I’ve visited Philippines in
late 2016 and got hooked. Stunning landscapes, friendly people and an insight
of a chilled and happier way of living makes me want to come back since then.

But what exactly about
the Philippines is so special? Why does it seem to be in the
bucket list of every traveler nowadays?

Well here are 29
reasons why you should visit the Philippines. And fast. You’ll
understand why. Let’s get started!

1.You can start having fun before getting
there.

Filipinos have a tremendous sense of humour and
that is clear even on the planes getting there. Cebu
Pacific’s games and quizzes while you’re mid-air were one of my most
interesting flights ever.

Sadly, I didn’t win
anything but these little details that make the slogan true: It’s more fun in
the Philippines!

2.You can swim with turtles.

Apo Island is a tiny island in the Negros province.
It’s known as one of the best marine sanctuary in the world and the underwater
life is incredible.

Apart from hundreds of
corals, starfish and colorful species of fish – including lots of Nemos – it’s
also a feeding place for giant sea tortoises.

Snorkel surrounded by
these fascinating animals, while they swim, eat and rise to the surface to
breathe was a-ma-zing. I can safely say was my #1 experience in the Philippines.

3.They are all about sustainable travel.

For my surprise, it
was easy to find sustainable businesses, from eco-diving companies and tours to
locally run home stays and restaurants. The concern with plastic waste in the
ocean is a big thing in places like El Nido where straws are
not served in bars and restaurants.

When it comes to
responsible travel and ecological concerns, the Philippines seem
to be one step ahead than its neighbours in Southeast Asia. They
have their waste problems as well but in a different scale and personally I
found this refreshing!

4.It’s a diving mecca.

With 2,800+ different
species of fish, 5,000+ species of clams and my other claims of a rich
underwater world, the Philippines are one of the best countries for
scuba diving in the entire world.

Best scuba diving spots in the Philippines

<!--[if !supportLists]-->-         
<!--[endif]-->Tubbataha Reefs National
Park: an Unesco World Heritage site that has a 100-metre perpendicular wall

<!--[if !supportLists]-->-         
<!--[endif]-->Balicasag Reef: tiny
island off the coast of Panglao

<!--[if !supportLists]-->-         
<!--[endif]-->Malapascua: where it’s
common to spot thresher sharks

<!--[if !supportLists]-->-         
<!--[endif]-->Apo: great corals and
a feeding spot for turtles

<!--[if !supportLists]-->-         
<!--[endif]-->Coron: rich underwater
life and many shipwrecks to explore.

5.The rice terraces are to die for.

This would look cool
on your Instagram gallery.

The Philippines might
be a wonder in terms of lagoons, beaches and volcanoes, but the natural
landscapes portfolio doesn’t end there.

The
2000-year-old Banaue’s rice terraces in Northern Luzón boast
towering stone constructions that can rise to nearly 3,000 metres. The place is
a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

6.Halo-Halo.

Whether you enjoy it
or not, there’s a traditionally Filipino dessert you absolutely need to
try. Halo-halo is a rather eclectic mix of shaved ice, syrup,
marshmallows, tubers, jelly and fruit. Definitely one of the most interesting food
combinations I’ve tried!

7.Siquijor.

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Many Filipinos believe
his little island in the Visayas archipelago is cursed and
filled with rites of black magic. Some even refuse to put their feet there.

Well I’m glad I did.
No bewitching to report and I feel blessed to have explored such an authenticplace.

The sunsets in San
Juan are out of this world, swimming in the Cambugahay Falls was
refreshing and I’ve even got to try a natural fish spa beneath a 400-year-old
tree. I’ve written about all these must visit spots in Siquijor.

If you’re planning to
go, take a look at my full Siquijor guide and itinerary.

Where to stay in Siquijor

It’s a quiet location,
but close enough to the town. The owners are mega friendly and you get
breakfast on your porch every morning. Loved this place so much we extended our
stay!

Siquijor is a small island but there are more choices. To make your
life easier, I’ve put together a shortlist of the top-rated hotels and resorts in
Siquijor, with WiFi included. Enjoy!

8. You can swim with whale sharks.

This is one of the
most popular bucket-list activities in the country and it’s easy to see why.
Swimming with the whale sharks in places like Donzol (Luzon island)
or Oslob (in Cebu) is a once in a lifetime
experience.

However, just because
you can do it, does not mean you should. Marine biologists and
animal-right group supports claim these activities disrupt the natural feeding
habits of these large animals and can even impact negatively their annual migration
routes. Worse, there have been reports of sharks being hit by boats and even
stupid people riding them.

That’s why I CHOSE not
to do it. Read more about the impact of these tours here.

9. The people are lovely.

When coming to the
Philippines, this is impossible to miss. Filipino people are one of the most
humble, helpful and kind you can find anywhere on the planet.

They’ll go the extra
mile to make you feel at home and will treat you with deep respect. Ah and a
big plus: their English is phenomenal, which leads me to my next point.

