Where are the best beaches in the Philippines. Where is it better to relax in the Philippines youth, family, with children and without? Fruit prices

My husband and I love to relax in Asia and have already accumulated not a small experience of independent travel. They decided to expand the geography of travel in the Philippines. Bounty-style beaches, comfortable hotels, natural attractions, delicious food - all these are the Philippines. This destination is not as popular as, for example, Thailand, so there is not much information about preparing a trip to the Philippines on the Internet. I collected information bit by bit, I hope it will be useful.

Philippines General Information

The Philippines is an island state in Southeast Asia, located in the western Pacific Ocean. The Philippines consists of a huge number of islands. It’s even hard to imagine - 7100 islands in one country. The capital - the city of Manila - is located on one of the largest islands - about. Luzon. Also the major islands of the Philippines are: Mindoro, Cebu, Palawan, Negros, Mindanao (an island with a hectic environment), as well as our beloved Bohol. The most popular tourist destination is, of course, the famous island of Boracay - a paradise for beach lovers.

Neighbors of the Philippines: about. Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam. The distance from Moscow is about 9000 kilometers - from 12 hours of flight (if without a transfer, but with a transfer, it can take several days in general!). The climate in the Philippines is tropical: humid and hot. Air temperature all year round - 26-30 degrees (even in the rainy season), water temperature - 25-26 degrees.
The currency is the Philippine peso (one dollar equals approximately 49 pesos). For tourists, it is most convenient to take dollars with you on a trip and change them in exchangers. We tried to change the currency in exchangers in shopping centers, the exchange rate there is the most favorable.
The Philippines for a long time (about 300 years) was a Spanish colony, after that 50 years - an American and a few years - a Japanese. Thanks to the Spaniards, the Philippines is a Catholic country in Asia. In the country, much remains of the Spaniards: architecture, taste preferences, Spanish words in the language.
How to get there You can relax in the Philippines on a package tour or on your own. Here, of course, there are subtleties. Trips to the Philippines cost an average of 100-200 thousand rubles. for two for 7-10 days. Of the benefits - an organized trip, convenient flights. Of the minuses - you are not mobile, you can not change the islands and hotels. We prefer independent trips. The cost of a flight from Moscow is 45-60 thousand rubles. for two. And then everything all depends on the desires and budget.
Flights from Moscow to Manila without a transfer are rare and outrageously expensive, so tourists fly through Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, etc. You can find minimal connections, or, conversely, long ones to have time to see the city (as we did in Istanbul). The flight, of course, is long - we flew from Istanbul to Manila for 13 hours. But I even love such long flights, time passes quickly: a few films, lunch, more films - and you're there! If it’s a night flight, then it’s even better: put on slippers, cover yourself with a blanket and think about the upcoming vacation!
The communication between the islands is quite good: low-cost airlines fly, ferries go. The more popular the island, the easier it is to get there. Tickets for local low-cost drivers and ferries are low. So for one trip you can combine several islands.
Major low-cost airlines: Air Asia (https://www.airasia.com/) and Cebu Pacific (https://www.cebupacificair.com/). We flew between the islands and Air Asia and Cebu Pacific. To be honest, I like the former much more. We flew many times across Southeast Asia with Air Asia, and there were no problems (except for small flight delays). Cebu Pacific, we flew only once: from Cebu to Kalibo. The flight was night, a little confused by the smoke in the cabin throughout the flight. The ticket prices of these two airlines are low, Air Asia often has good discounts. Another airline that can be used in the Philippines is Philippines Airlines. But ticket prices are usually much higher.
Ferry tickets can be bought in advance on the Internet on the websites of companies, already on the spot at the ferry station or at any travel agency. The largest ferry companies: Cebu Ferries (www.cebuferries.com), Oceanjet (http://www.oceanjet.net/cebu-tagbilaran), Lite Ferries (http://liteferries.com/). From Bohol to Cebu, we traveled by Oceanjet ferry.

So what attract the Philippines to tourists? Snow-white beaches, as in the Bounty advertisement, high mountains, underground rivers, waterfalls, virgin forests - the nature of the Philippines is simply magnificent.

