Boracay is a tropical island surrounded by stunning white sand beaches about an hour's flight from Cebu or Manila just off the larger Philippines island of Panay.For beach connoisseurs it competes with the best beaches of more popular destinations such as the Caribbean and the South Pacific as well as neighbouring Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. For those wanting to just lounge around and top up their tan, beach-front hotels usually have lounge chairs set up just a few steps away from the hotel entrances. The more active will appreciate water sports and activities such as sailing, wind surfing, snorkelling, diving and jet skiing. The fun in Boracay doesn't end when the sun sets. Boracay night-life pulsates with many bars and restaurants serving food, drink and fun until dawn.
Areas
White Beach is divided into five areas fromArea 1 - Boracay Terraces (north) to Willy's RockArea 2 - From Willy's Rock to Red Coconut ResortArea 3 - From Red Coconut to Boat Station 2Area 4 - From Boat Station 2 to Station 3Area 5 - From Boat Station 3 to Angol PointIn every station, there are two lifeguards on foot patrolling equipped with whistle, life buoy and hand-held radio. The boat station 2 is the lifeguard and rescue command center.
Climate
During the dry season (Nov-Apr), also known as Amihan, White Beach is calm and very suitable for swimming, etc. The other side of the island has large winds and waves making it suitable for kitesurfing & windsurfing etc. During the rainy season (Jun-Oct), also known as Habagat, this is reversed, with a risk of typhoons. White Beach often gets large winds and waves which sometimes makes it unsuitable for swimming. Current weather conditions can be found at boracayweatherstation.com.
Tubbataha Reef (Filipino: Bahurang Tubbataha) is an atoll coral reef and a Natural Marine Park in Sulu Sea, composing of two huge atoll (the North Atoll and South Atoll) and the smaller Jessie Beazley Reef. The park is a Marine Protected Area (MPA) located 150 kilometers (93 mi) southeast of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan according to the reefs' official website but according to United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the reefs are 181 kilometers (112 mi) southeast ofPuerto Princesa City. The reefs are considered part of the island municipality of Cagayancillo, Palawan, which is located roughly 130 kilometers (81 mi) to the northeast of the reef. According to the official website of the Natural Marine Park, Tubbataha covers 97,030 hectares (239,800 acres; 374.6 sq mi) while UNESCO measures the reefs at 130,028 hectares (321,310 acres; 502.04 sq mi).In December 1993, the UNESCO declared the Tubbataha Reefs National Park as a World Heritage Site under the protective management of the Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) and technical supervision of the PalawanCouncil for Sustainable Development (PCSD) and the Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR). In 1999, Ramsar listed Tubbataha as one of the Wetlands of International Importance. In 2008, the reef was nominated at the New 7 Wonders of Nature.The national park considered to be the global center of marine biodiversity. Research of scientists visiting the reefs since the 1980s revealed that the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park contains no less than 600 fish species, 360 coral species, 11 shark species, 13 dolphin and whale species, and 100 bird species. The reefs also serve as a nesting ground for Hawksbill and Green sea turtles.There are no settlements on the islets or reefs. Fishermen visit the area seasonally, establishing shelters on the islets. The park is visited by tourists, particularly divers. Trips to Tubbattaha from mid-March to mid-June are all vessel-based; the park is about ten hours by boat fromPuerto Princesa City. Tubbataha is considered as one of the best dive sites in the world according to CNN Travel and during the "Tubbataha Season", ships dedicated for diving are usually booked years in advance especially during the Asian holidays of Easter and "Golden Week". Although the sand bars around Tubbataha are considered off limits to human beings, tourists are allowed to set foot at the Ranger Station where they can purchase souvenirs and tour the facility.
Mayon Volcano, also known as Mount Mayon, is an active volcano in the province of Albay, on the island of Luzon. Renowned as the "perfect cone" because of its almost symmetric conical shape, Mayon forms the northern boundary of Legazpi City, the largest city in terms of population in the Bicol Region. The mountain is a national park and a protected landscape in the country proclaimed as Mayon Volcano Natural Park in the year 2000.Local folklore refers to the volcano as Bulkang Magayon (Bikol: 'Beautiful Volcano'), after the legendary heroine Daragang Magayon (Bikol: 'Beautiful Lady').Check out the Cagsawa Ruins, remnants of an 18th century Franciscan church, within the park grounds.Mayon Volcano is the main landmark of Albay Province, rising 2,462 meters (8,077 ft) from the shores of the Gulf of Albay about 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) away. The volcano is geographically shared by the cities and municipalities of Legazpi City, Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, Ligao City, Tabaco City, Malilipot, and Santo Domingo (clockwise from Legazpi) which divide the cone like slices of a pie when viewed from above.
