Philippines

Why the Philippines SHOULD be your next trip.

Is Relaxing & Chilling Out your thing, but you prefer to do it Off the Beaten Path away from the crowds of places like Thailand and the Carribean? Then the Philippines might be the perfect destination for your next trip. Take a short flight and/or boat ride to one of the 7,000 islands in the country such as Samal Island in the south, where your biggest concern is deciding which beach laden with coconut trees you will lounge on that day. Or for something truly unique, check out Bohol Island and its Chocolate Hills and tarsiers (an animal whose face resembles a small E.T.). When you need a little adrenaline rush after all of the sunbathing, visit Malapascua Island and snorkel or scuba dive with manta rays and thresher sharks. Yes, Nature & Outdoors has plenty on offer here and it isn`t limited to the water- trekking in Banaue/Sagada offers wonderful views of rice terraces and villages carved into mountains. While you may find it slightly more expensive than other countries in Southeast Asia, the Philippines is definitely still one of the most Budget Friendly countries in the world. With one of the highest birth rates in the world, Kid Friendly activities in the Philippines abound and with English widely spoken it is surprisingly Easy to Get Around for the most part.

Why the Philippines should NOT be your next trip.

The number one complaint that travelers to the Philippines have is typically the Food. Excessive fat, sugar and fried dishes can be expected (sugar is even sprinkled on fast food hamburgers), although lovers of seafood and fresh fruits can find enough redeeming qualities to Filipino food. Although its Culture & History is unique, most visitors find it underwhelming compared to the expansive temples of other countries in Southeast Asia like Thailand and Indonesia. There are also a few pockets of the Philippines where Comfort & Safety can be compromised, such as persistent touts in the most popular tourist areas of Boracay Island and Palawan Island or the headaches of a large sex tourism industry around Clark and former American military bases. But generally away from these popular areas you will find one of the friendliest cultures in the world consistently bring a smile to your face.