Christmas Holidays in Philippines
You maybe surprise to know that the 100 days to Christmas begins on September 16. Major shopping malls, news outlets, institutions and brands in the country start a traditional and official countdown to Christmas this day. Moving on to November 1 the all Saints Day, cemeteries will be filled with families visiting the tombs of deceased family members, and families hold reunions. All Saints Day remains to be a major national holiday. It forms part of the school vacation period before the celebration of Christmas and New Year. Joyous holiday period usually marked by a mass that puts the transportations under pressure like buses, ferries, and planes are mostly fully booked. Approaching to December 8 since many of the Filipinos are Catholic the Feast of the Immaculate Conception is also celebrated. Since 2017, this has since been turned into a national holiday as well. As the merry season is getting near, on December 16-24 is being marked for Simbang Gabi and Misa de Gallo with the culminating Midnight Mass which is the Misa de Aguinaldo. Here’s comes the merriest day, December 24 “Christmas Eve” and December 25 “Christmas Day” while the last Sunday of December will be a Feast of the Holy Family. The last day of the year finally, December 31 “New Year’s Eve” is massivley celebrated with a super loud noise the whole evening. Welcome January 1 , the “New Year’s day”. The fireworks and firecracker is still going at midnight on this day continuing the noise and parties where most businesses and malls are closed. The holidays have not yet ended, on January 6, the Epiphany, Filipinos may mark the traditional end of Christmas. Other house will turn down their Christmas decorations but many people still embracing the merry essence of it. The celebration of Feast of the Black Nazarene will be on January 9. If happen to be Cebu on January 16, you can witness the biggest Feast of the Infant Jesus, the Santo Niño and Sinulog Festival.
With that being said, I have drafted a 27 days luxury travel itinerary for your reference, some interesting places to witness how local Filipinos celebrate Christmas and New Year. This itinerary should start from Manila then to Cebu, Bohol, Palawan, El Nido, Boracay, Banaue, Sagada and back to Manila. This itinerary can be change that depends on your airport arrival and departure point.
Day 1:Â Arrival to Manila – Stay 1 night
Share the history of an icon of sophistication in the Filipino capital. Located in the center of Makati City, The Peninsula Manila has set the benchmark for luxury and sophistication for over four decades. Known affectionately as the “Jewel in the Capital’s Crown” for its legendary presence in the heart of the Philippines’ primary business district, it is a luxurious haven of comfort, quality service and fine cuisine, and is as much a favorite with discerning locals as it is with visitors from overseas. The generous Deluxe Rooms offer a perfect haven for business travelers or couples, with the choice of one king or twin-bed configurations. Large picture windows facilitate excellent city views and make these rooms in tones of blue and gray even more spacious and bright. Subtle mood lighting creates a relaxing contrast to the excitement of the city outside. Lights, temperature, and brand-new high definition smart TVs that can be operated with bedside fingertip control panels, in addition to high-speed wireless Internet access, and a well-appointed executive desk complete a supremely comfortable Deluxe Room stay.
Day 2: Transfer from Manila to Cebu – Stay 3 nights
WHAT WE MEAN WHEN WE SAY AMUMA? Amuma is a Visayan word that has many meanings and associations. It means caring, nurturing, tending, feeding. It is associated with a mother caring for one child, providing the needs of one’s kin or tending to one garden to bloom. You may want to stay here and experience the unwavering smile and a heart full of AMUMA, the feeling of warmth that radiates from the comforts of a timeless Filipino home; the very feeling that stirs inside you whenever you find yourself in ours. Established in July 1989, Bluewater Maribago is one proud member of the Bluewater Resorts group, a wholly Filipino-owned chain of resorts showcasing the best of Filipino culture: creative, warm, friendly, attentive, caring and relaxing.
You can do this tour when you arrive before or after you settle to your hotel. Mactan Shrine, also known as Liberty Shrine, is a memorial park on the island of Mactan in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines. It hosts two monuments, namely the Magellan Monument, which is dedicated to Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and the Lapu Lapu Monument, a bronze statue which commemorates Lapu Lapu, a native leader who defeated Spanish soldiers led by Magellan in the 1521 Battle of Mactan. Visit to Lapu-Lapu’s Monument & Magellan’s Marker where the battle between Magellan & Chieftain Lapu-Lapu happened. Also visit the Guitar Factories, where you can see how guitars are made. The Virgin De La Regla Parish Church. And to highlight the tour, visit the Mactan Island New Town business complex. The Mactan Newtown is a brand-new township in Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan Island, Cebu, couldn’t have come at a better time. Like its urban counterparts, the 16-hectare has everything that defines a Megaworld township, a prime location, a master-planned setting and interconnected live-work-play components.
