Sabaidee Travel

 

Christmas is one of the most important holidays in the Philippines and it is not uncommon to see Filipinos set up Christmas decorations in September!

Despite this, most people seem to overlook the Philippines as a Christmas travel destination. This might be due to the media, as the world’s most popular travel blogs don’t even include the Philippines in their list of “top 10 Christmas travel destinations”.

I believe the Philippines deserves more recognition as one of the world’s best Christmas travel destinations. Two trips to the Philippines in 2016 and 2017 completely changed my perspective on how to celebrate Christmas. It’s a big call but it’s one I’m willing to make. The Philippines could be the best Christmas travel destination in the world.

So how did I come to this conclusion?

The incredible Christmas spirit

Christmas is huge in the Philippines. Unlike in Europe, you have a festive atmosphere that you don’t really get to experience anywhere else. Christmas Eve in Europe is usually very tame. Most people escape the winter cold and stay inside, enjoying the comfort of their homes with their family and friends. In 2012, I remember walking the streets of Aix-en-Provence with a friend on Christmas Eve. This quaint little French town in Southern France is very popular with tourists and it’s busy year-round. Yet on the night of the 24th, there wasn’t a soul in sight! This isn’t uncommon in Europe or the United States.

In the Philippines, however, the situation is completely different. Christmas Eve is loud, festive, and cheerful. If people aren’t chanting Christmas carols in one of the local churches, they are eagerly singing karaoke or eating delicious lechon at one of the many Christmas parties. Christmas Eve is no quiet affair. It is incredibly colourful and joyful and that’s something I’ve only really experienced in the Philippines. On Christmas spirit alone, the Philippines is number one.

Christmas in the Philippines really feels like one big party. The fact that it’s not freezing cold might help. But much of it has to do with the way Filipinos think about Christmas. 12% of Filipinos live and work overseas! Every year, more than a million Filipinos return to the country to celebrate Christmas with their loved ones. This means Christmas isn’t just the commercialised event that it’s become in places like Australia. That’s what seems to make Christmas in the Philippines so special.

The People

Another reason why the Philippines is such a great Christmas destination is that Filipinos are incredibly friendly and welcoming. Filipino hospitality really stands out during the Christmas period. For a solo traveller like me, that meant I was guaranteed to have a good time no matter where I went in the country! Some travel blogs recommend going to Manila or Bacolod City for Christmas. But the reality is you will have a great time no matter where you find yourself!  There are endless opportunities for you to celebrate Christmas no matter where you are in the Philippines. In 2016 I celebrated Christmas in El Nido. The hostel organised a great buffet and Christmas party and the staff really encouraged everyone to get to know each other and celebrate the occasion. In 2017 I celebrated Christmas in Dumaguete, a city located on the southern tip of an island called Negros Oriental. I never do karaoke. But somehow I ended up singing my lungs out to the Black Eyed Peas’ “Where is the Love?”.

Filipinos will actively seek to get you involved in the Christmas festivities, so unless you deliberately choose to isolate yourself from everyone, you are bound to have great have fun.

Tropical Paradise

The idea of spending Christmas in the snow-covered mountains of Europe is appealing but have you ever thought of swimming with sea turtles on Christmas day? In 2017, I had the chance to do just that in a place called Apo island.

This island is starting to make a name for itself. It’s a marine sanctuary home to many sea turtles which, unlike most of their relatives, don’t mind having humans swimming next to them. They have been protected here for more than thirty years. It was amazing to witness the benefits of wildlife conservation first-hand. Seeing that it was possible to preserve the environment whilst providing a living for local populations showed me that it was possible for us to reduce our impact on the environment and make a difference. This was a memorable Christmas day. Like me, you could also find yourself swimming next to turtles on your next Christmas trip to the Philippines. Not a bad way to celebrate Christmas isn’t it?

I was born in France so I have always celebrated Christmas. I have actively sought to avoid being away from family and friends during the Christmas period. So it was with some apprehension that I set off to the Philippines two years ago. I was worried that going to the Philippines on my own would be a complete failure.

I knew Christmas was celebrated all around the Philippines and that largely influenced my decision to visit the country in December. But nothing prepared me for what would happen.

From its people, culture, and incredible atmosphere, I really enjoyed spending Christmas in the Philippines. In my view, it is the best Christmas travel destination in the world.

No Christmas bucket list is complete without a trip to the Philippines.