Malapascua Island is in Central Visayas in Philippines.The first image Malapascua offers will stay with you for a long time: an exceedingly beautiful pristine stretch of white sand, crystal clear waters bordered by coconut trees and a dozen of scattered native style resorts. But that image changes the last years, cause Malapascua business is really exploding, more and more concrete build hotel like buildings coming up, replacing the native style houses.Malapascua is known to the locals as Logon and this vision of secret beach is whimsically named Bounty beach. It lays 8km off the north of Cebu. A walk or a tour unto the whole Island will take you about 3 hours. One way or another it's main resource is the sea: divers and fishermen work side by side with force of compromises.CLINIC/HOSPITAL There is a newly built basic CLINIC on Malapascua Island, close by to the BARANGAY HALL. That little CLINIC is now operating since 2012, but a doctor comes only every Saturday. In case of a serious injury one would have to go to Bliss Hospital, in Daanbantayan, which may take 1 to several hours, depending on oceanic conditions, as well as road traffic.For divers to get notice, the next decompression chamber is far away in Lahug, Cebu City, military hospital.Cebuano is the common language here, followed by Filipino. Most of the staff at the resorts and dive shops speak English fluently. Some locals speak enough to get by.
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located about 50 kilometers (30 mi) north of the city centre of Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The river is also called Puerto Princesa Underground River. The national park is located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range on the northern coast of the island. It is bordered by St. Paul Bay to the north and the Babuyan River to the east. The City Government of Puerto Princesa has managed the National Park since 1992. The park is also known as St. Paul's Subterranean River National Park, or St. Paul Underground River. The entrance to the Subterranean River is a short hike from the town of Sabang.In 2010, a group of environmentalists and geologists discovered that the underground river has a second floor, which means that there are small waterfalls inside the cave. They also found a huge cave dome, measuring 300 meters above the underground river, incredible rock formations, large bats, a deep water hole in the river, more river channels, another deep cave, marine creatures, and more. Deeper areas of the underground river are almost impossible to explore due to oxygen deprivation.On November 11, 2011, Puerto Princesa Underground River was provisionally chosen as one of the New7Wonders of Nature.
Chocolate Hills is a geological formation in Bohol Province. There are at least 1,260 hills but there may be as many as 1,776 hills spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometers (20 sq mi). They are covered in green grass that turns brown (like chocolate) during the dry season, hence the name.The Chocolate Hills is a famous tourist attraction of Bohol. They are featured in the provincial flag and seal to symbolize the abundance of natural attractions in the province. They are in the Philippine Tourism Authority's list of tourist destinations in the Philippines; they have been declared the country's third National Geological Monument and proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.The Chocolate Hills form a rolling terrain of haycock hills - mounds of a generally conical and almost symmetrical shape. Estimated to be from 1,268 to about 1,776 individual mounds, these cone-shaped or dome-shaped hills are actually made of grass-covered limestone. The domes vary in sizes from 30 to 50 meters (98 to 160 ft) high with the largest being 120 meters (390 ft) in height. Bohol's "main attraction", these unique mound-shaped hills are scattered by the hundreds throughout the towns of Carmen, Batuan and Sagbayan in Bohol.During the dry season, the grass-covered hills dry up and turn chocolate brown. This transforms the area into seemingly endless rows of "chocolate kisses". The branded confection is the inspiration behind the name, Chocolate Hills.
Banaue Rice Terraces (Tagalog:Hagdan-hagdang Palayan ng Banawe) also called musuan peak, are 2000-year old terraces that were carved into the mountains of Ifugao in the Philippines by ancestors of the indigenous people. The Rice Terraces are commonly referred to by Filipinos as the "Eighth Wonder of the World". It is commonly thought that the terraces were built with minimal equipment, largely by hand. The terraces are located approximately 1500 meters (5000 ft) above sea level and cover 10,360 square kilometers (about 4000 miles²) of mountainside. They are fed by an ancient irrigation system from the rainforests above the terraces. It is said that if the steps are put end to end it would encircle half the globe.Locals to this day still plant rice and vegetables on the terraces, although more and more younger Ifugaos do not find farming appealing, often opting for the more lucrative hospitality industry generated by the Rice Terraces. The result is the gradual erosion of the characteristic "steps", which need constant reconstruction and care. In 2010 a further problem was drought, with the terraces drying up completely in March of that year.Another thriving economy in the Banaue Rice Terraces is tourism. The Tourism industry has developed a number of activities for visitors which may include the traditional sight seeing of the terraces and visits to the tribes at the foot of the terraces. A Mumbaki (traditional Ifugao witch doctor) is also recommended to visitors, these doctors can perform spiritual healing rituals. Domestic tourism however has gone down over the past few years. A contributing factor to this is the treatment of domestic tourists by the local guides in the area where it has been reported that local guides are more willing to entertain foreign visitors. The BatadEnvironmental Tour Guides Association (BETGA) in association with the BatadBaranguay authorities are currently laying a concrete track down from the BatadSaddle to the village proper.The Banaue Rice Terraces refer to the cluster close to the Banaue poblacion as seen from the viewpoint. Contrary to popular belief perpetrated by its inclusion on the twenty peso banknote, the Banaue Rice Terraces are not a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They were not included in the UNESCO inscription Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras due to the presence of numerous modern structures, making it score low in the integrity criterion of UNESCO.The five clusters inscribed as part of theRice Terraces of the Philippine Cordillerasare Batad, Bangaan, Hungduan, Mayoyao Central and Nagacadan. Batad and Bangaan are under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Banaue but are not referred to as the Banaue Rice Terraces.The Banaue Rice Terraces are however a National Cultural Treasure under Ifugao Rice Terraces.
The Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995, the first-ever property to be included in the cultural landscape category of the World Heritage List. This inscription has five sites: theBatad Rice Terraces, Bangaan Rice Terraces (both in Banaue), Mayoyao Rice Terraces (in Mayoyao), Hungduan Rice Terraces (in Hungduan) and Nagacadan Rice Terraces (in Kiangan), all in the Ifugao Province, the Philippines. Built 2000 years ago and passed on from generation to generation, the Ifugao Rice Terraces reach a higher altitude and were built on steeper slopes than many other terraces. The Ifugao complex of stone or mud walls and the careful carving of the natural contours of hills and mountains to make terraced pond fields, coupled with the development of intricate irrigation systems, harvesting water from the forests of the mountain tops, and an elaborate farming system. The terraces illustrate a persistence of cultural traditions and remarkable continuity and endurance; archaeological evidence reveals that this technique has been in use in the region for 2000 years virtually unchanged.Maintenance of the living rice terraces reflects a primarily cooperative approach of the whole community which is based on detailed knowledge of the rich diversity of biological resources existing in the Ifugao agro-ecosystem, a finely tuned annual system respecting lunar cycles, zoning and planning, extensive soil conservation, and mastery of a complex pest control regime based on the processing of a variety of herbs, accompanied by religious rituals.
Bohol is the main island of Bohol Province twhich has 75 minor surrounding islands. The island lies southeast from Cebu Island and southwest of Leyte Island in the Central Visayas region. This oval-shaped island is the tenth largest island of the Philippine archipelago. Another gem of the Visayas, Bohol is a tropical haven of natural beauty. The coastline of the island is skimmed by gentle coves and white sand beaches. Bohol is not as internationally famous as nearby Boracay, but is well-known locally as a paradise for divers and snorkelers. Dolphin watching and whale watching tours are popular with both residents and visiting tourists. The best season is from March to June, but dolphins can be seen year-round. In addition to white sand beaches and dive spots, Bohol is famous among others, for its Chocolate Hills, the Tarsier - arguably the world's smallest primate, heritage sites and old stone churches.
Tagaytay is part of the island of Luzon.Tagaytay is a popular destination of residents of Metro Manila primarily because of its mild climate and dramatic scenery, the most significant of which is the view of Taal Volcano.The weather in Tagaytay is mild and the average temperature is 22-25°C (71-77°F). There are only two 'seasons', wet and dry.
Taal Volcano is a complex volcano located on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. It is the second most active volcano in the Philippines with 33 historical eruptions. All of these eruptions are concentrated on Volcano Island, an island near the middle of Taal Lake. The lake partially fills Taal Caldera, which was formed by prehistoric eruptions between 140,000 to 5,380 BP. Viewed fromTagaytay Ridge, Taal Volcano and Lake presents one of the most picturesque and attractive views in the Philippines. It is located about 50 km (31 mi) south of the capital of the country, the city of Manila.The volcano had several violent eruptions in the past causing loss of life in the island and the populated areas surrounding the lake, with the death toll estimated at around 5,000 to 6,000. Because of its proximity to populated areas and its eruptive history, the volcano was designated a Decade Volcano, worthy of close study to prevent future natural disasters. All volcanoes of the Philippines are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.
