Philippines

Discover the cities, rainforests, mountain landscapes, tropical waters and colorful coral reefs of this vast Southeast Asian archipelago.

The Philippines is an archipelago in the Philippine Sea and South China Sea. The country has breathtaking landscapes, warm tropical waters, modern cities, historic churches and Spanish colonial architecture. Explore jungles, caves and volcanoes, dive to World War II shipwrecks and discover fascinating art and culture.

The Philippines encompasses more than 7,000 islands, with most of the population living on a handful of them. Find plentiful water activities on this chain of islands with a tropical climate.

Go snorkeling in the coral garden at Boracay Island. Dive to see the wrecks of Japanese warships off the coast of Palawan. At theApo Reef Natural Park, snorkel and dive in one of the world's largest single coral reefs. Ride the waves on a surfboard at the beaches of Baler, Aurora.

On land, the diverse wilderness offers plenty of excitement and adventure. Hike through tropical rainforests on Bohol and Mindanao. Look for cockatoos and small primates known as tarsiers. Explore the underground caves of Sohoton Park in Western Samar. Trek past waterfalls, mountain lakes and through forests on your way up to Mt Apo National Park, the country's tallest peak. Although still classified as active, the date of the volcano’s last eruption is unknown.

Spend time in the Philippines’ cities. Manila is the capital, a sprawling city with a population of more than 10 million people. Stroll along the streets of Intramuros, the old walled Spanish settlement to see Spanish colonial buildings, Fort Santiago and Manila Cathedral. View works by Filipino masters at the National Art Gallery. The city’s great family attractions include Manila Zoo and Manila Ocean Park.

If your itinerary allows, visit other urban centers. Stay in luxury beach resorts and shop in the large malls of Cebu. At the mountain city of Baguio, look for a reconstructed native village and relax in natural hot springs.

Reach the Philippines by flying into Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport or Mactan Cebu International Airport. Come for the wildlife, beaches, culture and history.