about the stories that you’ve shared. I love my country Philippines and I’ll love it forever! Cebu is a nice island to!

Thanks for your comment, Rodjie, we hope we’ll have a chance to travel to this part of Philippines, too.

Loved reading this. Currently living in the Philippines. Really well written and stunning photos ! Shared 🙂

Thanks Tom, you’re too kind. Which part of the Philippines are you living in?

Well-written travel blog about our beautiful country. I admire you for seeing beauty in every situation! Life should be lived like that. Best regards.

You didn’t miss a thing in your article and great photos! The Philippines has so much to offer, really. Try visiting Boracay, with its stunning white sand beach and thriving night life! See you soon again!

Hi Leo, thanks, you’re too kind. We were actually very close to Boracay, in a barangay called Pandan, where we stayed for for some time instead of visiting the white beaches. We’re also not big party lions and we prefer to stay with locals in calmer areas 🙂 Cheers!

We love the Philippines and will be back! Our adventures took us kayaking from remote island to Island for 8 days. Exploring The Chocolate Hills on a motorbike then We completed our PADI Advanced Open Water in Puerto Galera, Philippines! Also staying with a old Leper Colony on Culion Island. Finding a Piece of Africa on Calauit Island. To Helping build a school with Hike + Bike= Build A School on Busuanga. All so much in one country and more to come! Nice people and great adventures.

Looks like you spent there at least half year, David 🙂 So many things done! I’m curious about the BUild A School project, do you have a post on your blog about this? Would love to read more!

I love the Philippines! Great article and beautiful pics.

Thank you, Fabio!

Wonderful colors!

Found your blog via the Two Monkeys Travel Group. You captured the charm of the Philippines beautifully! Thanks for this post. 🙂 Filipinos are indeed God-fearing, family-oriented, hospitable, and warm. Hope you can visit our country again soon!

Thanks a lot for stopping by, Patricia! We do hope to come back, too 🙂

I agree, the people in the Philippines make it my favorite country in the world, and are why I live there

Thanks for reading, Dante! It’s nice to hear you have such positive experience with the Philippines.

I have lived here for 2 years (from the USA) and it is just a great place to live. Of course there are some small things you must get used to, but overall I love it.

Wow, two years must be long enough to get the country under your skin 🙂 Hope you’re having a great time there!

I just came across this post about my native people yesterday. Thank you for seeing the good in them despite the flaws. Thank you for the heart-filled tribute you have generously given. Your tenderness and love for people show themselves through your posts, and I admire your willingness to see and show the world that which is good in others. Honor well-said; a post well-read! Thanks!

Thank you a lot for commenting, Omar. We do appreciate your kind words. Honestly, our time in the Philippines was special thanks to local people and their warm nature towards foreigners. Thanks again!

Very touching blog about my country and my people. You did not only captured amazing pictures during your stay in the philippines___you have captured my peoples hearts, too! Your experience about riding the jeepney made me laughed so hard…the passing of the money by the people all the way to the driver! The same amazement i had probably during my first jeepney ride long time ago, when i was just a little girl. So glad you had a wonderful time during your stay. Wish you and all your companion a happy and safe journeys in the future. God speed!

Thank you for sharing this very wonderful story. Thank you! Thank you! 🙂

Shared and Tweeted! Reading this made me teary-eyed… could be PMS but, I just had the feels. Thank you for seeing my country and my people beyond our faults and flaws. We have a lot to offer as a nation, unfortunately ..what makes us unique as a country has also been our downfall and gets the better of us in more ways than we can help ourselves. I hope you find yourselves back in our shores to tell the world more about my Pinoys. Big ups to your article and your beautiful pics <3

I agree….even tho im not fr your beautiful country..this hits my heart too..Super Apir!

wonderfully written blog and beautiful pics of the beloved Philippines..Thank you for sharing this Ivana

More than a year after you dropped by our islands, and people are still loving your blog about our country, including myself. You are so perceptive, appreciative and sensitive, qualities that enabled you to relay your sentiments very well. I assure you that the responses that you received are reflections of the beautiful qualities my countrymen see in you. Thank you for the warmth that you share about a country of very warm people.

What an admirable way to travel and experience a new place . You’ve opened my eyes to the beauty of a place I still call home and I can’t wait to re-visit places I’ve been to with a deeper appreciation of the people who make me proud of who I am. Thanks much and keep loving what you do.

By the way it was a Filipino, Roberto del Rosario, who invented the karaoke machine! One of the origins of the yoyo stems from the Philippines …in a local dialect yoyo means ‘come back’ …and that is what I advise you to do with the Philippines – its endless tropical magic is supported by a people friendly beyond compare! I write a blog on my site about the country and have been living here 19 years and am still exploring so many new beautiful places and islands. If you travel to every islad in the country for 48 hours each it will take you 40 years just to see the Philippines….hang on I’d better get out there again …..bye – go well, stay well. and enjoy life’s journey!

Hi Bruce, thanks so much for reading and commenting! Well, no surprise karaoke was invented by a Filipino 🙂 Wow, 19 years in the Philippines! So, theoretically, you should have already travelled to cca 3,500 islands according to your calculation. We definitely want to go back and explore other islands, so we might get in touch with you for some tips in the future. Thanks again for stopping by and best of luck in your adventures in the Philippines and everywhere you go!

I soon married a Filipino woman. She is very honorable and dignified . She having Noble family And Farmer And Personality . I was fascinated by she . Philippines . A great country and thousands Beautiful island And kind people And hot Blooded . hospitable . Intimate . The good women and Accountability in life . Have Feeling And Lover Their husbands . Philippines People Looking for quietness and comfort . And Hard work and great effort They do For a decent life . ….. I am inviting all people of the world. For dating. With the great nation of the Philippines And See the beauty of the islands Philippines . .. Thank you

Nice post about our country… We maybe not the strong economically but in faith we are STRONG.. Will share this 😀

Reading your stories game my eyes a sting and i was just able to hold on the tear that was to fall. You hit it on the nail guys. Reading your story somehow made me feel proud that I am A Filipino! Im nor here in ireland working far from my family back home. I guess reading your stories made me miss home more…Thanks for a very touching work!

Thank you for this post! You are an amazing person. Please continue travelling and writing good things about the best places you visit 🙂

Thanks a lot for the feedback and kind words, Jacy!

What I nice article about my home country! Thank you for this post. Should you visit Philippines again, try to vist the northern part of Philippines as well.

Thanks for reading, Jhes, we’ll definitely explore more once we’re back there 🙂

Hi Ivana, thank you for your interest in our country, it’s really nice to see foreigners visiting & writing about my beloved country. next time visit Batanes or Cebu or both ha ha… like you, me & my fiance loves to travel, (just got back from cebu) he he. planning to visit sagada this June & davao on September. and if my pocket permits Hinatuan Enchanted in surigao del sur ph

Teary eyes when about to finish reading. Thank you for the kind words and great article, glad you came and keep safe for all your travels.. Reading this in 2016

Awww, thanks for reading, Mariss and for your touching words… We will be back!

I am a Filipino and I’m really glad that a foreign people like you appreciate the beauty of Philippines even those of tragic or bad things for us…u saw what we can’t see in our country.. Thank you for your wonderful words about my country..

Nice photo of a jeepney ?

wow! incredible scenery beautiful and I feel happy to be on this website.

I really like your post about the “The Beauty of the Philippines and its Wonderful People” Very interesting article with wonderful photos. Thanks for sharing very informative blog.

i was moved y the way you described narrative your experience in the Philippines.thanks for sharing your experiences and memories you have and continue having in the future.may god bless you and keep you safe in stay.

WOW this post made my day. I am a Filipina and an avid traveler as well and I came across your blog while researching for future trips. And when I found out you visited my country, I was curious about how you find it so I clicked on it. Then I found this post and it MADE ME CRY. Thank you so much for this post. It really touched me. I have been to so many wonderful countries already and your post made me realize that I in fact live in a very beautiful country.

Thank you for expressing to the world who we truly are as Filipinos. I am from Iloilo though I reside in Canada now. We have a place there so next time you visit, you have a home with my family. We are connected on Twitter (@aesta1).

Hi guys 🙂 thanks for posting nice words and pictures of the real Philippines. I love this country so much.

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13 Reasons Why You Should Travel to The Philippines Now

1. Summer Weather in the Philippines Almost All-Year

2. friendly and warm filipinos, 3. budget-friendly destination, 4. philippine beaches and islands, 5. natural wonders unique to the philippines, 6. colorful and fun philippine festivals, 7. delicious filipino cuisine, 8. incredible diving and snorkeling spots, 9. exciting outdoor adventures, 10. encounter wild and rare animals, 11. unique philippine transportation: jeepney, 12. preserved history of the philippines, 13. fun nightlife with filipinos.

Before deciding where to spend your next vacation, be sure to read our top 13 reasons why visit the Philippines. Learn about what makes the Philippines unique and what makes visitors return and explore more of this tropical getaway.

The Philippines  is an archipelago found in Southeast Asia comprised of more than 7,000 islands dotting the Pacific Ocean. Thanks to the  geographical features of the Philippines , the country is gifted with stretches of  pristine white sand beaches surrounded by crystal-clear waters.

In fact, several Philippine islands and beaches, like Boracay , Palawan , and Siargao , have been consistently named as the best in the world by major travel publications.

But there’s more to the Philippines than just being an idyllic tropical destination for island-hopping getaways  and  beach adventures .  

