Paradise Philippines

Thank you for visiting Paradise Philippines, a blog that features beaches, resorts and interesting places found all over the Philippines’ paradise islands, over 7,100 of them choose from.

Our goal is to present the would be traveler with ideal places to stay and visit.

We hope you will find the information on Paradise Philippines, both useful and informative.

Mabuhay!

P.S. You will also find a lot of pictures from my travels.

Badian, Cebu, Philippines Paradise

The 3B’s of Paradise Philippines
By Arnold Zafra

There are many great destinations in paradise Philippines that would best epitomize it as truly a paradise in the Asian region. Boracay being the first, is one of the best summer destination in all of Asia. Bohol is a quiet and wonderful place in the south, home to the famous Bohol Tarsiers. And Baguio, the tourist destination of local and foreign tourist all year round.

Boracay

The most visited tourist spot in paradise Philippines, not just during summer but all year round. Boracay island is the favorite summer destination of Filipinos from all walks of life and the favorite getaway place of Europeans, Americans and Asian travellers. With its pristine white sand beaches, hospitable local residents, exciting night life, great tasting food and of course the clear waters of the beaches.

Bohol

Though not as visited as Boracay, the Island of Bohol is a haven in itself. The local folks, Boholanos are one of the most hospitable Filipinos paradise Philippines has to offer. Bohol is famous for its Chocolate Hills, the Loboc River and the Bohol tarsiers.

Baguio

Paradise Philippines’ summer capital is the only summer destination which does not have any beach at all. Situated far up northern part of paradise Philippines, Baguio is one of the best tourist spot in the Philippines because of its high elevation which emits a cool weather all year round. Baguio has several scenic spots which attract both local and foreign tourist all year round. Another reason why Baguio is a favorite tourist destination in paradise Philippines is because of the Banaue Rice Terraces which is located in the nearest town from Baguio

Taal Volcano - Visiting a Unique Island Volcano
By Luvi Marie Corcuera

On the largest island of the Philippines, Luzon rises the Taal Volcano, an active volcano located in San Nicolas and Talisay in Batangas. Consisting of an island in Lake Taal situated inside a caldera that was previously formed by an enormous eruption, the island volcano is about 50km from the city of Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

Taal Volcano has been erupting a large number of times and several of those times violently. These eruptions have caused loss of life and property in the vicinity with a considerable death toll estimated to be approximately 5000-6000 casualties. Despite the alarming numbers, it is considered to be an great place to visit when it is calm and in it’s less active state due to the elements that make this island quite unique.

Geological Information

The Lake Taal being located in in the Philippines, forms part of a chain of volcanos the lie along the western side of Luzon island. These volcanoes created by the subduction of the Eurasian Plate beneath the Philippine Mobile Belt are now either active or dormant in nature. The Lake of Taal which houses the volcano lies inside a 25 to 30km caldera which was formed by four violent and high intensity eruptions anywhere approximately 500,000 to 100,000 years ago.

Ever since the caldera’s formation, subsequent eruptions eventually created one more volcanic island inside the caldera. This island is known as Volcanic Island and has an area of about 23 square kilometers that consist of craters and overlapping cones. So far 47 different craters and cones have been identified to be on the island.

The Crater and the Inner Island

Volcano Island already a volcanic island also contains a lake which is about 2km across on it is largest axis, this lake is called Crater Lake. Crater Lake a calm and serene warm body of water has inside it yet another volcanic island, and this is called Volcanic Point. This specific volcanic island is known to be the world’s biggest island within a lake on an island within a lake on an island

These elements of Taal Volcano makes it a unique place to visit when it is not on it’s most active state. There have been 33 recorded eruptions since 1572, now it lies in a dormant state and has been so since 1977 although the volcano has been showing signs of unrest since 1991. This has been evident with relatively strong seismic activity, ground fracturing events, and the formation of small mud geysers within the different parts of the island.

Even with the apparent state of unrest the volcano is experiencing, there has been a lot of visits to the island not only by the volcanologists and scientists, but also by the tourists and media. Lake Taal presents a unique opportunity to visit one of the wonders of nature which has taken hundreds and thousands of years to create, this uniqueness alone makes this an great place in Paradise Philippines to visit for the more adventurous and curious.

Welcome to another feature on Paradise Philippines; our destination on the spot is Boracay.

Boracay is a popular Philippine paradise known all around the world. It is one of the country’s top destinations, and is constantly abuzz with both local and foreign tourists. Its main attraction is its powder fine white sand and clear blue seas.

