Things to do in the Philippines? Or rather, should we ask ourselves what can’t you do in the archipelago? For us, the Philippines is the keyword, the magic formula, the key to endless possibilities that will make life a little more fun.
A country made up of more than 7,000 islands, each with a different personality, can be nothing other than synonymous with millions of options. There are so many things to do in the Philippines and, surprise!, not everything revolves around the beach. While it is true that the sun, the sea, and our beloved palm trees are the stars of any Philippines itinerary, you can’t generalize and say you don’t dare to explore it just because you aren’t a beach person.
Hiking, diving, waterfalls, volcanoes, smiles, and little adventures everywhere are just some of the components that can define your trip through the Philippines. Just like in a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book, you decide your path. There are as many trips to the Philippines as there are people. Excited to find out what yours will be like?
Open your eyes wide because this couple of lovebirds, who haven’t stopped returning to the archipelago again and again since 2010, are going to tell you what to do in the Philippines, without a doubt. Plus, we’ll give you some tips in case you’re one of those who prefer to get off the beaten path.
1. Go Island Hopping
There is no trip through the Philippines that doesn’t include island hopping. Literally “hopping from island to island”, these tours in bangka (the traditional Filipino boats that look so good in photos) will take you to discover lagoons, lakes, paradisiacal beaches, sandbars, and beautiful snorkeling spots… With so much beauty in one place, you’re bound to work up an appetite, so they usually include a lunch stop on some lovely little beach.
The most famous island hopping tours are those in El Nido and Coron, but we also strongly recommend those in Camiguin, Siargao, and Port Barton. Others that are less popular but equally incredible include the Coron to El Nido Expedition (imagine 3 or 4 days lost among uninhabited islands, sleeping in little huts by the sea and spending your days snorkeling), the Balabac Island Hopping, the Dinagat tour, the Cuatro Islas (Four Islands) tour, Romblon, or Caramoan.
If you want to take the epicness to the next level, one of the best things to do in the Philippines is to rent a private boat for yourself or form a small group with other travelers. This way you can stay as long as you like at each stop, avoid the crowds, and feel like the coolest pirate in the Pacific.
⛵ You can read a lot more about this activity and start drooling in Island hopping in the Philippines.
Small Lagoon in El Nido
2. Enjoy epic motorbike rides
One of the things to do in the Philippines that we love the most is exploring the islands at our own pace. To do this, as long as you have the proper license and do it safely and cautiously, the best option is to rent a motorbike. On almost all the islands, you will have the opportunity to do so and enjoy the Filipino roads.
This is the best way to see rice fields, palm groves, secluded beaches, and villages, stop to eat something tasty in a carendería (the typical local eateries), and, ultimately, get a sense of the day-to-day life of Filipinos.
If for you this is a must-do in the Philippines, the best places are Siargao, Siquijor, Bohol, Camiguin, and Romblon.
Find all the information regarding rentals in our article on Driving and renting a motorbike in the Philippines.
That said, if you don’t drive a motorbike or don’t have experience, don’t worry! You can see the Philippines perfectly without needing to rent a bike. Tricycles are everywhere in the country, giving you the opportunity to learn more about the culture and, of course, travel more comfortably. On some islands like Siargao, you can also rent a tricycle/tuk-tuk or car to go at your own pace.
3. Visit some of the best beaches in Asia
Obviously, even if it’s not all about the beach, one of the best things to do in the Philippines is to do a little research to see which one is your favorite. For us, hands down, the best beaches in Asia are in the Philippines, and we made a list of 28 that we consider the best beaches in the Philippines.
While you will find beautiful shores in almost all areas of the country, if what you want is to soak up the sun without doing much else, the destinations we think are ideal for this are Boracay, Bantayan, and Malapascua. In case you don’t mind arriving by boat, the ones we think are most spectacular are those in Coron and El Nido, without a doubt.
Looking for pure exquisiteness? Then don’t miss our article with the Best sandbars in the Philippines and take postcard-perfect photos.
What to do in the Philippines: enjoy amazing beaches like Daku Island, facing Siargao.
