Best Classic Tours in the Philippines

Philippines Classic Travel FAQs

1. When is the best time to visit the Philippines?

December to May is the best time for Philippines sightseeing tours since they are the dry seasons for the Philippines.

The best time to experience festivals in the Philippines is just about any time of the year. Most popular festivals are held in January, such as the Ati-Atihan Festival in Aklan, the Sinulog Festival in Cebu, and the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City. The famous Kadayawan Festival in Davao is held every August, while the annual MassKara Festival in Bacolod is held every October.

The rainy season is the best time for a budget tour in the Philippines. Though it is the rainy season, most of the rain comes in the afternoon, so you can get a lot done in the morning before it gets hot and rainy. And once the afternoon rain is over, it dries up again to allow you to head out for a romantic dinner.

2. What are the most popular travel destinations in the Philippines?

Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, is always the first stop for a trip to the Philippines. It is an ancient city that pre-dates the Spanish colonies. Now, it is home to a huge number of cultural and historical attractions, from the ancient Walled City fort of Intramuros to the wonderful Rizal/Luneta Park, and the oldest “Chinatown” in the world, Binondo.

Boracay is one of the most sought-after destinations on the planet for its pristine white sand beaches and beautiful tropical island climate. The once untouched fishing village island has now become an amazing island filled with stunning beaches, crystal clear waters, and nightlife to die for. This vacation hotspot in the Philippines now attracts hundreds of thousands of international tourists every year.

Consisting of 168 islands, Cebu is a popular beach destination in the Philippines. Nicknamed the Queen City of the South, Cebu city is filled with amazing attractions, including Magellan’s Cross in the Basilica Del Santo Nino, the Lapu-Lapu Monument (dedicated to the tribal chief that fought and killed Magellan), Sugar Beach on Bantayan Island, and much more.

Close to Cebu, Bohol is another island destination that is famous for its awesome beaches. One of the must-sees in Bohol is the famous Chocolate Hills (Mga Bungtod sa Tsokolate), 1,776 cockpit karst formations covered in vegetation that dry up in the hot season and turn chocolate brown. Bohol is also home to the Philippine tarsier (mawumag), a large-eyed carnivorous primate that is native to the region.

Palawan is another popular beach destination. Besides the best 3 highlights in Palawan (Coron, El Nido, and Puerto Princesa), there is also a number of amazing attractions, such as the Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary, the Coron Reefs, Kayangan Lake, El Nido Marine Reserve Park, Malampaya Sound, Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary, and much more.

3. What are the top things to do and see in the Philippines?

Romantic beach vacations are the top reason people come to the Philippines, and with more beaches to choose from than anywhere else, you have the opportunity of making your romantic getaway extra special with fewer people to intrude.

Island hopping is a fun thing to do, and with more than 7,000 islands to choose from, you are spoilt for choice. Ferries and local boats operate all over the Philippines, so you can spend each day on a different tropical island, or a different island city. You are only limited by your time.

Diving and snorkeling are popular activities in the Philippines. The most famous diving destinations in the Philippines include Palawan, Coron Island, the Caban Islands, and Maricaban Islands, and off the coast of Puerto Galera in Mindoro. Several of these locations also offer wreck dives on sunken boats that range from Spanish galleons to WWII warships.

Getting back to nature is always a relaxing and exhilarating experience, and you can do just that in the Philippines. There are several locations where you can swim with the local whale sharks, known as “butanding”; or you can head out to the Bohol region and meet the famous Philippines Tarsiers, a species of carnivorous primate with large eyes that is specific to the Philippines. Or if you head to the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, you have a good chance of seeing the Philippine crocodile, the rarest crocodile in the world.

Mountain hiking and trekking are hugely popular in the Philippines with both tourists and locals. Adventure seekers have a wide range of places where they can trek and hike the mountains. The obvious one is Mt. Apo, the highest mountain in the Philippines, at 2,956 meters above sea level. Or try hiking around the Chocolate Hills in Bohol, best done in the dry season when they are chocolate brown in color.

4. How many days should I spend on a classic tour in the Philippines?

If you want to get a panoramic view of the Philippines, you really need to spend around two weeks to make the most of these 7000+ islands.

With a couple of weeks to travel, you can visit all three major regions, and spend plenty of time exploring the attractions of each, though you will only scratch the surface of what this archipelago has to offer.

If you are only able to manage a 3-4 days trip to the Philippines, you can focus on one region, since travel around the Philippines really takes time.

Please Notice:
Currently, 164 countries around the world have visa exemptions for the Philippines for periods of up to 30 days (with 2 exceptions of 59 days). While planning your trip to the Philippines, please confirm how long your visa-free period is, as you don’t want to overstay and pay penalties.

5. How to travel around in the Philippines?

If you are traveling between provinces or islands in the Philippines, boats and flights are usually the best way to go. With 8 international airports and 40 domestic airports, plus some community airports, air travel is a fast option.

Boats and ferries also play the routes between the islands, and carry both cars and passengers. And on the larger island of Luzon, you can get cheap bus transport from province to province, though it is slower.

So when you take a multi-destination tour in the Philippines, you need to be aware of the departure and arrival times as well as the duration of your flight or boat.

In order to enjoy a seamless trip to travel around the best of the Philippines, you can choose our tour packages that involve transfers, hotels, and local guides. All itineraries can be customized to your needs. And you don’t need to worry about how to move around since we will handle all for you.