BBC's 'Travel with Lonely Planet' lists the top Philippine beaches
A couple having their moment as the sun sets on Boracay island. Photo by Rose-an Dioquino
School begins in a few days, but there's still time to get a tan. With over 7,000 islands, the Philippines is the perfect place for fans of the sun and sand.
Deciding where to go can be difficult, but the options are narrowed down in a list of the best beaches of the Philippines posted by BBC on May 28.
A “Travel with Lonely Planet” feature lists Cebu, Southern Negros, El Nido, Boracay and Pagudpud as the country's top beach destinations.
The list begins with the accessible Cebu island, which has many high-end, family-oriented resorts, and is not far from Malapascua island.
For those who want to sample several world-class beaches, Dumaguete is the ideal destination, with the nearby Tambobo Bay, Siquijor Island, and Apo Island.
Boracay is described as the "crown jewel of Philippine beaches."
"Boracay's five kilometer signature White Beach has been dropping jaws for decades," the guide said.
Described as a laidback town in north Palawan, El Nido is a good place for tired city dwellers to get away from it all, while Pagudpud is recommended for adventure-seekers.
El Nido's majestic limestone cliffs. Photo by Manix Abrera
The list is based on Lonely Planet's May 16 article, which includes top surf spot Siargao.
"With such a wealth of coastal pleasures on offer, it can be tricky to pick your spot," writes Lonely Planet author Greg Bloom.
Baler, Anda, Coron and Camiguin are also mentioned in the guide.
"Or just check out a map of the country, point to an island, and go. You'll inevitably find a lonely stretch of sand that few tourists have trod on before—your own private patch of paradise," writes Bloom. –Carmela G. Lapeña/KG, GMA News
