Top 20 Best Things to Do in The Philippines

By JDC Monday, August 3, 2020

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Is it really more fun in the Philippines? Let me this list answers that question.

Being a tropical country and an archipelago, Philippines has become world's favorite destination in Southeast Asia because of many things.

Who doesn't love the warm weather here? Who doesn't want to soak and swim to the beach? Who doesn't like to be treated nicely and accommodated with hospitality? These, and more are the reasons why people - not only Filipinos - but foreigners love to travel the Philippines.

For Best Time To Visit, Visa, Maps, Things To Do, Tourist Destinations please read our ultimate PHILIPPINE TRAVEL GUIDE

Here are 20 things you must do when you visit the Philippines:

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1. Feel The Cold Weather In Baguio
2. Count The Hundred Islands In Pangasinan
3. Explore The Wonders Of Batanes
4. Chill Out For A Few Days In Boracay
5. Marvel At The Perfect Cone-shape Mayon Volcano
6. Walk The Living Museum In Vigan
7. Bring Back The History At Fort Santiago In Manila
8. See The Beauty Of Mount Pinatubo
9. Visit Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
10. A Day With The Family At Manila Ocean Park
11. Take Stroll In Rizal Park In Manila
12. Explore The Mystic Island Of Siquijor
13. Enjoy The Chocolate Hills In Bohol
14. Take A Trip To Volcano Island In Batangas
15. See The lakes At Coron Island In Palawan
16. Appreciate The Beauty Of The Banaue Rice Terraces
17. Explore The Historical Island Of Corregidor
18. Learn Surfing In Baler
19. Don't Miss The Spectacular View From Mines View Park
20. Climb The Tallest Mountain In The Philippines

Feel The Cold Weather In Baguio

We all know that January is one of those months when we could experience a very cold weather in Baguio City. So during these times, staying comfy and protected from the cold is one of our biggest concerns. And as the temperature drops lower, we have to keep several things in mind to make sure we don’t get sick because of such weather.

Tourists who plan to visit the city between December and late February should brace for bone-chilling temperatures to fully enjoy their escapades in the City of Pines. Get a Baguio Guided Day Tour

READ: Top 10 Best Places to Stay in Baguio City, Philippines

Count The Hundred Islands In Pangasinan

There are more than seven thousand islands and islets in the Philippine archipelago and a hundred of them can be seen in Pangasinan. The Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos is full of great places to explore.

You can rent a boat for a ride and go from one island to the next, there are some with caves or hills, some can be camped on, Governor’s Island even has houses you can rent. Some of the islands have stand out names such as Kissing Island or Devil’s Island but the best thing to do is get out there and explore whatever you come across.

READ: Hundred Islands Travel Guide

Explore The Wonders Of Batanes

Escape to the northernmost part of the Philippines with postcard-perfect views – Batanes. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the Home of the Winds.

Batanes in the Philippines has a little bit of everything for different types of travelers: the mountains, the sea, the rolling hills, and the food. But above all, Batanes offers a unique type of refuge — peace and quiet, and the taste of a back-to-basics lifestyle. Get a 3-Day North Batan, South Batan, and Sabtang Island Tour

Chill Out For A Few Days In Boracay

One of the most popular tourist destinations in the Visayas, 350 kilometers south of Manila, is the paradise island of Boracay. This island is a picturesque getaway for honeymooners, a bucket list destination for kite surfers, and dream come true for everyone in-between.

Only 7 kilometers long and 1 kilometer wide, it won’t take long to get the lay of the land on this dog bone-shaped island. There are 13 beaches on Boracay, each one more beautiful than the next. The two main beaches- White Beach and Bulabog Beach- are separated by a 1-kilometer path with shopping, restaurants, and hotels. Get a Boracay Island Half Day Tour

READ: Boracay Travel Guide

Marvel At The Perfect Cone-shape Mayon Volcano

Whenever you go south Luzon, this spot cannot be missed! Mayon Volcano has picked up the nickname “Perfect Cone” due to its symmetrical cone shape. There are frequent eruptions at the volcano which lead to large evacuations of the neighboring towns as the ash and mud rains down on the people below.

The most serious eruption recorded was in 1814, this led to over 1200 people losing their lives. Get a Mayon Skyline Tour in Albay

ALSO READ: The Legend of Magayon

Walk The Living Museum In Vigan

Because of its beauty and its well-preserved Spanish-era streets, Vigan has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. When you drop by Ilocos Sur, this city is something you should definitely include in your itinerary. Get a Historic Vigan Tour

READ: Vigan Travel Guide

Bring Back The History At Fort Santiago In Manila

Fort Santiago in Manila is a citadel that was built by the Spanish as a defense fortress within the cities walls. The fort is incredibly popular with tourists and has a fascinating story. Jose Rizal was a Philippine national hero who was imprisoned within the fort up until his execution in 1896.

