Philippines Travel Guide

Browse 1,416 travel reviews, 1,644 travel blogs and 111,527 travel photos from real travelers to Philippines.

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Philippines Overview

Literally thousands of shimmering islands make up the Philippines, which – if it were a recipe – would be equal parts Spanish and Mexican, Hollywood and lazy fiestas, pigs blood soup and mad Manila nightlife. There’s so much on offer, and so many different dazzling destinations, a visit is less a question of seeing the country, but picking which part you want to see the most.

Adventure lovers are utterly spoiled for choice, with Donsol’s infamous swim amongst mammoth (and- don’t worry - plankton eating) whale sharks, essential diving at Padre Burgos and dramatic, volcread moreano-filled Canaguin to choose from. In Siargao you’ll find surf beaches the envy of even Hawaiian residents, while Coron’s wreck diving is as thrilling as it is spooky.

Back in Manila you’ll find a nightlife that at time descends into utter anarchy, while days can be spent exploring the excesses of the Coconut Palace, blasting around the streets on a Jeepney, or slurping guyabano juice from a rustic market stall. Manila’s international reputation is rightly dubious, but finding your way amongst the (at times barely tolerable) bustle is as memorable as any of those arresting tropical beaches.

If you prefer to sip your San Miguel somewhere a little more ‘movie screen tropics’, try the laid back vibes at Sipalay, or the tourist resort haven that is beautiful Boracay. Both offer your fill of palm-fringed beaches and ‘luxury tropical’ experiences. Backward El Nido, meanwhile, provides a gateway to the incredible coral-guarded islands of Palawan, where the seascapes are straight from national geographic, and the dense jungle treks belong on a survival show. Look deeper into the depths of the country, and you’ll find aging Buddhist cultures, rice paddies enveloping entire mountains, festivals teeming with images a photographer would die for, and local communities bustling with (invariably deep fried, mango centered) hospitality.

It’s worth noting that some parts of the Philippines have significant political problems, which can lead to awkward traveling conditions. Heed the government warnings, though, and you’re in for an eclectic island experience that you should stretch as far as possible: The Philippines just doesn’t get dull.

