10 Reasons Why You Should Visit The Philippines
The Philippines is a Southeast Asian island nation in the Western Pacific Ocean. There are 7,641 islands and islets in this archipelago. It's no surprise that the country is endowed with mountains, rainforests, flora and fauna, sunny weather, diverse biodiversity, and several stunning, unspoiled, and breathtaking beaches. Boracay, Palawan, and Cebu have been named among the best islands in the world by various major travel magazines. Despite the pandemic, the Philippines was recognized as Asia's leading beach for the fifth year in a row at the 2021 World Travel Awards, and Asia's leading dive destination for the third year in a row. The Philippines offers a wide array of natural wonders that were and are on the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, such as Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Banaue Rice Terraces, Mount Hamiguitan World Heritage Park, Great Santa Cruz Island, Puerto Princesa Underground River, Tinuy-an Falls, Apo Island, Biri Island Rock Formations, Chocolate Hills, Donsol Sorsogon, Hundred Islands National Park, Mount Mayon, Pagudpud, Siquijor Island, and Taal Volcano and Taal Lake.
The
Philippines is noted for its vibrant festivals, distinct and unique foods,
heritage towns and landmarks, and most notably, its people, who are known for
being hospitable, kind, and English-proficient. In fact, many travelers from
all over the world visit the Philippines because the Filipino people speak
English fluently. Spending a week in the Philippines is not enough to explore,
witness, and experience all it offers. Here are some of the best
reasons to visit the Philippines and why it should be on your bucket list.
1. Friendly and Hospitable Filipinos
Filipinos are known for being extraordinarily
welcoming in comparison to the rest of the world. Because of its people, the
Philippines is acknowledged and listed as the world's third happiest country by
some countries. Once you set foot in the Philippines, you will be greeted by
Filipinos who will accompany you throughout your journey and adventure.
Filipinos are notoriously talkative, to the point where they will always
initiate a conversation with you.
2. Tourist Destinations
The Philippines' tourist destinations set it apart from other countries throughout the world. Beautiful and pristine beaches; diverse fauna; spectacular scenery; a wide choice of activities; unique cultural and gastronomic experiences; and the warmth and hospitality of the Filipino people from various cities and provinces in the Philippines are all present in the Philippines. Whether you are seeking an intense adventure or not, the country's tourist spots are suitable for everyone. The Metro Manila, Cordilleras, Batanes, Laoag, and Vigan, Calabarzon, Boracay, Bicol, Cebu and Bohol, Leyte and Samar, Iloilo and Negros Occidental, Davao and Camiguin, Palawan, and Siargao are the destinations that every traveler must visit and experience the beaches and islands, try active adventure on land or in the water, witness cultural delights in immersing yourself in the rich culture and history of the country, dive deeper into rich marine biodiversity, see stunning natural wonders with breathtaking landscapes in the wilderness, try unique local delicacies, and try celebrating special occasions or events in the paradise-like beaches and landscapes.
3. Unique Experiences
Most
travelers visit a country to unlock unique experiences in different countries
around the world. When it comes to unique experiences, the Philippines is one
of the countries in the world that you must visit because it has a variety of
unique experiences that you should try and add to your bucketlist, such as:
eating balut, a hard-boiled duck egg with a developing embryo
inside; riding the jeepney, the most common mode of public transportation
in the country; getting a tattoo from the oldest tattoo artist in the country,
Apo Whang Od; bathing in a large cooking pot; biking in the air;
riding a bamboo bike; riding in kalesa or calesa, a two-wheeled
horse-drawn carriage; and many more.
