Every parent knows travelling with kids is a lot of fun, but can also be quite tricky if you don’t plan correctly. Lately though, as the girls are starting to grow up, we have been starting to contemplate trying out more exotic destinations but is visiting the Philippines with Kids a step too far?
Trying out this type of trips can be a real challenge, and requires preparation and research but here are
5 Reasons to Visit the Philippines with Kids and we think it would be an amazing experience.
Reason 1 to Visit the Philippines with Kids – Nature and wildlife
Kids absolutely love animals, we all know that. The Philippines offers a chance to meet countless exotic creatures in their natural habitat. Better yet, in most cases you can even interact with these animals safely. Thanks to its location in the coral triangle, the main attraction here is the rich marine life and diving sites. It’s a great chance to develop your kid’s knowledge and curiosity, while also helping them feel more comfortable with nature.
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Many of the islands have such clear waters, that you can see stunning coral formations and colourful fish simply by swimming in the shallow waters. Snorkeling is also a very safe option, and kids from age 10 or higher can even take the PADI beginner diving course. Swimming with dolphins sounds especially exciting, and it’s something you can try in many different islands across the Philippines.
If you are worried about letting your child swim and dive, just take a boat tour and go whale watching.
It’s not just marine life that’s available though, the country is also full of other exotic animals. The island of Bohol is a popular tourist spot and over there you can go meet the Tarsiers – the world’s smallest monkey. These creatures are a bit shy so patience is required until you spot one, but we are sure your kids will love them. There are also many safaris where feeding is allowed, as well as breeding centres for butterflies, fireflies and birds. No matter which island you choose to visit, you’ll find great animal related attractions.
Reason 2 to Visit the Philippines with Kids – Beautiful Beaches
Let’s be honest, people who venture to these type of tropical countries do so mainly for the beaches. Finding these kind of beaches in Europe is nearly impossible. The Philippines has the best beaches in the world, so finding the right one should be easy.
In the Philippines, you can find secluded beaches even in the most popular tourist destinations. The kids can go swimming or play in the sand, while you sit back and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings. You don’t need to constantly keep a watchful eye and worry your kids will be lost in the crowds.
There are of course, many popular beaches as well. If you go to Boracay for example, you can get a more traditional beach experience, but with a unique twist. The beach there has been voted the best in the world, and even so it’s still very quiet, safe and clean. Water sports and entertainment are available in most beaches, so finding ways to keep your child busy should be no problem at all.
Reason 3 to Visit the Philippines with Kids – All Inclusive Resorts
Most places you’ll go to will have these type of resorts, for really affordable prices. Imagine a private island all to yourself, where all your dreams and wishes are taken care of immediately – doesn’t that sound nice?
These resorts offer world class amenities, multiple swimming pools and an open bar. They all have a large array of in-house activities to keep you occupied, and can also help arrange day tours to nearby attractions. Admittedly, they sometime fall short of the standards set by luxury beach resorts in Europe, but the overall level is still very high.
The best thing about these type of places is they can take care of the kids for you. You can leave your child there without having to worry at all, and can off trying some things by yourself. The hotels have trained personal who knows how to care for kids of all ages, keep them safe and entertained. We all know taking some time off is important, especially during a long holiday, so this could be a perfect solution.
Reason 4 to Visit the Philippines with Kids – Everything is cheap!
Travelling with kids, especially for a long period of time, can be a huge burden on one’s wallet. Simply keeping them happy, well fed and entertained is enough to quickly inflate your vacation’s budget. Luckily, the Philippines is one of the most affordable holiday destinations in the world.
Don’t be fooled, the trip will still be costly no matter how much you try to save. International flights are still a huge cost, and even once you arrive there’s only so much you can do to minimise spending. Travelling in Europe on a budget is certainly possible, but the advantage of the Philippines is, you’ll get much more value for your money.
You can stay at the best resorts, eat at fancy restaurants and try all the attractions you’d like. Heck, you can even rent private transportation and a personal tour guide. No matter how you plan your trip, everything will be significantly cheaper compared to other destinations. When going on vacation with kids it’s important to keep a certain level of comfort, or it can quickly become a nerve wrecking experience. The Philippines allows you to do so without having to spend a fortune.
Reason 4 to Visit the Philippines with Kids – English is an official language
We always try to mix in with the locals, no matter where we go. It’s a great experience for the kids as well, and makes the trip much more interesting. We encourage our kids to keep an open and curious mind – so they can discover new cultures and ideas. This really helps us make the vacation more personal and a truly memorable experience. In countries like the Philippines, it might also be a good idea to book a travel package, which include guided tours and free advice for planning your trip.
No matter where you visit, people are always more welcoming and friendly if you are with kids. Filipinos all speak English quite well, even in the more remote provinces and villages. They are extremely friendly and eager to help. Since they take a lot of pride in their culture, they are also keen on sharing it with you and will help you discover everything you’d like to know. This also helps a lot with the smaller things, such as trying to get directions or figuring out what’s on the menu.
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Karen Beddow founded Mini Travellers in 2014 while doing what she loves most...going on holiday!
Mini Travellers is for parents looking for holiday ideas, destination reviews, days out and things to do with the kids. We also have family travel tips, activity ideas and all other things family holiday related. Take a look at some of our latest reviews for holidays and day trips in the UK.
You had me at the best beach in the world – who wouldn’t want to visit!
I must admit, the Philippines wasn’t on my “to visit” list originally. One day I was spotting Orangutans, Elephants and a lot of other animals in the jungle of Malaysian Borneo. I had no access to the Internet for a few days. When I was connected again, I surfed to the website of Air Asia to search for my next destination. One of the first things that popped up was an offer to visit the Philippines for a very cheap price. One of the greatest things of traveling solo is your ability to be very flexible in your travel plans. So I decided to visit the Philippines, a country I knew very little of!
Oooh this has been on my list for so long!! Must.Go.Soon….
That looks like an amazing holiday! Are the restaurants accommodating of picky toddler preferences?
Hi! I am Lauren a newbie to blogging. I have just stated my blogging career and visiting other bloggers to understand the techniques of successful blogging. You have a wonderful blog minitravellers, can you give your technical tips to be a successful blogger like you. Many Thanks.
The Philippines is indeed family-friendly. Our country is teeming with beautiful islands and beaches families, and kids will enjoy. They can also see turtles swimming in Bohol or Apo Island or go whale watching in Oslob, Cebu. You’ll never have to worry about keeping your kids entertained because the Philippines never lack in fun and exciting activities for kids. We’re going to Dumaguete, Cebu, and Siquijor this December with three kids and everybody’s excited.
I can relate this blog traveling with a kids. I have 2 years old kid and i love traveling around Philippines with him. Especially when we went to Bohol at the very 1st time. My kid enjoyed so much having chance to take photo closer to tarsier and other wildlife creatures. Cebu Oslob is our next spot.