While other Southeast Asian destinations are often talked about, the Philippines somehow flies under the radar. And yet, with a total of 7,641 islands constituting this gem of a nation that gleams in the western Pacific Ocean, there are so many fabulous things to do in the Philippines. Home to a diverse range of communities, the Philippines has a rich and diverse culture. Occupation by the Spanish, Americans, and Japanese, has also had a lasting impact on its traditions, food, and architecture. Dive into the deep end with this guide, which gives you an idea of what to plan for on a getaway to this exciting location.
The best time to visit the Philippines
I’d say that the best time to visit the Philippines is between November and May. December to February are the coolest months when the climate is conducive to travel and several festivals add to the fun. Travel experts aver that March is the month when prices are lowest, and the weather supports exploration, whether you’re shopping, partying, relaxing on the beach, climbing volcanoes, diving to shipwrecks, swimming with whale sharks, getting a traditional Hilot massage, or engaging in other fun things to do in the Philippines.
Explore our guide to the shipwrecked marvels across the globe.
Most tourists avoid going to the Philippines from June to October, as that’s the monsoon season with heavy rain and stormy weather. Having said that, I have travelled around various parts and explored many things to do in the Philippines in June and didn’t mind the rain at all. Light rain gear and umbrellas gave adequate protection, and the main attractions were less crowded than at other times of the year.
Places to visit and things to do in the Philippines
Manila, a city of contrasts
Metro Manila is made up of 16 different cities, one of which is Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Each of these cities has a different vibe and character. There are ancient churches, modern megamalls, beautiful parks to explore and several other interesting things to do in the Philippines.
Things to do:
- Walk down the waterfront promenade at Manila Bay, once the site of a battle between the Spaniards and Americans.
- Visit Intramuros, the walled city in Manila that was built by the Spanish in the 16th Century. Designated a National Historical Landmark in 1951, its fortifications have been declared National Cultural Treasures by the National Museum of the Philippines. A walk around this area (less than 1 sq km) will reward you with interesting historic and cultural sights. The imposing San Agustín Church in Baroque style is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a popular spot for weddings, and I was lucky enough to get a chance to click some lovely pictures of a newly married couple in their wedding finery. A memorial of the Philippines’ struggle for Independence, Fort Santiago is a must-visit in this area.
- The 16th-century Manila Cathedral stands majestic despite the numerous restoration works in the past. Admire the marble floor and stained-glass windows created by Filipino artist Galo Ocampo.
- Chinatown and the Chinese cemetery offer a vibrant and fascinating glimpse into the city’s rich cultural heritage. With their colourful architecture, bustling markets, and unique historical significance, these sites are must-see destinations for any visitor. Also, check out our guide to the best things to do in Manila for more inspiration.
Where to stay: The Manila Hotel, a historic five-star luxury landmark, exudes timeless elegance.
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You can never be bored in Boracay
If beaches, clubs, and water sports float your boat, then pencil Boracay into your vacay.
Things to do:
- You can try adrenaline-pumping activities, such as parasailing, snorkelling, ziplining, ATV-ing (at Mount Luho), helmet diving, cliff diving (off Ariel’s Point), island-hopping and nightclub-hopping.
- White Beach in the central part of Boracay has it all: pristine white sandy beaches, luxury resorts, and some of the best restaurants, bars, and nightclubs in the Philippines. Whether you choose to be at Boracay Station 1 (super luxe), Station 2 (more affordable and the hub for water activities), or Station 3 (budget-friendly and quieter), you’re bound to have a great time at the White Beach.
- For a diverse beach experience, explore the stunning shores of Boracay. Whether you prefer the serene Puka Beach in the north, the lively Cagban Beach in the south, or one of the island’s other 17 beaches, you’re sure to find your perfect paradise.
Where to stay: The Lind Boracay and Aqua Boracay at Bulabog are two of the top luxury stays in Boracay.
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Take your boo to Cebu
As its nickname, “Gateway to a Thousand Journeys”, suggests, Cebu with 170 islands offers countless adventures. It is a prime destination to experience the best things to do in the Philippines.
Things to do:
- The three levels of the blue-hued Kawasan Falls are the biggest attraction in Cebu. Do a trek to get there or try canyoneering, which involves rappelling, swimming, and even jumping off tall cliffs.
- History buffs should visit Magellan’s Cross in front of the Cebu City Hall. The original cross (encased in a wooden exterior) was placed there by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 AD, thus bringing Catholicism to the Philippines.
- Do a photo stop at the majestic Temple of Leah.
- Indulge in a barbecue feast at Larsian, where you can order grills of your choice from street vendors.
