PH best places

10 Best Places To Visit In The Philippines



Biphasia Bhatia
thetravel.com
17 August 2019


The southeastern country called the Philippines is an archipelago made up of more than 7,000 islands. It's three main islands are Luzon (where the capital city is), Visayas, and Mindanao. The best places to visit in the country are mostly beaches, some tourist-friendly like Boracay, and some that a tourist would have to travel more for that slice of heaven on the white sand. If you are looking for beautiful beaches and breathtaking scenery, you will certainly find it here. But the Philippines is a favorite vacation spot of the most secretive, and richest personalities in the world. These are 10 places a tourist should try to visit when vacationing in the Philippine islands.

10 BATANES

Although Manila is the capital city, it's crowded and there's really not much to enjoy there except for history and culture and some cool landmarks. Let's dive right into the good stuff and travel to the northernmost part of the country. The topmost islands of the Philippines have beaches that are beyond amazing. 

Take Batanes for example, it's one of the islands that's not thick with tourists, even local tourists because it's not easy to get there. One of the best beaches in Batanes is the Morong Beach on Sabtang Island, and watch out for that beautiful sunrise.... and sunset! 

9 MOUNTAIN PROVINCE

The Mountain Province is a region in the northern part of Luzon Island. Hikers and backpackers are welcome here, and the locals will be sure to take care of you. Find the town of Sagada and check out the following places: Sumaguing Cave, Kankanaey Hanging Coffins (hanging off the side of a cliff!), take unlimited pictures with the clouds at the Kiltepan Peak, Bomod-Ok Falls, and the mystical Blue Soil Hills. Then travel south about 51 miles to get to the Ifugao Province to check out the amazing Banaue Rice Terraces and the UNESCO World Heritage site Hapao Rice Terraces.

8 BICOL 

From the Ifugao Province, we'll cross Manila and go south to the Bicol Region where a lot of tourist sites await. The best one is the volcano that people say has the most perfect cone shape, the Mayon Volcano. Located in the town of Albay, Mayon is the pride of the Bicolanos (locals of Bicol). For some water sports fun and hip accommodations, check out the CWC (CamSur Watersports Complex) in Camarines Sur. It's a resort and wakeboarding facility that caters to beginners and expert wakeboarders alike. Looking for beaches in Bicol, head to Caramoan (car-ra-mow-ann) and find the once-virgin Gota Beach, Matukad, and other breathtaking islands in the Caramoan peninsula.

7 AKLAN

We proudly present the revitalized Boracay Beach. Once the pride and glory of the Kalibo province of Aklan in Western Visayas, Boracay was so perfect in the early nineties up to the early 2000s, but the small island town could contend with the fast-rising tourism and the government finally had to shut down the whole beach for environmental reasons for about six months. Boracay Island is famous for its long and wide shoreline, white sand, and calm, kid-friendly waters. The beach is divided into stations, where Station 1 has the most luxurious beach resorts and Station 3 is the station of choice of budget-conscious visitors.

6 PALAWAN

If there is a province or region that could claim the highest tourist count in all of the Philippines, it would be Palawan. Palawan is that island on the right side of the country that looks like a peg leg. This province has 1,780 islands and the capital city is Puerto Princesa. Tourists visit the city for the Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

It's truly a marvel of nature. Speaking of nature, people also visit the Crocodile Farm, enjoy a walking tour of the facility and see other animals native to the Palawan Islands. For beach fun, go to Honda Bay and the Tubbataha Reef in Cagayancillo.

5 CEBU 

Historically, it was a toss-up between Manila and Cebu as to where the Philippines' capital city would be. This is why the local people of Cebu, the Cebuanos, speak either Bisaya (local dialect) or English, and never Tagalog (local dialect of Manila). It's also why Cebu International Airport is one of the biggest and best airports in the country. Here's a rundown of the best tourist spots in Cebu: Mactan, Magellan's Cross, Oslob Beach (go swim with whale sharks), Field of LED Roses (go here when it's dark), Malapascua Island, Sumilon Island, White Beach, Osmeña Peak and three beautiful waterfalls (Kawasan, Aguinid, Tumalog). Don't go without trying the city's famous delicacies, Cebu Lechon and sutokil.

