The Philippines have become so popular in the past year and there’s no surprise why. There’s an abundance of stunning places to visit, from paradisiacal beaches to secret lagoons and amazing diving spots. There are over 7,000 islands officially declared in the Philippines and each one has its own particularity and unique attractions.
There are of course many more wonderful places in the Philippines and not enough time to visit them all, but here are the top 5 that I believe everyone should check out!
1. KAWASAN FALLS
On the island of Cebu close to Moalboal you can find the stunning Kawasan Falls. The water (which comes from a natural spring) is just as blue as in the pictures and it’s really refreshing to have a swim. Make sure you go early in the morning though if you want to avoid the crowds. You can also book a canyoneering tour if you’re looking for a little adventure and adrenaline rush.
2. MALCAPUYA ISLAND
This tiny unbuilt island close to Coron is a true gem. The main beach on the island is paradise! The sand is so fine and the water is so clear making you feel as though you’re in a dream. This is one of the spots included in the Coron Island tour which takes you to other nearby islands (Bulog Island and Banana Island).
3. KAYANGAN LAKE
This lake on Coron Island is absolutely breathtaking. It’s mostly made of fresh water which is a bright emerald green. If you can make it there when hardly anyone’s around you can easily take one of the bamboo rafts to relax and enjoy the peacefulness in the middle of the lake.
4. EL NIDO
El Nido is characterized by its outstanding limestone cliffs and crystal clear waters. It’s no wonder why it’s been voted several times as one of the most beautiful places in the world! There are many hidden spots in El Nido to visit, such as secret lagoons and beaches, which can only be accessed by water. Several organized boat tours will take you to these places on a day excursion but you can also rent a kayak if you’re feeling in a sporty mood and prefer to explore on your own!
5. KALANGGAMAN ISLAND
The only way to reach this lovely little island is by going on a boat tour from either Malapascua Island or Palompon in Leyte. Kalanggaman’s iconic part is the long thin sand bank which lies at the end of the island with bright turquoise blue water on either side. The island is less than 1km long so you can easily walk around the island to discover its gorgeous isolated beaches.
ADDITIONAL TIPS
After travelling for two weeks in the Philippines, the best advice I can give you is to not plan too much in advance and to just go with the flow once you’re there. You will not have any trouble booking accommodation, activities, etc. Many hotels are so small that they’re not even on hotel websites. There will be many more options available once you get there (however, we did book our first night stay just to make sure we knew where we were staying on our first night).
Another important thing to remember is always to negotiate prices as much as possible to try to get the best deal and if you take a regular taxi make sure they use their taximeter. Some places don’t have any cash machines so make sure to have enough cash on you as you will rarely pay by card.
The best time to go to the Philippines is from November to April during the dry season where average temperatures range from 28 to 32°C. Filipinos are really kind and welcoming so you will really feel at ease all the time. I travelled just with a female friend and at no time did we feel in danger or encounter any problems. That being said, there are islands in the south of the Philippines which should be avoided due to political issues but none of the places I listed above fall within such areas.
Now that you are inspired with 5 indescribable destinations to visit in the Philippines, it’s time to book your flight and see these beautiful places with your own eyes!
We hope that this article has inspired you to visit the Philippines. If you have any questions about the destination please leave these in the comments below.
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We Are Travel Girls Senior Contributor Charlotte Louise of LuLuEscapes.com
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Olivia says
I’ve had this saved to read for ages and now I’m even more desperate to go! So helpful to have this insight though, I feel like I wouldn’t know where to start when booking flights to here!!
We Are Travel Girls says
Thanks for reading and commenting Olivia! Glad you enjoyed this post – the photos from Charlotte are just so stunning, I am also inspired to go as soon as possible! XO, Becky
Anna says
There are more to the best Philippines destinations list. I’m still discovering a lot. Thanks for this feature!
http://www.annalovelife.com
We Are Travel Girls says
Hi Anna! Glad you like you like the post! It has inspired us as well!
Amber says
All of those places look incredible, it’s going to be hard to chose just a few to squeeze into my 10 day trip! It’s a good problem to have I suppose!
We Are Travel Girls says
Thats a great problem to have! I feel the same, I want to go to the Philippines but it seems like you need a month to see it all properly! Thanks for reading and commenting. Becky x
Rajat Sharma says
one of my friend is from Phillipines and she always said, “there is nothing good place for travelling in Philippines. Philipines is a boredom You just Enjoy and travel in Italy”. Now i will give the link of this article and prove her that she is wrong. Thanks travel girls, keep up the good one
We Are Travel Girls says
Thanks for reading Rajat, the Philippines look really beautiful and I would love to visit soon. I am sure there is alt of beautiful things to see. Becky – Founder, We Are Travel Girls
Rajat sharma says
yups…i am also excited to visit Phillipines soon….and also for meet my frnd….so travel girls lets make a plan for phillipines trip if you don’t mind….hahaha just kidding travel girls don’t worry…..again thanks for the wonderful post…..
We Are Travel Girls says
Hi Rajat! Thanks for your comment! Glad you found this post inspirational! X, Vanessa Rivers, Founder – We Are Travel Girls
Travel Zoom says
Really nice !!
Caroline Smith says
Wow, the Philippines looks like a paradise for couples! Can’t wait to plan our next romantic getaway here. Actually, last time i across to this blog: https://www.wkadventures.com/philippines/diving-in-the-philippines-5-dive-spots-in-bohol/ both of you are really good in giving excitement to me. Thank you!