The Philippines, an amazing archipelago nestling in the midst of the Pacific Ocean, is a chain of over 7,000 islands! Picturesque and beautiful, what really makes the Philippines a must-visit place, is the locals’ friendliness. This is undoubtedly the friendliest nation in the whole of Asia! The locals are proud of their culture and can communicate well in English. In short, the Filipinos take you into their hearts and homes!
- Easy on the Pocket
The first question that comes to mind while considering a holiday is expenses. Well, this is an extremely affordable destination, mainly because the accommodation here is inexpensive. You may opt for anything from bed & breakfast homestays to dorm-style hotels. If you wish to wallow in luxury, there are many resorts and beach hotels too, with their added-on services of spas, massages, fine dining, tours, etc.
- Transportation is Fun
To begin with, there are jeepneys or jeeps. They are quite garish in their appearance, with their owners going in for ‘loud’ hues. The route that each jeepney takes is worked out on the front of the vehicle. Para refers to stop, while bayad po refers to my payment.
Then again, you have the trike or tricycle. It is a rickshaw with a motor. The third type of transportation is the pedicab, a different kind of tricycle. Here, only the bicycle with two wheels is present. The idea is to navigate narrow pathways and those provinces where jeepneys cannot make much headway. Traveling around in the Philippines can be a bit tricky, and a unique experience, and a ton of fun!
- Gastronomic Delights
Since diverse cultures have settled here, the Philippines has become a melting point of cuisines. If you wish to experiment with exotic recipes, you must try the halo-halo. It comprises sweetened fruits, ice, and milk. Similarly, the balut, made from duck embryo, is a popular street food.
Other dishes include pork meat, adobo, chicken, roasted pig, etc., all cooked in various delicious sauces. Seafood, of course, you should find plenty. You might take in the food tour going around Roxas City, Capiz, to satisfy your taste buds. Similarly, the sweetest of mangoes are available at Guimaras Island. The Pampanga trips are famed for offering culinary delights too.
- The Weather is Delightful Always
The Philippines experiences only the rainy season and dry season. The former lasts from June to October, while the latter lasts from November to May. This means that you may visit the islands whenever you like. It is pleasant enough for family vacations, honeymoon destinations, etc.
- Sightseeing Spots
The beaches stretch from one end of the coastline to the other. Additionally, several of the 7,000 islands have remained untouched and far removed from the bustling amenities of modern life. Some of the most famous beaches are in Boracay, Siargao, and Palawan.
The towns of Coron and El Nido beckon tourists in large numbers, thanks to their magnificent rock formations created from limestone.
The Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour takes you to the Subterranean River National Park. The cave system, with its stalagmites and stalactites, only enhances the beauty of the entire place. UNESCO has labeled this a world heritage site.
Bohol boasts of 1000s of hills appearing like chocolate mounds. This range is also known as the Chocolate Hills.
Visit indigenous tribes and their rice terraces at the Cordilleras, North Luzon. They take you back in time as they reveal their traditions, culture, and craftsmanship to you.
Other enchantments include the tours to the Falls (Kawasan, Pagsanjan, and Bomod-ok) and volcanoes (Taal and Mayon).
- Perfect for Honeymooning Couples
It seems like wherever you go, there is a crowd! Well, The Philippines can provide you with great hideaways. To begin with, there is Manila, the capital. Great accommodation, wining and dining in style, shopping centers, galleries, etc., should suffice to keep you busy every day. Even though the city is busy, it’s very easy to find a quiet spot for some romantic moments.
Bohol, with its superb sandy beaches, turquoise water bodies, and vibrant nightlife; Coron with its shipwrecks, marine life, lakes, lagoons, coral gardens, and beautiful beaches; Palawan, which is a haven of peace; or even Pamalican Island, which offers private facilities for scuba diving, sailing, snorkeling, and paddle boarding;
Another thing to keep in mind relates to my first item on this list – the Philippines is a cheap country! Sure, you pay quite a bit for the international flights, but you can pamper yourself and try out stuff you can’t usually afford once you are there. This can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live like a queen or a king, and there’s no better time to do that other than your honeymoon. Luxury honeymoon packages are abundant, and they are considerably cheaper than in most other countries, especially considering what you get to enjoy in return.
- The Attraction of Festivals
The Filipinos love to do everything with great fervor. Therefore, their festivals are colorful, loud, and extremely joyous to behold. These festivals could be cultural, religious, or historical in nature. Cultural festivals generally focus on themes such as the harvesting of a hefty crop or the promotion of diverse products. Religious or historical festivals are in line with significant happenings. Some important celebrations are the Ati-Atihan festival that focuses on the infant Jesus, held in January; Sinulog Festival in Cebu; the Grand Street Parade that takes place annually, along with an array of fireworks; and Panagbenga Festival at Baguio City, which is a display of beautiful flowers and huge floats.
- Go Back in History
The Philippines is also a great place to travel back in time. For instance, there is Intramuros (The Walled City) that has been in existence since 1521. You may opt for a horse-driven carriage or a bamboo bike ride as your means of transportation. It is easy to view the archipelago’s colonial past via this tour. Other attractions are the Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church. They are the oldest places of worship in The Philippines.
Do not miss the visit to Fort Santiago, which comprises several museums housed within the glorious stone fortress. The fortress is in Manila and dates back to Hispanic times. Jose Rizal, a national hero, has a shrine dedicated to him. It is the Rizal Shrine. Binondo is the oldest Chinatown across the globe, which offers an array of sumptuous Chinese dishes too. Finally, there is Corregidor Island, a mass of ruined funnels and buildings. Here, you may pay silent tribute to the war heroes of earlier decades.
- Wallow in Luxury
Do you feel that you would like to wallow in luxury once in your life and just let yourself go? Well, The Philippines is just the place for you then. A couple of weeks in grand holiday resorts should do you a world of good before you race back to face the stresses of day-to-day life!
For example, there is Amanpulo, covering 89 hectares of the Pamalican Island. A chartered flight gets you to villas with their private pools and personal chefs. Spend your days snorkeling, trekking through jungles, diving, playing tennis, cycling, or spotting turtles. Other resorts include Qi Palawan, Tugawe Cove Resort, Amarela, Apulit Island, etc.
- Satisfy the Adventurous Spirit
The Philippines is considered the perfect place for hikes. They may be tiring on the feet but wonderfully soothing on the spirit! Water sports include canyoneering, white water rafting, parasailing, etc. Then again, there are special eco-friendly tours to Cebu, Batanes, Camiguin, Bohol, and Palawan.
While exploring the jungles, you may come across the nocturnal tarsier, with its large-sized eyes. It is the smallest primate across the globe. In contrast is the magnificent Philippine Eagle, which is the national bird of The Philippines. The seas, of course, are full of known and unknown species.
