A bucket list destination for many a traveller, the Philippines has natural wonders and urban delights in equal measure. On the one hand, you’ve got coral-fringed islets teeming with marine life and towering limestone cliffs of Coron and El Nido. On the other, UNESCO-listed sites and lip-smackingly good street food in megacities like Manila, Cebu, and Quezon City. So, without further ado, here’s a roundup of all the best things to do in the Philippines.
When’s the best time to visit the Philippines?
Before we get into discussing what you can actually do when you’re in the Philippines, it’s worth working out the best time to travel first.. As with many countries in the tropics, this island nation experiences a tropical maritime climate with three distinct seasons: the hot dry season (March to May), the rainy season (June to November), and the cool dry season (December to February).
The average annual temperature is around 26°C (79°F), ranging from 22°C (72°F) in the cooler months to around 28°C (82°F) in the warmer months. In terms of rainfall, you can expect the most of it during the months of July to September — and occasional typhoons too. We’d therefore recommend travelling here during the months of late November through late May, when the weather is at its most pleasant and you can expect the most sunshine. If you’re surfing however, you’ll need to come during April through to October. More on that later…
Hang on the Philippines' best beaches
The Philippines are famous the world over for their beaches — expect exquisite stretches of white sand lapped by turquoise waters, and secret coves just waiting to be discovered. While you can’t really go wrong here when it comes to places to bed down with a good book, we’d argue that Palawan is the star of the show.
Head to Long Beach at San Vicente — so called because it’s the country’s longest beach at a staggering 14km (9 mi) — or Hidden Beach — a protected clownfish haven that's only accessible by swimming through a narrow crevice. Add in having an icy cocktail or beer at Las Cabañas Beach — one of the region’s most picturesque spots — or the sweeping Nacpan Beach, and you can see why many claim that the Philippines has some of the best beaches on the planet.
Gaze in awe at the Banaue Rice Terraces
Sometimes called the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’, the Banaue Rice Terraces (part of a larger UNESCO-listed range of Philippines terraces) are one of those places that really have to be seen to be believed. Carved into the mountains of Banaue over 2,000 years ago by the ancestors of the Igorot people, they’re rumoured to cover a whopping 10,360km2 (4,000 square mi). In terms of length, that’s roughly half the earth’s circumference — pretty impressive when you think that they were constructed entirely by hand.
A photographer’s dream, they’re situated high up in the mountains, around a nine or so hour drive away from the capital Manila. Well worth the trek if you ask us…
Cruise Puerto Princesa’s Underground River
From one wonder to another — this time holding the title of being one of the ‘New Seven Wonders of Nature’ — the Puerta Princesa Subterranean River is an absolute must when you’re exploring the island of Palawan. It’s one of the world’s longest underground rivers and boasts everything from imposing limestone cliffs and ancient forests to impressive cave formations — not to mention pristine bluey-green waters.
You can visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site on a guided boat tour — keep your eyes peeled for swifts, bats, monitor lizards, and mischievous macaque monkeys in the surrounding rainforest. Just keep an eye on your valuables!
See the river for yourself on: Best of the Philippines
Sample all kinds of Filipino street food
Filipino street food has got a reputation for being absolutely delicious — and we’re not going to argue with that. The bustling streets of cities like Manila and Cebu — and even small towns too — are full to the brim with all manner of delectable delights, particularly when night sets in.
Highlights include kikiam — meat rolls wrapped in crispy bean curd skin — tokneneng — deep-fried quail eggs coated in orange batter — and siomai — mouthwatering savoury dumplings. Plus, if you’re feeling particularly brave and adventurous, don’t miss out on trying a balut — a fertilized duck egg that’s considered a Filipino delicacy.
Visit the oldest church in the Philippines
Billed as the oldest stone church in the Philippines, the San Agustin Church dates all the way back to the late 16th century, and was the only building to survive the World War II bombing of Manila’s Intramuros district. It’s a magnificent spot decked out with frescoes, paintings, statues, and church ornaments — not to mention the photogenic Trompe-l'oeil ceiling too.
A working Roman Catholic church, it’s closed to non-worshippers during mass, though you’re able to visit at other times of the day. Don’t miss a visit to the accompanying museum, which gives you an insight into the building’s fascinating 400+-year history.
Snorkel El Nido’s vibrant coral reefs
As mentioned, El Nido has certainly got the beaches — but it’s also got some world-class snorkelling and some of the best diving in the Philippines. There are countless spots where you can don a mask, fins, and a snorkel — though some of our favourite spots include Secret Lagoon, Small Lagoon, and Paradise Beach.
The seas here boast an extraordinarily prolific amount of marine life — 800 different species in fact — so you can expect to see colourful fish, a plethora of corals, and maybe even a turtle if you’re lucky. Even better than El Nido is the Sulu Sea on the way to paradisiacal Coron — keep your eyes peeled for rays, dolphins, and maybe even a whale shark if luck is on your side.
