Philippines! It is one of the most mentioned countries as the best place to travel, especially for foreigners. But of course, the locals should not miss out! Are you planning on traveling to the Philippines? Are you worried about how it might be and need some help?
In this article, we will walk you through all the key aspects that you should know about before you travel to the Philippines. Want to make the best impression and speak Tagalog? Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Reasons You Should Travel To The Philippines
You will never be disappointed by the Philippines. Culture, friendliness, gastronomy, and, of course, pleasant people who are prepared to welcome guests anywhere and at any time are all amazing above and below the sea.
If you want to see everything the Philippines has to offer, one or two nights in the country are insufficient. The country of the Philippines has more to offer you than you can imagine.
1. Hospitable Locality
The citizens of the Philippines are friendly. When you arrive at the Philippine airport, courteous individuals will greet you and help you accommodate your necessities. Locomotives would love to strike up a conversation with you and, if you’re lucky, may be able to offer advice on what to try and where to go.
When you arrive at your location, the people will greet you warmly and make you feel at ease. They will introduce you to their relatives and even invite you to events such as fiestas and Filipino birthday parties.
They’ll let you beat the living daylights out of you! They will then provide you with food bundles to carry to your hostel as you travel. Scan the QR code wherever you go and get the contact details.
2. Spectacular Islands
The Philippines is a country of approximately 7,000 islands, each having its eccentric charm, and travel is mostly by ship or an airplane, that is the thrill you get living in the Philippines.
Going to parties, camping, island hopping, and skydiving are popular kinds of adventures you do while you’re here.
3. Filipino Food
A country of approx 7,000 islands, each having its eccentric charm, and travel is mostly by ship or an airplane, that is the thrill you get living in the Philippines. Throwing parties, camping, island hopping, and skydiving are popular kinds of adventures you do with your loved ones.
Food is an excellent way to see a country’s culture, and the Filipinos excel at it. If you are craving sweets then pancit habhab, balut adobo, durian, and halo-halo are worth trying. Taste world-class Cebu Lechon, with Pampanga cheese, Filipino food never ceases to amaze you!
4. Trek To Volcanic Crater
When it comes to volcanoes, the Philippines is no exception. Mt. Mayon, Bicol Albay, and Oblast with their conical shape resemble that of Mt. Fuji in Japan.
The town of Tagaytay is a few hours’ drives from Manila, and it is home to the country’s second-largest volcano. Tagaytay City is surrounded by Taal Lake, which offers stunning views. A day trip will be enough to see the volcanoes.
5. Discover New Caves
After visiting the volcanoes, don’t miss out on the chance to explore of caves, between the gorgeous mountains and the amazing islands. Sagada’s Sumaguing Cave must be on the bucket list of a traveler. You can also visit Palawan’s world-famous underground river.
6. Whale Sharks And Diving Spots
Many diving opportunities may be found at Anilao, Batangas, just a few hours from Manila, and you can even dive among cute-humane sharks. Oslob and Cebu are the famous spots where you can see these basking sharks during your tour. Remember to follow all safety precautions.
Top 3 Five-Star Hotels Of The Philippines
The Philippines is one of those destinations that every tourist wishes to visit because of its breathtaking islands and beauty. But another factor that makes people stay in the Philippines is the top-notch accommodation. Here, we have a list of the top 3 luxury hotels and resorts in the Philippines.
1. Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu City
Mactan Leisure City is slated to become the entertainment and recreation hub of Cebu. The project is built on a 14-hectare plot with a 410-meter frontage, and it is only 12 minutes from Cebu International Airport.
2. Diamond Hotel Philippines
Situated near the magnificent Manila Bay, Diamond Hotel Philippines is another five-star hotel you shouldn’t miss! It is only a 30-minute drive from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) which makes it very accessible for your stay. According to reviews, Diamond Hotel Philippines is best known for its cleanliness, free-form pool, and convenience of going to the nearest Philippine malls for shopping, casinos, and other famous landmarks.
3. City Of Dreams – Nüwa Manila
City of Dreams in Nüwa Manila is a luxurious five-star hotel showcasing the best of both leisure and being a professional. If you want to really experience fine dining, this hotel serves varied Filipino, Cantonese, and Chinese dishes. It is one of the highest-rated five-star hotels listed in the Forbes Travel Guide.
Want Something New? Travel To The City Of Cebu
Cebu is a Philippines province located in the country’s Central Visayas region. Cebu has some of the country’s best beaches. Cebu City is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines.
Cebu is the second most popular tourist destination in the Philippines, according to the Philippine Government & Department of Tourism. Keep enough Philippine Peso!
It also has a variety of historical, cultural, and religious sites that draw visitors from all over the world. The places to visit in Cebu are land Ayala Center Cebu, Casa Gorordo Museum, Basilica del Santo NiñoBasilica del Santo Niño, Basilica del Santo Niño, white sand beaches and many more.
Entry And Exit Requirements For A Foreign Nationals In The Philippines
- A valid passport of at least 6 months validation issued by the Philippines embassy. Most nationals are allowed to stay in the Philippines for up to 30 days. Visa extensions are possible while in the Philippines, but they are expensive.
- Foreign nationals must get an Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC) from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) prior to their departure. Depending on the nature of the foreign nationals’ stay in the Philippines, there are two sorts of clearances available to visa holders.