• Explore the widest selections of Philippine tours  and best Philippines tour packages for your trip 
• See destinations for solo travel in the Philippines
• Read our article on the best golf courses in the Philippines

The Philippines is also home to world-renowned natural wonders like an underground river and rice terraces, incredible diving spots rich in biodiversity, colorful public transportation in the Philippines , unique cuisine , vibrant festivals that showcase its colorful culture, and friendly locals regarded as some of the happiest in the world.

The country's official tourism slogan is “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” because whatever type of travel adventure you’re looking for, you’re bound to discover a fun experience in the Philippines. Read on to find out why visit the Philippines and why it deserves to be on top of your travel bucket list:

See our popular Best Philippines Itinerary Tour Packages

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If you want to escape winter, a trip to the Philippines is a must. As a tropical country, the Philippines only has two seasons: dry and rainy seasons.

• Check out our  2-week Philippine itinerary packages

The dry season covers November to May, while the rainy season is usually from June until October. It’s still sunny and warm during the rainy months, except when there's a typhoon warning in the area. You can still enjoy outdoor and indoor rainy season activities in the Philippines like surfing, waterfalls tours, river adventures, food tours and more, with cancellations only necessary when there’s a typhoon.

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The warmest months are during the Philippines' summer season, covering March, April, and May. January and February are ideal months for travel as the sun shines on, but the weather is cooler overall. Island and beach destinations in the Philippines, such as Boracay, Palawan, and Cebu , are best enjoyed during the dry season. 

Aside from the Philippines' picturesque spots, the Filipinos' warmth and hospitality is a reason itself for you to visit the country. In fact, the Philippines often rank as the  friendliest country in Asia . The moment your plane lands here, you will be greeted with the genuine and loving smiles of Pinoys. 

• Find unique cultural experiences that you can try in the Philippines

Filipinos are very proud of the beauty of their country and their culture. That’s why when they meet travelers who are visiting the country, the locals will go out of their way to help you experience this. Filipinos acting like tour guides come naturally, from teaching you local words to pointing out the best places to visit or delicacies to try.

Communicating with locals is not a problem. English is one of the Philippines' official languages, and most Filipinos speak and understand it.

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Filipinos are very hospitable too. The concept of the "extended family" is an important aspect of their culture. If you have Filipino friends who invite you to their home, they will treat you like you’re a part of their family. Don't be surprised if they regularly prepare a feast of home-cooked Filipino food for you.

This reason alone will make you feel like the Philippines is your home away from home. Check out this video by the country’s Department of Tourism that showcases the warmth of the Filipino:

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Cost is one of the major considerations of a traveler. Good thing, traveling in the Philippines is very affordable. For example, there are plenty of day tours that just cost around PHP1000 (USD20).

You will find that there’s a lot of cheap accommodation options for you in the Philippines as well: from dorm-type hostels to bed and breakfast homestays that are both perfect for budget-conscious travelers. For those looking for a better value, resorts also come in a whole spectrum of pricing. Oftentimes,  package deals can be found if you know where to look. You will also have plenty of option when planning a Philippines staycation .

• Check our article on the best private resorts near Manila
• Browse our list of the best pet friendly resorts near Manila
• See our picks of the top affordable resorts near Manila

Food in the Philippines is cheap too. For roughly around PHP100-150(USD2-3), you will find yourself a decent breakfast place that offers classic Filipino food with coffee. The same goes for your lunch and dinner.

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Even alcohol is cheap, so you can have a fun nightlife while traveling without breaking the bank. Local transportation doesn’t cost much as well, and you might find them a lot cheaper if you’re traveling with a group so that you can divide the costs.

Services, such as spa treatments, haircuts, massages, and fine dining are also relatively cheaper in the Philippines, even those from the top wellness resorts in the Philippines .  Make sure to pack these into your itinerary when visiting.

If you’re lucky, you might have some money left after your trip that you can use to buy unique locally-made souvenirs in the Philippines.

The Philippines consistently tops the best beaches and islands lists in the world by international publications. With over 7,000 islands and white sand beaches that stretch from coast to coast, you can’t deny the fact that the Philippines is gifted with the magic of nature’s wonder. It's no surprise many couples choose to have their honeymoon in the Philippines  for vacation packages for couples  and enjoy island hopping in the Philippines .

• Browse our list of the best beaches in the Philippines

You will not run out of islands to visit in the Philippines. The majority of these best islands in the Philippines are untouched by modernities, offering travelers their much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of life. There are also many beach resorts in the Philippines that will give you the best ocean and sunset views. 

See our popular Philippines Tour Packages

The Philippines is home to the most beautiful islands globally, including Boracay, Palawan, and Siargao. Boracay, one of the best tourist spots in Visayas  and also one of the best places to visit in the Philippines , is home to the White Beach, a long stretch of powdery white sand where you can enjoy water activities including Boracay helmet diving aside from enjoying the sunset views that you can visit by booking Manila to Boracay packages . You will also have plenty of options for 5-star hotels in the Philippines .

• Check Boracay White Beach activities  and Boracay tours for your vacation
• Find hotels and resorts in Boracay

Two towns in Palawan are always included in travelers' must-visit list: El Nido and Coron, both home to pristine islands with majestic towering limestone rock formations that you can visit with El Nido island hopping packages  or El Nido tours  and El Nido tour package and Coron island-hopping trips  included in Coron tour packages .

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On the other hand, Siargao, a must-visit Mindanao tourist spot , is fast becoming a hub for surfers and beach lovers and features untouched islands that you can visit by joining a Siargao island-hopping adventure  and booking Siargao tour packages . Aside from surfing in Siargao , it is also a popular destination for workation  or to book  extended stay in hotels .

• Check out our list for the best honeymoon resorts in the Philippines
• Find hotels and resorts in El Nido  and Coron resorts

If you're staying in the Philippine capital of Manila, beaches are around 2 hours away when you go to the beach resorts in Batangas . There are also countless beach resorts near Manila . You can rent a car in Manila for a hassle-free vacation.

The Philippines is blessed with unique natural wonders and these are some of the best places to visit in the Philippines . Be in awe when you do the Puerto Princesa Underground River tour , which will take you to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.

It’s the longest navigable underground river globally and is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The Puerto Princesa Underground River features an underground river cave system with impressive stalactites and stalagmites formations and one of the best caves in the Philippines .

• Check other Palawan experiences  aside from the Underground River
• Find resorts and hotels in Puerto Princesa

The Philippines is also home to the Chocolate Hills in Bohol , thousands of hills that look like giant chocolate Kisses (like the chocolate brand). Chocolate Hills in Bohol  actually resulted from coral deposits through rain and erosion. Check out our Bohol hotel and tour package for an all inclusive trip.

• Check out our list of the best farm stay resorts in the Philippines  to experience agritourism in the Philippines

If you want to see the mounds in their brown color, it is best to go on  Chocolate Hills tours  during the dry season of November to May. They turn green during the rainy season of June to October. 

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If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to live back when modernization hasn’t taken place in the Philippines yet, a trip to the Cordilleras in North Luzon will give you an idea. You will see the Rice Terraces of the Ifugao, an indigenous group of people living in the Cordillera mountains.

This spectacular mountain landscape with terrace after terrace of man-made rice fields dates back to pre-colonial Philippines and is considered a repository of Philippine culture, tradition, and craftsmanship and is one of the must-visit Luzon tourist spots .

• Explore North Luzon with activities in Benguet

The waterfalls in the Philippines are also an enchanting sight. 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.

• Find more waterfall excursions for your trip.

Other natural wonders in the Philippines include the Taal Volcano in Batangas, the smallest active volcano globally, and Mayon Volcano in Legazpi City of Albay province , which has the world’s most perfect cone. 

• Plan your trip with this detailed travel guide to the Philippines with a sample itinerary, the best time to go, how to get around, and top things to do.

Filipinos sure know how to throw a street party, and they do it in colors and full costumes. Festivals in the Philippines are some of the most joyous, fun, and loud in Asia. Make sure to have your camera ready to snap the wildest smiles and happy faces.

Festivals (or fiestas ) in the Philippines are either religious, historical, or cultural. Religious festivals honor Roman Catholic figures, historical festivals celebrate significant events, while cultural festivals celebrate a bountiful harvest or promote products. 

One of the religious festivals includes Ati-Atihan Festival celebrated in Kalibo, Aklan, every January in honor of the Santo Niño (Child Jesus). Watch performers with extravagant costumes and celebrate with the locals as they anticipate the parade and go crazy over food stalls and a lot of street dancing.

• Check Aklan tours that you can add to your Ati-Atihan Festival itinerary

Yet another much-awaited festival every January is the  Sinulog Festival in Cebu , also in honor of the Santo Niño, which attracts millions of festival-goers.

The annual Grand Street Parade features street performers doing the Sinulog Festival Dance while clad in colorful costumes. You'll be treated to a fireworks display and get to join street parties that will make you feel like you’re a part of one big community.

• Find Cebu trips and experiences  that you can add to your Sinulog Festival itinerary
• Discover hotels in Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu , Mandaue , Cordova , and Talisay

Filipinos’ love for merrymaking is also evident in the Panagbenga Festival, the pride of Baguio City . If you love flowers or gardening, this one is a must-see. Check out our Baguio hotel promo package for the best deal.

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Panagbenga Festival is an annual flower festival celebrated every February featuring life-sized floats that come in all shapes and sizes, all made with real flowers!

