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In Southeast Asia, the Philippines has long been a popular travel destination, and there are many reasons to travel to the Philippines. Nevertheless, the island nation is not yet so heavily visited that tourists come in droves. The country with its 7641 islands is incredibly diverse and offers something for every traveler who would like to visit one of Asia’s exotic countries.
Our 10 Reasons Why the Philippines Should Be Your Next Vacation Destination
Why is the Philippines worth a trip? The answer is diverse: white beaches, dreamlike water, impressive landscapes, and interesting flora and fauna. What impressed us most and stayed in our memories were the encounters with the people, whether in the capital, Manila, or on a remote dream beach on Palawan.
The country’s slogan, It’s more fun in the Philippines, definitely does not disappoint. We also had tons of fun and a wonderful time.
1. Fantastic White Sand Beaches
What the Philippines are very well known for, and what we are huge fans of, are the postcard motifs with white beaches complemented by clear, turquoise water. One of the whitest beaches we have ever seen was White Beach on Boracay, whose name absolutely speaks for itself. Many of the other beaches on Boracay were just as fantastic!
But the beaches we saw on the island of Palawan are not really any less beautiful. We experienced the most stunning ones on our El Nido island hopping tour, and the so-called German Island near Port Barton was also a highlight. And that is by far not all: Linapacan (still very unknown and a real insider tip), Coron, Kalanggaman Island, and the beaches on Siquijor are all worth a visit.
The list could go on forever, but you surely understand why this is our first reason for a trip to the Philippines. Whether well-visited mainstream beaches or true Robinson Crusoe paradises. Every beach fan definitely gets their money’s worth!
2. Fascinating Underwater World
The Philippines consists of 7641 islands, which means there is also plenty of water and many attractive diving areas. For many, this is one of the best reasons to travel to the Philippines. The underwater world really has a lot to offer. Whale sharks in Oslob, thresher sharks in Malapascua, the shipwreck near Palawan and Coron, or a stunning reef at Apo Island.
To discover the colorful underwater world, you do not necessarily have to go diving, even though it is very popular in the Philippines. You can just as easily observe many of the ocean’s inhabitants while snorkeling. At the very least, this is something that should not be missing on any trip to the Philippines.
3. Not Yet Mass Tourism
Apart from the Philippine island of Boracay, which was also quite busy during our stay, the country has not yet been taken over by mass tourism. The Philippines do not receive nearly as many visitors as, for example, a destination like Thailand. Even well-known and popular places such as El Nido on Palawan, Bohol, or the island of Cebu are never completely overcrowded, at least not in the low season.
Even though tourist numbers in the Philippines increased before the pandemic, you can still find many authentic places that are far from overrun. A good example would be Port Barton. On our trip, we were surprised by the small, quiet fishing village, and it turned out to be one of the highlights. Getting there was quite an adventure back then, but still manageable and worth the effort. You can still find many places like this in the Philippines.
4. No Language Barrier
Another one of the reasons to travel to the Philippines: While you can, of course, get by with English in many places and in most countries in Southeast Asia, the Philippines really stand out. Here almost everyone speaks very good English and is easy to understand, so there are no language barriers (at least if you speak English yourself).
In other countries, such as Myanmar or Laos, for example, you often have to use your hands and feet to communicate. Of course, that is just a saying, but communication can definitely be more difficult. Even in well-visited Thailand, English is spoken in many places, but by no means as well as in the Philippines. In our opinion, this is an absolute plus and makes traveling very pleasant and straightforward.
5. Affordable Travel Destination
It may be that the Philippines are not the absolute cheapest travel destination. It depends on what you compare them to. Compared to Europe, it is, of course, very inexpensive. Compared to Thailand, it is a bit cheaper, and compared to Indonesia, it may be on the same level or sometimes a little more expensive. This always depends heavily on the specific place.
