Wherever you go in the Philippines, it is the Filipinos that will make your holiday unforgettable!

If you want to experience a variety in tourism, then the best place that you should visit is Philippines where you can have a taste of the Western as well as Eastern culture since it has been dominated by several nations in the past, such as Spanish, Japanese, and Americans. Because of this, Philippines became rich in several structures such as churches, towers, museums, and more.

Sightseeing is one of the activities that you can do here in Philippines. Each region and each province has something different to offer. Most of the tourist spots here in Philippines are natural scenery and had been nominated to become one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Some of these destinations include the Chocolate Hills in Bohol, Mayon Volcano in Albay, Subterranean River in Puerto Princesa, and the Tubbataha Reef in Sulu. There are also several ruins that can be found in Cebu (churches as well as watchtowers), Albay (Cagsawa ruins), and even in the capital of the country, Manila (Fort Santiago).

It’s more fun in the Philippines!!

Metro Manila
Luzon
Visayas
Mindanao
UNESCO Sites & National Monuments

Metro Manila

Manila is one of the Philippine’s oldest cities, and glimpses of cultures past and present blend together to give you an experience which is sometimes gritty, sometimes pleasant, but unmistakably authentic.

Manila
24 Hours in Manila
Best Places to Eat in Manila
Manila Yacht Club
Binondo: Manila’s Chinatown

Luzon

Luzon as an island group includes the island of Luzon itself, plus the Batanes and Babuyan groups of islands to the north, and the main and outlying islands of Catanduanes, Marinduque, Masbate, Romblon, and Mindoro in the south.

Puerto Princesa
Batanes
Bataan | Pawikan Conservation
Camarines Norte
Caramoan Peninsula National Park
Camarines Sur
Ilocos Sur
Ilocos Norte
Pagudpud
Cavite
Zambales
Banton Island
Oriental Mindoro
Rizal
Laguna
Pangasinan
Marinduque
Mount Pinatubo
Coron Island and The Calamianes Islands
Corregidor Island
Subic
Batangas
Pampanga
Sagada
La Union
Lucban
Baguio

Visayas

Visayas consists of several islands, primarily surrounding the Visayan Sea. The major islands of the Visays are Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Samar and Palawan. The region may also include the islands of Romblon and Masbate.

Aklan
Bohol
Iloilo
Dumaguete
Cebu
Leyte
Boracay

Mindanao

Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines, and is the eighth most populous island in the world. The Cebuano language is spoken by the majority of people in Mindanao.

Pagadian City
Dapitan
Bukidnon
Zamboanga City
Lanao Del Norte
Misamis Oriental
Camiguin
Siargao Island
Cagayan De Oro
Davao City
Samal Island

UNESCO Sites & National Monuments

UNESCO Ifugao Rice Terraces
UNESCO Baroque Churches
UNESCO Historic Town of Vigan
National Monument Chocolate Hills
National Monument Taal Volcano
National Monument Hundred Islands National Park

Photos credit Manila(Storm Crypt), Luzon(Storm Crypt), Visayas(Julesnene), Mindanao(Storm Crypt)

All answered questions will be moved to a new thread after 1 week after bring answered. You can find them at the List of recently answered questions.

Do Not Ask These

- On bus / ferry schedules. These information can be found on the official operational companies websites.

- warm tropical waters, string of coral gardens and beautiful marine life makes it a diving and snorkelling paradise.
- Inland, you can find a fantastic landscape that stretch for miles. From the Bohol Chocolate Hills, to the rice terraces scattered throughout, and thriving cities that provide a metropolitan vacation. With 36,289 kilometers of coastline, finding yourself lost at a long sandy beach is definitely on the holiday card; the beaches of Boracay is a famous spot for the party animals!

The most important aspect of Philippines is the hospitality of the Filipinos, it is in Philippines that you will not find a stranger, everyone here is easy going! This is most evident during fiestas when even everyone is welcomed and allowed to partake of the feast that most, if not all, households within the town serve during the occasion. So loosen up and enjoy the party!

