Explore and Experience The Uniqueness of the Philippines
Philippines, also known as the Republic of Philippines, is the largest archipelago in the world, comprising 7641 islands! The country is famous for its abundant picturesque and sun-kissed beaches. A lesser known fact is that it is home to a wide variety of exotic fruits viz mangosteen, papaya, and banana.
Trivia – Here are some interesting facts about the Philippines.
- It is famous for being the place where the world’s largest pearl was discovered – in the Palawan Sea. Weighing 34kgs, the pearl today is valued at $100 million!
- The Philippines is also the home to Asia’s first basketball league – The Philippines Basketball Association, founded in 1975
- The Philippines is the only place where one can find the iconic jeepney, colorfully painted buses, and US Military jeeps, on the road on an everyday basis, that date back to World War II.
- The Philippines lies in an active earthquake zone, with numerous volcanoes, it also gets affected by 20 typhoons around the year (Like the current Noru typhoon affecting the country) – however in spite of all these natural calamities posing as tourism obstacles, there is no dearth of visitors thronging this beautiful and culturally rich country round the year!
Traveling To Philippines
If you are on holiday, there are several things not to miss when visiting the Philippines.
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Things to do in Philippines
The best time to visit the Philippines is between November and April.
There is no dearth of things to do or places to visit in the Philippines; from relaxing on the pristine beaches, kayaking, and kite-surfing, to indulging in a spa or even trying your luck at the casinos – there is something for everyone.
Here is a list of some must-visit places on your vacation to the Philippines:
- Hinagdanan Cave
Situated in Bohol, the word Hinagdanan means ‘Laddered’ in Cebuano and is one of the many beautiful caves that are found in the island province. The cave is made of limestone and boasts of innumerable stalactite and stalagmite formations, including a freshwater lagoon.
 Interesting fact: During the Second World War, the cave was once used as a hideout by the locals to escape the Japanese Imperial army. |
2. Panagsama Beach
Located in Moalboal, in the southwestern part of the Cebu province, the Pangsama Beach is famous for its marine life. Giant schools of fish are easily found along the shores of the beach. Pangsama Beach serves as a great site for kayaking and other water sports activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, and dolphin watching.
3. Bamboo Hanging Bridge
A walk across the sturdy yet delicate bamboo bridge, built across the flowing Sipatan river, is one of the most fascinating things to do in Bohol. Also known as the Sipatan Twin Hanging Bridge or the Tigbao Hanging Bridge, this is one of the most popular tourist attractions on the Bohol island.
Crossing the bridge is extremely safe; a lot of locals cross the bridge, even on motorcycles. The bridge tends to sway when crossing; however, the support cables are made of steel, and thus it is perfectly safe!
4. Barracuda Lake
Situated on Coron Island in the north of the Philippines, the Barracuda Lake offers one of the most unique diving experiences in the world. Also known as Luluyuan Lake, divers, swimmers, and scuba enthusiasts experience a water temperature of around 82 degrees Fahrenheit at first, however, as they go deeper into the lake’s depths, the temperature starts to change to just about over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
This strange phenomenon is because the lake contains both salt and freshwater. As you enter the lake you are surrounded by freshwater while the water changes to salt water as you go in deeper. Saltwater has more molecules than fresh water and thus can hold heat longer. Another unique feature of the lake is the sand at the bottom, which is jelly-like, silky, airy, and silty.
5. Oslob Whale Sharks
Swim and snorkel alongside the extant whale sharks in Oslob, Cebu. Meet the gentle giants up close as you feed them and explore the surrounding coral reefs. A thrilling experience, no doubt, this activity is almost on everyone’s bucket list, when visiting the Philippines!
6. Taoist Temple
The Cebu Taoist Temple is a Chinese temple situated at an elevation of 110 meters above sea level that boasts a spectacular panoramic view of the city skyline and the blue waters. The temple, built in 1972, is a multi-colored and multi-tiered structure decorated with dragon sculptures.
The temple is dedicated to Taoism and the Chinese philosopher Lao Zi. The temple also boasts an entrance designed to replicate the Great Wall of China and is open to worshippers and non-worshippers alike.
7. Sample the local cuisine
Filipino cuisine may not be as famous as Thai or Vietnamese cuisine, but they have a wide variety of delicious dishes that can grab a gastronomer’s attention! The local cuisine is not only flavourful but also unique as they include an abundance of seafood and tropical fruits. Satiate your taste buds as you sample dishes like Adobo (meat cooked in vinegar, salt, garlic, pepper, soy sauce, and other spices ) Tamilok (made from molluscs), Lechon (a Philippine-Spanish dish made from juicy pork, served with rice and Pinakurat vinegar) Chicken Inasal (chicken marinated in lemongrass, calamansi, salt, pepper and garlic and then grilled ) Pancit Palabok )a noodle dish layered with rice noodles, a rich orange sauce made from shrimp broth, pork, hard-boiled eggs and sometimes oysters and squids) and Bulalo (a bowl of the shank and bone marrow served in steaming beef soup).
Has reading this list, gotten you excited to know more? Then why wait? Let’s get started!
- Check passport validity
Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the intended entry date to the Philippines. Head to our VAC/passport service center or the embassy/consulate and get your passport renewed at the earliest if required.
- Entry Requirements
Before you travel, it is important to check the ‘Entry Requirements’ for the Philippines’ current entry restrictions and requirements.
- Covid Restrictions
You can enter the Philippines provided you:
- Have acceptable proof of vaccination
- Have valid tickets for your return journey to the port of origin or next port of destination not later than thirty (30) days from the date of your arrival in the Philippines
- Have registered for a Bureau of Quarantine One Health Pass before your arrival. You will receive a unique QR code which you will need to present to your airline before boarding and on arrival at your airport in the Philippines
- Present either a negative RT-PCR test taken within forty-eight (48) hours before the date and time of departure from the country of origin/first port of embarkation in a continuous journey to the Philippines or a negative laboratory-based Antigen Test taken within twenty-four (24) hours.
Get Help : BLS has set up its VAC/outsourced visa service centres for the Philippines in numerous countries across the globe, with the latest center recently in Qatar. Check out our global presence on our website www.blsinternational.com.