4 BOHOL

Our last stop in the Visayas is the city of Bohol. The self-proclaimed safest city in the Philippines, the annual crime rate in this city is close to nil. The locals are peaceful, friendly and uber-accommodating. This city offers a diverse nature immersion, starting with its iconic tourist spot the Chocolate Hills. Aptly named as they look like gigantic chocolate Kisses lined up on a vast plain. Then, check out one of the smallest marsupials in the world, the tarsier. These cute, googly-eyed creatures can only be found in a few countries in Southeast Asia. Then, have a floating meal on a tour of the Loboc River, complete with live homegrown Bohol music.

3 SURIGAO DEL NORTE

Surigao del Norte is located in Mindanao, the southernmost main island of the country. This province is divided into two primary islands, Bucas Grande and Siargao. Siargao is a surfer island, all traveling surfers out there, check out the waves of Siargao Island and the natural beauty of the region. South of the island is calmer waves fit for children. For a luxurious stay in Siargao, go to Nay Palad on Dedon Island. Take a trip to Sohoton Cove National Park for close encounters with hundreds of jellyfish, Sugba Lagoon, and chill out on a cute islet called Basul Island.

2 DAVAO 

The last stop in Mindanao is Davao City. This city houses the country's highest peak, Mount Apo, located south of Davao. The towering mountain is home to an endangered species of eagle, the monkey-eating eagle or the Philippine Eagle. This majestic animal is native to Davao and can be seen, and even touched by visitors at the Philippine Eagle Center. 

Popular tourist attractions in the city are the Eden Nature Park and Resort where a guided tour is a must-do, plus a buffet meal at the end. The best beach resort in Davao is Pearl Farm, check into this world-class resort for a relaxing and pampered stay.

1 PALAWAN

The platinum islands and resorts in the Philippines are mostly located in Palawan. But in this article, we will only discuss four of them, Amanpulo, El Nido, Coron, and Busuanga. A stay on any of the islands would be worth the trip and the money as they are wondrous places; unbelievable white beaches, isolated and personalized resorts, all for your pleasure. Amanpulo is an exclusive resort in the Pamalican Islands, northeast of the Palawan main island. It's the go-to resort of famous celebrities and promises seclusion and total privacy. Busuanga and Coron are on the northernmost island of Palawan, Busuanga has a safari park with giraffes and Coron is just heavenly. The best way to experience El Nido is through El Nido Resorts.

The Philippines in Drone

How drone photography helps promote the Philippines 

The Philippine Star

28 July 2019

MANILA, Philippines — Let’s face it, the Philippines is one of the most geographically diverse and ecologically beautiful countries in the world. Renowned for its pristine white sandy beaches, lush topical forests, and crystal clear waters, the Southeast Asian archipelago has always been a hot spot for tourism and the modern-day adventurer.

Boom Garcia and Sean Nolan

We’ve been fortunate in our travels, having a chance to visit and document our wonderful experiences, and sharing those experiences with our fellow travelers worldwide. It’s through video that Our Awesome Planet was able to really expand its reach globally and it’s safe to say that OAP was the first to start the current trend of travel videos here in the Philippines.

Drones, however, have opened up an entirely new and exciting enterprise for travelers, videographers, and visual storytellers. Incorporating aerial footage into our videos has greatly expanded the way we communicate our stories with our viewers, and it’s given us a whole new perspective to work from. Sometimes we’ll be flying in the most amazing place you can think of and then be totally gob-smocked by just how much more amazing it looks from the air.

So, if you’ve ever wanted to elevate the way you tell your stories we recommend giving drones a shot. Drones are becoming more common and affordable, and as more people begin to use them, we’re actually very excited to see how visual storytelling will evolve.

