Top Philippines Travel Destinations
Philippines Sunset
About the Philippines
The Philippines is an incredibly diverse country, both in landscapes and culture. It is a beautiful tropical island paradise with over 7,700 islands to explore. Many different languages and ethnicities, but one overall friendly experience is how you could describe this incredible country. White sand beaches and amazing resorts are just the start. Here is our list of “Top Philippines Travel Destinations”.
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White Beach in Boracay, Philippines
Boracay
This once sought-after destination became too popular for its own good. I myself have been asked no less than twenty times, "when are you going to Boracay?" or "you should go to Boracay". That fact in itself has actually kept me from visiting the island. Most recently the Philippine government has taken action and even shut down tourism in Boracay in order to deal with the sewage and garbage issues, caused by the masses of tourists that flock to the island.
White Beach, Boracay, Philippines
All that being said, you should definitely include Boracay on your bucket list. This gorgeous island still deserves to crack the top ten and would've once been a number one, after all, amazing beaches and a relaxed atmosphere is what inspire travelers to go visit this once pristine island in the first place. We can only hope that with the closure of beaches and tourism it can be restored to the paradise it once was.
Puerto Galera, Mindoro, Philippines
Puerto Galera
A scuba diver's dream, known for its spectacular dive sights, Puerto Galera, on the island of Mindoro is home to some of the most diverse coral reef systems in the world and is a designated UNESCO reserve.
Tamaraw Beach Resort, Puerto Galera, Mindoro, Philippines
Pannzian Beach Resort, Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Pagudpud
A somewhat remote place, located in the province of Ilocos Norte on the northern tip of Luzon. The lush green mountain ranges and beautiful white sand beaches are reason enough to visit, but this region has much more to offer. Take a drive to Bangui and experience the giant windmills that are taking advantage of free wind energy in one of the windiest places in the Philippines.
Rainbow at Saud Beach, Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Another locale and one of my personal favorites, which I have visited several times is Saud Beach. Lined with affordable resorts, this quiet beach has a great mellow vibe and is perfect for those searching for peace and quiet.
For a more active and busy atmosphere, check out The Blue Lagoon, which also has its share of accommodations, Hannah's being the most popular, with its 1.2km zip-line said to be the longest over the water zip-line in the world.
I've just scraped the surface of cool sights and adventures in Pagudpud and highly recommend this spot to anybody looking to feel an authentic Southeast Asian vibe.
Overlooking the mountains in Baguio, Philippines
Baguio
A mountain resort city on the island of Luzon, well known for its more temperate climate and pine forests. Living up to its nickname "Summer Capital of The Philippines", Baguio sees many Filipino and foreign tourists alike, who visit just to escape the humid summer temperatures of the valleys below. Temperatures in Baguio stay mild throughout the year rarely getting hot and have even dropped to around 6 degrees in the past.
The forests surrounding the city are filled with wildlife and you may even be able to spot a monkey called the Philippine Long-Tailed Macaque.
Downtown Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines
Vigan
No location in the Philippines will give you a glimpse into its Spanish colonial past as Vigan will. Located on the island of Luzon in the province of Ilocos Sur, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the few Spanish towns in the country, in which the structures have remained preserved for hundreds of years. In 2015 Vigan made the list of New7Wonders Cities solidifying its right to be known as one of the world's most amazing cities.
For a fun and interesting experience, hop on a traditional horse-drawn carriage called a "calesa" and enjoy a tour around the city, but beware of rip-offs and barter a price before you get on.
Overlooking a beach in Batanes, Philippines
Batanes
This windy archipelago is within the northernmost reaches of the country and is almost as close geographically to Taiwan as it is to Luzon.
Visitors will be treated to a very unique experience and will find nothing like it in all of Southeast Asia. There are rock houses(Sinadumparan) that seem to more belong in the British Isles than they do in the Philippines. Men and Women walking around wearing strange large hats(abaca) and speaking in foreign tongues unrecognizable to the motherland. These are the Ivatan people, a culture that has grown on its own, away from the Spanish influence and the ever-encroaching western way of life.
Rock houses in Batanes, Philippines
Windswept hills of vivid green, give off a definite feeling of being somewhere else in the world, maybe a place, such as Ireland.
Like anywhere else in the Philippines, Batanes has its fair share of amazing beaches, and renting a scooter to cruise around these quiet islands would make a hell of a vacation.
Chocolate Hills, Bohol, Philippines
Bohol
As one of the Philippines ’ most well-known destinations, Bohol is incredibly unique both in a biological and geological sense.
The first images that pop up when searching out Bohol, are the Chocolate Hills. These pyramid-like mounds will spark up the imagination of an adventurer and I myself originally thought, they must be of man-made origin. I'm sorry to let you down, but they are in fact geological formations of limestone and I assure you as much as your Indiana Jones side wants these hills to be temples full of treasure, someone far more intelligent than you or I has got this one covered.