• Check out tours in Baguio  and read up on Baguio tourist spots for your Panagbenga Festival trip.
• Discover hotels in Baguio City

If there’s one thing to describe the Philippines that will set it apart from neighboring Asian countries , it’s being the melting pot of different cultures having been colonized by Spain, the US, and even Japan.

Not only that, the Philippines has deep ties to the Malays and the Chinese. This rich history and diverse cultural influence is evident in Filipino cuisine , which is unique to its neighbors.

• Find Filipino food trips for your vacation in the Philippines

Despite having food that has either taken its roots from another culture or has been recreated to fit the Filipino taste, the Philippines has still successfully carved its own space in the gastronomic scene.

Some most notable Filipino foods include adobo, chicken or pork meat cooked in soy sauce and vinegar, and lechon or roasted whole pig, which the late Anthony Bourdain swore by as the best pig he has ever tried.

There's also balut (duck embryo), a Filipino street food perfect for those who like trying exotic dishes, and halo-halo, a famous summer staple with crushed ice, milk, and sweetened fruits.

Your trip to the Philippines won’t be complete without feasting on fresh (but really affordable!) seafood. If you can’t get enough fresh crabs, shrimps, and other tasty seafood dishes, do a food tour in Roxas City in Capiz, the Philippines' Seafood Capital.

Want to taste the sweetest mangoes? Add a Guimaras Island day exploration  to your itinerary. 

Island-hopping in the Philippines usually includes lunch in one of the islands, served boodle-fight style with freshly-cooked seafood and tasty tropical fruits.

For another culinary destination, join Pampanga trips , the Philippines' Culinary Capital, which is just a few hours away from  Manila . 

• Discover hotels in Pampanga

See our popular Manila Vacation Packages

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Diving spots in the Philippines 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.

Palawan is home to Tubbataha Reef diving , 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.

• Check diving tours in the Philippines . including learn to dive and fun dive  for certified drivers
• Read our guide on diving in Coron

Cebu prides itself on diving spots that are at par with the world’s best. You can visit Cebu's  Moalboal sardine run , where you can do the sardine run experience  and swim with millions of sardines.

See our popular Philippine Scuba Diving Packages & Courses

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Another renowned diving spot in Cebu is diving in Malapascua , where thresher sharks are more commonly seen. Other species you’re sure to see in Cebu diving spots are lionfish, batfish, tunas, and many more when you book a Cebu tour package .

Also located in Visayas is the diving spot called Apo Island Dumaguete  where you can swim with giant sea turtles.

Another worth checking out is the diving package in Anilao , Batangas, only hours away from Manila. Diving in Anilao is perfect for travelers who have limited time to explore diving spots in other islands or provinces and are looking for scuba diving holidays for beginners . Another spot near Manila is diving in Puerto Galera  located in Mindoro. Puerto Galera diving spots are known for incredible marine life because of its location in the heart of the Coral Triangle.

The Philippines has a wide range of picturesque mountains and trails for hiking adventures  that you can choose from, and they all come in different sizes. So whether you’re a beginner or a pro,  hiking in the Philippines will be a great adventure for you. One thing is sure, you will be rewarded with beautiful sceneries, may it be a sea of clouds, picturesque landscapes, or even majestic waterfalls.

• Read our article on travel insurance in the Philippines

Some of the must-try hiking tours include the Mount Pulag hike in North Luzon, Mount Pinatubo day hike in Tarlac with 4x4 trail ride, Mount Pico de Loro hiking tour in Batangas, and the highest in the country, Mount Apo in Davao .

Wherever you are in the country, there is surely at least one mountain to hike.

The country also doesn’t run out of exciting and adrenaline-pumping watersports that are also the best places in the Philippines for family vacation . Join the fun canyoneering in Cebu , white water rafting tour in Cagayan de Oro , and parasailing in Boracay .

• Cagayan de Oro whitewater rafting package
• Cagayan de Oro city tour
• Seven Seas Waterpark Cagayan de Oro day pass with transfers
• Cagayan De Oro Sinulom Falls & Bolao Cold Spring tour
• Book a  Cagayan de Oro airport transfer

There’s absolutely no reason for you to stay indoors and not enjoy these activities outside when in the Philippines. Even more perfect is if you get to share the thrill with your friends or fellow travelers. 

If you’re an advocate of ecotourism, the Philippines offers experiences tailored to fit just for you. You can avail yourself of eco-friendly tours in  Batanes , Bohol, Palawan, Camiguin , and Cebu.

See our popular Siargao Vacation Packages

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The Philippines is rich in biodiversity and is home to many unique animals. One of these is the Philippine tarsier, which is one of the smallest primates in the world. These nocturnal creatures have distinct big eyes and can be found in Bohol province. You can also visit the Abatan River in Bohol, which is home to some of the rarest fireflies in the Philippines and in the world.

The Philippines is also rich in marine biodiversity, which makes it one of the best diving destinations in the world. The sardine run in Moalboal and diving with thresher sharks in Malapascua are some underwater experiences you can book.

A once-in-a-lifetime experience is swimming with whale sharks (locally known as butandings). Oslob in Cebu province and Donsol in Bicol province are destinations known for this experience. It's best to experience them in their natural migratory route, where you can see and swim with them at a safe distance to reduce the stress to these giant gentle creatures.

See our popular Whale Shark Tours

Another beautiful creature not to miss when visiting the Philippines is the majestic Philippine Eagle, its national bird.

It’s one of the largest and rarest eagles, and you can visit them Davao’s Philippine Eagle Center when you join a Davao City trip , a must-add to a Davao itinerary .

• Find hotels in Davao

Once you arrive in Philippine airports , you’ll notice colorful vehicles plying Manila's roads and other busy centers in the country. These are called jeepneys or jeep and are unique to the Philippines as one of the main local public transportation. The fare is quite cheap too.

Riding a jeepney is considered by many travelers as a must-do when in the Philippines because of the local and cultural immersion. 

Jeepneys are usually painted in loud colors, with their route plastered in front of it. Take note of local words like “para” (stop) and “bayad po” (here’s my payment) if you’re riding a jeepney.

The Filipinos’ culture of being helpful is also reflected as they help one another transfer payment to the driver, especially if you’re seated right at the door of the jeep.

Another interesting transportation mode is the Philippines’ version of a motorized rickshaw known as the tricycle or trike. This is similar to Thailand’s tuk-tuk, only it is a motorbike with a sidecar attached to it.

There’s another version of the tricycle which uses a bicycle; the locals call it pedicab. These two vehicles are meant for shorter drives and are usually found in provinces with narrow roads and fewer jeepneys.

Make sure to take a photo of yourself as you experience these unique transport vehicles because no trip to the Philippines is complete without riding like a local. Some places in the Philippines are best explored through  tricycle transport tours for a more rugged travel experience. 

The best way to get to know one place is to understand its history, and the Philippines has its fair share of stories as it played many roles in the history of the world.

Learn about the Philippines’  historical and heritage tours and experiences from the precolonial period to the Spanish, American, and Japanese occupations to find out about the events that shaped the country into what it is today. 

See our popular History Tours

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The Walled City, Intramuros, is a gem situated right at the heart of the Philippines' capital — Manila. It was built starting in 1521 and was the seat of power in the Philippines during the Spanish era and houses some of the most important architectural landmarks in the Philippines .

As you walk around Intramuros, you will see the proof of Filipino resilience embedded in each ruin.

Ride around Intramuros on a bamboo bike ride with a guide  or a horse-drawn carriage tour , and you will find some of the best repositories of the past, including two of the oldest churches in the Philippines: San Agustin Church and Manila Cathedral.

One of the best Intramuros escapades  is a trip to Fort Santiago in Manila, a magnificent Hispanic stone fortress that houses Philippines museums .

See our popular Intramuros Tours

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Another must-see is the Rizal Shrine, which pays tribute to the Philippines’ national hero from the Spanish era, Jose Rizal.

Nearby is the oldest Chinatown in the world, Binondo, where you can do a  Binondo day trip  and feast on tasty Chinese dishes. 

• Learn about the Philippines’ history when in Manila with tours to the National Museum Complex
• Find hotels in Manila 

Another must-try for history buffs is a tour of Corregidor Island, where you will find ruined buildings and tunnels, all reflections of the past, including the tragic Bataan Death March during the American-Japanese War.

For a more vibrant experience, join Calle Crisologo trips located at the New7Wonders Cities of Vigan , Ilocos Sur, with well-preserved Spanish-era cobble-stone streets and houses.  Check out our guide on how to create an Ilocos itinerary to explore more of this region. 

See our popular Vigan Tours and Activities

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If you are interested in digging deeper into Philippine history beyond the colonial era, joining the  Tabon Cave exploration  in Palawan is necessary. It’s known as the Cradle of Philippine Civilization because of the significant archaeological artifacts found here. 

As one of the happiest people globally , Filipinos know how to throw the best parties, be it in the city or the pristine white sand beaches and islands.

Want a beach party under the stars? Head over to the island of Boracay, where you can do a pub crawl or enjoy the famed Boracay nightlife . Do you like partying while overlooking the city scrapers? Check out the bars in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig.

Are you more into hip speakeasies and laid-back bars? Visit Poblacion, Makati’s strip of nightclubs and bars. Whether you like your parties loud or low-key, Filipinos sure know how to do it.

• Discover hotels in Makati  and Taguig
• Read up on things to do in Makati

Discover for Yourself Why It’s More Fun in the Philippines

The Philippines as a travel destination isn’t just about its beautiful beaches and islands. It marries everything a traveler is looking for: culture, history, natural landscape, and most importantly, people. You will not run out of things to do, and you will not get tired of exploring something new.