4. Gaze at the blue of its waterfalls, something to do in the Philippines
Are you more of a freshwater person like Jairo? Then don’t worry, because one of the things you can do in the Philippines is take a dip in its waterfalls. There are all kinds: high, low, powerful, with turquoise waters, unknown, touristy…
The most famous waterfalls to visit in the Philippines are Kawasan Falls, located south of the island of Cebu, near Moalboal. Even so, we have to give you a heads up: although their color is spectacular, the surroundings have lost a bit of charm and it is usually quite crowded. With all that, the canyoneering experience is very fun and something unique to this area, so we think it’s well worth going.
Other places with beautiful waterfalls to see in the Philippines are on the island of Cebu itself (Cambais Falls, those in Ginatilan, Tumalog Falls…), Siquijor (Cambugahay Falls, Lugnason Falls…), Camiguin (Katibawasan Falls, Tuasan Falls…), Batad (Tappiya Falls), Bohol (Kawasan Falls, Can-Umantad Falls, and dozens more), or Sibuyan (Cataja Falls, Busay Falls…).
You can see our selection in our article on The best waterfalls in the Philippines.
What to do in the Philippines: take a dip in Can-Umantad Falls, Bohol
5. Go diving in some of the best scuba spots in the world
The Philippine archipelago is located in the Coral Triangle, the place with the most marine biodiversity in the world, so it shouldn’t surprise you much that one of the things to do in the Philippines we recommend is diving.
Thresher sharks, hammerheads, whitetips, blacktips, turtles of all kinds, mantas, rays, scorpionfish, octopuses… In the Philippines, you can enjoy marine life that is difficult to see in other parts of the world with such good visibility. Not only that, other stars of diving in the Philippines are the shipwrecks. In Coron there are a lot of sunken ships from World War II that you can explore without much difficulty.
In the Philippines, there are diving spots for all types of divers. So, if you are a turtle lover and enjoy beautiful corals, we advise you to dive in Balicasag (Bohol), dive in Panglao, Apo Island, and Padre Burgos; if you like “big” animals, you have to dive in Malapascua, Apo Reef, and Ticao; if you dig the “weird” stuff or muck diving, don’t miss Anilao, Dauin (in Negros), the night pier in Padre Burgos, or the seabeds of Anda (Bohol); for incredible wrecks, your place is Coron. You have a good summary of the most impressive stuff in Best dives in the Philippines.
In case obtaining your diving certification or Open Water Diver is among your goals for things to do in the Philippines, you will see that there are many very professional dive schools. Our favorite places for this are Malapascua and Bohol.
You can get more information in Diving course in Bohol: Open Water.
6. Snorkel with Nemo and his friends the turtles
If you don’t like diving or simply can’t due to a medical issue, don’t worry, another thing you can do in the Philippines is snorkeling. As we advised in Backpack for the Philippines, bring your own mask and snorkel. This way you guarantee you’re always ready to enjoy marine life, plus, it’s much more hygienic.
Some of the best places for snorkeling in the Philippines are Balicasag (Bohol), Apo Island, Moalboal, Port Barton, Siquijor, Coron, and El Nido. In the first 3, it is very likely that you will see a turtle or two. Remember: do not touch them and keep a safe distance so as not to stress them.
Many travelers ask us which destinations we would choose to snorkel directly from the beach. In this case, we are clear: Moalboal, Siquijor, and Apo Island. From Malapascua you can also see reef sharks.
What to do in the Philippines: snorkeling with turtles in Balicasag (Bohol)
7. Swim with the whale shark (responsibly)
It never fails, the whale shark appears in all lists of things to do in the Philippines. Mind you, unfortunately, not in all of them do they say how to do it responsibly, in a way that doesn’t mean contributing to the disappearance of an endangered animal.
Whale sharks, butandings, or tiki tiki (as they are called in the Philippines), on their migratory journey around the world, pass through Philippine waters in search of food, which is mainly plankton. That implies that they usually are only in certain places in the country at certain times of the year.
Swimming with a whale shark is a magical experience. Adults can measure up to 12 meters and they are not fish that attack people, as they are not aggressive and, as you have seen, they do not eat “meat”. Lamentably, there are places where they are being hurt a lot and in the Philippines that happens in Oslob, Cebu. In Swimming with the whale shark in the Philippines we tell you in detail, but, to summarize, there they feed the shark artificially, more than 1,000 tourists go every day, and they receive blows, kicks, cuts… A complete disaster.
For all this, we ask you, please, if one of the things you want to do in the Philippines is to swim with the whale shark, do it in one of these 3 places in their corresponding season:
- Padre Burgos (Pintuyan is cheaper): from November to April.
