There are some countries you visit because they are famous.
And then there are countries that surprise you.
For me, the Philippines was the second kind.
With its turquoise waters, tropical islands, mountains, friendly people and incredible food, the Philippines has always looked like an obvious destination for Indian travellers. But until recently, getting there meant dealing with more complicated flight options and, for many Indian travellers, the additional hassle of applying for a visa.
That has changed.
Since June 2025, Indian passport holders can enter the Philippines visa-free for tourism for up to 14 days, provided they meet the required conditions, including having a passport valid for at least six months, confirmed accommodation, proof of financial capacity and a return or onward ticket.
And with direct flights now connecting Delhi and Manila, the Philippines has suddenly become a much easier destination to consider for a holiday from India.
But here's the thing: don't stop at Manila.
My own trip took me much further.
The Philippines Is Now Much Easier for Indians to Visit
One of the biggest reasons I think Indian travellers should seriously consider the Philippines right now is simply accessibility.
Air India operates nonstop flights between Delhi and Manila, making the journey surprisingly straightforward. The flight is roughly six and a half to seven hours, depending on the schedule and operating conditions.
That makes the Philippines feel much closer to India than you might expect.
And there is potentially even more choice coming.
Philippine Airlines has been seeking regulatory approval to resume direct flights between India and the Philippines, with Delhi among the routes being considered.
More airlines and more direct options can only be good news for Indian travellers.
For me, the Delhi-to-Manila flight took around six and a half hours, and after the long journey I was pleasantly surprised by how straightforward the arrival process was.
Immigration was quick.
I was actually staying with a friend in Malaybalay rather than Manila, so I had an invitation letter with me. The immigration officer checked it because my final destination was outside Manila. They also checked my return flight.
It was a good reminder that even though the Philippines is visa-free for eligible Indian tourists, you should still arrive prepared with the documents you may be asked to show.
Manila Is the Obvious Starting Point — But Don't Stop There
Manila is probably where most first-time Indian visitors will begin.
And it makes sense.
The capital is huge, busy and modern, with shopping malls, restaurants, skyscrapers, historical sites and plenty of things to see and do.
But I wanted something different.
Instead of spending most of my trip in Manila, I flew onwards to Cagayan de Oro in Northern Mindanao.
The flight from Manila to Cagayan de Oro took just over an hour and a half, and arriving there gave me a completely different perspective of the Philippines.
Cagayan de Oro is a surprisingly modern city. There are plenty of malls, high-rise buildings, restaurants and everything you would expect from a major Philippine city.
There are also Indian restaurants, which is useful if you're travelling from India and want something familiar occasionally.
I didn't get enough time to properly explore Cagayan de Oro itself.
But that just gives me another reason to return.
Because what I really wanted to see was Bukidnon.
Discovering Bukidnon — The Philippines You Don't Hear Enough About
If you've mainly seen photos of the Philippines online, you probably associate the country with beaches, islands and crystal-clear water.
Bukidnon gave me a completely different image.
Mountains.
Rolling green hills.
Cooler weather.
Open roads.
Cattle ranches.
Pineapple plantations.
Indigenous culture.
And landscapes that sometimes felt like they belonged somewhere thousands of kilometres away.
Bukidnon is one of those places that doesn't immediately feel like the stereotypical Philippines — and that's exactly what made it interesting to me.
For an Indian traveller looking for something beyond the usual beach holiday, I think places like Bukidnon are worth paying attention to.
And for someone who enjoys road trips, it gets even better.
Malaybalay City and the Kaamulan Festival
One of the highlights of my trip was visiting Malaybalay City, the capital of Bukidnon.
I arrived just before the Kaamulan Festival, and the atmosphere in the city was completely different.
You could feel that something was about to happen.
Kaamulan is not simply a music festival or a colourful street celebration. The word comes from the Binukid word amul, meaning “to gather,” and the festival celebrates the traditions and heritage of Bukidnon's seven indigenous groups.
The festival brings together culture, music, traditional performances, dancing, food, arts and celebrations throughout Malaybalay and the wider province.
Being there just before the main events gave me a chance to experience the build-up — the decorations, preparations, people getting ready and that unmistakable feeling that the entire city was preparing for something special.
For me, this was one of the most memorable parts of visiting Malaybalay.
And of course, I filmed it.
If you're planning a trip around the festival, I'd definitely recommend looking at the official schedule before travelling, because Kaamulan takes place across multiple events and dates.
And Then There Was the Jimny
If you've followed my travels for any amount of time, you probably already know that I wasn't going to visit Bukidnon without finding a way to explore it on four wheels.
And this trip gave me a particularly exciting opportunity.
I managed to locate and rent a 3-door Suzuki Jimny.
That alone was exciting because I got to experience a version of the Jimny that is not available in the same way in my usual travels.
But I didn't just rent it and drive around the city.
I took it into the countryside.
We headed towards Impasugong and the famous Communal Ranch.
And this is where the trip became a proper adventure.
There Is Much More Around Cagayan de Oro
I only scratched the surface of Northern Mindanao.
There are places I didn't get enough time to explore, and that's one of the frustrating things about travelling — you inevitably leave knowing you need another trip.
One place I did get to experience was Lake Apo near Valencia.
The lake is surrounded by lush scenery and is another example of the natural beauty that exists away from the Philippines' better-known tourist destinations.
Then there's Manolo Fortich, another place worth adding to your Northern Mindanao itinerary.
Manolo Fortich is home to the famous Del Monte pineapple plantation. The plantation is spread across several municipalities in Bukidnon, with Manolo Fortich being home to Del Monte's largest pineapple plantation.
Driving through Bukidnon, you'll see huge stretches of pineapple fields — another landscape that I wasn't expecting to encounter on this trip.
And Yes, I Ate a Lot
You can't visit the Philippines without talking about the food.
And I quickly discovered that I have a weakness for Filipino desserts.
One of my favourites was halo-halo.
If you've never tried it, imagine a colourful Filipino dessert made by combining different sweet ingredients with shaved ice, evaporated milk and other toppings.
I tried it during my trip and completely fell in love with it.
It was sweet, cold and absolutely perfect after being out exploring in the Philippine heat.
I also enjoyed discovering the local food culture in general.
And that's another thing I think Indian travellers will appreciate about the Philippines: there is a huge variety of food, and Filipino hospitality makes eating your way around the country even more enjoyable.
Is the Philippines Worth Visiting from India?
For me, absolutely.
And I think the timing is particularly good for Indian travellers.
The combination of:
- 14-day visa-free tourism access for eligible Indian passport holders
- Nonstop Delhi–Manila flights
- A flight time of roughly six and a half to seven hours
- Easy connections from Manila to other parts of the Philippines
- A huge variety of landscapes
- Friendly people
- Amazing food
- Cities, mountains, beaches and islands
- And destinations that still feel relatively undiscovered
makes the Philippines a very interesting option for an Indian holiday.
And you don't have to choose between a city trip and an adventure.
You can do both.
Start in Manila.
Fly to Cagayan de Oro.
Explore Malaybalay and Bukidnon.
Visit the Kaamulan Festival.
Drive through Impasugong.
See the Communal Ranch.
Explore Lake Apo around Valencia.
Drive through the pineapple plantations around Manolo Fortich.
Eat.
And, if you're lucky enough to find one, get behind the wheel of a Jimny.
Planning Your Trip?
For Indian travellers, always check the latest Philippine immigration requirements before booking. The current 14-day visa-free facility is subject to specific entry conditions, including passport validity, accommodation, financial capacity and onward/return travel.
Flight schedules and immigration requirements can change, so check with the relevant airline and Philippine authorities before travelling.