12 things to do in Philippines and event guide for 2021

1. Discover Palawan

One of the most famous islands in the Philippines, Travel + Leisure magazine named Palawan the best island in the world. Its glittering blue and green waters are amazing for diving and island hopping from Coron or El Nido.

• Pocket-friendly option: El Nido Island Hopping Tour
• The ultimate experience: Coron Island Hopping Tour

2. Tour the Philippine capital

The Filipino capital of Manila mixes skyscrapers with Spanish architecture along the coast. Its busy streets have plenty of malls, including the Mall of Asia, but you should also make time to visit Intramuros, a walled city from colonial times, as well as the UNESCO World-Heritage-listed San Agustin Church.

• Pocket-friendly option: Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros
• The ultimate experience: Old and New Four Hour City Tour

3. Go on a deep diving adventure

The Philippines has a number of incredible diving spots that ensure you see a wide variety of underwater activity. Spot exotic sea creatures and improve your diving skills in this thrilling underwater experience.

• Pocket-friendly option: Boracay Scuba Diving Experience for Beginners
• The ultimate experience: Moalboal Swimming with Sea Animals and Dolphin Watching

4. Swim with whale sharks in Cebu

Whale sharks are magnificent, large, yet gentle creatures that are commonly found in the Philippines. You can choose to ride a glass-bottom boat and watch as they swim below you or snorkel and swim alongside them. Enjoy the scenic drive to your snorkelling location along the Southern Cebu coastline.

• Pocket-friendly option: Oslob Whale Shark Watching from Cebu City
• The ultimate experience: Private Whale Shark Tour

5. Visit Cebu's Taoist temple

Take a journey through the oldest colonial city in the Philippines including sites like the Taoist temple, Magellan's Cross and the Santo Niño church.

• Pocket-friendly option: Private Cebu Rediscovery Tour
• The ultimate experience: Half-Day Cebu City Tour

6. Chase turtles in Cebu

You don't have to dive deep to explore the underwater world in the south of Cebu Island. A visit to Pescador Island and its surrounding waters can have you swimming centimetres from coral, hawksbill turtles and through walls of sardines called the "sardine run."

• Pocket-friendly option: Dolphin and Sea Turtle Watching Island Hopping Tour
• The ultimate experience: Private Pescador Island Hopping Tour

7. Explore the largest oceanarium in the Philippines

Take a trip to Manila Ocean Park and see a wide scope of marine animals like sharks, fish, birds and penguins. There are a number of exhibitions to pique your interest and expand your knowledge of marine life that inhabits all corners of the globe.

• Pocket-friendly option: Manila Ocean Park Encounters
• The ultimate experience: Manila Ocean Park Attraction Pass

8. Experience a day of fun and thrill at Enchanted Kingdom

Enchanted Kingdom is the Philippines' only theme park. It features over 20 attractions with thrill-seeking rides, shows and interactive motion theatres, so whether you seek exciting rides or prefer to sit back and enjoy live entertainment, there's something for everyone at Enchanted Kingdom.

• Our top pick: Enchanted Kingdom

9. Indulge in a food adventure

Dive into Manila's local food scene with an authentic Filipino food tour encompassing Spanish and Chinese influence. You'll tuck into Spanish tapas, Chinese favourites like fried rice, visit a Spanish/Mediterranean fusion restaurant and try traditional hot chocolate and head to a market to try out fresh seafood dishes. For those with a sweet tooth, feast your eyes on the ultimate chocolate food crawl. Best of all, you'll get a goodie bag to take with you after the experience.

• Pocket-friendly option: Chocolate Bar Crawl
• The ultimate experience: Old Manila Filipino Food Crawl

10. Laze on the beautiful beaches of Boracay

Boracay is a top destination in the Philippines. The small island lures visitors with its white sand beaches and relaxing resorts. Around the central island, you can find diverse marine life with coral reefs and shipwrecks. Popular day adventures in Boracay include cliff jumping and pub crawls.

• Pocket-friendly option: Boracay Island Tour
• The ultimate experience: Boracay Pub Crawl

11. Go on an island hopping adventure

Make your way around Boracay from the comfort of a boat. Sit back and relax or take the opportunity to swim, snorkel and bask in the sun at Crystal Cove Island, Crocodile Island, Puka Beach and Balinghai Beach. Organise a private tour so you can adjust your schedule to suit where you want to visit.

• Pocket-friendly option: Island and Beach-Hopping Boat Tour with Snorkelling
• The ultimate experience: Private Island and Snorkelling Tour

12. Test out your watersport skills

For the ultimate adrenaline rush, try jet skiing and wakeboarding among the pristine views of Boracay. You'll be guided by an experienced instructor and get the option between short and long experience times depending on your level of comfortability and confidence.

• Pocket-friendly option: Jet Ski Experience
• The ultimate experience: Wakeboarding Experience

Things to do in Phuket in summer

• Rakrakan Festival
• Syzygy Music Festival
• Taytay Hamaka Festival
• International Bamboo Organ Festival

Things to do in Phuket in winter

• Bankaton
• Daet Pineapple Festival
• Tacloban Festival
• Lubi-Lubi Festival

Things to do in Phuket in autumn

• Threadfest
• Pulp Summer Slam
• Malasimbo Festival
• Chroma Music Festival

Things to do in Phuket in spring

• Pintaflores
• Hin-ay Festival
• Playback Music Festival
• Hydro Manila Music Festival