Although significant restrictions are still in place, travel agency adverts have become more frequent recently. Holiday bookings from within and outside the Philippines have once again begun to soar as people look beyond lockdowns. You're probably also looking forward to venturing outside your condo living setup and being a little bit more outgoing this holiday season.
No Matter what your dream destination is, this read will guide you to accomplish your big year-end travel.
Many of you might already have been eyeing out some countries to visit this holiday or to go to other countries for better opportunities such as work or education, while Filipino citizens can travel to more than thirty countries completely visa-free, and they are eligible for a Visa on Arrival or eVisa for other fifty-plus countries - this rounds up the number to over 80 countries where Filipinos can travel without needing to deal with excessive bureaucratic procedures at different Embassies, here are top 15 countries and destinations you should visit from this list.
ASEAN Nations
Thanks to the Philippines’ ASEAN membership, Philippine passport holders can visit Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam visa-free.
4,000 Islands in Champasak Province, Lao PDR
An archipelago in land-locked Laos? It’s more likely than you think. Head over to Si Phan Don: a series of islands wrought out of the meandering Mekong River. The name translates to “4,000 islands”, but don’t take it literally—travelers only need to familiarize themselves with three of the islands in the river, namely Don Det, Don Khon, and Don Khong.
Bagan Temple in Myanmar
The 2,000-plus temples standing in the arid Bagan plain are just a remnant of the 10,000-plus pagodas that once stood here in the Pagan Empire’s heyday from the 11th to the 13th century CE. Bagan’s temples vary wildly in size, purpose, and grandeur. You can marvel at grand constructions like the Ananda, Htilominlo, and Shwezigon Temples; hear the tragic backstories of Manuha and Dhammayangyi Temples, or watch the sunset at the riverside Bupaya and Lawkananda pagodas. From October to April, travelers can view the entire temple plain from a hot-air balloon over Bagan.
Belongas Bay Central Sekotong, Indonesia
A deep, sheltered bay on Lombok Island’s southwestern shore, Belongas combines easy access from Bali with a series of dive sites brimming with marine life.
Seasonally visited by schools of tuna, barracuda, eagle rays, and hammerhead sharks, Belongas Bay’s waters nevertheless offer a spirited challenge to expert divers thanks to their unpredictable currents; divers at “the Magnet” and “the Cathedral” must show advanced certification and proof of up to 100 logged dives before being allowed in.
Floating Market in Ratchaburi, Thailand
There’s been a floating market on the Damnoen Saduak Canal since its construction in the 1860s. For over a century and a half, locals have bought and sold groceries, tools and breakfast from boats on this man-made waterway in Thailand’s Ratchaburi Province.
Tourists never tire of the sight of hundreds of sampans selling wares on the khlongs of Damnoen Saduak—the color and hubbub of Thailand’s foremost floating market simply can’t be seen anywhere else. Many sampans here cater to the tourist trade—selling souvenirs or serving up deep-fried snacks and hearty noodles.
Gua Tempurong in Malaysia
Millions of years of rain and erosion have carved out an underground marvel in Gopeng, Perak State. Gua Tempurung’s charm lies in its massive scale: spanning a length of some 4.5 km, covering an underground river and five giant chambers, Gua Tempurung is one of the largest caves in Peninsular Malaysia.
Casual adventurers can enter a two-kilometer section developed as a “show” cave, with walkways and electric lights.
Outside ASEAN Nations
While the Philippines is far from having the most powerful passport in the world (that title goes to Japan), Philippine passport holders can still visit a total of 66 countries and territories around the world visa-free. The travel hotspots, like Europe and the U.S.A., are off the table, but there’s plenty of stunning destinations you can visit visa-free.
Barbados
Home of stunning beaches and resorts—and of course, Rihanna—Barbados is an underrated island paradise that Filipinos can visit visa-free.
Bolivia
One of the many South American countries Filipinos can visit without a visa, Bolivia boasts countless World Heritage Sites, rich biodiversity, and landscapes that look straight out of a movie.
Brazil
Brazil is one of the largest countries in the world, and the vast expanse of its territory offers everything from the jungles of the Amazon to the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro.
Colombia
Far from the crime nation portrayed in films, Colombia is home to rich cultures, a booming economy, and a growing health tourism industry due to the quality of its healthcare system.
Kazakhstan
Millennials probably know Kazakhstan best as the country of Borat, but this central Asian nation has much more to offer than comedic relief. Its dramatic mountains, lakes, and deserts are a sight to behold.
Samoa
Another underrated beach destination, this Polynesian country is the ideal getaway for those seeking peace and quiet from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Peru
Is Machu Picchu on your bucket list? This epic site can be found in Peru, home to stunning landscapes that you can visit visa-free.
Morocco
Step back in time in Morocco, where you’ll find the historic cities you read about in history books still standing in the country’s vast sand dunes, coasts, and mountains.
Mongolia
Not many cultures still follow the nomadic way of life, so if you want to witness it before it disappears, it would be best to pay Mongolia a visit.
Kenya
Are you fancy seeing elephants casually walking down the street? Kenya’s appeal to tourists comes from its rich eco-tourism sector that invites travelers to appreciate its grasslands, jungles, and wild animals.
How Can Filipinos Travel Visa-Free?
Traveling visa-free means that you only need to show your passport and travel ticket to the Immigration officers when you arrive in a foreign country. You won’t have to apply for a visa at all – unless you want to stay longer than allowed.
In some cases, such as when traveling to Morocco, Thailand, and Ecuador, you also have to show proof you have bought travel insurance.
Many people travel to unwind, soul search, and sometimes for business purpose. But travel can also be a form of gift for your loved ones, and for yourself.
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