Here’s our list of the top five places to drone in the Philippines.

1. Siargao

Siargao tops our list because it is quite simply the most gorgeous place in the entire Philippines. If we could break down this list any further Siargao itself would take up the top three spots for sure. The region is known for its surfing and rocky shorelines that break up into crystal-clear lagoons, and lush mangrove forests.

Siargao is Boom’s personal favorite, and he recommends flying the drone over Sohotan, the dark jade lagoon there is dotted with tiny islets and is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places to visit in person. We were blown away by the footage we collected in Siargao and you’ll only be able to really appreciate the grandeur of it all from a bird’s-eye view.

2. Batanes

Sean’s personal favorite island. The northern-most province is one of the most isolated in the entire Philippine archipelago. The three major islands that make up the Batanes group are some of the rawest and untouched places in the entire country. Batanes’ unique geology sets it apart from the rest of the islands, and being there almost feels like you’ve traveled back in time.

Itbayat island is the largest in Batanes and the most stunning. Flying along the coastline while the locals secured their boats for the night by manually dragging and pushing them up some seriously steep cliffs was one of the more memorable experiences we’ve had.

3. Palawan

Probably the most iconic place for drone flying on this list. Palawan is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque places in the Philippines. This is a great place to fly, and you’ll definitely come away with some amazing photos. However, a word of warning: Palawan is made up mostly of limestone, which look fantastic in photos, but the limestone can actually interfere with the radio signals for some drones. Fly with caution and not too close to rocky formations.

4. Cebu

An adventurer’s paradise that has plenty of destinations perfect for flying. We’ve gotten some of our most iconic footage from the southern part of Cebu. And if you ever get a chance to visit, we recommend flying at Kawasan Falls. The blue waters of the falls are absolutely brilliant!

5. Metro Manila

Metro Manila is one of the world’s “megacities,” ranking 8th largest in the world. The urban sprawl that sometimes feels never-ending is perfect for aerials. The stark contrast between urban decay and modern development is an interesting dynamic that’s great for visual storytelling. But be aware that flying may be restricted in certain parts of the city so best to check online.

- Boom Garcia, Sean Nolan

Siargao: World's Best island

A Guide to Siargao: The Philippines Islands Voted the  Best in the World

Marianna Cerini| Conde Nast Travel

05 July 2019

A teardrop-shaped island in the southeast of the Philippines, 500 miles from the capital Manila, Siargao (pronounced shar-gow) feels like Bali might have a few decades ago. Given its smaller size (a population of 200,000, compared to Bali’s four million), Siargao has remained unspoiled, remote, and still relatively under the radar, despite the influx of new infrastructures in recent years.

You’ll likely fall for the island’s pristine white beaches, coconut woodlands, and emerald mangrove forest as soon as you land, as well as the clearest water you’ve ever seen and sensational waves.

But the backdrop is only half of the spectacular picture. Siargao has been enchanting visitors for years because of its welcoming vibe and easy island lifestyle. A stream of cool, independent new hotels and businesses are making the island a shining example of sustainable tourism, and there’s a wealth of activities to keep you busy for days. It’s no surprise Conde Nast Traveler readers voted it the best island in Asia—but it also topped our list as the best island in the world. Here’s how to plan a trip to the island—and what to do once you’re there.

Getting to Siargao

Siargao has no international airport, so you’ll have to fly via Manila, where a 2.5-hour propeller plane flight will get you to Sayak Airport. Alternatively, you can transfer in many of Asia’s main cities—Singapore, Taipei, Seoul, Shanghai, or Hong Kong—to Cebu, from which the turboprop flight takes an hour and a half. From the airport, it takes about an hour to reach the hotels and other traveler-friendly areas.

Make sure to have cash (U.S. dollars or Filipino pesos) in hand, as ATMs are rare. There are a few money exchange spots on the island. Most hotels accept credit cards, but many shops and restaurants are cash-only.