Wherever you go, no matter how long you’ve got, the Philippines has a lot to offer, and you won’t even have to spend that much. As long as you know where to go and how to live like a local, it will feel like home. Read our article on the best cars to rent for a road trip in the Philippines if you want to explore on your own. 

Don’t think twice about whether it’s worth booking a trip to the Philippines: it surely is, and you will most likely find yourself looking forward to your next trip here again.

Start planning your trip, check out the best Philippines tours packages , and read up on Philippine travel guides for the best adventure you’ll ever have. If you want to indulge during your trip, book a stay at one of the luxury hotels in the Philippines  or try glamping in the Philippines .

Book the best  Philippines guided tours  with Guide to the Philippines, the leading  Philippines travel agency  and travel booking website  for hassle-free  online trip booking  services. Check out our  best Philippines tour packages ,  Philippines vacation packages all inclusive , and  honeymoon package  to top destinations like Boracay, Siargao, Cebu, Bohol, and more top tourist destination in the Philippines and find out why visit the Philippines is a must, especially for beach lovers. 

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Beauty of the Philippines

The Philippines is an archipelago made up of more than 7,100 islands. It is located in South East Asia in the Pacific Ocean. The Philippines has 3 main regions. These regions are Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The capital of the Philippines is Manila.

Culturally relevant attractions showcase the history and culture of the Philippines. We can find several museums and preserved architecture all over the islands. The Intramuros is one such structure. Built by the Spanish people during their regime, it houses several churches and other relevant political buildings and structures. In the neighboring province of Metro Manila, one can find the Banaue Rice terraces. These are mountain slopes converted into rice paddies. Since the tribes in this area didn’t have a lot of flat land, they develop the mountains to cater to their needs. In Sagada, one can see the hanging coffins, which were placed on the rock face of mountains.

In Cebu City, one can see the Lapu-lapu monument in Mactan, depicting the chieftain who thwarted Ferdinand Magellan. Cebu is also overflowing with five star hotels and resorts which cater to beach lovers and divers. Make sure not to miss the Sinulog Festival which showcases the story of the Sto. Nino de Cebu. A boat or plane ride away from Cebu is Bohol, a large island with beautiful, pristine beaches and a bevy of underwater attractions. The island of Bohol is also home to several churches which date back to the Spanish era. One can also find the legendary Chocolate Hills in Bohol. These hills look like mounds of chocolate during the dry season, thus their name.

Palawan is world renowned for its world class resorts and dive spots. One can also fish for game fish and other large fish there. The resorts in Palawan are exclusive and very private. Several of these, offer water sports adventure and other adventure sports like rock climbing. We can also witness the gathering of the delicious bird’s nests which are then made into bird’s nest soup. There are underwater rivers which can be explored by diving or by boat.

Davao City in Mindanao is home to Mt. Apo, the Philippines’ highest peak. This is the base of the Philippine Eagle Sanctuary which houses the endangered eagles along with other birds of prey. The Pearl Farm, Davao is an exclusive island resort specializing in pearl culture. Bukidnon is famous for its Del Monte Golf course and Del Monte Pineapples. Huge plantations of pineapples make a scenic backdrop for pictures. Ati-atihan festivals are held in Bukidnon. These events are usually about agriculture, horse riding etc. Cagayan de Oro is the neighbor of Bukidnon to the north. One can go white water rafting in the Cagayan de Oro River. It boasts a 3 hour ride down river with 27 rapids. There are several Nature Parks here that allow one to zip line from one tree to another and rappel down a gorge.

These are just a fraction of the beautiful sights and attractions to be found in the Philippines. Many more await visitors and tourists alike.

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6 comments on “Beauty of the Philippines”

optimistic! wow its so nice philippines is a great country.

awesome!!! terrific country wat man pasya tah hehehe ? boracay i love it.

i love philiphines its nice....wow! im proud to be a filipina

The Philippines is so beautiful like a paradise.

.......................................?????????????????................................................................ .........................so good here in philipines,come and enjoy........................................

Really very good.

• Philippines
• 15 Reasons Why You Should...

15 Reasons Why You Should Visit The Philippines At Least Once In Your Life

The Philippines will never fail to amaze you. The stunning sights above and under the sea, the culture, the hospitality, the food, and of course, the friendly people willing to welcome visitors wherever and whenever. Spending a night or two on the island-blessed country is not enough when you want to savour all the Philippines has to offer. Here are the top reasons why visiting should be on your bucket list.

Friendly locals.

Filipinos are known to be hospitable. Arriving at the airport, you will be greeted by friendly people who will assist you in your needs. Cab drivers will try to make conversation with you and, if you are lucky, they can give you suggestions on what to try and where to visit.

Upon getting to your destination, locals will make friends with you and make you feel home. They will introduce you to their family members, and even invite you to some occasions like fiestas, birthdays. They will even let you gatecrash a wedding! And of course, as you go, they will give you packs of food to take to your hostel.

They will wave you goodbye as you hop onto your next destination, with their friendly faces and happy smiles.

A big part of every province in the Philippines is the festivals they celebrate once a year. These festivals either originated from their patron saints or from the legends that came from their place.

Colorful parades, finely-created and detailed costumes, street parties, and dance competitions hype up the mood of every festival. Visitors can check out popular festivals like the Sinulog Festival in Cebu City, Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City, Moriones Festival in Marinduque, and Rodeo Festival in Masbate.

Breathtaking Islands

The Philippines is an archipelago and we boast more than 7,000 islands and islets, each with their own unique beauty. The far flung ones can either be reached via boat or plane, depending on distance. But if you want to check out the must-see spots, we definitely recommend partying in Boracay Island in Aklan, camping and braving the waves in Caramoan Islands in Camarines Sur, island-hopping in Calaguas Islands in Camarines Norte, and sky diving Bantayan Island in Cebu City.

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Lechon, balut, and other gastronomic ventures

Who would not love tasting the Filipino food? One way to observe the culture of the country is through its food and Filipinos definitely excel on it. Taste Cebu’s world class lechon, fill your hungry tummy with Pampanga’s sizzling sisig, or experience eating in your palm with Quezon Province’s Pancit Habhab. Some must-try are adobo, balut, halo-halo, and of course, Davao City’s durian.

Great adventures

Climbing in the Philippines has gained tremendous attention in the past couple of years, thanks to outdoor enthusiasts who are very keen on promoting the beautiful mountains the country has. When in Davao, reach the highest peak of the country in Mt. Apo at 2,954 meters.

Travelers can also try Mount Dulang-Dulang and Mt. Pulag for additional adventures. But if you would like to take your kids with you and try smaller yet equally breathtaking views, Batangas City has a lot of mountains to choose from—Mt. Batulao, Mt. Gulugod-Baboy, and Mt. Maculot are just some.

Powdery white sand, sugary cream, brown, gray, and pink, you name it and the Philippines has it. Beaches in Boracay Island, Palawan, and Cebu City boast white sand, almost seemingly like a powder. Golden, creamy sand on the beaches in Pangasinan, north of Luzon, a couple of hours from the Philippines’ capital Manila, will also stun you.

Whale sharks and underwater friends

Anilao in Batangas, a couple of hours away from Manila, has a lot of diving spots to visit and you can dive in the Philippines with friendly sharks too. This is the main attraction in Oslob, Cebu, where whale shark watching can be included in tours. Just don’t forget to take precautionary measures.

Get a tattoo

Get a souvenir of all your memories in the Philippines. One artistic way is to get a tattoo from the the last Mambabatok Apo Whang Od, based in Buscalan, Tinglayen, Kalinga. Each day, many people line up to have a tattoo from Apo Whang Od, who is now aged 100.

Discover hidden caves

In between towering mountains and breathtaking islands are hundreds of caves waiting to be discovered. When in the north, you can tour the Sumaguing Cave in Sagada and have a side trip to its hanging coffins. In Palawan, you can also check out the internationally-acclaimed Underground Subterranean River.

Lurk in lakes

After visiting caves, the lakes should be next. In San Pablo, Laguna, there are seven lakes you can see in a day. But if you want to see more, go to Coron, Palawan’s world-class Kayangan Lake and get to know people from the Tagbanua tribe.

Relive history

The country is a historical place with a diverse culture coming from different colonizers. In Manila, you can have a day tour in Intramuros or the Walled City. It has been a refuge during the Spanish regime. A day tour in Corregidor, an island before reaching Manila Bay, was also a witness of history during the American colonization. In Ilocos Sur, you can go down memory lane at Vigan’s Calle Crisologo, which, up to now, is a preserved area showing the Spanish colonial and Asian architecture.

Trek to volcano’s crater

The Philippines do not fall short when it comes to volcanoes. See Mt. Mayon in Legazpi, Albay in Bicol Region, and be stunned in her perfectly cone-shaped form, like that of Japan’s Mt. Fuji.

A few hours drive from Manila is Tagaytay City, where you can see the second most active volcano in the country. Surrounding it is the Taal Lake which gives you a captivating view from Tagaytay City. You can actually go down the lake and spend time near the volcano for a day.

Another exciting experience is a day trek in Mt. Pinatubo using 4×4 cars. You will be amazed at the beauty of the crater lake, which was a result of the volcano’s eruption in 1993. Back then, it displaced thousands of Aeta community in Zambales, Tarlac and Pampanga. However, despite its destructive eruption, Mt. Pinatubo left a beautiful reminder through the emergence of stunning coves within its area—Anawangin and Nagsasa.

