The Philippines is a string of over 7,000 islands, with a vibrant capital, wonderful beaches and friendly people. It has everything you could wish for as a holiday destination and at bargain prices. It is surprising this country isn't more popular. The crowds go to Thailand and Malaysia, but the smart people are beginning to discover what the Philippines has to offer.
When you arrive in the Philippines you may want to hurry to a beach and retire on a beach chair with a cocktail. Before you do, you should explore the capital city of Manila, on the island of Luzon. Manila is a collection of towns clustered together and each has its own character. They make for a lively destination that buzzes with life day and night. The best way to see the signs is to jump into a jeepney. These brightly colored painted buses were inspired by the US Army vehicles brought to the Philippines during World War II. No two are alike and the owners vie to outdo one another with their designs. Splashed with colors, ornaments and balloons, it's the most fun way to get around. Take a jeepney to Manila's street markets. There you will find stalls selling jewelry, clothes and trinkets for next to nothing. You are sure to find bargain and be sure to haggle over the price.
More shopping can be had at the giant Mall of Asia, which has more than 600 stores as well as an IMAX cinema, ice skating rink and over 150 food outlets. Filipinos love to shop and they are equally passionate about food. Filipino cooking is a mix of Malay, Spanish and Chinese, reflecting the country's ethnically mixed past. A place worth a visit is the walled town of Intramuros, with its huge San Agustin Church (which unfortunately was badly damaged during World War II). You can catch a performance of traditional dancing in Intramuros, much of it influenced by Spain with flamenco style music and costumes.
Of course, the Philippines were inhabited long before the Spanish arrived in 1521, and evidence of human life on the islands dates back over 47,000 years.
North of Manila, in the lush forests of the Cordillera, visitors can get a glimpse into the past centuries. Around the town of Banaue, humans and nature have worked together to transform the landscape. Rice terraces stretch up the hillsides and were carved out of the earth more than 2000 years ago. They were build by a tribe called the Ifugao whose people were skilled carvers and head hunters. They sacred wooden statues, called bulol, still preside over the terraces. This part of the Philippines has a network of trials leading through the mountains to the villages, where local people live much as they've done for hundreds of years. There are also caves and white water rapids, and stretches of beaches to enjoy.
If you are looking for nothing to do at all, but take a short walk to the beach, then head to the Visayas, a collection of islands that are breathtaking. Visayas, about 200 miles from Manila, are dozens of islands and thousands of smaller islets, some so tiny they aren't even marked on a map. Among islands not to be missed are Cebu, where you'll find the capital Cebu City, and Bohol. Each of the Visayas has white sand beaches and lots of palm trees, but most people head for Boracay. It's tiny (just six miles long and less than a mile across) but it has dazzling beaches and turquoise water. The entire island is surrounded by coral reef that teems with life. It is perfect for snorkeling and diving. It's always warm in the Philippines-between 72F (22C) and 90F (32C), but some months are very dry. The best time for sunny weather is between November and May when there are fewer wet days.If you don't want to go too far from Manila, then Puerto Galera, on the island of Mindoro, has some spectacular coral gardens and it's just an hour from the capital.
A great place to get lost for week is Palawan, a small island lying southwest of Manila. It's harder to get to, which means it's less developed than other islands. But if you go there you will find that Palawan and the small islands around it are packed with beauty and adventure. There are jungles to hike through, lakes to swim in and coral reefs to discover. Just off Palawan's northwest coast is one of the most beautiful places on earth-the Bacuit Archipelago. This is a collection of jagged islands that soar out of the sea. Sheltered bays conceal perfect beaches, blue lagoons and more coral gardens. You can kayak, snorkel and relax on tiny Secret Beach, which can only be entered by swimming through a hole in the island's rock face.
The Philippines has so much to offer and it is well worth looking into more information about these beautiful islands. Lonely Planet, always a great source, can tell you much more about them.
