Sun, sea and the ‘love of the Filipino people’: Why you should visit the Philippines

The island paradise of the Philippines is an absolute must-visit destination if you’re seeking a diverse array of experiences.  

But where do you start on a Southeast Asian archipelago of more than 7,000 islands?

We recommend island hopping as you sample Filipino cuisine and immerse yourself in the country’s diverse traditions and festival celebrations. 

From diving into underwater worlds, taking in the diverse nature and exploring the many cultural cities, you'll find it all in what Christina Garcia Frasco, the secretary of tourism, describes as "a myriad of reasons to love the Philippines". 

For first-time visitors, Frasco recommends you acquaint yourself with the hop-on hop-off bus tour in Manila, the gateway to the Philippines, where you can get "a view into the history and heritage of Manila through the area of Intramuros,” which was once again declared Asia's leading tourist attraction for the year by the World Travel Awards

Then, you can head off and explore some of the award-winning and emerging islands, which are teeming with an incredible biodiversity of flora and fauna, as well as impressive natural attractions. 

On the popular island of Boracay, you’ll discover pristine palm tree-stretched, white sand coastline, which has undergone an environmental revival in recent years. 

Palawan, meanwhile, is something of an ecoparadise, with its coral-ringed inlets. Discover an array of protected marine and wildlife species in both the sand banks and mangrove forests. 

You can also visit Tubbataha Reef Marine Park, a remarkable biosphere reserve and coral reef which is one of the Philippines' oldest ecosystems and a UNESCO world heritage site. 

When you’re not hiking in the deep forests and witnessing waterfalls on the outskirts of Cebu, Frasco suggests you head to the city’s historical centre. "We pride ourselves in being the cradle of Christianity in Southeast Asia. You can immerse yourself in the beauty of our heritage churches," she says.

 For a quintessential trip that combines city and nature experiences, head to Bohol.

Located just a few hours by ferry from Cebu, Bohol is fast becoming a top spot for ecotourism, mainly thanks to its famed Chocolate Hills