Asia
More than 7,000 islands of limestone lagoons, white-sand beaches, ancient rice terraces, Spanish-colonial towns and the friendliest people in Asia.
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0
The Philippines is an archipelago of more than 7,600 islands in South-East Asia, and about 116 million people live on the largest handful. Its geography is spectacular: the country sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, with active volcanoes such as Mayon, jagged limestone cliffs rising from turquoise lagoons, and coral reefs that are among the richest on the planet. It has an unusually long history of outside influence, from Spanish colonisation lasting more than three centuries to American rule, and a blend of Malay, Chinese, Spanish and American cultures makes it distinctive.
For visitors, island life is the draw: island hopping around Palawan's Bacuit Bay, snorkelling with sardines at Moalboal or whale sharks at Oslob, diving World War II wrecks in Coron, surfing at Siargao and beach-lounging at Boracay. On land, Bohol's Chocolate Hills, the Ifugao rice terraces of Banaue and Batad, Vigan's Spanish streets and Manila's walled city Intramuros add history and culture.
The Philippines is also very welcoming. English is an official language and widely spoken, the people are known for warmth and humour, and costs are low. The challenge is logistics: getting between islands involves flights, ferries and long drives, and typhoons can disrupt plans, so patience and flexibility are needed. The best time is the dry season from December to May.
Where to go
Ordered roughly by how strongly we would recommend each for a first visit. El Nido, Coron, Bohol and Cebu are the essentials; Boracay, Banaue and Manila add variety, and the others reward those with more time.
Palawan, western Philippines
A small Palawan town at the edge of Bacuit Bay, the base for island-hopping tours to the Big and Small Lagoons, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island and Nacpan Beach.
Don't miss Paddling a kayak through the narrow entrance of the Secret Lagoon into a hidden pool ringed by cliffs.
Explore Destination — El NidoPalawan, Calamian Islands
A base for the Calamian Islands, with world-class wreck diving, Kayangan and Barracuda Lakes, Twin Lagoon, Siete Pecados reef snorkelling and Maquinit hot springs.
Don't miss Swimming in the warm, glass-clear waters of Kayangan Lake, ringed by steep limestone cliffs.
Explore Destination — CoronCentral Visayas
A central Philippine island with the Chocolate Hills, Philippine tarsiers, Loboc River cruises, Baclayon church and the beaches and reefs of Panglao Island.
Don't miss The Chocolate Hills stretching to the horizon in the dry season, when the grass turns brown.
Explore Destination — BoholCentral Visayas
A long island and a city with Magellan's Cross and the Basilica del Santo Niño, plus Moalboal's sardine run, Kawasan Falls canyoneering, Oslob and Malapascua.
Don't miss Snorkelling in the middle of a swirling ball of millions of sardines at Moalboal.
Explore Destination — CebuAklan, Western Visayas
A 7-km island with White Beach, Puka Shell Beach, sunset paraw sailing, kitesurfing, and restaurants and nightlife, after a 2018 environmental clean-up.
Don't miss Watching the sails of the paraw boats glide across the water at sunset off White Beach.
Explore Destination — BoracayIfugao, northern Luzon
The Ifugao rice terraces, a UNESCO cultural landscape, with the Banaue viewpoint, the amphitheatre of Batad, Tappiya Falls, village trekking and Ifugao culture.
Don't miss The amphitheatre of Batad's terraces, seen from the viewpoint after a walk through the mountain.
Explore Destination — Banaue and BatadIlocos Sur, northern Luzon
A UNESCO-listed Spanish colonial town with Calle Crisologo, ancestral houses, calesa rides, the cathedral, pottery, and Ilocano food including empanada and longganisa.
Don't miss Riding a calesa along the cobbled Calle Crisologo lit by old-fashioned lamps at dusk.
Explore Destination — ViganMetro Manila, Luzon
The Philippine capital, with the walled city of Intramuros, San Agustin Church, Binondo Chinatown, Rizal Park, museums, malls and nightlife, and the gateway to the country.
Don't miss Walking the ramparts of Fort Santiago in Intramuros as the light softens over the old walled city.
Explore Destination — ManilaSurigao del Norte, north-eastern Mindanao
A laid-back island with the Cloud 9 surf break, the Sugba and Magpupungko lagoons and rock pools, Naked Island, Sohoton Cove and a growing café and yoga scene.
Don't miss Watching surfers ride the tubing waves of Cloud 9 from the boardwalk at sunrise.
