Philippine beaches. Philippines, resorts: review of the best, descriptions, recommendations for vacationers and reviews

It is difficult to single out any specific island, since each island is interesting and beautiful in its own way. If you want to relax in the company of a large number of tourists, including Russian-speaking ones, then it is best to choose the most popular tourist island in the Philippines - Boracay. This island is famous for its good infrastructure and excellent snow-white beaches. But I would highlight another popular and at the same time slightly less noisy Philippine island - Cebu. The average annual air temperature on this island is +27 degrees, and the water can warm up to 29-30 degrees. The only thing that can ruin a vacation is long rains, which last for almost six months on the island. To avoid the weather ruining your vacation, it is best to come to Cebu from November to April.

Cebu is not only an island, but also the name of the province of the same name, in which greatest number attractions in the country. Beach holidays on the island are not inferior to beach holidays in Boracay and are represented by a wide range of sandy beaches, which are surrounded by dense vegetation in the form of palm trees and other plants. There are waves, but the island is protected from them by beautiful coral reefs, and this in turn creates excellent opportunities for lovers of snorkeling and diving.

Cebu offers tourists accommodation not only in comfortable, fashionable and at the same time expensive hotels, but also in ordinary bungalows, which have the minimum necessary for a vacation. Unlike a number of countries, people do not come to the Philippine islands to sit in a hotel, have fun with animators and gain extra pounds; here it is a completely different holiday, which includes spending time on the beach with trips to various excursions and activities aquatic species sports Vacationers have many opportunities for such active recreation as surfing, diving, playing tennis, basketball, football, golf. Near Cebu there are numerous uninhabited islands to which excursions are organized (the most adventurous tourists prefer to spend one or several days in such a place).

Service in hotels and restaurants is normal, the attitude towards tourists is positive, although there are scammers, as well as unscrupulous sellers who try to artificially inflate prices in order to make money on gullible tourists, but this is a common practice in any tourist country and the Philippines is no exception. To avoid problematic situations with the local population, you should not touch upon the religious topic, since there are often conflicts in the country between the Muslim and Christian communities.

Numerous excursions offer tourists to plunge into the world of local flora and fauna. Here you have the opportunity to watch a large number of birds, butterflies, and various animals, and all this is not in some zoo, but in their natural habitat.

You can get around Cebu by taxi or by taxi, which is so popular in the Philippines public transport like a jeepney (the route is usually indicated on the vehicle itself, but it is still very difficult for a tourist to navigate, so it is best to take a taxi or walk).

Local cuisine is not only hearty, but also delicious. Considering geographical location islands, dishes made from seafood predominate here. You can also buy fruits for little money, including those that are not sold here. Each hotel has its own restaurant, and the food is prepared differently everywhere. Find a French, Japanese or Chinese cuisine won't be a big problem.

You are unlikely to be able to see all the sights even in 10-14 days of vacation, but a number of places are definitely worth visiting. These include the Magellan Cross. Some guides, in order to lure as many tourists as possible, say that this is exactly the cross that was installed by the famous navigator in 1521, but this is not so. According to some historical data, that cross was destroyed shortly after its installation. Until now, this cross is being repaired among local residents who consider it a shrine.

The oldest and smallest fort not only on the island, but also in the country is Fort San Pedro. Its area is just over two thousand square meters. This triangular structure, which faces the sea on both sides and fortified with various weapons, protected the city from pirate attacks. Initially, the fort was built from such far from the most reliable materials as logs and clay, but over time it was strengthened and rebuilt. At the end of World War II, the fort was partially abandoned, but several decades later it was completely restored. Now this fort can be considered an open-air museum.

Anyone who wants to see unforgettable natural beauty should definitely visit the Butterfly Garden, where you can see more than 50 species of these creatures, including a number of rare species that are practically never found in nature. Butterflies live in the garden and the best time to visit is in the morning.

