We're following up our travel guide 9 Reasons Why you Should Travel to Malaysia with this latest one, for the Philippines. If you've yet to go to the Philippines, you must know it's amazing. Sure, every country in the southeast of Asia is amazing, and beautiful and so on. You've heard it all before.
One really strong pull for many to travel to the Philippines are for their colorful, vibrant and very lively festivals. The Filipinos love to sing and dance, and with so many festivals, it can be troubling knowing where to begin. One thing is certain, however: with over 2000 inhabited Islands, there'll be an amazing festival for you at any given time of the year. The festivals in many ways are a celebration in show of many outside influences upon Island life and tradition:
With 300 years of Spanish rule the biggest influence left behind was European Catholicism, which can be seen to this day. It explains why:
But some would argue that what delights and enthralls the traveler more is the architecture.
Friendly faces and a warm welcome introduce you to the blue hued waters and white, soft sandy beaches. Immediately, you feel relaxed and ready to dive into the water. And why not, because the waters are perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving: warm, clean and pristine clear. The tropical climate and 80°F (27°C) warmth is calling you.
Our top Islands to spend your holiday vacation on, or Island hop between them, are:
The Philippine's first major Island and where its capital was once based. Cebu is the Philippines most popular Island and holiday destination, because the Island has it all:
The reason we'll give you to come to Cebu is for the waterfalls, and that's it really. The pure pleasure of the waterfalls, and the treks through the jungle to get to them. The beaches on Cebu are great but the main attraction are the waterfalls in our opinion. The best of them would be: Kawasan Falls, Inambakan Falls and Tumalog Falls in the south of the Island.
Our best advice is to hire a motorbike (no more than US$8 a day) and ask the locals where the best waterfalls are in the area. If you are anywhere near a village, stop off and the children will happily guide you for a few dollars. Just remember a) arrive early to enjoy the waterfall before the crowds arrive, and b) take your rubbish with you, and not be selfish and spoil the serene beauty for others.
What makes the whole waterfall experience so special in Cebu are the pools. They're large enough for swimming and there is many great jumping off points that are safe. And this is why you hire the children for guidance because they know all the best spots to jump from.
Coron Island is another destination for the foreign tourist and for good reasons too. There are a plentiful number of gorgeous beaches and coral below the waves. Lounge around and relax or hire snorkeling gear. One popular diving attraction around Coron is the World War 2 shipwrecks, and the lakes:
And two lagoons. The bodies of water are overshadowed by ancient karst limestone cliffs, of considerable height. It's the dream location you've always wanted from a tropical destination with most tour itineraries including them. You will visit Coron Island for the jungle lagoons and stunning lakes, what more could you wish for? Quality hotels and facilities available, but you must book in advance to secure a room.
One of the smallest of the Philippines Islands, but no less perfect like the others. Rather remote and neglected by the mainstream tourist, the Island remains stunning, steeped in folklore, and myth. Life centers around San Jaun, where you'll find the bulk of the accommodation, restaurants and shops. The great thing about Siquijor Island is the slower pace: there are far fewer tourists which means you have peace and quiet to really relax and enjoy the beaches, tropical jungles and waterfalls. Pretty much all to yourself really.
The best time to experience diving with the migrating whale sharks is between February and April, that's when the highest numbers are seen. You can dive with the sharks as early as in November although there are fewer in the waters off the Islands of Sorsogon, Bohol Island and Cebu. The oversized mammals are super friendly but be aware they have a mind of their own. Your diving guide will instruct you about your behavior, what to do and not do.
You will of course need to have previous diving experience before setting off, that'll be expected. The more diving hours you have, the more enjoyable your time with the whale sharks will be. If you are lucky, your tour will include some aspects of feeding the sharks.
It should be your wish to be in the proximity of these gentle giants because the emotion felt is nothing like you've had before, simply because:
Which is why it's always recommended you go diving when holidaying in the tropics, at every opportunity. Taking diving lessons isn't cheap of course but if you can, then do.
Each of us has our own reasons for wanting to travel, and for many of our readership, the great outdoors is reason enough. Doing so, the tropical warmth in any of southeast Asia's countries is a huge boost to the pleasure and enjoyment experienced. Most of the Islands in the Philippines offers you great trekking options and why it's a buzz for backpackers.
It's our suggestion you head to Palawan Island for the best trekking trails to be found. Palawan has the perfect mix of mountain and jungle. The many trails, which are easy and accessible to most people, take you into the heart of the Island's interior, it is so amazing to discover the lush jungle and bird sounds.
