Actress and Professor Anna Deavere Smith once said, “Friendship is a wildly underrated medication.”
And indeed it is! Spending time with friends is one of the best ways to relax, recharge, and create lasting memories. Whether you’re looking for an adventure-packed outing or a peaceful escape, choosing the right spot to hang out can make your time together extra special. The Philippines, with its rich culture, beautiful landscapes, and warm people, offers countless destinations perfect for every type of friend group.
But what if distance or other limitations keep you and your friends apart? Don’t worry, there are also plenty of fun ways to connect online. In this guide, we’ll take you through some of the best places to visit in the Philippines if you’re planning to hang out this weekend. We’ll also share exciting ideas for online hangouts so you can keep the fun going even when you’re apart.
Visit These Places to Hang Out With Your Friends This Weekend in the Philippines
Here are some of the best places in the Philippines to enjoy fun adventures and relaxing moments with friends. You get to explore beaches, waterfalls, and more! So, what’s our first stop?
Kawasan Falls
Travel to Cebu Island in the Visayas area of the central Philippines in about 1.5 hours from Manila City if you and your besties are looking for an experience that blends breathtaking scenery with exciting activities.
Kawasan Falls, located in Badian, Cebu, is one of the province of Cebu’s most recognizable natural landmarks and a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches, fascinating history, and other amazing natural features. Kawasan Falls attracts sightseers in search of a calm, refreshing retreat with its blue waters. You and your friends can come to swim, relax, or get a natural water massage on a bamboo raft.
Boracay Island
Boracay is a little island, but it’s definitely one of the Philippines’ top destinations. It is home to underwater tunnels, corals, and caverns. If you are feeling very daring, you may go cliff diving at a height of about 42.5 feet or do a sea leap off the edge of the cliff.
You and your pals can go scuba diving, kiteboarding, and parasailing amongst other water sports. In addition to a vibrant nightlife, the island has shoreline bars and restaurants for you and friends to cool off your body after each adventure. Afterwards, you all could go to the spa or check off several other summer activities on your summer bucket list.
Chocolate Hills
Bohol Island, in the middle Visayas island area of the Philippines, is home to the Chocolate Hills, a breathtaking natural beauty that you and your pals shouldn’t miss. It is called C.H due to breathtaking chocolate-brown coloration that occurs during the dry season.
The Chocolate Hills of Bohol Island range in height from 30 to 120 meters and are very similar in shape, but they do vary in size. Once you get over the hills, Bohol Island is a treasure chest of breathtaking sights and exciting activities. And the Island trips in Bohol let you see beautiful beaches and fascinating marine life. Don’t hesitate to take pictures and videos to share with your friends on TikTok and other social media apps here.
Siargao Island
Siargao is a popular destination for young adventurers and surfers. It is no surprise that it is often referred to as the “the surfing capital of the country” and, according to several tourists, the surfing Mecca of Asia. Aside from surfing, Siargao Island has a lot to offer.
Siargao Island has several attractions, such as rock pools, waterfalls, and the breathtaking Sohoton Lagoon, where visitors may have an unforgettable experience swimming with non-stinging jellyfish (it really does not sting; we promise you). You and your gees can also visit beautiful sites like Naked Island, Daku Island, and Guyam Island, all of which offer white sand beaches and turquoise oceans and have picnics there. Take pictures and record videos that can become viral social media moments here.
Tips for Your Weekend Entertainment in the Philippines
If you and your friends are the ones visiting a foreign place you’re the one who should adapt to their culture. Hence, here are some tips and cultural etiquette that could even impress the Filipinos throughout your adventurous stay in the Philippines.
- Take your shoes off when entering homes
- Revere elders as expected
- Dress modestly; avoid revealing dresses
- Do not forget to smile often no matter what
- Eat like a local: street food is not only delicious but also easy on the wallet
- Try street foods and drinks; they are delicious and pocket friendly
- Use public transportation like tricycles; they are cheap
- Ask questions every now and then
What if You Want to Have Fun With Friends Online?
Entertainment is not limited to physical meetings. Apart from the fact that distance is one of the key factors preventing friends from hanging out physically, some people find it easier to open up to communicate better with friends and acquaintances virtually than in person.
Are you constrained by distance? There are many ways to hang out with your buddies in virtual space. Ultimately, the interests you share can play a role in the kind of virtual activity you have. For instance, if you and your friends are into online gaming, you can read the reviews about online casinos in the Philippines on the site https://ecasinos.ph/ and then choose for yourself engage in a few rounds of real money casino gaming. Especially since virtual poker, baccarat and other games are now gaining popularity.
Well, here are several other fun things to do with your friends from the comfort of your room.
Live-stream Events
There are several concerts and events available for live streaming these days, and tickets are often cheaper than at the venue. So you can gather your friends for online events if you have similar interests, whether it’s in art, music, or any other similar activity.
One additional advantage of virtual and online events is that you get to attend them in real time anywhere in the globe without the burden of transportation costs. Even better, you get to connect to activities, participate and watch your favorite artists live while you chill at-home.
Binge-watch TV Shows
This is one of the best things to do with besties. Nowadays, you can watch a ton of amazing TV episodes and movies online while you take a snack or two, and it’s often more enjoyable to do it with a buddy than by yourself. If you and your pals used to watch the iconic Game of Thrones series every week but couldn’t meet up due to other commitments, there’s no need to stop doing that.
You can open a group chat with your pals and plan a movie marathon together once a week on streaming night to maintain the flow. You’ll have a wholesome time reconnecting with friends by doing this, making silly comments and just exchanging banter. You can even plan “virtual date nights” to spend time with a potential partner.
Workout Online
Although working out online is not one of your creative, conventional hangout options, it is a great way to improve your health and well-being. Regular exercise and good health have long been associated with increased happiness and longevity. The difficulty in forming this positive habit is why people stop working out days into their routine.
Joining forces with a friend is one way to simplify things. Not just that, it’s a great way to keep you responsible and consistent with it even if you aren’t in the mood because your friend can serve as your accountability partner. Collaborating with friends online to become fit is definitely a lot of sweat but also a lot fun and it can also strengthen the bond of your friendship.
Host Trivia Nights
A fun way to keep in touch with your friends is to organize virtual game evenings or trivia nights. This is probably the ultimate online way to have fun with your friends which is why we saved it for last. This way, even distant friends and family can join in on the fun.
Having a trivia night or gaming online has never been easier, more entertaining, or even affordable thanks to the abundance of websites and apps available. Playing trivia together as a team increases the likelihood of making meaningful online connections (pun intended) with other people. The best part of trivia nights is that, in the process of bonding, you let out your inner child and you discover something new about the partners you team up with or compete against. Add this to your bucket list if you haven’t already!
Final Thoughts
From the serene waters of Kawasan Falls to the thrill of Siargao’s waves, the Philippines offers adventures for every group. If distance keeps you apart, virtual hangouts like trivia nights, live-streamed concerts, or online workouts can bridge the gap and keep the bond strong.
According to Author Amy Leigh Mercree, “Happiness is a collection of joyful experiences shared with soul friends…” Life is better when shared, so grab your friends, plan your weekend, and enjoy the time together, whether in person or online. Memories are priceless-so make every moment count!