Recently, various spas have begun to actively develop on the island, offering a wide range of services, and High Quality. Most often, such salons are located on the territory of five-star hotels. Here you can take a course of standard procedures or choose something unusual (exotic).

And finally, a little about nightlife. Vacationers on the island can visit not only bars and restaurants, but also nightclubs, discos and even casinos. Each establishment tries to offer not only a good selection of drinks and snacks, but also an interesting entertainment program. Usually, entrance to clubs is free, but on days when there are live music concerts, you will need to pay to enter (usually this happens on Friday and Saturday).

Many domestic travel agencies organize trips to this island, but you can plan such a trip yourself (however, it’s difficult to say to what extent independent trip in this case it will be beneficial).

Despite the fact that in the Philippines there is simply a huge number of all kinds of attractions that are scattered across the islands and regional residents go to the Philippines primarily for beach holiday, and in the country of 7107 islands it is simply magnificent.

Of course, articles like this are written by people and their opinion can often be subjective, so below is the rating of the 10 best beaches in the Philippines from Sun Philippino

1. White Beach, Boracay. Of course, it simply couldn’t be any other way; the well-deserved first place in this ranking goes to White Beach on the island of Boracay. Often the entire Philippines is meant by this island and many tourists don’t even think that there is not only Boracay but also Bohol, Cebu, Palawan and the list is huge. Let's return to the beach; it is 4 kilometers of wide sandy strip. The sand is amazingly white, very fine and delicate. And it is the white color of the sand plus the transparency of the water that gives the famous color of Boracay, blue azure. Very beautiful. This beach is ideal for swimming. Uniform gentle entry into the sea. The absence of stones and corals at the bottom as well as algae make this swimming safe and comfortable even for small children. This beach is simply a must-see, and if not on your first visit to the Philippines, then certainly on your next one.

Boracay Island has an endless number of eateries and restaurants, and at night it is an island with a vibrant nightlife. Clubs, discos, hookah bars, live music and of course alcohol. Boracay attracts people from the beach on one side and party people on the other. The island is conducive to new acquaintances and large groups of people.

How to get to Boracay

There are no airports on Boracay itself, two airports are located on The neighboring island Panay.

1. Kalibo International Airport where flights from China and Korea land and of course the cheapest flights from domestic airlines are here. On average, a Manila - Kalibo flight costs $40, then a minivan transfer for 200 pesos or a taxi for 1,500 pesos will take you in about 1.5 hours to the port of Caticlan from where boats depart for Boracay, at one ticket office you can buy the boat ticket itself, in neighboring port fee and fee to the environmental company for a total of 170 pesos. On the island itself, in the port, there are tricycles on which passengers get to their hotels.

2. You can fly domestic flights to Caticlan Airport, these flights are more expensive and average $70 per person. But 10 minutes by tricycle and you are in the port of the same city of Caticlan, then a boat.

3. You can sail to the port of Caticlan on the island of Panay by ferry from the port of Batangas in the south of Luzon; it will be very inexpensive, about 900 pesos, but very long and tiring. The ferry takes 10 hours.

2. Moalboal Beach, Cebu. Many people and even experienced travelers are accustomed to thinking and writing that there are no beaches on the island of Cebu. The city of Moalboal categorically refutes these allegations. The town of Moalboal, 7 kilometers from the highway, has two beach areas. One is //// and the other is to the north and there is a huge beach there called white sand beach, almost all beaches that are wide, long and with white sand in the Philippines are called that. Therefore, we put Moalboal after a comma. So the white sand beach, Moalboal. It is approximately 1.5 kilometers wide beach line of white sand. The entrance to the water is excellent. Swimming is a pleasure, there are very few people, along the beach there are cafes overlooking the beach with very reasonable prices for food and drinks. There are no sunbeds or umbrellas on the beach, since there are very few hotels on the beach itself and the hotel business in this direction is, for mysterious reasons, poorly developed. I am shocked by this situation, because among absolutely all the beaches in the Philippines of this level, this one is the closest because it is located on the mainland and only 3 hours drive from international airport city ​​of Cebu and you don’t have to sail anywhere else, stand in line for ferries or boats, or transfer to Thaicycles with suitcases. Everything is very simple: airport, transfer from the airport for 650 pesos, beach!