- Puerto Princesa (Palawan): from April to October.
- Donsol (Luzon): from December to May.
8. Practice surfing or kitesurfing
Bali gets all the fame when it comes to talking about surfing in Southeast Asia, but in the Philippines, we have wonderful waves for those in love with this sport. If you want to surf in the Philippines, our advice is to head to Siargao. With its well-known wave Cloud 9, it has been attracting surfers from all over the world for years, but if you are a beginner or want to start, you will also find spots more suitable for you almost all along the island’s coast.
Other good places to surf are La Union, Baler, Catanduanes, and Bagasbas in Luzon; and Calicoan Island in Samar. For beginners, at Duli Beach, one of the best beaches in El Nido, you can also find some interesting waves and board rental stalls. You can read much more about this topic in Where to surf in the Philippines.
If your passion is kitesurfing, in Siargao, Bantayan, Boracay (from December to March), Pagudpud (from November to April), Daet (from November to March), and Sibaltan (near El Nido) you will find good spots and places to rent equipment.
What to do in the Philippines: surfing in Siargao
9. Go hiking in magical places
One of the things that will surprise you about the Philippines is its variety of landscapes. In addition to the typical paradisiacal beaches, where coconut trees and transparent turquoise waters ruled supreme, you will find mountain scenery that perhaps you didn’t have in mind when thinking about the country.
Thus, those passionate about trekking or hiking cannot miss the rice terraces of Banaue and Batad. These are the most well-known, but there are a lot of villages in the surroundings, which offer opportunities to walk for 3, 4, or 5 days and have a totally different experience in the land of the Ifugao.
Continuing in the north of the country, you can go to Sagada, discover its caves and its legendary hanging coffins. You could even go up a little further and explore Kalinga land, perhaps the most interesting cultural area of the country. Between Sagada and Buscalan is also the Bontoc area, where the spectacular Maligcong terraces await you.
Other interesting treks in the Philippines are the one that climbs to the summit of Hibok-Hibok (Camiguin), Mt. Kanlaon (Negros, although currently inaccessible due to activity), the Pinatubo volcano (Luzon), Osmeña Peak (Cebu), Mt. Pulag (Luzon), Mt. Halcon (Mindoro), Mt. Arayat (Luzon), or Mt. Apo (Davao). In the surroundings of Dumaguete you can also do some great trails, you have the Binabaje Hills in Bohol, just like near the Mayon volcano (Legazpi), although always respecting the safety perimeter.
Batad Rice Terraces (Ifugao)
10. Taste the best mangoes in the world and the delights of Filipino gastronomy
Maybe you think we’re being arrogant, but when you go to the Philippines you will understand everything. Philippine mangoes are the best on the planet, hands down. They are sweet, tender, dripping… incredible! Especially if you catch them in the right season, which is usually April and May. Not surprisingly, in Guimaras, the island where they say the sweetest mangoes in the Philippines are found, a festival dedicated to them is celebrated, which we were lucky enough to experience a few years ago. Imagine, we were at an all-you-can-eat mango buffet!
Surely you will have read somewhere that Filipino gastronomy is not fascinating. It is true that it is not Thailand or Indonesia in terms of exoticism, but, honestly, dare to step away from burgers or noodles and discover the richness of its food.
Adobo, afritada, menudo, lecheflan… ring a bell? Tasting these dishes with Spanish names is something you absolutely must do in the Philippines.
By the way, if you want to bring a souvenir to someone after your trip through the Philippines, don’t hesitate: buy dried mango. It is the supreme delight and they sell it in any supermarket (also at the airport, but it’s more expensive).
If you can’t wait any longer and want to start salivating, read our article What to eat in the Philippines? 25 typical dishes and drinks you will love.
What to do in the Philippines: stuff yourself with mango
11. Get a tattoo from the last Kalinga tattoo artist
Whang-od is the last Kalinga tattoo artist, the one who inked the Butbut warriors who protected the villages of this land north of Manila. She has been in Buscalan since she was 15 years old practicing the technique of batok, that is, making tattoos with the thorn of a calamansi (a citrus fruit typical of the Philippines) and bamboo, gently tapping the skin. Each design had a meaning for these people and now tourists from all over the world come here to meet her and take a souvenir of the Philippines forever.
