It’s the Philippines, therefore I don’t really get why you need any justifications at all! Since you insisted, though, here is a list of ten reasons to visit the Philippines that will inevitably increase your wanderlust to the point where, by the time you’re done, you’ll probably be packed and on your way out the door! But in all honesty, the Philippines is greatly underestimated—it’s practically paradise! Our newest vacation, the Philippines Island Hopping, is fantastic and we highly recommend booking it. It seems that the rest of the globe is only now catching up to the buzz, since it boasts some of the best beaches, incredible food, amiable natives, and of course, flawless vibes. We chatted with our very own Ben Garwood, an adventurer to the stars and avid supporter of Contiki, about his 2018 journey to the Philippines and the reasons you should do the same.
1. It’s among the most breathtaking locations I’ve ever visited.
In a time when the ability to post something “Instagrammable” influences travel decisions more and more, visiting the Philippines is essentially a no-brainer.
This nation is a visual playground, with its stunning chocolate hills, white sand beaches, and rice terraces of Banaue. “Everywhere you look is breathtaking and fascinating. My companion, a geography major, would point out all the geological formations and dormant volcanoes when we were traveling. The Philippines’ natural beauty is so authentic and unspoiled in contrast to other well-known south-east Asian travel spots.
2. It’s like a postcard at El Nido.
One of the destinations on Contiki’s Philippines itinerary is El Nido, where visitors really set up camp for a few days—and with good reason! “Everywhere you look is breathtakingly beautiful. It was one of the first times I was genuinely in awe, as I recall sitting on the boat entering the island. The vistas were simply amazing. With Contiki, you’ll have three days in El Nido, which gives you plenty of time to truly take in all the splendor. Not only that, but the activities that are included are really amazing, particularly the trip to the blue Bulalacao waterfalls and the beach meditation at sunset. A. Dream! “I would definitely go back there again.”
3. There are less tourists.
The Philippines is a must-visit if you enjoy the style of Thailand and Vietnam but prefer something a little more laid back! There won’t be a crowd of people to impede the breathtaking views, prize-worthy beaches, sunny, bright weather, or breathtaking weather. You’ll essentially have the entire nation to yourself, but you must reserve quickly to avoid it selling out. This place truly offers the best of both worlds; it’s more relaxed and yet allows you to do anything you desire, including sightseeing and nightlife. It exudes an incredibly genuine vibe.
4. People here are really nice.
There’s nothing like traveling and experiencing a warm welcome from the people; it quickly makes a location feel like home and gives you a sense of belonging. “The people here are very nice. In reality, a lot of eateries are located right outside of residential areas. A family will be tending to the food and BBQ, and there will be a few tables and chairs put out. You are taken care of and given particular meals to eat. “I actually went to a local’s house to get my haircut. There was a man who operated his business out of his living room, and he was quite friendly and welcoming. And it wasn’t an awful haircut!
5. You truly establish a connection with others
The benefit of social travel is that, when you travel to the Philippines with Contiki, your entire group is there for you to interact and hang out with! On a random night out or social excursion, though, you can run across folks you’ve met before as you travel about the islands. “I was backpacking in the Philippines, so I stayed in hostels.”
Because most hikers follow a similar track, you would run across the same individuals along the way and truly form ties. That made it amazing because you would meet people there and establish friends very quickly. The friendships you form on the road are truly unique and are to be treasured!
6. But if you’re like it, it also has a fantastic party scene.
The nightlife is incredible, as it would be at any beachside location! The Philippines has everything you need, whether your idea of a fun night out is a full club night or just a casual bonfire night with some food and beverages! You can really get into the beach scene and have the best time at the bars and clubs where you can dance the night away. There are also bands and bars beside the beach. Tempo. In the past. A little party is always a part of Contiki, and if you’ve never danced in the moonlight on the beach, this is the perfect opportunity.
7. The sweets are unbelievable
If anything, you ought to go to the Philippines merely to taste the cuisine—more especially, the desserts. Filipino cuisine is very distinct, and some of its delectable dishes—chicken adobo, anyone?—have traveled the globe. The desserts are the nicest part of the street food—you won’t find anything like these in your neighborhood convenience store. “Eating what the locals eat will force you to step outside of your comfort zone because there isn’t much Western food there, but that’s all part of the experience and it’s fun!” Do you know what halo halo is? Its name, which translates to “mix-mix,” accurately describes what it is: a combination of everything tasty and sweet! It tastes good, is flavorful, and has a variety of textures. In essence, it’s a large glass filled with fruit, ice cream, shaved ice, and evaporated milk. Make sure you have one to chill off after a tiring day at the beach.
8. You get to take part in so many interesting activities
In the Philippines, swimming with whale sharks is quite popular and should not be missed. It is one of the top tourist attractions. Certain businesses will take you out early in the morning so you can see the feeding and emerging of whale sharks from the sea. They are stunning! After that, you may swim with them, which is just not like anything else. Beautiful dive sites can be found all around the Philippines, where you can witness a variety of unusual species like sea turtles and starfish that you might not find anywhere else.
9. There is magic in the islands.
Have we mentioned how beautiful the Philippines are? Yeah? Well this time we want to talk specifically about the beaches and islands! These are the main focus of our Contiki trip, and for good reason – those Philippine islands are true stunners and out of this world.
“We did a load of island hopping, spending a couple days on a boat with other people in their 20s, just exploring and checking everything out. The sunsets on the islands are unreal: the sky just gets lit up with this bright orange and everything else glows with it.” The islands are little bits of paradise and it’s honestly worth the trip just to experience them for a minute!
10. It’s affordable!
You’ll be able to exchange USD, GBP, or EUR and gain a lot of value for your money because of the high exchange rate between most currencies! Affordable lodging is available, along with a plethora of delectable snacks and meals at reasonable prices, as well as some breathtaking experiences. The best advice is to rent a moped so you can travel the nation with ease. For a reasonable price, you may explore as much as you can and move around anytime you need to. Or you might take the Contiki coach, which offers free transportation.
Use Contiki to do it!
To be honest, I kind of happened to end myself in the Philippines. I went on a whim and am so happy I did, even though it wasn’t planned as part of my Asian backpacking schedule. I would make numerous trips to the Philippines. Christian, a former Contiki participant who got a sneak peek at our most recent trip, concurs with Ben that the experience and the people are what really matter: “Everyone was so friendly there.” Even if you don’t know the language, everyone is genuinely polite and happy to help you. It’s just all extremely relaxed back and there’s no rush to go anyplace. With Contiki, visiting the Philippines is simple! Your Trip Manager, who is a trustee, will ensure that you have a stress-free and hassle-free experience while touring the islands. Your whole schedule is organized, including transportation and lodging. However, take it from one of our previous travelers, Laura: “It’s so organized; all you have to do is show up to your vacation and have fun! Everything is set up just for you.
