5 reasons the Philippines is so desirable
This wondrous archipelago, which flies under the radar, is a heady mix of world-class beaches, charismatic culture and cuisine, nature, and adventure
There should be little surprise the Philippines was nominated in three categories in this year’s Wanderlust Awards (“most desirable region” (Cebu); “most desirable island” (Palawan); and “most desirable country”), because this wondrous archipelago, that flies under the radar, is a heady mix of world-class beaches, charismatic culture and cuisine, nature, and adventure.
1. Breathtaking beaches
Puerto Princesa, El Nido, Coron
Paradisical beaches, coral lagoons, and limestone caves, render Northern Palawan a cornucopia of exotic wiles. From the adventure hub, Puerta Princesa, on a magical boat ride through its UNESCO World Heritage subterranean national park to El Nido where private island resorts access a seascape of pristine white sand coves. The coral reefs are magnificent and Coron Bay is famed for wreck dives to a sunken fleet of Japanese warships.
Boracay Island
By 2018, Boracay was a victim of its own success. Perfect powdery talcum-white beaches attracted unsustainable tourism impacting Boracay’s natural environment. The island closed for a while to tackle pollution and illegal development and instigate new sustainable tourism practices. With visitor numbers now strictly capped and resorts complying with strict environmental standards, Boracay’s beaches and reefs flourish once more. Recent conservation measures have seen the release of Olive Ridley turtles and reticulated pythons.
Panglao, Bohol
Panglao Island is joined by causeway to mountainous Bohol. Its sweeping coastline boasts many fine resorts along Dumaluan Beach, including the family-friendly Bohol Beach Club and laidback boutique property, Amarela. It’s extremely accessible for excursions to Bohol to the UNSECO World Geopark Chocolate Hills or to see their endemic little primate, the tarsier, best viewed at Corella sanctuary.
2. World-class diving
Tubbataha Reefs
Tubbataha’s UNESCO World Heritage reefs are a long voyage to reach from Palawan. But oh boy, are they worth it. Explored from liveaboards Amos Rock’s coral garden is an intricate tapestry of vivid polyps and reef fish, whilst magnificent drop-offs yield manta rays and turtles.
Apo Reef, Mindoro
An underwater photographers dream, Apo is the world’s second largest reef system. Besides flamboyant corals, dive-sites like Shark Ridge attract swirling shoals of pelagic species, including barracuda and jackfish, alongside reef sharks and green turtles. This protected natural park lies 30 kilometres off Mindoro Island.
Malapascua, Cebu
How elegant thresher sharks are. Sporting elongated tailfins used for whiplashing their prey they’re usually elusive but not around Malapascua where they’re sighted every day. Keep plenty of air in the tank though for the magnificent corals.
Coron Bay, Palawan
Spookily photogenic describes Coron Bay’s wrecks where American bombers sank a dozen Japanese supply vessels in 1944. Dives here require experience due to the depth and currents of wrecks teeming with life, not least the mighty Irako, a 125 metre-long supply vessel resting upright on the seabed.
Dauin, Negros Oriental
Muck diving explores substrates to seek bottom-dwelling critters. Dauin’s coastline off Negros Oriental is wonderful at the likes of El Dorado Norte for octopus and well-camouflaged frogfish alongside lobsters, seahorses, and psychedelically-bright sea-slug nudibranchs.
Balicasag Island, Bohol
Protected by a marine sanctuary Balicasag’s pretty corals are a short boat ride from Bohol. Dives to the Royal Garden, Cathedral, and Sanctuary, reveal large pelagic shoals, featuring big-eyed trevally, barracuda, and groupers.
3. Flavour filled food scene
Pampanga
Pampanga is known as the Philippines culinary capital. Gastronomic adventurers seek flavoursome Kapampangan dishes spiced with chili, calamansi limes and peppers. A favourite is sisig: sizzling pig’s head and liver, both spicy and tangy. Soups are popular, like creamy kare-kare featuring oxtail simmered in peanut sauce. Pampanga has forged a reputation for contemporary restaurants and celebrity chefs like Claude Tayag.
Iloilo City
A seismic moment recognising Philippine cuisine occurred in 2023 with Iloilo City declared a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Ilonggo dishes draw inspiration from the Western Visayas’ natural produce and a spice trading history. Signature dishes utilise local produce to fashion classics like La Paz Batchoy, a hearty pork and egg-noodle soup, and KBL (Kadyos, Baboy, Langka): pigeon peas, pork, and jackfruit, stew. Some restaurants focus on speciality dishes, like Tita Paz, renowned for pork dumpling pancit molo soup.
Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
Another foodie hub, Bacolod City, was celebrated for its commitment to sustainably grown organic produce by the hosting the important Terra Madre Asia & Pacific gastronomy event in November 2025. Seafood lovers must try kinilaw, a ceviche-style raw fish, while a city signature dish is inasal: marinaded grilled chicken. Other delights include a soured beef soup called cansi, and muscovado-filled flatbreads called piaya.
4. Fascinating history
Intramuros, Manila
Reconstructed after American wartime bombing, it’s easy to imagine colonial-era Spain when wandering Manila’s historic Intramuros (Spanish for ‘within the walls’) district. This 1570s fortified city hosts the baroque UNESCO World Heritage Saint Agustin church nearby to a similarly aged thick-walled citadel.
Cebu City
Legendary navigator Ferdinand Magellan claimed the Philippines for Spain on Cebu Island in 1521. A replica cross recalls this on Plaza Sugbo outside the Basilica del Santo niño in the ‘Queen city of the South’. Throughout, Cebu City teases reminders of yesteryear with opulent private heritage homes, such as the 1863 Casa Gorordo, replete with polished teak floors and coral-glass windows.
Corregidor Island, Manila Bay
At Manila Bay’s entrance, Corregidor marks an epic confrontation between Filipino and American forces against the Japanese. Heavily fortified, it was defended against overwhelming odds before surrender to Japan in 1942. But then recaptured by US forces three years later. Nowadays it’s a poignant daytrip from Manila to visit wartime barracks, cannon emplacements, and Malinta tunnel’s sound-and-lightshow presentation along with a fascinating Pacific War Memorial Museum.
Vigan, Ilocos Sur
Vigan resembles a movie set. This 16th-century UNESCO World Heritage city is an architectural wunderkind of Spanish colonial heritage fusing European classicism with local Chinese-Ilocano motifs. The 18th and 19th-century ancestral houses are best explored on foot, not least Calle Crisologo, which resonates to clip-clopping of horse-drawn kalesa on cobblestone streets. It’s easy to visit properties like Padre Burgos’ opulent 1788 home demonstrating the clergy didn’t have it too bad back then.
Miag-ao Church, Iloilo
Another UNESCO World Heritage site, the ornate Santo Tomás de Villanueva, or Miagao church, is a sumptuous visual feast. Dating 1786, this Baroque masterpiece’s beautifully figurative façade represents a pleasing fusion of Catholic ideology and Filipino design. Look for an icon of St. Christopher in local dress surrounded by tropical palms.
Banaue Rice Terraces, Ifugao
Prepare to be swept away by the colossal Banaue terraces, North Luzon’s epitome of human endeavour. Accruing 2,000years of continuous cultivation surrounding Batad the mountain contouring terraces stretch for miles in awe-inspiring amphitheatres. Walking trails provide opportunities to interact with the Ifugao people’s culture and cuisine.
5. Thrilling adventures
Kawasan Falls Canyoneering, Cebu
The Philippines preeminent canyoneering spot is the spearmint-coloured River Matutinao’s series of cascades, the finest of which is the 40m-high Kawasan Falls. With wetsuits donned, excursions venture out during morning to ascend the cascading river and leap into crystalline water pools.
Siargao Island
Siargao is one of Asia’s hottest surf spots. This teardrop-shaped island’s paradisical beaches are pummelled by the Philippine Sea and expertise is required at wild surf spots like Cloud 9. Yet beginners will cherish Jacking horse and Little Pony, ideal for short board surfing. If that’s insufficient adrenaline, try cliff-diving into Sugba Lagoon.
Sagada, North Luzon
Sagada’s astonishing cliff-hanging coffins are a cornerstone of the Igorot community’s ancestral worship. This remote mountain town is also an outdoor paradise: with cavers wowed by the challenging ‘Cave Connection’, a four-hour subterranean scramble 760m underground, and the Paytokan hiking trail which explores Sagada’s culturally-rich countryside.
Camiguin Island, Mindanao
Camiguin’s volcanic vista inspires awe when first seeing the active Mount Hibok-Hibok. This explosive landscape yields fine upland treks to picturesque waterfalls. The coast presents wonderful snorkelling to the likes of the eerie Sunken Cemetery, which was flooded during an 1870 eruption, while White Island’s curved sandbar is great for swimming.
Masungi Geo-reserve, Rizal
A conservation area within a protected 27000ha rainforest in Rizal, east of Manila, Masungi translates to ‘spiked’, aptly describing spectacular jagged limestone pinnacles. Visitors come for an enchanting guided nature trek of flora and fauna in this protected geo-reserve.
Baler, Aurora
The birthplace of Manuel L Querzon, the Philippines’ second president, Baler, in Aurora province, enthrals outdoors-lovers with giddying waterfalls, surf beaches, heritage museums, and well-established cycle routes.