Even so, keep in mind that, due to her advanced age, Whang-od no longer does tattoos. It is her apprentices, usually family members, who do the tattoo and she, if you catch her at a good time, will do her signature, which consists of 3 dots. We also have to warn you that many travelers end up with infected tattoos or in bad condition, so be very careful.
Whether you want to get a tattoo or not, visiting Kalinga land will be a hit if you want to get off the usual Philippines travel itineraries.
12. See the most fiery sunsets
To cross off your list of things to do in the Philippines what we are going to talk about now, you won’t need to go anywhere specific, but we’re going to give you a little tip.
Every day you have a date with the sunset between 17:30 and 18:00. The sunsets in the Philippines are stunning and, best of all, different every day. Grab a San Miguel and stop to enjoy something so simple.
Our best sunsets we have seen in Siquijor (Paliton Beach), Panglao, Malapascua, and El Nido (Corong Corong Beach and Las Cabañas). In fact, we have even made an article with our favorite sunsets in El Nido.
What to do in the Philippines: enjoy sunsets like those at Sugar Beach, Negros
13. Explore the Spanish colonial heritage
The Philippines was a Spanish colony for more than 3 centuries, specifically from 1565 to 1898. Although little remains of the language or the monuments and buildings that were once erected, in many parts of the country the colonial legacy can still be noticed, which, in our opinion, goes beyond what remains standing. The charisma of Filipinos is very different from that of their Asian neighbors and you can also appreciate a bit of Spanish in words of Tagalog, Visayan, Ilocano, and Chavacano, as well as in street names, food, or even in the surnames of its inhabitants.
We believe that one of the things to do in the Philippines is to emphasize this, and you can easily do so if you dedicate a few hours to walking the streets of Intramuros in Manila. Of course, there are plenty more places, such as Vigan (which is probably the most beautiful city in the Philippines), the San Agustin Church in Paoáy (Ilocos Norte), or Fort San Pedro and Magellan’s Cross in Cebu.
Other architecturally interesting sites are Escolta Street, where you can still see a bit of Art Deco architecture in Manila; Silay, with imposing examples of sugar haciendas in Negros; and Iloilo, perhaps one of the most interesting cities in the country and home to the beautiful Miagao Church.
Discover much more about this topic by reading History of the Philippines: Brief summary.
Crisologo Street in Vigan
14. Meet the Filipinos and be amazed at how some Spanish words have been kept
It won’t be weird if you’re walking down the street and, suddenly, you hear something that sounds familiar. You haven’t heard wrong, as we told you above, it is estimated that more than 30% of Filipino vocabulary is of Spanish origin, so it is not rare to hear things like “derecho” (straight), “oras” (to refer to hours), “gwapo” (handsome), “kutsara” (spoon), “tinidor” (fork), “platito” (small plate), or “servesa” (beer).
In addition, a large part of the Filipino population speaks fluent English, which facilitates conversation with them. Play the card of your great Filipino, Visayan, or Chavacano, provoke some laughs, and try to get to know a people known for their ability to smile. The landscapes of the Philippines will make an impression on you, but part of the experience of this trip will be given to you by the Filipinos.
Delve into this topic in Languages of the Philippines.
What to do in the Philippines: converse with its inhabitants and know more about their way of life
15. Receive a restorative massage from the hands of a hilot professional
As you can see, there is so much to do in the Philippines, so there will come a time when you will be a little tired. If you are going to visit the island of Siquijor, do not miss the opportunity to visit a manghihilot, as those who master the technique of hilot, an ancient traditional massage, are known.
This massage mixes chiropractic and esoteric principles and aims to recover patients from muscular and organic pains, as well as restore their mental and spiritual peace.
16. Investigate its caves a bit
We have already seen what to do in the Philippines at sea, on the beaches, and in the mountains, but what if you visit its interior? There are many caves to visit in the country, but perhaps the most well-known is the famous Puerto Princesa Underground River, Palawan. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 2011, if you have enough days on your trip to the Philippines, it can be a good opportunity to see something different. In Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, how to visit it? you will find more information about this excursion, which can be done comfortably from Puerto Princesa city.
Other interesting caves are the Catbalogan Lagun-Gobingob Caves in Samar, which constitute the largest cave system in the Philippines; those seen on the so-called Cave Connection Tour in Sagada (4 hours); Callao Cave in Tuguegarao and the Tabon Caves in Palawan. Another group of islands with cool caves are the Camotes Islands and Siquijor.
