Scuba Diving
The deep waters and rich marine life surrounding Philippines blesses the country with so many scuba diving spots, whose beauty does not disappoint. At the forefront of the diving industry in the country is Anilao, Batangas, the birthplace of Philippine diving. There are 24 diving sites in this small town alone, with resorts that cater to amateurs and professionals alike. Some spots even let you swim with the sharks of Anilao.
Another famous diving spot in the country is in Busuanga Island, at the northern tip of Palawan. Here, the calm and clear waters let you clearly view World War II Japanese shipwrecks, which can be found in waters as shallow as 10–30 feet or as deep as 120–140 feet.
But the best diving experience of all can be found at the Tubbataha reef, 92 nautical miles from Palawan’s Puerto Princesa City. This UNESCO World Heritage Site holds 10,000 hectares of coral reefs – more than 30% of all the coral reefs in the whole world – and features underwater volcanoes, more than 400 coral species, 6 marine turtle species, and 222 marine mammal species, most of which are endangered.
Surfing
With so many islands, the Philippines naturally has so many beaches, which provide waves for all levels of surfers all year round.
For hardcore surfers, there’s the surfing capital of the Philippines: Siargao, in Surigao Del Norte. International surfing competitions are already being held here as the waves that surfers ride off the shores are world-class. If you’re looking for a Cloud 9 – a special wave characterized by thick and hollow tubes – Siargao is the beach for you.
If you’re just a novice surfer, however, you can practice among the gentler surf waves at the provinces of La Union, Zambales, or Leyte. In Baler, Aurora, there is a Baler Beginner’s Cup, for novice surfers. There are experienced instructors in the area who can coach you well enough to let you join the beginners’ competition even if you started your lessons only a day before the Cup.
Basketball
If you love the game of basketball, then you would feel right at home in the Philippines. Basketball is everywhere! From the big gyms with the bright lights and fiberglass rims to the street corners with chalk markings and wooden backboards, basketball is every Filipino’s game, the country’s favorite pastime. Any time you wish to play some hoops, you would surely find a court to play in and some friends to play with.
Spelunking
Because caves and rock formations are both abundant and beautiful in the Philippines, Spelunking – or cave exploration – is steadily becoming popular in the country.
Caves are everywhere in the country – in mountain ranges and beaches – and many of them have not yet have been explored. The excitement of trekking through a cave where no other man has gone before continues to inspire spelunkers in the Philippines.
Famous spelunking sites in the country include
• Sagada in the Mountain Province, where the lime formations and ancient burial sites characterize the caves;
• Callao Cave in Tuguegarao, where you will be treated to a spectacle of stalagmites and stalactites;
• Mt. Banahaw caves in Quezon, where legends speak of supernatural energies within the chambers;
• the historic Tabon Cave in Palawan where the fossilized skull of a man from the Ice Age was excavated;
• the caves of Bohol – all 1,400 of them!
• and the Palawan underground river, the most famous cave in the Philippines and the longest navigable underground river in the world.
Medical Tourism
The Philippines is a highly recommended destination for medical tourism. Each year, thousands of foreigners visit the Philippines to get eye surgery, liposuction, cosmetic and plastic surgery, hip and knee replacements, and even dental surgery.
First and foremost, the cost of medical and cosmetic procedures in the Philippines is just a fraction of what you would spend in the U.S. and Europe. Quality is not sacrificed with the lower cost – Filipino doctors have studied in the best medical schools in Asia, with the best of them accumulating experience from stints in American and European hospitals.
The equipment and facilities of clinics and hospitals that target medical tourists are top-of-the-line to ensure the safety of the patient and the effectiveness of the procedure.
Lastly, medical tourism in the Philippines allows you to rest and recuperate from the procedure in an exotic locale. The country is overflowing with restful and relaxing vacation spots that will help you recover from your surgery in the quickest, most enjoyable way.
Hello fellow travelers! My name is Mary and I am the main author of Traveling East. Just like any other travel enthusiasts, traveling has also been our passion! For inquiries, suggestions or anything travel related, please feel free to send us an E-mail at support@travelingeast.com.