Welcome to Paradise!
With over 7000 tropical islands to choose from, it comes as no surprise that the Philippines are becoming a must-visit destination for travelers from all around the globe. Home to shimmering clear waters, sparkling white sand coasts, rice terraces, outstanding surfing spots, and incredible diving sites, the Philippines offer something for everyone.
Located in South-East Asia, between the Philippine and South China Seas, this incredible archipelago is packed with many breathtaking beaches. All of which form one of the longest coastlines in the world!
Where To?
One thing is for sure, among all of the 7,641 islands, there’s one for every liking. From volcanoes, popular surfing hubs, hidden tranquil lagoons, to island tours, the Philippines will surprise everyone with its natural beauty. As well as its friendly and welcoming local people.
To visit each of the many islands for just a day would take around 20 years. For those that wish to go to just a few places and for 20 days instead of years, we’ve created the following list. These are the top 5 places, we believe everyone should visit during their trip to the Philippines.
1. Bohol
The 10th largest island in the Philippines, Bohol greets its visitors with a wide range of options. All kinds of things to do and things to see. This island province is widely famous for its cute hand size googly-eyed tarsiers and the grand Chocolate Hills. However, there’s much more to experience in Bohol.
In the center of the island, visitors can enjoy some fun activities in nature. Ziplining, visits to the caves, waterfall climbing, cruising, kayaking and paddle-boarding on a jungle-surrounded river are just a few of the many fun activities. South of the island, on the other hand, is all about world-class offshore diving. There you will find pure white-sandy beaches and lounging with a cocktail of choice.
Some of the places not to be missed are: Chocolate Hills, Panglao Island, Alona Beach, Loboc River, Hinagdanan Cave, Tarsier Sanctuary, Nalusuan Island.
2. Coron Island
Located in the northern part of Palawan province is the breathtaking Coron Island. The island is popular for its incredible scenery surrounded by limestone karst cliffs, fine beaches, and the famed turquoise lagoons.
It is also known as one of the best places to go to for crystal-clear freshwater, shallow-water coral reefs, and some of the world’s best shipwreck diving. The ships date back to 1944 and were the Japanese supply and warships sunk by an American Air attack in WWII.
Coron Island can be reached by a short 20-minute boat ride from Coron Town. This majestic fortress-like set of islands is covered with lakes, among which Kayangan and Barracuda Lake can be visited.
Some of the places not to be missed are: Twin Lagoon, Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, Malcapuya Island, Bulog Island, Banana Island.
Travel Tip: Book a private boat tour in Coron Town harbor to Coron Island in the early hours to enjoy all the best spots. This way you can reach the best locations before the group tour crowds arrive.
3. El Nido
El Nido, a small village located off the tip of Palawan Island. This world-wide famous village is full of dramatic rock formations and the entire area is surrounded by bright turquoise waters. More importantly, it is an archipelago of Bacuit, which is considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful bays. The beauty of El Nido and its locations make it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
El Nido and Palawan, in general, are filled with crystal white sand beaches. Each more beautiful than the last. Not to mention, the paradise islands that can be visited by boat. There, visitors can choose to dive, snorkel, kayak or paddle.
Some of the places not to be missed are: Small and Big Lagoon, Port Barton, Las Cabanas Beach, Nacpan Beach and Miniloc Island, Entalula Beach, Secret Beach.
4. Siargao
Siargao island was, until recently, one of the Philippines’ best-kept secrets. This tear-drop shaped island is covered in a “sea of palm trees” and surrounded by spectacular turquoise waters.
Siargao is often referred to as the “surfing capital of the Philippines,”. This is thanks to its world-class surf breaks for surf lovers of all levels. If you are not a surfing enthusiast, don’t worry! This paradise-like place has so many more activities you can consider doing.
Visitors can go paddle-boarding through ancient mangroves, relax on a beach, or go for one of the many daily tours to the nearby islands. This eco-friendly destination will have plenty to offer its visitors, both on land and sea.
Some of the places not to be missed are: Naked Island, Guyam, Daku, Coco Rope Swing, Magpupungko rock pools, Tayangban caves
5. Socorro Sohoton Cove
Often referred to as “El Nido of the South”, Sohoton Cove National Park in Bucas Grande Island is one of the most famous overnight or daily tours. Located two-hours away by boat from General Luna and less than two hours from Del Sur (Siargao island). This National Park is famous for its outstanding natural beauty.
The Sohoton Cove is covered with hilltops, valleys, impeccable soft-sandy beaches, stunning forests, and scenic mountains. Besides being immersed in the beauty of nature, visitors have a wide choice of activities and fun experiences here. Diving, luminescent cave exploring, or swimming with stingless jellyfish.
One thing is for sure, Sohoton Cove always amazes its visitors, with its various caves, lagoons, beaches, and overall natural beauty.
Tip: If you are a drone owner, don’t leave it behind on the day of your tour! This is considered one of the most beautiful places to fly a drone around.
Some of the places not to be missed are: Blue Lagoon (Titikan Lagoon), Crystal Cave, Hagukan Cave, Magkuku-ob Cave
Getting Around The Philippines
As you plan your itinerary for your trip to the beautiful Philippines, it’s good to prepare for how you’ll be getting around. As with any destination, the public transport system is great, however, it can get quite crowded and chaotic.Don’t start off your trip on a crowded bus, with your luggage, trying to figure out where to go.
For this reason, we recommend hiring a private car service with a reliable company that can accommodate your schedule. This way, you’ll save valuable time by traveling around the Philippines with a professional local driver. What’s more, you’ll also have 24-hour customer support available that can adapt to any changes or requirements you might need.
Asia Car Service provides private limousine transfers. If you are interested in private car service during your Philippines journey, please don’t hesitate to contact us: bookings@asiacarservice.com.