Banaue Rice Terraces

The world-class Banaue Rice Terraces up in Ifugao Province should be included in your list. The ancestors of the indigenous people in the area carved the 2, 000-year-old terraces with their bare hands. It is considered as the “Eighth Wonder of the World” by UNESCO.

Partying in the Philippines is more fun! It can be in the bars of Quezon City or in Boracay, or just a simple get-together in a Filipino home. One thing that will not be absent from every party is the karaoke machine, which has been the center of every occasion due to the Filipino love for singing.

Wine and beer

Parties and get-togethers will not be complete without the drinks! Filipinos love merry making with a couple of beers on the side or a glass of wine. In Quezon Province, it boasts of its lambanog or a coconut wine.

You can also try local rum crafted at the foot of Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Occidental, or try the local craft beers in Baguio City.

Wherever you are in the Philippines, visitors will always have a reason to enjoy and see the country’s beauty. Either through food, sights, and people, there will always be a reason to return to the country.

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Philpad » Travel » 35 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in the Philippines in 2024

35 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in the Philippines in 2024

Dreaming of crystal-clear waters, unbelievably friendly locals, and scenery that will take your breath away? Then, add these top tourist spots in the Philippines to your travel bucket list.

This Southeast Asian archipelago boasts over 7,000 islands, each offering its own unique charm.

Whether you’re a beach bum, a history buff, or an adventure seeker, the Philippines has many top-rated destinations for everyone. So, pack your bags and get ready to discover some of the most beautiful places to visit in the Philippines.

Table of Contents:

Most Beautiful Places to Visit in the Philippines (Tourist Attractions)

There’s no doubt why El Nido ranks among the most beautiful beaches on earth . When you see it, it will take your breath away. You’ll be in awe of its towering limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, and pristine beaches. El Nido is also a haven for island-hopping adventures. Kayak through emerald waters, snorkel among colorful coral reefs, or relax on a hammock and soak up the sun.

Explore WWII shipwrecks teeming with marine life, kayak through magnificent limestone karst formations, or discover the Kayangan Lake , a crystal-clear freshwater lagoon surrounded by lush greenery. Coron offers a unique blend of history and natural beauty.

This world-famous island needs no introduction. Boracay boasts the iconic white beach, a stretch of powdery white sand perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and indulging in water activities. Don’t miss the vibrant nightlife and the stunning sunsets that paint the sky with fiery hues.

4. BGC (Bonifacio Global City)

Take a break from the beaches and explore this ultra-modern metropolis of Manila. BGC is a bustling business district with upscale shopping malls, art galleries, and trendy restaurants. Catch a concert at a live music venue, or wander around and soak up the city vibes. Every corner of BGC is Instagram-worthy.

5. Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, Bataan

This is one of my favorite places in the Philippines because it feels like traveling back in time. Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bataan is a heritage park showcasing restored ancestral homes from the Spanish colonial era . You can wander through beautifully preserved structures, learn about Filipino history and culture, and glimpse traditional architecture.

6. Amanpulo, Pamalican Island

Not everyone can afford a visit to Amanpulo, but it’s truly the dream of a lifetime to be in this nirvana. Amanpuo is an ultra-luxurious private island resort offering unparalleled pampering and seclusion. Nestled amidst coconut groves and pristine beaches, Amanpulo caters to celebrities and discerning travelers seeking the ultimate getaway.

7. Manjuyod Sandbar

Manjuyod Sandbar is often dubbed the “Maldives of the Philippines” because of its magical sandbar that appears and disappears with the tides. This destination is in Negros Oriental. It offers scenic views of the surrounding islets and crystal-clear turquoise waters, perfect for swimming and sunbathing.

8. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River deserves a spot on our bucket list because it’s one of the longest navigable underground rivers in the world. It’s also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Nature enthusiasts will love exploring its extensive cave system and marveling its unique rock formations and diverse wildlife.

9. Chocolate Hills, Bohol

When I was a little girl, seeing the Chocolate Hills in the Philippines was one of my dreams. Up till now, I’m still amazed by this geological marvel. It has hundreds of cone-shaped hills that turn chocolate brown during the dry season. Hike to the top of one of the hills for panoramic views of this unique landscape.

10. Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake

When you visit Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake, you’ll understand why many people refer to it as a “beautiful disaster.” The destruction caused by its catastrophic eruption in 1991 left behind a stunning natural beauty.  Embark on a thrilling 4×4 adventure to the slopes of Mt. Pinatubo. This active volcano is now a popular destination for trekking and sightseeing.

11. Sabtang Island, Batanes

Okay, I haven’t visited this place yet, but it is already on my bucket list. The lighthouse view looks like a painting. Sabtang Island in Batanes is known for its traditional Ivatan stone houses , dramatic cliffs, and stunning landscapes. Many explorers say time seems to stand still. It offers a serene escape from the modern world.

12. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its exceptional marine biodiversity. This diving paradise in the Sulu Sea is home to vibrant coral reefs, various marine species, and clear blue waters.

13. Banaue Rice Terraces

The Banaue Rice Terraces, often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These ancient terraces , carved into the mountains by the Ifugao people, showcase incredible agricultural engineering and breathtaking views.

14. Calle Crisologo, Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Calle Crisologo is a historic street in Vigan, known for its well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture. Walking along its cobblestone streets feels like stepping back in time, offering a glimpse into the Philippines’ colonial past. I like the ambiance, especially at night. The food in Ilocos is also a big reward.

15. Hundred Islands, Alaminos, Pangasinan

The Hundred Islands National Park features 124 small islands during low tide and 123 during high tide , each offering unique experiences. From island hopping and snorkeling to exploring hidden caves, this natural wonder is a must-visit tourist attraction in Luzon.

16. Mayon Volcan o , Albay

Mayon Volcano, is famous for its perfect cone shape in the province of Albay. It’s an active stratovolcano that offers thrilling hiking adventures and stunning views, especially from the nearby Cagsawa Ruins.

17. Siargao

Get your adrenaline pumping with world-class surfing at Cloud 9 , a famous reef break. Explore hidden coves and sandbars, or take a day trip to nearby Naked Island, a sandbar that emerges at low tide. Siargao Island is a haven for surfers and beach lovers alike. Don’t be surprised to find many foreigners here; they love the island.

18. Balesin Island

Balesin Island is an exclusive paradise featuring luxurious villas inspired by international destinations. With its clear turquoise waters, pristine beaches, and world-class amenities, Balesin offers a luxurious getaway just a short flight from Manila.

19. Bonbon Beach, Romblon

I’m sure you’ve never seen a paradise like this before. Escape the crowds and discover the serenity of Bonbon Beach. This picturesque cove boasts sugary white sand, calm turquoise waters, and a laid-back atmosphere. Perfect for relaxation, snorkeling, and enjoying fresh seafood by the beach.

20. Kawasan Falls, Cebu

Located in Cebu, Kawasan Falls is famous for its multi-layered waterfalls and crystal-clear turquoise waters. This natural wonder is perfect for canyoneering , swimming, and simply enjoying the serene beauty of the jungle surroundings.

21. Atok Benguet

Atok Benguet has jaw-dropping sceneries, especially during sunrise and sunset, often with sea-of-clouds formations blanketing the mountains. It offers panoramic views of the Cordillera mountain ranges and a refreshing climate year-round. The temperature here also drops as low as 7°C during the colder months of December or January.

22. Oslob, Cebu

Looking for an extraordinary adventure? Why not swim alongside gentle giants at Oslob. It’s a haven for whale sharks. Experience the thrill of encountering these majestic creatures in their natural habitat and witness their graceful movements underwater. Remember, responsible tourism practices are crucial here.

23. Apo Island, Negros Oriental

Apo Island is renowned for its rich marine biodiversity and calm crystal water, making it one of the  best dive sites in the world . One of the island’s biggest draws is the opportunity to swim with green sea turtles in their natural habitat. Besides marine activities, visitors can take short hikes up to the lighthouse or the island’s viewing deck, offering panoramic views of the surrounding waters and rugged coastline.

24. Impasugong, Bukidnon

Impasugong is known for its breathtaking landscapes, with vast rolling hills, towering mountains, lush forests, and flowing rivers. The area’s pristine beauty and cool climate make it perfect for nature lovers and adventurers alike. I’ve never set foot in Impasugong yet but the viral photos online remind me of New Zealand mountains.

25. Mount Pulag

Mount Pulag is the third-highest mountain peak in the Philippines . It is known for its “sea of clouds” and diverse flora and fauna. Due to the high elevation and minimal light pollution, Mount Pulag is also one of the best places in the Philippines for stargazing . On clear nights, trekkers can see a stunning display of stars, with the Milky Way visible to the naked eye, creating a magical atmosphere.

26. White and Pink Mosque in Maguindanao

The White and Pink Mosque are more than just architectural marvels, they stand as beacon of peace and cultural significance, making them must-visit for travelers who wish to explore Mindanao’s rich heritage while supporting the region’s message of unity and love. The sights remind me of the Taj Mahal .

27. Taal Volcano

Witness the raw power of nature at Taal Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines. Take a boat tour to Taal Lake and be in awe at the sight of the volcano rising from the crater lake. Remember, safety comes first – follow advisories and designated viewing areas.

28. Balicasag Island, Bohol

Divers and underwater enthusiasts won’t want to miss Balicasag Island. Home to a thriving marine sanctuary, this island boasts stunning marine life teeming with colorful fish life.  Encounter dolphins, sea turtles, and even the chance to spot a whale shark.