Boracay #1 most popular location
The king of The Philippines’ many beautiful islands, Boracay is dead in the heart of the beaten track, and re-builds itself every off-season to ensure it remains on its lofty 'must-see isla…
176travelers 128reviews 76blogs
Manila #2 most popular location
Manila is so commonly criticized, you could be forgiven for deciding to give it a miss and heading straight off to the islands. Most of the criticisms are true: it is shambolic, corrupt, poll…
1,106travelers 162reviews 229blogs
Cebu #3 most popular location
Having formed as an ancient trading port way back in the 16th century, Cebu has developed into the city around which the southern part of the Philippines revolves, as well as becoming a hub o…
242travelers 69reviews 55blogs
Makati City #4 most popular location
The City of Makati, or simply Makati, is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila or the National Capital Region of the Philippines. It is the major financial, commercia…
194travelers 89reviews 23blogs
Bohol #5 most popular location
The stunning Philippine island of Bohol is a natural wonder, perfectly shielded from the vicious weather that blights many of the other nearby islands by being shielded on all sides, and so a…
66travelers 35reviews 53blogs
Tagaytay #6 most popular location
Tagaytay is as close to paradise as one can find. Tagaytay is located in the Province of Cavite, one of the many provinces in Luzon. It is approximately 56 kilometer south of Manila. With…
11travelers 24reviews 22blogs
Coron #7 most popular location
One of the most popular diving spots on the planet, Coron has been listed in such publications as Forbes Traveler Magazine as one of the top 10 best scuba diving sites around the world in rel…
42travelers 39reviews 29blogs
Puerto Galera #8 most popular location
Puerto Galera is Oriental Mindoro's asset, as it is blessed with one of the world’s most beautiful natural harbors. In fact, it was named as 2005's Most Beautiful Bay. It is world-famous …
20travelers 14reviews 16blogs
Panglao #9 most popular location
Panglao Island is situated at the south of Tagbilaran City (capital of Bohol province). Both islands (Bohol and Panglao) are connected by a bridge so no need to take the boat to reach there.…
2travelers 28reviews 7blogs
Davao #10 most popular location
Davao City in southern Philippines -- the de facto cultural, economic and political epicenter of Mindanao -- is voted the country's most livable urban center for many years running. Davao's g…
49travelers 29reviews 13blogs
El Nido #11 most popular location
Nestled on the northern tip of Palawan Island, known for being the gateway to the Bacuit Archipelago, and the most amazing locations on the face of the earth, El Nido sits as a tiny town of s…
40travelers 19reviews 33blogs
Puerto Princesa City #12 most popular location
17travelers 12reviews
Baguio #13 most popular location
Initially established in 1900 by American forces on the site of an Ibaloi village known as Kafagway, Baguio City is one of the most urbanized cities in the Philippines, located in the Cordill…
31travelers 17reviews 15blogs
Quezon City #14 most popular location
Quezon City is the former capital (1948-1976) and the most populous city in the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon City (popularly known to Filipinos as simply QC) is one of …
166travelers 23reviews 22blogs
Palawan #15 most popular location
Palawan - the long, narrow island in the southwestern part of the Philippines - has often been called the last frontier of the Philppines: there remain indigenous tribes that have not fully i…
98travelers 21reviews 16blogs
Pasay City #16 most popular location
5travelers 28reviews 2blogs
Sagada #17 most popular location
A quiet mountain town located in a Filipino backwater, Sagada is famed for an unusual combination of coffins and caving, as well as the chance for visitors to pour into the local wilderness o…
29travelers 22reviews 42blogs
Lapu-Lapu City #18 most popular location
3travelers 10reviews 1blogs
Puerto Princesa #19 most popular location
Puerto Princesa is the capital of Palawan, in the Philippines. It is not necessarily a destination in and of itself, at least not according to the mass tourism industry, which mainly uses the…
14travelers 19reviews 22blogs
Angeles City #20 most popular location
27travelers 6reviews 7blogs
Cagayan de Oro #21 most popular location
Cagayan de Oro City is the capital of the province of Misamis Oriental, the regional center for Northern Mindanao. A young city compared to other highly urbanized cities in the Philippines, C…
32travelers 10reviews 15blogs
Subic #22 most popular location
From TMadhu: During our visit April 2011 I did find this place as a very good one for a calm day trip and show of Dolphin here is amaze. Beach is too good and food served at beach is yummy
7travelers 9reviews 9blogs
Caramoan #23 most popular location
17travelers 10reviews 13blogs
Donsol #24 most popular location
Donsol is a small municipality situated in the province of Sorsogon, in the south eastern region of Luzon. A 14-hour drive from Manila, it is frequented by tourists for one big reason - to in…
13travelers 16reviews 18blogs
Banaue #25 most popular location