Boracay Island is located off the northwest corner of the island of Panay, and belongs to the Western Visayas island-group, or Region VI, of the Philippines. The island is approximately seven kilometers long, dog-bone shaped with the narrowest spot being less than one kilometer wide, and has a total land area of 10.32 square kilometers.

Boracay’s two primary tourism beaches, White Beach and Bulabog Beach, are located on opposite sides of the island’s narrow central area. White Beach faces westwards and Bulabog Beach faces eastwards. The island also has several other beaches. The sunset on western side of the island is fantastic!

White Beach is the main tourism beach. It is a bit over four kilometers long and is lined with resorts, hotels, lodging houses, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses. In the central portion, for about two kilometers, there is a footpath known as the Beachfront Path separating the beach itself from the establishments located along it. North and south of the Beachfront Path, beachfront establishments do literally front along the beach itself. Several roads and paths connect the Beachfront Path with Boracay’s Main Road, a vehicular road which runs the length of the island. At the extreme northern end of White Beach, a footpath runs around the headland there and connects White Beach with Diniwid Beach.

Bulabog Beach, across the island from White Beach, is a secondary tourism beach and Boracay’s main windsurfing and kiteboarding area.

Boracay would have remained a secret if not for a few foreign travellers who accidentally stumbled upon the place. There are many stories how Boracay was first discovered by international tourists. Some say it was a movie crew which spread word about the island, while others say it was German traveler Jens Peters’ book that gave rave reviews about Boracay, thus sending tourists on their way.

Boracay is 200 miles south of Manila and 2km off the northwest tip of the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. Getting to Boracay is easy.

If you are flying in from Manila, you can fly to Caticlan via Asian Spirit or SouthEast Asian Airlines. This is a one hour flight and the fastest way to get to Boracay. You will land in Caticlan on Panay Island. From the airport, proceed to the Caticlan port which is just minutes away, for a boar transfer to the island.

Since these flights to Caticlan are few and often times fully booked, another option is landing at Kalibo. There are more airlines serving this route, in particular Philippines Airlines and Cebu Pacific, aside from Asian Spirit. Kalibo is an hour and half travel to Caticlan jetty port or Tambisaan pier, depending on the season of they year. Upon reaching Caticlan or Tambisaan, your off by boat to the Boracay boat station of your choice. There are three boat stations aptly named, Station 1, Station 2 and Station 3.

Aside from Manila, there are also flights from Cebu to Caticlan, and these flights are much shorter.

That concludes our Paradise Philippines feature on Boracay.

Top Philippine Destination and Paradise Spots
By Eligio Tapiador Jr

Explore Paradise Philippines. Take a peek at Filipino’s culture and history as mirrored in century-old churches, ancient forts and modern museums. Paradise Philippines have the best of nature’s paradise pictured thru white-sand beaches and three-layered virgin forests.

Paradise Philippines is blessed with an extensive coastline, ringed with unspoiled beaches and first-class resort facilities. Paradise Philippines’ deep-blue, crystal-clear waters offers about 40,000 square kilometers of coastal reefs teeming with a variety of marine life.

Paradise Philippines is endowed with a tropical climate offering perfect paradise treat to enjoy the sunlight. Lying in Southeast Asia and surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Paradise Philippines boasts of unsullied beaches, spectacular sunsets, luxuriant pastoral lands, cool mountain weather, brilliant man-made paradise resorts, and dazzling 7,000+ islands.

Paradise Philippines boasts of some of the best beaches and scuba diving waters in the world. Witness the vast expanse of nature’s paradise Philippines’ splendor under the spell of cool paradise Philippines’ mountain breeze.

Here are some featured destinations and paradise spots that is living proof of Paradise Philippines’ reputation of being called Paradise Philippines.

Alona Beach, Paradise Philippines

Panglao Island, Bohol (May 6, 2007) - The Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano has inaugurated the first phase of a P600-million upscale resort complex that is riding on the tourism boom in this province. Durano said, referring to the 16-hectare Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa, which is building 70 luxurious villas catering to the rich Filipino tourists and visitors from Europe, the United States, Australia, Japan and Korea.

Donsol, Whale Shark Capital, Paradise Philippines

Once a sleepy coastal village located at the northwestern tip of Sorsogon province, this town now eyes to be a first-class municipality, thanks to giant sea creatures that are now attracting hordes of foreign and local tourists who infuse millions of pesos into the local economy.

Boracay Paradise, Paradise Philippines

Widely known as one of the finest swimming destinations in the world, Boracay is blessed with unsullied fine talcum powder-sand beaches. Its tranquil crystal clear waters are perfect for swimming, sailing, fishing and sunbathing. Boracay also boasts of sapphire seas and spectacular sunsets. Countless hidden coves dot the island and tall coconut trees line up along the beaches. Boracay lies at the northwest tip of Panay, in the west Visayas region, off the Sibuyan Sea.