29. Kalanggaman Island, Leyte

Often dubbed as the “Virgin Island of the Philippines,” Kalanggaman Island is a tiny sandbar paradise. Its white sand beach, crystal-clear waters, and swaying palm trees create a picture-perfect postcard scene. Don’t forget your snorkel gear to explore the vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. Here’s a guide “ how to go to Kalanggaman Island. “

30. Caramoan Islands, Bicol

Made famous by the reality TV show “Survivor,” the Caramoan Islands offer a stunning archipelago with limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, and pristine beaches. Kayak through mangrove forests, go spelunking in caves, or simply relax on the beach and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

Nestled in the Philippines’ Cordillera Mountains, visiting Sagada will captivate you with its cool climate, lush landscapes, and rich cultural heritage. Visitors are amazed by the mystical hanging coffins , breathtaking sunrise views at Kiltepan, and enchanting places like Sumaguing. Sagada offers a serene escape, perfect for adventure and soulful reflection.

32. Santa Fe, Bantayan Island

When I first visited Santa Fe, Bantayan Island , it reminded me of Boracay but with the less crowd. Experience the charm of a laid-back island getaway with affordable accommodations. This beach town offers pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a slower pace of life. Perfect for swimming, diving, and simply relaxing under the sun.

33. Baguio City

Baguio City is known as the “Summer Capital of the Philippines.” It offers a cool climate and a mix of natural and cultural attractions. From pine-covered hills and parks to bustling markets, Baguio has something for everyone. I recommend staying at the Manor at Camp John Hay .

34. National Museum of the Philippines

The National Museum of the Philippines in Manila offers a rich cultural experience with its extensive collection of Filipino art, historical artifacts, and natural history exhibits. Seeing the huge painting of Juan Luna, The Spoliarium, alone is an unforgettable experience.

35. Panampangan Island, Tawi-Tawi

Panampangan Island in Tawi-Tawi boasts the longest sandbar in the Philippines , stretching over pristine, powdery white sand surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise waters. This hidden gem offers untouched beauty, tranquility, and stunning views of the Sulu Sea. A visit here promises a serene, paradise-like experience, far from the crowds.

As you plan your next trip to the Philippines, make sure your passport is ready and check any visa requirements. Whether you’re a tourist seeking the best beaches or craving adventurous escapes, the islands of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao promise unforgettable experiences. Discover paradise in every corner or visit each of the most beautiful places to visit in the Philippines.

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Fehl is the founder of Philpad and has been writing online for 12 years. She has a bachelor's degree in Accountancy and a background in Finance. She is a licensed Career Service Professional and author of a poetry book at Barnes & Noble. In her spare time, she likes to travel and discover new places.

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18 Most Beautiful Places in the Philippines

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Planning a trip to the Philippines and wondering where to find the most beautiful places in the Philippines? This post has you covered.

The Philipines is a magical country that should be on the top of every traveler’s bucket list. In very few places will you find such aqua blue waters, white-sand beaches, and lush green jungles as here.

One of the many aspects that make the Philippines so special is the geographical makeup. The Philippines is an archipelago made up of over 7,500 beyond beautiful islands.

With so many different islands and areas to visit some pre-planning is required to ensure you hit all the right places. More so, the Philippines attracts far fewer tourists than its neighboring countries – it is actually a great alternative to nearby Bali.

This list of the 18 most beautiful places in the Philippines is put together from different travel bloggers from around the world. All of which have shared their favorite place in the Philippines that has blown them away. Fuel your wanderlust with this list and prepare to book a one-way ticket!

In This Post

Siargao, Philippines

Explored by Bradley Williams from Dream Big Travel Far

Located on the far eastern edge of The Philippines, Siargao is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places on earth. A paradise-like island, it’s quickly becoming one of the hottest travel destinations in Asia, think Bali two decades ago. All around you see pristine golden sandy beaches covered in endless acres of palm trees.

It’s best to take a few days to drive round the island on a moped, discovering the many incredible spots as you go. Including caves, palm tree swings, lagoons and so much more. It’s perhaps best known for its surf and is a regular host site for annual professional surf competitions. 

Getting to Siargao is easiest by plane, and you can fly there from a number of different islands throughout The Philippines. I recommend staying for as long as a week, enjoying all of the many sites the island has to offer , and even taking a day or two to island hop to smaller nearby islands not far away. Particularly Guyam Island (pictured below).

You’ll find plenty of great accommodation. But be sure to book as far in advance as possible as Siargao is one of the most popular spots. This means in the busy tourist months the beachside resorts fill up quickly.

Coron , Philippines

Explored by James from The Travel Scribes

It’s synonymous with crystal clear waters, pristine white beaches and a sprinkling of almost untouched islands that look like they’ve leaped straight off the pages of a luxury travel brochure. It’s Coron, the area often called ‘the globe’s most beautiful island’ and now enticing travellers to make their way to the shores of the Philippines.

A short flight from Manilla or a  ferry from El Nido  (another one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines), Coron is located in the achingly pretty province of Palawan and is actually made up of two islands – Busuanga and Coron Island – plus some other smaller islets, many of which have made Coron famous in more recent years.

And the main thing to do there, other than just groan over the gorgeous landscapes? Island-hop on a private boat, as you explore the picturesque waters of this beautiful place.

Spend your days hiking up to the viewpoint and then diving into Kayangan Lake. Or floating in the Twin Lagoon which, as the name suggests, is a large lagoon separated by a small rocky outcrop that you duck beneath.

You can of course venture a little further afield and find islands like Bulog Dos or Malcapuya, the stuff of Instagrammer’s dreams with lily-white sandbanks and teeming marine life, as you wade out into the water for a spot of snorkeling.

City slickers can also stick to Coron Town itself, which boasts its own attractions like forest hikes, a viewpoint to rival the Hollywood sign its modeled after, and even a hot springs complex. This is the ideal place to relax after a day’s island-hopping pursuits and enjoying one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines.

Romblon Island, Philippines

Explored by Luke Storey from The Coastal Campaign

Romblon Island  is one of the few undiscovered, hidden gems in the Philippines. You will find this island is in the province of Romblon and to get to here you have to fly to Caticlan airport and take 3 local ferries and numerous local busses over several days. It’s a little cliché to say but the journey to get here is a huge reason why this place is so great.

Once you reach Romblon Island you will find a stunningly beautiful place almost completely untouched by international tourism. The main reason to spend so much time to visit here is Bon Bon Beach.

This is the most spectacular beach in the entire country. What makes it even better is that its remote location means you may even have the entire place to yourself in the middle of the day.

Bon Bon Beach has a long, narrow sandbar that arrows out into some of the most blue, crystal clear water you will ever see. Walking along this incredible sandbar on this remote island paradise is a special moment.

While Bon Bon Beach is the highlight of this area, Romblon Island also offers many other amazing beaches, viewpoints and waterfalls, most of which you will have all to yourself.

Port Barton, Philippines

Explored by Ellie Quinn from The Wandering Quinn Travel Blog

Port Barton is a sleepy beachside village on the island of Palawan. This is the same island as the popular beach town of El Nido and Port Barton works perfectly as a place to stop when visiting El Nido before or after flying from Puerto Princesa Airport due to its location in the middle.

However, El Nido has grown in size and popularity a lot over recent years. With many reports of it being too commercial and too busy, especially its famous boat tours.

While Port Barton’s reputation as a dusty, local, quiet, and chilled beach has remained which is what makes it one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines. Which makes it a must-visit place in the Philippines.

Apart from the relaxed town and stunning wild beach that belongs to Port Barton, the biggest reason for visiting is because of how good the  island hopping boat tours in Port Barton  are!

Port Barton is surrounded by islands that are made up of forests, very different from the limestone islands nearby. A short boat trip will take you from Port Barton to these white sand islands with a clear blue ocean, perfect for snorkeling. German Island is a popular island to visit which is where you are likely to spot turtles!

Apo Island , Philippines

Explored by Aurelia Teslaru from Daily Travel Pill

If you’re looking for one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines and one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines, you have to stop for a few days at Apo Island. The island is easily accessible from Siquijor or Dumaguete and can be reached by ferry.

Apo Island  is one of the top diving and snorkeling spots in the world. Here you can get your PADI license or you can simply spend a few hours snorkeling with the turtles. The marine life surrounding Apo Island is incredible but the number one attraction is the turtles. You can swim near them and observe how they slowly make their way through colorful corals. 

If you don’t have much time to spare, you can visit Apo Island as a day trip from either Siquijor or Dumaguete. However, I recommend spending at least two days here. Even if the island is rather small, there is an entire underwater world to explore.

The hotels on Apo Island are basic so don’t expect to find any luxurious accommodation here. If you’re searching for luxury, maybe this place is not for you. However, if you want to experience one of the most incredible snorkeling environments, Apo Island is the place to be.

Kalanggaman Island, Philippines

Explored by Veronika from Travel Geekery

Kalanggaman is a beautiful tiny island in central Philippines, an hourlong boat ride from Palompon city in the province of Leyte. It’s a paradise on Earth – just a pile of sand in the middle of nowhere, with swaying coconut palms and surrounded by crystal clear water.

A long sandbank sticks out into the ocean and offers the ultimate photo opp in one of the beautiful places in the Philippines.

