Philippines

Philippines Holiday Guide

Don’t forget to book your holiday insurance with us for a carefree holiday to Philippines.

The Philippines, a cluster of up to 7,000 scenic islands, is a country that draws visitors for its splendid surroundings and calm laidback atmosphere. Tourists travel there to visit its colourful cities and picturesque beaches, it an idyllic holiday destination, it is also very popular with divers as it has some of the world’s best dive sites.

Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is a bustling city with a distinctly cosmopolitan feel. The city is a tourist wonderland for exploration with busy markets, historic monuments and a pleasant cultural mix celebrated in the many museums.

The National Museum features interesting displays outlining the historical roots of the country, with ethnological findings and tribal artefacts making up many interesting displays that offer insight into the country’s long and interesting past.

The museum also houses a Maritime Heritage Gallery which includes artefacts recovered from a Dutch ship known as the San Diego which sank close to the Philippines around the 1600s.

Vigan provides tourists with a reminder of Spanish colonization with many striking architectural structures still standing. The town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, draws visitors for its distinctly European feel, with a number of interesting museums offering insight into the history of the area.

The lively city of Cebu offers a slightly less frenetic pace than Manila but still features plenty of historical and cultural sites. The natural surroundings of this city make it one of the most pleasant in the country.

A trip to the peaks of Busay Hills offers tourists splendid panoramic views of the city and the surrounding countryside. The Sudlon National Park is home to nearly 700 hectares of magical forests, with pleasant picnic areas and natural pools providing the perfect way to cool down from the hot sun.

Diving enthusiasts amongst the tourist’s head for Palawan Bay, it’s one of the top sites for some of the country’s best diving. This untamed island is rich in biodiversity, with stunning reefs and underwater creatures. Puerto Princesa and El Nido provide access to the island’s wild interior and coral reefs.

The remote islands of Dibutonay, Maltatayoc and Horse to the north of Bohol offer the perfect settings for a tranquil escape. These islands, with their pristine beaches and isolation from the rest of the Philippines, allow for uninterrupted exploration, with a number of secluded villages having been largely untouched in hundreds of years.

Most tourists on holiday coming from outside the Philippines will arrive at Manila International Airport, where regular shuttle buses and readily available taxis wait to transport you into the city centre.

Travel insurance is an important factor to sort out before arriving in the country, allowing you to enjoy your holiday with peace of mind. Emergency medical care can be expensive, especially if you need to be repatriated, making travel insurance a must.