An Ideal Family Vacation Guide to the Philippines
The Philippines offers a wide range of vacation spots if you’re searching for your next family vacation. You can be sure that the Philippines has excursions and attractions that will cater to every member of your party, whether they are history buffs, adventurers, stay-cation fans, or foodies.
When you make your travel arrangements and complete your Philippine Airlines booking, this guide will help you easily reach many of the top family vacation spots in the Philippines by private vehicle, car rental, land transportation, or even a short flight, allowing you to spend more quality time with your loved ones while still enjoying a kid-friendly experience.
Best places to visit in the Philippines with Family
Boracay Island
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Frequently ranked among the world’s most picturesque beach destinations is the island of Boracay. It is a well-liked destination for both tourists and residents on vacation. The island underwent a significant infrastructure overhaul in 2019 that resulted in a nearly year-long closure to tourists. However, it emerged with a considerably more effective structure in place to manage the massive flood of visitors.
El Nido
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One of the most well-liked tourist destinations in the Philippines is the little hamlet of El Nido. This city, which is the northernmost point of Palawan, offers some of the most breathtaking karst mountain, lagoon, and cave experiences in the country. Amazing excursions, delicious street cuisine, and affordable family-friendly lodging are all available at El Nido.
San Vicente
To be honest, San Vicente is where I would probably end up if I relocated to the Philippines. Imagine the stunning beaches of Boracay dotted with little, peaceful islands, devoid of tourists. It’s common to describe San Vicente as “Boracay before the tourists came.” It’s a true statement, too.
Coron Islands
Situated in the northernmost point between Mindoro and Palawan, the small group of islands known as Coron are part of the Palawan area. It is well-known for its breathtaking SCUBA diving, lovely lagoons, and approachable but undiscovered atmosphere. Similar experiences may be had at Coron, which is significantly less crowded than El Nido. It’s also home to some of the nation’s most breathtaking mountain vistas.
Puerto Princesa
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Puerto Princesa is a fantastic destination to take children exploring since it is home to the Subterranean River Puerto Princesa, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The town is situated in Palawan’s Central Region. There are many beautiful caverns and rock formations in the well-travelled karst mountains. There are plenty of beaches, farmland, and an exciting amusement park in the area around Puerto Princesa City.
Best Way for a Family to Travel Around the Philippines
Thеrе is considеrablе planning involvеd in travеlling around thе Philippinеs with a family. Almost еvеry kind of transportation is available. Additionally, you’ll probably need to switch between a few islands if you want to explore more than one. Thеrе arе sеvеrаl different modes of transportation in thе nation, including busеs, fеrriеs, tuk-tuks, taxis, aircraft, and, of course, the well-known Filipino Jееpnеys.
- Philippines by Air
One of the simplest and quickest methods to travel around the Philippines is by air. The nation is dotted with several small airports, and most large cities have an airstrip nearby. Additionally, the Philippines has a large number of inexpensive domestic flights with quite reasonable seats. But there’s usually a lot of turning around when you fly throughout the Philippines. The main airports are where most flights depart from. You may have to take a lot of indirect flights via Cebu or Manila if you’re just going from town to town.
- Philippines by Water
You will likely spend some time on a boat when visiting the Philippines since the nation is made up of hundreds of islands. Since no highways or airfields are connecting the major islands, visitors to destinations like Boracay must go by boat. Boat terminals are often crowded locations. Porters are often available to assist with baggage in exchange for a gratuity. It’s worthwhile since it might be difficult to load and unload your stuff, particularly on windy days.
- Philippines by Land
Bus or Van: You can almost guarantee that a bus or van will be your mode of transportation throughout your time in the Philippines. These are the most popular routes in the Philippines between cities. Private van rentals are often significantly speedier and allow you to choose the stops you would want to make along the journey. While group charters provide speed, they don’t often allow for much customization. Additionally, buses often provide the most affordable option, but they also typically take the longest. All of the buses and vans we saw were really clean and pleasant, regardless of the route you took. There are even buses that have WiFi!
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Jeepneys and Tuk-Tuks: Tuk-tuks are usually the best option if you want to explore the area around any of the towns. You can find tuk-tuks all around Southeast Asia. They can dodge potholes and puddles and dash through traffic since they are tiny and agile enough. They’re also a ton of fun to ride. Jeepneys are the crazy, noisy, and colourful buses that you may often see in big cities like Puerto Princesa, Cebu, and Manila. They are widely used by the locals as a local transit system. Your family should ride a Jeepney in the Philippines at least once while you’re there. You will want the picture if nothing else.
Philippines Cuisine
A significant aspect of Filipino culture is food. Every meeting seemed to centre on the dinner table. Filipino cuisine mostly consists of seafood, beef, and soups. You won’t find the healthiest options here. There is usually a lot of sauce and salt in the food. However, they taste great. There are also many fruits. Additionally, most towns offer shops where you may restock on roadside munchies.
I must say, the Philippines is a place that I just love. We shall be travelling back to that nation. To discover even more amazing family-friendly activities in the Philippines, in addition to merely visiting relatives. It is not a particularly stroller-friendly nation outside of the big cities. Instead of carrying a travel stroller, I advise taking a child carrier. It will greatly simplify your experience.
Aside from being a businessman, Josh Austria has been working in PR and media industry for more more than a decade. From his years of experience as the Marketing and Advertising Head of Village Pipol Magazine, he has built strong relationships with creative people, brands, and organizations.