4. Unique Filipino Cuisine
Image from: Francis Ang (https://media.interaksyon.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Filipino-food-in-small-plates.jpg)
Since the
Philippines has been colonized by numerous countries for over a thousand years,
its cuisines have been influenced by various influences. It's no surprise that
travelers have a wide range of dishes and delicacies to choose from on the menu
of Filipino cuisine, as it is influenced by a variety of cultures. In the
country, you can taste Spanish, American, Japanese, Chinese, and many other
influences. In fact, Filipino cuisine was named one of the top 50 best cuisines
in the world by TasteAtlas, an immersive travel guide to traditional food that
collects original recipes, food critic reviews, and research articles about
popular ingredients and dishes. Native cuisines such as Sinigang, Tortang
talong, and Lumpiang Shanghai are among the Filipino foods on the list, while
Banana Ketchup, Bangus, and Kesong Puti were selected as the best products that
every visitor to the Philippines should try.
5. Climate and Weather
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The
Philippines has a tropical climate all year round, making it perfect for
tourist and leisure activities. Travelers can choose when they want to visit
the Philippines based on their preferred season of travel. If you're looking
for bright and sunny weather, March and May are the best months to visit the
Philippines' various beaches. On the other hand, if you want to avoid crowded
places in the Philippines and save money, June to October is the best time to
visit, as it is off-peak season.
6. Festivals
A
festival, commonly known as a fiesta, is part of the Filipino culture. Each
city or municipality, town, provincial, national, and village has at least one
local festival of its own. In fact, there are more than 40,000 known major and
minor festivals in the Philippines alone. For this reason, the Philippines is
regarded as the Capital of the World’s Festivals. Visitors from all over the
world flock to the Philippines not only for its beautiful beaches and breathtaking
landscapes, but also to experience and witness the country's grand festivals,
which include street dance, parades and processions, day and night activities,
food booths, and more.
7. Everything is Affordable
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One of the
factors that some of the travelers considered was the expense and cost of their
travels. When looking for a cheap and affordable trip that is also high in
quality, consider visiting the Philippines. The country offers affordable tourism
activities, accommodation, accessibility, amenities, and attractions that suit
every traveler’s travel needs and wants. Different tourist destinations in the
country also offer package deals and discounts based on the providers and the
number of people who use a product or service, attracting more visitors. In
addition, the food in the Philippines is affordable yet tasty and savory, and
offers a variety of dishes inspired and influenced by several countries.
8. Rich in History
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If you are
the type of traveler who wants to discover, learn, and experience the history
of a country or place, the Philippines is a good destination for you. The
country lets you travel back in time and learn the history of the things that
you will see in most of the tourist destinations in the Philippines. The rich
culture of the country is influenced by its history, combining Asian, European,
and American cultures. From trading with the Chinese and Japanese, to the
establishment of Spain's colony, to the extensive education brought by
Americans, to the Japanese occupation of the country.
9. Unique Animals and Plants
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The
Philippines is one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, captivating and
awe-inspiring visitors from all over the world. The Philippines is rich in
various animals and plants, which few visitors realize. The country has
52,177 species from many of the islands that make up the archipelago, including
a large number of endemic species that are found nowhere else in the world.
Expect to see a variety of interesting animals and plants when visiting and
exploring the various sites in the Philippines. Bats, carabao, monkeys, hogs,
pigeons, milkfish, phyton, eagles, and other animals have been seen in the
country. There are other flora native to the Philippines, such as Rafflesia,
Kitanglad, Ginger, Pandan, and a variety of exotic fruits, such as Chico,
Durian, Lanzones, Mango, Rambutan, Santol, Star fruit, and more, that you
should try.
10. English Proficiency
Image from: Primer Blog (https://livingnomads.com/2019/10/best-things-to-buy-in-the-philippines/)
Despite
the fact that the Philippines speaks over 120 languages, it is nevertheless
considered one of the world's largest English-speaking nations. In fact,
English is widely spoken in the Philippines, where it is one of two official
languages and is spoken by over 14 million people. That is why foreign visitors
do not have difficulty communicating with Filipinos, which is one of the
attractions of visiting the Philippines.
Above all the listed ten
reasons why you should visit the Philippines, which one would probably push you
to visit the country? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
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