An exciting tropical archipelago of over 7,000 islands, the Philippines offer something for everyone. The beautiful white-sand beaches and the clear blue sea offer excellent opportunities for diving, snorkeling and other water sports activities in the Philippines, while the great variety of colorful local cultures and interesting history add their share to the attractiveness of this Southeast Asian country. Philippines are also rich and diverse in nature and home to many natural wonders like volcanoes, waterfalls, caves, rainforests and a fascinating underwater world.
Manila is the capital of Philippines and a centre of culture and business with excellent opportunities for entertainment and shopping. The city is exceptionally rich in history and has many interesting Spanish-style sites for sightseeing, as well as a vibrant nightlife. Another popular tourism destination, Baguio is the summer capital of the Philippines. It is one of the greenest cities in the Philippines and a favorite destination for those interested in horseback riding, golf, and other outdoor activities.
Underwater paradise. One of the best scuba diving regions in the world, the Philippines are home to rich coral reefs with colorful marine life. The Visayas Islands in Central Philippines are a paradise for divers. The tropical islands of Palawan have exceptional natural beauty with excellent dive sites, white beaches, sheltered bays and underground rivers. The islands are also an outdoor adventure wonderland with jungles, mountains, magical lakes, and rich flora and fauna just waiting to be explored.
Beach & dive destinations. Another diving destination in the Philippines, Puerto Galera on the island of Mindoro is home to long white beaches by the clean and turquoise waters of the South China sea. The area offers excellent opportunities for snorkeling, boating, surfing, swimming and other water sports activities. The tiny island of Boracay is renowned for its excellent beaches and spas, as well as possibilities for windsurfing and diving, and has recently become one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Philippines.
How to get there. Most foreign visitors to the Philippines arrive by plane in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila which receives flights to Philippines from all over the world. There are international airports also in Cebu, Davao, Kalibo, Laoag, Subic and Zamboanga.
Getting around. As a large archipelago, the Philippines has an excellent network of cheap domestic flights between the major cities, as well as ferries between the islands.
Lively, green cities and white beaches in the Philippines
The Philippines are a vast archipelago located between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea in Southeast Asia. The country consists of more than 7,000 islands. The Philippine landscape consists mostly of rugged mountains with some coastal lowlands.Manila is the capital of Philippines and a centre of culture and business with excellent opportunities for entertainment and shopping. The city is exceptionally rich in history and has many interesting Spanish-style sites for sightseeing, as well as a vibrant nightlife. Another popular tourism destination, Baguio is the summer capital of the Philippines. It is one of the greenest cities in the Philippines and a favorite destination for those interested in horseback riding, golf, and other outdoor activities.
Underwater paradise. One of the best scuba diving regions in the world, the Philippines are home to rich coral reefs with colorful marine life. The Visayas Islands in Central Philippines are a paradise for divers. The tropical islands of Palawan have exceptional natural beauty with excellent dive sites, white beaches, sheltered bays and underground rivers. The islands are also an outdoor adventure wonderland with jungles, mountains, magical lakes, and rich flora and fauna just waiting to be explored.
Beach & dive destinations. Another diving destination in the Philippines, Puerto Galera on the island of Mindoro is home to long white beaches by the clean and turquoise waters of the South China sea. The area offers excellent opportunities for snorkeling, boating, surfing, swimming and other water sports activities. The tiny island of Boracay is renowned for its excellent beaches and spas, as well as possibilities for windsurfing and diving, and has recently become one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Philippines.
Practical information for your trip to Philippines
The Philippines have a hot and humid tropical marine climate with warm summers lasting from March to May, and a rainy season from June to October with occasional typhoons causing damage to the islands. The best time to visit the Philippines is from December to May when the weather is warm and dry and ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities.How to get there. Most foreign visitors to the Philippines arrive by plane in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila which receives flights to Philippines from all over the world. There are international airports also in Cebu, Davao, Kalibo, Laoag, Subic and Zamboanga.
Getting around. As a large archipelago, the Philippines has an excellent network of cheap domestic flights between the major cities, as well as ferries between the islands.
Photo: ~MVI~, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
Highways and roads connect the major cities in the Philippines and there is an excellent network of long-distance buses. Ferry trips between the islands are usually slow and ferries can be overcrowded. The 20-seated jeepneys are the most popular and affordable way to get around in the Philippine cities, and there are even some long distance jeepneys.
Visitor services. The Philippines host a good selection of hotels, restaurants and facilities for tourists, suitable for all budgets. The nightlife in the Philippines is concentrated in the capital Manila. English is spoken by many Filipinos.
Safety. Due to the unstable political and security situation in the Philippines, visitors are advised to exercise caution especially in crowded places and to avoid demonstrations. Mindanao and Sulu Islands in the south of the Philippines are the most restless areas and should be avoided. Traveling alone or after dark is not advisable in the large cities. Natural disasters like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and typhoons are not rare in the Philippines.
History and culture of the Philippines
The Philippines has a colorful, fascinating history. The islands have been inhabited for 50,000 years with Negritos being the aboriginal people in the area. Philippines became a Spanish colony in the 16th century and an American colony from 1898. In 1942 the Philippines were under Japanese occupation for a short time. The country gained independence after the World War II in 1946. After the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos in the 1970s and 1980s, the Philippines have returned to democracy, but still face difficult economic and political challenges.Filipino culture. The hospitable and warm Filipinos are a mixture of many ethnic groups. Introduced by the Spaniards, Catholicism is still an important part of life in the Philippines and there are numerous big cathedrals and picturesque chapels in the country. The restless southern islands of the Philippines are predominantly Muslim areas. Numerous festivals with parades, bands and dancing are organized in the Philippines. As a result of the long Spanish rule, the culture in the Philippines has been influenced by the Hispanic culture, and music and colorful and traditional festivals play an important role in the society.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Baguio City