10. Communication is easy.

In a region where the
overall level of other languages is just decent at best, I was amazed by
knowing that more than 90% (!) of Filipinos can speak English. And pretty
amazing English, I would say.

Basically there is no
language barrier. This is good not only for first timers or “language-lazy”
travelers, but it makes sharing stories and experiences much easier and interesting
for everyone going there.

11. You can summit
volcanoes.

Located
in the Pacific Ring of Fire, it’s no surprise the Philippines have
a good dose of volcanos ready to be explored.

There
are some more than 30 hikeable volcanoes scattered across the nation, like
the Mount Pinatubo, Mount Mayon in Bicol or
the more off the beaten track Camiguin, in Mindanao. On
the way there you are sure to find lakes, caves and other amazing nature
landscapes.

12. It’s one of
those places where it’s all about the journey.

I
really like to live by this motto everywhere I go, but it never rang so true as
in the Philippines. Maybe because the country is still not very
well connected, the distances to cover are huge or most places are still very
remote.

This
can create some problems in the logistics but at the same time adds a whole new
layer of adventure and spontaneity to your trip. My favorite memory of Bohol is
to drive around the island in the motorbike through the paddy fields while
smiling back to random school children. The more you let yourself to adventure,
the more rewarding the experience will be.

13. It features
surreal landscapes.

With
an impressive set of landscapes – beaches, forests, caves and volcanoes and
much more – I’ve no doubt the Phils is one of most scenic
country in the world.

Perhaps
the most surreal scenery is find in the Chocolate Hills in the
island of Bohol. These 1,200+ individual same-sized hills range
from 30 to 50 meters in height and are covered in green grass (not chocolate,
sorry to disappoint!).

No
one really knows how these were formed, but they look awesome and definitely a
highlight of my time there. Bohol has a lot to offer but
visiting this was ticking off an item in the bucket list!

14. Jeepneys are
fun.

Jeepneys
are basically drag versions of public buses. The vehicles are actually remains
of the US army left behind after the Second World War that have been
individually decorated with crazy colors and slogans.

They
get incredibly crowded – you’ll most likely see people riding them on the roof
– they’re a great opportunity to chat with locals and explore the surroundings
like a local.

Also,
did you know a recent rule by the Government now DEMANDS they have a religion-inspired
quote on their back?

15. The beaches look
straight out from a travel magazine.

If
I ever stop blogging, you can find me here.

How
can I describe beaches in the Philippines? Humm… Heaven? Yes,
that’s it.

The
resort-packed beaches in Boracay, the pristine paradises in Panglao or
the exotic Nacpantwin beach in Palawan, considered one
of the top 10 in the world. With a total of 7,107 islands in the country, I’m
pretty sure there is a beach for every type of beach-bummer traveler in
the Philippines.

With
the exception of Alona Beach in Bohol – that
one was a disappointment –
prepare to dazzle with long stretches of soft light sand and vivid turquoise
warm waters. Huge palm trees complete the relaxing scenario. The beaches you
see in travel brochures are real there.

16. The smallest and
rarest primate in the world lives there.

Ever
heard of tarsiers? I hadn’t until my visit either. They’re small primates about
the size of a human fist (!) which only live in some Asian islands in Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippinesonly.
They are also one of the most endangered species worldwide, with only about 130
animals left in the wild.

Seeing
these adorable creatures is one of the most popular things to do in Bohol
island and a must if you’re an animal lover. They’re the
sweeter version of Gremlins!

17. The weather is
tropical warm.

While
the best time to go to the Philippines is between November and
May, the weather in the islands does not reach extremes.

Even
in the rainy season (June-October) there’s something about swimming in the sea
when it’s pouring. Oh and the water remains constant at 30°C.

18. There are many
festivals and parties to keep you busy.

You
won’t get bored in the Philippines. Locals know how to get fun and
there is a long list of festivals waiting for you to join the fiesta.

These
festivals usually involve grandious parades, flowers and colorful costumes and
is an opportunity for close insights with Filipino’s culture and traditions.
Here are some of the most popular fiestas.

Top Festivals in
the Philippines

• Ati-Atihan
  Festival @ Kalibo (January). Expect tribal
  dances, indigenous custumes and loads of drumbeats.


• Sinulog
  Festival, @ Cebu City (January). Colorful
  festival in honor of Sto Niño. 4 million people attend it!


• Dinagyang
  Festival @ Iloilo (January). Some say it’s
  the best in the entire country. Don’t miss the Kasadyahan Street
  Dancing contest!


• Panagbenga
  Festival, @ Baguio City (February). The Flower
  festival symbolizes the rise of Baguio from the city’s
  devastating earthquake disaster in 1990.


• Pahiyas
  Festival, @ Quezon (May). It’s celebrated in
  honor of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. Outside houses
  and buildings, fresh fruits and vegetables are placed to show gratitude.


• Kadayawan
  Festival, @ Davao City (August). Annual event
  to celebrate the harvest of Davao’s fruits, flowers, and farm
  produce


• MassKara Festival, @ Bacolod City (October).
  Street dancing, electronical displays and lots of street dancing.

