Philippines
Asia · Manila · PH
The Philippines is an archipelago of over seven thousand islands scattered across the warm western Pacific, where white sand beaches curve around hidden lagoons and volcanic peaks rise from rice paddies so green they seem almost artificial. In Manila, the walled city of Intramuros reveals centuries of Spanish colonial history, while the beach town of El Nido feels like the edge of the world, with towering limestone cliffs and turquoise water so clear that your boat appears to float in air. The Cordillera mountains hold ancient rice terraces carved by hand over two thousand years ago, and the surf breaks of Siargao attract wave riders from every continent. Filipino cuisine is a joyful collision of Malay, Spanish, Chinese, and American influences: adobo simmered in vinegar and soy, sinigang sour with tamarind, and lechon roasted whole over open coals. The warmth of the people matches the climate, making every interaction feel genuine and unhurried.
Overview
Philippines is a country in Asia. Its capital is Manila and the international dialling code is +63. Languages commonly used in everyday life here include Filipino and English. Local currency is the Philippine Peso (PHP). Our guide covers 1 airport, including Ninoy Aquino International Airport. We also list 1 city in Philippines: Manila.
El Nido's Hidden Lagoons
El Nido sits at the northern tip of Palawan, where the Bacuit Archipelago's limestone karsts drop vertically into water so transparent that sea urchins are visible from the boat above. Kayaking into Secret Lagoon requires squeezing through a narrow gap in the rock wall and emerging into a small, enclosed pool surrounded on all sides by sheer cliffs covered in hanging vines. Big Lagoon is larger but no less dramatic, its emerald water reflecting the cliff faces like a perfect mirror. After a morning of island hopping, the afternoon brings you to hidden beaches where powder-white sand meets calm water and the only sound is the gentle lapping of waves. At sunset, the karsts turn from grey to amber, and the fishing boats return to the village harbor, their outriggers glowing in the fading light. El Nido's beauty is almost disorienting in its intensity.
Banaue Rice Terraces at Dawn
The Banaue Rice Terraces, often called the eighth wonder of the world, cascade down the mountainsides of Ifugao province like a giant amphitheater carved from green stone. Built by hand over two thousand years ago by the Ifugao people, the terraces use an intricate irrigation system that channels water from mountain springs down through the fields in a continuous flow. Arriving at dawn, when mist hangs in the valley and the first light catches the water-filled paddies, transforms the landscape into something almost abstract: silver mirrors reflecting the sky, framed by dark forest ridges. Walking with a local Ifugao guide, you learn about the ancient traditions still practiced here, from rice cultivation rituals to the wooden carved bulul figures that guard the harvest. The village of Batad, a short drive away, offers a more intimate perspective, with stone steps leading down into the heart of the terrace system.
Siargao's Cloud 9 Surfing Break
Siargao has become the surfing capital of the Philippines, drawing wave riders to the famous Cloud 9 break where a powerful right-hand reef break rolls over a shallow coral shelf. The boardwalk leading out to the viewing platform extends over the turquoise water, and early mornings before the wind picks up find surfers paddling into glassy, chest-high barrels. For beginners, the town's numerous surf schools offer lessons on softer beach breaks, while experienced riders tackle the more challenging reef breaks further along the coast. Between sessions, smoothie bars and rustic cafes serve fresh coconut and calamansi juice, and the General Luna strip comes alive at sunset with bonfires and acoustic music. Beyond surfing, island hopping tours bring you to rock pools, hidden beaches, and mangrove forests that harbor kingfishers and mudskippers, revealing an island far richer than its reputation as a single-wave destination suggests.
Cebu's Kawasan Falls Canyoneering
The canyoneering adventure to Kawasan Falls begins with a short boat ride across turquoise waters to the southern tip of Cebu, followed by a series of jumps, swims, and scrambles through a gorge carved by crystalline rivers over millennia. The water is shockingly blue, a milky turquoise that seems almost artificial, yet it flows directly from underground springs in the limestone mountains above. Leaping from a five-meter ledge into the pool below sends a rush of adrenaline through you, but the reward is immediate: a cool embrace in water so clear you can see every pebble on the riverbed. The final cascade drops twenty meters into a wide basin fringed by coconut palms and moss-covered rocks. Afterward, a small warung nearby serves halo-halo, a shaved ice dessert loaded with sweet beans, jellies, and condensed milk that tastes like a perfect ending.
Vigan's Cobblestone Heritage Streets
Vigan is one of the best-preserved Spanish colonial towns in Asia, its Calle Crisologo lined with cobblestones and two-story stone houses whose wooden balconies overhang the narrow street. Walking here at dusk, when the gas lamps flicker on and the day-trippers thin out, you feel transported to another century entirely. Horse-drawn calesas clip-clop past souvenir shops selling woven textiles and lipa coconut wine, while the smell of empanadas and longganisa sausages drifts from nearby food stalls. The heritage houses open their doors to reveal Spanish-era interiors with hardwood floors, capiz shell windows, and tiled kitchens. The nearby pottery village of Burnay still uses techniques passed down through generations, shaping clay jars that were once used to store vinegar and fish sauce. Vigan's magic lies in how naturally its history lives alongside the everyday routines of its residents.
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- Capital
- Manila
- Currency
- Philippine Peso (PHP)
- Languages
- Filipino, English
- Calling code
- +63
- Internet TLD
- ph
Entry requirements
Check who can enter →See which passports travel visa-free or need a visa to enter Philippines.
Which nationalities can enter Philippines?
Current visa status for tourism for the origins we cover, with links to the detailed requirements.
Airports (1)
All airports →Cities (1)
All cities →Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Philippines?
For the origins we track, travellers from Australia, Canada, Japan, Morocco and New Zealand currently enter Philippines visa-free for tourism, and 4 more origins are visa-free too. Entry rules depend on your passport and the purpose of your trip, so check the current requirements for your own nationality with our entry requirements tool.
What is the capital of Philippines?
Manila is the capital of Philippines, and the country sits in Asia.
What currency is used in Philippines?
You pay with Philippine Peso (PHP) in Philippines. Exchange rates move day to day, so check the current rate before you change money or use your card abroad.
Which languages do people speak in Philippines?
The languages we list for Philippines are Filipino and English. A couple of greetings in the local language go a long way when you travel, even in cities where another language is widely used.
What is the international dialling code for Philippines?
The dialling code for Philippines is +63 — keep the plus sign when you save the number.
Which airports serve Philippines?
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Manila is the airport we cover for Philippines.
Which cities in Philippines do you cover?
Our guide lists 1 city for Philippines: Manila (capital).