A visa is not required for Russians, unless, of course, your vacation does not exceed 30 days. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into the country. For a long stay, the conditions are also quite loyal: you can renew your visa at the Immigration Bureau without leaving the country.
The tourist infrastructure is quite developed, the influx of tourists is increasing every year. When planning a trip to the Philippines, first of all, you need to choose an island, of which there are many. Of course, most tourists do not fly to take a walk around a gassed, rather dirty and seemingly not very pleasant city with heavy traffic and groups of beggars. This is me about the capital of the Philippines - Manila. Although, we met our compatriots who talked about the delights of Manila. Perhaps at one time we simply did not consider, as it should, the capital.

Choosing an island to relax

So, which island to choose for a vacation? When planning a trip, we chose from the following islands: Boracay, Cebu, Palawan, Bohol. Mindanao (the second largest island) we did not consider: from time to time the situation with the bandits' groups escalates there. At least this is written in the news.

Boracay

So, the first place in terms of attendance by tourists - the island of Boracay - the embodiment of an ideal beach with white sand and bright turquoise water.

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This island has become the hallmark of the country. They come to Boracay for a calm, measured rest. The island is very small (7 km. Long and only 3 km wide). But at the same time, the infrastructure here is very developed, a large number of hotels of different levels: from cheap guest houses to very expensive villas. What to do in Boracay? - Relax!

During the day everyone is sunbathing on the beaches, and in the evening they walk along the beach street and have dinner at restaurants. To some, such a holiday seems boring. We had only 6 days in Boracay, time passed very quickly, despite the fact that we did not go on any excursion. Yes, only the sunsets on Boracay are worth it!

Fans of kitesurfing in Boracay are not bored. On the beach, Balabog constantly blows a strong even wind, which allows you to train every day.

There are not many attractions on Boracay: Mount Lahoe (the highest place on the island), the private museum of Tirol (exhibits are the artistic values \u200b\u200bof China), the museum of shells. But the main thing on the island is, of course, the beaches.

Bohol

Bohol Island is becoming more and more popular among tourists. It is famous for its natural beauties and interesting excursions: chocolate hills, a park with tarsiers, a zip line over the jungle, rafting at a floating restaurant on the Lobok River, Virgin Island, as well as a rich underwater world.

Reefs, colorful fish, barracudas, dolphins, turtles, whale sharks - all this can be seen here in the Philippines. Even I, far from the bravest man, swam with pleasure next to the whale sharks in Oslob and was surprised at the size of sea turtles on the island of Balingasag. Both Oslob and Balingasag are most conveniently accessible from Bohol Island.

On Bohol time passes very dynamically and interestingly: only for the main excursions you need to allocate at least 5 days. By the way, Bohol is connected by a bridge to a small island - Panglao, where you need to choose a hotel, because here are the best beaches. There are several beaches on the island: Alona Beach (the most popular beach of the island, where we stayed), Dumalaun Beach, Danao Beach, Bikini Beach, etc.

Cebu

The next famous island of the Philippines is Cebu. There are few tourists here. Mostly people come to Cebu only for a few days: to see the sights, arrange shopping and go further: to Bohol or Boracay. Cebu is a large island, in the city there are large factories for the manufacture of electronics. The island of Cebu is known for the fact that it was here that the famous Spanish navigator Fernand Magellan was killed. On the island, tourists visit 2 places associated with his name: the cross of Magellan and his grave (in fact, this is not a grave, but the place where he was killed). We visited 2 more attractions: Chinese Taoist Temple and Fort San Pedro.

In my opinion, you should not stop in the city of Cebu for a long time, the city itself cannot be called beautiful and well-groomed. But you can go to the islands closest to him.

Malapascua and Bantoyan

Near the island of Cebu there are islands with gorgeous beaches - about. Malapascua and Fr. Bantoyan. Divers come to Malapascua Island, a rare species of sharks - fox sharks, as well as mantas - live in the local waters. But the main advantage of the island are desert beaches with a wide sand strip. In 2013, a devastating typhoon passed on Malapascua and, they say, the island has not yet been fully restored. The small island of Bantoyan is located 15 kilometers from Cebu, it is perfect for tourists who dream of peace and solitude.

