Philippines travel guide

The Philippines has long been overlooked by tourists, but its turquoise waters, well preserved colonial towns, thriving reefs and indigenous culture rival that of any other country in Southeast Asia. With over 7,000 islands, it’s difficult to know where to start, but our Philippines travel guide picks out our top island highlights, from cities to beaches, food to adventure, to help you plan your Philippines holiday.

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Philippines travel guide

The vast Philippines archipelago acts as gatekeeper between the Pacific and the South China Sea, sitting squarely on trading routes used by Chinese, Indians, Malaysians, Arabs, Austronesians and more, many of whom settled here throughout centuries. When the Philippines became part of the Spanish Empire in the 1600s, further links were established with the Americas. Catholicism dominated, cities and residents took on Spanish names and Filipino cuisine was given a Latino twist. Even its name, Filipinas, came from King Felipe II.

The Philippines’ isolated location means it is ignored by Southeast Asia’s tourist crowds, but with its coral reefs, traditional culture and stunning beaches, that won’t be the case much longer.

Organised holidays to the Philippines make navigating between islands simple. Hike around natural amphitheatres created by ancient rice terraces, and meet the villagers whose ancestors created them centuries ago. Take a bamboo bike tour around Manila’s historic walled centre, and cruise between islets on a snorkel safari, which lets you float over shallow, colourful reefs. Our Philippines travel guide reveals just why it’s worth flying just that bit further, to explore this fascinating, multicultural archipelago.

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The Philippines is...

the same size as Italy (by land area), but it has the fifth longest coastline in the world.

The Philippines isn’t...

dangerous. Like many countries, it has its shady areas – but with over 7,600 islands, it’s certainly not difficult to get well away from them.

Things to do in the Philippines...

The Philippines is within the Coral Triangle – a hyper biodiverse marine region supporting over 600 species of coral, 2,000 species of reef fish, and six species of sea turtles. It’s not surprising, therefore, that most tours do their best to get you out swimming, snorkelling and occasionally scuba diving with this incredible wealth of marine life. Snorkel safari holidays are dedicated trips that take you out on the water most days, to sites shallow enough to be viewed from the surface. Sadly, overfishing, climate change and marine pollution are taking their toll; responsible tours can support more sustainable livelihoods for local people and generate funds for conservation. Filipino culture is rather hard to pin down, scattered as it is across thousands of islands. There are some 175 ethnic groups here, each with their own language and customs, in additions to the various communities from China, Japan, India and beyond. For an insight into Ifugao culture, head to the 2,000-year-old, UNESCO-listed rice terraces of northern Luzon, where traditional lifestyles prevail. Take lunch in a farming village and learn how and why the Ifagao wrap the bones of their ancestors in colourful handmade blankets. Nearby, in Sagada, the Kankanaey people ‘bury’ their dead in coffins hung from the steep rock faces of Echo Valley. In Tinglayan, meet the Kalinga people, whose women are renowned for their arm and chest tattoos created with age-old tools: a thorn, soot and a bamboo hammer.

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Things not to do in the Philippines...

Expect typical Asian food. Those accustomed to green curries, pho and sushi will be in for a shock in the Philippines. Longganisa (a chorizo-style sausage), lechón (spit roast suckling pig), cocido (a meat, sausage and veg stew) and leche flan dessert wouldn’t look out of place on a Spanish dining table, and while the de facto national dish of chicken or pork adobo does use soy sauce, the key flavours are garlic and vinegar. Rice is ubiquitous though and you’ll come across noodles, spring rolls and pineapple-sweetened pork, and lots of street food deep fried in batter. You might want to give the balut a miss however – it’s a boiled egg with a duck or chicken embryo inside. Avoid the towns and cities. Manila may not have the loveliest reputation, but guided tours reveal the walled historic centre, food markets, street art, contemporary galleries and excellent museums, and give a great insight into modern Filipino life. In Taal Heritage Town, you’ll find the largest church in Southeast Asia, plus beautifully preserved ‘ancestral houses’ dating back to the 19th century. Within the majestic rooms you’ll find Art Nouveau wallpaper, hand pressed tin ceiling tiles and intricately carved four poster beds. In Palawan, meanwhile, Puerto Princesa is said to be the Philippines’ cleanest and greenest city. Its museum reveals the history and culture of Palawan and the Cuyonon people. The Philippines is renowned for its stunning coastlines, but don’t spend all your time languishing on the powder-soft sand. The archipelago’s rural interiors offer the chance to meet small farming communities, and hike across rice terraces, the rewards for the steep hike being the stunning views of surrounding peaks thanks to the natural ‘amphitheatre’ created by the terraces.

Philippines travel guide