Travel Tips
The Philippines is a Southeast Asian country in the Western Pacific, comprising more than 7,000 islands. Its capital, Manila, is famous for its waterfront promenade and centuries-old Chinatown, Binondo. Intramuros, a walled city in colonial times, is the heart of Old Manila. It’s home to the baroque 17th-century San Agustin Church as well as Fort Santiago, a storied citadel and military prison.
Trip Planning: The planning stage of your trip can be instrumental in its success and an enjoyable part of the experience itself. You have a world of options...and plenty to consider.
Entry and Exit formalities: Visitors must hold a passport valid for at least six months & beyond at the time of entering the country. Some nationalities can obtain visa on arrival and for nationalities who requires visa please refer to the Philippine consulate website: www.dubaipcg.dfa.gov.ph/
Transportation: Figuring out how to get around is one of your biggest pre-trip decisions. Get our holiday expert best advice on deciding between your options.
Based on your trip itinerary, our experts will help you choose wisely. You'll also find a wealth of practical travel tips.
Money: Use your money wisely. Know the best time to use cash or card — and how to avoid unnecessary fees either way — as well as tipping etiquette.
Phones and Technology: Phones and other smart devices can be huge time-savers...or expensive distractions. Get our tips for making the best use of technology during your trip, and for calling home with or without your own phone.
Packing Light: On your trip you'll meet two kinds of travelers: those who pack light and those who wish they had.
Sleeping and Eating: Your hotel and restaurant choices can be a matter-of-face chore…or they can provide rich opportunities to connect with locals and their culture.
Health & Hygiene: Take comfort: Doctors, hospitals, launderettes, and bathrooms aren’t that different. Dealing with them can even be part of the fun of travel.
Sightseeing & Activities: Once you're on the ground, the real fun begins…but it pays to have a thoughtful plan. Our experts will help you get oriented to your surroundings, use your sightseeing hours wisely, and find your way off the beaten path.
Things to see & do:
Manila-the capital of the Philippines, is a densely populated bayside city on the island of Luzon, which mixes Spanish colonial architecture with modern skyscrapers. Intramuros, a walled city in colonial times, is the heart of Old Manila. It’s home to the baroque 16th-century San Agustin Church as well as Fort Santiago, a storied citadel and former military prison.
Baguio-on the Philippines’ Luzon island, is a mountain town of universities and resorts. Called the “City of Pines,” it’s particularly popular in summer due to unusually cooler weather. At its center is Burnham Park, with gardens and a lake. Nearby, Baguio Cathedral, completed in 1936, has a rose-hued exterior. The main thoroughfare is Session Road, lined with shops, restaurants and entertainment options.
Cebu-is a province of the Philippines, in the country’s Central Visayas region, comprising Cebu Island and more than 150 smaller surrounding islands and islets. Its prosperous port capital, Cebu City, retains landmarks from its 16th-century Spanish colonial past, including the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño church and triangular Fort San Pedro. Tops, an observation deck on Mt. Busay, has sweeping views over the city.
Boracay-is a small island in the central Philippines. It's known for its resorts and beaches. Along the west coast, White Beach is backed by palm trees, bars and restaurants. On the east coast, strong winds make Bulabog Beach a hub for water sports. Nearby, the observation deck on Mount Luho offers panoramic views over the island. Offshore, coral reefs and shipwrecks are home to diverse marine life.
Bohol-is a province of the Philippines, in the country’s Central Visayas region. It comprises Bohol Island and numerous smaller surrounding islands. Bohol is known for coral reefs and unusual geological formations, notably the Chocolate Hills. On the main island, near the town of Carmen, these 1,200 or so symmetrical mounds turn cocoa-brown in the dry season, contrasting with the surrounding jungle's greenery.
Puerto Princesa-is a coastal city on Palawan Island in the western Philippines. It's a base for boat trips through the massive limestone caves and underground river of the biodiverse Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. Dive sites are dotted around Puerto Princesa Bay, home to long-nosed dolphins, turtles and rays. Close to the port is the 19th-century Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral.
Banaue Rice Terraces-are 2,000-year-old terraces that were carved into the mountains of Ifugao in the Philippines by ancestors of the indigenous people. They are frequently called the "Eighth Wonder of the World".
