Philippines Travel Guide
This Philippines travel guide shares 18 stories from my adventures across the archipelago, including swimming with whale sharks, diving with thresher sharks, watching Boracay sunsets, and exploring the Chocolate Hills. Get ready to experience local flavors, unique wildlife encounters, and cultural surprises that prove why you shouldn’t wait for retirement to explore this incredible country.
Beaches, Sunsets, Wildlife, Diving, Culture, Food & Adventure
Why I Love the Philippines
The Philippines quickly became one of my favorite countries in Asia. My Philippines itinerary didn’t exist when I first planned my southeast Asia trip, but it’s a worthy addition. What started as a short trip turned into weeks of island hopping and unforgettable encounters. While some travelers express safety concerns or worry about logistics, I found the experience incredibly rewarding. From snorkeling with whale sharks to diving in Malapascua, every day offered a new surprise. Boracay’s world-class beaches were just the beginning—these are the experiences that stood out most. This Philippines Travel Guide will show you my favorite parts of this awesome country.
Why Visit The Philippines? Philippines travel guide
The Philippines is one of Southeast Asia’s most rewarding destinations for travelers seeking wildlife, epic island adventures, and world-class diving. With over 7,000 islands, you will find everything from whale sharks and thresher sharks to pristine beaches, jungle-covered hills, and vibrant cities. My Philippines travel experiences included shark encounters, unique local foods, island hopping, and some of the most unforgettable sunsets I’ve seen in my travels.
Featured Philippines Travel Experiences
Swimming With Whale Sharks
Diving With Thresher Sharks
Chocolate Hills
Philippine Tarsiers
Quick Stats
Regions Explored
🇵🇭 Visayas
🇵🇭 Boracay
🇵🇭 Bohol
🇵🇭 Malapascua
Cultural Adventures
Wildlife Encounters
- Whale Sharks
- Thresher Sharks
- Tarsiers
Favorite Destinations
- Boracay Island
- Malapascua Island
- Bohol
Top Philippines Travel Experiences
The Philippines delivered some of the most exciting wildlife and marine experiences of my travels, from whale sharks and thresher sharks to tarsiers and tropical islands. Beyond the beaches, I discovered a welcoming culture, unique traditions, and countless unexpected adventures.
Philippines Travel Guide: Things to Do in the Philippines
I’ve divided these Philippines experiences posts into these six categories –
Essential Philippines Travel Tips & Safety
Planning a Philippines trip? These posts answer specific “pre-trip” planning questions that travelers search for when deciding whether to visit
Are the Philippines Dangerous?
Examining common safety concerns and how reality compared to expectations.
Is Boracay Too Touristy?
An honest assessment of one of the country’s most famous beach destinations.
Being a Foreigner in the Philippines
A memorable encounter that highlights local culture and hospitality.
Rum Cheaper Than Coke
A humorous look at local prices and travel surprises in the Philippines.
Diving & Ocean Adventures
There are so many awesome snorkeling and diving experiences in the Philippines. Here are some of my favorites. In addition to these, don’t miss Palawan. If I had one more week, I’d add a live aboard boat trip in El Nido to my Philippines itinerary.
Whale Shark Snorkeling
Swimming beside the world’s largest fish in one of the Philippines’ most unforgettable wildlife experiences.
Diving with Thresher Sharks
A rare opportunity to dive with one of the ocean’s most distinctive shark species. Malapascua is one of the only places on Earth where you can reliably spot these elusive, long-tailed sharks. Here is how to prepare for your dive.
Snorkeling in Malapascua
Discovering colorful reefs and marine life just offshore from Malapascua Island.
SCUBA Diving Fears
SCUBA Diving can be scary. I’ll share how to overcome them the four biggest diving fears.
Wildlife and Nature in the Philippines
You might not think of the Philippines for wildlife, but they have so many unique species. Some of these can’t be found anywhere else in the world.
Philippine Tarsiers
Meeting one of the world’s smallest primates. Pictured above.