Palawan

Another island where you really want to get on your next trip is about. Palawan. This is one of the largest islands in the Philippines with stunning nature.
The central city of the island is Puerto Princess. 75 kilometers away is the small town of Sabang, where hundreds of tourists come daily. And all because of one of the most famous natural attractions of the Philippines - the Underground River. The river is called the Puerto Princess or the Underground River, its length is 8 km. The underground river is included in the UNESCO World Heritage.
The most popular and beautiful place on the Palawan is El Nido. This is a real nature reserve, consisting of 39 small islands in the bay of Bakuit. The beaches of El Nido are considered one of the best in the Philippines.
Wealthy tourists often choose the small village of Dos Palmas with luxury hotels and villas.
Palawan is also popular with divers from all over the world: here is the richest underwater world. Not far from Puerto Princess, whale sharks live. Tourists visit the Tubbatah Reef National Park, famous for its unusual forms of coral reefs, steep cliffs and shallow lagoons.
The great advantage of the Palawan is its location: it is most secure here in the Philippine archipelago, there are no strong earthquakes, and there are no volcanoes.
Probably for me and my husband, Palawan is the most interesting place in the Philippines: with incredibly beautiful nature and various attractions. But on our first trip, we decided to choose the more explored and understandable islands - Bohol and Boracay.

Philippines Features

I especially want to note the mentality of the Filipinos. Even before visiting the country, we had heard from friends about the goodwill of the local population. Indeed, all the Filipinos that we met were very relaxed, friendly, and willing to help in any matter people. Filipinos are more open people compared to Thais and even more so with Vietnamese: they greet, wave, smile broadly and sing almost everywhere. I would also note that most Filipinos are very pretty in appearance. Moreover, in Asia there are a lot of pretty girls, but with men it is usually the opposite. But in the Philippines, we saw a lot of handsome men.
A very nice feature of the Philippines is that most of the population speaks English. English is considered the second national language. This allows tourists to feel more comfortable. Agree, it’s great when on vacation you can talk to almost any person and ask everything you need.
Public transportation in the Philippines is very specific. Jeepneys are popular in cities - these are bright minivans without windows and rear doors, designed for 12-15 passengers. There are a lot of them, they are all bright, colorful. They do not stop at stops, but only slow down, and people jump on the go. On the islands - no less strange transport - traysicles. This is such a tricycle with a body in which 4 people (not thick) are placed. Tricycles are a type of taxi, only cheaper and less convenient. But where else you ride on this!

For telephone communication with Russia, it is most convenient to buy a local SIM card. I bought a Smart SIM card, good call quality, 1 minute on a mobile phone to Russia cost about 20 rubles.
Food. We are one of those travelers for whom this item is very important. Local cuisine on trips interests us no less than the sights. Food in the Philippines is varied and quite edible for us (not counting the delicacy - balut). Balut is a rare, nasty looking meal. This is a boiled duck egg in which the embryo has already formed: with a beak, cartilage and even a light plumage. We did not even try this delicacy.
Philippine cuisine is based on meat and fish dishes, with vegetarian dishes more complicated. You should definitely try a fish named after the leader who killed Magellan - Lapu-paw (very tender and juicy), beef in Adobo sauce, grilled seafood. Philippine food is in most cases tasty and understandable.

Spicy dishes are present, but not as ubiquitous as in Thailand. The main side dish, of course, is rice (it is especially tasty cooked with garlic). The only thing I didn't like at all was the desserts and pastries.

Security. Relaxing in the Philippines, of course, is not worth it. But in the resort areas, we walked absolutely calmly in the evenings. Filipinos for the whole vacation we met only friendly, we felt safe. But it’s not worth walking around distant from the center once again, especially in the dark. Still, the Philippines is still a poor country, do not provoke the local population.
Before going to Asian countries, many are wondering if any special vaccinations should be given. It is impossible to protect yourself from everything, but still you want to feel as comfortable as possible. We did not do any vaccinations before the trip. The only thing that must be done is to monitor the cleanliness during the trip: thoroughly wash the fruits, do not drink tap water and do not brush your teeth with this water, wash your hands before eating. When traveling in hot countries, we pay special attention to the freshness of food in cafes and restaurants. This is especially true for the freshness of seafood: mussels, rapans and squid, as poisoning with these products can be very dangerous.
To the shortcomings of the Philippines, personally, I would attribute only climatic features: the country is very prone to natural disasters. Typhoons, tsunamis, floods, earthquakes - all this periodically and with different intensities occurs here. Almost every year we hear news of how something happened in the Philippines. Even one local guide responded to my delighted words about the nature and weather of Bohol that they live in constant tension. A month before our arrival at Bohol there was another small typhoon: the ferry service was closed for several days. Of course, severe destruction (as, for example, on the island of Malapasuqua in 2013) does not happen every year. But small local typhoons can ruin your vacation. Vagaries of the weather most often occur in the summer - in the rainy season. January to May is the safest time.