17. Gaze at some of the volcanoes of the Philippines
Have we already told you that the Philippines has epic landscapes? Besides amazing beaches, rice fields, and mountains, something that will make you fall in love with this country is its volcanoes. From Mayon, with its perfect conical shape dominating Legazpi; to Pinatubo, with a lake in the crater; passing through Taal; and all those you can see in Camiguin, the place on earth with the most volcanoes per square meter.
In Volcanoes of the Philippines we tell you everything about these natural wonders.
What to do in the Philippines: enjoy volcanoes as impressive as Mayon Volcano (Luzon)
18. Go “party”
Filipinos and Hispanics have two things in common: we love to party and we use the same word to talk about it (fiesta). So, it won’t be rare for you to stumble upon a town fiesta in one of the places you visit. An improvised fair where videoke is never missing. Believe us, one of the things you have to do in the Philippines without a doubt is sing in one of these karaokes, it is the most Filipino thing that exists. If you are shy, let the effect of the Emperador brandy kick in.
If you are looking for nightlife, good islands for it are Siargao (especially), Boracay, Panglao, or El Nido. Of course, in Manila or Cebu you won’t lack for harana (fun/music) either.
19. Go a little crazy: zipline, canyoning, skydiving…
Many want to go to the Philippines to do almost nothing and relax on the beach. We think that’s great, but if you need your dose of adrenaline, you can have it too! In places like Bohol or El Nido you will find ziplines, you can do canyoneering or canyoning at Kawasan Falls, rafting in Cagayan de Oro, skydiving in Bantayan…
20. Explore spectacular sandbars and look for Wilson
Maybe you started to get interested in what you can do in the Philippines after seeing a photo of a fantastic sandbar, right? You haven’t been deceived, in the archipelago, you will find stunning islands composed basically of sandbars bathed by crystal clear waters.
Note these names: Kalanggaman, Cresta de Gallo, Bonbon Beach (Romblon), Kawhagan Island (Siargao), Naked Island (Siargao), White Island (Camiguin), Starfish Island (Port Barton), Snake Island (El Nido), Bulog Dos (Coron)… The list is infinite! You can read about the best ones in our article on sandbars in the Philippines.
What to do in the Philippines: explore incredible sandbars like Kalanggaman Island
21. Try all Filipino means of transport
Traveling through the Philippines is not so easy and that is part of its charm. Since it is not a country as touristically developed as others, it is likely that to get to a place you have to take several means of transport in the same day. Domestic flights in the Philippines, bus, tricycle, jeepney, habal-habal, motorela, ferry, bangka… you will think you’ll never arrive!
Patience, some pandesal (bread rolls), and a good fleece for the air conditioning will be your best allies.
We tell you everything in How to get around the Philippines: transport guide.
22. Be amazed by the rhythm of festivals in the Philippines
In addition to parties, the Philippines is characterized by its large and colorful festivals in which parades are the protagonists. If you are lucky enough to be there for any of the most important ones, don’t miss it! Here is a short list:
- Sinulog Festival, Cebu: around the third Sunday of January. Read much more in our Guide to Sinulog.
- Ati-Atihan Festival, Kalibo (Panay): around the third Sunday of January.
- Moriones Festival, Marinduque: during Holy Week.
- Masskara Festival, Bacolod (Negros): the third weekend of October.
- Lanzones Festival, Camiguin: end of October.
You have them explained in detail in our article Festivals of the Philippines.
23. Discover what color the Chocolate Hills really are, something mandatory to do in the Philippines
A visit to the Chocolate Hills of Bohol couldn’t be missing from our list of things to do in the Philippines. This natural monument gets its name because in the dry season the little mountains usually acquire a brown color, as the vegetation covering them dries up. However, we have visited the Chocolate Hills on many occasions and they have always been green! Tell us what color you see them, please.
What to do in the Philippines: go to the Chocolate Hills
24. Practice kayaking or paddle boarding in very special places
If you are a lover of kayaking or paddle boarding, you are in luck, as there are increasingly more possibilities to practice these sports in the Philippines. Not only do they give you the opportunity to get your body moving, but thanks to them you will be able to discover beautiful places.
For example, paddle boarding on the Loboc River (in Loboc, Bohol) is especially beautiful, as you will see yourself surrounded by precious jungle vegetation. On said island, the route along the Abatan River is also lovely, which is less known. On the other hand, we also advise you to get a kayak in El Nido, since you will be able to visit nearby islands and beaches without the overcrowding of typical tours. In our article on What to do in El Nido and Beaches of El Nido we tell you some of the most interesting routes.
