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Philippines travel scene

Find a Travel Partner in Philippines

The Philippines is one of the world's great island nations - turquoise lagoons, limestone cliffs and reefs scattered across thousands of islands. English is widely spoken and the welcome is warm, making island-hopping easy and social.

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ Philippines at a glance

Capital
Manila
Largest city
Quezon City
Official languages
English, Filipino
Area
342,353 kmยฒ (132,183 miยฒ)
Population
115.8 million2024 ยท World Bank
Currency
Philippine peso โ€” PHP (โ‚ฑ)
Region
South-Eastern Asia
Time zone
Asia/Manila
Calling code
+63
Plug type
Type A, B, C
Local time ยท Manila
Sat 01:50
Weather now ยท Manila
27ยฐC Overcast
Exchange rate
$1 = 61.52 PHP

Data updated: weather 28 min ago ยท rates 28 min ago ยท sources: Open-Meteo, ExchangeRate-API

What Philippines is known for

The Philippines is one of the world's great island nations - turquoise lagoons, limestone cliffs and reefs scattered across thousands of islands. English is widely spoken and the welcome is warm, which makes island-hopping easy, social and fun to share.

  • El Nido and Palawan's lagoons
  • Reef diving and snorkeling
  • White-sand beaches like Boracay
  • Rice terraces in the northern highlands

Tourism in Philippines

International tourist arrivals over the most recent years with available data - roughly #20 of 31 in its continent by reported arrivals (sources vary by country).

5.9M
2025 arrivals (est.)
+10.0% YoY
900k*20211.9M*20224.1M*20235.4M20245.9M*2025
Source: UN Tourism (UNWTO). Years marked * are modelled estimates โ€” this country's real baseline scaled by UN Tourism's published regional recovery rates โ€” shown until final measured figures are released.

Top cities to explore in Philippines

From Manila to Boracay, these are the places most Philippines trips are built around. Find a travel buddy in Manila who's already planning the same route, or pair up before you fly.

1

Manila

Sprawling capital and main international gateway.

2

Cebu

Central hub for diving, islands and history.

3

El Nido

Palawan town beside the country's most famous lagoons.

4

Boracay

Small island known for its white-sand beach and nightlife.

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Things to do in Philippines

A shortlist of experiences worth building a trip - and a partnership - around.

Islands & lagoons

  • Island-hop the lagoons of El Nido
  • Cliffs and beaches of Coron
  • White sand and nightlife on Boracay

Diving & water

  • Thresher sharks off Malapascua
  • Whale sharks and reefs around Cebu
  • World-class wreck dives in Coron

Nature & adventure

  • The Chocolate Hills of Bohol
  • Rice terraces of Banaue
  • Canyoneering to Kawasan Falls

Food & culture

  • Adobo, lechon and fresh seafood
  • Halo-halo on a hot afternoon
  • Spanish-era churches and forts

Know before you go

The practical stuff every traveler needs - weather, safety, costs and how to get around.

Best time to visit

December to May is the dry season - the prime window for island-hopping and diving. The wet season and typhoons run roughly June to November, so watch forecasts and keep plans flexible.

Safety tips

  • Check weather before island ferries in typhoon season
  • Use registered ride-hailing apps at night rather than hailing on the street
  • Carry a copy of your ID and leave the original in your accommodation safe
  • Traveling with a verified partner adds an easy extra layer of safety

Accommodation & daily budget

Hostel dorm
$10-20/ night
Budget hotel / guesthouse
$30-60/ night
Mid-range hotel
$70-130/ night
Meals (per day)
$15-35

Splitting a twin room and transport with a partner can cut your daily costs by 30-40%.

Getting around & useful apps

Flights connect the main islands; boats and ferries handle the shorter hops. In Manila and Cebu, ride-hailing beats the heavy traffic.

Grab - ride-hailing Google Maps - transit Maps.me - offline maps Wise / XE - currency

Visa & entry requirements for Philippines

Every nationality is different - pick your passport for a personalized answer, or open our Visa page for assisted help applying.

Check your visa

Select your passport to see exactly what you need to enter Philippines.

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