Chocolate Hills in Bohol
Exploring one of the Philippines’ most unusual and recognizable natural landmarks.
Cultural Adventures & Local Life
Filipino Time – Pinoy Time
Understanding the cultural concept of “Filipino Time” – Pinoy Time – and how it shapes everyday life.
My First Cockfight in the Philippines — And Why I Was So Uncomfortable
Observing a controversial but deeply rooted cultural tradition of cockfighting in the Philippines.
Malling in the Philippines
Exploring the outsized role shopping malls play in Filipino social life.
Buying from Children
A travel dilemma that raised questions about ethics, poverty, and responsible tourism.
Eating in the Philippines
The Philippines aren’t known for their food. Still, you need to taste these unique Pinoy dishes.
Filipino Cuisine
An introduction to popular Filipino dishes including adobo, kare-kare, and halo-halo.
Eating Balut
Trying the famous Filipino delicacy and confronting one of travel’s biggest food challenges.
Island Life
Island hopping in the Philippines is so much fun! Take a ferry from Cebu to Boracay or Malapascua. Palawan gets top reviews.
Malapascua Island
An island guide featuring diving, beaches, local life, and adventure.
Boracay Sunset Silhouettes
A photo collection capturing Boracay’s famous sunsets.
This Philippines Travel Guide wouldn’t be complete without a FAQ for your Filipine travel experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling in the Philippines
Here is a Philippines travel guide for your upcoming trip. It’ll cover what you need to know and what I wished I knew before visiting.
Is the Philippines safe for tourists?
The Philippines has a reputation for being dangerous, but my experience was overwhelmingly positive. I recommend visiting the visays – that’s the best part, in my opinion. Like anywhere, I took basic precautions, avoided risky situations, and stayed aware of my surroundings. From busy cities to remote islands, I met welcoming people and never experienced serious problems.
What is the best island to visit in the Philippines?
That depends on what you’re looking for. Boracay is famous for its beaches and nightlife, while Malapascua is known for world-class diving and thresher sharks. Bohol offers unique attractions like the Chocolate Hills and Philippine tarsiers.
Is the Philippines good for scuba diving?
Absolutely. Some of my favorite travel experiences happened underwater in the Philippines. From snorkeling with whale sharks to diving with thresher sharks and exploring vibrant coral reefs, the country is one of the best diving destinations in Southeast Asia.
What food should I try in the Philippines?
Filipino cuisine is diverse and often overlooked by travelers. Favorites include adobo, kare-kare, halo-halo, and the infamous balut. Trying local food was one of the most memorable parts of my trip.
How many islands are in the Philippines?
The Philippines is made up of more than 7,000 islands spread across Southeast Asia. This creates endless opportunities for island hopping, beach adventures, diving, and cultural experiences.
What was your favorite experience in the Philippines?
Diving with thresher sharks and snorkeling with whale sharks are near the top of the list. However, many of my favorite memories came from unexpected encounters with local people, unique cultural experiences, and spontaneous adventures that weren’t in any guidebook.
Where is the Philippines?
Here’s a Map of the Philippines
Philippines travel guide favorites
Country: Philippines 🇵🇭
Continent: Asia
Days Visited: 29.5
Favorite Experience: Snorkeling With Whale Sharks
Favorite Island: Boracay
Favorite Sunsets: Boracay
One Food I Wouldn't Eat: Balut
Number of Philippines Posts: 18 (so far)Time to book your Philippines travel experience
The Philippines is a country that stays with you long after the flight home. Whether you are swimming with giants in the ocean or learning the meaning of ‘Filipino time,’ this archipelago offers a level of adventure that truly changes how you view travel.
Don’t wait for retirement to explore. Whether you’re planning your first island-hopping trip or looking for your next cultural encounter, I hope this Philippines travel guide helps you take the leap. Have a question about these experiences? Let me know in the comments below, and start planning your journey today!