Captivating Guimaras, Paradise Philippines

Nueva Valencia, Guimaras - An Italian couple on a two-month holiday in the Philippines chose to include this paradise in their itinerary and stayed at the Raymen Beach Resort in December 2006, unperturbed by news about the oil spill that brought the island province to world attention in August of the same year. “We are just here to see good beaches,” said the Boldo couple, who are just among the hundreds of foreign guests who kept coming to Guimaras even in the aftermath of the infamous oil spill.

Wonderful Palawan, Paradise Philippines

The exotic beauty of Palawan remains undefiled. Branded as the country’s last frontier, Palawan is a sanctuary to an amazing variety of exotic flora and fauna that are found nowhere else. With more than a thousand islands and islets, Palawan boasts of white-sand beaches, scenic rock formations, underwater rivers and magnificent caves. Palawan is also home to Tubbataha Reef, the only national marine park that made it to the World Heritage List and whose grandeur is comparable to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.

Banaue Rice Terraces, Paradise Philippines

Traversing the rugged terrains of Cordillera highlands in a span of one week is an adventure in itself and could be an immense learning experience for someone who has the guts to look down into the depths of mountain cliffs to get a good view of the rice terraces. With tall rice terraces at the backdrop and cool breeze shuttling between mountain peaks, a journey across the Cordillera mountain ranges exposes one to an atmosphere strangely different from the daily offering of Manila and its suburbs.

Amazing Coron, Paradise Philippines

Coron, a town in the Busuanga Island in Northern Palawan, can charm even the most insensitive among men. Its natural beauty can only be described as seductive, giving first-time visitors and repeaters alike a sense of wonder that is hard to shake off.

Cebu City, Paradise Philippines

Cebu City drew 403,326 international visitors in 2005, making the “queen city of the south” the top provincial destination of foreign travelers. Data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) also showed that Cebu City attracted 1,813 overseas Filipinos and 712,938 domestic travelers.

Pagudpud, Paradise Philippines

If Aklan has Boracay, Ilocos has Pagudpud, its northernmost town bordering the South China Sea. The coastal town of Pagudpud is the perfect setting for panoramic movies and photoshoot for travel magazines cover. The town’s main attractions are Saud Beach, known for its fine white sand stretching for hundreds of meters and Maira-Ira Point, which hides a secluded beach called Blue Lagoon. Other breathtaking landscapes in Pagudpud include Bantay Abot-abot, a natural sculpture carved by the wind and sea, the Mabogabog Falls and the Patapat viaduct that treats motorists to a scenic view of green lushes and blue waters of South China Sea.

Bohol, Paradise Philippines

Bohol is one of the loveliest islands in southern Philippines. It is situated at the heart of Visayas and with coastline skimmed by gentle coves and white-sand beaches. Many highways snake along sparkling beaches or leafy rivers where one can stop at any point and jump in. With its rolling hills and plateaus, crystal springs and beaches, the province of Bohol is a picturesque province replete with ancestral homes and centuries-old churches.

About the Author: Eligio Tapiador Jr is a freelance webmaster, web developer, SEO Specialist, and a Web Designer base in Manila, Philippines. He own and manages several sites like http://www.wowparadisephilippines.com/ and http://www.qoobe.org/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eligio_Tapiador_Jr

Welcome to another feature on Paradise Philippines; bringing you the Philippines top beaches, resorts and tourism destinations. Today’s feature is Puerto Galera.

Puerto Galera is a municipality found in the northwestern-most part of Oriental Mindoro, in the Philippines with a population of 21,925 . people in 4,424 households.

When coming from Manila, Puerto Galera is a three and a half hour trip, first by bus ride to Batangas City and then by boat.

It is a coastal town that is well known among tourists for its numerous pocket beaches and many snorkeling and diving spots. The area was designated a Man and Biosphere Reserve of UNESCO in 1973 and has some of the most diverse coral reef diving in Asia. The marine environment has benefited in recent years from the influx of tourist dollars. This has seen a huge reduction in the number of fishermen in the area, as they gain higher revenue from tourists.