Day 3: Island Hopping Tour – 3 Islands
Visit the group of small islands along the Mactan Channel with a motored pumpboat (“banca”). The shallow waters within the sanctuary are excellent for snorkeling adventures. A wide variety of corals (hard and soft), reef fish and invertebrates are easily visible to a snorkeler in 2 to 3 meters of water. Looking for the perfect beach? Pandanon Island is the place to go. White sand and warm turquoise water await the visitor for a day of fun in the sun. The beach at Pandanon Island is perfect for all
kinds of beach activities.
Day 4: Oslob Whale Shark Watching Tour with Kawasan Falls
Whale sharks can be spotted in Tan‑awan which is 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from the center of the town. It has become a popular tourist attraction. Local fishermen feed the whale sharks by hand which tourists find entertaining. The Kawasan Falls, a three-layered waterfall, is one of the popular tourist destinations in the province. Canyoning tours are offered upstream of the Kawasan Falls, where the Matutinao river flows through a secluded canyon.
Day 5: Transfer from Cebu to Moalboal – Stay 3 nights
It may seem like there is not much to do for a tourist in Moalboal itself, but it serves as an excellent basecamp for diving and exploring the surrounding area. The many diveshops in Panagsama beach are mixed with a lot of bars and restaurants, and you can find both luxury and budget friendly accommodation to return to after your excursions. Moalboal is mostly known for the diving its coastline’s multiple reefs provide, but if you look a bit further there are many more natural wonders to explore. The mountains inland offer spectacular vistas and the area is covered by dense tropical rain forests divided by rivers and canyons. You may want to stay here at Quo Vadis Dive Resort is located in beautiful Moalboal. The rooms and bungalows are located only a few steps away from the ocean. Most of them with sea view. They have European cuisine restaurant, Big pool with pool bar, sun set bar and a PADI dive center with boats and equipment for 50 divers.
Day 6: Pescador Island Hopping with Sardine Run Tour
The underwater composition of the Pescador island reef is a sandy slope covered with soft coral followed by a wall covered with hard corals dropping down to about 40 metres (130 ft). On the west side of the island, an open-top underwater cave nicknamed ‘the Cathedral’ can be found. Most recreational dive tours start at the island’s south end, and let the divers drift with the current either along the east or the west side of the island. Visibility conditions vary, but the current in the Tañon Strait pushes in clear water that often allows visibility up to 40 metres (130 ft). The island itself has a lighthouse and access steps on the north and east sides.
Day 7: Free Day, Relax at the resort
You maybe tired from your daily activities already and you need to rest for a day to recharge your energy levels which is very essential for all aspects of physical, mental, and emotional health. 🙂
Day 8: Transfer from Moalboal to Malapascua Island – Stay 3 nights
A Southern Paradise Blanco Beach Resort is a nice place to stay that will bring you in to a whole new world of what we call, paradise. Blanco Beach Resort makes sure you’ll get the getaway you deserve, a time for you to embrace nature at its finest and rediscover live through relaxation and meditation. They will take care of your needs to reach your ultimate venture to explore paradise. Your Perfect Coastal Escape Situated within the Philippines around the Visayan Sea, a few kilometers north across a shallow strait from the main island of Cebu, Malapascua is a small island that goes far off the hustle and bustle of the City.
Day 9: Malapascua Island Hopping
Malapascua became known in the early 1990s as a dive destination. Prior to this, the island was known for its wide white sand beach, known as Bounty Beach; it has also become known for its beautiful coral gardens, coral walls and excellent local dive spots, as well as further-out sites including Gato Island, Monad Shoal, and Kemod Shoal. Monad Shoal is an underwater plateau where thresher sharks and manta rays can regularly be sighted. The number-one dive site of Malapascua is Monad Shoal. The site is best known as the only place in the world where thresher sharks can be seen regularly at and just before sunrise. They use the seamount as a cleaning station for bluestreak and moon cleaner wrasse to remove ectoparasites such as gnathiids from their skin and clean their gills and mouths. The shoal also attracts other pelagic fish such as devil rays and eagle rays. Manta rays and hammerheads are seasonal.