You can walk around the whole island in less than 20 minutes. While half of it is made up of the most perfect white sand beach, the other half is full of greenery and features a beautiful coconut lane. Kalanggaman is the quintessential relax spot.  There’s not much else to do than relax anyway. You can also snorkel or dive, but better bring your own gear.

You can get to Kalanggaman on a day trip either through a tour company or via the Palompon Tourism Office. They coordinate a number of typical Filipino pump boats, collect the visitor fee and arrange anything you might need, including spending the night on the island, if you wish to do so.

The boat ride from Palompon takes about 40 minutes and it can get bumpy! On the way, you might even get to see dolphins.

Read more: Things to do in Lombok, Indonesia

Donsol, Philippines

Explored by Campbell from Stingy Nomads

The beautiful Donsol is a small rural coastal village close to Legazpi in Sorsogon. It is full of thatch-roof huts and colorful local fishing boats that line the beach.

The town is most famous for whale sharks with many of these giant animals congregating here in season. Donsol is surrounded by beautiful nature above and underwater with plenty of exciting opportunities to explore the area.

Swimming with the giant whale sharks is the reason most tourists come from all over the globe to Donsol. It is an eco-friendly activity, compared with swimming with whale sharks in Oslob , a nearby town where they feed the world’s biggest fish to get them close to tourists.

Diving on the beautiful coral reefs around Donsol is very popular and from March to May, you can see manta rays lineup for parasites to be picked from their skin at the cleaning station at the dive site Manta Bowl.

Go on a magical hour-long riverboat firefly trip with a guide and you will see glowing trees full of fireflies. Floating down the Ogod River after dusk, watching the myriad of tiny floating lights is an incredible and very romantic experience.

The tricycle trip from town is an adventure on its own. Renting a kayak and exploring the river is also a popular activity in the daytime. Rent a car or take public transport to explore the Mayon Volcano known as “the world’s most perfect cone”. This perfect stratovolcano is a popular hiking and camping destination at the heart of the Mayon Volcano National Park.

Sugar Beach, Philippines

Explored by Emma from WITRAG travel

Found on the south-western shores of criminally under-visited Negros, Sugar Beach is the Philippines you’ve been dreaming of.

Locals will tell you that Sugar Beach, just along the coast from Sipalay, is what Boracay was like as little as 20 years ago. But unlike its celebrity sister, just getting to Sugar Beach is a challenge: it’s 5 hours, 3 buses, and a short boat from Sipalay. Your alternative, Bacolod, is at least 4 hours away on winding bus roads.

But we promise the journey is worth it. Stepping foot on this paradise beach the first thing you’ll ask is ‘where is everybody?’ Nearly a kilometre long with glorious wide stretches of sumptuous white sand, at first, you’ll see more volleyball courts than holidaymakers.

Accommodation is modest, and there are only a dozen or so hotels to choose from. Dump your bags and grab a snorkel to go explore the reefs. You can arrange scuba diving, explore caves, swim in waterfalls, or even kayak.

But swinging in your hammock, snoozing under a book, and sipping sweet banana milkshakes works just as well. Quiet winds whip up sand, waves whimper onto the shore. It’s so still you’ll hear the sound of leaves landing next to you. Sunsets are special on this very special beach.

And when you’ve had enough, Negros has plenty more to explore. Discover the incredible Casororo Falls, enjoy world-class diving in Dauin and go dolphin-spotting around Manjuyod Sandbar.

Siquijor, Philippines

Explored by Rose from Where Goes Rose

The beautiful island of Siquijor has only recently been discovered by tourists which makes now the ultimate time to visit before it becomes crowded. There’s no airport in Siquijor, you have to fly to Cebu and catch a ferry to the island.

In many ways, it’s like plenty of Filipino islands: there are paradise beaches, long dusty roads shaded by palm trees, and hotels dotted around the island outskirts, which only add to its ranking as one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines.

While there are plenty of opportunities to relax on the beach and sip cocktails, there’s one unique side to Siquijor that can’t be experienced elsewhere. Siquijor is known for its traditional mananambal, in other words, mystic healers.

You might also call these locals witches because they practice a particular type of magic called Bulo Bulo, a type of healing magic. This dates back to days when Siquijor had no hospitals or healthcare. When locals became sick, they had no choice but to cure their own ailments.

This tradition has lived on and nowadays, the Siquijor locals are a superstitious bunch. As a tourist, you are welcome to visit a  Siquijor healer  which is a unique experience whether you or not you have a particular ailment.

They’ll assess and cleanse your aura using clear mountain water and magic stones. Whether or not you believe it works, you’ll definitely feel more relaxed and spiritual after a sunset cocktail back at the beach

Islands of Northern Palawan, Philippines

Explored by Lora from Explore with Lora

The Philippines is home to some of the most beautiful islands in the world, many of which are in the Palawan region. One of the best ways to explore them is to take a TAO expedition through the remote islands of Northern Palawan. This way you can view some of the most beautiful places in the Philippines all at once!

This 5-day expedition will take you across several islands in Palawan. TAO has 13 base camps throughout the islands, where you’ll spend the night sleeping in gorgeous bamboo huts. What makes the islands so special is how untouched everything is.

As the boat docked on a new island each night, I couldn’t believe it was real. Each one looks like they come straight out of a postcard, with crystal clear water and pristine white sand beaches. It truly feels like Paradise.

To visit the islands of Northern Palawan, you can join an island hopping tour with TAO Philippines. You can book online through their website or visit their office in El Nido or Coron. Tours depart from both cities every couple of days. If you’re looking for an authentic way to explore the  Philippines, this is a great choice.

Read More: 20 Most Beautiful Places in Asia

Boracay, Philippines

Explored by Mariza from Hoponworld

If you’re looking for a postcard-perfect beach vacation in the Philippines, you don’t need to look much further than Boracay! As a small island located roughly 440km south of Manila, Boracay is gifted with stunning natural scenery and plenty to keep you busy for a few days’ stay. Apart from the standard options such as snorkeling, diving, and kite surfing, Boracay also offers other exciting options like parasailing, kayaking, island hopping, and more. 

If that sounds too adventurous for you, White Beach – a stunning stretch of 4km soft powdery white sand – is the perfect place to take a stroll, get a tan, or play in the water. Besides the excellent scenery on offer, you’ll also find plenty of restaurants and beach bars ready to serve you an ice-cold beer or a freshly cracked coconut along the way. 

While Boracay has no shortage of excellent accommodation options, you’ll find most of the hotels strung out along the main stretch. Station 2 is the perfect spot for partygoers as it is full of bars, clubs, and plenty to keep you busy well into the night.  Those seeking something a bit more laid back can find refuge at Station 3 away from the crowds.

The nearest airport to Boracay is Caticlan International Airport, but you’ll likely need to have a  layover in Manila  or Cebu. Upon arrival at Caticlan, simply hop in a tricycle taxi to Caticlan Jetty Port and then catch a boat to this gorgeous island and start your adventures in one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines.

Camiguin, Philippines

Explored by Katherine Cortes from Tara Lets Anywhere

There are many beautiful places in the Philippines. Among the underrated ones is Camiguin Island – an island province located in Mindanao. Camiguin is pretty laid-back so it appeals to those who want a relaxed stay. With its beaches and dive spots, it’s also a great option for water lovers.

As the island itself was formed due to ancient volcanic eruptions, it has interesting natural attractions and activities to offer. You can climb Mount Hibok-Hibok, the remaining active volcano on the island or you can visit the natural cold and hot springs. In like manner, you can swim in beautiful white-sand beaches including the famed White Island.

Camiguin is also one of the best diving locations in the country. Some easy diving spots you can visit include Mantigue Island and Sunken Cemetery. Lastly, you can’t visit Camiguin Island without seeing the Giant Clam Sanctuary, a protected area that houses over a thousand giant clams in various sizes.

For accommodation, you can choose from various lodgings in its capital Mambajao. You can also opt for beach resorts or mountain resorts, depending on your budget. Camiguin Island has its own airport called Mambajao Airport. It’s also accessible via Cagayan de Oro Airport, located a few hours away.

Panglao, Philippines

Explored by Nicholas from Rambling Feet

Panglao is a small island off the southwestern tip of Bohol and just east of Cebu. Two bridges cross the strait between Panglao and Bohol, making it painless to cross over once you take a ferry to Tagbilaran city on the latter island. An airport that opened on Panglao in 2018 makes it possible to get there directly via air from the rest of the Philippines. 

The main attractions here are the beautiful white sand beaches on the southern and eastern sides of the island, with the most famous being Alona Beach. Unsurprisingly, there is no shortage of beachfront resorts here.

Some of them have their own private stretches of sand (day passes offer a way to access them and other facilities); others have rooms right on the beach, and a few are perched on top of the rocky cliffs. All of them offer unobstructed views of the sunrise.

They can also arrange excursions to  snorkel the reefs at Balicasag Island  and swim among sea turtles. If you’re a strong swimmer, there are reefs close to the beach too–just mind the sea urchins!

For something different, Hinagdagan cave on the northern side of the island is a cool spot to swim in. Go to Bohol Bee Farm for lunch at least once-most of the ingredients they use are grown on-site. My favorite, though, is the ice-cream stand, which boasts some unique local flavors like  ube  (yam) and  malunggay  (moringa). It really hits the spot on a hot day!

Bohol Island, Philippines

Explored by Mansoureh from Travel with Mansoureh 

Bohol is the tenth largest island in the Philippines and the country has more than 7500 islands. Bohol might not be as famous as Boracay, but this makes it more special. It is so enjoyable because the place is kept secret and it is not ruined with overcrowding. 