3. Pagudpud Beach, Luzon. The beach surprised me with its size and emptiness. This is about 3 kilometers of wide sandy beach and there are very few vacationers. Being there you understand what Boracay was like 30 years ago. There is an excellent descent into the water, there is a separate crustal reef that is easy to swim to and there is something to see. That is, this is a rare combination of getting caught and snorkeling. This is not common in the Philippines and usually snorkeling beaches are completely unsuitable for swimming and swimming and vice versa. There are hotels on the beach and there are very few of them. Costs from 5000 pesos to 400 pesos. I especially liked the modest bamboo houses right on the beach for 300 pesos per person, all they have is a bed and bamboo walls, but it looks very romantic and seems to hint that you already have everything you need to be happy. Shared shower. The beach is very picturesque and photographic. There is a palm grove and along much of the beach there are tall palm trees, very tall palm trees.

4. Anda Bohol. The peace and quiet of the unexplored beaches on the popular island of Bohol near the city of Anda will surprise you. We are accustomed to thinking that the only beach area in Bohol is Alona Beach on the Panglao Peninsula, which, by the way, is not included in this author’s subjective list of the best beaches in the Philippines. But meanwhile, if you go 3 hours from Tagbilaran or 1.5 hours from the chocolate hills towards Lambanok, you will be amazed by truly beach treasures.

Anda City is a very small provincial town with a very good and beloved mayor in Bohol. The city has the most important and widest beach and it is only satellite maps it looks attractive, but in practice it is not suitable for swimming because of the corals, you need to walk along them for a very long time to get to the depth, and it will be a sharp depth with waves and the risk of hitting the coral wall. But of course, you shouldn’t get upset and turn back when you see this beauty. you need to rent a motorcycle and, armed with a map, carefully turn into all turns from the main road and at every turn you will find secluded lagoon-type beaches with white sand and a complete absence of people. In some places there will be boats, in others there won’t be, in others it will be shallow, and in others you can’t imagine a better place for swimming. It is very difficult to point out specific places since there are really a lot of them. We can only say unequivocally that the East Coast Hotel has its own beach, which is very beautiful and very suitable for swimming.

An additional gift for those who completed this search route will be small but very beautiful caves filled with fresh, cool water in which you can and should swim, especially after the sultry heat if you find it.

5. Las Cabanas Palawan

6 Nakpan Palwan

7. Malapascua Beach

8. Paradise Bantayan

The paradise islands beckon especially strongly when it gets darker outside the window and the thermometer drops lower and lower. When choosing a vacation spot where you can escape the winter, bad weather and enjoy the sun for a while, many look to Thailand, Vietnam or Bali. The Philippines remains a less-than-explored destination, so today we offer an overview of the Philippine islands - with prices and entertainment.

We went to the Philippines with a transfer through Hong Kong, stopping in the city for a day on the way there and back, thus still insuring ourselves against problems if the connecting flight was suddenly late, which is not uncommon in Asia. Therefore, we had 2 half days to explore Hong Kong.

The easiest way to get to the city is by Aeroexpress, which will take you straight to the center in 30 minutes and 100 Hong Kong dollars (about $13). Tickets are sold in special machines. But if you are traveling with a group, it is more profitable to buy tickets at the box office. A ticket for three will cost HK$210, and for four – HK$250.

A very beautiful view of Hong Kong opens from Victoria Peak. Here you can visit the shopping center and sit in one of the cafes overlooking the city. Victoria Peak can be reached by taxi or funicular.

