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The Philippines is open and welcoming you again! The islands are brimming with so many cool things to do \u2014 incredible beaches to discover, delectable foods to try, and so much more!<\/p>\n
As there is no quarantine required, exploring the Phillippines is easy, accessible, and convenient. In fact, at this time of writing, it\u2019s one of the first ASEAN countries to reopen travel borders!<\/p>\n
For those with serious wanderlust and are itching to visit the Asia Pacific, definitely add the Philippines to your radar!<\/strong><\/p>\nHere are the 10 best things to do in the Philippines!<\/h4>\n
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Things to Know Before You Go<\/h2>\n The Philippines has reopened its borders for travelers and the country is excited to welcome travelers to explore all the wonders of the beautiful country!<\/p>\n
A few things to know before you travel to the Philippines:<\/strong><\/p>\n\nVisitors must be fully-vaccinated (Visit this website for a list of allowed documents as proof)<\/li>\n Your passport must be valid for at least six months at the time of arrival to the Philippines<\/li>\n Obtain travel insurance for COVID-19 treatment costs (with a minimum of $35,000 coverage for the full duration of your stay in the Philippines)<\/li>\n Register at OneHealthPass at least three days prior to departure to get a QR Code<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nFor more information visit the Philippines Tourism website.<\/em><\/h4>\n\n
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Halo Halo<\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Ube Puto Cheese<\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
Try the Food<\/h2>\n I\u2019m a huge foodie and one of my favorite parts about traveling is trying all of the local cuisines. When it comes to the Philippines, there are so many tasty dishes to try.<\/p>\n
Filipino food tends to focus on salty, sweet, and sour flavors, with many of the most popular dishes balancing all three of those elements. Talk about tasty!<\/p>\n
Here are some of the top dishes to try in the Philippines:<\/h3>\n Kinilaw:<\/strong> A seafood dish made from fish marinated in vinegar, along with salt, pepper, and chili peppers. Very similar to ceviche!<\/p>\nKare-Kare:<\/strong> A scrumptious stew made from oxtail, veggies, and peanut sauce.<\/p>\nAdobo:<\/strong> this is often referred to as the national dish of the Philippines because of its popularity! You can find it made with different proteins, but chicken is quite common. The sauce is a mixture of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and black pepper.<\/p>\nBuko:<\/strong> You\u2019ll find buko all over \u2014 buko translates to fresh young green coconuts. An ice-cold buko is perfect when lounging on the beaches.<\/p>\nHalo Halo:<\/strong> Meaning \u201cmix-mix\u201d this delicious Filipino dessert is truly a mix of everything! Typically it\u2019s shaved ice, ice cream, and condensed milk, topped with whatever fruits and sweet treats are available like mango, jellies, corn flakes, coconut, or sweetened red beans.<\/p>\nUbe Puto Cheese:<\/strong> This sweet rice cake with purple ube is not only eye-catching but it\u2019s super tasty! It\u2019s often topped with cheese to balance the sweetness.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Coron Island Hopping<\/h2>\n Wondering just how many islands are in the Philippines? A whopping 7,641 islands! And around 2,000 of them are inhabited. Isn\u2019t that wild?<\/strong><\/p>\nBecause it\u2019s an archipelago, it\u2019s no surprise that island hopping is an extremely popular thing to do in the Philippines, and Coron is one of the best areas for that!<\/p>\n
Many boat tours are centered around this area and for good reason!\u00a0 Because of its dazzling beauty, Coron is one of the most photographed spots in all of the Philippines.<\/p>\n
The cluster of islands is well-known for the handful of WWII-era shipwrecks \u2014 which make for fascinating places to explore if you\u2019re scuba diving.<\/strong><\/p>\nYou could spend days visiting the countless islands and gorgeous spots, and exploring the shipwrecks; some of the most popular places to visit in Coron include Kayangan Lake (one of the clearest lakes in all of Asia!), Twin Lagoon, Maquinit Hot Springs, and Banul Beach.<\/p>\n
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Adventure in Cebu<\/h2>\n You simply must add Cebu to your list of things to do in the Philippines! Cebu City is the oldest city in the Philippines, and as such, it\u2019s brimming with historical landmarks.<\/strong><\/p>\nFrom the Spanish influence to Taoist temples, you\u2019ll find a lot of historic religious iconography in Cebu, including the Basilica Del Santo Ni\u00f1o, Magellan\u2019s Cross, Lapu-Lapu\u2019s Shrine, the Temple of Leah, and even the Simala Church \u2014 these landmarks shed light on Filippino history.<\/p>\n
When you\u2019ve had your fill of visiting temples and churches, the real adventure awaits at Kawasan Falls.<\/strong><\/p>\nIs a multi-layered waterfall system in the town of Badian, just at the foot of Mantalongon Mountain Range. Famous for its gorgeous turquoise waters, the natural pools are a refreshing spot for swimming.<\/p>\n
Looking for a thrill?<\/h4>\n Canyoneering is extremely popular \u2014 descend through the canyon, water jump, and get your thrill on with rapid slides and swings.<\/p>\n
Most tours typically end at the waterfall, so pack your gear and prepare for an adventure of a lifetime!<\/em><\/p>\n
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Beach it Up on El Nido<\/h2>\n Wondering what to do in the Philippines? Say hello to the pristine white beaches!<\/em><\/p>\nEl Nido absolutely deserves a spot on this list! About a 4-hour ferry ride from Coron, El Nido is an excellent addition to any island-hopping itinerary.<\/p>\n
