It’s no secret that the Philippines has hundreds of beautiful beaches to choose from, but with all the tropical destinations on offer in South East Asia, what makes the Philippines stand out from the rest?

The island of Boracay certainly has something unique to offer, and a stroll along the velvety sands of White Beach provides a harmonious combination of steel drums, rolling waves, and a horizon of brightly coloured bobbing boats. Enjoy incredible sand art installations and the photogenic tidal island of Willy’s Rock, where a statue of the Virgin Mary is perched above a staircase carved out of volcanic rock. Stay on Boracay long enough and you may even see mermaids in training! 

For spectacular sunsets, head to the small town of Moalboal on Cebu Island. Every night here the sky explodes in a riot of pinks and oranges as the sun slowly descends behind the distant island of Negros. Fold yourself into a hammock in front of one of natures best light shows and keep your eyes peeled for sea turtles gently wallowing in the iridescent waters as you sip a cocktail out of a coconut. 

Some of the best beaches in the world are located around El Nido where you can find everything from serene stretches of sand to late-night beach parties, but what they all have in common is blindingly white shorelines and wonderfully clear water; definitely one of the best things to do in the Philippines.

Hiking is one of the best things to do in the Philippines if you want to see some of the most stunning and unusual parts of the country while getting active!

Take a break from the tropical climate and cool off at the top of Osmena Peak where, on a clear day, you can see an array of villages scattered beneath you, along with distant islands in the shimmering sea. Another fantastic trekking experience can be found amongst Bohol’s Chocolate Hills where you can explore the undulating landscape of smooth hills that turn cocoa brown in the dry season. 

A must-see in the Philippines is the amphitheatre-like rice terraces that have been carved into the mountains of Northern Luzon by the ancestors of the indigenous people. While trekking in this area you may come across locals wearing traditional clothing and performing ancient rituals, an abundance of lush forests, cave systems, and even centuries-old coffins hanging from the cliffs!

With over 7,000 islands, the Philippines is the world’s second largest archipelago, and navigating your way between the islands will leave a lasting impression on you. 

Why not jump on a banca boat from Cebu and make your way over to Siquijor Island, where you can fall asleep to the sound of the lapping waves, join the locals for a barbeque feast, explore spectacular waterfalls, or catapult yourself from the cliffs into crystalline waters.

Spend a day journeying to a waterfall such as Kawasan Falls in Cebu, where floating bamboo platforms skim the insanely turquoise waters and can even take you underneath the thundering falls! For adrenaline junkies, there’s the rapids at Pangsanjan Falls in Laguna which you can only reach by river canoe or hiking through the lush jungle. 

No trip to Palawan Island is complete without paddling through dark caves on a subterranean river under the St Paul Mountain range. Float within cavernous hallways and squeeze through narrow rock passages to be rewarded with underground waterfalls, otherworldly limestone structures and glimmering cave walls. 

Even just a simple bus or taxi journey around the Philippines’ compelling islands will give you more postcard-writing material than ever before. Admire verdant palm tree fields, multicoloured buildings, and villages peppered with centuries-old churches.

While there’s so much to explore on land, the Philippines has even more to offer underwater!

For the intrepid divers, there’s an unending choice of dive sites; from Colon Bay in Palawan where Japanese warships rest on the seabed engulfed in a diverse array of marine life, to Apo Island, located off the south coast of Negros, where you’ll swim amongst turtles and thriving coral. Don’t miss Panagsama Beach’s ‘sardine run’ where shapeshifting shoals made up of millions of fish dance against the backdrop of the coral reef. 

Not into diving? Fear not – snorkellers still have a multitude of options, from national parks, underwater coral gardens and marine sanctuaries. Glide above a decorative blanket of starfish, giant clams, leather corals, and curious sea life such as pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, warty frogfish and sweetlips. 

The Philippines is one of the best places in the world to swim with whale sharks; there’s not many opportunities in life to find yourself so close to a living being that’s so mind-bendingly large! Despite their ominous moniker, whale sharks are completely harmless but, nonetheless, swimming alongside their five to ten metre length is an adrenaline rush like no other!

With a plethora of lively, vibrant festivals to choose from throughout the year, it’s no wonder that the Philippines is world-renowned for its love of celebrations. 

Fiesta like the locals by dancing the day and night away to boomboxes on the street surrounded by floral floats, ceremonial costumes, exquisite street food, fireworks, masks, exuberant performances and smiling faces. If you can’t find a festival, you can belt out some tunes with the locals at a karaoke bar, visit a laser-light disco, or simply enjoy sundowners at one of the many beach bars – undoubtedly one of the best things to do in the Philippines. 

The Philippines may not be well-known for their cuisine, but once you’ve tried their succulent garlic and soy pork served with wedges of juicy mango, or a freshly caught fish cured with lime and served with chilis, all washed down with an ice-cold beer, then you may wonder why we don’t hear more about Filipino food! These flavours will stay with you long after you return.

For more inspiration, take a look at our Philippines Holidays pages.