The Philippines Islands are legendary as tourist attractions.
The archipelago of over 7600 islands is home to diverse wildlife, stunning nature, fascinating
history, and a unique population.
With thousands of attractions, this tropical paradise is begging to be explored.
Here are the best things to do in The Philippines.
Check out an active volcano
The Philippines is home to 25 active volcanos, so naturally visiting one is a hot tourist
activity.
Taal Volcano's claim to fame is being the smallest active volcano in the world, but
one of the best to visit.
This stubby volcano has an elevation of only 400 meters and can be summited by a guided
hike.
If you’ve ever wanted to brag that you’ve stood on the lip of a volcano crater, here’s
your chance.
And be sure to take in the unique scenery; Taal Volcano rises out of a lake on an island,
and inside the crater is another lake.
You have to see it to believe it.
Mayon Volcano, by far the most iconic in The Philippines, is a degree more magnificent.
While hiking to its summit is possible, climbers need government permission first, and the
toxic gases make it a challenging climb.
However, viewing it from a distance is one of the best things to do in The Philippines,
as the soaring heights and smoking top of the volcano will make for some memorable photos.
Be sure to find Cagasawa Ruins as well, because the ruined 16th-century church makes for some
incredible photos with Mayon Volcano in the background.
Vigan
The Philippines were for a long time a Spanish colony, and that Hispanic influence is clearly
visible in the historic city of Vigan.
This city offers a trip back in time to the country’s colonial era, and the charming
Spanish-style architecture houses plenty to do.
The Calle Crisologo is a perfectly preserved cobble street, flanked by ancient colonial
houses, and should be visited either by horse-drawn carriage or by a slow walk to browse the shops
and appreciate the buildings.
While in Vigan, be sure to partake of the local cuisine.
Ilocano empanadas are a Filipino variant of the well-known street food, made with rice
flour and filled with local flavors.
The streets of Vigan are home to plenty of museums to past politicians, martyrs, and
more Filipino history, and there are multiple plazas and the Vigan Cathedral to explore.
Climb to the top of the Bantay Church Bell Tower for the best views, and then refresh
yourself in the waters of the black sand Mindoro Beach.
Wildlife
The Philippines is home to a staggering amount of animals found nowhere else in the world.
From the majestic Philippines Eagle to the elusive dugong, the biodiversity is high.
Nearly everywhere you visit outside of the cities will have opportunities to let you
see animals in their habitat, so keep your eyes open while hiking, canoeing, and exploring.
While the eagles and crocodiles may be impressive, no animal in The Philippines is cuter than
the tarsier.
The smallest of the primate family, these tennis ball-sized critters have been exploited
by the international pet trade for decades.
So if someone offers you a chance to hold one, say no.
To see them in their natural environment, check out the Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife
Sanctuary in Corella.
Here, you’ll be able to enjoy these creatures in their natural habitat.
And by the way, we still haven’t even touched on the marine wildlife.
For that and more, keep watching.
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Chocolate Hills
Scattered across the island of Bohol are the Chocolate Hills, a site that have baffled
geologists and delighted tourist for generations.
These limestone hills, the same rock that makes up the dramatic shoreline and the deep
lagoons, have weathered into stubby and rounded shapes that stretch as far as the eye can
see.
Numbering in the thousands, the Chocolate Hills are all quite short, with the tallest
barely higher than 90 feet.
Visiting in the end of the dry season, roughly around May or June, will let you view the
Hills covered in dry, brown, vegetation, so you can see how they got their name.
While climbing the Chocolate Hills is not allowed, visitors can climb to an official
observation deck to soak in the strange and frankly otherworldly sight.
Corregidor Island
The Philippines witnessed some brutal battles during World War II, and Corregidor Island
is an excellent place to explore the history of the conflict here and pay respects to the
fallen.
Accessible by Manila by ferry, Corregidor Island protected the entrance to Manila Bay
from warships.
Nowadays, ruins, memorials, and museums can be found here.
Visitors can tour the ruined barracks, the defensive walls, and the artillery pits around
the island.
There are museums to Filipino actions during WWII, a memorial to the soldiers of the Pacific
Theater, and a historic tunnel with a light and sound presentation as well, and they’re
all worth checking out.
And when you’ve had your fill of wartime history, check out the surrounding natural
environment to go bird watching or monkey-spotting.
