Philippines has seen a steady growth in the number of Indian tourists traveling into the country over the years. The Department of Tourism is confident that this trend will continue as they improve on their aggressive marketing campaigns to attract more tourists from all over the world.
For Indian travelers, the visa application is difficult because it is offline and so whoever wishes to apply for a Philippine visa needs to download the form and submit it to the nearest embassy or consulate along with the required documents. Visa-on-arrival is only available to Indians who hold valid visas for countries like USA, Schengen countries, Australia, Japan and the UK.
This country of more than 7600 islands offers discerning travelers numerous opportunities that are both unique and enriching. Whether you travel for business or for leisure, you will always find something interesting in the country. Here are the 10 must-see places in the Philippines.
1. Bohol – This laidback province is packed with natural historic sites, tiny primates and thousands of hills that look like giant chocolate chips during dry season. Bohol is an all-in-one travel destination because it has everything a traveler is looking for. From beaches to mountains and rivers, Bohol has got you covered.
Don’t forget to try the province’s delicacy, peanut kisses, which is very similar to Hershey’s kisses with a delicious peanut flavor and a distinct shape of its famous chocolate hills.
2. Cebu – Cebu is the queen city of the south and it is very adjacent to Bohol. You can easily combine Cebu and Bohol tours which is perfect for a short vacation.You can fly directly to Cebu and then go to Bohol by ferry which will save you a lot of time and money as no additional flights are necessary. Here, you will find the best roasted pig belly in the country. Lechon and Liempo are two most popular delicacies and are sold anywhere in the country. Cebu is also home to the most colorful festival. Every year millions of tourists from all over the world come to Cebu to witness and partake in the Sinulog festival held on the 3rd Sunday of January.
3. Pampanga – The culinary capital of the Philippines, Pampanga offers numerous gastronomic options for foodies around the globe. Here, you can sample the best sisig (a sizzling local dish made of parts of the pig head and liver seasoned with chili, lime and topped with raw egg) in the country.
4. Cordilleras – The cordillera region is rich in history and culture mirrored by the famous Ifugao rice terraces. The climate in this region is much cooler and so this is the perfect place to buy vegetables and fruits like strawberries and cauliflower fresh from the farms. You can also get inked by the oldest tattoo artist in the world who uses nothing but charcoal, stick and a thorn from a lime tree. This experience is truly one of a kind as you will never get it anywhere else. For more adventure, you can hike the mountains and explore the deepest cave in the country while the ancient coffins hang above your head.
5. Bicol – Another all-in-one travel destination, Bicol is home to the most beautifully-shaped and most active volcano in the country. Apart from its beaches and geological landforms, Bicol is also popular for its spicy foods. As the chili capital of the country, most dishes in Bicol are spiced with chilies and have varying degrees of hotness. Laing and Bicol express are some of the local delicacies that you must not miss.
6. Ilocos Region – Home to one of the New 7 Wonder Cities of the world, Ilocos Region houses Vigan City which is the most extensive and the only surviving historic city that dates back to the 16th century of Spanish Colonial period. When you step inside Vigan city, you will be taken into a different time where horse-drawn carriage was still the form of transport. Cobbled stones and old Spanish houses adorn the streets and local antique furniture is everywhere. Here, you must sample the famous Vigan longganisa (local garlic sausage), empanada, pinakbet (mixed vegetable dish), bagnet (deep-fried crispy pork belly) and Igado (an Ilokano dish made with pork tenderloin and innards with green peas and paprika).
7. Palawan – Apart from the scenic natural wonders of Palawan, it is also famous for its local delicacies and rich culture. Palawan has the best danggit (sun-dried and salted rabbitfish), crocodile sisig, and the exotic tamilok (a kind of woodworm mollusk ceviche served with chili and vinegar). There are also numerous karst limestone cliffs protruding from the waters, Japanese shipwrecks for diving and plenty of secret beaches to explore.
8. Manila – Contrary to what most people would like to believe, the country’s capital is teeming with character, culture and color. When you venture away from the city center, you will find Intramuros – the old walled city in the heart of Manila with all the preserved historical sites. Manila is also home to the oldest and biggest Chinatown in the world where you can sample numerous authentic Chinese cuisines.
9. Batangas – Just two hours away from the capital, Batangas is a significant part of the country’s history as it is home to some of the most famous and well-respected heroes of the revolution against the Spaniards. Batangas boasts of the biggest Catholic Church in Asia and its people are incredibly religious. Some of the local products that you must try are bulalo (bone marrow soup with corn, potatoes and cabbage), lomi (savory noodle dish), panutsa (sweetened peanut much like the peanut brittle), barako coffee (strong coffee for brewing from Liberica variety and tawilis (a freshwater fish only found in taal lake).
10. Pangasinan – This is not a very popular tourist spot internationally but Pangasinan is a gem on its own. It is where you can find the locally sought-after hundred islands national park - a place you can very easily tour on your own. Only 6 of these islands can be explored though. Pangasinan is the milkfish capital of the country and here you can join the Bangus Festival known for the longest barbecue grill event in the world. It was previously featured in Guinness book of world records and they also have more than a thousand ways of cooking their favorite fish – the milkfish.
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