Philippines - The Pearl of the Orient Seas

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The Philippines is one of the world's most iconic tropical destinations, with over 7,641 islands to choose from. The country is blessed with white-sand beaches, pale blue seas, amazing corals, lagoons, mountains, rivers, rice terraces and volcanoes. Days can be spent exploring the diverse and sometimes challenging terrain, taking in cascading waterfalls and dramatic caves.

The country has a busy and exciting history, which has created a lot of world-famous landmarks. The culture around them is also impressive, including an interesting cuisine, famous nightlife and great music. The fine-sand beaches that fringe the Pacific Ocean have populated many an Instagram feed, and it won’t take you long to see why.

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Manila
Manila, Philippines

Manila has a certain ‘rough diamond’ quality about it. The Filipino capital can seem chaotic, with an eclectic mix of buildings that range from Spanish colonial styles to ultra-modern skyscrapers. 

The most Americanised of all Southeast Asian cities is a dynamic, charming and hugely cosmopolitan place, often visited by business and island-bound travellers. It’s a city of contrasts – gleaming shopping malls stand proudly next to slums, while street food vendors ply their wares outside 5-star hotels.

Boracay Island
Philippines

Boracay has an idyllic combination of sun, sand and sea for your holiday. Powdery white-sand beaches and tranquil turquoise water surround this paradise on earth. It also has a fantastic nightlife scene, so there’s something to enjoy at any hour of the day or night.Located in the West Visayas Region, Boracay is one of the islands of the province of Aklan, in the centre of the Philippines.Only about 7 km long and 1 km wide, the island has over 300 resorts and hotels ranging from budget to upscale.

 

Mactan Island
Philippines

Mactan Island lies across the Mactan Channel from Cebu City in the southeast of the Philippines. It’s a modern place but has retained its greenness and has some lovely sandy beaches and good diving spots off the neighbouring islets. Mactan has a long history with many stories, the most frequently told is about the Battle of Mactan in 1521, when Portuguese-born explorer Ferdinand Magellan was killed.

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Location

The Philippines is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Situated in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of about 7,641 islands that are categorized broadly under three main geographical divisions from north to south: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Transportation

There are lots of cheap options for traveling in the Philippines. For long distances on bigger islands, buses are your best choice. Taking the train is only possible on the northern island of Luzon. 

Jeepneys are the most popular mode of public transportation in the Philippines, they have also become a ubiquitous symbol of the Philippine culture.Another popular mode of public transportation in the country is the motorized tricycle; they are especially common in rural areas.

Languages Spoken

Filipino and English are the official languages of the Philippines, and the former is also the national language of the country.

Currency

The Philippine peso is the official currency of the Philippines. The colorful notes come in denominations of 10 (not common), 20, 50, 100, 200 (not common), 500, and 1,000. The peso is further divided into 100 centavos, however, you'll rarely deal with or encounter these fractional amounts.

Visas

Philippines visa requirements are fairly clear and easy to understand. The Philippines has a very good visa exemption policy. Visa are exempt for most nationalities for stays up to 30 days.

There are a handful of countries that need a pre-approved visa from the consulate. Visa rules for these countries are a bit strict. Financial proof or bank statements are mandatory. Visa can only be applied in the country of passport or legal residence.

Electricity

In the Philippines the power plugs and sockets are of type A(mainly used in North and Central America, China and Japan), B and C (also known as the standard "Euro" plug). The standard voltage is 220 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz.

 

Vaccinations

The PHAC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Philippines: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.

Emergency Calls

The national emergency telephone number for the Philippines is 911.

When to visit
Best time to visit the destination

The Philippines are most popular during the dry season, between November and April. At this time the country is fully accessible, including its many beautiful islands and more remote areas. Temperatures are high during March and April, so it’s best to travel during the cooler months of December to February. The wet season falls between May and October, but the rain isn’t constant and rarely impacts on travel plans. You’ll still enjoy hot, sunny days at this time, fewer crowds and lush, green scenery.

What to do?
Don’t miss to challenge your world

See the beauty of the Banaue rice terraces

Many people consider the Banaue Rice Terraces to be the “Eighth Wonder of the World” and it is easy to see why when you begin to look at their shear magnificence. The terraces are 2,000 years old and they were carved into the mountains of Lfugao with the use of very few tools. The terraces are still used today by the locals who plant their vegetables and rice there, as they are naturally irrigated by the surrounding rainforests.

Visit Puerto princesa subterranean river National Park

If you are looking to see something a little bit special then a trip to this National Park will leave you feeling that you have just seen something incredible. The area is protected and has a cave system that is incredibly complex. There is a river that flows through the caves for 8.2km before flowing directly into the sea. The Puerto Princesa Underground River has been declared as one of the Seven Wonders of Nature. You can go for a ride on a paddle boat which is an excellent way to see the river and learn about the rock formations as well as the thousands of bats that live there.

Go for a dive at Tubbataha reef

If you are into your diving then a dive at Tubbataha Reef is a must do! This glorious dive spot was discovered by divers in the 1970’s and has become famous for its incredible coral reefs. The location is quite remote and so you would need to go on a liveaboard boat to get to the location, but once you experience the underwater sights and large marine life the trip would have all been worth it. The dive season here is very short so make sure you go between the middle of March and the middle of June.

See the most famous waterfall - Pagsanjan falls

In the province of Laguna is perhaps the most famous waterfall in the country. It is a three tier waterfall that is reached by going on a river trip and most often a canoe. The falls are 91 meters high and once you have reached the top a skilled canoeist will take you back down the falls which go past 14 rapids. If a rapid ride is not your thing you can also hike up to the falls which will include two vertical ladders and 500 steps.

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FAQs about Philippines

Internet connection in Philippines?

Theoretically, wi-fi and 4G internet access is available in much of the Philippines. However, the reality is a different story. It's frequently not working, intermittent or very slow, especially in the provinces (Palawan being the poster child for dysfunctional wi-fi). That huge caveat aside, most hotels, cafes and restaurants in touristy areas and provincical centres provide free wi-fi. For smartphone users, local SIM cards with data (4G) are easy to purchase, and data is cheap at less than P50 per day.

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