Puerto Princessa Subterranean River National Park
There are some attractions that are more than just that, more than tourist sites to visit
and take some photos at.
The Puerto Princessa Subterranean River National Park is one such location.
It’s not just something to tick off an itinerary, it’s one of the New7Wonders of Nature, a
UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the best things to do in the Philippines.
True to its name, the Park features a 5.1-mile stretch of river that flows through a sprawling
cave system.
Visitors will board a small boat and float gently along the river, past stalactites and
-mites, through vast limestone caverns and bat roosts.
Outside of the cave, the rest of the park features diverse mountain, forest, and marine
biomes, and has a massive diversity of birdlife.
Banaue Rice Terraces
Cultivating rice in stepped terraces is an Asian agricultural technology with millennia
of history, and the Philippines has one of the most scenic terraces of all.
The Banaue Rice Terraces must be seen to be believed.
The layered rice terraces rise up to an incredible 5,000 feet and offer some of the most picturesque
views in the Philippines.
The Banaue Rice Terraces attract hikers and photographers alike, and exploring the trails
and walkways of the Terraces is sure to offer jaw-dropping view after view.
Local guides can be hired to take you to the best spots, and vehicles can be found to get
you around quicker.
Manila
The capital and second most populated city of the Philippines, Manila is a diverse and
varied city sure to give you experiences you won’t find anywhere else.
Founded in 1571, the city has centuries of history, plenty of cultures, and is exploding
with stories to tell.
We can’t do it justice in a small space, so here’s a brief guide to the highlights.
A trip to Manila is not complete without exploring the Walled City of Intramuros, the oldest
part of Manila, which still has the fortified Spanish walls of the first colonists.
There’s old-world architecture, and plenty of churches and museums to visit.
Manila will be the best place to immerse yourself in Filipino cuisine.
With plenty of markets, food tours, and street food vendors, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
Be sure to try the iconic chicken adobo, or the sweet delight of halo-halo.
And if you want to try something off the typical tourist track, then seek out an arnis school.
The traditional fighting style of the Philippines is also known as kali or escrima, and is a
fast paced and devastating martial art.
Soak in the fighting spirit by trying it out at an authentic school.
And finally, you can’t visit Manila and miss a trip or tour by Jeepny, an iconic local
vehicle.
These brightly decorated US Jeeps are part of the tourist experience and are a cheap
and fun way to get around.
Tabataha Reef National Marine Park
The underwater world of the Philippines is a diver’s paradise.
While the environment and biodiversity above water is great, it hardly compares to what
you’ll see beneath the waves.
As an archipelago, scuba and snorkeling opportunities are nearly everywhere, but the most legendary
is Tabataha Reef
Tabataha Reef is a spectacular and well-protected reef approximately 30 miles off the coast
of Palawan, which can only be reached by a 10-12 hour boat trip.
Its inaccessibility to “fin-traffic” and protected status mean that it is remarkably
unspoiled, although its dive slots are usually booked up months or years in advance.
Tabataha Reef has hundreds of species of tropical fish, half the coral species found in the
world, rare turtles, birdlife, a dozen dolphin and whale species, and a variety of sharks,
including whitetips, and tigers.
With the worldwide decline of other famous coral reefs, a place like Tabataha Reef shows
just how spectacular and worth protecting these unique natural places are.
Coron Palawan
When most picture the Philippines, its dramatic mountains rising from the sea, white sand
beaches, and crystal clear waters that come to mind.
All that and more can be found on Coron Palawan, which has some of the best things to do in
the Philippines.
The biggest draw to Coron Palawan must be the diving opportunities.
Numerous WWII Japanese shipwrecks and downed planes can be found, making for excellent
wreck diving opportunities.
If you’re not comfortable with a scuba tank, then the Lusong Gunboat can actually be seen
by snorkeling.
The rocky limestone foundation makes for some incredible lakes and lagoons, filling up slowly
with crystal clear filtered water.
Kayangan Lake is regarded as the clearest lake in Asia, and the water is so clean that
scuba divers and snorkellers can see all the way to the bottom.
Spend time exploring the waters, then climb to the nearby viewpoint for some amazing views.
If you were visiting the Philippines, where would you go?
How would you plan your trip to the islands?
Let us know in the comments below.
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