The Philippines is a special country, here you clearly understand that all the most beautiful on Earth is created by nature. Even the most beautiful photographs do not fully convey the colors of the Philippine islands. Stunning views, good-natured people and the gentle sea will not leave anyone indifferent.

The Philippines is considered one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia, they include more than 7 thousand islands in their territory. The six best beaches in the Philippine Islands for quality and unforgettable holidays are recommended by the local Department of Tourism.

1. Pagudpud Beach

Pagudpud Beach, located in the northern part of the Philippines, on the island of North Luzon (in the province of Northern Ilocos), is considered the longest white sand beach. Thanks to strong winds and powerful waves, this is a favorite place for surfers.

2. Beaches on Mactan Island

The tropical island of Mactan, which is located east of Cebu province and is connected to the city by two bridges, is one of the most visited in the entire province. Here, guests can enjoy numerous exclusive hotels, resorts with beautiful beaches, shops, historical and cultural monuments, night clubs, restaurants and bars.

3. The beaches of Panglao Island

The small island of Panglao, which is located southwest of the larger island of Bohol, is ideal for diving and beach holidays. Panglao is known for its attractions, including the mysterious Hinagdanan Cave.

4. Beaches of Camiguin Island

Kamigin Island is considered the most beautiful island in the Philippines, locals call it the "Garden of Eden." Among the many attractions of the island are magnificent waterfalls that form hot and cold natural springs.

5. El Nido Beach

El Nido Beach on the island of Palawan is known for towering marble cliffs, which are home to a number of tropical birds. El Nido is also famous for the most beautiful seascapes in the province of Palawan. Translated from the Filipino language, El Nido means "heaven", so for the locals it is literally the island of the gods.

6. Pearl Farm, Davao

The pearl farm is located on the island of Samal off the coast of Davao, in the south of the Philippines. One of the best seaside resorts, which is located on the pristine island of Samal, used to be a pearl farm. Thousands of snow-white oysters transported from the Sulu Sea were once cultivated thanks to their pink, white and gold pearls. Today, beach lovers from all over the world appreciate this world-class beach resort for its panoramic landscapes and whitewashed sand.

In addition to the beaches, the Philippine Islands are famous for their nature reserves, emerald rice fields, and chocolate hills. There are excellent conditions for ecotourism and outdoor activities, for example, diving, parasailing, kiteboarding. Philippine cuisine is a unique blend of oriental and western cuisines: Malay, Spanish and Chinese.

You can get from Russia to the Philippines with transfers (for example, flights from China Southern Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, etc.), there are no direct flights at the moment. A tourist visa is not required if the length of stay in the country does not exceed 30 days.

If you are going on vacation and choose the most fabulous and unforgettable place - the Philippines, then you need to know the best beaches in the Philippines - the most beautiful and snow-white in the world. Of course, someone will argue: - however, if you really want to plunge into a tropical beach paradise, then first of all, I advise you to pay attention to the Philippines with their wonderful beaches.

A warm bluish-blue, sometimes turquoise sea splashes before my eyes, very small white sand on the beaches, palm trees that leaned towards the sea, and this whole view resembles the advertisement of a “bounty bar”. And all this can be seen with your own eyes, touch, swim, and lie on a snow-white sand. So collect your suitcase and go! The Philippines are islands where tourists come not only to sunbathe on the beaches, but also to go diving, surfing, snorkeling, i.e. Admire the underwater world with a mask and fins.

About the climate, population and much more about the Philippines, see the article. And now we will talk about only one thing: the most beautiful, bewitching beaches of the Philippines.

The best islands in the Philippines with beautiful beaches

Boracay Island

Beaches on about. Boracay is the most popular in the world, a beach called Bely is listed in the top ten best beaches in the world, so this island is a must to visit at least once in your life. The island is only 7 km long and wide from 1 to 2 km.

White Beach

The most popular beach on the island is White Beach. He is famous for his white sand, which even in the strongest heat does not burn the heels, because It does not overheat. Along the entire beach, and it is 4 km long, there are hotels for every taste and color, restaurants, bars, discos. Most are located right on the beach, this makes it possible to meet the sunset with your favorite cocktail or exotic seafood dish, prepared right before your eyes.

This beach is conditionally divided into three parts, which are called boat stations.

