Things to do in Philippines

Glide through a spectacular underground river system winding past dramatic limestone karst formations, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and New7Wonders of Nature.

Paddle into the secret turquoise lagoons of Miniloc Island, surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and powdery white sand beaches in the Bacuit archipelago.

Descend into a crystal-clear, brackish water lake framed by jagged limestone peaks, often called the cleanest lake in the Philippines, with stunning underwater rock formations.

Sink your toes into the powdery white sand as the sky erupts in fiery oranges and pinks behind luxury resorts and paraw sailboats off one of Asia's most iconic beaches.

Descend into a pristine underwater wilderness where manta rays, hammerhead sharks, and sea turtles glide over sheer coral walls in the heart of the Sulu Sea, accessible only by liveaboard.

Hike up to a viewing deck overlooking 1,200 perfectly conical hills that turn chocolate-brown during the dry season, a surreal geological wonder that is a protected natural monument.

Observe the world's smallest primate—with its enormous unblinking eyes—clinging to low branches in a purpose-built sanctuary where these nocturnal creatures are protected.

Ascend to a panoramic viewpoint where the 2,000-year-old hand-carved terraces ripple across the Cordillera mountains, a feat of indigenous engineering often called the 'Eighth Wonder of the World'.

Stroll along Calle Crisologo at dusk, where Spanish-era cobblestone streets lined with ancestral houses and horse-drawn carriages transport you back to the 19th century.

Explore the remnants of the Spanish colonial empire within thick stone walls: roam Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, and hidden gardens that whisper stories of Manila's past.

Stand inside a small octagonal chapel at the very spot where Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan planted a Christian cross in 1521, marking the beginning of Spanish rule.

Photograph the world's most perfectly conical volcano rising dramatically behind the belfry of a 16th-century church buried by an 1814 eruption.

Ride a boat to Volcano Island and trek up to the rim of an active volcano sitting inside a lake, with its own turquoise crater lake steaming within the landscape of Tagatay.

Jump off cliffs and swim through a series of turquoise cascades and narrow gorges in Badian's thrilling canyoneering trail, ending at the iconic multi-tiered Kawasan Falls.

Ride the famous thick, fast barreling right-hand reef break named Cloud 9, which put the Philippines on the international surfing map and draws wave-chasers from around the globe.

Dance alongside a million revelers in a vibrant, loud street parade featuring colorful costumes, rhythmic drumming, and the iconic two-steps-forward-one-step-backward Sinulog dance in honor of Santo Niño.

Savor the crackling, herb-stuffed skin and succulent meat of a whole spit-roasted pig—Cebu's iconic version of lechon—dished out at a busy carinderia like CnT Lechon.

Crack open a fertilized duck egg in its shell, sip the savory broth, and bite into the yolk and partially formed embryo—a quintessential high-protein Filipino street snack sold after dark.

Hike down into the remote, UNESCO-listed Batad rice terraces in Ifugao, where layered paddies form a perfect natural amphitheater carved by hand over millennia, far from the main tourist hubs.

Stand in awe before Juan Luna's monumental Spoliarium and wander galleries spanning Filipino art, archeology, and natural history housed in a majestic neoclassical building in Rizal Park.

Snorkel or dive in the second-largest contiguous coral reef system in the world, teeming with schools of jacks, sea turtles, and reef sharks around a remote atoll.

Wake before dawn to descend to Monad Shoal, a sunken island where elusive thresher sharks rise from the deep to visit cleaning stations—packing an early morning thrill unique to this Cebu dive spot.

Hop between speakeasies, rooftop bars, and hole-in-the-wall clubs in this gritty-chic neighborhood that has become Manila's premier nightlife playground, with a come-as-you-are vibe.

Join locals for a waterside promenade along a landscaped stretch of Roxas Boulevard, watching the neon-lit fountains and the famous Manila Bay sunset over the South China Sea.

Venture into one of the largest and most complex cave systems in Asia, where spelunkers crawl, climb, and swim past towering stalactites, underground rivers, and vast cathedral-like chambers.