World Guide

Philippines

Country · Asia, South-eastern Asia

Philippines
Photo: Patrick Roque, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Located in Southeast Asia, the Philippines is an archipelago nation with a population of about 117 million people. Its capital is Manila, and the country covers an area of 343,448 square kilometers, offering diverse geography ranging from volcanoes to historic architecture.

Highlights

This site covers 43 sights across the Philippines. Nature enthusiasts can visit several volcanoes, including Mayon, Mount Pinatubo, Taal Volcano, and Mount Pulag, as well as the Chocolate Hills and the Sulu Archipelago. For those interested in history and architecture, the list includes sites like the UNESCO-listed San Agustin Church and Banaue Rice Terraces, along with the Manila Cathedral, Malacañang Palace, Fort Santiago, Fort Drum, and San Sebastian Church. Modern structures and landmarks such as the Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway, the Philippine Arena, the Philippine Sports Stadium, the Manila Film Center, and Rizal Park are also featured.

Food and drink

Local culinary offerings include staples like Adobo, Sinigang, Afritada, and Sisig. You can also try snacks and desserts such as Pandesal, Puto, Siopao, Champorado, and Halo-halo. Other notable items include Banana ketchup, Nata de coco, and Bagoong.

When to go

The weather in Manila is warmest from March through May, with daily highs around 31 °C to 32 °C. January through April are the driest months, making this period suitable for travel. From May onward, rainfall increases significantly, peaking between July and September with frequent rainy days. While the temperature remains relatively consistent throughout the year, visitors should plan for heavy rain if traveling between June and October.

Practical notes

The official currency is the Philippine peso (PHP). English, Filipino, and Taglish are spoken. The country uses power plugs types A, B, and C with a voltage of 220 V. Driving is on the right side of the road, and the time zone is UTC+08:00.

Cities

Food and drink to try in Philippines

  • Adobo
  • Banana ketchup
  • Halo-halo
  • Nata de coco
  • Pandesal
  • Sinigang
  • Puto
  • Sisig
  • Afritada
  • Champorado
  • Bagoong
  • Siopao

Top sights in Philippines

  1. MayonMayon
  2. Mount PinatuboMount PinatuboPorac
  3. Taal VolcanoTaal Volcano
  4. Cebu–Cordova Link ExpresswayCebu–Cordova Link ExpresswayLapu-Lapu
  5. Philippine ArenaPhilippine ArenaBocaue
  6. Malacañang PalaceMalacañang PalaceManila
  7. Fort DrumFort DrumTernate
  8. Chocolate HillsChocolate HillsCarmen
  9. Mount ApoMount ApoDavao
  10. San Agustin ChurchUNESCOSan Agustin ChurchManila
  11. Manila Film CenterPasay
  12. Manila CathedralManila CathedralManila
  1. Banaue Rice Terraces · BanaueUNESCO
  2. Mount Pulag · Kabayan
  3. Rizal Park · Manila
  4. Fort Santiago · Manila
  5. Philippine Sports Stadium · Bocaue
  6. Sulu Archipelago
  7. Taal Basilica · Taal
  8. San Sebastian Church · Manila
  9. Bataan Nuclear Power Plant · Morong
  10. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park · Puerto PrincesaUNESCO
  11. Mount Arayat · Arayat
  12. Mount Makiling · Los Baños
  13. Quiapo Church · Manila
  14. Hacienda Luisita · Tarlac City
  15. Mount Banahaw · Liliw
  16. San Juanico Bridge
  17. Antipolo Cathedral · Antipolo
  18. Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone · Angeles
  19. Basilica del Santo Niño · Cebu City
  20. Libingan ng mga Bayani · Pasay
  21. Tubbataha ReefUNESCO
  22. Cagsawa Ruins · Daraga
  23. Barasoain Church · Malolos
  24. Paoay Church · PaoayUNESCO
  25. Fort San Pedro · Cebu City
  26. Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras · KianganUNESCO
  27. New Clark City Athletics Stadium · Capas
  28. Rizal Shrine · Manila
  29. Baroque Churches of the PhilippinesUNESCO
  30. Coconut Palace · Pasay
  31. Miagao ChurchUNESCO
  32. Mount Isarog · Naga
  33. Didicas Volcano · Babuyan and Calayan Islands
  34. Santa Maria Church · Santa MariaUNESCO
  35. Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral · Cebu City
  36. Naval Station Sangley Point · Cavite City
  37. Smith Volcano · Babuyan and Calayan Islands
  38. Malolos Cathedral · Malolos
  39. Mount Talinis · Dumaguete
  40. Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception · Batangas City
  41. Mount San Cristobal · San Pablo
  42. Naga Cathedral · Naga
  43. Camiguin de Babuyanes · Babuyan and Calayan Islands
  44. San Pablo Cathedral · San Pablo
  45. Fort San Felipe · Cavite City
  46. Mount Iraya · Basco
  47. Verde Island · Batangas City
  48. Buntun Bridge · Tuguegarao
  49. Tuguegarao Cathedral · Tuguegarao
  50. Lake Sampaloc · San Pablo
  51. Our Lady of Peñafrancia Shrine · Naga
  52. Dumaguete Cathedral · Dumaguete
  53. Legazpi Cathedral · Legazpi
  54. Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park · Dumaguete
  55. Basco Lighthouse · Basco
  56. Honda Bay · Puerto Princesa
  57. Ligñon Hill · Legazpi

UNESCO sites in Philippines →

Weather by month

The warmest month is April, with an average high of 33 °C. The wettest is August, with about 410 mm of rain.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C293031333231302929302928
Average low, °C232425262726262525252524
Rainfall, mm1513162412624940341033423911868
Rainy days231714162428292827282728

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Manila (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

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