Even tho’ there are over 7000 islands to commute around, travelling is definitely at ease in Philippines. The public transportation system is highly efficient and timely (when comapred to many other region countries).
- Ferries and airlines for inter-island transfers (airlines mainly for the more popular destinations!)
- In major cities, taxis can be found everywhere (just make sure the meter is on!)
- jeepneies can be found everywhere!
- In Metro Manila, the light rail transit is highly efficient
- In rural towns, tricycle is often the transport of choice

There you go, what are you waiting for. Come let us show you Philippines – the way us local see it!

Diving in Philippines

Top Destinations

• Sabang Bay, Puerto Galera
• Canyons, Puerto Galera
• Taiei Maru, Coron
• Crocodile Island, Boracay
• Yapak, Boracay
• Sombrero, Anilao
• The Pier, Dumaguete
• Monad Shoal, Malapascua
• Coconut, Apo Island
• Divers Heaven, Balicasag

Welcome to Philippines Diving Guide. We offer great diving tips, in-depth information on places to dive, dive stores, accommodations and more. Stay tune, as this page is constantly being updated.

The Philippines with one of the most productive marine ecosystem, is one of the leading dive destinations of the world. With over 7000 islands, you will be spoilt of choices for dive destinations.

For sheer beauty, the Puerto Galera is a magical spot – declared a marine reserve in 2006. Perhaps the best known diving spot in Puerto Galera is Canyons where the strong currents will give you an exhilarating ride and the diversity of the marine ecosystem at Verde Island here makes it an ideal location for underwater explorations.

Giant gorgonian @ Cebu: Alfonsator

Best Time to Dive

Although it is possible to enjoy diving all year round in Philippines due to the sheer amount of dive destinations scattered across the country, however the best time to dive is between November to April (late June to early October is the monsoon season).

Diving Centers

Dive centers in Philippines are well equipped and are certified by relevant agencies for maintaining their standards of safety and professionalism. Scuba diving courses endorsed by certifying agencies like PADI, NAUI, SSI and BSAC. Some of the courses available include the initial ‘Open Water Course’, ‘Diving Instructor Course’ or even a ‘Re-breather Course’. Upon completion of your scuba course you can be outfitted with the latest scuba equipment of most international brands available from dive centers in Philippines.

Almost all the islands in Philippines cater for divers of all levels of experience – be it easy shore diving to advance wreck diving or technical diving. Operators engaged with technical diving are well equipped with portable emergency oxygen kits, special tank refilling equipment and other necessary facilities.

Getting Married in The Philippines

There are several requirements for a legal marriage ceremony in The Philippines.

1. For foreigners to marry in The Philippines, you have to provide your passport and a certificate of legal capacity to contract marriage issued by diplomatic or consular representatives of their country (an affidavit in lieu of a certificate of legal capacity to contract marriage may also be accepted).
2. Apply for a marriage license – which can be made at the office of the local Philippine Civil Registrar of the town or city.
3. If this is your first marriage, the local civil registrar will ask to see your original birth certificates or your baptismal certificates. Certified copies may be accepted. You need to provide the full name, residence and citizenship of your parents or guardians. There is also a need to present a divorce decree if the foreigner has been previously married and a death certificate if a widow or widower.

Foreigners marrying a citizen of The Philippines

For the Filipino applicant, these documentations are required for the marriage license application

1. Original copies of Birth Certificates or Baptismal Certificate.
2. If a widow/widower, original copy of Death Certificate.
3. Family Planning and Marriage Counselling Certificate.
4. Both applicants’ ID Photographs
5. If between 18 – 21 years old, you will require a copy of parental consent in writing.
6. If between 21 – 25, you will require a copy of parental advice (that they are aware of the marriage intention) in writing.

*10 days waiting period before the marriage license will be issued. Once issued, the wedding license will expired in 120 days.

