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Boracay hostels | Palawan hostels | Davao hostels Manila home to roughly 20% of the country's 62 million Filipinos. The capital, Manila, is situated at the mouth of a natural harbor - the Manila Bay of world-famous sunsets. Malacañang Palace, the official residence of the Philippine President, stands regally on the banks of the Pasig River, which meanders through the length of the metropolis.

Within the city limits are located the medieval walled city of Intramuros, Spain's stronghold in Asia during its empire era; Escaolta and Sta. Cruz, two of the oldest commercial centers in the country; and historic Paco and Luneta Parks. Here, too, can be found enclaves as exotic and enduring as Chinatown, the Muslim quarters of Quiapo, and the noisy bargain mecca that is Divisoria. Along the sunset strip lining Manila Bay, luxury hostels vie for the tourist trade with the poshest guesthouses and the best views, while a few blocks away along Ermita's bar-lined streets, more racy pursuits await the night owl.
hostels Cebu PhilippinesCebu is a city in the midst of overwhelming growth that blends its ancestral heritage and modern business savvy with flair. Standing as the country's top business and tourist destination, Cebu was crowned as the Queen City of the South. Finding its own place under Cebu's friendly skies, business and leisure breathe together with office buildings and beach guesthouses. Relics of the past are found aplenty as Cebu is the country's oldest city. The street with the distinction of being the oldest in the Philippines is Colon Street. Colon Street was paved lat in the 16th century by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and now houses malls, office buildings, theaters as well as museums and monuments. Other historical places are the oldest fortress in the country, Fort San Pedro, Liloan Lighthouse and the Bantayan sa Hari.

Cebu was named the country's capital by the Spaniards in 1565 and has been a bustling trade port since pre-Hispanic times. Since that time, Cebu has been able to maintain its stature as the center of trade and commerce in Southern Philippines.

More than just a city of increasing sophistication, Cebu still retains much of its provincial warmth and charm, with its colorful past. Apart from Cebu's numerous man-made landmarks and institutions, it also features many miles of forest greens - a haven to wildlife and the place for a perfect picnic. There's the 15,393-hectacre Central Cebu National Park, the 696-hectare Sudian National Park, the Kawasan Falls and the Bolok-Bolok Mineral Springs. nearby Mactan Island boasts of world-class beach guesthouses.

hostels Bohol PhilippinesBohol with its rolling hills and plateaus, crystal springs and beaches, Bohol is a picturesque island-province replete with ancestral homes and centuries old churches. Bohol is situated at the heart of Visayas. West of Bohol is Cebu, and to the east if Leyto. long its coastline are the numerous isles of Panglao, Pamilacan, Cabilao, jao, Mahanay and Lapinin, which are excellent dive spots.

However, beneath the rustic charms of Bohol lies a thousand and one adventures just waiting to unfold. The site of the 1565 blood compact between Boholano chieftain Rajah Sikatuna and Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Leganzpi Bohol's historicity is evident in the province's relaxed, laid-back pace. Excavation in ancient burial grounds reveal artifacts dating back to China's Tang dynasty. Indeed, the province already had strong trading ties with the Chinese long before the Spaniards set foot in the country. Every year, the compact between the Muslim chief and the Spanish conqueror is celebrated through the Sandugo Festival in July. All year-round, the museums and churches attest to the province's rich heritage and culture. The Chocolate Hills is the most famous natural attraction to be found in Bohol. The province is home to the world's smallest monkey, the tarsier. The size of a first, the tarsier lives on the hills of Corella, some ten kilometers from Tagbilaran. Other equally exotic flora and fauna can be found amongst the forests of Bohol.

Bohol's various mountainous and water formations also serve as a natural playground for the adventurous tourist. One can cruise the rivers, hike up the hills, swim the deep waters or just stroll down the avenues. Bohol is just waiting to surprise you.

hostels Boracay PhilippinesBoracay is the perfect island getaway, with its warm blue waters, powder-fine white sand, and a palm fringed 4-kilometer beach. The islands facilities and amenities make her a recreational haven. The world-famous island of Boracay is located in Aklan province 345 kms. South of Manila. The island is accessible by air from Manila or Cebu. Boracay would have remained a national secret if not far a few foreign travelers whom accidentally stumbled upon the place. Some say it was a movie crew, which spread word about Boracay to other sun worshippers. Other swear it was German traveler Jens Peters' book, which included rare reviews about Boracay, that sent tourists on their way. Whichever tale is true, Boracay has become a melting pot for beach lovers. At any point in the islands, visitors can hear English, German and French spoken fluently. More importantly, visitors respect the serene quality of the place, and pay tribute to native Boracaynons by behaving according to local behavioral codes-which means no nudity, no fighting, and no loud commotion's.

hostels Palawan PhilippinesPalawan the has stood still. Branded as the country's last frontier, Palawan has managed to preserve its fascinatingly natural habitat over the years. Situated southwest of Mindoro and north of Malaysia's Sabah Island, Palawan is the country's largest province with its 1.5 million-hectare land area. More than a thousand islands and islets compose Palawan's territory making the province an ideal breeding ground for tropical flora and fauna. Indeed, It is in Palawan where endemic Philippine animals like the bearcat, mousedeer and Palaway peacock pheasant co-exist with some of Africa's wildlife species such as the giraffes, elands, zebras and gazelles.

Palawan's population follows the same pattern. Through the years, the province has attracted people of all backgrounds. It is said that today's Palawenos are the result of 81 different cultural groups.

Many visitors have come to love this hauntingly beautiful province where the dramatic landscape is also amazingly diverse - from coral reefs to mountain ranges, stark cliffs of sheer limestone, rainforests abundant with rare wildlife, and unmatched underwater views acclaimed by leading divers.

hostels Davao Philippines Davao is a province bursting with life and color. A predominantly mountainous region marked with rolling hills and fertile valleys, Davao is home to a fantastic array of flora and fauna from the famous and rare waling-waling to the endangered Philippine Eagle. The prince being virtually typhoon-free contributes to this marvelous blossoming of nature.

Davao is also blessed in he diversity of the people which have embraced the province as their home. In the early times, the ethnic tribes of the Manobos, Bagabos, Mandayas, and Mansakas lived together side by side. Indeed, these are the people who gave the province its name from the word daba-daba, which means fire. Because of its promising abundance of natural resources and good weather, Davao also attracted people from the nearby provinces of Zamboanga, Jolo, and Cotabato. When the Spaniards came, Christian settlers from Cebu and Ilocos also migrated to this province. And despite their seeming differences in culture and religion, these people have managed to live together in peace and harmony.

It is this rich texture of history, culture and tradition which makes Davao a most enchanting destination. It is here where one can spot Bagobos and Mandayas in full regalia or beautiful Moslem ladies in their colorful malongs (fabric) amidst the backdrop of the Christian's San Pedro Cathedral.

Make no mistake however, Davao is also a city of growth. With a population of about 1.2 million people, the 244,000-hectacre Davao City (probably the world's biggest city in terms of land area), is bustling with financial activity. The vast resources of Mindanao couple with advance in technology can easily propel the province to hyper-growth.