Are you a spontaneous traveller? If you are — and also hold a Philippine passport — then you probably know that there are limits to such spontaneity. You cannot just go and book flights to anywhere in the world without checking visa requirements (lest you get deplaned). But, if you have considered going somewhere exotic in Asia, Africa or Oceania, here are some countries where you can get a Visa On Arrival (VOA).
Also read: 15 Exotic Visa Free Countries Filipinos Might Not Know About
Who says third-world passports aren’t powerful? Go on and book that flight now!
Duration of Stay: 120 days
A former Soviet republic, Armenia is becoming a popular tourist destination for the adrenaline junkies. Its mountainous Caucasus regions make it the perfect setting to go hiking, paragliding and skiing so if you want to try something adventurous during your travels, Armenia should be in your list!
How to get there: Manila → Dubai/Istanbul/Doha → Beirut/Kiev/Moscow → Yerevan
What to do: Visit the world’s largest mountain lake, Lake Sevan, in the summer; go skiing at the Tsakhkadzor Ski Resort in the winter; check out UNESCO world heritage sites (Haghpat and Sanahin monasteries, archaeological sites of Zvartnots); paragliding in the Caucasus Mountains
Duration of Stay: 30 days
Although the Islamic Republic of Iran has gained a poor public image in many parts of the world for the past few years, it is slowly gaining back popularity as a tourist destination. Many visitors come to the country to visit pilgrimage sites in Qom and Mashhad but history lovers will also love visiting ruins such as the Persepolis. If you want to see your history books come alive, definitely visit Iran.
How to get there: Manila → Kuala Lumpur → Tehran
What to do: Visit the Persepolis, Imam Square, Isfahan Music Museum, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, National Jewelry Treasury, Imam Reza Holy Square and more; enjoy the beaches in Kish; go shopping at Mashhad, Tabriz, Yazd and Qeshm
Also read: 10 Days in Iran: Sample Travel Costs and Budget
Duration of Stay: 30 days, get at Manas International Airport
This rugged Central Asian country lies along the historic Silk Road, which was once the ancient trade route used between China and the Mediterranean. You can visit several natural attractions in the country or go on a gastronomic adventure — their cuisine is influenced by different cultures including Russian, Georgian, Turkish, Central Asian and many more.
How to get there: Manila → Dubai → Bishkek
What to do: Visit Ala-Archa Gorge, Issyk-Kul Lake, Song Kol Lake, Mountain Sulaiman-Too, Nikolai Przhevalsky Museum; sleep in a yurt; go on a gastronomic adventure; learn Russian at cheap rates
Duration of Stay: 30 days
This small tropical country found in the Indian Ocean is a famous tourist attraction for beach lovers. It is actually composed of 26 ring-shaped atolls so don’t be surprised to see endless beaches, lagoons and reefs. Most of the things you will do in Maldives will, naturally, involve the ocean.
How to get there: Manila → Singapore → Male
What to do: Try underwater dining at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island resort (world’s first); swim with the sharks at the South Ari Atoll; enjoy a spa massage at the Centara Ras Fushi Resort; go snorkelling; catch the reef breaks at Male’s atolls
Also read: Maldives Budget Itinerary: 6 Days 5 Nights in This Dream Paradise
Duration of Stay: 90 days
Located in the lap of the Himalayas, Nepal is best known for its numerous wildnerness and adventure activities. Nepal is home to 8 out of 10 of the highest mountains of the world. You can go mountain climbing, hiking and trekking, bungee jumping and paragliding or kayaking, canoeing and rafting.
How to get there: Manila → Shanghai → Kunming, Yunnan (China) → Kathmandu
What to do: Go rafting at the Karnali River; join a Vespa tour in Kathmandu; ride on a helicoper to see the top of Mt. Everest; try bungee jumping and canyon swinging at The Last Resort; go paragliding at Pokhara
Duration of Stay: 45 days (get at Dushanbe International Airport; e-visa holders can enter through all border points)
Yet another Central Asian country in our list, Tajikistan is known for its rugged mountains which is why it is a popular destination for hiking, climbing, skiing, snowboarding and many more. Must-visit mountains include the Pamir and Fann Mountains.
