Philippines Travel Guide: What to See, Do, Costs, & Ways to Save
Last Updated: July 14,2020Philippines at A Glance
Name of the country | Republic of the Philippines | Major Religion | Catholic Christianity |
---|---|---|---|
Official languages | Filipino and English | Area | 300,000km2 |
Largest city | Vientiane | Population | 100,981,437 (2015) |
Capital city | Vientiane | Currency | Philippine peso (₱) (PHP) |
Major cities | Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Pakse, Si Phan Don | Time zone | UTC+8 (PHP) |
Flag | ![]() | Calling Code | +63 |
State Seal | ![]() | Ethnic groups | Tagalog, Visayans/Bisaya |
UNESCO World Heritage Sites | Baroque Churches of the Philippines (1993) Historic City of Vigan (1999) Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras (1995) Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary (2014) Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park (1999) Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (1993,2009) | Temperature | 21 °C - 32 °C (i.e. 70 °F - 90 °F) |
Traditional festivals | Sinulog Festival Ati-Atihan Festival | Major islands | Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao |
Best Time to Visit Philippines
The best months to visit Philippines is the summer months which is from December to April. These months' temperatures are around 24°C-31°C. At this time, the country is fully accessible, including many beautiful islands and more remote areas.
The rainy season is from June to October, bringing considerable rain with warm temperatures. Central areas such as Cebu should still stay dry for the most of parts. If you don't mind your hot days sprinkled with some rain, travelling during this season is still suggested due to reasonable price and less tourists.
Top Things to Do in Philippines
A Few Sunshine Days In Boracay
Boracay is always the main point for a tropical island dream come true. The center of Boracay is the dreamy white sand beach, a four-kilometer postcard-perfect beach stretching from one end to the other, with several blocks deep in hotels, restaurants, bars and diving shops.
The ocean was full of romantic sailboat and colorful umbrellas. Perfect after sunset, live music bursts and fire dancers sway.
Experience Colonial Culture of Manila
As the capital of the Philippines, Manila will give you an impression of a mix of Spanish colonial remains and modern buildings, not like a tropical Asia city.
Manila is developing, vivid, bustling, complex in culture, with rich and colorful multicultural heritage and colorful nightlife.
Attractions in Philippines
Ariel's Point – watersports like cliff diving, kayaking, paddleboarding and snorkeling
Crystal Cove Island (aka Lauren Island) - 10-minute boat ride southeast of Boracay Island
The Motag Living Museum - great cultural heritage
Manila Ocean Park – the city's premiere marine-themed park
Cebu - the country's superstar tourist destination. Scenic natural sites such as waterfalls, beaches, wildlife encounters , mountain views etc.
Boracay Island – beach lovers paradise
Balabac Islands - 31 gorgeous islands which are still vastly undiscovered by tourist crowds
Batanes Islands – isolated island, vibrant green rolling hills, grazing cows, traditional stone houses, and iconic lighthouses.
Sagada - scenic and calming mountain valleys
Banaue - extraordinary rice terraces
Mount Luho - highest point on Boracay Island
Boracay Bat Cave - spot here large fruit bats on this sea cave
Crocodile Island - diving and snorkelling day trips from Boracay
Willy's Rock - popular for local Catholics
Vigan - well-preserved Spanish-colonial town
Iligan - Majestic Waterfalls