The Philippines is a vibrant and colorful country that gets even livelier and more exciting every time there is a festival. Some of the best festivals can be found in the Visayas region. During certain times of the year, these cities burst with a festive atmosphere – from the colorful décor lining the streets to people dressed up in bright and vibrant costumes, all adding to the celebratory mood.

One of the most noteworthy festivals is Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival every 4^th weekend of January. This colorful (literally) feast is in honor of the province’s patron saint, the child Jesus. This festival is the Iloilo’s version of the Ati-atihan and commemorates the conversion of the native Filipinos into Christians. During the festival, the performers’ bodies are painted black and accented with brighter hues. Iloilo is also home to the Maskara Festival, characterized by a street party in Bacolod City where people travel to have their faces hidden behind different kinds of colorful masks.

In the town of Kalibo in Aklan, the Ati-atihan festival is the most distinct of all celebrations. Held every second weekend of January, Ati-atihan is Panay Island’s most popular fiesta and also celebrates the child Jesus. It is similar to a mardi gras event that lasts for 3 days, here you can also can catch dancers with their black-painted bodies dressed in colorful traditional garb.

In Cebu, the liveliest and most anticipated celebration is Sinulog, a festival that honors the child Jesus, too, who is actually the patron saint of the island. It is also held on the third Sunday of January and it consists of performers dressed in elaborate costumes while dancing to rhythms imitating the current of a river. Both Catholic and non-Catholics are welcome to enjoy the festivities of Sinulog.

The Visayas region is among the Philippine’s biggest groups of islands and offers a plethora of interesting sights and sounds. Each of its provinces and cities offer a one-of-a-kind experience. Here are some of the must-see and must-do things when you are visiting the Visayas.

The Ati-atihan Festival

Filipinos love festivals and celebrations, and one of the must-see festivals in the Visayas is the Ati-atihan in Kalibo, Aklan. The festival is held to honor the Child Jesus (Santo Nino) who is the patron saint of the region.

The Chocolate Hills

Travel to Bohol and check out the unusual geological formation of hills that resemble Hershey’s Kisses. Although green during rainy and ordinary seasons, the hills turn chocolatey brown during dry season or in the summertime, thus the name.

Cruising the Loboc River

Of all the cruises you can take in the Philippines, the Loboc River Cruise is the one that should not be missed. The river is situated in Bohol Island and is a major tourist spot of the province, attracting both foreigners and locals alike. The river is characterized by a winding path where you can find floating restaurants and small bancas. The cruise offers a treat to the senses as surroundings consist of lush tropical greenery.

Island-hopping

Visit Cebu and go island-hopping by riding traditional rowboats or the banca. Doing this allows you to discover the captivating surroundings of Cebu’s many islands while giving you access to more of the white and unspoilt beaches. You can also enjoy a variety of activities such as watersports, picnics, and diving.

The Crown Regency EdgeCoaster

If you just want to be silly and adventurous all at the same time, do as the locals do and head over to Cebu to ride the EdgeCoaster, developed by the Interactive Rides, Inc. This unique extreme thrill ride is not matched by anything you’ll ever see in amusement parks, and is guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping.

Boracay is not the only place that hogs all the attention during summertime. In fact, the unspoilt beauty of Cebu’s beaches are also beginning to gain popularity among holidaymakers and locals who need an escape to a true paradise of relaxation. Nowadays, Cebu is quite similar to Manila with its urbanized look and feel. However, it’s Cebu’s beaches and waterfront that dominate some of its best features.

An ideal destination in Cebu is Mactan Island – easily reached by a single plane ride from Manila and other major cities in the Philippines. Mactan Island has its own airport and it is connected to Cebu City via a short bridge. The island has its own share of resorts and accommodations where visitors can conveniently stay while having the benefit of being only a few steps away from the beach.

Other notable beaches in Cebu include the Barili Beaches which stands in Cebu’s southwestern coasts, around 61 kilometres from the city. Barili boasts white sand, hills, and lush greenery. Some of the best beaches of Barili are Sayaw and Candugay.

Next stop is Alcoy, another one of Cebu’s provincial municipalities that boasts white sand. Tingko beach is the most notable among its beaches due to its rock formation standing along the pristine coastal line. The beach is basically a lagoon stretching across the Mabad-on Reef just below a cliff, and its azure waters are inviting for a swim or a dive. The resort in Tingko is open to the public – just pay a very affordable entrance fee. Alternatively, there is the Bodo’s Bamboo Bar Resort that is elevated on plateau and overlooks the sea. Enjoy its cottages, jacuzzis, and pools.

Visayas is a well-loved holiday destination in the Philippines and is frequented by both foreigners and locals alike. If you’re going to spend a vacation in one of the region’s islands, it’s wise to time your travels wisely to get the most out of your break. Here are the best and the worst times to travel around Visayas.

June to August

This is the typhoon season in the country. The best thing about traveling around this time is that the hotel rates are relatively lower and many airlines are willing to offer discounts on airfare. The temperature is also moderate so it can be a bit more bearable than the scorching summer. The only problem is traveling to the islands around this time can be tricky. You really have to pay attention to the weather forecast particularly if you intend to travel on water to get from one island to the next.

March to May

This is the summer season so expect clear skies and calm waters when you travel to Visayas around this time. You also don’t have to worry about getting your flights or ferries canceled because there are no typhoons don’t usually occur during this season. Just be ready for the scorching heat as temperatures can go up to as much as 38 degrees centigrade. You will have to pack a lot of sunblock and water to keep you from getting dehydrated on the way.

November to February

This is probably the best time to travel to the islands because the weather is cooler. If you’re coming from another country, traveling around this season will give you the opportunity to enjoy the longest Christmas season as Filipinos everywhere actually start decorating for the holidays as early as October. Just be warned that since this is a peak season, accommodations in the Visayas islands are a bit pricier. You might also want to book your tours ahead of time.