Whilst you are exploring the fort you can take a look at the bronze footprints that have been embedded into the ground to mark out the prisoners final steps before execution. Get an Intramuros Interactive Walk

READ: What's inside Fort Santiago's Dungeon?

See The Beauty Of Mount Pinatubo

Mount Pinatubo is situated on the island of Luzon and when it erupted in 1991 it became one of the most destructive eruptions that the 20th century saw. When the volcano erupted it spewed out millions of tons of sulphur dioxide, the effects of which were felt across the world.

30,000 people lived on the slopes of the volcano before its eruption, luckily however scientists were able to predict when the volcano would erupt and so thousands of lives were saved. Trekking up the side of the volcano has now become very popular and is a great way to experience the awesome power of nature. Get a Mt. Pinatubo Hiking Day Tour from Manila

Visit Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

Looking for a bit of adventure in Palawan? The area is protected and has a cave system that is incredibly complex. There is a river that flows through the caves for 8.2km before flowing directly into the sea.

The Puerto Princesa Underground River has been declared as one of the Seven Wonders of Nature. You can go for a ride on a paddle boat which is an excellent way to see the river and learn about the rock formations as well as the thousands of bats that live there. Get a Puerto Princesa Underground River Day Tour

A Day With The Family At Manila Ocean Park

Looking for a family bonding for a day? This park in Manila is very good for kids and young at heart too!

The park has more than 8,000 square meters of space to be explored. Some highlights of the park include a 25 metre acrylic tunnel that you can walk through and see the marine life from another angle. There is a penguin exhibit that has plenty of swimming penguins as well as a long slide that can be ridden using sleighs.

Get a DISCOUNTED PASS at Manila Ocean Park

Take Stroll In Rizal Park In Manila

Named after Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. This 60 hectare park in Manila has many ponds, walking areas and ornamental gardens. The park of course has a monument to Jose Rizal, the monument has a 46 meter flagpole at its front and is guarded by sentries. There is a lagoon in the center of the park that has the heads of many Filipino hero’s on its bottom.

You can stay here, relax for a while and enjoy the view. Get an Old Manila - Heritage Full Day Tour

READ: MANILA - Tourist Attractions, How to Get There, Where to Stay and More

Explore The Mystic Island Of Siquijor

Discover the secrets of the mystical island of Siquijor! Swim and snorkel in the amazing Tubod Marine sanctuary. Observe the colourfulness of the tropical coral reef, be amazed by the abundance of underwater life and look carefully, as you might see turtles!

Visit the old Balete tree, where local shamans used to perform rituals not long ago. Dip your feet in the fish spa and relax. Visit the most beautiful waterfalls on the island, Cambugahay Falls. Swim in the turquoise waters under the water. Get a Siquijor Guided Day Trip

Enjoy The Chocolate Hills In Bohol

This spot in Visayas region has become famous in Philippine textbooks. The Chocolate Hills are in the Bohol Province of the Philippines and they are a rare and fascinating site to see. There are at least 1,260 hills spread out over an area covering approximately 20 square miles.

The small hills are covered in grass and as the dry season advances the grass turns from green to brown and starts to look like chocolate. The hills vary from 30 to 50 meters high and really are an iconic landmark of the country. Get a Bohol Countryside Tour

Take A Trip To Volcano Island In Batangas

Taal Volcano is located on the island of Luzon and is an active volcano that has erupted at least 33 times previously. Due to the volcanoes location, previous eruptions have led to large losses of life.

Now it is not possible to live on Volcano Island as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology have declared the entire island as a Permanent Danger Zone. A trip here is well worthwhile especially as the Crater lake on the island is the largest island on a lake on an island in the world.

ALSO READ: 10 Most Dangerous Active Volcanoes on Earth

Dip Into The Coron's Cleanest Lakes In Palawan

Palawan is the best island in the world and part of its beauty is this group of islands and islets found in the north tip of the province in the Philippines.

To access the first lake you need to be prepared for a ten minute climb up steep terrain that is sure to leave you a little out of breath.

You will have arrived at Lake Kayangan which has crystal clear water and is nestled in the walls of the mountain. You can go swimming in the lake and there is also a small wooden platform where you can leave your belongings.

