The Philippines is rapidly growing in popularity, known for its picture-perfect scenery, awe-inspiring beaches, and incredible marine life. Home to some of the best dive sites in the world, its powder-soft white sand beaches are among the closest in Asia to those of the Maldives. Siargao, Bohol, and Palawan (three of the 1,017 islands in the archipelago) were recently ranked among the top ten most beautiful islands in the world in the 2024 Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards.
Rachel Gleave, our Asia product manager, and Bethany Preston from our sales team have just returned from a trip to the Philippines, immersing themselves in the destination and discovering new hotels. Apart from a few well-known hotspots, you’ll find unspoiled, uncrowded hideaways, a warm and genuine local welcome, enchanting scenery, stunning natural wonders, and an incredible underwater world,’ said Rachel.
The Philippines offers a unique experience compared to other destinations in Southeast Asia, with a distinct culture and atmosphere. Colonized by the Spanish for over 300 years, most Filipinos are Catholic, so you’ll find churches instead of temples. Following a period under American rule from 1898 to 1946, the Philippines gained independence. With such historical influences, the cuisine and culture are quite distinct. Instead of spicy curries and noodles, their favourite dishes include slow-cooked adobo chicken and pork, marinated in a tangy soy and vinegar sauce, as well as indulgent desserts made with glutinous rice, coconut milk, and sugar. A popular treat, Halo-Halo, is a sweet concoction of evaporated milk and various ingredients poured over crushed ice.
‘One thing you’ll discover is the abundance of natural wonders, with each island offering its own unique treasures to explore. While it would be impossible to visit all 1,017 islands, we focused on four main destinations: Siargao, Bohol, Palawan (El Nido), and Boracay.” Read our other blog to find out more about Bohol and Boracay.
Palawan
Accessible via direct flights from Manila, Cebu, Bohol, and Caticlan (for Boracay), El Nido, in the north of Palawan is an essential destination for any trip to the Philippines. Here, you’ll encounter the iconic towering karst landscapes often seen in picturesque images of the country—yet they’re even more striking in person. Bacuit Bay is home to a collection of stunning islands, each ready to be explored through excursions offered by the resorts in the bay.
Choose Miniloc, a charming four-star resort with simple but comfortable rooms set amidst breathtaking mountainous scenery—an ideal base to explore the nearby Big and Small Lagoons by kayak or snorkel amongst the colourful marine life right in front of the resort. Alternatively, stay at Cauayan Island Resort, a luxury resort with a rustic, secluded vibe, built around a beautiful crescent-shaped beach and surrounded by limestone cliffs—a picture-perfect romantic hideaway.
For those who want to indulge, consider upgrading to El Nido Pangulasian. This intimate, luxurious resort features 42 stunning villas spread along a pristine beach, offering uninterrupted views of both sunrise and sunset over the bay. It’s truly worth every penny.
Siargao
Siargao is a small, teardrop-shaped island in the easternmost location of the Philippines. A hidden gem and a nature lover’s paradise, it is traditionally known as the surfing capital of the Philippines, with Cloud 9 attracting surfers from across the world. When we visited, we were lucky enough to witness an international surf competition and the town of General Luna was buzzing. However, despite the influx of visitors the island remains low key. New restaurants and hotels are popping up along the coast but tourism here is still very under the radar – at least for now! 
Beyond the surf, Siargao offers pristine, tranquil beaches, often shared with friendly local families, tropical mangrove forests perfect for a peaceful kayaking trip, and remote islands with vibrant coral reefs and unspoilt beaches. If we’d had more time, we would have loved to explore more of the island by scooter, which seemed to be the best way to get around, especially since much of the island is off the beaten path.
Nay Palad Hideaway is a unique retreat nestled on the southeastern corner of Siargao. With just nine villas, it offers an intimate experience where guests are welcomed as friends. Just about everything is included, so you can kick off your shoes and fully immerse yourself in everything Siargao has to offer. Your hosts will curate a bespoke itinerary tailored specifically for you, from island hopping, snorkelling, diving, surfing, paddleboarding, cooking classes, and spa treatments—all complemented by a menu of delicious food and crafted cocktails. This is the ultimate off-grid sanctuary.
As you may have gathered from this blog, we absolutely LOVED the Philippines. One of the things that stood out to us the most was seeing so many local Filipinos holidaying in their own country. The guests at the hotels were very multicultural, with many locals among them. Everyone was so friendly, and it felt incredibly inclusive and welcoming. We’d love to share our experiences with you and help craft your perfect holiday to the Philippines. Get in touch with one of our experienced team and let us take the stress out of the planning.