Image credit: Daniel Y. Go

Only an individual with legal authority can solemnize the marriage ceremony, after which, a marriage certificate have to be signed by both applicants. The marriage certificate must be sent to the city hall or the municipality in which the Philippine national habitually resides. It will then be registered by the local civil register. You can get certified true copies of the marriage contract from the local civil registrar or the National Statistics Office.

Documents required for making a Philippines Tourist Visa

1. Duly-accomplished visa application (F.A. Form 2). Application forms that are incompletely filled-out will be returned to the applicant.

2. Valid passport (the original passport itself must be submitted) whose validity must extend at least six (6) months beyond the length of proposed stay in the Philippines.

3. One 2″ x 2″ size photograph taken within the last six (6) months. The applicant’s signature must be affixed on the front side of the picture.

4. A photocopy of the applicant’s airline ticket or confirmed travel itinerary

5. Proof of financial capacity (e.g. travellers cheques, latest print-out of credit card account(s), latest print-out of bank statements, ownership of real estate properties, and other documents showing the applicant’s capacity to financially support himself/herself during his/her stay in the Philippines)

6. If applicant is not appearing in person before the Consular Officer, the application form must be notarized by a local notary public.

7. Visa Application Fee

Tourist visas are issued under three main classifications:

1. Pleasure. For tourists and other visitors to the Philippines. It cannot be used to engage in gainful employment or for business, or to take up educational courses in any learning institution in the Philippines.

2. Business. The purpose of the temporary stay is to search for areas of investment. It does not allow you to engage in any activity which may be considered a form of gainful employment.

3. Health. This is granted to those whose intention is to convalesce from a serious injury or illness. The illness, however, should not be contagious or dangerous.

Entry of Temporary Visitors to the Philippines

1. Nationals from countries listed below who are traveling to the Philippines for business and tourism purposes are allowed to enter the Philippines without visas for a stay not exceeding twenty-one (21) days, provided they hold valid tickets for their return journey to port of origin or next port of destination and their passports valid for a period of at least six (6) months beyond the contemplated period of stay. However, Immigration Officers at ports of entry may exercise their discretion to admit holders of passports valid for at least sixty (60) days beyond the intended period of stay.

2. Nationals from the following countries are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for a period of stay of twenty-one (21) days of less:

1. Andorra
2. Angola
3. Antigua and Barbuda
4. Argentina
5. Australia
6. Austria
7. Bahamas
8. Bahrain
9. Barbados
10. Belgium
11. Benin
12. Bhutan
13. Bolivia
14. Botswana
15. Brazil*
16. Brunei Darussalam
17. Bulgaria
18. Burkina Faso
19. Burundi
20. Cambodia
21. Cameroon
22. Canada
23. Cape Verde
24. Central African Republic
25. Chad
26. Chile
27. Colombia
28. Comoros
29. Congo
30. Costa Rica
31. Cote d’Ivoire
32. Cyprus
33. Czech Republic
34. Democratic Republic of the Congo
35. Denmark
36. Djibouti
37. Dominica
38. Dominican Republic
39. Ecuador
40. El Salvador
41. Equatorial Guinea
42. Eritrea
43. Ethiopia
44. Fiji
45. Finland
46. France
47. Gabon
48. Gambia
49. Germany
50. Ghana
51. Gibraltar
52. Greece
53. Grenada
54. Guatemala
55. Guinea
56. Guinea Bissau
57. Guyana
58. Haiti
59. Honduras
60. Hungary
61. Iceland
62. Indonesia
63. Ireland
64. Israel*
65. Italy
66. Jamaica
67. Japan
68. Kenya
69. Kiribati
70. Kuwait
71. Lao People’s Democratic Republic
72. Lesotho
73. Liberia
74. Liechtenstein
75. Luxembourg
76. Madagascar
77. Malawi
78. Malaysia
79. Maldives
80. Mali
81. Malta
82. Marshall Islands
83. Mauritania
84. Mauritius
85. Mexico
86. Micronesia
87. Monaco
88. Mongolia
89. Morocco
90. Mozambique
91. Myanmar
92. Namibia
93. Nepal
94. Netherlands
95. New Zealand
96. Nicaragua
97. Niger
98. Norway
99. Oman
100. Palau
101. Panama
102. Papua New Guinea
103. Paraguay
104. Peru
105. Poland
106. Portugal
107. Qatar
108. Republic of Korea
109. Romania
110. Rwanda
111. Saint Kitts and Nevis
112. Saint Lucia
113. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
114. Samoa
115. San Marino
116. Sao Tome and Principe
117. Saudi Arabia
118. Senegal
119. Seychelles
120. Singapore
121. Slovakia
122. Solomon Islands
123. Somalia
124. South Africa
125. Spain
126. Suriname
127. Swaziland
128. Sweden
129. Switzerland
130. Thailand
131. Togo
132. Trinidad and Tobago
133. Tunisia
134. Turkey
135. Tuvalu
136. Uganda
137. United Arab Emirates
138. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
139. United Republic of Tanzania
140. United States of America
141. Uruguay
142. Venezuela
143. Vietnam
144. Zambia
145. Zimbabwe

