An archipelago of over 7,000 islands located in Southeast Asia, with a blended history of Malay, Chinese, Spanish, and American cultures gives the Philippines a unique and diverse personality. Just as its national motto goes, “It’s more fun in the Philippines,” here are the top five things that will make your vacation worthwhile.
Let’s go!
Let’s go!
Get In Touch With The Water
Take advantage of this country’s sunny waters and go for a swim at a beach or resort. Enjoy exploring colorful and vivid marine life under the deep sea of this tropical archipelago, also known as Asia’s Dive Capital. El Nido in Palawan is one of the many popular places for divers and snorkelers.
Feeling reserved? Beautifully secluded beaches surrounded by mountains reside with only the sound of waves and palm trees swaying with the breeze. There are many other beaches alive with people as well. With white sand, black sand or even pink coralline bits, to warm turquoise jeweled waters, the countless options of beaches with hidden caves and waterfalls this tropical country has will have you yearning to go beach-hopping. Boracay, Camarines Sur, and Cebu City Resort just to name a few, have great beaches to visit.
Outdoor Activities
Go trekking near the most symmetrical volcano in the world, Mt. Mayon in Bicol or at El Nido beach in Palawan where you can go through rice fields, lush jungle, rivers, and waterfalls.
Zipline across lush views of greenery at The Dahilayan Adventure Park located in Davao City that extends to 840 meters long and drops 100 meters down, making it the longest in Asia. You can even try hang gliding and parasailing too.
Manila
Colorfully refurbished American jeeps from World War II honk and rumble through traffic on the streets. Upbeat pop music from blasted radios and karaoke machines echo away into concrete paths lined with umbrella stands. Aromas of frying oil linger through the early afternoon air. Manila, the exotic cosmopolitan and capital city of the Philippines has all sorts of places to explore. A definite thing to do in this city is to visit some of its flea markets, as they have great bargains. Greenfield Market sells cool knick knacks, local art and different kinds of international street foods while live bands play in the background. AANI Weekend Market provides local and organic produce, seafood and even poultry from different regions of the country. 
Visit the SM Mall of Asia, providing local and international chains, an IMAX theater, and indoor skating rink too. After exploring its shiny architecture, take an evening stroll near Manila Bay to watch the sunset. Admire the night atmosphere of palm trees lit up with city lights and decide on where you’d like to eat dinner from sidewalks of neighboring restaurants.
Fill That Belly!
The mix of cultures from the country’s past history can be tasted through some of its cuisine, occasionally infusing Southeast Asian and a bit of Western flavors together.
Satisfy your hunger with traditional belly-comforting Filipino dishes. As the cuisine is served family-style, taste a little bit of everything–accompanied with steamed white rice, of course! As you wait for your (oh so many) orders to arrive, feel free to nibble on some fun-sized lumpia, crispy Filipino spring rolls, filled with chicken or pork, and vegetables.
Some popular stews to try are: adobo, chicken or pork stewed in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns;
and kare kare, a creamy oxtail stew slow-cooked with green leafy vegetables in peanut butter, garlic, and shrimp paste.
Pancit Palabok, is a rice noodle dish that incorporates shrimp flavored sauce, juicy shrimp, slices of boiled egg, green onions and crunched pork rinds for texture, then a spritz of kalamansi, or lemon juice for a final touch. The unique flavors and vibrant colors of this dish will leave your mouth full of savory, citrus-y, mouthwatering goodness–literally.
You can’t go wrong with ordering Halo-halo, a popular sweet treat to cool down with year-long during the hot climate. This particular dessert consists of shaved ice, evaporated milk, jello pieces, sweet beans and bits of fruit like shredded coconut, jackfruit, and sweetened plantain. A scoop of ube, purple yam ice cream and a piece of leche flan tops the refreshing mix. Visit Milky Way Halo-halo or Nathaniel’s Halo-halo for this sweet treat!
For authentic and traditional meals, dine at Binulo Restaurant in Pampanga, the country’s culinary capital or for a more modern presentation of the traditional cuisine, try Mesa Filipino Moderne, located at SM Megamall in Makati City.
Sightsee Some Culture
Visit the Banaue Rice Terraces in Baguio. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, these presently-used vast formations of green staggered and ridged rice fields were formed over 2,000 years ago by native Ifugao tribes. Make sure to take lots of picture of this breathtaking scenery!
In Vigan City, discover cobblestone streets preserved of Spanish colonial architecture, and even ride horse-drawn carriages for a quick tour. Be sure to visit street vendors to try Vigan’s popular Filipino empanadas, pastry stuffed with ground beef, mixed vegetables and an egg, deep fried to a crisp, as they differ from other regions around the country.
Cultivated lawns and blooming gardens lay beside the paved walkway, lined with towering poles of the national flag. Rizal Park, a historical urban park in Manila, is a popular attraction for both tourists and locals alike. A monument of Jose Rizal, a Philippine nationalist, writer, and poet stands in remembrance of his execution and revolutionary acts for the country’s independence against Spain during the colonization period of the Philippines. Relax during a night walk while watching dancing fountains and tropical plants adorned with night lights.