What is Philippines known for?

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Philippines

• Philippines, island country of Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean.
• It is an archipelago consisting of some 7,100 islands and islets lying about 500 miles (800 km) off the coast of Vietnam.
• Manila is the capital, but nearby Quezon City is the country’s most-populous city.
• Both are part of the National Capital Region (Metro Manila), located on Luzon, the largest island.
• The second largest island of the Philippines is Mindanao, in the southeast.

Philippines has so much to offer, here are some of the things Philippines is known for.

Bacuit Archipelago

Cruising through the labyrinthine Bacuit Archipelago: of northern Palawan, past secluded beaches, pristine lagoons and rocky islets, is an experience not to be missed. Only a short bangka (boat) ride from the easygoing coastal town of El Nido, Bacuit Bay presents a thrilling mixture of imposing limestone escarpments, palm-tree-lined white-sand beaches and coral reefs. Overnight island-hopping trips in the bay or further north through the Linapacan Strait toward Busuanga offer an opportunity to bed down in remote fishing villages where the daily catch is grilled for dinner.

Ifugao Rice Terraces

It’s easy to look at a map of North Luzon and assume the Cordillera is all untamed wilderness. And yes – there’s rugged jungle. But what really strikes a visitor to Banaue, Batad and the other towns of Ifugao: is how cultivated the mountains are. Even the sheerest cliffs possess little patches of ground that have been tilled into rice paddies. Take all those patches together and you get a veritable blanket of upland-tilled goodness, an unending landscape of hills rounded into rice-producing lumps of emerald.

Beaches

Nothing defines the Philippines more than a remote strip of pearly white sand – there’s at least one made-to-order beach on each of the country’s 7000 islands. Want to be far away from everybody? It’s almost too easy – your own private island awaits off Busuanga in Palawan's Calamian Islands:. Seeking a good dive spot with plenty of additional diversions and a great beach? Dial up El Nido or Sipalay's Sugar Beach. Want action with your beach experience? Take kitesurfing lessons on Boracay or surf lessons in San Juan, La Union.

Fiesta Time

The Philippines just isn’t the Philippines without the colourful fiestas (festivals) that rage across the country throughout the year. Even the tiniest little barangay (village) holds at least one annually. The granddaddy of them all is the Ati-Atihan Festival: in Kalibo. At Bacolod’s MassKara Festival and Marinduque’s Moriones Festival, mischievous masked men stir the masses into a dancing frenzy. The Easter crucifixion ceremony in San Fernando, north of Manila, produces a more macabre tableau, with Catholic devotees being physically nailed to crosses.

Boracay

It wasn’t that long ago that Boracay: was a sleepy, almost unknown backwater. Oh, how times have changed. The world has discovered Boracay, elevating the diminutive island into a serious player in the pantheon of Southeast Asian party beaches. Yet for all that’s changed, Boracay remains generally mellower than the likes of Kuta Beach or Ko Samui. And solace can still be found, in particular at the southern end of Boracay’s signature White Beach, where the spirit of the old Boracay lives on.

Cebu Sand and Sea

Cebu: is your quintessential beach-lovers' paradise. Around the island, sandy coves and dramatic cliffs abut an unbroken ribbon of turquoise water. Off the west coast, coral walls attract rich marine life and scores of divers to places such as Moalboal, where schooling sardines present an unmissable spectacle. Offshore, Malapascua and Mactan Islands are dive meccas known for thresher sharks and turtles, respectively, while Bantayan is the place to get catatonic on the sand. At the heart of it all is the fun and frivolous Visayan capital, Cebu City.

Sagada

Sagada: is the Philippines' cradle of cool, a supremely mellow mountain retreat deep in the heart of the wild and woolly Cordillera mountains of North Luzon. It has all the elements of a backpacker Shangri La: awesome hikes, eerie caves, hanging coffins, strong coffee, earthy bakeries, and cosy and incredibly cheap accommodation. Fuel up on granola and head out in search of adventure, or chill out in a fireplace-warmed cafe all day, reading books or swapping yarns. There are no agendas when you're on Sagada time.