You can find many more interesting beaches on the island, but there are those where the passage is closed, such beaches can be purchased by the hotel. Such a beach will be fenced and it is extremely difficult to get there, although you can try to introduce yourself as a hotel guest, but as they say, the game is not worth the candle, there are enough beaches.

Dinivid Beach

There is another interesting beach called - Dinivid Beach - it is a very beautiful beach that is surrounded by rocks, you can get there if you walk along the coast along the cliff that separates it from the main beach.

Bulabog Beach

The main gathering place for kiters. Bulabog Beach is one of the first kite boarder gathering places in all of Asia.

Puka Beach

Puka Beach is a piece of the beach world untouched by humanity, it has no hotels, bars and restaurants. Very clean water, white sand, and from the heat you can hide in the shade under the large leaves of palm trees. If you are very hungry, then you can find restaurants at the entrance to the beach.

Cebu island

The island of Cebu is interesting for its history, in 1521, Fernand Magellan landed here. Immediately, but a little later, he was killed by the leader from the neighboring island of Mactan. And after Magellan discovered this island and died here, the first colonists (Christians) who came here founded the city of Cebu, which became the first capital of the Philippines. Therefore, Cebu is considered the most historical place in the Philippines, there are architectural buildings that have survived from those times - the Spanish fortress, monuments to Magellan and the leader Lapu-Lapu who killed him. The most interesting thing is that the locals respect both one and the other monument, because Magellan opened the way for them to Christianity, and the leader Lapu-Lapu, a fighter for his people, was against the Spanish colonialists.

Now the island of Cebu is popular for its beaches, and its historical part, and an abundance of fruit, and wicker rattan furniture, as well as jewelry from semiprecious stones, coconut products, and ukuleles.

In our time, you can look at Cebu historical monuments, just go shopping, sit in various restaurants with delicious food. There you can go snorkeling (snorkeling and fins to watch the underwater world), windsurfing, fishing, or just go on a boat trip on a yacht.

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Malapasca Island

This island is not great, but famous for its beautiful, snow-white beaches, which blind in the sun. It is located next to the island of Cebu. In Malapaska you can go diving, and see the inhabiting local sharks. It is better to come here from February to May - this is the most wonderful time to relax and the best beach holiday in the winter.

Bohol Island

Bohol Island is a wonderful place where there are many natural attractions, such as Chocolate Hills, which are apparently named after chocolates, as very similar to truffles. These hills hang over very beautiful beaches and it looks very exciting.
The beaches are famous for the white coral sand, which Singapore bought and exported for its beaches. It is very interesting in itself that the island is of volcanic origin. The smallest monkey in the world also lives here - it is called tarsier, it is one of the symbols of the Philippines.

Other worthy islands of the Philippines that attract tourists

Alona Beach - on the islet of Panlao

Not far from the island of Bohol is the small island of Panlao, where there is an 800-meter Alona beach, there are many hotels, restaurants, diving centers for lovers of diving and watching marine life with their own eyes. Tourists coming here say that it is crowded at any time of the day.

Doljo Beach

Dolkho Beach is 2 km long, there are not many cafes and restaurants on it, but they are sometimes found, they say that it is rarely clean from algae, but it still looks amazing, just unreal.

Attention! It is imperative to beware of sea urchins, and in such places to go in protected swimming shoes, if there is algae, then there may be a hedgehog tangled in them and hid, which if you step on it will cause pain and nuisance in the form of a wound, for which you need time to heal.

Palawan Island

The island of Palawan is a lot of small islands led by a large island. Here you can see the beauty of the impassable jungle filled with rare animals, this beautiful beaches and caves. This place can be definitely called - a place for the rich, there are a lot of good, expensive hotels for every taste. This place is also famous for diving. Here, as in many other places in the Philippines, there are beautiful white beaches.

The main attraction of Palawan is its National Park, which consists of many interconnected caves through which an underground river flows. A great place to go scuba diving is Honda Bay. The most beautiful place for a beach holiday and swimming is the island (seaside reserve) El Nido.

On Palawan - on one of the islands of this archipelago, you can also find an uninhabited island, where you can have a picnic and do everything that comes to your mind. You only need to hire a boat so that you are taken there and do not forget to pick up after some time back.

Small islands, not far from the island of Palawan: Matinlock, Kadlao - are remarkable for their beaches, where you can still do snorkeling, as not very deep and a very beautiful underwater world opens to the tourist.