- Visit the sandbar at Sumilon Island. Stay at the private resort or plan a day trip to dive, snorkel or hike in this protected area with an incredibly diverse marine population.
- Climb eight storeys down into the Holy Crystal Cave to view the beautiful formations of stalactites and stalagmites.
- Escape to the tranquil shores of Bantayan Island for a peaceful and rejuvenating beach getaway.
- Light a joss stick at the Cebu Taoist Temple, where the teachings of Chinese Philosopher Lao Zi are revered. It boasts a façade, reminiscent of the Great Wall of China.
- Swim with the sardines at Panagsama Beach in Moalboal. Witnessing this mass of millions of fish is a mind-blowing experience.
- Go birding at Olango Island between November and February to watch various migratory species that arrive from Siberia.
Where to stay: Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort, Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort, and Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu are some of the top luxury resorts in Cebu.
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Things to do beyond the tourist trail in the Philippines
Given the Philippines’ vast archipelago, there’s a world waiting to be discovered if you veer even slightly off the beaten track. Apart from the usual retail binge break in Manila or the beach vacay in Boracay, there are scores of secret spots to suss out. Here are a few that I highly recommend among the many things to do in the Philippines.
El Nido in Palawan
The province of Palawan is a land of breathtaking contrasts where lazuli-hued lagoons shimmer against towering limestone cliffs. Here lush mangroves line tranquil backwaters that eventually merge with the vast expanse of the South China Sea. The exclusive private airport of El Nido is a 75-minute charter flight away from the domestic terminal in Manila.
Things to do :
- Island-hop and explore exotic locations such as Cathedral Cave, with towering limestone walls and stalactites, Cadugnon Cave, and Snake Island.
- Enjoy a secluded and peaceful picnic on a private beach.
- Experience the thrill of feeding playful jackfish in crystal-clear waters.
- Enjoy thrilling visits to the Small, Big and Secret Lagoons with kayaking and snorkelling.
- Travel to Puerto Princesa in Central Palawan to see the Subterranean River (one of the New Seven Wonders of the Natural World) and the surrounding karst mountains.
Where to stay: El Nido Resorts Pangulasian Island or El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island are superbly located gorgeous resorts that belong to the original developers of El Nido and its private airport.
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Legazpi in Albay
A 90-minute flight from Manila will bring you to Legazpi, a city nestled amidst the stunning natural beauty of the Bicol region.
Things to do:
- Take an ATV up the slopes of the majestic Mount Mayon.
- Stroll along the Legazpi Boulevard and enjoy the stunning views.
- Visit the ruins of the 16th-century Franciscan Church at Cagsawa, which was destroyed by the eruption of Mayon in 1814. If you’re visiting in February, participate in the week-long Cagsawa Festival in memory of that eruption.
- Take a day trip to Sorsogon in Donsol, less than 50 km away. Swim with the endangered whale sharks and later, go on a fabulous firefly-watching boat tour on a no-moon night.
Where to stay: The Marison Hotel will ensure you get all the modern comforts.
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Explore more with our guide to the unexplored Philippines’ tropical island Paradise of MIMAROPA.
Panglao in Bohol
Less than an hour from Manila by air, Bohol is a province designated as the Philippines’ first UNESCO Global Geopark in 2023, promising adventure, culture, and natural beauty.
Things to do:
- Visit the thrilling Hinagdanan Cave with its mysterious underground water source.
- Head to the pure Alona beach for snorkelling, scuba diving, island-hopping, dolphin watching, and kitesurfing.
- Explore smaller islands such as Gak-ang, Pontod, and Balicasag.
- Spot the world’s smallest primate at the Philippine Tarsier sanctuary. Nocturnal by nature, the endangered Tarsiers are indigenous to this region.
- See the Chocolate Hills, especially in the dry season, when a thousand of these symmetrical hills, turn brown and look just like Hershey’s Chocolate Kisses laid out neatly.
Where to stay: The Oceanica Resort Panglao offers stunning villas, access to a wonderful stretch of beach, farm-to-table meals and other luxe amenities.
Book your stay at Oceanica Resort Panglao via Booking.com
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shop the best travel experiences here
(Feature Image Credit: Dimitri Tymchenko/Shutterstock)
This story first appeared here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Of the many diverse things to do in the Philippines, adventure activities are at the top. There’s everything from kayaking, paraw-boating, parasailing, ziplining, ATV rides up mountains, hikes to volcano rims, snorkelling, scuba diving, helmet diving, cliff diving, and many more.
