Most travel bug-bitten Filipinos have one thing in common on their travel bucket list: Experience snow. And as low as our passports may be in global rankings, we're somewhat lucky enough to have a few countries we can travel to without the need to go through an ever-stressful visa application process.
Visa-free countries for Filipinos who want to experience snow:
1. Bolivia
In general, Bolivia has a tropical climate in the lowlands and a more temperate or even cold climate in the highlands. In the high-altitude regions of Bolivia, particularly in the Andes mountains, snow is common. And rarer-but still possible-in cities like La Paz, Potosi, and Oruro during the winter months from May to September.
Airlines that fly from Manila to Bolivia: Emirates
2. Brazil
Contrary to Brazil's image of beaches, bikinis, and suntanned skin, the country boasts of high-altitude cities and regions where it snows. For an extraordinary snow experience in Brazil, consider exploring Santa Catarina, Parana, and Rio Grande do Su, which all lie outside the tropical climate zone.
Airlines that fly from Manila to Brazil: Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Emirates
3. Colombia
Colombia has three destinations known to be the best winter spots in the country. Fair warning: Most of the country's winter spots are in high mountains if not parks, so do manage your expectations... and the energy you'll need to explore the likes of the Los Nevados National Natural Park in Eje Cafetero (known as a Coffee Triangle, so do make a side trip!), El Cocuy National Park in Sierra Nevada de Guican, and Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National.
Airlines that fly from Manila to Colombia: Etihad Airways, United Airlines, and Qatar Airways
4. Ecuador
Ecuador, located in South America, is known for its warm climate, but during the winter months of December to February, one can catch snow in the country's highland areas. Read: the Andes Mountains. The spots with the highest elevations are in Chimborazo with an elevation of 20,547 feet; Cayambe at 18,996 feet; and Cotopaxi at 19,347 feet.
Airlines that fly from Manila to Ecuador: United, EVA Air, and Korean Air
5. Israel
Israel generally experiences hot summers, but come winter, it tends to snow in the country's mountainous regions and areas in the north. Suppose you want to experience snow in a country that generally experiences a Mediterranean climate. In that case, the places to add to your winter itinerary are Jerusalem and the Golan Heights region in Levant.
Airlines that fly from Manila to Israel: Philippine Airlines and Etihad Airways
6. Mongolia
Winter in Mongolia starts as early as November and can last until March, and the temperature can stay below zero during these months. While the more common snow activities people do include skiing and mountain climbing, you can also go sightseeing outside of the country's capital, Ulaanbaatar, specifically the Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex, a 40-meter high stature of Genghis Khan; the Gorkhi-Terelj National Park which has a turtle-shaped rock formation; and the Gandan Khiid which is a Buddhist monastery that's mostly empty during the winter.
Airlines that fly from Manila to Mongolia: Jeju Air, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, Asiana
7. Morocco
We can't blame anyone for not knowing that it snows in Morocco—how could we when it's mostly known for its Sahara desert? But now that you know, the area that does experience snow during the winter months is mostly in the country's mountainous regions. You can check places like the quaint town of Ifrane which is also known as the "Switzerland of Morocco," Oukaimeden which is a famous ski resort, Midelt where the temperature can go as low as -10 Celsius, and for the serious hikers, you can hike Imlil in Jebel Toubkal, the highest peak in Northern Africa.
Airlines that fly from Manila to Morocco: Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Philippine Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Etihad Airways
8. South Korea
We're sure you've seen at least one (or one too many) Korean dramas that have been shot on Jeju Island. Although it's technically a volcanic island and is mostly known for its warm temperatures, there are specific parts of the island where it snows. In this case, you'll need to hike up Hallasan Mountain which has a a summit of 6,388 feet, making it the highest point in South Korea. As of June 1, 2022, Filipino tourists can visit Jeju Island visa-free and stay up to 30 days!
Airlines that fly from Manila to Jeju Island: Jeju Air, Korean Air, Philippine and Airlines
9. Peru
While much of Peru boasts tropical or desert climates, high-altitude regions in the Andes Mountains offer the possibility of snowfall. In the Andean highlands, especially from June to September, encountering snow is not uncommon. This area features some of the world's highest peaks, such as Huascarán and Alpamayo.
Airlines that fly from Manila to Peru: Qatar Airways, Asiana, and United
10. Taiwan
Like most of the destinations included in this list, Taiwan is no exception to how rare snow is in this country and if you want to experience it, you'll have to go to the mountaintops, specifically in Hehuanshan, because that's where the snow is at. Other snowy destinations in the country include Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area in Yilan, Snow Mountain in Taichung, and Yushan in Nantou.
Airlines that fly from Manila to Taiwan: Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, China Airlines, EVA Air, XiamenAir, China Easterns, and more.
Bonus countries Filipinos should visit for more chances of snow:
Vietnam
When contemplating Vietnam, one might envision its tropical climate, unspoiled beaches, and its lush lands. However, it might surprise you to learn that snowfall can occasionally occur in this Southeast Asian nation-although infrequent, the chances of snowing is not without precedent. One of the places where you can try your luck at experiencing snow is in Sa Pa, a town in the Hoàng Liên Son Mountains, northwestern Vietnam.
Airlines that fly from Manila to Vietnam: Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Vietnam Airlines, and more.
