Philippines for Beginners: Everything You Should Know.

If you're a newcomer traveling to the Philippines for the first time, then it is recommended that you go to multiple destinations to explore the best places in the country. The Philippines could be a unique and exciting experience, even if you are a slow traveler or looking for a budget-friendly and adventurous place to visit. The natural beauty blesses the Philippines with some of the most stunning beaches in the world, adventure spots, and a rich culture. The Philippines offers attractions to the inland with its rich landscapes, history, country's agricultural heritage, and culinary adventure. The Philippines has many places to visit, like white beach, el Nido, snorkeling diving, hiking trails, and Kawasan Falls on Cebu island, and you have many more options to explore. If you are planning to visit the Philippines for a new experience and to know a new culture, then some tips will help you to travel: 

Tips to travel: 

• Check the weather before traveling because due to the lining of many rivers and islands, cyclones and typhoons hit sometimes.
• Bring an e-sim card or portable Wi-Fi to stay connected. Most cafes and hotels have Wi-Fi facilities, but it isn't available in some places on the islands.
• Booking in advance to avoid peak season hassle for hotels and flights.  
• Try local authentic or delicious street food. 
• Always carry cash to avoid any kind of inconvenience.
• Dont drink tap water because it can be harmful for you as it is salty. 
• Pack a lightweight bag to avoid unusually heavy luggage. 
• Watch out for some hidden fees.
• Filipino and English are an official language.
• Try some water sports like scuba diving, snorkeling, etc.

Places to visit in the Philippines: 

• Boracay Island: Boracay Island is situated in western Visayas and is best known for its beaches, especially the white beach, which is mainly listed as the most beautiful beach in the world due to its white sand across the beach. You can enjoy mind-blowing water activities like Kiteboarding, parasailing, and scuba diving here, and the fantastic nightlife is full of restaurants and bars on the shore. Boracay Island is a jewel of the Philippines and a destination that attracts travelers from around the world.
• El Nido, Palawan: Due to its crystal clear waters, gorgeous rock formations, and beautiful coral reefs, El Nido is the reason why travelers visit Palawan, and that's why this Island is called the world's best. Between November and May is the best time to see here, when the sea is relatively calm and underwater visibility is good. Most travelers enjoy the breathtaking view of nature, and with that, you can do many sports activities such as Kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, or diving. 
• Banaue Rice Terraces, Ifugao: The Philippines has kept its unique culture alive with emerald-green Rice Terraces from 2000 years ago. Banaue and Bangaan Rice Terraces are the most famous UNESCO World Heritage sites. These historic terraces carved out of the mountains at a very high altitude are masterpieces given by the ancestors from one generation to another, and such iconic and precious things bless them. You can explore their local culture by hiking around beautiful Rice Terraces with an amazing view of nearby waterfalls at a time of April to May or October to November is the best time to visit the greenest Terraces.

Transportation In Philippines 

• Airlines: If you're thinking of island hopping, plan on some domestic flights because they are super cheap and quick. Some of them go through Manila, which can save you time and allow you to visit more places in the Philippines. While navigating your flights, keep in mind where you're trying to travel and plan your trip accordingly. 
• Coach buses: Coach buses are the best way to travel from city to city in the Philippines because they are the primary means of intercity travel. The country doesn't have a central bus company, so central bus stations are not common. That means you know which company you want to take, where to catch it, and what bus to get on for your decided location. 
• Ferry: If you're planning to visit some islands, you can take a ferry to travel between them. There are dozens of ferry companies that operate on the shore all over the country. These ferries are much more efficient than budget airlines for traveling across the islands. 

 Top food cities in the Philippines 

• Cavite: When you step into Cavite City, Philippines, you'll discover a must-try culinary adventure called pancit. This delightful noodle dish has mouthwatering forms, including pancit honey, estacion, and kilawin, each of which has a unique blend of flavors, textures, and tastes. It is the talk of the town for good reasons and makes the city more popular. This city doesn't only have pancit but also many stunning natural wonders like the majestic Mt Pico de Loro and Blite Falls, as well as a rich culinary heritage that tantalizes your taste buds and makes your visit an unforgettable experience. 
• Iloilo City: Iloilo City is also known as the 'Queen of the South' because of its amazing Spanish colonial churches, vintage houses, and historic buildings. With the vibrant energy of Iloilo, it offers a fest not only for the eyes but also for taste buds with a bowl of 'batchoy' for an amazing experience. The Philippines craft this soul-warming dish from pork offal and fresh egg noodles that provide both satisfaction and comfort. While exploring Iloilo, visiting heritage sites or its natural wonders, be sure not to miss the opportunity to have 'batchoy' the deliicacy by locals. 
• Cebu: Cebu invites travelers to explore natural beauty and go on thrilling outdoor adventures like hiking. It also offers an opportunity to swim with whale sharks and has a must-try delicacy named lechon. Cebu's lechon is an excellent masterpiece prepared by roasting a succulent suckling pig over an open pit. Don't forget to pair it with a local snack known as puso, a delightful heart-shaped hanging rice wrapped in coconut fronds. 
• Pampanga: There is no doubt that trying 'sisig' should be at the top of the culinary dish to try while traveling to Pampanga, the vibrant province known as the culinary capital of the Philippines. While pampanga's main attractions are Mt. Arayat and Sky Ranch, its culinary heritage sisig will make the city more loveable and one of the most visited places in the country. Sisig is a flavor explosion street food masterpiece that consists of chopped pig and chicken liver parts, skillfully combined with a zesty and spicy dressing that gives your taste buds an amazing and unforgettable experience. 
• Bicol: If you're seeking a perfect place to visit for a memorable culinary adventure, then Bicol is the place to be. With its stunning landscapes and iconic volcano, it serves up the most mouthwatering spicy dishes and delicacies in the country. The harmonious blend of flavors of laing, also known as pinangat, combines the creamy richness of coconut milk with some chili, all wrapped around with taro leaves. 

 If you're planning to travel to the Philippines, you should review some of the details mentioned above and customize your trip accordingly. The Philippines is best for everything, whether it is authentic food like pancit, batchoy, lechon, sisig and laing, adventure, beaches, islands like Boracay, El Nido, etc, and water sports like scuba diving, swimming with whale sharks and many more to explore in a budget.