Full of beautiful lakes and waterfalls, Laguna is a great nature spot close to Manila. The province is extremely developed and full of interesting tourist spots. The best thing about Laguna is its diversity – with many attractions and popular sites for you to choose from.
You can visit Laguna as a day trip from Manila, or spend a few nights there. It all depends on how many things you wish to see, and how much time you have. Read our full guide to Laguna, add any item you like to your wishlist and let our agents plan your tour itinerary. All of our Laguna tour packages include transfers from and to Manila, accommodation and guided tours.
Typhoons can hit the Philippines any time of year, with the months of June to September being most active, with August being the most active individual month and May the least active. Typhoons move east to west across the country, heading north as they go.
Here's a list of popular things to buy in the Philippines:
01 Polvoron-Polvoron is a favourite childhood treat, for adult as well. It is a crunchy and crumbly fun-to-eat snack that comes in different flavours.
02 Dried Mangoes-Dried mango is another yummy pasalubong. Cebu is well-known for its delicious, tasty dried mango which is one of the favourite “pasalubong” (present) fruit snacks of the Filipinos, both here and abroad.
03 Chicharon (Pork rinds)-Chicharon is a popular deep-fried pulutan (finger food) in the Philippines because it tastes oh-so-good when paired with alcoholic drinks dipped in vinegar with garlic.
04 Ensaymada-This soft, sweet bread covered with butter and sugar then topped with lots of grated cheese and commonly served with hot chocolate is just right for merienda (light morning or afternoon snack). If you want to bring some home, buy them on your day of departure so they’ll be freshly baked.
05 San Miguel Beer-San Miguel is the best-selling and best tasting beer brand in the Philippines.
06 Souvenir shirts (Philippine Statement Shirts)-Many people are fond of souvenir t-shirts so buying this as a pasalubong to remember your trip in the Philippines could be a good idea.
07 Hopia-This is definitely one of the most requested pasalubong! Hopia is a staple Filipino bean filled pastry traditionally filled with sweet mung bean, but also comes with other fillings such as purple yam (ube), sweet potato and even pork.
08 Chocnut or Chocolate peanut bars.-Everyone loves Chocnut, especially the Filipino. It’s a small candy bar that almost all of us is familiar with.
09 Buko Pie or Coconut Pie-Buko pie is a Filipino pie made with young coconut, locally known as buko. While it is generally available anywhere in the country, buko pies in Laguna are the most in-demand.
10 Traditional accessories-The Philippines is famous for its many handcrafted goods, which can work well as presents if you want the people you’re giving pasalubong to, to add a touch of Pinoy heritage on their outfit.
A simple but tasty and hearty meal at a busy local restaurant costs around $3 on average. A three-course dinner at a mid-range neighborhood restaurant costs about $16 for two people, not including alcoholic beverages. A pint of Filipino bottle of beer is about $1, while a 12-ounce import costs $1.96.
Thailand is more expensive than the Philippines for a variety of reasons, even though both countries offer similar experiences: beautiful beaches, tropical rain forests filled with wildlife, and big cities full of culture and atmosphere.
A week in the Philippines can cost you about $363 (per person), while a week in Thailand may cost you around $479. These differences become even more noticable if you plan to spend a longer time in the country. 10 days, two weeks, or even one month of travel to the Philippines or Thailand can realy add to your travel budget.
7 Must-Buy Souvenirs in Manila for the Solo Traveler:Mini Jeepney,Piña Cloth,Barako Coffee,Local Handicrafts,Wood Carvings,Pearls,Local Delicacies.
Yes, the Philippines is generally a safe place to visit. But just like with any other destination, you should be cautious, especially in public transport and in main squares of town. It is uncommon for Filipinos to see foreign females traveling solo as it's usually men who travel by themselves.