Philippines

Asia

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Philippines

A Tagalog for 'mixed', Halo-halo is a national dish that represents the Philippines as a nation. A dessert made with crushed ice, milk, and an assortment of colorful and tropics-grown ingredients, it is an apt metaphor for its place of origin.

Nestled in the Pacific, this Southeast Asian archipelago boasts a variety of natural wonders, from the breathtaking Cordilleras to the idyllic Mayon Volcano in Albay. With more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines is also laden with postcard-perfect beaches. El Nido, Coron, Boracay, Siargao, Pagudpud, Panglao, and Bantayan—their waters, sandbars, islands, and islets provide the ideal escapades for thrill-seeking surfers and divers, sunbathing vacationers, and everyone else in between.

Said to be first inhabited by Austronesian-speaking natives, the Philippines went through centuries of colonization and maritime trade. Thus emerged the Filipino, whose cultural treasures are rich and diverse. Among which are the culinary offerings of Binondo, the world's oldest Chinatown, the Sinulog Festival in Cebu, the Baroque San Agustin Church in Intramuros, the textiles of the Maranao, the stone houses of the Ivatans, and the vintas boat sailing in Sulu. All these and many more captivate people from all over the world to explore this country.

Get to Know Philippines

Take a tour of this destination's highlights

Travel Tips for Philippines

What you need to know before traveling here

Practical Tips for Philippines

Things to prepare and best way to visit

How much is a flight ticket to the Philippines?

Numerous airlines can take you to the Philippines from various cities in Asia. The ticket cost to the Philippines depends on the airline you choose. You can find cheap flights to the Philippines during specific periods. For example, at the end of April, you can get a ticket starting from US$134.7 from Scoot Airlines. Other airlines that offer flight routes to the Philippines include Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, Singapore Airlines, Jetstar Asia, Thai Airways, Vietnam Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Asiana Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and many more.

What is the currency of the Philippines? How much is one peso worth in US dollars?

The Philippines' currency is pesos. The exchange rate is quite affordable. You can exchange US$18.28 to get 1,000 pesos.

What are some typical Filipino dishes?

The Philippines has a variety of typical dishes to offer. If you visit the Philippines, you should try some of their foods. To start with, you can try a variety of dishes served with taba ng talangka, a typical Filipino sauce made of crab fat. This sauce is often used as an ingredient for fried rice or noodles. If you are adventurous enough and want to try something extreme, you can try balut, a unique and popular Filipino dish. Balut is made of duck or chicken egg that has developed into an embryo for 18 to 20 days.Another unique Filipino dish is kamaro (fried crickets served with soy sauce). There is also bulalo, a Filipino beef marrow stew. Do not miss out on tasting adobo (chicken in sweet soy sauce), chicken inasal (grilled chicken), beef caldereta (beef stew), pancit palabok (noodle dish) and various desserts such as halo-halo or crushed ice with milk and other ingredients.

When is the best time to visit the Philippines?

The Philippines has certain months that offer comfortable weather conditions for holidays. Typically, the period between December and February is the best time for a holiday. During this period, the Philippines has pleasant weather and the best temperatures. The warm temperature is around 24-31 degrees Celsius, while the air is cool at night. From December to January, you can also access all of the tourist destinations in the Philippines, including remote areas and beautiful islands outside of Manila, the country’s capital.

How is the climate in the Philippines? How many seasons are there?

The Philippines has a tropical climate. There are two seasons: the rainy season from June to November, and the dry season from December to May. Within the dry season, there are two periods: a cool dry season from December to February, and a hot dry season from March to May.