Top 5 unmissable activities in the Philippines: things to do for fun
The Philippines is a popular travel destination – some people even recommend the country as a great place to spend a Christmas vacation. If it is on your travel bucket too, then you should read this article and discover the top five unmissable activities in the Philippines!
Be warned though: you may end up loving this country so much that you’ll find yourself planning a second trip here soon after your first one!
Top 5 unmissable activities in the Philippines: things to do for fun
1. Island hopping
One of the top five unmissable activities you should experience in the Philippines is island hopping.
The best part?
You’ll be able to enjoy more of the country on the same trip.
You won’t go to all the islands (more than 7,000), but you will visit some of the popular ones. You should know that the Philippines has many beautiful beaches, lagoons, and reefs. Some of the best places for island hopping include El Nido and Coron in Palawan, Siargao, Cebu, and Bohol.
2. Scuba diving and snorkeling
The underwater life is amazing – and not all people get to experience it up close. If you can go scuba diving, then don’t miss the opportunity to do that while in the Philippines. Scuba diving in the Philippines is enjoying huge popularity and it is easy to realize why there are plenty of tours on offer such as the Puerto Princesa tour package since there are so many wonderful dive sites you can consider.
Let yourself be mesmerised by the Tubbataha Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but keep in mind that there are other scuba diving spots in Cebu (Malapascua), Bohol (Balicasag Island and others), and Batangas (Verde Island). No matter where you’ll go, scuba diving and snorkeling are some of the best things to do in the Philippines.
The best time to visit the Philippines for scuba diving is during the dry season, which runs from November to April.
3. Surfing
The Philippines is also a great destination for surfing – Siargao is known as the “Surfing Capital of the Philippines.” Other popular surfing spots are La Union and Baler.
The best time to visit the Philippines for surfing is between September and November.
4. Hiking and trekking
While the Philippines has an amazing coastline and consistent waves which make the country a perfect destination for water activities, the country has also stunning natural landscapes, including volcanoes, rice terraces, and waterfalls. Hikking and trekking are other unmissable activities in the Philippines.
Mount Pulag in Benguet, Mount Pinatubo in Zambales, and the Batad Rice Terraces in Ifugao are some of the popular hiking and trekking spots in the Philippines.
5. Experience the culture
Even if it is the last element on this list of best activities in the Philippines, experiencing the local culture is very important. Keep in mind that the country is a melting pot of cultures, with influences from indigenous peoples, Spanish colonizers, and American occupiers.
Pro tip: When planning your trip to the Philippines check to see if there are any festivals/events taking place when you will be there and include them on your itinerary.
Don’t forget to sample the local food – some of the popular dishes from the Philippines are ice candy, halo halo, adobo, kare-kare, sinigang, crispy pata, but you will find many more!
Bonus recommendation: Include Manila on your Philippines itinerary
No visit to the Philippines is complete without a visit to the country’s capital, Manila. I already presented in this article the best things to do in Manila, so check it out if you didn’t read it and see what to include on your itinerary.
