Sun, sea and the ‘love of the Filipino people’: Why you should visit the Philippines

The island paradise of the Philippines is an absolute must-visit vacation spot for those who’re looking for a various array of experiences.  

However the place do you begin on a Southeast Asian archipelago of greater than 7,000 islands?

We suggest island hopping as you pattern Filipino delicacies and immerse your self within the nation’s various traditions and pageant celebrations. 

From diving into underwater worlds, taking within the various nature and exploring the numerous cultural cities, you may discover all of it in what Christina Garcia Frasco, the secretary of tourism, describes as “a myriad of causes to like the Philippines”. 

Start in Manila, then step into nature

For first-time guests, Frasco recommends you acquaint your self with the hop-on hop-off bus tour in Manila, the gateway to the Philippines, the place you will get “a view into the historical past and heritage of Manila by means of the world of Intramuros,” which was as soon as once more declared Asia’s main vacationer attraction for the 12 months by the World Journey Awards

Then, you’ll be able to head off and discover a few of the award-winning and rising islands, that are teeming with an unbelievable biodiversity of wildlife, in addition to spectacular pure sights. 

On the favored island of Boracay, you’ll uncover pristine palm tree-stretched, white sand shoreline, which has undergone an environmental revival lately. 

Palawan, in the meantime, is one thing of an ecoparadise, with its coral-ringed inlets. Uncover an array of protected marine and wildlife species in each the sand banks and mangrove forests. 

It’s also possible to go to Tubbataha Reef Marine Park, a outstanding biosphere reserve and coral reef which is among the Philippines’ oldest ecosystems and a UNESCO world heritage website. 

Uncover old-charm heritage, then dip into high browsing and diving spots

If you’re not climbing within the deep forests and witnessing waterfalls on the outskirts of Cebu, Frasco suggests you head to town’s historic centre. “We pleasure ourselves in being the cradle of Christianity in Southeast Asia. You may immerse your self in the fantastic thing about our heritage church buildings,” she says.

 For a quintessential journey that mixes metropolis and nature experiences, head to Bohol.

Positioned only a few hours by ferry from Cebu, Bohol is quick changing into a high spot for ecotourism, primarily because of its famed Chocolate Hills with their distinctive conical formations. Whereas there, why not take a local catamaran cruise on the Loboc River?

If you happen to wish to catch some large waves, then head to the nation’s many surf spots, together with the famend surfer’s paradise, Siargao Island, the place you may also discover its hidden coves, caves, and lagoons. 

Or do you have to favor to take pleasure in life underwater, head to high diving locations such because the coastal resort of Moalboal in Cebu, famed for its spectacular Sardine Run underwater present, or Sorsogon in Bicol the place you is perhaps fortunate sufficient to spy whale sharks, and Daanbantayan for recognizing thresher sharks, or Puerto Galera on the island of Mindoro, which in accordance with Frasco “affords a few of the greatest diving within the nation.,”  

For extra wistful moments, you’ll be able to discover the mountainous Cordillera area within the north of the Philippines the place you’ll be able to unearth inexperienced Banaue Rice Terraces, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Web site, or catch a glimpse of the hovering picture-perfect cone of Mount Mayon volcano in Bicol. 

The Philippines is considered one of Asia’s greatest gastronomic centres

The Philippines is an rising gastronomic vacation spot, having simply efficiently hosted the UN Tourism Regional Discussion board on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the Pacific. 

 “We’ll introduce the nation’s various regional flavours by means of the work of our beloved and famend cooks, in addition to our regional cooks, the work of our farmers, fishermen, native growers, and suppliers,” explains Frasco.

You may feast on the nation’s recent delights, such because the juicy fruits of pomelo and papaya, or tuck into candy delicacies equivalent to Camiguin island’s famend Pastel de Camiguin, a standard custard-filled smooth bun.

Then there are extra hearty dishes to strive, such because the nationwide favorite ‘adobo’, which is a candy, salty, and juicy hen dish, the paper-thin fried spring rolls generally known as ‘lumpia’, and ‘inasal’, a lemongrass and citrus-infused barbecued hen. 

If you happen to actually want to indulge, then head to the UNESCO Inventive Metropolis for Gastronomy, Iloilo, on Panay Island, or Bacolod on Negros Island, which is dubbed Asia’s sluggish meals hub. 

It’s time to unwind with extra wellness within the Philippines

With its beautiful island settings, the Philippines is a perfect place to embrace some rest time.

The archipelago, Frasco says, is “house to pristine nature sanctuaries, world-class resorts and wellness locations that supply not solely medical therapies but additionally alternatives to heal holistically by means of our Filipino traditions of ‘hilot’ therapeutic massage.”  This divine therapeutic remedy combines non secular vitality with therapeutic massage and has been practised for hundreds of years. 

If you happen to’re looking for a extra luxurious vacation then you definately’re in luck too, as you’ll discover loads of world-class resorts and resorts throughout the nation. ​​Actually, Boracay Island was simply named Asia’s Main Luxurious Island Vacation spot on the 2024 WTA Asia and Oceania Gala Ceremony.

In case your journey type is all about immersing your self in native tradition, then you definately’ll discover loads of possibilities to just do that within the Philippines.

For instance, in locations equivalent to Mindanao, you could have the prospect to satisfy Indigenous peoples by means of actions that supply a glimpse into their time-cherished practices and traditions. 

The most effective half? The Philippines seems like summer time all 12 months spherical!

You may go to The Philippines all year long, even throughout its wet season from June to November.

Summer time, from April to June, is ideal for seaside and island hopping, whereas September is good for those who want to log on.

If you happen to favor a cooler local weather, then contemplate December to February. 

And there’s one factor that’s assured year-round, as Frasco provides:

 “The heat and the love of the Filipino folks pervade all our islands and locations. So any time is an effective time to go.”