Other cool kayak routes can be done through Port Barton, Caramoan, or the Hundred Islands. You will also have the opportunity to hit these sports during the Coron-El Nido Expedition, which is one of our favorite experiences.
25. Develop your patience to unsuspected limits
Yes, obviously not everything is rosy in the Philippines. Like all countries, this one also has bad or less beautiful things, and a skill that we have acquired in our multiple trips around the country is stretching our patience like chewing gum.
Not everything in the Philippines is fast or easy. Delays in transport are frequent, the wifi connection is usually not the best (buy a SIM card instead), sometimes ATMs don’t work well, bureaucracy can be slow, food usually takes an eternity to arrive… In short, slow down, develop your patience, don’t get angry, and adapt to the Filipino rhythm as much as possible.
26. Discover places where nobody goes
“The Philippines is overcrowded”, LIES! Honestly, as lovers of this country, we get very annoyed when we read these statements. It is impossible for an archipelago with more than 7,000 islands to be overcrowded. It is true that there are certain destinations that have achieved a lot of fame in recent years and that the growth of tourism has not been accompanied by appropriate infrastructure. Alona Beach in Bohol, El Nido, or Boracay are good examples of this. However, it is very easy to say that a place is overcrowded when absolutely no research is done and one does not want to step a little out of their comfort zone.
All these islands in the Philippines that receive more tourists have beautiful corners where you will hardly see anyone. Such is the case of Anda in Bohol, the places you can discover by kayak in El Nido, destinations in northern Palawan like Sibaltan or Duli Beach, or other beaches in Boracay that are not White Beach or the southern area of it itself. Just 45′ from El Nido there is a great place to escape for a couple of nights: Darocotan.
Furthermore, what we like to do most in the Philippines is discover new corners and that is why we keep coming back. Note these names if you want to feel like a castaway and see not a soul: Caramoan, Pagudpud, Cuatro Islas (Leyte), Masbate, Sibaltan, Taytay, Romblon, Sibuyan, Carabao, Balabac, Batanes, Calaguas…
☀️ Feel like the king of the castle in these Off the beaten track islands in the Philippines.
What to do in the Philippines: discover remote places like Cresta de Gallo
27. Put into practice the concept of Bahala na and stop worrying about the weather
We know, the weather in the Philippines worries you. That is why we wrote two articles related to the climate: When to travel to the Philippines? and Best time to travel to the Philippines. However, no matter what we tell you and what the weather sites indicate, no one knows what the weather is going to be like in the Philippines neither in a month, nor tomorrow, nor in an hour.
With such a changeable tropical climate, what we advise you to do is follow the maxim of Filipinos: bahala na or “come what may”. Don’t worry so much and enjoy! There are things to do in the Philippines even in the rain!
On the other hand, even if you consult a weather app, whatever the season, it will tell you that it is always going to rain in the Philippines. Why? Because even if a 5-minute shower falls, it will show that it’s raining all day. So, honestly, listen to us and don’t get discouraged. The usual thing is that even in the rainy season it rains a little at sunset and that’s it.
28. Stay in huge hotels over the sea
We always say it, there is a trip to the Philippines for every type of traveler. From those who want to spend little and sleep in humble hostels and eat in carenderias for barely a couple of euros/dollars to those who want to treat themselves to pure luxury without breaking the bank. It is true that the Philippines is not the Maldives and the hotel offer is smaller, but there are breathtaking hotels perfect if you are on a honeymoon or simply feel like treating yourself.
Take a look at these overwater hotels in the Philippines:
- El Nido Resorts Lagen Island (El Nido)
- Cauayan Island Resort (El Nido)
- Pearl Farm Beach Resort (Samal)
You have more recommendations in Best resorts in the Philippines, Overwater bungalows in the Philippines, and Best resorts in Siargao.
29. And, why not?, do nothing
You must be exhausted with so many things to do in the Philippines, why don’t you try doing nothing? If you fancy a bit of disconnection, an “all-inclusive” vibe like that of the Caribbean, you also have places to do it.
For example, some nice little hotel facing the sea in Boracay, in Bantayan, or in Malapascua will lower your heart rate without having to worry too much. However, in any beachy place in the Philippines that you set your mind to, you will easily adapt to watching life go by and thinking that you could get used to it.