19. Karaoke is a
national hobby.

Everywhere
in the Philippines you can unleash your singing skills in one
of the karaoke bars or shacks by the roadside. Beating the locals in their own
national sport might be trickier though.

I
personally don’t like karaoke at all, but hey, whatever makes you happy!

20. Palawan.

Big
Lagoon @ El Nido, Palawan.

Travel+Leisure considered Palawan the best island in the world.
Enough said.

Located
in the Western end of the Philippines, it has been getting a lot of
attention in recent years. From the unreal underwater life, the geological
formations in the Underground Riverand the tropical white sand
beaches with inspiring sunsets, there are things here to keep you busy for
weeks.

And
don’t get me started on El Nido. The limestone cliffs that rise
from the sea come in all shapes and sized and create picturesque lagoons and
coves to swim on.

Where to stay in
Palawan

Although things are
changing fast, don’t expect much luxury in Palawan and
definitely not in the small town of El Nido. To make your life
easier, I’ve put together a shortlist of the top-rated hotels and resorts in Palawan,
with WiFi included. Enjoy!

21. The food is good
value.

No,
the food in the Philippines is not memorable as in Thailand or Vietnam.
Not even close. But still very good value and an interesting blend of European,
Asian and American culinary tastes.

Fresh
fish, lobsters and fruit are something to look at. Mangoes in particular are
praised as the best in the world. They’re such a big thing that is illegal to
take mangoes from one state to another to avoid cross-pollination. And they’re
serious about it! In our journey to El Nido we got stopped by
a road block and asked if we were carrying any!

You
can find some delicious typical dishes in the islands.

Typical food from
the Philippines

• Adobo: available in most of the
  islands. The sauce with vinegar, soy sauce, garlic and pepper makes it
  hard to go wrong with anything. The more popular is with chicken, but I’ve
  seen the fish and vegetarian versions too.


• Pansi:
  noodles with meat and vegetables


• Sinigang:
  tamarind-based soup


• Balut: boiled egg with duck
  embryo inside – only for the brave ones!

22. It’s affordable.

While
not being dirt cheap like other places in Southeast Asia like Vietnam or
some places in Thailand, exploring the Philippines is
affordable.

You
can easily eat locally for less than 5USD. In some less touristy places, a
beach-front bungalow can start at 30USD. Renting a motorbike can be as little
as 8USD per day. It’s great value.

23. The snorkeling
is top-notch.

The Philippines may
be a beautiful country above water, but the underwater world is unlike
something I’ve never seen. I will never forget the first time we went for
snorkeling in Palawanand I put my face underwater and there it was:
a real-life aquarium in front of me.

We’ve
also met other travelers who’ve been to the Great Barrier Reef and said the
corals in the Philippines were a better experience. Bam!

24. You can swim in
some neat waterfalls.

Cambugahay
Falls @ Siquijor island.

The Philippines is
home to several picture-perfect waterfalls, usually with impossibly turqoise
colors and surrounded by lush forest. They’re a great option to do a bit of
trekking and take a refreshing dive in contact with nature.

Some of the best
swimmable waterfalls in the Philippines

• Cambugahay
  Falls (Siquijor)


• Tumalog
  Falls (Cebu)


• Kawasan
  Falls (Cebu)


• Aliwagang
  Falls (Davao)


• Katibawasan Falls (Camiguin)

25. It has one of
the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

The Underground
River is a 8km navigable river in the island of Palawan, in western
Philippines. It’s the longest river underground and boasts incredible
geological formations, lagoons and caves.

It
was recently named one of the new 7 Wonders of Nature, together with places
like the Amazon Rainforest or Halong Bay in Vietnam.

26. Sunsets are
special.

Sunsets
are really more fun in the Philippines. The golden – and sometimes
pink, purple or red – hour were one of the highlights of my time in the
islands.

No
matter how would I spend my day, I always stopped at the right time to
religiously watch nature’s best show. And I did watch some of my best sunsets
ever there – particularly in El Nido‘s Las Cabanas and
in the San Juan province in Siquijor.

27. The time to go
is now.

Many
consider the Philippines to be like Thailand used to be 20 or
30 years go. We all know Thailand can be a victim of its own
success when it comes to massive tourism so this can be a haunting thought.

I
really hope the Philippines doesn’t go the same way soon and
we still have many years left to come to enjoy the real and authentic version
of this country.

The 2 little
things I DIDN’T like about the Philippines

These
didn’t take away the beautiful Filipino experience, but still deserve to be
mentioned. Just because I may or may not have sweared because of these at some
point:

1.
Fees. Seriously, the country should be renamed to FEE-lipphines. Expect to pay
to park your bike everywhere, to enter public spaces or just to enter the
airport building.

2. WiFi. It’s very
hard to get a decent WiFi connection. In fact, in places like El Nido,
just get to loadyour email inbox is a victory. Consider this if you
have to do some work online while traveling.

So, did I put together
enough reasons for you to visit Philippines?

How high is on your bucket list now?