Best of 2016: The Most Popular Travel Activities of the Year

The adventures that defined local travel this year.
by Tynne De Leon | December 09, 2016

A photo posted by Jenica Villa Magquilat (@nicmagquilat) on Jan 19, 2016 at 8:11pm PST

It’s been a great, action-packed year for travel — plenty of us took the leap and challenged ourselves to beyond limitations by trying new things and taking up new hobbies.

Here are the most popular activities that defined local travel this year.

Mountain climbing

A photo posted by Zzz… (@ghieography) on Dec 6, 2016 at 1:03am PST

A photo posted by Erika Marie (@erikaordillo) on Dec 8, 2016 at 6:15pm PST

Our Instagram feeds were flooded by photos of people from mountaintops. Mountain climbing is a challenging and soul-cleansing activity, so it’s no doubt that a lot of people, especially millennials, have started to include this on their bucket list.

Also read: 12 Mountains near Manila for Newbie-Friendly Day Hikes

Glamping

A photo posted by Estan Cabigas (@langyawmedia) on Apr 8, 2014 at 4:29am PDT

A photo posted by Zeline Imperial (@_zimperial) on Nov 14, 2016 at 12:22am PST

For travelers who want to be close to nature but don’t want to rough it out, glamping has been a top-of-mind choice. Glamorous camping or “glamping” has been here for a while, but it’s this year when glamping took over the travel scene in the country.

There are many glamping spots in the PH for you to explore, read 9 of the Best Glamping Spots in the Philippines.

Skydiving

A photo posted by Karmele Portillano (@semikarmedlife) on Apr 23, 2015 at 8:29pm PDT

A photo posted by Klariza Rivero (@kr.718) on Mar 30, 2015 at 2:38am PDT

This year, more and more people became brave enough to take the skydiving challenge. Because, hell yes! Available in Pampanga and Cebu, skydiving is a scary but definitely unforgettable experience. There are a lot of qualified instructors to guide you every step of the way, so if you haven’t done it yet, I’d say you should consider doing it with your friends.

Water rafting

A photo posted by GJ Recalde (@gjdrecalde) on Dec 6, 2016 at 10:08pm PST

A photo posted by Philip Saymo | 🇵🇭 (@philsaymo) on Nov 30, 2016 at 4:53am PST

The thought of braving strong currents can be very daunting, but that’s the thrill of water rafting. It’s also why it’s one of this year’s most favorite activities. There are many places with water rafting activities in the Philippines from the nearby Laguna or in Cagayan de Oro, and they bring nothing but thrill and excitement.

Airbnb Staycations

A photo posted by Gene Cometa (@genecometa) on Nov 5, 2016 at 4:26am PDT

A photo posted by jan kevin (@jansknow) on Dec 15, 2015 at 7:42pm PST

Airbnb has become synonymous with staycation — if only for the boundless amazing offerings the platform has provided us in terms of local accommodations, For the past year, more people are trying this unusual experience of renting a whole property for a night or two. It’s innovative, and can give you a more local, personal feel, wherever you are.

What other travel activities stood out this year? Tell us below!