Visit the Philippines for the Holidays

The Philippines is an island nation that comprises an archipelago in the western part of the Pacific Ocean. This country gained independence in 1946 from Spanish rule that lasted for more than 300 years. Now, the Republic of the Philippines is an active member of many prestigious global organizations, like the UN, WTO, ASEAN, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum, and East Asia Summit. It now utilizes its natural resources and is termed a megadiverse country, despite the threats of frequent typhoons and rise of sea level. Manila is the capital city of this country that is now known as a popular tourist destination.

How to Reach the Philippines

As the Philippines is a group of islands, there is no land route for traveling to this country. Hence, people need to buy flight tickets from reputed airlines to reach Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. Philippine Airlines is the flag carrier of this country, which is also the oldest commercial airline in Asia. Tourists can also buy air tickets from Cebu Pacific, Air China, Bangkok Airways, Cathay Pacific, Air India, Emirates, and Etihad Airways. Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu province is another busy airport in the Philippines where many international flights land with foreign tourists.

Geography

The archipelago of the Philippines consists of 7640 islands over an area of approximately 300,000 square kilometers, including the internal water bodies. This country is divided into three groups of islands, namely Luzon, Mindanao, and Visayas, based on their geographic features. This island nation has the Philippine Sea and Palau to its east, Taiwan to its northern border, the South China Sea to the west side, the islands of Borneo and Sulawesi to the southwest, and the Celebes Sea to its south. Mount Apo is the highest mountain peak of this country, which is a dormant volcano on Mindanao Island. Cagayan River is the largest river in the Philippines, in terms of length and volume of water. The capital city Manila is built on the bank of Manila Bay, which is a natural harbor.

Best Time to Visit

The peak tourist season for visiting the Philippines comprises the months from November to May, as this region experiences the least rainfall during this time. Temperature is also mild at this time, for which sightseeing is more convenient for tourists. However, it is advised to visit here at the end of November, to avoid sudden typhoons that often continue till the middle of this month.

Where to Stay

Tourists can book any hotel in Manila, where accommodation cost is much lower compared to many other cities in the world. Apart from luxury hotels, people can also choose the options of homestays, dormitories, pension houses, or motels, which are available at much cheaper prices. The hotels of other cities, like Cebu, Davao, and Quezon City, are more affordable than those in Manila.

Top Places to Visit in the Philippines

Boracay Island is a prime tourist attraction of the Philippines, as it contains 12 beautiful beaches including White Beach, Puka Shell Beach, Diniwid Beach, and Puka Beach. People can have an overall view of this island from Mount Luho, which is the highest peak on this island. Cebu is included in the tour itinerary, as it is the best place for thrilling water sports like snorkeling, diving, swimming underwater to get a view of coral reefs and other marine life. Tourists can visit Sudlon National Park, which is just an hour's ride from Cebu city center. They also visit the museum and cathedrals in Cebu city.

Bohol Island contains Chocolate Hills in Carmen city, which contains 1,200 geological features that are protected by UNESCO. These features turn brown in summer and look like chocolate, thus giving the name of this place. There is a small sanctuary that preserves Tarsier, which is a small nocturnal primate. Bohol Beach is also a great tourist attraction. Vigan is a city in the northern Philippines that holds high historical value. Tourists can have an aerial view of the city from the top of Bantay Bell Tower. They can ride a horse-drawn kalesa to have a view of old buildings constructed with a fusion of Spanish and Chinese architectural styles. St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral is a major tourist attraction of this city. Manila contains several tourist attractions, like Rizal Park, San Agustin Church, Quiapo Church and its adjacent market, and Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz. People enjoy sightseeing here in colorful jeepneys, which is the main mode of transport here.

Therefore, the journey to the Philippines can provide a close connection to nature and beautiful memories to be cherished for a lifetime.