01. Visit a Festival

 

Let's face it, Filipinos love to celebrate! It's no surprise that there is large amount of colorful festivals throughout the year. Here is a complete list of all festivals in the Philippines! Plan your trip now and make sure to witness one of those crazy fiestas!

 

 

02. Swim at the Twin Lagoon in Coron

 

The twin lagoon is one of Coron's major tourist attractions, swimming in the crystal clear waters is absolutely mesmerizing. The temperature of the water is ever changing, cold fresh water collides with hot salt water.... Just put on your life jacket, float in the lagoon and enjoy the views...

 

 

03. Visit a Tarsier Sanctuary

 

Those tarsiers are simply some of the cutest animals on earth! And in the Philippines you can get very close to them. You can find Tarsier Sanctuaries in Bohol Island. Please be respectful, don't touch them, don't disturb their routine and turn off the flash  when taking pictures. 

 

 

04. Snorkel in El Nido

 

El Nido is the perfect place for anyone who loves island hopping, snorkeling and beach bumming. Plan at least four days there to explore nearby islands. Every day. Hands down, the archipelago is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Mother Nature went crazy here and created some incredibly bizarre landscapes that you surely won't forget! Put on your mask, take a deep breath and enjoy the scenery, over and under the sea...

 

 

05. Hike up the Rice Terraces in Banaue

 

Philippines is not only islands and beaches! You can go hiking in the North, how about exploring the 2000 years old Rice Terraces in Banaue? Bring comfortable shoes, plenty of water and snacks and take a hike through the endless paddies, the views are absolutely spectacular!

 

 

06. Go Diving

 

Philippines is a world-class destination for divers, expect to see turtles, thresher sharks, whale sharks, vibrant coral gardens, shipwrecks, and so much more. Excellent places to go diving is in Tubbataha Reefs, Malapascua, Puerto Galera, Panglao/Bohol, Coron, Apo Reef and Apo Island.

 

 

07. Ride a Jeepney

 

Travel like a local, at least once while visiting the Philippines! Riding a jeepney is fun, plus you get a sense of the place from the local’s perspective! So just hop on one whenever you have the chance and enjoy the ride!

 

 

08. Learn to Surf in Siargao

 

Siargao is the place I left my heart, it's my favorite place in the Philippines and I don't even surf! No matter if you want to learn surfing or not, Siargao should be on your list of places to visit in the Philippines! It's such a laid-back and beautiful island, popular among surfers, yogis and beach bums...

 

 

09. Go Shopping in Manila

 

Don't skip Manila if you want to get some souvenirs. Manila has some fantastic shopping opportunities and malls that won't leave you disappointed! My favorite places to grab cheap clothes are Divisoria Market and Greenhills. For a more upscale shopping experience, check out Greenbelt or get lost inside SM Megamall, the 4th largest mall in the world!

 

 

10. Live the Island Life like Robinson Crusoe

 

With more 7000 islands to explore in the Philippines it's not that hard to find your own little spot that will make you feel like you own the island. Get off the beaten track, explore some of the smaller, less popular islands, connect with the locals, and you will be rewarded with an amazing travel experience. Happy travels! Plan your trip and visit Guide to the Philippines. 

 

 

Travel Tips Philippines

 

Are you ready to fly to the Philippines? Here some quick booking links and resources that I use myself for travel planning. These websites will help you to get started with your Philippines itinerary!

 

 

Cheap Flights to the Philippines

 

Skyscanner is my favorite search engine for finding cheap flights, I always start my flight search here! I've tried plenty other flight websites, but Skyscanner has the lowest rates, almost every time! 

 

 

Transport within the Philippines

 

Bus, boat, and trains: 12Go is one of the most reliable websites in Southeast Asia when it comes to booking buses, ferries and railway. Get an instant seat confirmation and start your overland travel worry-free.

 

Taxis: Grab is my go-to app to call a cab. No more hailing taxis down the road.

 

 

Find a place to stay in the Philippines

 

Hostels, hotels and resorts: Agoda is excellent if you're looking for hotels from budget to luxury! It's one of the largest hotel booking websites in the world. Plenty of options to book now and pay later, or even pay at the hotel. Risk-free booking, many with free cancellation. My other go to is Booking.com.

 

Homestays and Housesits: For a more authentic and local experience I recommend Homestay.com, a website where you can find places to stay with locals for such a great price. Personally, I'm obsessed with Trusted Housesitters, where you get to stay completely for free in exchange for pet care. Find out more in my article on How to Become a House Sitter and Never Pay for Accommodation.

 

 

Fun Tours and Activities in the Philippines

 

Get your Guide has plenty of fun activities in the Philippines, such as island hopping, hiking tours and city sightseeing trips. There is plenty of choices to keep yourself entertained!

 

Klook is similar than the one above, but offers additional options such as airport transfers, SIM cards, and food & dining experiences. It' a great way to meet other travelers while exploring a new place!

 

 

eSIM - Stay connected with Internet

 

Get an eSIM before you go and have Internet available from the second you arrive! I highly recommend Roamless or JetPac -  they're both highly ranked, inexpensive and reliable. 

 

 

Travel Insurance

 

Never go adventuring without travel insurance! I recommend Genki or SafetyWing - they're both very affordable and will cover you in an emergency. 

 

 

Do I need a Visa for the Philippines?

 

Most likely you don't need a visa. Travelers from 157 countries are allowed to enter the Philippines visa-free, for a period between from 14 to 59 days. You can check on iVisa.com whether you need a visa and how long you are permitted to stay.

 

 

More Blog Posts about the Philippines

 

• Philippines From The Air - Incredible Drone Footage Reveals Nothing But Paradise
• Coron vs. El Nido? Which One Is Really Better?
• The Ultimate Guide To Siargao In The Philippines (For Non Surfers)
• Boracay on a Budget: A World-Class Island in the Philippines on $23 a day
• Smokey Mountain: A Walk Through The Slums Of Manila, Philippines
• 3 Cool Airbnb Places to Stay in Boracay
• Five Best Things To Do In Manila
• Postcards from Amorita Resort, Bohol
• Travel the Philippines: 20 Photos that will make you pack your bags and go
• Unspoiled Paradise on Earth: The Archipelago of El Nido (Philippines)
• Boracay - Still a Paradise? A Travel Guide to Philippines' Most Visited Island
• Atmosphere Resort - An unforgettable Stay in Dauin, Philippines
• Falling in Love with a Wonderland called Bohol (Philippines)
• 10 Reasons Why You Should Travel To The Philippines

 

Thank you for reading. If you like this article, please share!