Covid-19 Requirements For Traveling To The Philippines: After The Pandemic
Various nations have established preventative measures, required protocols, movement restrictions, and regulations for travelers due to the growing COVID-19 mess.
Before traveling to the Philippines, one must be informed of the up-to-date information on alert levels and the newest travel requirements.
In the Philippines, fully immunized travelers of various nationalities are permitted. The current requirements for traveling to the Philippines for locals are a valid Philippines passport, Identification Certificate, Certification of Retention/Reacquisition of Philippines Citizenship, and a negative RT-PCR test taken within 24 hours prior to departure.
A travel insurance or medical insurance policy covering COVID-19 medication with a minimum coverage amount of US$35,000 is also necessary for visa-free tourists.
Negative RT-PCR Test
Non-fully vaccinated travelers who test positive for the disease are not allowed to enter the Philippines because they pose a risk to the local government unit and people.
Travelers with no evidence/ proof of vaccination status will be kept under government facility provisions till getting a negative RT-PCR test. Having a state digital certificate under a reciprocal arrangement is a plus point.
General Philippines Travel Advisory
Although the Philippines combines nature and urbanization, there are many areas that are still off-limits to both locals and foreigners. We suggest checking your local advisory regarding Philippine areas that are under these local travel advisories.
Covid-19 In The Philippines
In times of Corona all around the world, the disease spread widely and it became difficult to have proper disease control. Certain SOPs were applied by all countries to stop the spread of disease.
The Philippine embassy, by playing its role, stops tourists from countries like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Oman, Bangladesh, Philippines, and Oman from entering. Only the government officials and diplomats were allowed.
Travel Advisory From The Philippine Government
Filipino emergency services are provided by the local government authorities to cope with the disease. Also, you must check which Philippine areas have sanctions on commercial flights to avoid increased risks.
For foreign nationals and foreign children who went to certain competitions or functions, proper kits and care were provided to them by the local authorities. Special aid is sent by a foreign government to keep multilateral relations in difficult times.
Local governments prepare reciprocal arrangements in order to control the situation if the resources decrease to ensure that the health of the residents of the Philippines is not compromised.
What Makes The Philippines The Best Vacation Spot Right Now?
A visit to the land that blooms your mind with attractive colors throws positive vibes on every step and makes your close connection with nature. The Philippines is the best summer vacation spot if you’re looking for white beach sands and emerald-blue water.
Philippines – “Land of the Morning, Child of the Sun Returning” Made up of 7,107 islands, the Philippines is known for its amazing natural beauty and its people – warm, strong, and hospitable Filipinos.
The Philippines: Land Of The Morning
The Philippines and its people are exploring the identity of the Filipino people, created by a mix of local cultures and external influences. More than 300 years of Spanish colonial rule are evident in the Tagalog language, religion, architecture, art, and cuisine of the Philippines.
Today, the Philippines has the largest number of Catholics in Asia. Southern Muslim communities, indigenous highland communities, and the influence of Chinese immigrants add to the Philippine cultural diversity.
The Philippines is also known as:
- Pearl of the Orient Seas
- Isles of Hope
- Melting Pot of Asia/ Culture
How Do You Say Travel In Tagalog?
In Tagalog, we say paglalakbay for the word travel. But, if we want to say that we want to travel somewhere, we say gusto kong pumunta sa (place where you want to go)
We’re almost there! Here are more Tagalog words and phrases that are handy for a staycation in one of the best places in the world.
Words And Phrases You Need To Pack When Going To The Philippines
Tagalog words today use the same words in English, but they may sound different. This is a colloquial way of speaking that is widely used by many Filipinos. Instead of using the Tagalog word paliparan, many Filipinos will understand you if you say airport instead.
We’ve tackled this language situation in our blog about rarely used Tagalog words and why the Filipino language has evolved over the years.
Here are some of the words we are sure you’ll need to memorize before your trip to the Philippines.
Frequently Asked Questions When You Travel To The Philippines
What Are The Requirements To Go To The Philippines Now?
There are five important requirements before you have your stay in the Philippines: 6 months valid passport, visa (according to the purpose of your visit), proof of vaccination (for vaccinated persons) or an RT-PCR (negative COVID results) 24 hours prior to the flight, filled-in OneHealthPass Health Declaration Form and a return or outbound ticket to their country of origin or next destination.
What Are The Current Restrictions When Traveling To The Philippines?
Those who haven’t been vaccinated cannot enter the Philippines unless they have an RT-PCR with negative COVID results, as mentioned earlier. Moreover, you can only stay in the Philippines for 30 days according to your country’s guidelines unless your visa or your country’s rules state otherwise.
What Items Should I Bring Before My Stay In The Philippines?
Apart from the required documents, it is recommended to bring mosquito lotion repellants, sunblock, hats or umbrellas, water, and, of course, your handy camera! If you’re trekking the mountains or exploring caves, you must have waterproof bags, bug spray, a flashlight, shoes for trekking (aqua shoes if you have them), and comfortable, light clothes.
Wrapping Up
That’s it for this blog post! Learn more on the Ling app. If you want to go to the Philippines, then you might as well want to learn the Tagalog language. Make sure to know about the things to know before going to the Philippines. Watch Filipino Movies and learn Tagalog with the Ling. Explore more features of the Ling app and upgrade your game of language learning right now!
Happy learning!
Updated by CJ
