Top 10 Activities to Experience in the Philippines

Traveling to the Philippines shouldn’t stop you from regularly exercising and keeping an active lifestyle. A great way to acclimate yourself to the country is to do sports or physical activities. As an added bonus, you get to immerse yourself in everyday Filipino living, and you’re bound to make new friends along the way.

Some of the sports Filipino people engage in can vary by what’s popular. Boxing is a great example of this. Because of the rise of world-famous Filipino boxers like Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire, boxing has suddenly become fashionable.

Most Filipinos are up to date with world sports. A case can be made that betting on teams during the NBA playoffs has become a national pastime.

Filipinos find all sorts of excuses to go out and be with friends. Outdoor activities, expeditions, and treks to the mountains and beaches are no exception. While it’s admirable to see out-of-shape middle aged men sweating through an intense physical affair, chances are they are there mostly for the company.

As you travel to the Philippines, you’ll find a need to get some exercise, and there is a great variety of things to do. Outdoor activities are largely possible and unaffected most times of the year due to the stable Philippine weather. Whether you are looking to break a sweat or experience the great outdoors, here are 10 recreational activities you can do while in the Philippines:

1. Basketball

Playing basketball is a great way to get along with the locals. There are basketball courts and makeshift rings in every other street and corner in the country. It is by far the most deeply ingrained sport in Philippines culture.

Basketball gyms are usually booked out every night. This means that Filipino men always make time for a night of hoops.

Ironically, the game favors height, something Filipinos do not possess compared to their Western counterparts. This, however, has never stopped them from playing some of the grittiest and most fun basketball games one can have.

2. Biking

More and more Filipinos are getting into biking and for different reasons. With the lack of efficient mass public transportation, many have turned to biking as a cheap and healthy way to get around.

Unbeknownst to many, there exist many beautiful hidden trails in most Philippine cities. These trails allow you to experience views otherwise unseen from regular roads and highways. These bike trails include paths through hills, small forests, creeks, and rivers, depending on which province you are in.

Biking is an excellent form of exercise as well. When you can experience beautiful views while improving your health, it’s no wonder many are getting into biking.

3. Boxing

When Manny Pacquiao rose to fame, becoming one of the greatest fighters of all time, so did the popularity of boxing as a recreational sport in the country. The great thing about going to a boxing gym in the Philippines is being able to train with many former boxers. The country has and continues to produce world class fighters, so you know your sparring session will be a good one.

One thing to note, boxing is not for the weak of heart. It requires tremendous physical conditioning, so make sure you are ready to handle an intense workout.

4. Running

Running is popular worldwide because it can be done with no equipment, just a decent pair of running shoes. While the Philippines sorely lacks walking and running lanes, this hasn’t stopped many locals from getting in their miles.

If you would like to get a good running workout, try jogging around a local mall complex or business area, where the presence of sidewalks will give you added safety and convenience. Local villages are a great alternative if you know a resident.

While you are best cautioned not to, you can run the local city streets and highways if you have a taste for adventure. Just make sure to jog in the early morning or late afternoon as the heat can get intense during the day.

6. Pool

While there are less pool/ billiard halls nowadays, those of you seeking the thrill of a challenge may look forward to a game of 9-ball in the Philippines. It is a well-known fact among pool circles and aficionados that Filipinos are some of the best billiards players in the world.

In back-alleys and ghettos, you will find no shortage of shirtless men who can give any world-ranked player a run for his money.

For an added thrill, bring a decent amount of cash. Most top players play only for money, so having a bit of money and a daredevil attitude is a must.

7. Badminton

One of the most popular recreational sports in the Philippines is badminton. The beauty of badminton is that it can be played competitively by everyone - men and women, young and old. Badminton is a great way to spend time with your friends and coworkers while breaking out a decent sweat.

Badminton can be enjoyed at a pace that’s comfortable for you. Can’t jump? Have weak knees? That’s fine, as long as you have decent eyesight and timing. In the end, it’s all good fun and a great bonding moment with friends.

Badminton gyms are usually fully booked during after-work hours, so it’s best if you know a local who can get you in a group schedule.

8. Scuba Diving / Snorkeling / Swimming

If you are coming over to the Philippines, you know you are going to have to get wet. Being the focal point of Philippines tourism, there are more beaches and dive spots than you can count.

A lot of people travel to the Philippines solely for the beaches, as well as the diving and swimming experience. In every popular beach, there are several dive shops you can approach that offer different dive packages. You will also be guided by competent and qualified dive instructors since safety is an absolute priority.

Expect to be blown away by the majestic coral reefs, brightly teeming with fish and aquatic life.

9. Island Hopping

One of the great pastimes of Filipinos, particularly in the Visayas region, is island hopping. While not technically a sport nor an exercise activity, it offers multiple avenues for exercise like swimming, snorkeling, and diving. More importantly, it is the perfect way to explore the Philippine islands. This activity involves a family or group of friends renting out a small boat (locally known as “bangka”) that charters you to nearby islands or dive spots.

Just remember to adhere to the local environmental regulations and general rules of safety.

10. Caving

Not only can you enjoy fantastic scenery and attractions above ground, but also underground. There are many islands in the country that have cave systems, most of which are available for tours. You can go through all kinds of waterfalls and rivers and fall in love with the many unexplored spots in the Philippines.

They don’t say that it’s more fun in the Philippines for no reason. With the many things to do and places to see, any foreign tourist can agree that there is much to experience in this wonderful tropical country. So be ready to break a sweat and have fun as you engage in the top 10 activities in the country.