The Philippines, an island nation in the Western Pacific Ocean and a country in Southeast Asia is a lovely area to explore because it has the longest combined coastline in the world and 7,000 tropical islands. These islands draw millions of tourists each year because of their beautiful beaches, diverse wildlife, colonial architecture, and indigenous cultures. Plan your travels around this tropical island nation with our list of the best places to travel to the Philippines.
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Best places to travel to the Philippines
Manila
One of the best places to travel to the Philippines is Manila. Dubbed the Asian megacity, the capital Manila is an attractive and familiar destination for most domestic and international tourists to explore the culture here. Manila is a thriving metropolis and has everything from skyscrapers, to history museums, and mouthwatering street food. The most famous sites include the National Museum Complex in Rizal Park, the Church of San Agustin, the historic Walled City of Intramuros, and even Manila’s Chinatown.
The unique thing about the city is the colorful jeepneys that appear a lot on the streets. This is considered the main public transport in the city. Get on a jeep and enjoy the local life while touring the top attractions of the city. The food here is extremely diverse and abundant for visitors to choose from, from street carts to high-end restaurants, which represent a unique fusion of Spain, China, and the Philippines. Plus, every year the city hosts nearly two dozen festivals, so there’s no wrong time to visit Manila.
Palawan
Next, let’s explore Palawan – an island province stretching from Mindoro to Borneo between the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea. Palawan possesses crystal clear turquoise water that brings enchanting beauty that surely any visitor coming here will be attracted to. With a history spanning over 50,000 years, this is an idyllic place to explore during your trip.
While in Palawan, don’t miss El Nido, a town nestled between towering limestone cliffs and beautiful Bacuit Bay. El Nino has groups of islands with quite diverse ecosystems. Gifted by nature with ravishing beauty, El Nino also attracts tourists to visit its white sandy beaches, dense forests, waterfalls, and even caves. The most popular fun activity here is scuba diving in Bacuit Bay. There are also other activities such as swimming, hiking, and visiting different islands.
Cebu
Cebu island province cannot be ignored when it comes to the best places to travel to the Philippines. Located in the Central Visayas of the Philippines, Cebu consists of the main island and 167 surrounding islands. Its capital is Cebu City, the oldest city in the Philippines and home to the nation’s second international airport. Cebu is truly an exciting outdoor playground for those who are passionate about water activities because it has many diving spots and the best beach resorts in the Philippines. The diving experience in Cebu offers visitors the chance to get up close and personal with whale sharks, coral reefs, and sea turtles. Visitors can even explore the nearby islands of the Bohol Strait by boat.
Cebu has sea caves that attract photographers and outdoor enthusiasts looking for unique diving spots. In addition, Cebu also has other equally attractive places to visit near Cebu such as Sudlon National Park (located about 1 hour from the city, suitable for hiking), and Cebu City with its own museum. museum and church. On the southwest side of Cebu is Kawasan Falls, and on the southern tip, is Tumalog Falls are other great places to visit. It is not wrong that Cebu is ranked among the best places to travel to the Philippines when it attracts more than 2 million tourists every year. With white beaches and excellent diving spots, Cebu has become a top tourist destination in the Philippines.
Donsol
Donsol has firmly established itself on the Philippine tourism map as the greatest location to swim with whale sharks. The peaceful fishing village of Donsol is the ideal location for whale shark viewing because it is situated in the province of Sorsogon, which is known for its beautiful beaches, breathtaking waterfalls, and unknown caves. They thrive best in tropical seas, thus Donsol Bay is a great place for them to live. The largest fish on earth, the whale shark is a calm, slowly swimming shark.
From November to June, protected whales regularly pass through the Donsol, with February through May seeing the highest numbers. When boats are nearby, these enormous fish do not show any fear. Some of them still have scars from running into propellers. You can swim with whale sharks in this area and it’s an exciting experience you can’t miss! There are also lots of hills in Donsol that give visitors the opportunity to experience cycling and hiking. Diving trips to nearby islands can also be arranged from here.
Pagsanjan Falls
It would be remiss not to mention Pagsanjan Falls in the list of the best places to travel to the Philippines. As the most famous waterfall in the Philippines, Pagsanjan waterfall always welcomes a large number of tourists every year. The falls have two routes to access them and are distinguished by their unusual three-tiered shape.
The first involves a thrilling canoe trip over the 14 rapids beginning in Pagsanjan, while the second entails a quick climb beginning in Cavinti. The most well-liked method of getting to the falls is by canoe since it passes through the stunning rocky Pagsanjan Gorge and stops at a natural pool beneath the falls. On the route to the waterfall, visitors can enjoy the magnificent scenery. Devil’s Cave is a location you have to see when you are here; it is concealed by a water curtain and is both beautiful and fascinating.
Vigan
One of the most lovely cities to visit in the Luzon region is the historical city of Vigan in the northern Philippines. Its culture is a fusion of Spanish and Chinese influences that were brought by the early settlers. A trip to this town’s Crisologo St. neighborhood is like taking a trip back in time to the colonial era. As a reminder of the wonderful life that many people in Spain enjoy, you will easily see images of horses hauling carts along the cobblestone alleys with dark wooden villas on either side. such a colony. Beeswax and gold, among other commodities, were traded to China at that time in exchange for exquisite and exotic Asian items.
There are numerous peculiarities in Vigan to discover. The Bantay Bell Tower, another prominent landmark in the region, offers the area’s greatest views. The Calle Crisologo Old District is the next stop on the tour; it is a pedestrian area where you may meet many local artisans and discover historic buildings. Visit the Church of St. Paul Metropolitan as well, which is the ideal location to experience the charming local culture. Although the splendor of its trading history is still present, this port’s primary source of wealth now is tourism. There are two sizable malls in Vigan, one in the north and one in the south. This is definitely one of the best places to travel to the Philippines.
Apo Island
Visit Apo Island in the Philippines if you want to know what it’s like to swim with sea turtles. Visitors are permitted to swim alongside turtles and other sea life because it is a protected marine reserve. You can go on organized tours to the Apo Island Marine Reserve to witness sea turtles up close and snorkel among the reefs. The most pristine terrain in the nation may be found on this island, which is the ideal destination for ecotourists. Take a stroll down the Lagoon Trail to Apo Village to discover more about island culture. Here, you may meet the locals and view the creatures that live there.
Bohol
The last place on the list of the best places to travel to the Philippines is Bohol Island. It is a fantastic destination that highlights the natural beauty of the Philippines and is situated in the middle Visayas region. With the main island and 75 auxiliary islands, it covers a sizable area. The Chocolate Hills in Carmen is among the island’s most distinctive natural attractions. The hills are distinctive because they were created from dead coral millions of years ago; they resemble chocolate mounds, especially during the dry season when they turn brown. This UNESCO site is made up of 1,200 hills and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines.
A family-run sanctuary for Asia’s tiniest tarsier primate, famed for its strikingly wide eyes, may be found in Bohol. Beaches, caverns, waterfalls, and spectacular architectural landmarks are all available to visitors in Bohol. Tagbilaran, the capital of the region, is also worthwhile visiting due to its abundance of eateries, bars, and shopping areas. The rest of Bohol is covered in thick forests and has rivers that meander, making it a great place for kayaking.
To sum up, a group of islands with incredible natural beauty, friendly people, and ancient cultures mixed with colonial influences, the Philippines should be on every traveler’s list. Southeast Asia is a great travel destination and if you are planning a vacation to this magical Philippines, pocket our list of the best places to travel to the Philippines in our article. us today. Hope you will have unforgettable experiences in this beautiful island nation. We will be back with more reviews of other places. Do not miss it.
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