Two of the most popular beaches in Puerto Galera are Sabang Beach and White Beach. Both have extensive beaches with first-class or economy-class accommodations and an active night life with their numerous beach-side bars and restaurants. Sabang beach is the main destination for foreign tourists, while White Beach remains popular with local travelers. Since 2001 White beach has seen uncontrolled development. New restaurants and places to stay are rapidly encroaching on the beach itself and little remains of the once charming beach. Puerto Galera town is a pleasant but sleepy Philippine town with few attractions. It has a large central catholic church and a Pier area, with a selection of bistros and cafes.

Behind the beaches are the huge and generally unexplored mountain ranges of central Mindoro. A particular local attraction is the nine hole golf course perched on the hillside above White Beach which commands spectacular views over Puerto Galera’s natural harbor and the Verde Island Passage. Mangyan tribes are scattered over the mountains sides - some of the more remote tribes have no contact with the outside world. Of the eight tribes on Mindoro, the Iraya are the largest. They are based in the Puerto Galera area.

Puerto Galera is one of the top diving destinations in the Philippines. Excellent diving is found less than 5 minutes from the Sabang area. The diving generally focuses around the areas either side of Escarceo Point which is famous for its current rips. Strong currents are a feature of the diving in Puerto Galera and it is good advice to employ the services of an experienced local guide or dive centre. There are upwards of thirty dive sites all within a 5-10 minute banca ride from Sabang Beach. Marine life is highly diverse. 180+ species of nudibranchs are found in the area and most species of fish can be seen A variety of wrecks have been sunk over the years in addition to the one genuine wreck of an engine of a WWII Japanese patrol boat.

Thank you for checking out the Paradise Philippines feature on Puerto Galera.

Discovering the Beauty of the Islands of the Philippines
By Luvi Marie Corcuera

The Philippines, commonly known as the “Pearl of the Orient” is an archipelago of 7107 islands with a wide variety of great destinations considered by many as paradise. From the hustle and bustle of the great city of Manila to many of the true white-sand beaches and virgin forests scattered throughout the islands, it is a place where everyone can find something that can suit their taste.

Discovering the beauty of each of the islands is a task that may take a lifetime but if you know what you like then you can choose from any of the destinations below that suit your particular needs and taste. Whether you just a tourist looking for the good old souvenirs or the adventurer seeking to find the next new place to discover there is something for you.

For Nature Lovers.

Nature has blessed the islands with a variety of natural resources and this includes virgin rain forests, indigenous wild life and scenic locations. If you are fond of nature then you have many choices to places to visit, from Zamboanga in the south to Vigan in the north. For the wild life enthusiasts you can go to Davao where you will find the endangered Philippine Eagle, or to Donsol where the famous giant whale sharks ply the local waters, and perhaps take a dive in the waters of Puerto Galera which is home to some of the best coral reefs anywhere in the world.

For the scene lovers, take a trip to Palawan where scenic rock formations, underwater rivers and magnificent caves are abundant. Another place you can visit is Albay which home to the Philippines most active volcano Mt Mayon, a volcano with a perfect cone that has erupted over a few dozen times in the past century. Pagudpud in Ilocos north of the Philippines offers some of the most scenic and panoramic views on the islands which include the Mabogabog Falls and Saud beach.

For the Beach Bums

If there is one thing that Paradise Philippines is famous for it is the great number of sandy white beaches that are scattered around the thousands of islands. From the popular beaches of Boracay to the hidden beaches of Palawan there are literally hundreds of beautiful beaches to visit. A plane or boat ride away from Manila you can travel to any of the paradise beach locations in the Philippines.

A few of the best beaches in the Philippines include Coron, a town in the Busuanga Island in Northern Palawan, Bohol with hundreds of white sand beaches, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras, and Cebu City. Where ever you go there are beaches and resorts that will suit everyone’s needs.

For the Party Goers

When the streets of Manila light up after dusk a whole new look to the city takes shape. From the neon lights of the red light districts to the hundreds of casinos, the karaoke bars and discos, and to the wonderful restaurants, whatever you want to do you can. You can party all night in the discos of Makati or the contemporary clubs of Manila and Quezon city, there is virtually no limit to where you can go to have fun and party the night away.

For the History Buffs

Hundreds of years of history have shaped the Philippines into what it is today, a melting pot of cultures from European, Asian and North American cultures. If history is what you are after, then you will discover a vast number of historic locations you can visit on many the Paradise Philippines islands, from the walled city of Intramuros in Old Manila built by the conquering Spaniards in the 16th century, to the Rice Terraces of Banaue built thousands of years ago by the indigenous natives of the cordillera, and to the more recent ruins of Corregidor which served as fort for the American troops during World War II.

