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Philippines Travel Guide: Places, Food & Experiences

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If you're planning a trip to the Philippines, here are some of the places to visit, Filipino food to try, and hotels I've been to and recommend for first-time and returning visitors.
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Filipino Food & Restaurants

Recommended restaurants and food places to visit to satisfy your cravings.

 
MJ Roldan profile picture
No contest, the #1 fast food chain in the Philippines. Foreigners love the Chickenjoy but maybe not the Jolly Spaghetti. But if you really want the Filipino dining experience, a trip to Jollibee is a must.
Jollibee
 
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One of the legacy restaurants in Manila serving Filipino dishes. Grew up eating at their original branch in Malate, City of Manila. The chicken barbecue is my favorite.
The Aristocrat Restaurant | Manila
 
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Traditional Filipino fried chicken place, established in the 1940s. Their tagline is “Sarap to the Bones” or “Yummy to the Bones” in English. Their fried chicken does not have any breading and goes well with banana ketchup. They have a lot of branche...
Max's Chicken
 
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Hands down the best all-day breakfast in Pasig City.
Kanto Freestyle Breakfast

Manila Shopping & Leisure Destinations

Manila malls have everything – shopping, dining, fun activities. And free air-conditioning.

 
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The biggest mall in the Philippines. It houses everything you need for shopping and leisure: department store, food outlets, cinema, and entertainment. IKEA is also here. Takes about the whole day to experience everything here.
SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City
 
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Interconnected shopping and leisure malls in Makati Central Business District. You can walk from Greenbelt to Landmark to Glorietta to SM Makati with ease. Lots of restaurants, clothing stores, toy shops, artworks, and even parks. There's also a chap...
Ayala Center Makati
 
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Smack in the middle of Metro Manila, along main thoroughfare EDSA and crossing the cities of Mandaluyong, Pasig, and San Juan. Houses a lot of retail stores and dining places. The first SM mall to have an ice skating rink in the Philippines.
SM Megamall, Mandaluyong

Top Hotels in Manila

Want to book a hotel in Manila for your stay? Here are recommendations for solo, family, or group travelers.

 
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One of the oldest and premier hotel in Manila, the capital of the Philippines
The Manila Hotel
 
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Top hotel for family staycation in Manila. Accessible from the airport. Has its own entertainment venues and casino.
Okada Manila
 
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Recommended hotel in Makati City, in the central business district and near top malls in Metro Manila.
New World Hotels Manila
 
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Business hotel that's a walking distance of SM Megamall. Simple but comfortable rooms. Great for solo backpackers, couples, or business travelers.
Jinjiang Inn - Ortigas, Manila
 
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Located in Newport City with direct access to the airport's Terminal 3 via the Runway Manila. Comfortable accommodation plus with roofdeck swimming pool and other amenities.
Belmont Hotel Manila near NAIA Terminal 3

Best Places & Things to Do in Bohol

Discover what the island of Bohol can offer you during your vacation in the Philippines.

 
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Highly recommended accommodation in Bohol. Cozy rooms, fun activities, unique food.
Bohol Bee Farm
 
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Not your typical resort in Bohol. Enjoy stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) along Loboc River, plus cozy rooms and great amenities.
Loboc River Resort
 
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No Bohol tour is complete without seeing its main attractions: the Chocolate Hills, tarsier, and Loboc River. Takes about half your day, depending on what other places you want to go.
Chocolate Hills Tour with Tarsier & Loboc River Buffet Lunch (half-day tour)