Over a half dozen trails and each take you to the summit of a mountain, for grand views out over the Island. There is even a trail leading you to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River. Incredible. For the adventure of a lifetime, head to Luzon to trek close to 3000m to the summit of Mount Pulag. It is amazing to be so aloft. The emotion is nothing like you've felt before and only Fanispan in Vietnam's Sa Pa can take you higher, whilst in southeast Asia.
Many of the festivals we feel are to continue the tradition what was given to them ― the native people of the Islands ― as each Island has its own festivals celebrating a way of Island life. You get that sense at least in the live performances and the loud, brassy carnival fanfare. Outrageous, over-the-top costumes are the order of the day, with ridiculous face masks but remember these are age-old celebrations.
What you immediately notice about any festival is how much fun it is for the performers, as much as for yourself. There is never a dull moment, nor a lull in the orchestrated rhythm. A few of the more vibrant festivals to attend, and our favorites are:
Held annually in Cebu City on the third Sunday of January, the festival celebrates the Holy Child in the Philippines. This is one of the largest festivals with crowds forming before sunrise numbering over 100,000 filling the streets. A week-long event, it should not be missed if you are planning a holiday including Cebu City then plan for January.
Panagbenga Festival is all about the display of flowers. The February festival celebrates the blooming of flowers in Baguio City. Seeing the street performances, for the locals, is a big deal to them. You have more flexibility when you can experience this festival as it plays out throughout the whole month. So many activities are put on for you to participate in the festivals as much as possible, you are encouraged to get involved.
Another widely popular festival is the Masskara Festival held in Bacolod City every October. For several decades the festival has provided street parties, food and drink for international tourists. You can expect to see dancers wearing large colorful masks and in fact, you can purchase these masks in a few of the shops to wear yourself.
All the festivals held throughout the Philippines are family friendly, lively and entertaining for children making it impossible for them to contain their excitement.
The best time is determined by the season when you travel. The Philippines has two seasons, dry and wet. The dry season runs from November through to June the following year, and your best bet is to experience your holiday during those months.
You can come to the Philippines for your Christmas and New Year, and in fact, we highly recommend you do so. The locals celebrate the festivities, and in a really serious manner ― after all, Filipinos do love to sing, dance and share. Very friendly people, and amazing hosts.
The Philippines has beautiful nature and wildlife all around, from the white sandy beaches to the rainforest jungles there is a paradise for everyone. The most fetching scene is the mega volcano on the Island of Luzon, the iconic Mayon Volcano has the perfect cone shape seen from a distance. The volcano remains active and you sense its power on first sighting, your immediate emotion is one of fear but also in awe of it.
Another dramatic landscape to experience whilst holidaying in the Philippines is Palawan's underground river. See our guide (link below) for full details of this must-see subterrain holiday experience:
Still within the Bicol area, there is Donsol, an area known for its whale sharks. From December, the massive mammals come together close to San Miguel Island where you can go scuba diving with the sharks. Imagine that you've trekked through Luzon's jungles the day before, and must get into the water to ease and relax your muscles? The plus being this really is a once in a lifetime experience because not every holiday promises you whale sharks.
If your holiday doesn't take you to the Bicol region then there are always the beautiful spots found near Moalboal. One spectacular event you must experience is diving with the millions of sardines that gather off shore. Diving beneath the waves, you reach out to touch the fish, the shoals do their best to avoid you, too. Back on land there is the amazingly beautiful jungle Kawasan Falls less than an hour's drive from Moalboal. If you prefer taking a tour, you may also visit Aguinid Falls and Tumalog Falls the same day.
Street food is amazing when on holiday: it is cheap, readily available, fresh and full of flavor. Above all, the dishes are truly authentic. Sure, it is more comfortable to eat in a restaurant but when strolling through the streets sightseeing (on a really nice day) that's not convenient. Besides, you don't want to pass up those festivals and their party atmosphere: you want to be part of it.
What delicious snacks and dishes can you expect from the Filipino street vendors? We can recommend you try the following at every chance:
It appears throughout southeast Asia; banana fritters are as enjoyable in the Philippines as they are in Vietnam. The only difference is the Vietnamese coat the banana in batter, and the Philippines don't. But they skewer their snack instead.
The Isaw snack is widely popular in the Philippines. It's either chicken or pork intestines, once thoroughly cleaned, they're grilled or deep fried. The grilled intestines are better in our opinion ― the intestine is usually marinated in a sauce prior to being grilled. Whether the chicken or pork meat is best or better, we'll let you decide. Toha is a sweet drink best consumed whilst hot. Local Filipinos will swear by it as a breakfast starter but honestly, it's enjoyable any time of the day.
Find some shade to enjoy. The drink comprises soft tofu blended with brown sugar syrup and tapioca. There are many variations depending on where about in the Philippines you are. Often there may be fruit or spices, each vendor follows their own rules.
