These five Caribbean countries are visa-free for Filipinos
Earlier this month, Henley Passport Index ranked The Philippines as the 73rd best passport in the world, having visa-free access to 67 destinations.
Five of those 67 destinations are located in the Caribbean and if your life-long dream is to cruise around the Caribbean Sea, then you might want to consider going to these destinations.
1. Dominica
HOW TO GO: Since Dominica doesn't have an international airport, going to this country from the Philippines can be tricky. From Ninoy Aquino International Airport, you need to fly to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport then to Saint Martin's Princess Juliana International Airport, before before arriving in Dominica.
According to Skyscanner.com, a roundtrip flight from NAIA to Dominica's Douglas-Charles Airport costs around 120,000 pesos.
PLACES TO VISIT: Morne Trois Pitons National Park, Boiling Lake, Victoria Falls, Trafalgar Falls, Cabrits National Park, Roseau, Papillote Tropical Gardens, Champagne Reef, and The Carib Territory.
MAXIMUM DAYS OF STAY: Philippine passport holders can stay in Dominica for a maximum of 21 days.
2. Haiti
HOW TO GO: Haiti doesn't have an international airport so travelers from NAIA will have 2 layovers in South Korea's Seoul Incheon International Airport and New York's JFK before reaching Haiti's Port Au Prince Airport.
According to Skyscanner.com, a roundtrip flight from NAIA to Haiti's Port Au Prince Airport costs around 75,000 pesos.
PLACES TO VISIT: Bassin Bleu, Labadee, Kokoye Beach, Gelee Beach, Saut-Mathurine, Dragon's Breath Flight Line, Citadelle Laferriere, The Palace of Sans-Souci, Site des Ramiers
MAXIMUM DAYS OF STAY: Philippine passport holders can stay in Haiti for a maximum of 90 days.
3. St. Lucia
HOW TO GO: St. Lucia from Manila has two stopovers: Hong Kong International Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport in Canada before finally arriving at St Lucia Hewanorra Airport.
PLACES TO VISIT: The Pitons, Marigot Bay, Anse Chatanet Marine National Park, Tet Paul Nature Trail, Soufriere Estate, Morne Coubaril Estate, Pigeon Island National Park, Rodney Bay, Edmund Rain Forest Reserve, Morne Fortune, and Derek Walcott Square
MAXIMUM DAYS OF STAY: Philippine passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival for 60 days.
4. St. Vincent and the Grenadines
HOW TO GO: Traveling to St. Vincent and the Grenadines from the Philippines can take up to 3 days, with long layovers in between. Travelers will have a stopover at Guangzhou International Airport in China, and JFK in New York, before arriving at Kingstown's Argyle International Airport.
According to tripadvisor.com, a roundtrip flight from Manila to St. Vincent and the Grenadines costs around 130,000 pesos.
PLACES TO VISIT: Bequia, Tobago Cays, Petit St. Vincent, Palm Island, Salt Whistle Bay, La Soufriere Volcano, Mustique, Kingstown, St. Vincent, St. Vincent Botanical Gardens, Leeward Highway Scenic Drive, Canouan, and Union Island
MAXIMUM DAYS OF STAY: Philippine passport holders can stay in St. Vincent and the Grenadines up to 60 days.
5. Trinidad and Tobago
HOW TO GO: Going to Trinidad and Tobago from the Philippines can be long, taking up 2 days of your vacation. From Manila, travelers have layovers in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Frankfurt before reaching their final destination - Trinidad and Tobago's Scarborough Airport.
According to cheapflights.com, the cheapest flight from the Philippines to Trinidad and Tobago is around 115,000 pesos.
PLACES TO VISIT: Trinidad: Maracas Bay, Port of Spain, Caroni Bird Sanctuary, Asa Wright Nature Centre and Lodge, Mount St. Benedict Monastery, Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust
Tobago: Pigeon Point, Little Tobago Island, Main Ridge Forest Reserve, Fort King George, and the Tobago Museum
MAXIMUM DAYS OF STAY: Holders of Philippine passport can opt to get a “Waiver of the Visa” on their arrival.
NOTE: These countries are visa-free but your stopovers might not bem, so make sure to check their websites before booking your flight.