Looking for the best vacation spot in the Philippines in 2021? We are talking about 8 resorts: who are they suitable for, the pros and cons, how much the tours cost. Where is the best place to go and when is the best time to relax in the Philippine islands.
Attention: tours to the Philippines are expensive; it will be much cheaper to fly on your own. Tickets from Moscow cost from 25,000 rubles in both directions. A double room in a decent hotel costs from 1000 rubles. Read: How To Fly To The Philippines Cheap.
Philippines resorts map
Boracay
Probably the most popular resort in the Philippines. If you have not decided where to go to the Philippines for the first time, we advise you to choose Boracay.
Who suits. The picturesque island is famous for its excellent white sand beaches and rich underwater world. Rest here is suitable for families with children and elderly tourists.
Prices... The resort is not cheap. In high season, a tour from Moscow for two for 14 nights costs from 267 thousand rubles.
Pros and cons... In 2019, Boracay was closed to tourists for six months due to environmental concerns. Now there are many prohibitions on the island: you cannot drink alcohol, smoke, eat, build sand castles on the beaches. Banned casinos, souvenir shops, fire shows, water skiing and sea excursions, temporarily - diving. But after the work carried out and the introduction of bans, the island became much cleaner.
Cebu
In 1521 Magellan sailed to the island. The capital Cebu is the oldest city in the archipelago. It is second only to Manila in size.
Who suits. The tropical island is a versatile resort. Divers, couples, lovers of beach holidays and excursions come here with pleasure. Cebu has a unique entertainment - swimming in the open sea with giant whale sharks.
Prices... Holidays in Cebu will cost more than in Boracay. In high season, a tour from Moscow for two for 14 nights costs from 284 thousand rubles.
Pros and cons... The best beaches are in the province of Cebu, on the small islands of Malapascua, Mactan, Pavillion, Samilon, Balikasag and Sigihor. They are located near the island of Cebu. And in Cebu itself, white beaches are only in Moalboal. In general, the beaches are concentrated in the south and west of the island. There are no direct flights from Russia, so it will take a long time to get there and with a transfer.
Bantayan
A small paradise island not far from Cebu, not spoiled by tourists - and this is its charm. There are good beaches, but very shallow. You can snorkel.
Who suits. There is no nightlife, exciting excursions, large-scale historical monuments and water activities. Everything is very quiet and peaceful.
Prices. Tours to Bantayan are not for sale - you need to go on your own from Cebu. Housing and food prices are like everywhere else in the Philippines.
Pros and cons... There is no developed infrastructure, but there is a necessary minimum for tourists. Vacationers live mainly in the Santa Fe resort. The beaches are very nice! More about rest in Bantayan >>
Bohol
If a beach holiday is not important to you, go to Bohol in the Philippines - there is very beautiful nature, there are relatively few tourists and you can look at tarsiers. The island is located two hours from Cebu.
Who suits. Bohol is a place where it is better to relax in the Philippines for connoisseurs of exotic nature and divers.
Prices... This is one of the inexpensive tropical resorts. In high season, a tour from Moscow for two for 14 nights costs from 160 thousand rubles.
Pros and cons... There are many attractions in Bohol: Chocolate Hills, the oldest church in the Philippines, waterfalls, caves, and a forest of redwoods. But the most important thing is the center of tarsiers, touching big-eyed primates. The beach infrastructure is poorly developed, we advise you to swim in neighboring Panglao - there is the famous Alona Beach, though not at all impressive. Sea urchins are found in shallow water, so be careful when entering the water.
Palawan
This is the largest province of the country - the archipelago consists of one large and three dozen small islands.
Who suits. Palawan resorts are popular with fans of secluded relaxation, snorkeling and diving. More than 100 species of the rarest birds live on the island of Arrezefi.
Prices high. At the peak of the season, a tour from Moscow for two for 14 nights costs from 227 thousand rubles.
Pros and cons... Hotels are located on only two islands. The rest have the status of a nature reserve and are covered with mountains, jungle and mangrove forests. Tourists are not satisfied only with the distance from the main part of the archipelago.
Mindoro
The main hotels and beaches are concentrated in the north of the island. The most popular beach is White Beach with white sand and stunning sunsets, hotels and restaurants.
Who suits. Mindoro is loved by divers, senior tourists and families with children. The main attractions are the Aninuan and Tamarao Falls, Mount Alcon, Lake Nauhan and the coastal town of Puerto Galera.
Prices... By the standards of the Philippines, the vacation is inexpensive. In high season, a tour from Moscow for two for 14 nights costs from 146 thousand rubles.
Pros and cons... Mindoro is good with white and golden sand, clear blue water, picturesque coral reefs, coconut palms. A lot of Filipinos come on weekends, so hotels are packed and prices go up.
Negros
The name comes from the almost black mountains that cover the island.
Who suits. For those who want a quiet, measured holiday by the sea. It is popular with fans of scuba diving, snorkeling and excursions. Young people have chosen the city of Dumaguete, where there are discos, nightclubs, shops, tennis courts and golf courses.
Prices... In high season, a tour from Moscow for two for 14 nights costs from 190 thousand rubles.
Pros and cons... Black mountains and tropical forests growing at their foot give the landscapes of Negros a unique flavor. The only drawback is the lack of an airport. The resort island is located in the center of the archipelago, an hour flight from Manila and 30 minutes from Cebu.
Manila
The capital of the country is located in the west of the island of Luzon and consists of 16 cities. The most populous metropolis in the world is a city of contrasts. Here, state-of-the-art architecture coexists with slums inhabited by the poor.
Who suits. The huge city is not a beach resort, but the business heart of the archipelago. Manila is the best place to relax in the Philippines for everyone who wants to get acquainted with the traditions and culture of this country. Admire the historic Intramuros area, shop at the modern mega malls, taste the national cuisine at the most famous restaurants in Manila. Visit tall skyscrapers and take interesting excursions.
Prices... Manila has the cheapest vacation in the Philippines. In high season, a tour from Moscow for two for 14 nights costs from 86 thousand rubles.
Pros and cons... The city has a large selection of accommodation - from cheap apartments to expensive hotels. Tourists prefer to stay in Intramuros, Ermit and Malate. There are three good diving spots not far from the capital. On the downside, the city is noisy, overcrowded and dirty, and also unsafe. There are no beaches in Manila, the nearest ones are 120 km from the city.
Who and where is the best vacation in the Philippines
Where to go to the Philippines with kids: Boracay, Cebu, Mindoro, Bantayan, Negros, Mactan, Panglao and Mindanao.
Cities and resorts for young people: Manila, Cebu, Bohol, Palawan, Bantayan, Luzon, Baguio and Beguito.
Where is the best place to relax in the Philippines fans of excursions: Manila, Cebu and Bohol.
Resorts for elderly tourists: Boracay, Cebu, Mindoro, Bantayan, Negros and Mindanao.
The Philippines is warm all year round. Most of the country has an equatorial climate, while in the north it is subequatorial. The weather is strongly influenced by monsoons, so there are two seasons - dry and rainy.
From the middle of spring, humidity increases, and the time for tropical rains begins. In the summer months, the air temperature is high, and the resorts are stuffy. The peak of the heat is in July and August. Sometimes downpours lead to floods and mudflows, and in some years typhoons pass through the islands.Due to natural disasters, transport stops running in many areas.
It is better to go on vacation to the Philippines from November to April. During these months, the sun is not as aggressive as in summer. The air temperature does not rise above +25 ... + 30 ° С. In the dry season, there are no strong storms, it usually rains at night, and the water in the sea is warmed up to a comfortable + 24 ... + 28 ° С.