Luvi Marie Corcuera is the Editor of Informational sites such as: Acne Treatment and Castles of Europe

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Luvi_Marie_Corcuera

Cebu - Unchanged and Unspoilt
By Roy Sencio

The year was 1988, and the song on the radio went…

From Bissau to Palau - in the shade of Avalon,
From Fiji to Tiree and the Isles of Ebony,
From Peru to Cebu hear the power of Babylon,
From Bali to Cali - far beneath the Coral Sea.

If you know music like I do, and I mean, good music… you probably know that one, Enya and Orinoco Flow, I believe that was her first hit. Such a lovely haunting song about travel and seeing the world, visiting places you would never have dreamed existed… one such place, mentioned in the song.. Cebu!

Cebu is right smack in the middle of the Philippine islands and is one of the most developed in the country. The capital Cebu City, is the country’s oldest city in the Philippines.

Known to have been the first man to circumnavigate the earth, Ferdinand Magellan discovered the Philippine islands by chance in 1521. Landing in Cebu City he got friendly with the natives and their leader Raja Humabon. Of course, the rest is history, if you know it. He got his butt kicked by Lapu lapu, a chieftain in neighboring Mactan. That probably could very well be the first ever documented triumph over foreign aggression, claiming the Philippines in the name of Spain and all, hehehe. Although some historians believe that this was caused by Raja Humabon, the leader at the time who pledged allegiance to Spain. Some say the Raja could have been in a row with Lapu lapu and they were fighting over control of the channel between Cebu and Mactan, a very important trade route, even today it still is. Magellan’s remains were never brought back to Spain, Lapu lapu’s men refused to give up the body despite several offers for it by the remaining Spanish officers.

Cebu is a really old city but; a link to old world history, and yet a springboard into a promising tomorrow.

Cebu is today’s center for internet and communication technology investments and the hub of the country’s growing outsourcing industry. A recent study by industry publication Global Services and investment advisory firm Tholons reveals that Cebu ranks fourth as most favored technology outsourcing destination for global companies, out of 15 emerging outsourcing destinations; the first three cities Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune are in India. There are more call centers in Cebu than I fly has eyes… exageration to prove a point, yet true actually.

Despite its rapid grown and development, Cebu has not rid itself of its rustic charms and simple pleasures; traits that offer a much needed balance to busy and stressful urban living. It has five-star hotels, convention centers, casinos, shopping malls and a bustling business district; but all these you can easily leave behind in just 30 minutes, to find yourself watching the surf on a white sand beach or marveling over the city from atop a mountain resort; and there are many of these to choose from.

History shows that cities change, influenced by those that arrive and thrive; Cebu has not. Not in almost 500 years, and Cebu has seen them all come over the decades; the Europeans, Americans, Chinese, Japanese and to the current influx of migrant Koreans.

Other cities are shaped by its settlers; Cebu changes those who settle in it, making them adapt to its idyllic and laid back lifestyle in an otherwise busy urban jungle. Cebu makes a settler accept paradise as it is, as it remains firm in preserving what makes it one of the best places to live in.

Cebu - My Paradise in the Philippines
By Roy Sencio

There is that saying that goes, “home is where the heart is”; and that is absolutely true about my old hometown, my Philippine paradise.

There is actually much to say about Cebu that I am at a loss for words, not knowing where to start, at the same time wondering if whatever I write might sound a little too biased, considering.

But let me give you my 2 cents why I believe Cebu to be, Paradise Philippines!

First of all Cebu is known to have the best of both worlds, in so many aspects that it seems duality is a trait that it shall forever possess.

Cebu is the connection between the old world and the new world. A rich history that dates back to the 1500’s with Magellan’s discovery of the Philippines, followed by the first ever Roman Catholic mass in the whole of Asia, the planting of Magellan’s cross at the site of that first mass, and his inevitable fate at the hands of Lapu-lapu; the unrelenting chieftain of neighboring Mactan who refused to submit to the Cross and Spain.

Today Cebu is one of the world’s IT hubs, the center of the growing outsourcing industry in the Philippines and the home of several IT service companies, both local and foreign owned.

If you have stayed in Cebu even briefly, you will notice that everything seems to be just 15 - 30 minutes away. The malls… for your shopping, 15-30 minutes away. The beaches… for your tan, 15-30 minutes away. Mountain resorts and upland retreats for a retreat from the urban jungle, 15-30 minutes away. It is metropolitan living with provincial reprieve, on demand and when you want it.

Cebu… my home… my paradise in the Philippines.

Photo Sources:

http://living.cebunetwork.com/magellan-cross-cebu/2006/05/04/
www.camperspoint.com/article.php3?id_article=40
www.photo.net.ph/…/10/24/makati-city-at-night/