The Baroque Churches of the Philippines is the official designation to a collection of four Spanish-era churches in the Philippines, upon its inscription to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2003. They are also one of the most treasured in the Country.The collection is composed of the following:San Agustin Church in ManilaPaoay Church in Paoay, Ilocos NorteSto. Tomas de Villanueva Church in Miag-ao, IloiloSanta Maria Church in Santa Maria, Ilocos SurThese churches have been at the forefront of Philippine history, not just in furthering Christianity in the archipelago, but in serving as the political backbone of Spanish colonial rule, when Church and State were regarded as one. The unique architecture of the churches did not just reflect the adaptation of Spanish/Latin American architecture to the local environment (including the fusion with Chinese motifs), but also of the Church's political influence. These churches had been subject to attacks by local revolts and rebellions, hence, most had the appearance of a fortress, rather than just serving as mere religious structures. This is especially noteworthy in the case of Santa Maria Church, located on top of a hill, serving as a citadel during times of crisis. Miag-ao Church also withstood the occasional attacks of Muslims from the south. Further, the location of the Philippines along the Pacific Ring of Fire called for the emphasis on the buttresses and foundations of these churches, with some being seriously damaged, but eventually rebuilt after an earthquake.
Historical and Cultural
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: See the spectacular Banaue Rice Terraces in Batad and be fascinated at how it was built, see the only successful laid out plan of a European colonial town in Asia;Vigan. The Baroque churches (theInmaculada Concepción in Manila,Nuestra Señora in Ilocos Sur, San Agustín in Ilocos Norte and Santo Tomás in Iloílo) of the Philippines will amaze you with their European Baroque architecture.Churches and religious sites: See the beautiful Baroque Churches of the Philippines. In Manila, visit theBasílica de San Sebastián; the only all steel church or basilica in Asia. A visit to a city's cathedral is worth it.Historical Sites: Intramuros, Rizal Park and Blood Compact site in Bohol are worth seeing and will give you a glimpse of the history of the country.Metro Manila offers plenty of Museums worth visiting and is considered among the bulwarks of culture in the Philippines.
To Do
Aerial Sports - An annual Hot Air Balloon festival is held in Clark,Angeles in Pampanga, other than Hot Air balloons on display, people gather in this event to do sky diving, many activities are also held other than sky diving and hot air balloons. The Festival is held between January and February.
Basketball is the most popular sport in the Philippines, don't miss thePBA and UAAP basketball tournaments.
Bentosa and Hilot are Filipino alternative ways of healing,
= Bentosa a method where a cup cover a tea light candle then it flames out and it drains out all the pain on the certain part of the body,
= Hilot is just the Filipino way of massaging.
Board Sailing - Waves and winds work together making the country a haven for board sailors. Boracay,Subic Bay and Anilao in Batangasare the main destinations.
Caving - The Archipelago has some unique cave systems. Sagada is one popular destination for caving.
Dive - Blue, tranquil waters and abundant reefs make for good diving. Compared to neighboring countries, diving in the country is cheaper.
Golf - Almost every province has a golf course, it is a popular sport among the elite, rich and famous.
Medical Tourism - The Philippines supplies the world with many medical professionals with large numbers leaving the country every year for a better future abroad. This is indicative of the quality of medical education and medical tourism is on the rise too. Most come from America and Europe as compared to their home countries, healthcare here is much cheaper; as much as 80% less than the average price abroad. Most of the hospitals suggested for medical tourism are inMetro Manila. Alternative medicine is also popular with spas, faith healing and other fringe therapies widespread throughout the archipelago.
National Parks - National parks number around 60-70, they include mountains and coral reefs.
Mountain Biking - The archipelago has dozens of mountains and is ideal for mountain bikers. Bikes are the best mode of transportation in getting around remote areas. Some options include Baguio, Davao, Iloilo,Banaue, Mount Apo and Guimaras.Rock Climbing - Apo Island, Atimonan, El Nido, Puting Bato, Wawa Gorge have the best sites in the archipelago for rock climbing.
Sea Kayaking - Caramoan Islands inCamarines Sur, Palawan, Samar and Siargao are popular.Spas are popular, with many options, Spas are found near beaches, financial capitals etc.
Trekking - Mountain ranges and peaks offer cool weather for trekking and it might give you a sight of the beautiful exotic flora and fauna of the country. Mt. Kanlaon and Mount Pulag are good trekking spots.
Visita Iglesia - Visita Iglesia (Visita is Spanish for Visit, Iglesia is Spanish for Church; Visit Churches) is the practice done by mostly Filipino Roman Catholics to Churches, holy sites, shrines, basilicas etc. If you are religious try this, if you love art and architecture; churches are the best way to define what Filipino architecture.
Whitewater Rafting - One of the best, if not the best, whitewater rafting experience can be had inCagayan de Oro City, a city in the northern part of Mindanao. Also,Davao is emerging as the Whitewater rafting capital inMindanao, if not in the Philippines.
