Note: Javascript is disabled in your browser.
To see the gallery in all its glory, you'll need to enable Javascript.
Introducing Philippines
Travel Alert: Typhoon season has arrived in the Philippines. Torrential rains have caused floods across the country, affecting much of Manila and its surrounds. Travellers should check out Safe Travel for updates, or search the Thorn Tree travel forum for traveller feedback. Due to the uncertain political situation in Mindinao, including the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Sulu Archipelago, travel to these areas is not advised.
Advertisement
The second-largest archipelago in the world, with over 7000 tropical islands, the Philippines is one of the great treasures of Southeast Asia. Often overlooked by travellers because of its location on the ‘wrong’ side of the South China Sea, the Philippines rewards those who go the extra distance to reach it. And because it’s off the beaten path, the Philippines is a great place to escape the hordes who descend on other parts of Southeast Asia. First and foremost, the Philippines is a place of natural wonders – a string of coral-fringed islands strewn across a vast expanse of the western Pacific. Below sea level, the Philippines boasts some of the world’s best diving and snorkelling, including wreck diving around Coron and swimming with the whale sharks off Donsol. Above sea level, it has a fantastic landscape with wonders enough to stagger even the most jaded traveller: the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, Banaue & the Rice Terraces and fascinating reminders of the islands’ history in places such as Samar & Leyte and Vigan. And if you’re after palm-fringed, white-sand beaches, try laidback Sipalay or flat-out party town Boracay.
Of course, any traveller who has been here will tell you that it’s the people and their culture that makes the Philippines unique. Long poised at the centre of Southeast Asian trade, colonised by a succession of world powers, the Philippines is a vivid tapestry that reflects its varied cultural inheritance. And despite the poverty that afflicts much of the nation, the Filipinos themselves are among the most ebullient and easygoing people anywhere. The Philippines truly qualifies as one of the last great frontiers in Southeast Asian travel. Cross whichever ocean you need to and see for yourself.
Last updated: Oct 7, 2009
Tips & articles
-
Let it rain: enjoying Southeast Asia’s wet season
27 July 2009
It’s the rainy season in Southeast Asia. Don’t worry, it probably won’t rain all the time...
Advertisement
Philippines
Our Top Picks For Philippines
-
1 El Nido
Drift among the limestone cathedrals and azure lagoons of the Bacuit Archipelago
-
2 Banaue & the Rice Terraces
Trek through immense rice terraces around Banaue and Bontoc in North Luzon’s Cordillera Mountains
-
3 Boracay
Raucous grand dame of the Philippines' beach resorts
-
4 Donsol
Swim alongside the giant, plankton-eating whale sharks
-
5 Manila
The nation's capital has anarchic nightlife and daytime commerce that will suck you right in
Fast Facts about Philippines
- World's biggest producer of
coconuts, third-largest producer of bananas
- GNP
US$430 billion
- Highest point
Mt Apo, at 2954m
- Number of islands
7000, the world's second- largest archipelago
- Unemployment rate
over 11%
- Population
87.8 million
- English literacy rate
93%, the highest in Asia
- Life expectancy
men 67 years, women 73 years
- Asia's first
university (University of Santo Tomas, 1611); democratic nation (1896); commercial airline (Philippine Airlines, 1941)
Related Groups
Our favourite Philippines Blogs (beta)
-
My Field Trip to Tuguegarao City
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 22 November 2009
By Adam Preston, KF9, Philippines In addition to being a very hard word to spell, Tuguegarao (pronounced too-gig-a-raou), is the location of one of the ASKI branches that posts their clients on the Kiva website. It’s also the destination of my second trip to the field. One part of my job as a Kiva Fellow is [...]
-
“Ok. Next question…”
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 18 November 2009
Mary Riedel, KF9, Philippines “…What do you think your biggest challenge will be if you become a Kiva Fellow?” I heard this question twice during my interview process with Kiva. On both occasions I was sitting at my kitchen table in San Francisco, working from home (experiencing some cabin fever), and planing to meet up with friends [...]
-
The Savings behind the Interest
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 13 November 2009
By Eva Wu, KF9 Philippines Having followed the recent debate over Kiva’s transparency and the P2P model, the main critique that stuck with me was that there should be more transparency on Kiva’s partner MFIs. This resonated with me because I believe that Kiva has, on the whole, picked out partner MFIs that do amazing work [...]
