Philippines Travel Guide: a sojourn to the land made up of islands!

Get ready to explore the beautiful beaches,mesmerizing rice fields, and the unique culture

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PHILIPPINE ISLANDS EXPLORED

2

PHILIPPINE UNESCO SITES VISITED

1

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL PARK VISITED

Why should you travel to The Philippines?

With an abundance of crystal clear beaches, diverse wildlife, pristine rice fields, volcanoes, and more than 7500 islands, (The Republic of) The Philippines is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. It is a tourist hub with three main geographical divisions expanding from North to South. They include Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

People often travel to the Philippines to savor the marvels of its landscape and culture. Here, through this Philippines travel guide, we will look into some of the most interesting facts about the country. You can also find the best time to travel to the Philippines, things you have to know before embarking on your trip, and the best places to visit in the Philippines for every traveler.

The Philippines is the largest producer of coconut. It is known for its mesmerizing farmlands as well as cities. Over 90% of the citizens of the Philippines communicate in English, which is highly helpful for travelers.

The number of World Heritage Sites in the Philippines is 6, and the number of National Parks is 94.

Through this Philippines travel guide, you can find out the things to do in The Philippines, the best time to visit the Philippines, the most stunning places, and many more!

Interesting Facts The Philippines

Flag of the Philippines

The Philippine's National Animal

Carabao (Water Buffalo) and Philippine Eagle (National Bird)

The Philippines National Dish

Adobo, Lechon and Sinigang

Currency in The Philippines

Philippine Peso (PhP, ₱)

Philippines Time Zone

The Philippines Standard Time or PST (GMT+8 hours)

Batad Rice Terraces of the Ifugao in Northern Luzon, Philippines

Ifugao Women, Northern Luzon Philippines

Whang Od, Tattoo artist from Kalinga, Philippines

Best time to visit Asia: weather and climate

Best time to visit The Philippines

The best time to plan a trip to the Philippines is during December and February. It is because the climate is favorable with temperatures ranging between 24° C and 31° C. During this time, all the places are fully accessible. You can visit different islands and even remote regions in the country. It is the best time for sightseeing, trekking, and photography as well.
Apart from these months, you can also travel to the Philippines during March and April. However, the temperature would be pretty high.
Between May and October, it is the rainy season in the Philippines. Though there is no consistency in rains, there are chances of typhoons.

Things to know before you travel to the Philippines

Safety in The Philippines

The Philippines is a safe country to travel apart from the places in the South. Southern parts, including the Sulu Archipelago, the Zamboanga Peninsula, and the Mindanao, are quite dangerous. There have been several terrorist attacks in these regions, resulting in many deaths. However, crime rates are not widespread. It is always better to travel in groups and to stick to permitted destinations. You can have a safe trip by following the guidelines provided in the tourist spots.

Visa requirements for The Philippines

Visa for traveling to the Philippines is not necessary for travelers from 157 countries if you are visiting the Philippines for 14 to 59 days. You can also get on-arrival Visas. You can apply for a Philippines Visa and check the requirements through the official Bureau of Immigration of the Republic of The Philippines. You can get Visa extensions through the same portal.

Responsible Travel in The Philippines

Sustainable tourism is an essential component while visiting places. Most tourist hubs in the Philippines face over tourism as a crucial problem. The mainland of El-Nido is one such place. However, many resorts have shifted into being eco-friendly in these regions. They adopt sustainable waste management methods. They also try to develop the local economy by employing locals and providing organic food items. On Coron island, the authorities have regulated tourism. They also charge an environmental fee from the travelers, which go directly to the tribal people. Batanes is yet another place that encourages sustainable tourism in the Philippines. There is no modernization, and you can get in touch with the ethnic values of the region. Masungi Geo Reserve in Rizal is a place that highlights sustainable tourism. The area does not allow smoking, littering, or noise pollution. If you are looking for a sustainable option to travel to the Philippines, you can always consider sailing!

Required vaccinations for traveling in Asia

Vaccinations & anti-Malaria tablets for The Philippines

WHO and CDC recommend different vaccinations when visiting the Philippines. Some of the vaccines you can take before traveling to the Philippines are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Cholera, Polio, and Tetanus. If you are planning to indulge in outdoor activities, it is always better to take vaccines for Rabies. You can get vaccines for Japanese Encephalitis if you are visiting rural areas. Always consult a travel clinic for the best advice based on your Philippines travel itinerary.

Spoken languages in The Philippines

90% of the people in the Philippines speak English. Apart from English, people also converse in Filipino. However, in the cities, you can travel easily by using English. There are other regional languages in the Philippines like Cebuano and Ilocano.

Things to do in the Philippines to cross off your bucket list

Batad and Maligcong Rice Terraces of the Cordilleras

Batad is famous for its pristine rice terraces. It is a village in the Ifugao Province. The rice terraces in this region have been UNESCO's World Heritage Centre since 1995. There are no paved roads in the area. So, you would have to walk through the muddy paths to reach the village. The best time to visit Batad is during the plantation seasons. The Maligcong Rice Terraces in Bontoc are located a few kilometers from Batad and are known for their man-made rice terraces with stone walls surrounded by pine trees. You can do several great hikes or multiple-day trekkings through these Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras; you will never get bored of the stunning views!

A hike to Buscalan Village and its Kalinga Tribe

Situated in Tinglayan, it is the land of the Kalinga Tribe. It is the home to the last Mambabatok, tattoo artist of the Butbut Tribe. No direct roads lead to Buscalan village. You can always enjoy pleasant trekking through its path. Though there aren't any hotels available in the region, families in the area offer accommodations for a fair price.

Sagada and Vigan

Sagada is part of the Mountain Province of the Cordillera Region in the Northern Philippines. Under the Kakana-ey’s dominion, Sagada is famous for its culture, and the landscape. With agriculture being one of the main occupations in the region, you can visit different agricultural fields and plantations in Sagada. The best time to visit Sagada is either between November to February or March to May. You can reach Sagada by bus from Manila via Banaue. You can also travel to Sagada from Vigan. Vigan is a place in Ilocos Sur. It was an ancient Spanish Empire. The place continues to have the glory of the old colonial empire as well as the aura of a busy Asian city. The best time to visit Vigan is between November and May. If you plan to visit Vigan during January, you can take part in the Longganisa festival as well!

Laid-back Port Barton on Palawan Island

Port Baron is located in San Vicente in the Northern part of Palawan. It is a small fishing village with long stretches of sandy beaches. The best time to visit the place is during December and in the early weeks of March. The rainforest, which surrounds Port Barton, is yet another attraction to the town. Other locations close by the region, which are worth visiting for every traveler, are the Exotic Island and the German Island.

The Famous Chocolate Hills of Bohol

Bohol offers a view of several cone-shaped hills that stretch across the towns of Carmen, Batuan, and Sagbayan, which are named the Chocolate Hills because of their chocolate brown colors in the dry season from January to May. It is the most popular tourist attraction in Bohol and also the third-largest National Geological Monument in the Philippines; A place not to be missed while traveling to Bohol and The Philippines! This place is also featured on the 200 Philippine Peso bill.

Spot the smallest primate in the world: Tarsier

Bohol Tarsier is the world's smallest pristine. With their mesmerizing eyes, Tarsiers are nocturnal creatures and one of the attractions of Bohol. Tarsiers in the Philippines vary from those found in other parts of the world. Philippines Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife refuge at Corella in Bohol. It is a natural habitat, where you can observe Tarsiers freely clinging to low tree branches. You can include these places in your bucket list, and you can come back to our Philippines Travel Guide in case of any clarifications.