Made up of over 7,000 islands with white sand beaches, fascinating culture and world-class snorkelling and diving, the Philippines is a tropical paradise.
There’s something for every traveller here – from bustling cities, UNESCO World Heritage sites, picture-perfect beaches, mountain ranges, volcanic lakes, cascading waterfalls, winding rivers, 2,000 species of fish and 400 species of coral.
The dry season (November to May) is the best time to visit, with March, April and May typically the hottest months; even in the wet season later in the year, visitors can enjoy plenty of warm, sunny days. As well as the pristine beaches and clear blue waters, there’s plenty of history and culture to discover and explore here; from ancient tribal villages to colonial churches and relics.
The people here are some of the friendliest you’ll meet, and you can expect a warm welcome on whichever island you visit. Filipino culture is a diverse blend of Malay, Chinese, Middle Eastern, American and Spanish influences, and more than 150 dialects and languages are spoken here, although English is the most common. As a result of Spanish rule here between 1521 and the late 1890s, the vast majority of the population is Roman Catholic, and this is the largest Christian country in Asia.
Nick
Travel Specialist
Philippines travel information
When to visit Philippines
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- Time zone: +8 GMT
- Flight time: 16-18 hours
- Recommended airlines: Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways, Emirates, Qatar
- Currency: Philippine peso
- Tipping guideline: 10% of total bill
- Health considerations: There is a risk of altitude illness when travelling to destinations of 2,500m or higher. There is a risk of dengue. There is a risk of Zika virus. There is a low risk of malaria in rural areas of the Philippines below 600m and on the islands of Luzon, Mindanao, Mindoro, and Palawan. There is no risk of malaria in cities or on the islands of Boracay, Bohol, Catanduanes, Cebu and Leyte. There is no risk of polio in the Philippines, however, proof of polio vaccination may be necessary for some travellers. There is no risk of yellow fever in the Philippines, however, yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
- Capital: Manila
- Population: 119,106,224
- National languages: Filipino, English
- Electricity and plugs: Type A, B, & C, 220 V
- Mobile phone coverage: Good
- UK passport visa requirements: You don't need a visa for Philippines if you have a British passport - for a maximum of 30 days
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For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
