Tagaytay

If you are planning a vacation to the Philippines, you should definitely take yourself to Tagaytay. This city is believed to be Asia’s most pleasant city because of the environment, people and culture.

Filipinos know that Tagaytay is the Philippines’ tangible concept of a paradise. It is just thirty-four miles away from Manila that takes an hour and a half drive. This pleasant city can be found in the province of Cavite and is popular as a top tourist spot for Filipinos and foreign visitors.

Tagaytay city has a good vantage point of Taal Volcano. From this city, you are going to get a great view of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano while you enjoy the cool climate of the city. Tagaytay is famous for having pleasant weather because of its high altitude. Aside from the low temperature of the city, there is also abundant rainfall every so often. The temperature of the city averages at 22-degrees Celsius; it is endowed with such an invigorating atmosphere because it is 600 meters above the sea. In Tagaytay, it is definitely cooler during the months of December to February.

It can be said that Tagaytay City is the pearl of the orient as it is a perfect place for a family getaway. There are a lot of activities that you can enjoy while in Tagaytay – horseback riding, picnic, camping and sight-seeing. The views that the city offers are splendid and breathtaking.

The people of Tagaytay are as friendly as many other Filipinos. You will be welcomed by great joy and hospitality. You do not have to worry about places to stay in because there are a number of luxury hotels that can accommodate your stay in the city. You are assured to have a good view of the Taal Lake while you are in your hotel suite.

Tagaytay is just the perfect place to go for a conference, family vacation or even a romantic honeymoon. If there’s a romantic place in the Philippines that you should go to, it is definitely Tagaytay City.

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Manila

Manila is the Philippines’s capital and center for development. It is in this city that big corporations and establishments operate. Manila is the focal point of the country’s industrial sector. This is usually the first stop for a lot of foreigners that visit the country as this is where the international airport is.

Beyond the busyness of the city lie wonderful and fascinating sights to see. There are also different mesmerizing places to visit in Manila. Everyone who has gone to the city would want to go back to enjoy more of Manila.

Rizal Park is one of the most significant places to see in the city. This park was built in tribute to the Philippine national hero, Jose P. Rizal, who fought for the country’s independence during the Spanish government. The park is a haven for relaxation and family fun in the middle of Metro Manila. It has gardens, marks of history, plazas, stadiums, observatory, restaurants, kiosks and playgrounds. Rizal Park offers a magnificent view of Manila Bay; watching the sunset here is such a sweet delight.

Intramuros is another one of the must-see places in Manila. Intramuros literally means “inside the walls” because it is an old walled city. This place houses the Fort Santiago that was built by Spaniards in the 1500s. The fort that was built during the Spanish regime was destroyed in the American-Japanese war. The Philippines salvaged its remains and turned it into a historical museum.

Aside from these places, you may still find comfort and relaxation from the many majestic churches and museums of the city. There are different zoos and ocean parks that you can visit with your whole family. Even the cemeteries of Manila speak of the rich history of the country. The remains of the people who fought in the Philippine revolution lie in these places.

Manila is a highly urbanized area. Transportation is easy as there are jeeps and taxis everywhere. There are hotels in every corner of the street. If you ever plan on going to the city, you will enjoy the day life and appreciate the night life even better.

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Makati City

If there is a place in the Philippines that almost never sleeps, it is Makati, Philippines. Makati City is the business district of the country. The many different local and international corporations operate in this center. Makati city is not actually a place that most tourists would go to, but there are still a lot that you can appreciate about the city.

Makati is the place for foreign visitors that do want to experience the amenities of Western countries while enjoying their stay in the Philippines. The Makati area is just thirty minutes away from Manila’s international airport. All that you need to do is ride a cab from the airport to get to Makati. The city entails higher and better standards of cleanliness, service and order compared to most of Metro Manila.

Makati is home to the most famous hotels – Renaissance, Shangri la and the Manila Peninsula. These can give you the world-class accommodation that you are looking for. There are also a lot of establishments that can be found in Makati. Glorietta and Greenbelt are two of the most famous shopping hubs. The two shopping malls are enclosed by soaring office buildings, fancy and sophisticated hotels, and condominiums. The ambiance in Makati is very posh, formal, but leisurely fun still.

Clean streets are much more noticeable in Makati because the streets are rarely hassled by people. The nightlife in the city is tamer because of the business-like ambiance and attitude. Nevertheless, Greenbelt is still a great attraction during the night as there are tens of restaurants that enclose a green garden. The restaurants vary from local establishments to international cuisines. You may opt to hop to Glorietta if you want to experience the same leisure for cheaper prices.

A big number of foreign embassies operating in the Philippines can be found in Makati. Even the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) is located in the area; it is just a couple of blocks away from the Ayala Center. Travelers who are interested in the stock market of the Philippines can pay visit to the office.

Makati, Philippines is the most progressive cities in the country. If you want to discover how many businesses run their operations in the country, pay a visit to Makati.

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Iloilo City

Iloilo lies in the center of the Philippine archipelago. It is an economic hub of Western Visayas. The city boasts the availability of an air gateway – its international airport. This airport connects the city to other parts of the Philippines and the world. Iloilo is well-known for its ever-busy fishing ports. It is in these portals that millions of kilos of fish are being shipped in and out every year. Not only does Iloilo have big fish port complexes; it also has a strong and stable banking industry as there are many different sizes of banks operating in the city.

There is a lot to appreciate about the city. The weather is constant throughout the year. It is best to be in Iloilo between the months of October and May because these are the dry months. You will experience rainfall during the other months. 

Iloilo Historical Attractions:

• Plaza Libertad – it is in this site that the flag was raised when Iloilo was surrendered to the country’s First Republic in 1898.
• Panay Liberation Marker – this marker was built in commemoration of the city’s liberation from the Japanese government in 1945.