The second lake is called Lake Barracuda, here the water can reach temperatures of 38 degrees centigrade and can be seen by climbing over some jagged rocks that will take you straight into the water. Get a Coron Ultimate Day Tour

READ: 4 Things to do in Coron

Appreciate The Beauty Of The Banaue Rice Terraces

Many people consider the Banaue Rice Terraces to be the “Eighth Wonder of the World” and it is easy to see why when you begin to look at their shear magnificence. The terraces are 2,000 years old and they were carved into the mountains of Lfugao with the use of very few tools.

The terraces are still used today by the locals who plant their vegetables and rice there, as they are naturally irrigated by the surrounding rainforests.

Explore The Historical Island Of Corregidor

Corregidor Island is located at the entrance of Manila Bay and is maintained in honor of the Filipino and American’s that lost their lives defending the country from the Japanese during World War II. The remains on the island tell a moving story of the battle and a guided tour will give you all the information you could need to learn about the great history of this special place. Get a Corregidor Historical Walking Tour from Manila

Learn Surfing In Baler

Mention Baler and the principal thing that will fly up in everybody’s brain is surfing. This is genuine on the grounds that Sabang Beach is a definite surfer’s paradise. Ensure you try the Baler surfing lessons!

There are other attractions besides surfing, as the town is progressively getting to be mainstream. Not just for surfing devotees. Essentially on account of its normal magnificence, verifiable essentials, and different attractions.

Don't Miss The Spectacular View From Mines View Park

Mines View Park in Baguio is home to one of the best views in the Philippines. There is an observation deck here that offers panoramic views of the gold and copper mines below you, and the mountains ahead of you.

To get to the viewing platform you will need to climb up some winding steps, these steps can unfortunately get quite slippery after it rains so it is always advisable to watch your step. When you reach the top you can rent some binoculars or have your photo take by one of the many camera men around.

The best time to go is early in the day to make sure there is no fog that could disrupt your view. Get a DISCOUNTED Baguio Day Trip!

READ: Things to do in Baguio

Climb The Tallest Mountain In The Philippines

Mount Apo stands at 2954 meters above sea level and is the highest volcano and mountain in the country. To climb the mountain you will need a permit as well as a guide but that is easy to obtain and the costs are very low.

A complete trek to the top will take between one and three days depending on weather and your pace. Temperatures at night can drop to around zero degrees so some warm clothing is needed.

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VISA POLICY

The visa policy of the Philippines is governed by Commonwealth Act No. 613, also known as the Philippine Immigration Act, and by subsequent legislation amending it. The Act is jointly enforced by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

Generally, foreign nationals who wish to enter the Philippines require a visa unless:

• He/she is a citizen of a member state of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
• He/she is a citizen of a non-ASEAN member state whose nationals are allowed to enter the Philippines visa-free
• He/she is a balikbayan and is only returning to the Philippines temporarily

Most foreign nationals are visa-free for 14 days, 30 days, or 59 days. Of more than 200 countries and territories, 39 need visas to enter the Philippines. 

Check your the visa requirements from your country here:

HOW TO GET TO THE PHILIPPINES

Since the Philippines is an archipelago country, the only way to visit is via air or the sea. But most foreign visitors fly to go to the country.

Currently, there are eleven airports classified by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines as International Airports. There are also hundreds of principal domestic airports and community airports throughout the country. The eleven international airports include:

• Clark International Airport in Mabalacat, Pampanga
• Mactan–Cebu International Airport in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
• Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City
• General Santos International Airport in General Santos City
• Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo
• Kalibo International Airport in Kalibo, Aklan
• Laoag International Airport in Laoag, Ilocos Norte
• Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay / Parañaque
• Puerto Princesa International Airport in Puerto Princesa
• Subic Bay International Airport in Morong, Bataan
• Zamboanga International Airport in Zamboanga City

You can also COMPARE AIRLINE TICKET PRICES HERE.

GETTING AROUND THE PHILIPPINES

Land transportation in the Philippines is administered through various means such as trains, jeepneys, tricycles, taxis, buses, and many others. Various Philippine expressway network have been established throughout the country to hasten land transportation.

Rail transport in the Philippines is mostly administered by the Philippine National Railways, while the Philippine expressway network and the Philippine highway network are mostly administered by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

However, the easiest way to find a transport for your tour is by booking online tickets here:

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• Manila → Baguio
• Baguio → Manila
• Manila → Boracay
• Boracay → Manila
• Manila → Coron
• Coron → Puerto Princesa
• Manila → Cebu
• Manila → Sagada
• Manila → Vigan
• Puerto Princesa → El Nido
• Cebu → Bohol

Did we miss something on the list? Add a comment below!

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