3. The following are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for a stay not exceeding fifty-nine (59) days:
1. Holders of Brazil passports; and
2. Holders of Israel passports

4. The following nationals are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for a stay not exceeding seven (7) days.
1. Holders of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) passports.
2. Holders of British National Overseas (BNO) passports.
3. Holders of Portuguese Passports issued in Macao
4. Holders of Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) passports

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Nationals who are subjects of deportation/blacklist orders of the Department and the Bureau of Immigration shall not be admitted to the Philippines.

Further inquiries may be addressed to the Visa Division (Telephone numbers: 834-4854, 834-3707, and 834-4810), Department of Foreign Affairs, 2330 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City or to any Philippine Embassy or Consulate abroad.

It is easy to travel around Philippines, but it’s a big country (maps) made up of over 7,100 islands and islets.

Transport may be crowded on major holidays.

By Air

Manila, Cebu, Davao, Clark, Subic, and Laoag are the international gateways, with the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila as the premier gateway. It is served by more than 30 airlines, which fly to different cities around the world. The Mactan International Airport (MIA) in Cebu handles regular flights from Japan, Singapore, and Australia as well as chartered flights from Hong Kong, the United States, and other major travel capitals. Davao International Airport handles regular flights from Indonesia and Singapore. The Diosdado Macapagal International Airport and Subic Airfield in Central Luzon service both chartered and cargo planes. Laoag International Airport in Ilocos Norte services regular flights from Taiwan and Macau.

Philippine Airlines (PAL), the national flag carrier and considered “Asia’s First Airline,” remains the country’s biggest airline company. It has the largest number of international flights to the Philippines as well as domestic flights. PAL links Manila to 14 cities in 8 countries, and flies regularly to 41 domestic destinations outside Manila.

Cebu Pacific Air (5J), the low fare leader in the Philippines, is the country’s leading domestic airline with the lowest year-round fares, most number of destinations, most number of routes, most number of flights, most number of passengers flown in its domestic network and newest fleet of brand new Airbus A320s, Airbus A319s and ATR 72-100s. It links Manila to 21 domestic destinations and the Philippines to 12 international destinations with its direct flights. It also makes its international and domestic destinations virtually accessible to each other through its extensive connecting flight network. The airline currently operates hubs in Manila, Cebu, Davao and soon, in Clark.

Other airlines that presently fly the Philippine skies are Air Philippines, South East Asian Airlines, Laoag International Airlines, Asian Spirit Airlines, and Pacific Airways – each serving popular tourist destinations at pocket-easy prices. For a more personal experience, chartered flights are available via small air companies such as Airspan Corporation (helicopters), A. Soriano Aviation, and Aerolift Philippines (small-to-medium-sized planes).