Banaue is a rugged but spectacular four-hour trip from Bontoc to Banaue along a winding road that leads up into the misty Cordilleras, across a mountaintop pass, then down precipitous mountai…
17travelers 11reviews 17blogs
Batangas #26 most popular location
Batangas is one of the most popular tourist destinations near Metro Manila. It is part of the Southern Tagalog Region and a more or less 2 to 3 hours of travel from Manila, making it an ideal…
21travelers 5reviews 7blogs
Bacolod #27 most popular location
The City of Smiles, as people would know it, Bacolod is the capital of the Negros Occidental province in the Visayas region of the Philippines. It's famous for the Maskara Festival held each …
16travelers 10reviews 6blogs
Iloilo City #28 most popular location
14travelers 6reviews 2blogs
Bantayan Island #29 most popular location
Beautiful island located in the Province of Cebu. Clear blue waters, endless powdery-white sand beaches, wonderful people. There are caves that you can explore, great snorkeling sites and m…
4travelers 12reviews 5blogs
Pasig City #30 most popular location
21travelers 11reviews 2blogs
Moalboal #31 most popular location
2travelers 5reviews 7blogs
Vigan #32 most popular location
Vigan is the capital of the Province of Ilocos Sur. It is the only surviving historic city that dates back to the 15th century Spanish Colonial Period. In December 2, 1999 the Historic Town o…
12travelers 9reviews 12blogs
Legazpi City #33 most popular location
7travelers 5reviews 4blogs
Laoag #34 most popular location
Laoag is the Capital of the province of Ilocos Norte. It lies on the north bank of Laoag River. It was first occupied by the Spaniards in 1592 and is now the largest city in the region. Il…
1travelers 8reviews 5blogs
Dumaguete #35 most popular location
DUMAGUETE, the city of gentle people is the capital of Negros Oriental, Philippines. It lies on the southeast coast of Negros Island, within sight of the most southerly tip of Cebu Island. It…
18travelers 4reviews 16blogs
Tagbilaran City #36 most popular location
2travelers 6reviews 2blogs
Camiguin #37 most popular location
The island of Camiguin is a paradise in itself. Located in northern Mindanao, it is pear-shaped and said to be 'born of fire' with seven volcanoes, the most famous is Mount Hibok-Hibok. C…
15travelers 9reviews 9blogs
Zambales #38 most popular location
Wreck Diving Capital of the Philippines. Gifted with natural beauty of its surroundings, it has been touched by modern civilization yet has maintained its rustic glory and beauty. The Zambale…
6travelers 7reviews 12blogs
Pagudpud #39 most popular location
Pagudpud (PAH GOOD POOD) is an enormous place to visit if you're looking for the comparatively perfect charms of the Philippines. Pagudpud is a wide and beautiful town on the northwest tip of…
7travelers 6reviews 2blogs
Taguig #40 most popular location
Taguig is a city in Metro Manila. Located at the northwestern shore of Laguna de Bay and the upper mouth of the Pasig River, it is now an important residential and industrial suburb . It is h…
11travelers 10reviews 2blogs
Sabang #41 most popular location
Sabang is a small village in Palawan. You can get buses from San Jose bus station in Puerto Princesa. There are many guesthouses and hotels are ranging from luxury to budget the further you w…
3travelers 7reviews 9blogs
Mandaluyong City #42 most popular location
12travelers 9reviews
Malapascua Island #43 most popular location
Malapascua is a tiny island located across a shallow strait from the northmost tip of mainland Cebu island. Its about 2.5 kilometers long and 1 km wide. It's extraordinary long white beach st…
6travelers 8reviews 7blogs
Camarines Sur #44 most popular location
Camarines Sur The province lies across the middle of the peninsula at the southern tip of Luzon. It embraces the fertile valleys of the Bicol River and its contributing tributaries as well as…
12travelers 8reviews 6blogs
Samal #45 most popular location
2travelers 3reviews
Davao City #46 most popular location
Davao City is one of the world's largest with 244,000 hectares in area. It is home to diverse cultures and is the center of Mindanao. Most popular attractions are the Mount Apo, the count…
57travelers 9reviews 6blogs
Panglao Island #47 most popular location
Panglao Island nestled in the central Visayas region that is located southwest of Bohol and east of Cebu. Panglao is renowned for its word class diving locations and many tourist resorts. It…
3travelers 4reviews 11blogs
Clark #48 most popular location
Located in the Island of Luzon and the province of Pampanga Clark was a former U.S air force base up until the expulsion of the U.S. military in the Philippines. Today Clark is one of the …
1travelers 13reviews 8blogs
Ilocos Norte #49 most popular location
Ilocos Norte, the province is the gateway to the Ilocandia and boasts of popular beaches like Pagudpud and Currimao, ecotrails in Adams, sand dunes in Laoag City and a World Heritage Site in …
10travelers 7reviews 7blogs
Talisay #50 most popular location
Talisay is a small village lying just down the hill from Tagaytay. There are jeepneys and tricycles going down from Tagaytay regularly. The jeepneys leave when full, so if you are in a hurry …
8reviews 10blogs