What to do in Siargao

Siargao is considered the surfing capital of the Philippines, and its 15-plus breaks deliver world-class surf. Among them, Cloud 9 is the most famous: come here during peak surfing season—which starts in late August and winds down in October—and you’ll see packs of surfers gather at sunrise to ride thick, hollow tubes for hours on end. Most resorts and accommodations can provide lessons and board rentals even if you’re not staying with them; Kermit Siargao is one of the best, as are Harana Surf School and Buddha’s Surf Resort. If you really want to up your game, several of these places run full-on surf camps, too.

But it’s not all about surfing. Kite surfing and paddle boarding are other solid options for water activities, as is sailing to the nearby white-sand-ringed islets of Daku, Guyam, and Naked Island (a thin sandbank surrounded by a colorful reef). Plenty of local companies, like My Siargao Guide, can help with organizing a day trip.

Back on land, rent a motorbike for a day or two of exploring the island. Siargao can be circled around in five hours, but you’ll want to take your time to soak in the sights, which range from a sea of coconut trees (one of the most beloved views on the island) to the teeming, electric-green jungle and the rock pools at Magpupungko (though be warned, they tend to get crowded with local tourists, and are only accessible during low tide). There’s also the quieter, nearly deserted beaches of Pacifico, Alegria, and Santa Fe to the north, where you could spend a day of doing nothing but relaxing.

Don’t feel like scootering? Book a ride with BinGo, a private tuk tuk rental service (which has drivers but also lets you drive your own three-wheeler if you wish) or book a tour with Bathala Land Tours, a company that takes guests to far-off and lesser-known places around the island in a jeepney—the Philippines’ version of a small bus. The venture works towards creating revenue streams for the community, so you might get to attend a weaving workshop in the northern town of Burgos run by NGO Lokal Siargao, or learn all about indigenous coffee with a tasting session at MA+D x 1543, a beachfront café and social enterprise advocating fair-trade beans and brews.

You can also kayak through Sugba Lagoon—another short day trip—hunker down on stunning Kawhagan Island for an afternoon, or venture further afield on a two-hour boat ride to Sohoton Cove, on the island of Bucas Grande, to swim with stingless jellyfish.  

Where to eat

Siargao has a remarkably varied food scene. There’s a focus on sustainability at almost every restaurant, with locally sourced ingredients and no single-use plastic to be found. Most of the restaurants and bars are concentrated in the main town of General Luna, along a stretch of the main drag aptly called Tourism Road. (A few are on the same road, but closer to Cloud 9.)

You’ll find smoothie bowls at Shaka, near Cloud 9, which opens at 7 a.m. and gets packed by 9. MA+D x 1543 is popular with the 5 a.m. surfing crowd and does excellent coffee and avocado toast. Cev serves the freshest ceviche and kinilaw (a Filipino dish of raw fish marinated in vinegar), with creative versions of both. They are great, as are the stiff cocktails made with local rum. Bulan Villas, which is also a hotel, serves arguably the best pizza in town, competing only with Kermit, which has been around longer (the chef of Bulan used to work there). Both have lines on any given night. 

Happy hour (and impromptu parties) is at the impossibly hip White Banana Beach Club Siargao, where revelers lounge on hippie-chic bean bags. A unique blend of Filipino and Italian cuisine is on show at La Carinderia, an ultra-popular family-run restaurant (try their guazzetto di pesce, a slow-cooked seafood hotpot, and calamansi negroni). Bravo is great for Spanish tapas, cocktails, and dancing, particularly on Sunday nights. And for no-frills, more traditional Filipino barbecue fare, Mama’s Grill is the place to go.

Soul Tribe Beach Retreat is an eco-conscious hotel with standalone beach cabanas.

Courtesy Soul Tribe

Where to stay

Just like its restaurants, Siargao’s hotels have sustainability on the mind. Most places have banned single-use plastic, and will provide either water dispensers in the rooms or refillable bottles for the duration of your stay. Refreshingly, there are no international chains on the island (yet).