Nevertheless, it is generally inexpensive to travel in the Philippines. Accommodation and transportation within the country (whether domestic flights, buses, or ferries) are all very affordable. Tours and food also do not cost a fortune in most areas. Fun fact: We once went to a hairdresser on Boracay who charged a whopping 50 pesos, which is less than 1 euro! In touristy places like Boracay or El Nido, prices can now sometimes be higher. Quite a bit has changed in recent years, but overall you can still travel on a small budget.
6. Interesting Wildlife
In addition to the underwater world with thresher sharks, whale sharks, dolphins, and other fish, there are a few other exotic animals to see in the Philippines. These include fellow species such as snakes and other reptiles, as well as geckos, the Philippine eagle, and the absolutely cute and popular tarsiers.
Bohol has a lot to offer, but many people visit the island specifically because of the tarsiers that live there. These little creatures, also called tarsiers, have dense fur and big eyes. Tarsiers (no larger than the palm of your hand) usually stay in trees and are nocturnal. You are welcome to look at them, but you should be considerate and not disturb them.
7. Varied Landscapes
The Philippines are often associated first and foremost with white sandy beaches, but there is so much more to see. We are thinking of the lagoons and limestone cliffs in Palawan, the Chocolate Hills on Bohol, or the rice terraces in Banaue.
If you visit some of the many islands, you will discover many more landscapes and fascinating nature. There are, for example, Mount Mayon volcano in Legazpi as well as various waterfalls and limestone caves. Nature lovers will also find many reasons to travel to the Philippines and will definitely get their money’s worth.
8. Friendly and Polite Locals
Filipinos are very religious, friendly, and polite people. You will often notice this first by the fact that they address you as “Sir” or “Madam”. They always have a smile on their face, are happy to help, and are simply wonderful hosts.
On our trip to the Philippines, we always felt safe, and unlike in some other countries, nobody really tried to rip us off. Overall, we had a great time. It is not a fake friendliness but a very genuine one. There are always a few bad apples. That is the case everywhere, but we can only say good things about the locals based on our own experience.
Tip: If you would like to dive a bit deeper into the lives of Filipinos, community-based tourism projects are perfect for this. This means you get to know people who live together in communities, are happy to share their culture with you, and are sometimes found a little off the typical tourist trail. It is often also about ecotourism. This is sustainable tourism that does not rely on large crowds, protects the natural environment, and lives in harmony with it. A wonderful way to get to know the country and its people.
9. Historical Sites
Even though most people first think of white beaches, turquoise water, and at most rice terraces when they think of the Philippines, there are many historical sites in the country to discover. These include, for example, old Spanish fortresses such as Fuerza de Capul, Fuerza Punta Cruz, and more.
We should not forget the old town of Taal (Batangas) or downtown Manila with Intramuros. The latter was the seat of the Spanish colonial administration, enclosed by city walls, and is still very well preserved today. You should definitely not miss it during a stay in Manila.
10. A Different Kind of Southeast Asia
Many Southeast Asian countries (especially in Indochina) are similar in culture: temples, monks on their daily alms rounds, Buddha statues, and shrines. Although there is a strong contrast with countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei, the Philippines are still very different. In no other country in Asia will you find so many churches and Christian statues. So if you want to get a completely different cultural impression on your Southeast Asia trip, the Philippines are just right.
Our last visit to the Philippines was during Christmas time. Everywhere was festively decorated, and singing children roamed the streets. If you love Christmas and still do not want to miss out on warm weather during your winter vacation, this Christian-influenced island paradise is exactly the right place. Easter is also celebrated extensively. We thought it was very beautiful and it was a welcome change from the Buddhist- and Islamic-influenced countries of Asia.
Fun fact: The Philippines celebrates “the longest Christmas in the world.” Preparations already begin in September and decorations go up very early. Sometimes a bit kitschy, but always with a lot of love. We were also able to admire the many colorful Christmas decorations both in Manila and on the small islands.
How do you like the Philippines? What are good reasons for you to travel to the Philippines? We look forward to your comment.
Photos: Photo 2 (diver with whale shark): Adam Leaders/shutterstock.com – Photo 4 (tarsier): R.M. Nunes/shutterstock.com
