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Philippines

There are a total of 76.5 million Filipinos. Luzon, the largest island group accounts for more than half of the entire population.

The country is marked by a true blend of cultures; truly in the Philippines, East meets West. The background of the people is Indonesian and Malay. There are Chinese and Spanish elements as well. The history of American rule and contact with merchants and traders culminated in a unique blend of East and West, both in the appearance and culture of the Filipinos, or people of the Philippines.

Hospitality, a trait displayed by every Filipino, makes these people legendary in Southeast Asia. Seldom can you find such hospitable people who enjoy the company of their Western visitors. Perhaps due to their long association with Spain, Filipinos are emotional and passionate about life in a way that seems more Latin than Asian.

Images courtesy of Philippine Department of Tourism

• Luzon
• Mindoro
• Palawan
• Boracay
• Cebu
• Bohol
• Mindanao

In the Directory

• Accommodation [6]
• Dive Resorts [8]
• Dive Shops [1]
• Liveaboards [1]

Photos

Religion is important in the Philippines

The fiesta is part and parcel of Filipino culture

Boracay - white beaches ...

Climate

March to May is hot and dry. June to October is rainy, November to February is cool. Average temperatures: 25¬?C to 32deg;C; humidity is 77%.

Underwater Recommendations

From scuba dives in strong currents and the deep sea to ship wreck dives for history’s sunken glory, the Philippine archipelago offers plenty of unforgettable and rewarding dive experiences. There are close to 25 shipwreck dive sites in the country. Explore the sunken wreckage of century-old Spanish galleons and World War II vessels in Subic Bay, one of the best wreck diving sites in Asia, as well as the remarkable wrecks in Busuanga and Malapascua.

Getting There

Manila, Cebu, Davao, Clark, Subic, and Laoag are the international gateways, with the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila as the premier gateway. It is served by more than 30 airlines, which fly to different cities around the world. As the islands of the Philippines are separated by different bodies of water, the sea plays an integral part in travel. A range of seafarers are available, from huge cargo ships to small ferry boats; take long trips that last for a day or two with regular ship lines or take shorter ones with ferries. Major cruise liners call on the port of Manila. Moving around the country by land is easy with national highways connecting the major islands and an extensive public transportation sytem, which includes the exotic Philippine jeepney. Trains, taxis, buses, jeepneys, and trikes are the main modes of public transportation. The calesa, a more elegant means of traveling in most major cities, is more commonly offered as a “fun ride” in many public parks across the country.