Photo: Contiki
With over 7,000 islands, unreal beaches and sunsets that look straight-up edited, the Philippines has serious main-character energy.
From island hopping adventures to vibrant culture and some of the friendliest locals around, it’s the kind of destination that keeps finding its way onto travellers’ bucket lists.
10 reasons the Philippines deserves a spot on your itinerary.
Need more convincing?
We spoke Ben Garwood, adventurer to the stars and big Contiki fan, about his trip to the Philippines and why you should follow in his footsteps.
1. The Philippines is just insanely beautiful
In an age where travel is being decided more and more by the aesthetic potential, the Philippines is basically a no-brainer destination. From the amazing chocolate hills to the white sand beaches and the Banaue rice terraces, this country is like a playground of beauty.
“Everywhere you go is stunning, and so interesting. I was travelling with my friend who was a Geography major and he would point out all the rock formations and dormant volcanoes,” Ben told six-two.
“Compared to other popular south-east Asian destinations, the Philippines’ beauty is so real and so untouched.”
Image source: Contiki
2. “El Nido is like a postcard”
Contiki currently operates three trips to the Philippines and El Nido is one of the most magical stops on two of the trips: the Philippines Island Hopper West and the Ultimate Philippines Island Hopper.
“Everywhere you go is literally so gorgeous. I remember sitting on the boat coming into the island and it being one of the first times I was truly awed. The views were just breathtaking,” Ben shared.
If you see the Philippines with Contiki, you’ll spend three days there, giving you ample time to really soak up the beauty. Not only that, but the included experiences are incredible: especially the visit to the awe-striking Bulalacao waterfalls and then sunsets spent on the beach.
A dream!
3. The Philippines isn’t always as touristy
If you like the look of Thailand and Vietnam but want something just a tad more lowkey, then you must visit the Philippines! The weather is just as sunny and bright, the beaches are prize-worthy, and views are jaw-dropping, and they won’t be hindered by hoards of people.
“You really get the best of both worlds here, it’s a more laid back experience, but you can still do everything you want like sight-seeing, partying, etc. It’s got a really authentic vibe,” Ben told us.
Image source: Contiki
4. The Filipino locals are so kind
Nothing is better than travelling and being embraced by the locals – it makes you feel like you belong and instantly turns a place into home. “The locals are lovely. A lot of restaurants are actually held just outside of locals’ homes. You’ll have a few tables and chairs set up and a family manning the BBQ and the food. You get served specific dishes and they take care of you,” Ben explained.
“I actually got my haircut at a local’s home. It was a guy who ran his business from his living room and they’re just so kind and hospitable. It wasn’t a bad haircut either!”
5. You really get to connect with people
When you visit the Philippines with Contiki you obviously get your whole group to hang out and connect with – that’s the bonus of social travel! But as you move around the islands you may bump in to people you’ve met before on a random night out or social outing.
“When I visited the Philippines I was backpacking and so I stayed in hostels. It was great because you’d meet people there and you’d make friends super quick, and because most backpackers follow a similar trail, you’d end up bumping into the same people along the way and really building bonds,” Ben said.
Image source: Contiki
6. The Philippines also has a great party scene if you’re into that
Like any beachy destination, the night life is out of this world! Whether you’re looking for a chilled bonfire night with some bits of food and a couple drinks, or you’re wanting to go for a full club night, the Philippines has got you!
There are clubs and bars you can dance the night away in, or beachside bars and gigs so you can really get into that beach-life and have the best time ever.
It’s not Contiki without a little bit of a party, and if you’ve never danced in the sand under the moon, well now’s your time to shine.
7. Filipino desserts are unreal
If anything, you should visit the Philippines just so you can experience the food, specifically the desserts. Filipino food is so unique, and some dishes have made tours around the world for how scrumptious they are… chicken adobo anyone?
The street food is special, but best of all are the desserts and you can’t get anything that compares in your local convenience store. “There isn’t a lot of Western food out there, so you’ll definitely be thrown out of your comfort zone to eat what the locals eat, but that’s part of the experience and it’s good fun!” Ben said.
Have you heard of halo halo? The name means ‘mix-mix’ and that’s exactly what it is: a mix of all things sweet and delicious! It’s refreshing and flavourful, and includes a burst of textures. Basically, it’s ice cream, fruit, shaved ice and evaporated milk all in one big glass. Be sure to grab one after a long day on the beach to cool down.
Image source: Contiki
8. From swimming with whale sharks to stunning hikes, the Philippines is full of unique experiences
Swimming with whale sharks is a big thing in the Philippines – it’s one of the main tourist attractions and not one to miss.
The Philippines is also filled with gorgeous diving spots, so you can really indulge in scuba-diving to see the world under the surface and witness so much unique wildlife you might not see anywhere else like sea turtles and starfish!
9. The islands are magical
Have we mentioned how beautiful the Philippines is? 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 – the islands are 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,” Ben told us.
Image source: Contiki
10. It’s pretty damn cheap!
Thanks to the high exchange rate between most currencies, if you’re swapping USD, GBP, AUD, or EUR then you’ll be able to get a lot of bang for your buck! You can get lots of delicious treats and meals for a low price, as well as some stunning experiences, and even cheap accommodation.
Being made up of over 7000 islands (wow!), the Philippines can be a little tricky to get around and will take a decent amount of planning – which can also become costly.
But, just sayin’, that’s when you can hop on the Contiki coach where transportation is taken care of for you. Stress, be gone!
Do it with Contiki!
“Honestly, I kind of found myself in the Philippines by chance. It wasn’t a set part of my Asian backpacking itinerary, I went on a whim and I’m so glad I did. I would visit the Philippines again and again and again,” Ben said.
A Contiki past traveller, Christian, who went on one of the very first Contiki Philippines trips, agrees with Ben that the experience and the locals are everything: “Everyone was so friendly there. It’s just so laid back, there’s no rush to get anywhere, and everyone’s willing to help you out and be really friendly towards you, even if you can’t speak the language,” Christian said.
Ready to visit the Philippines with Contiki?
Travelling to the Philippines is easy with Contiki! Your whole itinerary is planned, transport and accommodation is all taken care of, and you have your trustee Trip Manager who will take you around the islands with no stress or hassle.
But don’t take it from us, take it from our past traveller Laura: “It’s so organised, you just have to show up to your trip and have fun! Everything is completely planned for you.”
So, best friends acquired, and the most amazing experiences along the way – meet us in Puerto Princesa and we’ll be on our way!
Find out more about Contiki’s Philippines trips here.