The Chinese style beef stew, Paras, is served in a broth with rice and the flavor is often mild and sweet. The meat is tender and cooked in a mix of:
You'll find the dish more available the further north you are, and closer to the capital Manila. One of the cheapest street foods you'll find is fried chicken skin. The skin is coated in flour and mixed seasoning before being fried and served with spicy sauce. The snack isn't healthy though and high in fat.
One of the best times to travel to the Philippines is in December and January: your Christmas and New Year. Not merely for the prime weather conditions. During this seasonal period, it's when the Filipino people are at their best: they are preparing further celebrations and they go out of their way especially for their Christmas and New Year.
Holiday in any part of the Philippines during the seasonal period and you can be part of their party atmosphere. The Filipinos are naturally festive anyway with thousands of festivals throughout the year. Christmas is one of their biggest and most celebrated festivals. Who would imagine it's a big deal in this southeast Asian country? It is. Celebrating Christmas goes back centuries, to the colonial days when Catholicism was introduced by the Spanish.
If you have young children and are looking for a tropical holiday vacation over the Christmas and New Year period, then bring your family to the Philippines.
Knowing how the Filipinos love to sing and dance, and perform it's only a natural course to expect the country to have just as a lively nightlife. When holidaying in the Philippines you must frequent the many bars, clubs and bistros, to complete your holiday. But the partying isn't limited to only Manila. Competing Islands such as Coron Island, Cebu City, El Nido Island and Panglao Island desire your full attention too.
One of the Philippines most popular destinations is Boracay Island and it is common knowledge there is a wicked nightlife there. If you love to party then head to this paradise Island for fun, fun and more fun. December through to May is Boracay's peak season and the Island is crowded with international tourists, perfect for meeting new people and social involvement. Every beach on the Island, after sunset opens their bars and clubs so you can drink and dance well into the night.
The most famous beach of course is White Beach, home to Boracay's best known bars and live performances. Cebu City holds its own, in the face of Boracay Island and Manila City especially so in January with their Sinulog Festival. Entire streets turn into an open-air dance floor making it the perfect opportunity to show off your dance moves. Bars and clubs play a wide range of music and genres, there is something for all ages and tastes.
It's a safe bet other parts of the Philippines therefore have an active nightlife, ensuring you are fully entertained and enjoying your holiday. A large part of the partying in the Philippines is due to their festivals, some lasting a whole week. Few cultures are known to enjoy themselves so well, as the Filipinos.
For your best holiday experience, plan your trip between November and April. The least likely chance of rain and the months with the lowest humidity. Not too cool and not too hot either. Those months are the peak tourist season and when flights, hotels and attractions are at their most expensive.
But the Philippines are bothered by monsoons twice, each year: the one from the southwest and the other from the northeast. Like Malaysia in many regards, there can be a lot of rainfall over the Philippines. It's the former monsoon which brings the torrential rain and thunderstorms. During the monsoon ― any monsoon in the tropics ― you must respect nature because of the typhoons.
Unless you've specifically traveled for the storms, be sure to have set off for home before June, when the rainy season is expected. The Philippines is in the middle of the Pacific Typhoon route and the Islands suffer badly with unrelenting storms. Widespread damage is common to infrastructure (roads, rail for example), and so is loss of human life. Pay attention to what locals are saying about the weather.
Far more affordable to travel to the Philippines than compared to Malaysia for prices on flights, accommodation, food and attractions. The prices actually, are comparable to those of Vietnam and Thailand.
If you are on a budget then consider flying either just before or only after the peak season: the middle of November, or May, for your holiday. That's still outside the monsoon season, although you must accept there could be increased odds of rain.
But even when it rains, it remains warm and the rain disappears not long after arriving. You can also secure a better deal if you book your flights and hotel months in advance.
The Philippines are one of the richest cultures of southeast Asia, because primarily of the 300-year history of Spanish colonization. But much of the Spanish influence on the Philippines stemmed first, from the Spanish empire building of the America's, and later, of Europe. You cannot holiday in the Philippines without ignoring what the Spanish left behind, or gave, to the Filipino people:
Even if you have little interest in the culture or history you'll find a pleasurable time in the Philippines, as a winter destination. There are a lot of attractions all over the Islands to keep you happy and feeling fulfilled.
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Hello, we are George and Elle Mae Melyre.
Over the years, amidst work and family life, we have traveled extensively throughout Asia. Any chance to briefly escape or properly holiday in our beloved Asian destinations is eagerly seized, motivated by the enduring dream of leaving behind the UK's dreary cold for tropical climes.