With more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines are a convenient destination for more visits. The most difficult decision as a traveler is to determine which island to visit first. The Philippines are divided into three main groups of islands: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, which represent different regions of the country.
The scenario in each region of the Philippines varies from mountainous, tropical to metropolis.
Boracay
Boracay is considered the bathing capital of the Philippines, for a reason why there are more than 12 beaches. This small island in the western part of Visayas is perfect for swimmers who want to relax in the sun or practice water sports. White Beach on the west side of the island is one of the most famous beaches and enjoys a good reputation. Located at the end of the island, Puka Shell Beach is a favorite attraction for shell collectors. Cagban’s beach is a quiet place with nearby caves, which is said to keep treasures again.
Cebu
The island of Cebu, located in the central Visayas area, is considered the access door to some of the best dives and snorkeling in the Philippines. If you are a fan of scuba diving, Cebu is one of the best excursions, it allows you to get closer to whale sharks, coral reefs and sea turtles. Some of the most spectacular scenery in the waters near Cebu are the marine caves, which attract photographers and enthusiasts of outdoor activities in search of unique places for diving and snorkeling. The Sudlon National Park is located about an hour from Cebu City and is a breathtaking park that can be explored and walked. The largest attraction of Cebu City is water, while Cebu City is a metropolitan area. Tourist attractions such as museums and cathedrals will attract history lovers.
Manila
The capital of the Philippines, Manila, on the island of Luzon, is a city without stops. Jump on one of the colored jeeps, which is the main means of public transport, to savor local life. The jeep / bus hybrid, which is usually full of locals, sleeps through the streets and will be one of the highlights of your visit. There is a stop at Rizal Parke, the city’s main park, the historic Church of Sant’Agostino was built in the 16th century. Buy local fruit and handmade gifts to the public market of Chiandi Chiapo, where thousands of people appeared Friday to worship.
Coron Island
The island of Coron is one of the best destinations for diving in the world, a tropical paradise, with blue and green electric water, which seems almost illusory. This mountainous island is located at the end of Palawan, the westernmost island of the Philippines islands. Because here there are many wrecks of ships, the island is famous for diving. The depths of many wrecks found went from shallow waters of only three meters of deep water of 42 meters. Due to the wreck size, some wrecks require more dives, but you can easily spend a week of diving in this area. To immerse yourself without sinking the ship, head to Lake Barracuda, a former volcano with many unusual rock formations and fish.
Puerto Princesa
The rocky islands, the caves and the natural parks of Palawan are a hidden paradise in the Philippines. In the coastal town of Puerto Princesa, you should explore some of the country’s natural gems here. The Underground River National Park is a great starting point to see eight kilometers of underground rivers and impressive limestone caves. The UNESCO World Heritage Site offers boat trips to take you through the National Park. Other unmissable attractions in Puerto Princesa are Honda Bay and Rock Ugone, famous for snorkeling, where you can try ziplines and speleology.