How to get there: Manila → Beijing → Almaty → Dushanbe
What to do: Visit the Silk Road; go horse riding, rock climbing and more at the Pamir Mountains; go to Lake Karakol; hike and do other outdoor recreational activities at Iskanderkul; climb the Fann Mountains
Duration of Stay: 30 days
The best time to visit East Timor is during their annual Carnivale de Timor, which is held in Dili every middle of April or May. It is during this time that they showcase the country’s multiculturalism which is mostly influenced by their Portuguese and Indonesian colonisers.
How to get there: Manila → Denpasar → Dili
What to do: Enjoy the beaches in Dili, Atauro Island and Baucau; climb Mounta Ramelau; visit the Museum of Resistance; go on a motorcycle tour; have your fill of endless seafood dishes
Duration of Stay: 30 days, free of charge
An island nation located in the southeastern coast of Africa, Madagascar is best known as the home to different species of animals, including lemurs, that can be found nowhere else in the world. Another must-do in the country is visit the Avenue of the Baobabs, which is a dirt road lined with these massive ancient trees.
How to get there: Manila → Bangkok → Nairobi → Antananarivo
What to do: Visit the animals or go on a hike at Ranomafana National Park, Isalo National Park, Ankarafantsika National Park, Marojejy National Park, Zahamena National Park;go swimming at Nosy Be’s beaches; check out the baobab trees lining Morondava and Belon’i Tsiribihina
Duration of Stay: 30 or 90 days (get at Nouakchott-Oumtounsy International Airport)
This country is mostly about deserts and oceans so the popular attractions that you can see here are located in the desert areas of Adrar and Tagant. You can take a 4×4 ride and be in awe at the stunning desert scenery or you can also choose to visit the central coastline along the Parc National du Banc d’Arguin, where you can see millions of migratory birds each year.
How to get there: Manila → Dubai → Algiers → Nouakchott
What to do: Visit the beaches, deserts and markets at Nouakchott; go fishing at Nouadhibou and Banc d’Arguin National Park; enjoy the sunset at Plage de Nouakchott; shop at Al Khaima Mall
Duration of Stay: 90 days, Visitor’s Permit on arrival
Seychelles is an archipelago made up of 115 islands and located in the Indian Ocean. Among the most popular things to do here include enjoying the beach, snorkelling to take a good look at its numerous coral reefs and saying hello to the giant Aldabra tortoises.
How to get there: Manila → Dubai → Seychelles
What to do: Enjoy the beaches in Mahe, Praslin, La Digue; say hello to the turtles and tortoises in Aldabra and Silhouette Island; go shopping at Victoria; snorkel at Sainte Anne Marine National Park
Duration of Stay: 90 days
The beautiful Marshall Islands is a chain of volcanic islands and coral islands located in the Pacific Ocean. The Bikini Atoll, which became a ship graveyard after WWII, is a popular diving site for those who love exploring shipwrecks. Since Majuro is slightly polluted, you can visit other nearby islands including Arno to experience a tropical paradise that is less polluted.
How to get there: Manila → Guam → Marshall Islands
What to do: Visit the Majuro Bridge and Alele Museum; enjoy swimming at the Arno Atoll and Bikini Atoll; check out the Likiep Village Historic Site; go island hopping in Maloelap
Duration of Stay: 30 days
This small archipelago, made up of 500 islands, is located in the Pacific Ocean. Palau is best known as a scuba diving site, the most famous of which is Blue Corner, which is characterized by numerous sharks and a high current. Long Island Park and Nikko Bay are also famous for snorkelling and kayaking.
How to get there: Manila → Koror Airai
What to do: Check out the World War II relics at Peleliu; visit the waterfalls in Babeldaob; go snorkelling or visit the lagoons at Koror and Rock Islands; swim with the jellyfish in Eil Malk
Duration of Stay: 60 days
Located in the southwestern Pacific, Papua New Guinea is home to a mixture of cultures with hundreds of ethnic groups and 852 languages found in the country. It is one of the least explored placed in the entire world with a large number of plant and animal species being thought to be found here.
How to get there: Manila → Port Moresby
What to do: Go shopping at Port Moresby; hike at Kokoda Track; go scuba diving at Madang and Alotau; catch the waves and surf at Manus Island
Also read: 10 Countries with Easy Visa Access for Filipinos
I know…those places are simply breathtaking even in pictures. Get your documents ready, book a flight and explore these destinations already!
Do note that prior to making any travel, it’s always advisable to check the visa policy of your destination country since it might change from time to time. As of this writing, these 13 countries still offer VISA ON ARRIVAL for Filipino passport holders.
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