Day 10: Free Day – Relax at the beach
You can also do the snorkeling and fishing nearby the resot. With its spectacular underwater flora and fauna there is much to see, making snorkeling a fine experience. A resort will rent boats, alternatively locals will take you on their fishing rakie. Marine Protected Areas for Snorkeling are: Coral Garden (close to Aabana Beach & Watersport Resort) east side, Lapus Lapus (close to Los Bamboos Resort) northwest point, Dakit Dakit (close to Blue Corals Resort) southwest point Waters off the island offers some of the most exciting extreme dives in the Philippines, with adrenaline pumping adventure, thresher sharks and manta ray encounters. Walks. With about 6 km circumference, Malapascua has more than a few spots to see. It has a handful of exotic beaches like Bounty Beach, or Mangrove Bay, and to tower it all there is the lighthouse, very popular when it comes to watching the sunset.
Day 11: Transfer from Cebu to Bohol – Stay 3 nights
The new Bohol Beach Club is a perfect place to stay, it has a total of eight-eight (88) rooms made up of eighty (80) Deluxe rooms and eight (8) Beach view Suites. All Deluxe rooms have a commanding view of the swimming pool and the beach while all Suites have their own unique view of the beach and the Bohol sea. Rooms are spacious and bright, designed with modern colors, yet preserve a Filipino touch with the prolific use of wooden furniture and local handicraft. Access to the beach, pool and restaurants from all rooms is very convenient due to the well thought of resort layout.
Discover the natural wonders of Bohol with this scenic day tour before or after you check-in to your hotel. Embrace the picturesque of the Chocolate Hills, greet the friendly wide-eyed tarsier monkeys during the tour. Have a sumptuous hearty lunch on-board the Loboc River Cruise crossing the jungle landscapes and delight in the peaceful river fresh atmosphere.
Day 12: Free Day
You may want to embrace the beauty of this resort for a day or do some activities nearby that you can ask from the front desk / tour concierge. Bohol beach club has many sports/activities to offer.
Day 13: Dolphin Watching with Balicasag Swimming
Marine sanctuary on an undeveloped island. The area is frequented by a diverse variety of marine mammals throughout the year, including up to 11 species of frolicking dolphins, as well as many other types of whales including sperm whales, Bryde’s whales, and even blue whales have been reported to have been sighted! The marine sanctuary close to the island is teeming with vibrant, colorful marine life and is an excellent spot to go diving, although you will need to arrange to hire equipment on the mainland if you don’t have your own.
Day 14: Transfer from Bohol to Puerto Princesa – Stay 2 nights
Situated in the heart of the city, Hue Hotel and Resorts Puerto Princesa is such a great place to stay for discovering what the beautiful island has to offer. Inspired by Palawan’s lush environment, Hue takes pride in it’s design-forward and culturally-rooted architecture. As the key to your Palawan adventure, let Hue plan your escapades for a truly memorable stay! Stylish yet sensible, the Deluxe Room is the practical choice for couples or travelers who wish to go solo. Sufficient space with standard features, guests would be thrilled for something no frills.
The City Tour is a perfect introduction to Puerto Princesa’s highlights and the best way to start your vacation in Palawan Island. Puerto Princesa City, a tropical paradise with a bustling urban center perfect for business with leisure trips. Lush rainforests and white sand beaches are simply hours away from the city proper, where a banking and commercial boom has made life easier for workaholics who can never run away from the office.
Day 15: Underground River Tour
Enjoy a personalized experience with a private guide and private vehicle. Travel from Puerto Princesa City to Sabang village passing through rural countryside and then hop on a canoe and explore the world longest navigable Underground River. Puerto Princesa’s Subterranean River is one of the world’s most impressive cave systems hailed as one of the new 7 wonders of the world and listed as a UNESCO Heritage Site. The park features spectacular limestone karst landscapes, pristine natural beauty, and intact old-growth forests and distinctive wildlife.