The many other historical landmarks include buildings that were built during the Spanish and American times. These are Tigbauan Church, Molo Church, and the San Joaquin Church.

Iloilo has a lot to offer. Your trip to the city is not complete without a visit to Sicogon Island. This island is rich in palms and white sands. There are also several hidden waterfalls that can be found. One of them is the San Juan Falls. Other must-see gifts of nature are Mount Napulac, Tinagong Dagat, and Isla Gigantes.

Festivities make your stay in the city worthwhile. In January, the sky is made colorful by the blazing lights of fireworks display contest. Street-dancing is made more enjoyable and entertaining during the Ati-Atihan festival. Bullfights are a wonder for people who come to the Pasungay Festival held in January. With this, you can be certain that your stay in Iloilo will be unforgettable.

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Puerto Princesa

If you want to see one of the best places that the Philippines has to offer, you definitely have to go to Puerto Princesa, Palawan. You have to travel 306 nautical miles from Manila to get to Puerto Princesa. The city has an area of 253,982 hectares that make it the Philippines’ largest city.

Puerto Princesa Tourist Attractions

• Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park- The city has a long stretch of 8.2 kilometers of Underground River that travels through a spectacular and breathtaking cave before leading to the South China Sea. At the cave’s opening, a lagoon is enclosed by ancient green trees that grow right beside the corner of the water. If you come to this cave, you are to enjoy seeing monkeys, squirrels, monitor lizards that clutter themselves just beside the beach. You are also going to be entertained by the sight of birds. Adventurous activities like mountain trekking and forest exploration are going to make the best of your stay in Puerto Princesa.
• Puerto Princesa Bay- Ride a tricycle that will take you to Puerto Princesa port where you can relax and find leisure in walking and watching the sun rise. In this point, you are going to get a glorious picturesque of the bay. You can also cruise the bay and dine at the bayside from any one of the excellent facilities in the area. There are also a lot of water sports to take pleasure in. While in the city, you may wish to witness the Layagan, an annual boat-sailing contest and celebration.
• Honda Bay Islands- Every diving enthusiast is going to have a wild adventure in Honda Bay Islands. You are going to be stunned by the coral reefs that envelope the islands. The most well-known diving sites of Puerto Princesa are Pandan Island, Arreceffi Island and Panglima reef.
• Salakot Waterfalls- What could be a better treat after a hot bathe in the sun than plunging into waterfalls? While getting a good soak, you will enjoy the sight of rare species of butterflies flying around the area. There are picnic grounds, huts and sleeping cottages that can accommodate you if you want to stay overnight.

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Davao City

Davao is one of the busiest and most abundant cities of the Philippines. It is believed that it will be a top Asian city in the near future. Davao city has recently become the top tourist and business hub of the Southern Philippines. The city boasts crystal-clear beaches, diving spots, and mountain resorts. It also has the best vantage point of a captivating mountain in the Philippines, Mount Apo.

What sets Davao apart from any other cities in the country are its people, the environment, and culture. The city is ideal for tourism because the surrounding is safe and clean. The people of Davao are happy and hospitable. 

Here are a few tips to remember when you plan your visit to Davao:

• Davao City has the best water in the world and the World Health Organization certified so. International tests prove that the water needs no boiling or distilling to be of highest quality. Only Davao City has this kind of tap water.

• Davao city is the safest tourist destination because it has a low crime rate. They have one of the lowest in the world. The Peace and Order Council of the city was brought to the Hall of Fame for being the best in the Philippines.
• The city is free from typhoon due to its location. No typhoons reach the city because a large volcano blocks tidal waves and big hurricanes. With this, you are going to enjoy a favorable weather throughout the year.
• You will surely be entertained by Davao’s biggest celebration – the Kadayawan Festival. This is a thanksgiving celebration by the city for the gifts of nature, its rich culture, bountiful harvest, and tranquil living. It seeks to pay tribute to the heritage of the people of Davao.
• The Pearl Farm is a resort where you not only enjoy the beach but you have the opportunity to harvest raw pearls to commemorate your visit.

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Cagayan de Oro

Cagayan de Oro is a city located on the north of Mindanao. It is the capital of the province, Misamis Oriental. Cagayan de Oro is the place to be if you seek wild adventure. Your visit in this island is surely to give you an adrenaline rush.

Whitewater rafting is the city’s best and most famous sport. Everyone can say that the rafting experience in Cagayan de Oro cannot be compared to rafting in another island. The long stretch of the city gives a picturesque of rocky walls of the river, vegetation and the havens of animals like monkeys and snakes. The Cagayan de Oro River has rapids that give the daring and adventurous more thrills and challenges. Whitewater rafting in Cagayan de Oro is really something that no adventurous is going to forget. The roar and bellow of the water tumbling through boulders are going to be embarked in their memories.

There is more to Cagayan de Oro than just Whitewater rafting. The F.S. Castanico Falls is a blessing from nature. The falls is decorated with green ferns and plants. There are also rapids that rage and pound on boulders and rocks. The clear blue waters underneath is an additional treat. Getting to F.S. Castanico Falls only takes thirty minutes from the heart of the city.

The Malasag Eco-tourism Village is a fascinating and splendid museum that displays the many different houses of Northern Mindanao’s indigenous tribes and people. It also houses several colorful flora and fauna of the city. The village entails a good scenic view of the Malasag Hills where you can walk and admire the magnificent view of Cagayan de Oro’s coastline and the Bay of Macajalar.

Mapawa Nature Park is just a few minutes away from the village. In this park, you will find a small waterfall for swimming. There are also tables erected under big trees that can be used for family picnics. Activities to enjoy in this park are horseback riding, camping, rappelling, and many others.

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