Most folks go to El Nido for island-hopping via a private boat or as part of a tour group. If you\u2019re not exploring via boat, you\u2019ll likely spend your day lounging on the beautiful beaches.<\/p>\n
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Soak in the Culture of Manila<\/h2>\n Manila, oh Manila! No Philippines itinerary would be complete without the capital!<\/strong><\/p>\nThe bustling historic city is chockful of fun things to see and do \u2014 from museums to theaters to parks and tons of fabulous restaurants, Manila makes a great pitstop.<\/p>\n
For a look into the local culture, definitely head to Makati \u2014\u00a0a trendy area in the capital where you have your pick of the lot when it comes to trendy eateries and bars.<\/strong><\/p>\nAre you a serious foodie like me and love sampling street delights? Definitely look into doing a food crawl or food tour around Binodo \u2014 the world\u2019s oldest Chinatown!<\/p>\n
And, for the history buffs out there, there are historic sites like Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church (which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and more!<\/p>\n
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See Tarsiers and Chocolate Hills in Bohol<\/h2>\n Looking to see some of the seriously interesting (and unusual) geological formations in the Philippines?<\/strong><\/p>\nBohol\u2019s Chocolate Hills come to mind! Located near the town of Carmen, approximately 1,200 symmetrical mounds turn a rich cocoa-brown hue in the dry season, which makes them stand out from the jungle\u2019s lush greenery.<\/p>\n
As you might have guessed, their name was inspired by Hershey Kisses!<\/h4>\n You may have seen photos of tarsiers before, but you might not know that they live on the islands of the southern Philippines. While they used to commonly be seen in the wild, their population has quickly dwindled and they are now considered endangered.<\/p>\n
Because of their endangered status, tourists are not allowed to enter protected conservation sites (where they are actively trying to increase their population), but there is a small sanctuary you can visit in Corella.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t Arguably the best surfing spot in the Philippines<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
Surfing on Siargao Island<\/h2>\n If surfing is your thing, you\u2019ll want to head to Siargao Island! Some consider this to be the most beautiful island in all of the Philippines\u2026which is a tough thing to be considered as there are beautiful beaches everywhere!<\/p>\n
Not into surfing? Siargao is also fantastic for rock climbing and cave explorations!<\/h4>\n
Enjoy the White Beach of Boracay<\/h2>\n Okay, okay, I know that I keep mentioning the beaches\u2026but seriously, how can you go to the Philippines and not SWOON over the gorgeous swaths of sand framed by palms and crystal-clear waters?<\/strong><\/p>\nBoracay\u2019s White Beach is frequently regarded as the one of most beautiful beaches in the world. I mean\u2026crystal blue waters, pure white sand, and magical sunsets \u2014 yes, please!!<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re curious about why the sand is so white (as I was), the science behind it has a lot to do with coral.<\/h4>\n Here\u2019s a little briefing: Eroded coral is an essential part of sand. Coral is home to little marine animals called polyps, which give coral its color. However, when the polyps pass away, they turn white.<\/p>\n
Because of erosion and the way waves crash, many of the white polyps are washed to shore and the sand adopts their white hue.<\/strong><\/p>\nI could go on and on about forams (single-celled organisms not visible to the naked eye), which are made from calcium carbonate. When calcium carbonate is pounded by waves, it becomes a white powder, which also contributes to Boracay\u2019s iconic sand.<\/p>\n
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Go Scuba Diving<\/h2>\n I\u2019m a big fan of scuba diving and I\u2019ll be the first one to tell you that you should absolutely get PADI Open Water Scuba Diving Certified.<\/p>\n
Some of the best destinations on the planet are below sea level\u2026and that includes the Philippines! Why not experience the beauty of the deep blue beyond with an adventure at sea?<\/p>\n
Here are some of the top places to go scuba diving in the Philippines:<\/h3>\n\nAnda, Bohol<\/li>\n Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park<\/li>\n Puerto Galera, Mindoro<\/li>\n Anilao, Batangas<\/li>\n Moalboal, Cebu<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Take a Step Back in Time in Colonial Vigan<\/h2>\n Established in the late 1500s, the historic town of Vigan feels like you\u2019re stepping back in time. The city is well preserved and is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site.<\/p>\n
Fusing colonial Spanish architecture with Filipino building design, the town has a very unique style that doesn\u2019t look like anywhere else in Southeast Asia.<\/p>\n
The European influence is evident in the cobblestone street and grid street planning; while terracotta, shells, limestone, and wood brought in from other regions give the buildings a very distinct character.<\/p>\n
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Have you been to the Philippines before or are you planning to go? I\u2019d love to know what your favorite activities were or what you\u2019re planning on doing!<\/p>\n
For more information, check out Philippines Tourism\u00a0or download the Travel Philippines App to get the latest updates.<\/p>\n
This post was sponsored by The Philippines Department of Tourism and Tourism Promotions Board Philippines. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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