The Philippines is without a doubt one of the most fascinating countries in Asia. Located in the seas off the coast of Southeast Asia, the archipelagic nation can be understood geographically as having three principal geographic divisions: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Among those three groupings, there is a smattering of smaller islands. In fact, one of the most interesting parts about the Philippines is that it comprises more than 7,500 islands in total. This is a staggering number, even when considering the population of nearly 110 million inhabitants.
The capital city of the Philippines is Manila. Manila is located on Luzon, which makes Luzon the most common segment of the country for tourists to visit. That is in part because Manila plays home to the country’s biggest airport.
So, considering that many tourists planning a trip to explore the Philippines must begin their journey in Luzon, what should they know before they go?
The first aspect of the pre-journey portion of your trip is to figure out what the Philippines visa requirements to visit central Luzon are. Some vacationers will be eligible for the Central Luzon online visa. The visa requirements are going to be dependent upon your country of origin, the duration of your itinerary, and where you are planning on going.
Once you have figured out the correct visa for your individual needs, then you can get set to mapping out your ideal adventure to Luzon and beyond. Read more to find out what you need to know before going to Luzon.
The Must Dos and Sees of Luzon
Despite warnings from healthcare officials around the world that the coronavirus pandemic is not over, international travel appears to be trending upwards. That is welcome news for areas of the planet that rely heavily on tourism to stimulate their economy.
The Philippines saw their share of gross domestic product (GDP) derived from tourism fall by more than half during 2020. While it may be difficult to quantify what that means on a national level, at a local level, it meant that thousands and thousands of people and their families who rely on tourism to earn a living suffered tremendously.
That is one of the reasons why the return of international travel is so welcome in places like Luzon. Fortunately for the citizens of Luzon, the region has a ton to offer.
For example, because Luzon is home to Manila, it is also home to some of the most important remnants of the Philippines’ colonial history. The nation is oft-forgotten as a country that was forever impacted by the Spanish. In fact, for hundreds of years, the Philippines was governed by the Mediterranean nation that left behind architectural, religious, and cultural artifacts when it finally relinquished control.
One of the most spectacular examples of what Manila may have looked like centuries ago is Fort Santiago, which still stands today. Built back in 1593, the stone fortress, located in Manila, offers visitors a chance to better understand how the Philippines were shaped into what they are today.
Of course, no trip to Luzon would be complete without visiting the beach. Many times, coastal cities are lacking when it comes to quality beaches, even if they are located in otherwise spectacular locations. This is because of the environmental impact that building—and maintaining— a city has on the land and sea.
For travelers who are staying in Manila though, there are beaches well worth visiting that are inside the larger metropolitan area and easily accessible. One such place is Fortune Island, which is located in Batangas and may be perfect for those travelers who may not have an opportunity to go further afield in Luzon to the more remote coastal regions.
The small, idyllic island is close to Manila and is easily accessible by boat. In addition to crystal blue waters, it also holds Greek-style columns that give it a touch of ancient feel, making it a uniquely perfect place to relax.
<h2>Traveling in the Luzon: Observing and Respecting Filipino Culture</h2>
Anytime you find yourself in a new country, you should do your best to learn about and respect their cultural norms. Oftentimes the little differences between two cultures are what makes learning about them so exciting. However, in some cases, not paying attention to these nuances can cause undesired conflicts.
For example, the Philippines are a very age-hierarchical society. This means that reverence for the elderly is even more important than in many countries in the global West.
Another slight difference that travelers may find is that public displays of emotion, especially concerning anger or shock may be interpreted as hostile and result in problems. It is best to keep your emotions in check, even in stressful situations.
Luckily, the Philippines are a very hospitable and friendly place, so visitors to Luzon and beyond should have no problems getting along with locals and having a wonderful vacation.