As they say, if there is paradise in the world - it’s the Philippines, I’m joking, of course, but it’s worth flying to the Philippines for a couple of weeks, especially since the trip itself will not take you much effort. - very simple. And to prepare or buy a hot package tour is your decision. If you are interested in cheap flights to the Philippines, then I advise you to get acquainted, or simply use the search form below.

The tourism industry in the Philippines is developing very fast. This is quite natural, because there are all conditions for a wide variety of recreation. Beach, extreme and even sex tourism are offered to their guests by the Philippines.

The best beaches of the country are on the islands of Boracay, Cebu, Bohol, Panglao and Mactan. Fans of eco-tourism will love the island of Palawan and its amazing underground river Puerto Princesa. Divers from all over the world travel to the Philippine Islands for new underwater experiences. The islands of Boracay and Palawan, as well as the reefs of Apo and Tubbatah are especially popular among diving enthusiasts. Many volcanoes of this country create excellent conditions for active or extreme mountaineering.

The best time to visit the country is from December to May, when comfortable air temperature is combined with calm and dry weather. Tourists should also try original local dishes. Philippine cuisine can be quite spicy, so when ordering, you should inform the waiter in advance of the desired number of spices in the dish.

Local coconut oil, pearl jewelry, as well as a wide variety of handmade products, from frog wallets to rattan furniture, are usually brought from this hospitable country.

The best hotels at affordable prices.

from 500 rubles / day

What to see in the Philippines?

The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a brief description.

The capital of the Philippines, one of the most populous cities on the planet. It was founded in 1571. Currently, this city is part of the National Capital Region. Manila is famous primarily for its historical district of Intramuros, various museums, Risal Park and the official palace of President Malakanyan.

On the banks of the Pasig River is the famous historical district of the capital - Intramuros. At the end of the 16th century, it was erected to protect Spanish families. Today, tourists from all over the world come here to witness the ancient fortress of Intramuros, visit one of the oldest churches in the country of San Agustin, built in 1607, and also get acquainted with the local defensive structure - Fort Santiago.

One of the most popular tourist centers of the country. There are great places for diving, windsurfing and kitesurfing, and beach lovers are attracted by the famous White Beach. There are many hotels, cafes and restaurants on the island of Boracay, while fashionable DJs and daily incendiary discos await night party-goers.

Jungle, mangrove forests and mountains are the main natural characteristics of the island of Palawan, which began to be inhabited in the XII century. Currently, people come here to live in chic eco-hotels, go diving and trekking, as well as visit the famous Tabon caves, in which the remains of ancient humanoid creatures were discovered.

The length of the White Beach on the island of Boracay is about 4 kilometers. There are always a lot of vacationers, and newlyweds often use the White Beach for wedding ceremonies. Conventionally, the beach is divided into three parts, according to the numbers of boat stations. The clean sand and gentle entry into the water make the White Beach a great place for families.

One of Asia's oldest city parks is Jose Risal Park. This special place was named after the famous Filipino figure of the 19th century. And in 1946, it was in this park that the independence of the country was proclaimed. Among other attractions, there is a monument to Jose Risal, the Independence Flagpole, Japanese and Chinese Gardens, the National Library of the Philippines, the Orchid Orangery and the Butterfly Pavilion.

In 2008, the Manila Ocean Park was opened in Jose Risal Park. The main local attraction here is the 25-meter tunnel “Living Ocean”, the walls of which bend at an angle of 220 degrees. Manila Ocean Park itself is divided into several thematic zones. Also in the aquarium you can see the musical fountain, whose height is more than 35 meters.

The first historical references to the city of Wigan date back to the 16th century, when the local population traded with Chinese merchants. The buildings of this city combine the architectural solutions of the Philippines, China and Europe. Among the attractions of Wigan, it is worth noting separately such places as the Cathedral, the birthplace of the Filipino patriot Jose Burgos and the residence of the president.

The river is located on the island of Palawan. For 8 kilometers, it flows in a large cave where sightseeing flights are regularly made. A little more than 1 kilometer of this underground river is available for inspection.

On the island of Bohol known among tourists, there is an unusually picturesque mountain system - Chocolate Hills. These geological monuments got their original name due to the grass that covers them. During the dry season, the grass dries and turns from green to brown - hence the name of the hills.

