Your perfect companion when traveling to and around the Philippines

In July 2023, the Philippines has recorded more than three million international visitor arrivals just seven months into the year. What does the country have to offer that tourist, both foreign and local, find the temptation to explore it simply irresistible? 

Philippines is a glorious haven for any traveler. Whether you are a foreign student, a backpacker, a digital nomad, a group of tourists out to have a good time, or an OFW or an immigrant in other countries visiting your loved ones –the Philippines has something in store for you. 

Allow us to show you what they are: 

The country is bestowed with rich natural resources 

If you’re a nature enthusiast, Philippines offers an array of travel destinations just for you. 

Made up of 10 tiny islands and known as the Home of the Winds, Batanes is the country’s northernmost and smallest province. It is famous for its impressive centuries-old Ivatan stone houses, verdant rolling hills, several stunning beaches, rugged mountains and cliffs, and tranquil, friendly and laidback vibe. Due to its remote and isolated location, breathtaking Batanes has managed to preserve its rich cultural heritage and traditions. 

Another destination that’s at the top of any water lover’s travel bucket list is the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. A marine protected area and world-renowned scuba diving site located in the heart of the Sulu Sea, Tubbataha is home to more than 1,200 marine species, including sea grasses and algae, corals, sharks, rays, fishes, sea turtles, seabirds and marine mammals. It is also a breeding and rookery ground for many species of migratory and resident seabirds, as well as some endangered species of sea turtles. 

Up north, we have Mount Pulag, which is every mountaineer’s dream climb. Bordering the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya, Mount Pulag is the country’s third highest mountain and Luzon’s highest peak. The hike to the summit may be long and tedious, but it is definitely rewarding. Often referred to as the Playground of the Gods, Mount Pulag offers an exceptional view of the Milky Way Galaxy at dawn and, right after, a breathtaking vista of the sunrise above a sea of clouds. With an array of plants and wildlife endemic only to the area, the mountain is designated as a protected national park. 

Meanwhile, in the province of Albay in Bicol Region, we have Mayon Volcano. Known as the world’s most perfect volcanic cone, the majestic Mayon is the most active volcano in the country. It is also a popular tourist destination, where one can hike, zipline or drive around using an ATV to explore and gaze at Mayon from any and every angle, particularly from another famous Bicol landmark, the Cagsawa Ruins. You may also want to visit and try kayaking in Bulusan Lake in nearby Sorsogon. 

The country’s meticulously built man-made wonders are equally spectacular and worth a visit 

These are some of the destinations that should be part of your travel itinerary if you are not as invested in nature. 

A national cultural treasure, the Rice Terraces in Banaue is often referred to by locals as the Stairs to Heaven. You’ll find that exploring that particularly exceptional living cultural landscape in the mountainous Ifugao Province can be a surreal experience and a truly awe-inspiring feat, considering that the Ifugao people built this engineering wonder, with an elaborate irrigation system to boot, around 2,000 years ago with the most basic of tools. 

Meanwhile, if you’re into vintage architecture and design, or if you want to go back in time or to simply have a nostalgic and romantic date, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is the perfect place for you. Awarded 2021’s Best Historic Hotel in Asia Pacific, Las Casas in Bataan is a beach resort, convention center and heritage destination all rolled into one. It is home to almost 40 original Spanish-Filipino colonial structures that were collected from all over, transplanted to their present site, and restored to their former glory.  

But, if your cup of tea is either shopping, lounging by the pool or indulging in luxury, Philippines is also home to monstrous shopping malls, fancy hotels, and luxurious resorts. In fact, two of the largest shopping malls in Asia can be found right here on our shores. Also, the most expensive resort in the world is in Palawan which you can stay in if you can afford to pay US$100,000. A night! 

Party non-stop, Philippine style! 

Are you a party animal? Philippines is also known for its amazing and colorful festivals all year round. 

There’s the Sinulog Festival in Cebu held in January to celebrate the infant Jesus (Sto. Niño), while the month-long Panagbenga Festival is observed in Baguio every February, with the city’s cool weather and lush greenery providing the ideal backdrop. Every month of May, houses in Lucban are extravagantly dressed in colorful decorations to mark the Pahiyas Festival, while the Masskara Festival in Bacolod, during which locals put on smiling masks, is held every October. 

Also, the country’s sumptuous local cuisine that makes for mouthwatering gastronomic delights is now making waves across the globe. 

Most importantly, what makes the Philippines special and is worth coming back to over and over again are the inherently friendly, warm and beautiful people whose renowned hospitality is second to no one anywhere in the world. 

It’s also the country where you can stay connected, whenever, wherever 

Aside from your camera phone, what could be your perfect companion when traveling to and around the Philippines? It’s the Smart Prepaid Philippine Tourist eSIM! 

Smart is the first to launch the prepaid eSIM service in the country, allowing visitors to take advantage of the same services enjoyed by local prepaid subscribers. The eSIM comes with an initial pre-load value of 5GB data, 30 Calls to Local Networks, and 100 Texts to Local Networks all at PHP99 SRP and offers an easy and convenient way to connect to a local mobile network. It’s best used with Smart’s Unli 5G Promos – you can subscribe to Unli 5G data and Non-Stop Data for non-5G areas for 7 days for only PHP299 (or ~$5-6) or 30 days for only PHP999 (~$17-18). 

You can get the Smart Prepaid Philippine Tourist eSIM and avail the Unli 5G + Non-Stop Data offers from Smart booths in international airports in the Philippines. Cash and card payments are accepted at the booths. You may also get the eSIM digitally prior to your arrival to the country through the Smart Online Store. The QR code will be available on the site upon successful purchase and sent to your email so you can scan and activate your eSIM right away!  

To register your eSIM with Smart, just log on to simreg.smart.com.ph  

To learn more about the new Smart Prepaid eSIM, visit their official website.

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