Top 5 Holiday Destinations in the Philippines

Where do Filipinos spend the holidays?
by WindowSeat.ph | November 09, 2015

Ah, the holidays. It’s the time of year when everything stops; no traffic to and from work because, well,  there’s no work, no bosses, and no late nights spent working. It’s the time when we can actually stop thinking about deadlines or papers and just enjoy the freedom brought on by the holidays.

To fully utilize this free time, spend your Christmas in the top five places that Filipinos (and tourists) love to flock to during the season of giving.

Baguio

Baguio is also known as the “Summer Capital” of the Philippines, but if you look at how many people are here during the holidays, you would think that it’s also the Christmas Capital of the country. On top of the cool weather, there are countless activities to keep you occupied, like trying out (and Instagramming) strawberry taho, strawberry-picking, floating over Burnham Park Lake, and passing through Session Road. Baguio is the perfect place to escape to if you want a chill and chilly Christmas.

There is no denying, though, that Baguio can get a little crowded during the holidays. So if you want to get away from all the city noise, Baguio also has other underrated places you can still enjoy like the Baguio Museum, the Mt. Cloud Bookshop or the Baguio Country Sounds.

Palawan

Palawan is one of the most internationally-recognized islands in the Philippines, and with good reason.

Puerto Princesa’s Underground River, Coron’s breathtaking blue waters, El Nido’s white sand beaches, and the whole island’s richness in wildlife, Palawan is truly one of the favorite places of Filipinos and tourists alike to spend the holidays in.

San Fernando, Pampanga

Just an hour and a half drive from Manila is Pampanga’s Giant Lantern Festival, which has attracted thousands of visitors in the past years for its beautiful lights. Pampanga has been dubbed the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines” because of the way the city lights up at night during the season.

Kapampangans are also known for their unique delicacies like sisig, Panecillos de San Nicolas, lechon, betute tugak (stuffed frog), and kamaru (crickets), so make sure you try them out while you’re there.

Boracay

Of course Boracay is on this list. This island in the Aklan Province is one of the most crowded places not only in the summer (especially during #LaBoracay), but also during the Christmas season. Its white sand beaches and numerous water activities like parasailing, diving, cliff diving, helmet diving and snorkelling are just a few reasons why the island is swarmed by people who just want to have the best time during the holidays.

But if you want to spend your time in Boracay in a more peaceful yet still beautiful place, Bakhawan is the perfect place for you.

Metro Manila

For those who don’t want to go through the hassle of travelling to Baguio, Pampanga, Boracay or Palawan, Metro Manila can still give you the best Christmas memories with just a few minutes of driving.

Ayala Triangle Garden’s Lights and Sounds show is one of the favorite go-to places during the holiday season. The music accompanying the beautiful shining lights dangling from the trees is the perfect sight to get you to really feel Christmas. Manila’s malls and amusement parks are also wonderfully decorated during the holidays, with the added cheer of the accompanying crowd to really get you in the spirit.

If you want a quiet staycation in Manila, though, we have just the right stuff for you.

Know anywhere else to go for the holidays? Share your trip with us!