Philippines travel guide: where to go and practical information

White-sand beaches, a rich array of flora and fauna, high-energy cities, and a tropical climate are just some of the reasons the Philippines entices travellers. Add to that a rich heritage influenced by centuries of rule by Catholic Spain, a stint under the control of capitalist America, and diverse indigenous traditions, and you've got an irresistable holiday destination.

And with more than 7000 islands making up the country, you can choose to have an adventure hopping between them, or find one and fully wind down there for the duration of your holiday.

Here's our guide to some of the best things to see and do in the Philippines, plus practical information for visitors.

Manila

Skyscrapers, shanty towns, ridiculous traffic jams, and typhoons — Manila hasn’t always had the best reputation as a visitor destination. However, the capital of the Philippines has a much more appealing side, with historic sites, museums and galleries, extensive shopping opportunities, plenty of coffee shops, restaurants, bars, and nightlife, and much more.

A great place to start your exploration is in the historic centre of Manila, in the walled city known as Intramuros, where you can visit Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral, and many Spanish colonial churches and houses. Chinatown (Binondo) is another great part of the city to wander around.

Head to Ongpin Street, where you’ll encounter Chinese restaurants, shops selling jewellery, medicinal herbs and much more, and plenty of noise and movement. If you want to get away from the bustle, take a stroll in Rizal Park, Paco Park, or along the 2-kilometre-long Manila Baywalk, where you’ll find street performers and food vendors. It's a great place to visit at sunset.

Banaue Rice Terraces

Built about 2000 years ago, this network of irrigated rice terraces, around 1500 metres above sea level, makes up a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's a spectacular place with terraces carved like steps into the steep mountain slopes of central northern Luzon island. Amazingly, their creators, the Ifugao people, carved the terraces using little more than basic tools. Although some rice and vegetables still grow on the terraces, tourism is now a much more important industry there than agriculture, and it's a popular destination among visitors from around the world. You can escape to more remote terraces in nearby villages if the main viewpoints get too crowded.

Boracay

The tiny island of Boracay, off the tip of the much larger Panay, is many people's idea of paradise, with white-sand beaches, luxury resorts, cuisine from around the world, and watersports all within walking distance of each other. Much of this is concentrated around White Beach, the busiest part of the island, however there are less congested alternatives elsewhere, as well as more budget-friendly accommodation. Quieter stretches of sand include Puka Shell and Diniwid beaches, while for thrill-seekers, Bulabog Beach is a kitesurfing mecca.

Boracay became the victim of its own success — after it was named in several "best islands" lists, it attracted so many visitors that the impact on the environment led the Philippines government to close the island for six months to modernise the infrastructure in 2018. Today, there are strict limits on the number of visitors allowed onto the island each day. If you're visiting Boracay island, you will need to show proof you have a confirmed booking at an accredited hotel. The quickest and easiest way to travel to Boracay is to fly from Manila to Caticlan Airport, from where it's a 10-minute ferry journey to the island.

Palawan

The province of Palawan, in the west of the Philippines, consists of more than 1750 islands. It's a beautiful archipelago, full of forested mountains, rugged coastlines with turquoise coves and white-sand beaches, and fantastic wildlife. Palawan Island is the largest of the province's islands; at its northern end, the El Nido area is home to exquisite little islands including the Bacuits, with their karst outcrops and gorgeous stretches of sand. If you're travelling up there from the provincial capital, Puerto Princesa, you could spend a night or two near the beaches of Sabang, from where you can visit the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature). It's home to a 24-kilometre-long cave system that houses subterranean waterfalls, stunning rock formations, and a colony of bats. Most group tours include travelling in a small boat into the caves from the sea. North of Palawan Island, the Calamian Islands offer even more in the way of fine beaches. Coron Island is famed, especially among Filipino tourists, for its stunning rock formations, under which sit crystal-clear lakes, and bays such as Twin Lagoon, a popular stop on boat trips. You can swim between the two lagoons via a narrow cavern.