Explore Destination — SiargaoPalawan, western Philippines
Palawan's gateway city, and the base for the UNESCO-listed Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, plus Honda Bay island hopping, firefly watching and city tours.
Don't miss Paddling in near darkness through the vast chambers of the Puerto Princesa Underground River, lit only by your guide's lamp.
Explore Destination — Puerto Princesa and the Underground RiverExperiences
The experiences that recur across the country and make a Philippine trip feel like one.
Moalboal's sardine run is one of the world's great snorkelling sights, and Oslob is famous for whale shark encounters. See Cebu.
Tip Choose responsible operators and keep your distance from animals.
Coron Bay holds a fleet of Japanese ships sunk in 1944, now home to coral and fish. See Coron.
Tip Book dives with a certified centre.
The Ifugao terraces of Banaue and Batad, carved into the mountains some 2,000 years ago, are a UNESCO site. See Banaue and Batad.
Tip Allow at least two days.
Cloud 9 is one of Asia's best surf breaks, and the island has a laid-back scene. See Siargao.
Tip Take a lesson if you are new.
The brightly decorated jeepney, converted from American military jeeps, is the classic Filipino public transport.
Tip Pass your fare forward, and say 'para' to stop.
Food and drink
Filipino food is savoury, sour and sweet at once, built on vinegar, soy sauce, garlic and coconut, and served family style with rice.
Chicken or pork braised in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic and bay leaf, often called the national dish.
Where to try it Everywhere, at home-style restaurants.
A sour tamarind soup with pork, shrimp or fish and vegetables, comforting and tangy.
Where to try it Family restaurants.
A whole pig roasted over charcoal until the skin is crisp, the centrepiece of fiestas. Cebu's is stuffed with lemongrass.
Where to try it Cebu lechon houses.
A dessert of shaved ice, sweet beans, fruit, jelly, ube ice cream and leche flan, a favourite in the heat.
Where to try it Cafés and street stalls everywhere.
Sweet Philippine mangoes, and calamansi, a small citrus, squeezed into drinks and sauces.
Where to try it Markets.
Before you go
The essentials, current for 2026. The Philippines is easy and friendly, though inter-island travel and weather need planning.
Excludes international flights. Figures are typical rather than absolute — cities and peak season run higher.
When to go
The Philippines has a dry season from roughly December to May and a wet, typhoon-prone season from June to November.
Cool, dry and sunny, with the best weather for most islands. Busy around Christmas and New Year.
Hot and dry, ideal for beaches and diving. Temperatures can top 35°C.
The rainy season begins, with wind and showers, though prices drop. Siargao's surf peaks from August.
Peak typhoon season, with cancelled flights and ferries, especially in the northern and central islands.
Worth planning around: September to November for typhoons, and Holy Week for crowds.
Trip length
The Philippines is spread out, and internal travel takes time. Two weeks covers two or three regions, and a week is best kept to one region.
Getting around
Domestic flights are the fastest way between islands, ferries are cheaper but slower, and local transport is a mix of jeepneys, tricycles and vans.
Sample route
Manila, Palawan, Cebu and Bohol, with flights and ferries. Covers six of the ten destinations in this guide.
Culture
Filipinos are warm, hospitable and family-centred, with a strong sense of community and a love of singing, food and fiestas. Smooth relations matter, and confrontation is avoided. Catholicism is central to daily life.
A smile, a friendly hello and 'po' or 'opo' to elders show respect.
Raising your voice loses face. Stay calm and polite when things go wrong.
Refusing food can offend. Try a little of what is offered.
In homes, take off your shoes at the door.
Cover shoulders and knees when visiting.
Mano, touching an elder's hand to your forehead, is a traditional gesture of respect.
Travel tips
The things that most often catch visitors out in the Philippines, several of which are specific to how the country works.
FAQ
Popular tourist areas are generally safe, with normal precautions against petty theft. Avoid areas covered by government warnings, notably parts of Mindanao.
Twelve to sixteen days for a first trip, covering two or three regions.
December to May, when it is dry. Avoid September to November for typhoons.
Many nationalities can enter visa-free for 30 days, with an onward ticket and eTravel registration. Check current rules.
Yes. It is an official language and most people in tourism speak it well.
No. It is good value, though island tours and domestic flights add up.
The full travel guide covers routes, budgets, regional differences and how to string these ten destinations into a trip that actually works.
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