Retreat for a Mind Treat: Why Philippines is one of the Greatest Countries to De-stress

When modern life is too fast-paced and stressful to deal with, being one with nature is the most relaxing way to chill out. Southeast Asia offers a variety of splendid nature sceneries that can help you ease your mind – one of them is the Philippines.

When it comes to breathtaking beaches and sceneries, the likes of Batanes and Palawan commonly come to mind. But more than just the scenery, there are several more reasons why the Philippines is one of the greatest countries to de-stress.

Little Language Barrier (for English Speakers)

One of the significant challenges when traveling to a foreign country is the language barrier – just one wrong reply or interpretation could get you confused, upset, or even lost. Thankfully since Filipinos have been exposed to English, you can easily communicate with them through the language.

With so many dialects in the Philippines, English remains to be one of its unifying languages. In truth, the Philippines has the third largest English speaking population around the world, next to the United Kingdom and the United States.

The Philippines is known to be the only nation in Asia that speaks proficient English. Most Filipinos are fully literate in the English language. With this, your mind can have peace knowing that you can easily find a way anywhere without getting confused.

Great Food

A great food menu will always be the highlight of a trip according to https://www.touristsecrets.com/. Fortunately, the Philippines is home to a variety of food and one of the best cuisines that the country is proud of is Batanes food. The Batanes food or Ivatan cuisine is something worth the crave and rave. Batanes is surrounded by lush greenery and clear seas. With this setting, there’s a varied selection of vegetables and seafood dishes that may all be cooked in a simple and flavorsome way for you.

To make the most of your Batanes adventure, these are the ideas of the top Ivatan dishes you could try.

Uved:

It is comfort food made of finely-grated corn, mixed with ground meat and minced fish, seasoned with garlic, onions, salt, and pepper. This is rolled into balls.

Payi:

Lobsters or Payi are super cheap in Batanes. Imagine eating a gigantic one for as cheap as $3 (or Php 150).
Luñis: Served as slightly dry, this traditional dish is made of pork cooked with rock salt. This dish could surely be another version of the popular Filipino dish, adobo.

When you visit Batanes, you will surely not only love the place but will also fall in love with the culture and the people.

Cheap Cost

The Philippines has everything, from its mesmerizing sunsets and enchanting seas to friendly locals and relaxed tropical vibes. And on top of that all, the country is a very cheap travel destination!

In the Philippines, your budget can be as happy as you while de-stressing. For as little as $20 per day, you can already travel under an adventurous broke-backpacker budget. It’s also possible to go much cheaper than that if you insist to go camping and hitchhiking.

Transportation:

If you have so much time but so small cash, it is best to stick with land travel or ferries. It is a perfect budget way to get on to many islands!

Accommodation:

There is plenty of economical accommodation available outside Manila. For as little as $8 per night, you can already have dorm beds. Local guesthouse by the beach are much cheaper than hostels, with just a $5-per-night price.

Activities:

One of the cheapest places to learn diving in the Philippines with as little as $25, you can already dive into happiness. Another competitive fun activity is snorkeling which can be enjoyed for $3-5 a pop.

The cost to travel the Philippines, though, still depends on a person’s travel style and the places that a person wants to visit.

Spiritually Beautiful Places

With thousands of tropical destinations that can bunk up a lifetime of journeys and adventures, the Philippines is a country you would not want to miss. One place that can surely sum all the fun experiences with a calming nature and splendid scenery is Coron, Palawan. The place is famous for its World War II wreck dives, limestone cliffs, white-sand beaches, and precious aquatic life. This island is filled with places that can cater to every traveler’s soul-searching.

Serene and lush:

Considered as a UNESCO Bio Reserve, this 19-hectare paradise is a luxurious and exclusive haven far from the hustle-bustle of the city center. It can surely give you the relaxation that you are seeking for.

Abundant wildlife and sanctuary:

The area also serves as a turtle sanctuary. You can see rare hawksbill green sea turtles laying their eggs on the island’s shores at night. The waters that hold abundant marine life and turtles, other animals such as bats, birds, and bayawak (monitor lizard) are also in paradise.

Great diving spot: Speaking of marine life, the place has house reefs that have been protected for more than 15 years. It is filled with beautiful soft and hard corals, a school of fish, giant clams, and dugongs (sea cows). But if you want a genuine Philippines experience, venture away from the usual tourist destinations. Less crowded places such as Sagada, Siargao, Saranggani, and Port Barton will surely offer you a foretaste of real Filipino customs, culture, and ways of life.

Takeaway

The archipelago of the Philippines is very diverse and very inclined with nature. This country is very rich in biodiversity that will give you the way to de-stress from everything. Although slowly developing to industrialization, this country still has tons of natural resources that it can boast for tourism.

You may not be looking for love but this country can make you fall in love with the place. The Philippines can help you find true love and true peace with its culture and beauty!