Cebu and Bohol

The central island of Cebu offers bustling, modern urban streets mixed with some great beach spots. Cebu City offers a mix of fascinating cultural sites (such as the Spanish-era Fort San Pedro, colonial churches, and several museums), plus a wide range of places to shop, eat, and organise onward travel. Head out to small islands like Olango, Bantayan, and Malapascua for some lovely white-sand beaches and scuba-diving opportunities.

A 2-hour ferry ride from Cebu City, the island of Bohol is full of Spanish colonial churches (many are currently being rebuilt following a devastating earthquake in 2013), while you can also spot tarsiers — a small primate with saucer-shaped eyes — at the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary. Bohol's main visitor attraction, however, is the Chocolate Hills, an otherworldly landscape of more than 1250 dome-shaped hills in the centre of the island. Unfortunately, they are not edible, but made from fossil-filled limestone, which is covered in grass that turns a chocolatey-brown in the dry season (generally January-May). There are several viewpoints, including the Chocolate Hills Complex in the town of Carmen, Sagbayan Peak, and the Chocolate Hills Adventure Park, where you can even ride a bike along a zipwire while looking out over the hills.

Mindanao

The Philippines' second-largest island has so much to attract visitors, including abundant wildlife, waterfalls, mountains, lakes, indigenous communities, and interesting urban centres like Zamboanga and Davao City. However, the threat of terrorism and insurgency has led the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office to advise against travel there (see the Practical Information below). One part of Mindanao province that is safe to visit, though, is the small island of Siargao, just off the northeast tip of the main island. It's considered the surf capital of the Philippines, particularly the resort of Cloud 9, and the rainier months of September to April have the best conditions, while the dry season is a good time for beginners to learn. Otherwise, there are plenty of other things to do, including kayaking, paddleboarding, cave swimming, hopping between tiny nearby islands, or just lazing on the sand or in a hammock.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Philippines entry requirements

UK passport holders can enter the Philippines without the need for a visa for up to 30 days. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry into the country. You can apply to stay longer with the Bureau of Immigration, but overstaying can lead to a fine and deportation.

Language

The Philippines has two official languages. The USA had sovereignty over the country for much of the first half of the 20th century, so English is widely spoken and written throughout the country. The other is Filipino, a standardised form of the regional Manila language Tagalog (there are actually many officially recognised regional languages still spoken throughout the islands). You'll notice that many place names and surnames are Spanish — Spain ruled the Philippines for around 350 years, until 1898.

Health, safety, and laws

To guard against consequenses of petty crime such as bag snatching and pickpocketing, leave important items in a hotel safe and don't display cash or jewellery; use a hidden money belt if you need to carry anything important. Always be aware of your surroundings and use reputable taxi services (consult your hotel). Take care in bars as drink spiking can occur, and don't get so drunk that you become vulnerable to crime and accidents.

You can check the latest FCO advice for the Philippines here.

Road safety and conditions can be poor in the Philippines, while travelling by ferry between islands can be risky due to overcrowding, storms (typhoons tend to occur from June to November), and the poor condition of equipment such as lifesaving gear — always check your mode of transport prior to boarding. If you are taking part in a tour or activity, check that the operator has the relevant licences, and make sure any equipment or transport is in good condition.

Consult a travel clinic or doctor at least eight weeks prior to departure to find out what vaccinations are recommended for travel to the Philippines. You can also find the latest information on the Travel Health Pro website. Ensure you take out travel insurance with adequate medical expense cover, prior to departure.

Breaking the law in the Philippines can lead to long prison sentences — even awaiting a court hearing can involve long-term detention. Possession of drugs, even small amounts, can lead to imprisonment. Prison conditions are considerably worse than in the UK. In short, keep it legal!

Further reading

Read our guide to the best time to visit the Philippines.
Official Philippines tourism website: itsmorefuninthephilippines.co.uk

Travelzoo's Ultimate Guide to Southeast Asia.

Check out our deals to Asia here.

Nick Elvin contributed to this post.