THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN THE PHILIPPINES
We kicked off 2019 by exploring the Philippines on an unbelievable tour with TourRadar and we simply can not stop talking about. We experienced so many incredible things on this trip and it has become our mission to get this country on to everyones bucket list!
To help convince you, we have come up with a top 10 list of the very best things to do during a vacation to the Philippines. Check out the video below, and keep scrolling for more info.
1. Visit El Nido
With crystal blue waters, white sand beaches and delicious food, El Nido is the perfect island getaway destination! Located in the north of Palawan, this is probably our favourite spot we visited in the Philippines. There is a lot to do and see in this small seaside town, so we put together a guide with everything you need to know before visiting.
Read more:A Quick Guide to El Nido, The Phillipines
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2. Camp on an Active Volcano
Before 1991, Mt. Pinatubo was a heavily eroded mountain covered in dense forest and not really thought of as a tourist destination... until the eruption.
After the eruption a crater lake formed and the event is now known as the beautiful disaster. You can now camp on this active volcano, and it is one of the most beautiful camp sites we have ever seen! This is a very unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience that you must do when visiting the Philippines!
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3. Eat All the Local Food
The food in the Philippines is unique and full of variety. As the Filipino cuisine is composed of the cuisines of 144 distinct ethno-linguistic groups found throughout the Philippines, it makes sense why there are so many different foods to try. From the famous chicken adobo, the more daring balut or the delicious halo halo desert – you will never get bored of the flavours and options found throughout the Philippines!
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4. Go on a Hike through 2000 year old rice terraces
Considered by many as the "Eight Wonder of the World", the Banaue Rice Terraces truly is a sight to see. These 2,000 year old terraces were carved into the mountains with very few tools and are still used today by the locals.
Many people don't know that you can actually go on multi-day hikes through the area, staying at local villages and spend time surrounded by natural beauty. This is something we highly recommend you experience during a visit to the island of Luzon in the Philippines.
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5. Visit One of the 7 Natural Wonders
If we had to choose only one thing to do on the island of Palawan it would be to explore Puerto Princesa Underground River. This 8km long river is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Natural Wonders of the World. The river winds through a stunning limestone cave system and was thought to the longest until the recent discovery of one in Mexico.
The only way you can explore the Underground River is on a guided tour. A local guide will take you through the cave on a small kayak, with blue-green water and bats flying above - it is an experience that needs to be had in person!
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6. Visit the Hanging Coffins in Sagada
Something unique to the Philippines is hanging coffins in Sagada. To find them you will need to go on a 3 hour walk through Echo Valley, trekking down the side of cliffs, before reaching the unusual burial site. Hanging high up on the limestone cliffs, the coffins are both intriguing and eerie when in their presence.
The Igorot practice of attaching the coffins to the mountain comes from a belief that underground burials isolate a person from the natural world and the gods. A very unique experience that many tourists still don’t know about.
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7. Kayak through Small Lagoon
This secret lagoon is one of our favourite spots in all of the Philippines. When you arrive you will be told to paddle out to a small opening in between some rocks, and once you enter you will be greeted with the most stunning blue lagoon you have ever seen!
We visited here during our Philippines tour with TourRadar, and you can also get here on the El Nido tour A. They give tourists an allocated time to visit to ensure that the lagoon never gets over crowded.
8. Meet the Locals
The Filipinos are by far the friendliest people we have ever met! The hospitality we received during our three weeks in the Philippines can not compare to anywhere else we have travelled. They are the most kind and friendly people, extremely welcoming and always happy and smiling.
One day in Palawan we hiked out to a local village, and they were so excited to greet us that the chiefs son climbed a 20m high palm tree to bring us down some fresh coconuts - if that isn't 10 out of 10 hospitality I don't know what is!
9. Explore the Streets of Manila
You can't visit the Philippines without spending a day or two in the capital. Manila is a chaotic city full of history, amazing malls, fantastic food and a lot to see. Something we found interesting was that the city has a lot of Spanish, Chinese and American influence, who have inhabited the city throughout the years.
One of our favourite sites in Manila is San Agustin Church built during the Spanish Colonial Period. The church has been rebuilt 3 times so far, and is a beautiful building to check out during your time in the city. We also recommend spending a day at the Mall of Asia (one of the largest malls in the Philippines) and also visiting a couple of museums.
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10. Stay on your own Private Beach
During our time in Palawan we spent 2 nights staying at San Rafael Beach, and we literally did not see one other people during our time there. If you are looking to spend a day or two away from the hustle & bustle we totally recommend finding your own private beach - they aren't very hard to find!
IF YOU WANT TO EXPERIENCE ALL THIS AND MORE, WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND CHECKING OUT THE 19 DAY TOUR WE DID IN THE PHILIPPINES WITH TOURRADAR.
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Thanks to TourRadar for inviting Flying The Nest to the Philippines and sponsoring this trip, as always all opinions are our own.