At L’Osteria Penthouse, a luxury beach house rental attached to popular Italian restaurant L’Osteria, the house runs on an organic wastewater system and, as much as possible, energy- and water-efficient equipment. The gorgeous Harana Surf Resort has donated more trees than it used in the construction of the property, and uses earth-friendly detergents and upcycles all the plastic disposables collected on its premises through a community livelihood project. Situated in the quiet Malinao neighborhood, the eco-conscious Soul Tribe Beach Retreat has beach cabanas and glamping options, plus yoga classes and communal dinners. Nay Palad Hideaway, the only five-star stay on the island and one of the country’s most expensive resorts (room rates start at $630), has a private beach, plenty of activities, and a holistic approach to wellness.

PH as global diving destination

Positioning the Philippines as global diving destination

By

BusinessMirror

23 June 2019

The Philippines is gaining popularity as one of the world’s best destinations for recreational and professional diving. To help further cement this reputation, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, marketing arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), continues to exhaust aggressive efforts in promoting the Philippines as a diving destination.

Diving with butanding

The TPB has successfully made its presence known in numerous international dive-related events, such as the Marine Diving Fair (MDF), the largest dive resort and consumer fair focused on scuba diving and travel overseas; Asia Dive Expo 2019 (Adex), the longest-running and largest dive expo in Asia; and Diving, Resort and Travel Expo Shanghai (DRT).

Held in Japan, the MDF had over 200 exhibiting companies from 50 countries and regions all over the world, including the Philippines which had one of the largest booths. Some 50,000 visitors, mostly diving enthusiasts, attended the fair.

Coral reef diving

At Adex, the Philippine representatives promoted the new and existing diving destinations in the country and also learned more about water sports in general from distinguished scientists, equipment manufacturers, marine conservationists, and underwater photographers and videographers.

The DRT in Shanghai had over 200 exhibitors and more than 40,000 participants. The Philippine participants showcased local diving products and conducted product presentations which included business-to-business (B2B) networking among Chinese dive counterparts.

Philippines offers rich biodiversity for deep diving

As a result, the Philippine participants were able to learn more about the latest developments in water sports and strengthen ties with Japanese media, dive clubs and operators, and diving enthusiasts. Moreover, they were able to showcase Philippine diving products through product presentations and conduct B2B networking among regional counterparts in China.

World's most expensive resort

Luxurious private island resort opens -- and a night's stay costs $100,000

Rob Picheta, CNN • 
6th May 2019

(CNN) — You can now book your stay in paradise -- but it won't come cheap.

A luxurious private resort stretching across an island in the western Philippines has opened for business.

It offers white sand beaches, plush villas and plenty of amenities. But with a price tag of $100,000 a night, Banwa Private Island is among the most expensive getaways anywhere in the world.

The resort, in the works for years, and benefits from year-round sunshine thanks to its location close to the equator. It features six villas and additional suites, meaning 48 people can stay at any one time. So if you have plenty of friends, it might be worth splitting the bill.

The resort's surrounding Puerco Island, sits serenely off the coast of Palawan, an island province. 

Guests heading for Banwa will need to hop on a helicopter or seaplane for the final leg.

Once there, guests will be able to explore the entirety of the archipelago, relax in a hammock or sip cocktails at a bar.

Each villa has its own infinity pool and hot tub and a team of chefs will supply food and drink.

Freshly caught fish and newly picked vegetables feature heavily on the menu.

Guests can also meet some of the island's fauna, including sea turtles and tabon birds. There's even an on-site wildlife expert.

Other amenities include a tennis court and a short golf course, plus access to a variety of boats. 

Jet skiing, scuba diving, sailing and kayaking are available. Of course, the gorgeous beach that stretches around the island is also a draw.

If all that sounds too strenuous, there's also an on-site spa.