Snorkel the Sulu Sea on: Epic Philippines: Island Hopping Adventure
Go on a walking tour of the capital Manila
Speaking of Intramuros — which literally translates to ‘within the walls’ — the best way to explore it is via a walking tour with a local Filipino guide. It’s the city’s oldest district, dating all the way back to the 16th century — and was once the seat of the Spanish Empire within the Philippines. It’s a charming place awash with ornate landmarks including Fort Santiago — a large stone gate with a shrine to national hero José Rizal — and the beautiful Manila Cathedral.
Once feared by Spain’s enemies as the only true European powerhouse in the whole of Asia, the area was sadly bombed during the Battle of Manila in the closing days of World War II. Many buildings have been rebuilt since, but a walk through the district is a real step back in time to the days of the war and beyond.
Step back in time on: Manila and Palawan: Jungle Trekking, Local Eats & Epic Beaches
Hang ten on Siargao’s epic waves
From one water-based activity to another now. While snorkelling and diving is the go-to activity in Palawan — surfing is the thing to do in Siargao. Synonymous with palm-covered hills, friendly locals, and some pretty epic waves, this tear-dropped shaped island is located around 196km (315 mi) southeast of Tacloban — and it’s well worth a visit.
The place to go to test your balance on a board is ‘Cloud 9’ — a world-famous spot known for its fast-barreling right-hand waves breaking over the reef that can reach up to 1.82m (6 ft) high. Pretty rad if you ask us — particularly during the surf season (April to October). Of course, there’s more to this chilled out spot than just surfing — it’s also home to the largest mangroves in the Philippines as well as serene rock pools, sand bars, and an overall laidback vibe.
Discover Bohol’s unique Chocolate Hills
Around 100km (62 mi) directly to the west of Siargao lies the island of Bohol — famous for its unique Chocolate Hills. There are thought to be over 1,700 of these extraordinary conical-shaped hills — which are actually made up of grass-covered limestone — covering a distance of more than 50km2 (20 sq mi). The tallest reaches an impressive 120m (390 ft) in height, and the panoramic views from atop both Sagbayan Peak and the government-owned Chocolate Hills Complex are well worth the effort to get here.
Another major draw to Bohol is the chance to meet the world’s smallest primate — the endangered Philippine tarsier — which has the largest eye-to-body size proportion of any mammal in the world. The best place to see them is at the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, where over 100 of these little guys hang out in the tree canopy.
See Iwahig’s fireflies light up the night sky
This nighttime experience is arguably one of Palawan’s biggest draws. As the sun sets, you’ll hop aboard a boat and paddle out into the labyrinthine mangroves that surround Puerto Princesa. Once darkness falls, you’ll get the chance to see thousands of fireflies illuminate the night sky like a Christmas tree — not to mention the stars too. A fairly magical experience if you ask us.
Soak up the views from Mount Tapyas
If you’re looking for the best spot to see the sun setting in Coron, then Mount Tapyas is your best bet. The summit of the mountain is around 210m (689 ft) tall and reached via a hefty 734 steps — but trust us, the views from up here are well worth the trek! You’ll get to see Coron Town down far below and the islands of Baquit and Uson — and pose in front of the ‘Coron’ sign — just like Hollywood, right?!
Hike to the summit on: Philippines Island Hopping: El Nido, Coron & Beach Bonfires
Island hop around Port Barton
Set equidistant between El Nido and Puerto Princesa lies Port Barton — a relaxed beach town renowned for its delicious seafood, scenic beaches, and overall chilled out vibes. It’s also a fantastic spot to go snorkelling, and the islands just offshore hide all manner of hidden treasures.
The best way to see them is aboard an island-hopping boat tour that takes you to hidden coves, Robinson Crusoe-type islands, and a shallow sandbar which is home to multiple chocolate chip starfish. Perhaps the biggest draw though is the chance to see hawksbill and green turtles munching their way through carpets of sea grass on the ocean floor — an experience you won’t forget in a hurry.
Hang out with turtles on: Philippines Express
Enjoy a cooking class with locals at Sibaltan
Take a step back in time at the Sibaltan Heritage Area, a cultural landmark designed to celebrate the rich history of the Cuyonon people past and present. You’ll get to meet the local community who live here, learn all about their traditions — including artisan weaving and cultural dance — before jumping into a hands-on cooking class with Cuyonon women. The best part of all is that post-demonstration you’ll tuck into all the goods — and who doesn’t like a full belly?
Witness Sagada’s hanging coffins
The mist-shrouded village of Sagada on the island of Luzon is a mystical place famed for its scenic mountain valleys and limestone caves. But one of the most intriguing things to see here are the ‘hanging coffins’ of Echo Valley and nearby Burial Cave. They mark the death rituals of the indigenous Igorot people, who have buried their dead in coffins hanging off lofty limestone cliffs for over two millennia.
It’s an impressive sight that can only be seen with a local guide, who will also give you insight into the fascinating history of the Igorot. If you’re into hiking, there are also plenty of opportunities for that in the surrounding region. Our top picks would be the walk to the gushing Bomod-ok Falls or the climb up the mighty Mount Amuyao soaring high above the clouds.
