Philippines Travel Guide

Highlights

Manila: once the most beautiful city in Asia, the capital was largely destroyed in WWII, but has sprung back to life with a new, cosmopolitan character, while retaining its awe-inspiring mix of cultures.

Boracay: long, white-sand beaches make this a premier destination for chilling out, water sports and partying. A little too developed but still fun.

North Luzon: offers the interesting frontier town of Bontoc, the luscious hill station of Baguio and the Hundred Islands of the Lingayen Gulf.

Visaya islands: divided into Western, Central and Eastern regions, these islands include famous Boracay Island, a paradise for divers and surfers.

Panay and Negros: these islands in the Visayas offer excellent diving, colonial architecture and tons of character.

Panglao: this small island offshore from Bohol provides easy access to the Chocolate Hills, for which Bohol is best known.

Recommended Itinerary

Because of the geographically spread-out nature of the Philippines, getting between regions can be tricky therefore it is wise to choose which regions you want to explore with this in mind. Two weeks is long enough to explore selected areas.

Check out the naughty nightlife and excellent shopping in Manila for three days.
Take two days to explore the romantic frontier town of Baguio in North Luzon.
Cruise the Visayas for up to 10 days, taking in Boracay’s beaches and Panay and Negros’ history along the way.

Additional time
Go diving at Northern Palawan and check out the impressive shipwrecks.
Head for the excellent surfing at Siargao Island.
Go trekking in Bohol.

Health and Safety

Some parts of the Philippines are not safe for travellers, with insurgency groups being a real problem in some areas, making it necessary that you consult your embassy before travelling; local sources upon arrival are also invaluable. It is advisable to travel in a pair or a group as tourists tend to stick out easily and may be targeted by petty criminals in urban centres. Travelling at night is also advised against. Prostitution is rife in some parts and it’s worth noting that harsh penalties exist for having sex with a minor, while STDs are also common here. Always drink bottled water and protect yourself against contracting malaria and tuberculosis.

Philippines Travel

The air hub of the Philippines is Manila, with most international visitors entering here. Because of the spread-out nature of the islands, the most convenient way to get about is to fly domestically, while ferries also cover some routes. Local travel is usually done on a jeepney, which is a sort of shared taxi, while conventional air conditioned taxis run in the larger cities. The transport is sometimes lacking in safety standards and reliability, so make sure you don’t get on an overcrowded boat unless you’ve brought your own lifejacket.

Why Philippines?

What’s cool: Touring the Visayas by boat, partying in Manila, shopping at Makati City, picturesque Mount Apo, Mayon Volcano, Spanish colonial history at Panay and Negros, Baroque churches, rice terraces and remote beaches.

What’s not: Unstable politics and insurgency, urban traffic jams, widespread corruption, Manila’s seedy side, air pollution, typhoons and inconvenient travel between islands.

When To Go?

The Philippines has a tropical climate, with temperatures rarely dropping to below 77°F (25°C) and high humidity year-round.

The summer (March to May) is a good time to visit, when the skies are clear and temperatures average in the 86°F.

The winter months (November to February) are also ideal for sightseeing, with cooler temperatures and little rain.

Travelling in the rainy season (June to October) is not recommended, as typhoons are common, often causing devastation and flooding.

Main Festivals

With the Catholic faith being very strong across the nation, most of the Philippines festivals are religious in nature. But that’s not to say they don’t know how to have a good party.

January: Ati-Atihan is the Philippines biggest festivals, with lively celebrations held at Kalibo, Aklan. Visitors can join the locals in covering their bodies in black before assuming a colourful costume and dancing to the beat of Hala bira!
February: Feast of Our Lady of Candles is a Christian event, celebrated the western Visayas region. Expect parades and the blessing of candles in honour of the Nuestra Senora de Candelaria.
April: Moriones Festival is observed in Marinduque province and features costume-clad locals re-enacting the story of Longinus.
October: don’t miss the elaborate masks of the Many Faces Festival, held in Bacolod, Massa Kara.
December: Christmas is celebrated across the country, with church services, family gatherings and present giving. This day still retains much of its religious significance and is a non-working holiday country-wide.

Activities

Scuba diving: inexpensive in comparison to other Asian dive sites, the variety of sites and abundant marine life ensure good value for money. You can dive virtually anywhere in the archipelago, with the WWII wrecks offshore from Palawan being popular spot.

Sailing: so long as you aren’t setting off during the typhoon season, seeing the islands by boat is perhaps the best way to experience them, with the Visayas being a favourite group to sail around.

Palawan escape: if the more commercial resorts at Boracay don’t appeal, head for the exclusive lodgings on Palawan to appreciate wreck diving, limestone cliffs and wildlife in peace and quiet.

Cultural walks: explore Vigan, a World Heritage site and Spanish colonial town. With a fascinating history, this makes a great place to take a cultural walk.

Trekking: popular trekking territory include the scenic hills of Bohol, just off the island of Cebu.

Surfing: hit Siargao Island off Mindanao for some fantastic surf, with the swell of the Pacific attracting some top dogs in the sport.

Food and Hospitality

With a combination of Spanish, Malay, Chinese and American influences, Filipino cuisine does not have an international reputation worth remarking on, however many visitors welcome its less spicy combination than what is found elsewhere in the region. Rice is the staple here, so expect it to be served for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Despite a subdued tourist industry that has failed to attract the masses, the luxury resorts are still here, and at knock-down prices. The large English-speaking population makes it easy to get around and make friends. Expect lots of American fast food options.