Bohol Nature and Wildlife

While most visitors to Bohol: are divers bound for touristy Alona Beach, the real charms of this central Visayan island lie deep in its interior. Perhaps no island in the country is better suited for a half-week romp by motorbike. Perfectly paved roads lead through jungle to peacock-green rivers, chocolatey hills, dramatically placed ziplines and cuddly little tarsiers. The island took a gut-punch with the 2013 earthquake, which toppled many of its centuries-old Spanish churches. Bohol bounced right back though, and is better than ever.

Siargao

A chill-out vibe and friendly breaks for both experts and novices make this island: the Philippines' top surf destination. The legendary Cloud Nine break is the hub but waves abound elsewhere; head to tranquil Pacfico in the north for an undeveloped experience or take a surf safari to seldom-visited spots. The island is booming on the back of newly introduced direct flights from Manila, with nonsurfers now arriving in droves. They have plenty to do, from island-hopping to beach-bumming to some of the country's best deep-sea fishing.

Manila Culture and Nightlife

Contrary to popular belief, there's more to this megacity than just traffic and noise. Manila's nightlife: is second to none. From the bongo-infused hipster hang-outs of Quezon City and Cubao X to the sizzling bars and chichi nightclubs of Makati and the Fort, there's something for everyone. The museums are world class, and in contemporary art and design circles Manila is Asia's rising star. Eternally classy Intramuros oozes history. Even the long-maligned culinary scene is finally emerging, as cutting-edge restaurants open alongside earthy cafes and craft-beer bars.

Bicol Adventures

Southeast Luzon, geographically defined by the Bicol peninsula:, is becoming adventure-travel central for the Philippines. Besides boasting the best regional cuisine in the islands, Bicol is a top draw for adrenalin junkies via the CamSur Watersports Complex, where wakeboarding rules the roost. Daet, Camarines Norte, is a burgeoning surf and kitesurfing destination. Near Legazpi you can climb the perfect cone of Mt Mayon or ride an ATV around its base. Or head to the edge of Luzon and snorkel alongside the gentle whale sharks of Donsol – an unforgettable highlight.

Puerto Galera

Puerto Galera: on Mindoro is well known as one of the Philippines’ greatest dive sites. Lesser known is that it’s also among the most beautiful places on the planet. Serpentine roads leading out of town afford bird's-eye views of gorgeous bays and little islands offshore, while jungle-clad mountains provide a dramatic interior backdrop. Trek to isolated hill-tribe villages by day, then return to base and enjoy a sumptuous five-course Italian meal by night. It's the perfect 'wow' setting for the must-attend Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival in February.

Climbing Volcanic Camiguin

From the northern coastline of mainland Mindanao, the rough-hewn landscape of volcanic Camiguin: is camouflaged by its lush silhouette. To truly grasp this island’s inspiring topography, veer into the interior on roadways that carve through dense forests and culminate in rocky pathways that trail further up into the highlands. Made for do-it-yourself adventurers, Camiguin’s peaks and valleys offer streams and canyons for scrambling, mountains for scaling, and pools at the base of thundering waterfalls in which to wash off the day’s exertions.

Siquijor

It may be best known for healers and witch doctors, but this Visayan island's real magic lies in its ring road – 72km of nearly traffic-free coastal bliss. Experience Siquijor: by motorbike, taking in blazingly white sand beaches, centuries-old churches, mysterious banyan trees and natural fish spas. Detour inland to explore caves, get rubbed by a healer and cool off in refreshing falls before returning to the coast to cliff-jump into turquoise waters. Pack your snorkel and enough cash for a seafood lunch and sunset cocktails.

The Batanes Islands

The Batanes:, where women still wear haystack-like headgear and folks live in traditional stone-and-cogon-grass houses, are far removed (both geographically and culturally) from the rest of the archipelago. You can sample the islands’ unique dishes and overnight in simple homestays to experience the daily rhythms of the farming and fishing life. Feeling more active? Cycle the pristine, strikingly beautiful coastlines of Batan and Sabtang Islands and hike the hills, rolling pastureland and extinct volcanoes of the interior.