Pagsanjan Falls-also known as Cavinti Falls (indigenous name: Magdapio Falls) is one of the most famous waterfalls in the Philippines. Located in the province of Laguna, the falls is one of the major tourist attractions of the region. The three-drop waterfall is reached by a river trip on dugout canoe, known locally as Shooting the rapids, originating from the municipality of Pagsanjan. The falls can also be reached from the top by a short hike from Cavinti. The boat ride has been an attraction since the Spanish Colonial Era with the oldest written account in 1894. The town of Pagsanjan lies at the confluence of two rivers, the Balanac River and the Bumbungan River (also known as the Pagsanjan River).
Mount Pinatubo-is an active stratovolcanic caldera in the Zambales Mountains, located on the tripoint boundary of the Philippine provinces of Zambales, Tarlac and Pampanga, all in Central Luzon on the northern island of Luzon.
Negros Island- is the fourth largest island of the Philippines, with a land area of 13,309.60 km². Negros is one of the many islands that comprise the Visayas, which forms the central division of the nation.
Bacolod-is a city on the northwest coast of Negros Island in the Philippines. The 19th-century San Sebastian Cathedral stands beside Bacolod Public Plaza. Its original bells are on display in the churchyard outside. The Dizon-Ramos Museum is a 1950s house packed with memorabilia and photographs of the prominent family that once lived there. The Capitol Park and Lagoon has a lake and 2 golden water buffalo statues.
Davao City-on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, is a coastal commercial center near 2,954m-high Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak. In the city center, People’s Park is known for its colorful indigenous sculptures and lighted fountains. It's also home to Durian Dome, named after the pungent, spiky fruit that grows in abundance on Mindanao. Camiguin-is an island province in the Philippines located in the Bohol Sea, about 10 kilometres off the northern coast of Mindanao.
Dapitan-is a 3rd class city in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 82,418 people. It is historically significant as the place where José Rizal was exiled by the Spaniards for his revolutionary activities. He is considered a national hero, and this is known as the "Shrine City in the Philippines." The city is also home to Gloria's Fantasyland, the first amusement park in Mindanao.
Bodies of Water in Philippines-Kayangan Lake (Coron), Small Lagoon (El Nido), Puerto Princesa Underground River (Puerto Princesa), Twin Lagoon (Coron), Barracuda Lake (Coron), Honda Bay (Puerto Princesa), Manila Bay (Manila)
Enchanted River (Hinatuan), Twin Lakes of Balinsasayao & Danao (Dumaguete City), Sohoton Lagoon (Socorro), Dicasalarin Cove (Baler), Lake Taal (Batangas City), Loboc River (Bohol Island), Tuasan Falls (Catarman), Sto. Nino Cold Spring (Camiguin), Nagsasa Cove (San Antonio), Lake Pandin (San Pablo City), Mount Daraitan & Tinipak River (Tanay), Long Beach (San Vicente), Lake Danao (San Francisco), Napantao Marine Sanctuary (Padre Burgos), Malumpati Cold Spring (Pandan), Timoga Cold Springs (Iligan), Lake Sebu (Cotabato City), Omagieca Mangrove Garden (Bantayan Island), Lake Danum (Sagada), Capilay Spring Park (San Juan), Sampaloc Lake (San Pablo City), Bojo River (Aloguinsan)
Waterfalls in Philippines-Tumalog Falls (Oslob), Cambugahay Falls (Siquijor Island), Kawasan Falls (Moalboal), Tinuy-an Falls, Bislig), Casaroro Falls (Dumaguete City), Aguinid Falls (Samboan), Tappiyah Falls (Banaue), Ditumabo Falls (Baler), Bomod-Ok (Big) Falls (Sagada), Tinago Falls (Iligan), Kawasan Falls (Badian), Pagsanjan Falls (Pagsanjan), Tamaraw Waterfalls (Puerto Galera), Katibawasan Falls (Camiguin), Lugnason Falls (San Juan), Kabigan Falls (Pagudpud), Tukuran Falls (Puerto Galera), Hagimit Falls (Samal Island), Maria Cristina Falls (Iligan), Papawyan Falls (Port Barton), Tuasan Falls (Catarman), Vera Falls (Legazpi), Pulangbato Falls (Dumaguete City), Bolinao Falls 1 (Bolinao), Can-umantad Falls (Candijay), Tangadan Falls (Bagulin, Mag-aso Falls (Kabankalan), Daranak Falls (Tanay), Aliwagwag Falls (Cateel), Taytay Falls (Laguna Province)