It’s a nation filled with unique experiences. Apart from the water activities, these are some of my favourite things to do in the Philippines… Vibe with a volcano: Mount Mayon is an active volcano in Legazpi which the locals love. You can ride an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) to go up her (Mount Mayon apparently identifies as a ‘she/her’) slopes on a rough dirt track to the ‘green lava point’. This marks the periphery where the most recent eruption’s devastation has cooled down and the vegetation has grown back. If you’re more adventurous, you can ride higher up to the Black Lava Zone, which will most likely be smoking hot. Get a massage: The traditional Filipino massage called the Hilot is a very relaxing and rejuvenating one. It starts with the sound from a rain stick filled with pebbles to calm the mind, hot banana leaves for relaxing and toning muscles, a wooden dagdagay stick for foot reflexology, and effleurage strokes across the body with virgin coconut oil. Give pearls a whirl: The Philippines are known for their incredible pearls. Three of the world’s largest natural pearls–the Pearl of Lao Tzu, the Palawan Princess, and the Pearl of Puerto Princesa–were all found here. One of the most unique things to do in the Philippines is to spend time on a South Sea pearl farm, understanding how cultured pearls are created.
Here are the things you will enjoy visiting the most: Museums: Manila has some interesting ones. At the Ayala Museum, expect dioramas depicting Filipino history, as well as art and culture. The Bahay Tsinoy gives you a peek into the Chinese influence on the Philippines. The National Museum of Fine Arts and the Jorge B. Vargas Museum will give you deeper insights into the country’s rich art scene down the decades. The Casa Manila Museum inside Intramuros is housed in a colonial-style Binondo building and showcases the lifestyle from that period through artefacts and art. Corregidor: A day trip from Manila to this island in Cavite brings alive the battles of WWII as well as its present-day scenario. Ancestral homes across the country: Built in the ‘arquitectura mestiza’ style, which blends Spanish colonial and indigenous touches, these are some of the culturally rich places to visit. A few are open to visitors, such as the stately Quezon Heritage House in Manila, which was home to a former President, the beautiful Camina Balay nga Bato next to the river in Iloilo, or the Clarin family home in Bohol.
The food of the Philippines is influenced by various parts of the world. The most popular home-style dish is fried, salted fish with rice, besides curries and paellas. Popular faves for celebrations are roasted pig, cured beef, Philippine sausage (longganisa), the spicy-sour stew known as adobo, kare-kare which heroes a peanut sauce), and many others. Here are some unique culinary experiences to look out for: Salute the Balut: A local specialty that is not only an acquired taste but one that needs courage to try. A developing duck embryo (14 to 21 days old) that has been marinated and steamed while still in its eggshell is had whole, usually picked up from a street vendor and eaten on the go. Fork up some pork: Manila is famous for its barbecued pork skewers and crispy pork rinds called chicharron (the influence of the Spanish). Say hello to Halo-Halo: This dessert dish of crushed ice topped with evaporated milk, sweet beans, agar jelly, fresh and candied fruits, and yam, is popular with locals and tourists, even those who follow a vegetarian diet. Lava it up: Bicol, home to the Mount Mayon volcano, also has some sizzle in its cuisine. Everything, from the famous Bicol Express Stew (named after the train it was served on) to ‘sili’ ice-cream has copious amounts of red chilli! Try the local fare and the original chilli ice-cream at 1st Colonial Grill, where it was first created with red hot bird-eye chillies and coconut milk. I tried all four ‘levels’ of heat on offer. Thankfully, Level 4 or the Volcano Level is served with a shot of cool milk to calm your burning taste buds.
Most of the beaches are family-friendly, so children as well as adults will enjoy them.
The Filipino people are warm and welcoming. You will probably have some interesting conversations if you’re open to it. English is commonly used; so you won’t have a language barrier. The only cash that stores accept is the local currency, the Philippine peso, which you can get at the airport or at specific money changers. While you may want to tip for the exceptional service you get everywhere, note that it’s not expected of you. Free Wi-Fi is still not universally available, so make sure you get a good data plan from your service provider or buy a local SIM. Traffic can be heavy in most cities, so budget time for delays even as you explore all the amazing things to do in the Philippines. Food can be meat-heavy so if you’re vegetarian or vegan, alert your hotel beforehand and identify likely restaurants and dishes that suit your dietary restrictions.
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A chronicler of all things culture and lifestyle. Priya's forte is fresh perspective on everything. She writes for mainstream newspapers and magazines, specialised publications as well as the leading digital platforms. She also helps first-time visitors to her beloved Mumbai truly understand the mega metropolis through her immersive tours. An inveterate global traveller herself, Priya loves to savour the charms of a destination, sampling unique local dishes, gaining insights into new experiences, and exploring tantalising trails.
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