Hong Kong ranks first in the world in terms of the number of skyscrapers. After admiring them from above from Victoria Peak, we go for a walk along the embankment of the business center.

In the Central Plaza building, the third tallest in Hong Kong, you can climb to the 49th floor completely free of charge and see the panorama of the city.

Every day at 8 pm, from the Tsim Sha Tsui embankment on Kulun Island, you can watch the world's largest laser show, which takes place on the skyscrapers of the business center of Hong Kong. The easiest way to get from Hong Kong to Kulun is by small ferry.

We decide to devote our second day in Hong Kong to an amusement park. We choose Ocean park, mainly to see a live panda. The park includes a large oceanarium, a dolphinarium with performances several times a day, rooms with pandas, an arctic zone where you can see penguins, walruses and fur seals, as well as various attractions, an underground train and cable car. There are attractions for both very young and adults, but most are still designed for children aged six and older. The park is huge! We got to the park at one o'clock in the afternoon - and it was not possible to see all the attractions and pavilions before closing.

We managed to see only one panda, and she was snoring sweetly, immersed in sleep and indifferently turning away from the visitors. But the penguins delighted the audience - especially children - by amusingly darting in flocks in the water in one direction or the other!

But on the rides, an interesting detail emerged. The Chinese, unlike Europeans and Americans, restrain their emotions. So on the steepest “yellow” roller coaster with three loops, installed at the top of the mountain, I was practically the only one screaming.

Philippines. Boracay Island

Boracay Island is considered the best island for a beach holiday in the Philippines. You need to fly to it through Panay Island - from Hong Kong with a transfer either in Clark or in Manila. Panay has two airports in the cities of Kalibo and Caticlan. Small boats go to Boracay Island from Caticlan. If you decide to fly through Kalibo, you can get from Kalibo to Caticlan in an hour by taxi for 1,300 Philippine pesos (about $30).

It is most profitable to rent housing on the spot. The price of rooms starts from 500 pesos per day (about $11), and for 2000 pesos (about $44) you can rent a suite in a cozy mini-hotel on the first line.

It is not for nothing that White Beach is one of the 100 most beautiful beaches in the world. Snow-white sand, coconut palms, crystal clear azure ocean. There are no ocean waves here. The water temperature is about 28-30 degrees.

And what amazing sunsets there are!

Everywhere on the shore there are small restaurants serving dishes from different cuisines of the world and SPA salons. A full lunch or dinner with freshly squeezed juices (without alcohol) will cost about $5-10. The average cost of an hour-long full body massage is about $11.

After sunset, nightlife begins: bars, discos, karaoke, various shows.

For 2000 pesos (about $44) you can rent a boat for a boat trip around the island. The trip usually includes snorkeling and visiting the island's beaches. From Ilig-Iligan Beach you can walk to the caves where flying foxes live. We were unable to get into the cave: the road to it is on private property and was closed that day. But we still looked at the flying foxes: right from the boat we could see a large colony that had settled on several trees.

If you are traveling with a small child, be sure to visit the small zoo near the first station on White Beach. There are very few inhabitants of the zoo, but most of the animals, birds and insects can be picked up and photographed with them. The ticket costs 150 pesos (about $3.5).

Bohol and Panglau Islands

Further from Caticlan our path lies to the island of Bohol. We get to it through the island of Cebu, the flight to which takes about 50 minutes. From Cebu to Bohol island there are large speed boats every two hours. Local residents speak virtually no English. Having taken a taxi at the airport, we discovered that the driver also did not know the rules of the road, did not understand pantomime and was poorly versed in the drawings where we depicted the sea, the boat and the name of the island of Bohol. During the trip, we looked at the commercial port, listened to how our taxi driver talked about something for about five minutes with the local residents and, desperate to get to our destination, asked the driver to stop with a policeman who knew English at a basic level, and most importantly knew where he was the pier where our ship departs. Despite the long car rally, the taxi cost us only 200 pesos (about $4.5). To buy a ticket for the ship, we had to look for a ticket office, which was located about a kilometer from the pier. Later it turned out that a bus runs from the pier to the ticket office.

