At last, travel restrictions are slowly easing to accommodate tourists; thereby help revive the economy. With summer vacation and weekend getaways paused for months, many of us are now much eager to literally go somewhere. But where should we head first?
With 7,641 islands to choose from, National Geographic helps us narrow down our choices and experience all the best of the Philippine archipelago. Whether you wanted to lounge on a secluded beach or go high up to the mountains, you can dazzle and do all of these now in these four dream destinations in the country.
4 Dream Destinations in the Philippines: National Geographic
- Bohol
Who wouldn’t want to visit the iconic Chocolate Hills, which is known to turn those luxuriant greens into golden brown during the dry season? Not only that, visiting Bohol also entails doing a personal meet-and-greet with nature’s smallest and most adorable primate, the Philippine tarsier. Exciting, right?
The opening of the eco-friendly Panglao-Bohol International Airport has now made it even more accessible to visit this beautiful island. Now, more people can go to the white-sand beaches of Panglao Island, watch the dolphins and whales in the wild, and explore the marine ecosystem of Balicasag Island Marine Sanctuary, which is known for its colorful coral garden and sea turtles.
Bohol is also a perfect getaway for those who missed going out for adventures! With its mangrove tunnels, cave pools, and hanging bridges, this beautiful island paradise is already an all-in-one jam-packed adrenaline escapade.
- Bocaray
With its world-known reputation, Boracay remains one of the dream destinations among many. Despite its pocket-size, Boracay boasts of its powdery white sand beaches and translucent waters.
Boracay remains vigilant with the ongoing COVID-19 health advisory and safety, hence the require all visitors to practice measures like wearing facemasks. Tourists can still enjoy extreme activities like windsurfing, kiteboarding, kayaking, and stand-up paddling. For those who prefer to chill, Boracay’s sunset is still one of the best to watch while lounging near the seashore.
- Baguio City
We have literally missed summer in the ‘Summer Capital of the Philippines’ this year. But it’s never too late to experience Baguio City’s supercool spots perched in the mountains of Cordillera. Tourists can now enjoy the comfortable temperature and misty conditions of the city by exploring it on foot – hiking Camp John Hay Eco-Trail, soaking in the pine-scented mountain air, interacting with indigenous groups, and discovering the abundance of culture in every corner of the city.
Because of the pandemic, visitors going to Baguio City are encouraged to use the Visitor Information and Travel Assistance (VISITA)platform to get coronavirus-related information, read QR coupons, and make contactless payments.
- Palawan
Ah, the dream among the dreams. Whether it’s the mountains or islands that you prefer, Palawan got it all for its tourists. A perfect tropical paradise with hidden beaches, lagoons, challenging mountain trails, lush jungle, and rich marine life, there is literally nothing to ask for in Palawan – accurately a dream.
Palawan hosts thousands of islands and takes pride in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. This dream dive site among many underwater lovers and enthusiasts is home to at least 11 species of sharks and rays, 600 species of fish, and about half of all coral species in the world.
As part of the enhanced cleanliness and hygiene standards to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, resorts in Palawan have implemented very strict guest protocols. Tourists are required to have tested negative in COVID-19 before arrival. They have to thorough undergo sanitation procedures before getting allowed to be transferred.
Of course, there are other beautiful destinations that National Geographic missed. With thousands of islands to choose from, where do you plan to go after this pandemic? Let’s start dreaming now and travel later!
Recent Comments