PhilippinesWith its tropical climate, the Philippines is one of the many tourist destinations that travelers frequent to
escape the cold weather. More than 7,000 islands comprise the Philippines, and
the country is blessed with plenty of natural wonders. Colonized by the
Spanish, invaded by the Japanese, and freed with the help of Americans, the
Philippines offers a unique combination of historical landmarks. But ask any
traveler – it is the warm and welcoming attitude of the people that makes any
stay here truly unique and memorable.
Geography and Climate
As a
tropical country, you can
expect the weather in the Philippines to be sunny most of the time, except for
the occasional storm that may cause the weather to be rainy and wet. The rainy
season usually starts during June and lasts up to October, but recently the
rain patterns have changed so that the rain lasts all the way to December.
Any season is good to travel
to the Philippines, save for Holy Week when hotels charge triple the regular
rate, as well as New Years when party hot spots like Boracay and other beaches
are fully booked.
Boracay White Beach
As for geography, the islands
that comprise the Philippines are divided into three groups – Luzon, Visayas,
and Mindanao. Travelers can easily get around the country in a private car or the
usual forms of public transport like buses, cabs, and jeepneys. If you find
yourself in the walled city of Intramuros, a ride on a kalesa will
certainly complete the Spanish feel that the city has to offer.
Things to Do
There are plenty of things to
do in the Philippines, like swimming and relaxing at one of the beautiful white
sand beaches of Boracay, enjoying the cool weather in the mountains of Baguio,
exploring the
Banaue Rice Terraces, or simply taking a stroll along Baywalk and
enjoying the sun as it sets over
Manila Bay.
The Philippines is also
abundant with plenty of malls, movie theaters, and shopping centers that any
shopping enthusiast will enjoy visiting. Famous international brands are
available in some malls, as well as specialty shops where travelers can take
home souvenirs unique to the Philippines.
Festivals held in the Bulacan Province
like the Pagoda Festival are also something you should not miss if you find
yourself in the Philippines during the first Sunday of July. Every city has its
own festival that is truly a unique experience, like the Ati Atihan Festival in
Cebu and the Flower Festival in Baguio.
Banaue Rice TerracesSights to See
Travelers will certainly enjoy
seeing the man-made Banaue Rice Terraces found in the Ifugao province, as well
as the preserved (mummified) bodies in caves.
Subic Freeport Zone is also
another sight to see, as it was previously a naval base of the US Army. Today,
it has been turned into a commercial zone where tourists can watch dolphins
perform, explore a jungle, take part in a safari, as well as shop without
taxes.
Currency and Money Matters
Most major hotels accept
credit cards with a Visa or MasterCard logo, but it would be in any traveler’s
best interest to bring cash and exchange it to Philippine pesos at money
exchange centers found in most malls. This way, travelers will have smaller
bills to pay for cabs, etc. while a credit card can be used to pay for major charges
like the hotel stay.
Most travelers only need a valid passport to enter the
Philippines, but it is best to check with a local travel agent for any specific
requirements from the traveler’s country of origin.
BeachRules of Behavior for Visitors
Filipinos are very hospitable
and are very used to dealing with Americans and other visitors due to the
involvement of the Americans since the Spanish colonization era. As such,
Americans will not find it hard to get along with people in the country. However,
exercising caution, especially when it comes to money matters, is always a good
idea.
For visitors it is best to already have an idea of where they want to go and make reservations ahead of
time so that there will be no hassle after their arrival. Most major hotels and
other tourist hot spots have online bookings available and anyone can easily
pay online with a credit card. Planning an itinerary is also advisable or
better yet, there are plenty of local travel agencies in the Philippines
accredited by the Department of Tourism who will make all the necessary
reservations so that tourists can just sit back and relax.
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