In the port of Bohol island, at the counters of small travel agencies you can not only order a taxi, but also arrange excursions and choose a hotel. Moreover, if you don’t like the hotel, the driver will offer other options. The most beautiful beaches are on Panglau Island, which is connected by a bridge to Bohol.

In Panglau we were offered a hotel on Bolod beach. The cost of rooms for two with breakfast is from 1600 pesos per day. We looked at 5 hotels on this beach and chose Dumaluan Beach Resort with the most beautiful beach and the largest and most beautiful territory. The standard rooms, as it turned out not immediately, do not have hot water, so we eventually moved to a luxury room, costing 2150 pesos, which, unlike the standard room, in addition to hot water, also amazed the imagination with a TV.

The hotel does not have its own SPA salon, but for 500 pesos you can order an hour-long oil body massage right in your room.

The hotel restaurant overlooking the beach plays live music almost all the time. In the morning (even at 5 am, when we got up for the excursion!) and in the afternoon, a blind musician played very romantic melodies on the piano. The cost of lunch or dinner is approximately $5-10.

Bolod is a very beautiful beach, white sand and palm trees. In the ocean, about fifty meters from the shore, algae, sea urchins, stars and other living creatures begin to appear. The sea is not deep at all. The beach is ideal for families with small children. The greatest depth that can be reached on the sand is approximately waist-deep. The downside is that there is a strong low tide on the beach - it’s uncomfortable to swim in knee-deep water, and it’s difficult to walk further - so it’s best to swim at low tide only with a mask. For lovers of snorkeling, this is a haven! At arm's length you can see several species of starfish, urchins of various sizes and colors. The most big hedgehogs the size of a soccer ball. It is very interesting to watch how they move very quickly along the sandy bottom about their hedgehog business. We managed to see several small moray eels, strange-looking fish and even a lionfish.

The distance of the beach from local villages and resort towns sets the mood for complete relaxation.

In the morning, for 2,000 pesos, you can rent a boat to a nearby small island where dolphins swim. This island also has a very beautiful coral reef where you can snorkel.

After the beach and snorkeling, we went to explore the island. We agreed on a trip to the chocolate hills and to the tarsiers (or, as they are also called, tarsiers) back in the port with the same company that took us to the hotel. Renting a car cost 2,000 pesos.

Tarsiers (tarsiers) are cute funny creatures, somewhat similar to little gremlins. There are only about 200 tarsiers left in the world. We saw seven of them:) Tarsiers are nocturnal animals. During the day, they are tightly glued to a branch on a tree on which a roof of leaves is built. Each tarsier is assigned a nursery attendant who is ready to take a photo of you against the backdrop of the tarsier’s bulging eye in surprise. Entrance to the nursery costs 60 pesos.

The Chocolate Hills are an amazing geological formation - more than 1,200 hills of an unusual conical shape. The hills are shaped like truffle candies, and they acquire a chocolate color during the dry season, when the grass turns brown. Scientists do not have a single version about the origin of the hills. They came up with two for tourists. According to one legend, the hills appeared after a battle between two giants: they threw stones and sand at each other for many days, which eventually turned into hills. According to another version, the young giant Arogo fell in love with a mortal girl named Aloya, who did not want to marry him. After her death, Arogo was depressed and cried for a long time, and the tears rolling from his eyes turned into hills.

Cebu Island

On the island of Cebu we stop for a couple of nights for a trip to the whale sharks!

You can swim with sharks near the town of Oslob. You can get here for 150 pesos on a regular air-conditioned bus, which takes a little over two hours from Cebu.

Swimming with sharks lasts 30 minutes and costs 1,000 pesos (about $22) per person. This price includes boat rental, mask, snorkel and life jacket, which is required. You can rent an underwater camera for 500 pesos.

