Are you a beach lover and swear by spending some quality time at isolated islands? Well, then visiting the Philippines is your answer. Located in Southeast Asia on the Western Pacific Ocean, the whole country is made up of islands. With pristine beaches and water havens, the Philippines should be your pick for your next vacation. The farms of the Philippines are known to be conducive for vegetation which makes the country the largest exporter of coconuts to the world. One of the unmissable spots here is also the Taal Volcano which is among the top 5 active volcanoes in the world. Adventure enthusiasts take note! The Philippines is not complete without the plethora of adventure activities is has to offer. Intrigued already? Well, read on to find out more about some of the best things you can do in the Philippines.

1. Twin Lagoon

In the municipality of Coron, the Twin Lagoon unfolds itself in front of you in all its serenity. The specialty of the Lagoon is the fact that a huge rock made of limestone in the lagoon separates itself from another lagoon located on the inner side. You can swim past these two beautiful lagoons or even go on a boat ride and experience nature at its best. Remember to wear life jackets, and do indulge in some snorkeling as well. If you’re lucky you might end up finding some hidden corals in the hidden lagoon!

2. Bulabog Beach

Bulabog Beach is well-known for its strong winds which makes the place conducive for water sports like kite surfing. Kite surfing itself is an extremely popular activity in the Philippines. The beach is lined with shops selling gears for kite surfing, Experienced guides can also help you out with the water activities if you are a first-timer. But if you’re a professional yourself, go out there and show off your kite surfing skills! If you’re good at kite surfing in the Philippines you’re surely going to turn some heads!

3. Chocolate Hills

Bohol, in the Philippines, is home to one of the most beautiful natural formations, the Chocolate Hills. A magnificent view of lush green hills greets you as you reach the summit. The Chocolate Hills can be reached after a climb of around 200 steps and once you reach the top, the view that greets your eye is totally worth it. You can indulge in some zip-lining across the hills or even mountain biking in this scenic place.

4. Hinagdanan Cave

Apart from being home to the beautiful Chocolate Hills, Bohol is also home to the Hinagdanan Cave. The scenic cave is the perfect place to test your guts. The cave has small pockets in the ceiling from where sunlight seeps in. But most part of the cave remains dark and the adventure that you can look forward to here is, swimming in the cave amidst the darkness. Souvenir shops outside the caves also serve some authentic smoothies of the Philippines. Do give them a shot after you’re done with exploring the cave.

5. Bamboo Hanging Bridge

Ever fancied walking across a narrow bridge with a river flowing underneath you? Well, the province of Bohol doesn’t disappoint you even here. Walking over the Bamboo Hanging Bridge atop the Sipatan River is a thrilling experience that you should definitely try out. Take care to watch your step but don’t worry it’s not dangerous or anything. You can also visit some of the souvenir shops in the vicinity and take home some Filipino memories.

6. El Nido

A municipality of Palawan Island, this place is famous for its white-sand beaches, coral reefs, and the famous scuba diving activity. Although you might say that scuba diving is something that you can do anywhere, the specialty of the El Nido scuba diving is that you can do it at night as well. How beautiful would it be to explore the underwater world under the moonlight! Look out for sea horses and shrimp spotting at El Nido’s scuba diving. If this doesn’t interest you, you can always also bask under the sun at the white-sand beaches.

El Nido, Palawan Island — Image source: Unsplash

7. Boracay

Boracay is considered to be one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Apart from the luxurious resorts and white sand beaches, Boracay is also known for its zip-lining and cable car rides. If you indulge in the zip lining or cable car ride activities, you get a panoramic view of the white-sand beaches and the shorelines of the beaches in the surrounding islands. You can also indulge in watersports like surfing and parasailing at Boracay. If you are someone who craves for some major adrenaline rush, Boracay is the place for you!

8. Barracuda Lake

This freshwater lake is famous for the Barracuda variety of fish that is found underwater. After a short boat ride and hike up the hill, you will reach the spot where you can scuba dive. The specialty of this part of the lake is that you will get a glimpse of an underwater mountain! Now, how cool is that! The Lake also has varying thermoclines and you will feel its effect as you swim through the lake. Say hello to some of the Barracuda pals in the lake and swim back up to the surface.

9. Taal Volcano

If you visit the Philippines and don’t visit the Taal Volcano, you are doing a grave injustice to the country! The Taal Volcano is one of the most active volcanos in the world and trekking on this volcano is surely a lifetime experience. The caldera of the volcano is home to the Taal Lake. After a trek to the top of the volcano, you can go for a relaxing dip in the Taal Lake. Going for a swim in the midst of a volcano is surely an experience worthwhile!

Taal Volcano and lake — Image source: Unsplash

10. Filipino Cuisine

Last but not the least, after satisfying your hunger for adventure, gorge on some delicious food from the authentic Filipino kitchens! Most of the famous delicacies include beef, pork, and seafood which are either roasted to perfection or served as a gravy. Some of the famous dishes include Crispy Pata, Kare-Kare, and Adobo which are all served as main courses in Filipino restaurants. Try out the local cuisine and silence your hunger pangs with the delicious food.

Ready for your Philippines vacation yet? Well, what are you waiting for? Book some of the best Philippines Holiday packages with Pickyourtrail. From on trip support to customizable itineraries, Pickyourtrail has it all for you. All you have to do it tell us your interests and pack your bags, we will take care of the rest! Log onto pickyourtrail.com for further details. Until then, ‘Paalam’ (Goodbye in the Filipino language) and happy vacationing!