One of the most beautiful active volcanoes on the planet - the Filipino volcano Mayon, is located on the island of Luzon. At the base of the volcano you can see the remains of the city of Sagzawa, destroyed by the eruption of 1814. You can see Mayon from a bird's eye view from the cockpit of a seaplane, those who wish have the opportunity to make a hike to the volcano.

To see one of the smallest active volcanoes on the planet, you should move south from the capital of the Philippines. The volcano is located in the center of the lake of the same name, so the most convenient way passes through the water. The volcano is not too high, and you can literally get to its top in 20-30 minutes. Taal offers amazing views of the lake and its surroundings.

Unique man-made fields created more than 2 thousand years ago are a national treasure and a popular tourist attraction in the Philippines. The excellent irrigation system of rice terraces in the Philippine Cordillera is still used to grow vegetables and rice.

These structures are located in different geographical locations of the Philippines. They are UNESCO sites and are combined into one pool of attractions due to the peculiar interpretation of the Baroque style by Filipino and Chinese masters. The Church of St. Augustine is located in Manila, it is the oldest church in the country. Church of St. Thomas from Villanueva was built in the city of Miagao in the XVIII century. Churches Paoay and Santa Maria are located on the island of Luzon.

In the southeast of the island of Palawan is the famous Tubbataha reef, which gave the name to the local national park. A huge number of fish species live here, among which there are barracudas, moray eels, stingrays and hammerhead sharks. Divers from all over the world rush to dive near the tububah reef in order to see with their own eyes all the water diversity of these places.

The famous mountain tourism object of the Philippines. This active volcano with a height of more than 1,400 meters was last erupted in 1991. It was then that a crater was formed, which later turned into a lake. This lake attracts tourists with its beauty almost as much as the volcano itself.

At the request of the Chinese diaspora living on the island of Cebu, a Taoist temple was built here in the 1970s. Made in the traditional Chinese architectural style, it looks original among the Philippine landscapes. In addition to rich interior decoration, tourists are attracted here by the original method of fortune telling about the future.

One of the largest reefs on the planet - Apo Reef - a popular attraction of the Philippines. To protect the local natural diversity, the eponymous natural park was created here. From the end of winter to May, diving enthusiasts come to the reef to personally admire the variety of corals and the many fish living here.

The highest point of the Philippines, which is a potentially active volcano. These are the favorite pilgrimage sites for climbers from around the world. The trails of Mount Apo are ready to take climbers with the most different levels of training, and the time to climb to the summit is from 2 to 9 days, depending on the chosen route. Apo Volcano is part of the eponymous national park.

A military defensive structure located in the city of Cebu begins its history from the 16th century, when the first stones of this fort were laid. After the last restoration, carried out in the 1970s, a museum was established on the territory of the fort, where documents and photographs from the times of the Spanish ownership of this building are stored. Outside, the fort is surrounded by a park decorated with a monument to the famous Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.

This military structure was originally built from earth and logs, and after the Spanish-Chinese War, the fort was erected from stone. Among Filipinos, these places are honored as the last refuge of the famous national hero of the Philippines, Jose Risal until the time of his execution. Today there is a museum, and tourists use the fort of Santiago for picnics and leisurely walks in the fresh air.

In 1521, the ships of the famous navigator Fernand Magellan reached the island of Cebu. Locals and their ruler, impressed by the power of the weapons of the Spanish team, converted to Christianity. In honor of this significant event, Magellan ordered the installation of a wooden cross in the city center, which today is a popular tourist attraction.

One of the most unusual sights of the Philippines - the tomb of Magellan and the monument to the leader Lapu-Lapu - is located on Mactan Island in Mactan Shrine Park. When Magellan arrived on the islands, only the leader Lapu-Lapu opposed the expansion of the Spaniards. To teach a lesson to the rebellious natives, Magellan entered into battle with them, but lost and was killed during the retreat. According to legend, it was the leader Lapu-Lapu who did this.

Mashed al-Dahab is called the Golden Mosque for its huge dome, covered with gold. Its construction took place in 1976 specifically for the visit of Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan president. And although the visit did not take place, Mashid al-Dahab and today is a sacred place for many Filipino Muslims.

In 1962, in the caves of Tabon on the island of Palawan, the fossilized remains of three ancient people were discovered. These remains were called "the man from Tabon." There were also found special funeral vessels, jade jewelry and various tools made of stone. Tourists can visit the Tabon Cave only with a guide.

