How to plan an epic trip to the Philippines – Experience the Pleasures of the Pearl of the Orient Seas

To ensure that your holiday to the Philippines goes off well, it is essential that you arrive at the right time. This means, staying well clear from months and periods of the year that are associated with rainy days and thunderstorms. The country’s dry season which runs from January to April is by far, the most favourable to head over as warm weather and sunny skies will be your constant companions. However, you could look at scheduling your vacation around November or December as this is when you will be able to enjoy great savings on accommodation, particularly at the most popular island escapes such as Boracay and El Nido.

On the contrary, travelling in the Philippines will not have you burning holes in your pockets and though, staying on a resort island will be costlier than remaining in the capital of Manila, the overall experience will leave you with plenty of reasons to smile about and hopefully, come back again. The sole caveat could be airfare as the farther you are from the country, the more you will have to pay for an air ticket. The Philippine Peso (PHP) is the official currency and as at the time of writing, 1 US Dollar equates to 57.88 Pesos. As a rule of thumb, work with a budget, especially if you intend on covering some of the local islands.

The Philippines is in Southeast Asia and you would do well to look for cheap airfare at the very earliest and avoid leaving this matter to the 11th hour. Flying into Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport will be your initial task and depending on your itinerary, you will either have to get to Terminal 3 or 4 in order to board your connecting flight. However, if you wish to remain in Manila, there are a number of interesting places that you can reach out to that will have you in awe of the Filipino culture. Before you think of where to spend your time at, factor in the important subject of accommodation. One decent option is Citadines Benavidez Makati which affords ease of access to Manila short stay apartments from where shopping destinations such as SM Makati, Greenbelt and Glorietta can be accessed. For culture buffs, making time for Intramuros will be a step in the right direction for you can call by famed sites such as Fort Santiago and the astounding site of Manila Cathedral which evidence the occupation of the Spanish and their influences in the country.  

You wouldn’t be doing justice to your holiday to the Philippines if you avoided its islands. First up is the island of Bohol which is blanketed in lush green surrounds where you may spot the Philippine Tarsier at a local sanctuary which is one of the smallest primates in the world. Afterwards, make for the Chocolate Hills which is a breathtaking geographical formation before focussing your attention on Panglao. Once here, you can snorkel in turquoise seas and in the company of the endangered green turtle and witness the mischievous antics of dolphins in their natural habitat. Carefree fans of island hopping will do well to mark out El Nido in their respective itineraries for this part of the Philippines boasts spectacular scenery. Replete with white, powdery beaches such as Nacpan Beach, hidden lagoons and mesmeric coral reefs, traversing through El Nido will make for wonderful memories. Conclude your time in the country with a trip to the surfing capital of the Philippines – Siargao Island. Characterised by palm tree stretches and tropical vibes that will certainly excite you at every turn, Siargoa Island can complement those enthused about picking up their surfboards at places such as Cloud 9 Surf Spot. Moreover, you can also rent out a motorbike and explore the island at your own pace that will have you excellently positioned to meet a few locals and exchange pleasantries.