Philippines Tourist Guide

The Philippines is blessed with pristine white beaches, lively surfing waves and some of the best dive sites in the world. Add to this a fascinating cultural heritage and natural resources of forest and landscape and you have a great cruise vacation destination just waiting to be explored.

Over 7,000 islands are divided into three administrative regions, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The capital, Manila, has a vibrant night life but you are just as likely to encounter a local fiesta anywhere in the country because Filipinos really know how to party.

The country has been occupied over the centuries by the Spanish, Americans, British and Japanese and all have left their influence. It's the only Christian country in Asia and Manila Cathedral, within the walled old city, is well worth a visit. The Coconut Palace, once the guest-house of the Marcos presidential family is now open to the public. The best way to see the sunset is to take a Manila Bay cruise.

The Tubbataha Reefs, in the middle of the Sulu Sea, provide some of the most magnificent remote diving in the world and a dive cruise can bring you close to manta ray, sharks, turtles and schools of exotic fish. The reef has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Small islands dotted around the Sulu Sea make remote and romantic picnic places. The Philippines' oldest city, Cebu, is also popular with divers. Siargao Island, Puraran Beach and Calicoan Island have world-class surfing. River cruising is becoming popular as ancient trading routes are revived between Manila and Laguna de Bay along the Pasig River and the Pampanga.

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