They say that home is where the heart is, but what if your heart doesn’t know where it wants to be? If you’re like us, then you know the benefits of living on the beach. But the next question is – where?
There are many things to consider – location, quality of life and cost of living amongst many other things. At Flip Flop Daily, we’ve explored the options and decided that one of the best hidden gems in Asia is the Philippines.
The Philippines is a tropical archipelago with rich biodiversity, incredible natural wonders, picture perfect white sand beaches, and some of the friendliest people you will ever meet. English is an official language here and foreigners will have no problem communicating with anyone at all.
There are countless different island destinations in the Philippines to explore. Setting up base in one of the main cities spread out across the country is smart because you can live and work comfortably on weekdays and do quick road trips or boat rides to your weekend adventures.
Even the capital Manila is a quick plane ride away to world-class beaches or destinations anywhere in the country. The Philippines is a traveler’s dream country, after all it is made up of more than 7,000 islands. You will never run out of different things to do and new places to explore.
There are three main groups islands in the Philippines – Luzon to the north and west, Visayas in the center and Mindanao in the south. Choosing Visayas as the place to settle down is ideal for the adventurous as you’re closer to anywhere that you wish to go.
With a low cost of living, easy access to the beach, mountains and jungles yet complete amenities you would need from a big city – Cebu City in the Philippines is one of the best places in the world you could choose to move to.
Cebu City is the country’s oldest city and the center of Visayas. It’s a cosmopolitan city that has every comfort of city living – high speed internet, a modern airport, hospitals and shopping centers, spas, five-star hotels, nightlife and more. Yet unlike the Philippine’s capital Manila where you need to take a flight to get to the best nature spots – waterfalls, mountains and white sand beaches are just a short distance away.
The best thing about Cebu is the crazy number of things you can do here. Cebu, made up of almost 170 islands, is nicknamed the Gateway to a Thousand Journeys. It is one of the best tourist spots in the Philippines with some of the best beach resorts in the country. Here are just a few reasons why.
Kawasan Falls
One of the most popular destinations in Cebu just minutes away from the city is Kawasan Falls. It’s signature turquoise waters instantly calm your nerves and soothe your senses once you lay eyes on them. But don’t be fooled by the calm-looking waters. This spot is an adventure zone.
Taking a canyoneering tour of Kawasan Falls will take you through towering gorges and boulders to pools of turquoise waters. It’s an adventure that will take you through powerful waterfalls and even let you jump from 30ft high cliffs.
Bantayan Island
The small island off the coast of Cebu is home to some of the best beaches in the Philippines. With fine white sand throughout the island and calm, azure waters, Bantayan island is the perfect spot for a relaxing beach getaway.
It’s as beautiful as the Philippines’ famous Boracay island yet less crowded and commercialized. The best beaches to visit are Kota Beach which has a beautiful sand bar and lagoon that’s perfect for an afternoon dip and sunbathing. Paradise Beach is a stretch of white sand with fascinating rock formations.
There are also natural cave pools here – Ogtong Cave and Sto. Niño Cave which feature cold springs that are heavenly after a whole day out in the sun.
Camotes Island
A beautiful island located in Northern Cebu, Camotes Island offers countless activities for thrill-seekers and adventurous travelers. From pirate ship-shaped cliffs where you can take 10 to 30ft dives, to the 700-hectare, infinity sign shaped Lake Danao otherwise known as Lover’s Lake, Camotes Island is a delight for all the senses.
Holy Crystal Cave is a popular site for spelunking, with well-preserved stalactites and stalagmites that descend eight levels down. The fact that its chambers are naturally shaped downwards is a unique feature of Holy Crystal Cave.
If you’re not yet getting ready to pack your bags and get going yet, then I don’t know what else will convince you. Cebu is awesome, adventurous and accessible. That’s perfection when it comes to the Flip Flop Life.
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