Bohol has a coastline of 261 km (162 mi) long. Which has resulted in some picture-perfect white-sand beaches, lush green forest, epic rivers, stunning waterfalls and some awesome caves. 

You can fly to Manila or Cebu City and then take a flight to Tagbilaran Airport in Bohol Island. Alternatively, you can take a boat from Cebu Port, where there are frequent ferries throughout the day going to Bohol.

Some people just take a day trip to Bohol from Cebu, while some prefer to stay on the island for a few days or even a week. No matter how long you are going to stay on the island, Bohol always has some amazing things to do . 

Rent an ATV and drive to the Chocolate Hills, one of the most popular places on Bohol Island and have lunch on Loboc River Cruise and enjoy the traditional Filipino meal with an unforgettable view over the river. You can also go to Mahogany Forest which is the most instagrammable places on the island.

Sumilon Island, Philippines

Explored by Reshma Narasing from The Solo Globetrotter

Sumilon Island  is one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines. It is located in the south of Cebu city and is home to the country’s first marine reserve. Although it is privately owned, tourists can enjoy spending time on the gorgeous island.

Sumilon is known for its secluded location, crystal-clear turquoise beaches, sandbar, vibrant corals and abundant marine life. The small yet beautiful island draws travelers for its four exclusive diving sites.

Most people visit Sumilon Island as a day trip from Cebu or Dumaguete. You can enjoy snorkeling, windsurfing, Kayaking amidst the mangroves, and hiking to the historic watchtower surrounded by tropical jungles. The sweet water Lagoon is a perfect place to enjoy paddling. 

The incredible visibility of the seawater makes snorkeling and diving fantastic experiences. You will spot hundreds of types of tropical fish, and turtles around the dense reefs. If you are lucky, you may even spot whale sharks and dolphins. If you want to relax doing nothing, the beaches are excellent. Enjoy the spectacle of sunset at the sandbar with your favorite drink.

To reach Sumilon, you need to get to the pier at Oslob. From Cebu city, it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the port by cab. Four boats leave every day, with the first one going at 8 AM, and the last one on the return journey is at 5 AM. It takes about 20 minutes to reach Sumilon Island. 

Read More: Romantic things to do in Singapore

Vigan, Philippines

Explored by Wendy Werneth from The Nomadic Vegan

Vigan is a picture-perfect Spanish colonial town — something you would expect to come across in Mexico or Ecuador, but probably not in the Philippines. It was settled by Spanish conquistadores in 1572 and offers a unique blend of Asian and Spanish culture.

In the mestizo district, you’ll see the ancestral homes of Chinese traders whose architecture is a fusion of Asian and Spanish styles. Locals still maintain some Spanish traditions here, especially religious ones such as the Semana Santa celebrations that are similar to the famous ones in Seville .

Life seems to run at a much slower pace in Vigan than in other cities in the Philippines. It’s the perfect place to relax for a few days, and perhaps splurge on a stay in a colonial hotel. Although there are also more budget-friendly  “transient rooms” on Liberation Boulevard. Avoid contributing to animal cruelty by riding the horse-drawn carriages, and instead take a stroll along Calle Crisologo and the other cobblestone streets of the old town.

There are plenty of antique shops here if you fancy doing some window shopping. Be sure to visit St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral, built in a style known as “earthquake Baroque” to withstand the earthquakes that are common in this region.

Located in North Luzon, Vigan can be reached from Manila by bus in about 8 to 10 hours. Several bus companies ply this route along the scenic Ilocos Highway.

Moalboal, Philippines

Explored by Darren & Lauren from Faramagan

There are so many reasons why Moalboal is the most beautiful place in the Philippines. Located in the Southwest of Cebu, it is easy to travel to Moalboal from other popular destinations such as Oslob, Malapascua Island, Bohol, and Dumaguete.

Alternatively, you can catch a bus from Cebu to Moalboal for only 160 pesos. From Moalboal bus station it is around a 10-minute journey to Panagsama Beach. Which is the main hub for all Moalboal activities from dining to diving.

Whether you have a week or a weekend, no Moalboal itinerary would be complete without snorkeling off Panagsama beach. Here it is guaranteed you will not only find turtles just minutes from the shore but also witness the famous sardine run.

It is an incredible experience to share the ocean with these creatures and watch them in the wild. Better yet, you won’t need an expensive tour to do so – simply hire a mask for 100 pesos from the nearby beach shops and you can snorkel straight from the shore.

After a busy day at the beach, the sunset at Panagsama is one of the most beautiful in the Philippines, if not the world. Crowds gather early at the picturesque beach bars which line the shore. Be sure to arrive early to save a spot to watch the sky transform into a rainbow of colors.

Sohoton Natural Bridge Natural Park, Philippines

Explored by Linn Haglund from Brainy Backpackers

One of the most beautiful places in the Philippines is Sohoton Natural Bridge nestled in the  Sohoton Natural Bridge Natural Park  in the Eastern Visayas. You can only visit by kayak and there are boats that take you from Sohoton Visitor Center and Eco-Lodge to the Panhulugan Cave where the kayaks wait.

The full tour includes a visit to the cave which is incredible with different rock formations resembling famous landmarks like the Great Wall of China and the Chocolate Hills. And of course, there is a cute family of miniature bats hanging out in the cave ceiling.

Once in the kayak, you will paddle through the Sohoton River surrounded by limestone cliff walls with a lush jungle cascading from the top. Sometimes the stream suckles louder and you need to be careful not to tip the kayak.

Once you get to the Natural Bridge, the kayak sliding silently under the limestone and into a natural pool surrounded by cliffs giving a delightful shade the world stops up just a little. This is the magic of nature. Breathtakingly beautiful.

To get to Sohoton Visitor Center and Eco-Lodge you need to travel either by bus or Jeepney from Tacloban to Basey. In Basey, you need to get your tickets at the Tourist Information. If you let the bus driver know upfront, he will stop right outside the door for you. At the Tourist Information, they will order a motorcycle taxi for you for the rest of the way.

El Nido, Philippines

Explored by Ivan from Mind the Travel

Located on the edge of Bacuit Bay in northern Palawan, the beach town of  El Nido is one of the Philippines’ top tourist destinations and one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines.

Full of secluded bays and caves, there’s enough here to keep you entertained for your whole trip. El Nido is also home to more than 50 limestone cliffs rising vertiginously out of stunning turquoise waters teeming with colorful corals and fish.

If you came to the Philippines to see spectacular beaches and island views, El Nido is best explored on an island-hopping spree. El Nido islets and islands hide in their bosoms’ cavernous depths, hidden lagoons, uninhabited stretches of powder-fine, dreamlike beaches, and exotic marine life not found anywhere else in the country.

An arduous ferry ride to the north and an equally long bus ride to the south bring the venturesome traveler to the emerald colored lagoons, one of the best places in the country to get your PADI certificate.

To get to El Nido you can by hopping on a plane from Manila to Puerto  Princesa Airport (PPS). The flight takes about one and a half hours,  followed by a 5 to 6-hour shuttle ride to El Nido town. Alternatively, you fly directly to El Nido from Manila, Cebu, or Boracay-Caticlan. This is the fastest but will set you back a bit more cash.

If the Philippines wasn’t on your bucket list before, it is now! This list of the most beautiful places in the Philippines only covers a handful of the beauty this stunning country has to offer. It is time to start planning your next tropical getaway to the Philippines!

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Samantha Karen is the owner and author of the travel blog Sam Sees World, a travel blog dedicated to sharing the world's most beautiful and unique travel destinations. As a full time traveler she has visited over 50 countries with more on the way.

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Philippines Essay Examples

Research paper on how and why the philippines should save its endangered languages.

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Resiliency and Adaptability: Key Traits of the Filipino Spirit

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Philippine Tourism in the Pandemic: Balancing Safety and Promotion

To start with, within promoting Philippine tourism essay will be discussed the quastion whether Philippine tourism is safe or not during the pandemic. Philippines’ Department of Tourism ensured that the country is still safe to visit despite the worldwide scare of Novel Coronavirus, a virus...

The Toxic Side of Filipino Hospitality: "Pakikisama" Culture

The Filipino hospitality essay explores the concept of Pakikisama in Filipino culture and how it has become toxic despite the reputation of Filipinos as hospitable people. It delves into how the expectations of reciprocity and the fear of losing "face" in social situations can lead...

The Living Legacy of Banaue Rice Terraces: a Cultural Marvel

The Philippines is composed of many islands. It is rich in natural resources, diverse cultures, and beautiful tourist spots within the islands. Many tourists visit the country to immerse their selves to these beautiful places. One of the most visited places in the country are...

What Can I Say to Describe Philippines

The Philippines is a very beautiful country, an archipelago with a total of more than 7,000 islands. In the describe Philippines essay I am going to answer some questions about this country, its culture, history and more. Yes, I agree with the differentiation between the...

Breaking Free from Colonial Mentality: Restoring Filipino Culture

In the Philippines, it is noteworthy that, despite almost 400 years of Spanish rule, the preference for Spanish culture did not take root except in the very highest classes. Nevertheless, even though the United States has owned only the Philippine Islands for less than 50...

Effects of Globalization in the Philippines

Within effects of globalization in the Philippines essay I need to discuss the Philippine experience in capitalist globalization. Here I will give the review of the following aspects: politics, economy, human rights, culture, religion, science, health and medicine, and education. 'Globalization is incredibly efficient but...

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