The Philippines is the fourth largest English speaking country in the world. It can accommodate budget travelers. If you are not on a budget, you can have the very best for a reasonable price. The Philippines is the only country in the world that welcomes foreigners from all other countries. It is one of the very few you can enter without a visa. You will need to get one after 21 days if you stay that long.

Considered as the third largest-English speaking country in the world, the Philippines has world-class facilities and services such as excellent accommodations, fine restaurants, modern shopping centers and communications services, efficient congress and exhibition organizers, and reliable tour operators.

The country is divided into three geographical areas; Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. It has 16 regions and 79 provinces. Its capital is Manila.

If you are planning to have a vacation in one of the beaches here, it is suggested that instead of going to the overrated and infamously known Boracay Island destination opt for a less crowded spots such as the island of Palawan that was rated by National Geographic Traveler magazine as the best island destination in East and South East Asia region in 2007, and the 13th best island in the world having incredibly beautiful natural seascapes and landscapes.

Passport/Visa Note: Everyone entering the Philippines must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay. All visitors must have return or onward tickets and documents necessary for further travel, as well as sufficient funds.

No visa is required for a stay of up to 21 days.

Manila - offers many places of interest that are easily accessible for day excursions: Intramuros, the Walled city of Old Manila; Nayong Pilipino, a theme park that showcases in small scale the country's famous landmarks; Rizal Park, a tribute to the country's national hero; museums and some of Asia's most modern and biggest shopping malls.

Laoag - is the international gateway at the northernmost province in Luzon, Ilocos Norte. Aside from offering a variety of destinations within the province, the city is also an access point to: Ilocos Sur, La nion/Pangasinan, Baguio/Bontoc/Sagada/Banaue

Subic - the most recent addition to the country's list of international ports, offers both rest and recreation and adventure.

Cebu - the country's first capital and dubbed as the "Queen City of the South" offers diverse attractions and facilities to cater to every tourist preference.

Davao - offers an array of colors, shapes, tastes and textures that manifest a fusion of indigenous Filipino and Malay culture. In terms of land area, it is the biggest city in the world, part of which is already the base of the country's highest peak, Mount Apo.

Batangas City - located 3 hours south of Manila, offers its renowned dive sites and beach resorts.

Legaspi City - is one's front seat to the spectacle of the Bicol region, the world renowned Mayon Volcano, and the jump-off point to eco-tourism sites.

Puerto Princesa City - is the capital of Palawan, known for its amazing species of wildlife and marine life.

Cagayan De Oro City - is the gateway to picturesque Mindanao. The following destinations offer visitors an array of power-packed adventure activities such as white water rafting, kayaking, canopy walking, and surfing

Zamboanga City - offers a glimpse into the culture of 5 colorful tribal groups living in harmony with the Christian community. It is the gateway to the charming attractions and indigenous craft.

Philippine cuisine has evolved over several centuries from its Malay roots to a cuisine of predominantly Spanish base, due to the many Mexican and Spanish dishes brought to the islands during the colonial period. It has also received influence from Arab, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, and American cooking.

Due to non-Hispanization, the cuisine of the indigenous Moro and Lumad peoples of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago differ greatly from the majority of cuisine in the Philippines, having more in common with the Malay cuisines of Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. Common ingredients include coconut milk, sambal, cumin, chilli, curry and lemon grass, with a well-known dish from the region being Satti.

Filipinos traditionally eat three main meals a day - agahan (breakfast), tanghalían (lunch), and hapúnan (dinner) plus an afternoon snack called meriénda (another variant is minandál or minindál).

Dishes range from a simple meal of fried fish and rice to rich paellas and cocidos. Popular dishes include lechón (whole roasted pig), longganisa (Philippine sausage), tapa (beef jerky), torta (omelette), adobo (chicken and/or pork braised in garlic, soy sauce, and vinegar or cooked until dry), kaldereta (goat in tomato stew), mechado (beef or pork cooked in tomato sauce), pochero (beef in bananas and tomato sauce), afritada (pork or beef simmered in a tomato sauce with vegetables), kare-kare (oxtail and vegetables cooked in peanut sauce), crispy pata (deep-fried pig's leg), hamonado (pork sweetened in pineapple sauce), sinigang (pork, fish, or shrimp in tamarind stew), pancit (stir-fried noodles), and lumpia (fresh or fried spring rolls).

Today, Philippine cuisine continues to evolve as new techniques and styles of cooking finds their way into one of the most active melting pots of Asia. The Philippines does not only possess its traditional cuisine. Popular worldwide cuisine and restaurant and fastfood chains are also available around the archipelago. Furthermore, the Chinese populace (especially in Manila) is famous for establishing Chinese districts, where predominantly Chinese and Chinese fusion food can be found. These are especially prevalent in urban areas where large influxes of Chinese expatriates are located.

The Philippines has a tropical marine climate dominated by a rainy season and a dry season. The summer monsoon brings heavy rains to most of the country from May to October, and the winter monsoon brings cooler and drier air from December to February.

Manila and most of the lowland areas are hot and dusty from March to May, when temperatures can rise to around 99°F (37°C). Average sea-level temperatures rarely drop below 80°F (27°C). Monsoons are possible between July and October.