Day 16: Transfer from Puerto Princesa to El Nido – Stay 3 nights
Seda Lio covers a four-hectare property that opens out to the Lio Tourism Estate’s main centerpiece, a four kilometer stretch of beach with fine sand, you might want to consider your stay here. The sprawling, three-storey hotel is surrounded by lush greens and endemic plants and flora, offering amazing views of the outdoors from both the guestrooms and public areas. While amenities are designed to evoke a seamless relationship between the indoor and outdoor environments, the hotel is fitted with urban conveniences essential to the modern lifestyle. Seda Lio offers easy access to other areas and tourist attractions. Shuttle service is available to the town proper just 20 minutes away, while island-hopping tours can easily be arranged through the Front Desk. Near the hotel are the dining and retail options at Shops@Lio as well as arts and crafts and other novelties at Kalye Artisano, both within walking distance of the hotel
Day 17: El Nido Boat Tour – 1
Enjoy a convenient private boat charter to El Nido Islands. You will explore the most scenic attractions of Bacuit Bay, in particular, the breathtaking Big Lagoon and some of idyllic islands with white sand beaches and turquoise water. Highlights: Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, 7 Commandos Beach, Shimizu Island.
Day 18: El Nido Boat Tour – 2
This is the most scenic tour because it includes spectacular beaches and islands such as Secret Beach, Hidden Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Tapiutan Island, and Helicopter Island. Highlights: Tapiutan Island, Helicopter Island, Secret Beach, Hidden Beach, Matinloc Shrine.
Day 19: Transfer from El Nido to Boracay – Stay 3 nights
Situated in the popular strip of Station 1 in Boracay Island that you maybe craving to stay. This beachfront resort features 188 world-class rooms, two swimming pools and one upper deck pool. Satisfy your every craving in our modern coastal cuisine offering International signature dishes you can think of. This resort immerses you in the genuine spirit of the island being in close proximity to everything from the local shopping area, multiple gastronomic places and just minutes away from both Station 2 and 3. One of the best locations in the Island, Henann Crystal Sands features a 30-meter wide beach in Station 1 which has one of the best views of the iconic sunset. Marvel in Henann’s three state-of-the-art swimming pools. Two pools are located on the ground level facing one another with pleasant view of the resort facade and grounds. The Sky pool is located at the second level of the resort featuring a brilliant view of the beach and the Boracay sunset that also features a sunken pool bar for the complete Island experience.
Day 20 to 21: Free Day
You may to enjoy the wide white sands. Boracay is a small island in the central Philippines, known for its resorts and beaches backed by palm trees, bars and restaurants. The observation deck nearby on Mount Luho has a panoramic views over the island. The island is also the home of coral reefs and shipwrecks to diverse marine life. There are many things to do such as diving, sunset cruising, water sports, island hopping and more which you can scout for a better price everywhere in the Island.
Day 22: Transfer from Boracay to Manila – Stay 1 night
Share the history of an icon of sophistication in the Filipino capital. Located in the center of Makati City, The Peninsula Manila has set the benchmark for luxury and sophistication for over four decades that you do not want to miss staying here. Known affectionately as the “Jewel in the Capital’s Crown” for its legendary presence in the heart of the Philippines’ primary business district, it is a luxurious haven of comfort, quality service and fine cuisine, and is as much a favorite with discerning locals as it is with visitors from overseas. Our generous Deluxe Rooms offer a perfect haven for business travelers or couples, with the choice of one king or twin-bed configurations. Large picture windows facilitate excellent city views and make these rooms in tones of blue and gray even more spacious and bright. Subtle mood lighting creates a relaxing contrast to the excitement of the city outside. Lights, temperature, and brand new high definition smart TVs that can be operated with bedside fingertip control panels, in addition to high-speed wireless Internet access, and a well-appointed executive desk complete a supremely comfortable Deluxe Room stay.
Day 23: Transfer from Manila to Banaue – Stay 2 nights
A homey place in a small village offers Native huts for travelers to relax and chill and experience a part of what Banaue has to offer. This delight in hosting guests stems from an old family tradition that they have done ever since they had a house to stay in. Staying here will give you great knowledge of what Banaue is all about and will give you details about our preserved culture and history. The native houses are based on one of their heritages from ancestors which have been in use for thousands of years to this day. You’ll know more about it when you arrive here and embrace the history and culture
The Banaue Rice Terraces refer to the cluster close to the Banaue poblacion as seen from the viewpoint. Contrary to popular belief perpetrated by its inclusion on the twenty peso banknote, the Banaue Rice Terraces are not a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They were not included in the UNESCO inscription Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras due to the presence of numerous modern structures, making it score low in the integrity criterion of UNESCO. The five clusters inscribed as part of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras are Batad, Bangaan, Hungduan, Mayoyao Central and Nagacadan. Batad and Bangaan are under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Banaue but are not called the Banaue Rice Terraces. The Banaue Rice Terraces were declared by the Philippine government as a National Cultural
Treasure under Ifugao Rice Terraces by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 260 in 1973.