Nacpan Beach (El Nido)
30. Go on a multi-day expedition
We already mentioned it at the beginning, but we think just in passing. Honestly, something that we think you have to do in the Philippines no matter what is to live the experience of a multi-day expedition touring beach paradises, sleeping in cabins by the sea, and not worrying about anything while you snorkel, paddle board, or simply marvel at how beautiful the islands are.
The most well-known is the one done from El Nido to Coron (or vice versa), not only because it is the first one that started to be done, but because by joining two tourist places, it is usually the most accessible. Also, although it obviously depends on the company, it is also the one with more frequencies, better services, and, in general, a more “curated” experience.
We have done it twice with THIS COMPANY and we recommend it more than strongly, but if you are looking for 3 days and 2 nights or something cheaper, THIS OTHER ONE will not fail you. With the code TRAVELPHILIPPINES they give you a 1,000 pesos discount.
Be that as it may, you can read a lot more about the experience in El Nido to Coron Expedition.
For other trips of the style, although somewhat more “rural”, we recommend that you go read about Balabac or Dinagat.
Postcards from the Coron-El Nido expedition
30+1. Return to the Philippines again and again
Okay, we wanted to have a round number on this list of things to do in the Philippines and we achieved it. Although we could have put at least 100 more, we have 30 and we can’t think of a better one than this to close it! The Philippines is a state of mind, a beautiful addiction that trapped us 15 years ago and many other travelers we know.
It is very possible that you haven’t even left the country and you are already thinking about which islands you are going to visit on your next trip, how you can do to squeeze more out of it. We are sorry, the Philippines will seep into your heart like it seeped into ours the first time and it won’t leave you.
Mabuhay Philippines!
What to see in the Philippines – map
Apart from all the activities we have mentioned, we think it is useful to include a map with the main destinations to see in the Philippines so you can get a quick idea of where they are located:
That said, in every guide on our page, you have sections where we detail extensively how to get to each of them from Manila or Cebu and other common routes. Don’t worry, you have all the information to set up an amazing trip.
If you want to know less known destinations, we recommend that you go directly to read our article Off the beaten track places in the Philippines.
Frequently asked questions about things to see and do in the Philippines – FAQs
To wrap up, we want to answer the most common questions from travelers when it comes to things to do in the Philippines:
Is traveling to the Philippines dangerous?
Absolutely not. We have been living/traveling around this country for 15 years and it seems to us one of the safest we have been to. Of course, you have to explore it with common sense, but, honestly, it is a country where you will feel at home.
Is the Philippines expensive?
No, it is a very affordable country. To give you an idea, you can find hostels for less than $25 a night, eat for $3-5 in local restaurants, and do full-day boat tours with lunch included for $23. Obviously, you can spend much more if you feel like it, but it can also be done very cheaply.
How many days are enough for the Philippines?
For us, the best figure is about 20 days, as that way the trip will be more worth it (being usually far from your starting point). Transfers are heavy and there are many islands to see, so the more time you dedicate the better. Even so, if you have 15 days to see the Philippines, you can enjoy it a lot too.
What shouldn’t you miss in the Philippines?
We don’t think there are essentials because, in reality, many different trips can be made according to each person’s tastes, the time available, and the activities you want to do. Even so, among the most iconic destinations to see in the Philippines are El Nido, Coron, Bohol, Siargao, Malapascua, and Siquijor.
What is the most beautiful place in the Philippines?
It is hard to pick a side, but if we have to base it on the spectacular nature of the landscapes, that is possibly El Nido, in Palawan. The islands of the Bacuit archipelago, with their black limestone rock walls bathed by transparent waters, make up the most impressive landscape in the whole country. With that said, there are dozens of interesting islands to see in the Philippines that are equally spectacular. To give you an example: Coron (Busuanga), Bohol, Siquijor, Camiguin, Malapascua, Siargao, Dinagat… The important thing is that you read a lot and choose the destinations that best adapt to what you are looking for and that you make a logical route that considers transfer times well.
Twin Lagoon in Coron
Of course, this is just a small appetizer of everything the Philippines has to do. On our website, you have very detailed and updated guides on the most famous destinations in the country, but also on others less known. Also, you can always ask us whatever you want in the comments and we will answer you as soon as possible. Enjoy the preparations very much!
