Philippines
What you need to know before you go
The Philippines is one of the world's most iconic tropical destinations, with over 7,641 islands to choose from. The country is blessed with white-sand beaches, pale blue seas, amazing corals, lagoons, mountains, rivers, rice terraces and volcanoes. Days can be spent exploring the diverse and sometimes challenging terrain, taking in cascading waterfalls and dramatic caves.
The country has a busy and exciting history, which has created a lot of world-famous landmarks. The culture around them is also impressive, including an interesting cuisine, famous nightlife and great music. The fine-sand beaches that fringe the Pacific Ocean have populated many an Instagram feed, and it won’t take you long to see why.
Top destinations in Philippines
Where will you go next?
Manila
Manila has a certain ‘rough diamond’ quality about it. The Filipino capital can seem chaotic, with an eclectic mix of buildings that range from Spanish colonial styles to ultra-modern skyscrapers. The city is actually a conglomeration of 12 cities and 5 municipalities, together forming Metro Manila, so there’s no shortage of things to see and do.
The most Americanised of all Southeast Asian cities is a dynamic, charming and hugely cosmopolitan place, often visited by business and island-bound travelers. It’s a city of contrasts – gleaming shopping malls stand proudly next to slums, while street food vendors ply their wares outside 5-star hotels. Manila is an eyeopener and a showcase for the integration of the old and the new.
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Boracay Island
Mactan Island
Palawan
Angeles City
Bohol
Cebu