There are several rules for swimming with whale sharks: do not swim in front of the shark, do not touch the shark, do not swim closer than 4 meters from the side or behind, do not use sunscreen. At the same time, no one instructs the sharks and they are allowed to swim up and touch you :) An unforgettable impression when a huge head with a meter-long mouth, into which several people like me can easily fit, turns out to be 20-30 cm away!

The tourism industry in the Philippines is growing very quickly. This is quite natural, because there are all conditions for a wide variety of recreation. The Philippines offers its guests beach, extreme and even sex tourism.

The most best beaches countries are located on the islands of Boracay, Cebu, Bohol, Panglao and Mactan. Fans of eco-tourism will love the island of Palawan and its amazing underground Puerto Princesa River. 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 Tubbataha, are especially popular among diving enthusiasts. The 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 temperatures are combined with calm and dry weather. Tourists should also try original local dishes. Philippine cuisine can be quite spicy, so when ordering, you should tell the waiter in advance the desired amount of spices in the dish.

Local coconut oil, pearl jewelry, and a wide variety of products are usually brought as souvenirs from this hospitable country. self made– from frog wallets to rattan furniture.

The best hotels and inns at affordable prices.

from 500 rubles/day

What to see in the Philippines?

The most interesting and Beautiful places, photographs and brief description.

The capital of the Philippines, one of the most populous cities on the planet. Founded in 1571. The city is currently part of the National Capital Region. Manila is famous primarily for its historical district of Intramuros, various museums, Rizal Park and the official palace of the Malacañan President.

On the banks of the Pasig River is the capital's famous historical district, 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 see with their own eyes the ancient fortress of Intramuros, visit one of the oldest churches in the country, San Agustin, built in 1607, and also get acquainted with the local defensive structure - Fort Santiago.

One of the most popular tourist centers in the country. There are excellent places for diving, windsurfing and kitesurfing, and beach lovers are attracted by the famous White Beach. Boracay Island has many hotels, cafes and restaurants, and night partygoers can expect fashionable DJs and daily lively discos.

Jungles, mangroves and mountains are the main natural characteristics of the island of Palawan, which began to be settled in the 12th century. Currently, people come here to stay in luxury eco-hotels, go diving and trekking, and also visit the famous Tabon caves, in which the remains of ancient humanoid creatures were discovered.

The length of the White Beach on Boracay Island is about 4 kilometers. There are always a lot of vacationers here, and newlyweds often use White Beach for wedding ceremonies. Conventionally, the beach is divided into three parts, according to the numbers of boat stations. The purest sand and gently sloping entrance to the water make White Beach a great place for a family holiday.

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

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

The first historical mentions of the city of Vigan date back to the 16th century, when local population traded with Chinese merchants. The buildings of this city combine architectural designs from the Philippines, China and Europe. Among the attractions of Vigan, it is worth mentioning such places as the Cathedral, the birthplace of the Filipino patriot Jose Burgos and the presidential residence.

The river is located on the island of Palawan. For 8 kilometers it flows in a large cave, where excursion trips are regularly made. Just over 1 kilometer of this underground river is available for inspection.

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

One of the most beautiful active volcanoes on the planet is the Philippine Mayon Volcano, located on the island of Luzon. At the base of the volcano you can see the remains of the city of Sagzava, destroyed by the 1814 eruption. You can see Mayon from a bird's eye view from the cockpit of a seaplane; those who wish have the opportunity to 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 route is by water. The volcano is not too high, and you can reach its top in literally 20-30 minutes. Taal offers amazing views of the lake and its surroundings.

The unique man-made fields, created more than 2 thousand years ago, are a national treasure and a popular tourist attraction in the Philippines. Excellent irrigation system rice terraces in the Philippine Cordillera it is still used to this day for growing vegetables and rice.

