Travel to the Philippines! This beginning of 2024, we feature Philippine destinations that you may use as a guide when you plan your travels this year.

Bicol

Dubbed as a whale shark haven for scuba diving and snorkelling enthusiasts, Donsol in Bicol province is an unmissable destination for those seeking for an adventure. Unlike other Philippine destinations that offer whale shark watching, the whale sharks in Donsol are seasonal sightings due to their wild nature, with February to May as the best months to travel to this town to ensure whale shark sightings. The said town has ecotourism practices to ensure the welfare of these gentle giants. 

Want to get a closer view of Mt. Mayon? Try taking an ATV ride towards the volcano! Not only will one be able to take better photos due to the closer proximity, a greater appreciation of the perfect-cone shaped formation will also be felt, coupled with the lush green landscape, river, and rice fields that can be witnessed along the way.

Camiguin

Greatly known as a volcanic island in the Philippines, Camiguin province may be a small island but it certainly packs a wide array of activities one can do. Just a short boat ride away from the main island, Mantigue Island is a booming tourist spot because of its natural wonders along with its bountiful reefs, hence, a new dive site offering of the province apart from the widely known Sunken Cemetery of the main island. With the island being a volcanic one, a one-of-kind experience here is to take a dip in the hotspring that’s fueled by Mt. Hibok-Hibok’s volcanic activities underneath. Another land-based activity is to hike to Mt. Vulcan through a walkway made specifically for such.

El Nido

For a white sand beach luxury experience, one can never go wrong with El Nido, Palawan, and it is no wonder why travel media had named the island as one of the best island beaches in the world. El Nido is one of the tourist destinations that has sustainability in mind be it a stakeholder-driven initiative like a resort’s conferment of the Sea-Turtle Friendly Tourism Certification, or a non-government association’s ingenuity of putting up a school for sustainability and innovation. These practices are placed in check in the activities such as beach hopping in the small islands of El Nido like the Batas Island, Maremegmeg Beach, and Matinloc Island which houses The Secret Beach which was said to be Alex Garland’s inspiration for writing his novel, The Beach.

Northern Philippines

Albeit being one of the most travelled destinations by our guests, the Northern Philippines will always leave you wanting for more even though one has been to said destination. A prime case would be the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Banaue Rice Terraces, which is the best example of cultural preservation and the Filipino’s industriousness and perseverance. Apart from the natural green landscapes, go thrift shopping in northern Philippines’ city center, Baguio City! One of the reasons why the locals flock to the City of Pines is the daily night market in Harrison Road, which not only abounds with good shopping deals, but also with plenty of street food! Want to take on a challenge? try an indigenous way of tattooing called “Mambabatok” in Buscalan in the Kalinga region, and be amazed by this tradition that’s been passed on by Apo Whang-Od, a centenarian who’s the oldest living tattoo artist in the world, and the last woman tattoo artist of her generation.

Siargao

The host of this year’s World Surf League Qualifying Series 5000 is always keen to welcome someone new to their island. Siargao’s famous Cloud 9 surf site is one of the world’s best surf break points which should not be missing from your itinerary if water activity is your main agenda in the Philippines. Want a more chill activity? Try swimming at the Magpupungko Rock Pools that are only 45 minutes away from the city center. These tidal pools only reveal themselves during low tide between 10AM to 12NN. Explore the province further and go to Sohoton Cove, not only to swim, but to take a drone shot of the paint-splattered-like islets.