One of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in the Philippines is the Santo Nino Basilica on the island of Cebu. It began to be built in the 16th century from wood and clay. Then, on the site of the first building, a stone church was erected, in which the neoclassical, Romanesque and Muslim styles of architecture were organically combined. Inside the Basilica of Santo Nino is a museum of the history of Christianity on the island of Cebu.

The main residence and office of the country's vice president is located in the suburbs of the capital. The Coconut Palace was opened in 1981 specifically for the visit of Pope John Paul II, but the pontiff refused to stop in, in his opinion, too luxurious building. For the construction of the palace, coconut shells and special coconut lumber were used, and the roots, bark, trunk, fruits and even coconut flowers were reflected in the design and decoration of this building.

On the island of Bohol flows the picturesque river Loboc, which is currently one of the most popular attractions of the Philippines. River cruises are regularly organized here, during which you can stop for a meal in floating restaurants and listen to traditional Filipino songs performed by local residents. These river cruises start near the Loai Bridge, and finish near the Busai mini-waterfalls.

Amusing tiny monkeys with big eyes - tarsiers - can be seen on the island of Bohol. These rare primates live here in natural conditions in a specially fenced park, and if they wish, they can even leave it. When visiting the Center of tarsiers, you should be quiet, do not touch or frighten small animals.

The three-stage Kawasan waterfall, located on the island of Cebu, attracts tourists not only for its beauty. The fact is that this water cascade is located in the real jungle. First, tourists are brought in by jeeps or buses, and then adventurers move independently after the guide. To visit Kawasan Falls, you should wear shoes with grooved soles or special trekking boots.

The Philippines has fully recovered from the effects of typhoon Haiyan and is actively grateful to the whole world for the support provided to them in difficult times. Now is the time to recall the rich heritage of the 7,000 islands of the archipelago, in particular its white beaches surrounded by tropical palm trees. CNN has compiled a list of the top 10 beaches in the Philippines.

1. El Nido, Palawan

The coastal city of El Nido is the "last frontier" of the Philippines and the gateway to the wildlife world. Of course, there is the smallest white sand and crystal blue water, but the beaches of El Nido rightfully occupy the first place due to the views that open from its lagoons. Majestic rock formations, pristine nature, marble cliffs, prehistoric caves and many waterfalls - a person’s foot can go everywhere, and the opening view captivates the eyes.

El Nido is also one of the best destinations for diving - the coastal waters of Palawan harbor more than 50 species of coral, as well as rare species of animals such as whales, whale sharks, manatees, stingrays, dolphins and sea turtles.

2. Boracay, Aklan

The white beaches of Boracay stretch for 4km along the coast of the island and are happy to welcome travelers from all over the world. During the day, families relax on the beach, tourists enjoy water sports, and at night along the beach lights come on from cozy restaurants and bars that are open until dawn.

In the first months of the year, kite boarders and windsurfers from all over the world come to Boracay to take part in the International Funboard Cup. Strong waves at this time of year make the island an ideal place of pilgrimage for all lovers of these sports.

3. Palaui, Kagayan Valley

This secluded island is the little secret of the nature of the Philippines. It is quite difficult to get there, but a generous reward awaits stubborn travelers. The white sands in the embrace of volcanic rocks gently merge with the azure waters of the lagoon, revealing the pristine virgin nature of this place. There are no hotels on Palui, so if you want to stay there for more than one day, travelers are offered the opportunity to put up tents on the beach.

Snorkeling and diving off the coast of Palui will reveal to travelers the underwater gardens of coral reefs and the wealth of their inhabitants.

Among the other beaches included in the CNN rating, such popular destinations in Russia as Bohol, Cebu and Davao are also indicated. The beaches in the Philippines are distinguished by white sand, clear ocean water and a rich underwater world, so the rating is more dependent on other opportunities that open on the island, or the uniqueness of local nature.

El Nido, Palawan
Boracay, Aklan
Palaui, Kagayan Valley
Panglao, Bohol
Bantayan, Cebu
Karamoan, South Camarines
Samal, Davao
Siargao Islands, Northern Surigao
Grande Island Santa Cruz, Zamboanga
Pagudpud, Northern Ilocos

You can find detailed information and news about the Philippines on the website of the Ministry of Tourism (www.tourism.gov.ph) or the representative office of the Tourism Office in Russia (