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Philippines

With more than 7,000 islands sprawled along the Pacific Ring of Fire, it’s virtually impossible to visit all of the Philippines. Fortunately, the country’s finest qualities—including stunning landscapes and hospitable locals—can be found all across the archipelago. Those seeking white sand beaches should visit Boracay (which is, admittedly, also a serious party island) or Palawan (which is less developed).” Culture-lovers are better off on the largest island, Luzon, home to the UNESCO-recognized town of Vigan, the Ifugao rice terraces, and baroque churches.

Hanging bridge to Palawan island, Sentosa, Singapore

Photo By Roman Rudiak/Shutterstock

Overview

Can’t miss things to do in Philippines

The Philippines’ charm stems largely from three characteristics: ancient cultures, natural beauty, and overwhelmingly friendly people. A visit to the beach is a must. Swimming with whale sharks is highly recommended (and completely safe). Island-hopping trips among the thousands of uninhabited islands are surprisingly affordable. A visit to a village where life has remained essentially the same for millennia—such as to Batad, set among rice terraces inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List—is a unique and humbling experience. Hospitality is an important part of Filipino culture, and if you socialize with locals you’re likely to be invited to a home-cooked family dinner.

Food and drink to try in Philippines

Filipino cuisine—like the culture—varies from island to island. It consists of a hodgepodge of Austronesian dishes influenced by neighbors (such as Malaysia) and former rulers (Spain and the United States). The result is a variety of paellas, pork, noodle-based dishes (known as pancit), and liberal use of soy sauce, vinegar, and fish sauce. Outside of large cities, few Filipinos frequent restaurants, and the best food is most often found on dinner tables in local homes. Fortunately, locals are wonderfully outgoing and quick to invite a new friend to dine with the family. Where possible and appropriate, accepting such invitations is recommended.

Culture in Philippines

The Philippines lacks many of the characteristics shared by other Southeast Asian countries. While others in the region have strong Buddhist and East Asian traits, Filipinos are a primarily Austronesian people (the same who later migrated to Tahiti and Hawaii), strongly influenced by three centuries of Spanish rule and a long American military presence. The culture is best described as Asian–Latin American. American fashion and rock-and-roll culture are popular, Catholicism is widespread, and colorful Filipino Jeepneys are practically identical to Latin American “chicken buses.” Music completely ingrained in the culture and ancing is an unofficial national pastime.

Shopping

Low prices and affordable alterations make shopping any place in Asia a treat. This is especially true in the Philippines, said by some to be Asia’s shopping capital. Western styles are common, and malls are so popular that many of the world’s largest reside in the country. For high-end shopping in Manila, Greenbelt in the Makati district is the obvious choice. The SM Megamall in the Ortigas district is the biggest shopping center in the country and is an impressive sight. Bargain hunters should head for Greenhills in the San Juan district, where pearls are plentiful, designer goods suspect, and shopkeepers ready to bargain. The best times to shop are after Christmas and Valentine’s Day, when sales are ubiquitous.

Practical Information

March through May are the hottest months in the Philippines, followed by a rainy season that lasts until October. November to February are the most temperate months to visit. Most nationalities don’t need a visa for trips of up to 30 days, though an ongoing ticket and a passport that’s valid for at least six months are required. Air conditioning on buses can be frigid, so be sure to take warm clothing. The currency is the peso; English is widely spoken. Electricity is 220 volts.

How to get around Philippines

The majority of international flights land in Manila, though there are other options if you want to avoid the chaotic capital. For a nonstop flight from the United States, book on Philippine Airlines. As of October 30, 2018, the airline launches nonstop service from JFK to Manila five times per week. Domestic travel in the Philippines is affordable. Islands are easily reached on airlines including Cebu Pacific Air, Philippine Airlines, PAL Express, and AirAsia Philippines. You can also island hop by ferry. Book through 2Go Travel.

Local Resources

The Manila Times

SunStar Philippines

Philippine Primer

Guide Editor

Tina Lim

Matt Gibson

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Sagada
Most visitors to the Philippines will learn something about the country’s Spanish and American colonial history; fewer will learn about the people who were here before. The mountains of Luzon are still inhabited by distinct indigenous ethnic groups known collectively as the Igorot, or “people of the mountains” (though today some prefer to use alternative terms). Despite hundreds of years of colonial rule, some indigenous peoples managed to maintain—and still continue—their traditional way of life. Sagada, a town in the Mountain Province, is a good place to witness this aspect of the Philippines. Many travelers check out the hanging coffins in Echo Valley, which are nailed to a cliffside and intended to bring the dead closer to heaven. But the real value of visiting Sagada is to interact with the Igorots and listen to their stories.
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El Nido
The municipality of El Nido, on the northern tip of Palawan, is known for the jagged limestone cliffs that spike up from the turquoise waters and that are home to the island’s endemic swiftlets. Known locally as balinsasayaw, these birds use threads of their saliva instead of twigs to build their nests in crevices on the cliffs (El Nido means “nests” in Spanish). Climbers called busyador scale the cliffs each day to collect the edible birds’ nests, which are mostly sold to China, where the nests are believed to contain a high level of natural minerals that provide health benefits. But the recent decline of the swiftlet population has caused the deterioration of the industry, and many busyador have shifted to tourism instead. El Nido attracts millions of visitors each year to its beautiful white-sand beaches and unspoiled natural landscapes, which include caves and hidden lagoons as well as the legendary cliffs. Activities here include hiking, sea kayaking, snorkeling, and diving, and everything is a lot more low-key than at busier destinations like Boracay.
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Milky Way Café
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Sabang Beach
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