These structures are located in different geographical locations in the Philippines. They are UNESCO sites and are combined into one pool of attractions thanks to the unique interpretation of the Baroque style by Filipino and Chinese masters. St. Augustine Church is located in Manila and is the oldest church in the country. The Church of Saint Thomas of Villanueva was built in the city of Miagao in the 18th century. Paoay and Santa Maria churches are located on the island of Luzon.

In the southeast of the island of Palawan is the famous Tubbataha Reef, which gives its name to the local national park. A huge number of fish species live here, including barracudas, moray eels, stingrays and hammerhead sharks. Divers from all over the world rush to dive near Tubbataha Reef to see with their own eyes all the aquatic diversity of these places.

Famous mountain tourism site in the Philippines. This active volcano over 1,400 meters high, it last erupted in 1991. It was then that the 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 traditional Chinese architectural style, it looks original among the Philippine landscapes. In addition to the 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 is a popular attraction in the Philippines. To protect the local natural diversity, a natural park of the same name was created here. From late winter to May, diving enthusiasts come to the reef to personally admire the variety of corals and the many fish that live here.

The highest point in the Philippines, which is a potentially active volcano. These are favorite places of pilgrimage for climbers from all over the world. The trails of Mount Apo are ready to accommodate climbers of all skill levels, and the climb to the top takes from 2 to 9 days, depending on the route chosen. Volcano Apo is part of the national park of the same name.

The military-defensive structure, located in the city of Cebu, begins its history in the 16th century, when the first stones of this fort were laid. After the last restoration carried out in the 1970s, a museum was formed on the territory of the fort, where documents and photographs from the time of Spanish ownership of this structure 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 initially built of earth and logs, and after the Spanish-Chinese War, the fort was built of stone. Among Filipinos, these places are revered as the final resting place of the famous Philippine national hero Jose Rizal until his execution. Today there is a museum here, and tourists use Fort Santiago for picnics and leisurely walks in the fresh air.

In 1521, the ships of the famous navigator Ferdinand Magellan reached the island of Cebu. The local residents 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 attractions in the Philippines - Magellan's Tomb and the monument to Chief Lapu-Lapu - is located on Mactan Island in the Mactan Shrine Park. When Magellan arrived on the islands, only the leader of 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. As the legend goes, it was Chief Lapu-Lapu who did this.

Mashid 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. Although the visit did not take place, Mashid al-Dahab is still a sacred place for many Filipino Muslims today.

In 1962, the fossilized remains of three ancient people were discovered in the Tabon Caves on the island of Palawan. These remains were called the "man from Tabon". Also found here were special funerary vessels, jade jewelry and various stone tools. Tourists can only explore Tabon Cave with a guide.

One of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in the Philippines is the Basilica of Santo Niño 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, which organically combined neoclassical, Romanesque and Muslim styles of architecture. Inside the Basilica of Santo Niño there is a museum of the history of Christianity on the island of Cebu.

The main residence and office of the vice-president of the country 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 stay in what he considered to be an overly luxurious building. Coconut shells and special coconut lumber were used to build the palace, and the roots, bark, trunk, fruits and even flowers of coconut were reflected in the design and decoration of this building.

The island of Bohol is home to the picturesque Loboc River, which is now one of the popular attractions in the Philippines. River cruises are regularly organized here, during which you can stop to have a snack at floating restaurants and listen to traditional Filipino songs performed by locals. These river cruises start near the Loai Bridge and finish near the Busai mini-waterfalls.

Funny 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 can even leave it if desired. When visiting the Tarsier Center, you should be quiet and not touch or scare the small animals.

The three-stage Kawasan Falls, located on the island of Cebu, attracts tourists not only with its beauty. The fact is that this water cascade is located in a real jungle. First, tourists are picked up in jeeps or buses, and then adventure lovers move independently following the guide. To visit Kawasan Falls, you should wear shoes with ridged soles or special trekking boots.