Day 24: Bangaan Village and Rice Terraces Tour
The Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras were named as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in 1995. It has passed by UNESCO’s standards due to the blending of the physical, socio-cultural, economic, religious, and political environment as a living cultural landscape. The Ifugao Rice Terraces have also been inscribed in the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2001 as the dangers of deforestation and climate change threatens to destroy the terraces. Another contributing factor is globalization where the younger generations of the Ifugaos have recently had the opportunity to gain access to media and education, most of the younger Ifugaos full citation needed] have opted to come to the capital for work instead of the traditional farming tradition. The Philippines sought danger listing as a way to raise national and international support and cooperation in the preservation of the heritage site.
Day 25: Transfer from Banaue to Sagada – Stay 1 night
Far from the east, over ranges and rivers lies a humble hobbit inspired dwelling. Nestled on a idyllic hillside of Liyang. Majestically framed by hand built and iconic spherical doors & windows like portholes. You may want to stay here at the The Shire of Sagada and see the natural limestones and river stones. Floors are wooden & carpeted, provided with polished chairs and tables. Some rooms has looking over the garden and meadows beyond. Tunneled dining area is located on the ground floor equipped with organic furniture.
Sagada is a small town in the mountain province of Luzon in the Philippines. Many visit for its cool and refreshing climate, beautiful caves and hanging coffins as well as the serene mountains. There are several places in the area, where you find hanging coffins while Sagada Weaving and Souvenir Shop, a Store for local and handwoven products are one of the more popular souvenir shops in Sagada. It is one of Sagada’s biggest employers and one can visit the weaving looms to view how intricate the weavers go about in producing the handwoven raw materials. Very affordable prices too. Tour Highlights of the day: Sagada Weaving, Ganduyan Museum, St. Mary’s Church, Echo Valley, Hanging Coffins.
Day 26: Transfer from Sagada to Manila – Stay 1 night
You might want to come back here. Located in the center of Makati City, The Peninsula Manila has set the benchmark for luxury and sophistication for over four decades. Known affectionately as the “Jewel in the Capital’s Crown” for its legendary presence in the heart of the Philippines’ primary business district, it is a luxurious haven of comfort, quality service and fine cuisine, and is as much a favorite with discerning locals as it is with visitors from overseas. The generous Deluxe Rooms offer a perfect haven for business travelers or couples, with the choice of one king or twin-bed configurations. Large picture windows facilitate excellent city views and make these rooms in tones of blue and gray even more spacious and bright. Subtle mood lighting creates a relaxing contrast to the excitement of the city outside. Lights, temperature, and brand-new high definition smart TVs that can be operated with bedside fingertip control panels, in addition to high-speed wireless Internet access, and a well-appointed executive desk complete a supremely comfortable Deluxe Room stay.
Day 27: Departure Day
You can travel in Philippines all year round. The first half of the year, from January to May, is the best time to visit the country. November to February is a little bit cool, while March to May is hot and dry. June to October is rainy, with the months between July and September usually encountering typhoons. Average temperature is 78 degrees F/25 degrees C; average humidity is 77%.
Philippines General Information:
LANGUAGE
There are two official languages in the Philippines—Filipino and English. Filipino which is based on Tagalog, is the national language. English is also widely used and is the medium of instruction in higher education.
CURRENCY
The Philippine Peso (sign: ₱; code: PHP) is the official currency in the country. 100 centavos or sentimos make up 1 peso. Foreign currency may be exchanged at your hotel, and in most of the large department stores, banks and authorized money changing shops. Most large stores, restaurants, hotels, and resorts accept major credit cards including American Express, Visas, and MasterCard. Personal checks drawn on foreign banks are generally not accepted. The best currency to take when in the Philippines is the local peso.
TIPPING
The Philippines do not have a tipping rules and it is not expected or obligated to give a tip. However, tipping is more common in touristic locations. Locals sometimes leave a tip, usually a small peso bill, and it will be very much appreciated. Keep plenty of those small amount of bills if you want to leave tips to service providers in the Philippines and you will receive a radiant smile throughout the day.
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