By Sea

As the islands of the Philippines are separated by different bodies of water, the sea plays an integral part in travel. A range of seafarers are available, from huge cargo ships to small ferry boats; take long trips that last for a day or two with regular ship lines or take shorter ones with ferries. Major cruise liners call on the port of Manila.

WG&A Lines, a partnership between William Lines and the Aboitiz Group, has launched its SuperFerry Program, an affordable but convenient alternative to the usually crowded vessels of other ship lines.

By Land

Moving around the country by land is easy with national highways connecting the major islands and an extensive public transportation sytem, which includes the exotic Philippine jeepney. Trains, taxis, buses, jeepneys, and trikes are the main modes of public transportation. The calesa, a more elegant means of traveling in most major cities, is more commonly offered as a “fun ride” in many public parks across the country.

A land railway system operated by the Philippine National Railways, called the Metrotren, is recommended for long distance traveling. It reaches as far south as Carmona and Cavite, or as far north as Meycauayan, Bulacan. Within Metro Manila, the Light Railway Transit (LRT), which stretches from Caloocan to Baclaran, provides a fast alternative from the regular jeepney. The Metro Railway Transit (MRT) traverses the length of EDSA and connects North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City, passing through the major arteries of Makati’s financial district.

Taxis provide the best means of transportation around the city, with a flag-down fare of PhP20 on the meter. For the steel-hearted, buses also tread the roads. A vast majority of city buses travel via Epifanio delos Santo Avenue (EDSA) while provincial bus lines have put up various terminals all across the country. The best means of short distance travel is the trike: the motorized version is called a tricycle, and the pedal-powered one is called a pedicab. Trike terminals are often found near a “palengke” or marketplace.

The undisputed “King of the Philippine Roads” is the jeepney. Since it first emerged after the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, it has become a fixture in roads all over the country – so much so that it is now considered a symbol of national pride. Jeepneys are adorned with colorful designs that distinguish them from one another, with themes ranging from the serious to the outright silly, but all uniquely Filipino.

The town of Libog was founded in 1749. There is an account of Andres Bonifacio staying in the town and having a child with a local woman. His statue stands in front of the municipal government building today instead of the usual Jose Rizal. Libog is the hometown of Potenciano Gregorio who composed the immortal Bicolano love song “Sarung Banggi”. It was renamed as Sto. Domingo in 1959 in honor of its patron saint.

Mahatao Light house @ Batanes, Philippines

Smile and the whole world smile to you – Philipines Children

Paoay, Ilocos Norte: UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE. The Augustinians started building the present in 1699. Repairs and improvements were made in 1710, 1719, 1793, 1818, 1844, 1865, 1889 and after the 1927 earthquake. The church provides a breathtaking view from any angle.

Banaue rice terraces

Boat in river

Children playing in the river

Although you would hear negative news about the country, it is still safe to go to Philippines even if you would have your flight now. The region where the war is going on is very far from the tourist destinations in the country. Mindanao is just one of the islands in the archipelago and you still have other thousands of islands more to explore.

The recent political and economic issues in the country such as the increase of the oil price and such do not actually affect the tourism industry. Moreover, small rallies and few demonstrations were peacefully done on the streets. There are no violent manifestations on the road. Therefore, tourist should not be afraid of walking or travelling on the highways of Philippines, particularly in Manila.

Unfortunately, because of the rainy season that lasts from July to October, it is not advisable to have a vacation in the Philippines due to the storms that might ruin your whole tropical experience.

TRAVEL ADVISORY

SECRETARY DURANO ASSURES TOURISTS THE PHILIPPINES IS SAFE

“The Philippines remains a safe destination for travel. The Valentine’s Day bombing incidents, while unfortunate, are clearley isolated,” declares Secretary of Tourism Joseph Ace Durano.

“We have always had security arrangements with the Philippine Navy and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure the safety of both local and foreign tourists,” he adds.

The Department of Tourism stepped up coordination with the PNP’s Bantay Turista, the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Task Group Stingray, and the industry stakeholders to make certain that systems and procedures are in place to ensure the safety and security of tourists in the country.