Tarsier in Bohol, Philippines
Another interesting feature of Bohol is the incredible Tarsier, a miniature primate that only reaches around 6 inches in height, and if you’re an 80s baby like me, then when you first lay your eyes on a Tarsier you may think of the movie classic Gremlins, or even possibly a lovable Ferby. Bulging eyes, bat-like ears, and a 180-degree rotating neck make this little creature a fierce predator, for anything micro in size anyway.
Beach in Siquijor, Philippines
Siquijor
Named "Isla del Fuego"(Island of Fire) by the Spaniards, this island conjures up wild thoughts of magic and mysticism. Locals take part in festivals of sorcery where they practice incantations and drink various potions said to heal the consumer.
All creepy witchcraft aside, Siquijor is a lovely island getaway. With endless beaches and waterfalls, containing some of the most crystal clear water you may ever see. Visitors will embark on a short ferry ride from Dumaguete to reach the island, but once there, you will be able to find some amazing resorts or VRBO rentals for really good rates. '
Beach in Siquijor, Philippines
An interesting spot to hit while you’re there is the Old Enchanted Balete Tree. A tree that some believe contains the spirits of supernatural beings. I'm not sure about that, but what I do know is that you can get your dead skin nibbled off by the fish in the pond below.
Lagoon in Siargao, Philippines
Siargao
An up-and-coming vacation powerhouse, this once lesser-known island paradise is now making its way to the big stage and possibly becoming the next Boracay. With so many popular vloggers and the rise of social media, Siargao is accidentally and unknowingly being over-exploited. Though don't let this dissuade you from visiting, Siargao is still a backpacker paradise.
Beach Resort in Siargao, Philippines
The Bluest of waters fills the bays and inlets and tourists can take island-hopping tours, where they can swim in the lagoons.
Surfers' will be thrilled to hit one of the world’s best surf spots called Cloud 9, which is home to many surf competitions and is known for its hollow tube waves.
The island also has a great nightlife atmosphere and is good for anybody who wants to meet other travelers and have a fun time.
Lagoon in Coron, Palawan, Philippines
Coron
Coron is a truly heavenly place, with mountainous limestone cliffs shooting up from the turquoise water and creating some of the most fantastic scenery on earth. There are 11 freshwater lakes in Coron, so naturally, tours and diving in the lakes are a major attraction in the area. Two of the most popular are Barracuda Lake(I assure you there are no barracudas) and Kayangan Lake, which can be entered for a small fee.
Islands in Coron, Palawan, Philippines
If scuba diving is your thing, then Coron is the place to be and has been listed in Forbes Traveler Magazine's top ten best scuba diving sites in the world. You can join a tour and dive into some spectacular reefs as well as Japanese warships from WW2.
Beach at Las Cabanas, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
El Nido
This number one spot is reserved for El Nido, as a region and not so much for the town itself. The town is a hectic and dirty place, but it's the island-hopping adventures that inspire people to visit.
Island Hopping at Snake Island, Palawan, Philippines
The bay itself is a natural wonderland that leaves boatloads of people with sore jaws on a daily basis and its jaw-dropping effect will have you cruising the real estate adds when you get back home, thinking "maybe there's a way I can move to paradise too". From the blue water to the majestic limestone peaks and the lush green jungle, this place leaves your visual palate fully satisfied.
Beach at Las Cabanas, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
Tours are the main economy in El Nido and resorts will try to offer you deals, but they are usually trying to make some extra bucks, so be sure to head down to the beach and barter with some locals and get yourself a better deal. On your tour, you will be taken around to some gorgeous islands and lagoons and will have the chance to exit the boat and explore, then around mid-tour your guides will generally stop off and cook a nice traditional Filipino lunch. At the lagoons, you will be able to rent a two-person kayak and get up close and personal with the amazing geological formations, as you maneuver through some impressive canyons. At one point you will also be able to snorkel at some beautiful reefs teeming with marine life. The tours are not all the same and each offers slightly different experiences, which can be nice if your going to be in the area for a while and are looking to do multiple tours.
Conclusion
Poolside at Playa Tropical, Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Overall the Philippines is a fantastic and underrated destination, with some of the most beautiful scenery the world has to offer, as well as some of the friendliest people you'll ever come across. Of we can't leave out the fact that the Philippines is a great place to travel to if you're looking to stretch those dollars, with cheap drinks, food, accommodations, and transportation.
Cabugao Beach Resort, Ilocos Sur, Philippines
We have definitely left out some amazing places, but if we include all The Philippines has going for it, this list may go on forever and that's no exaggeration. Also this list is purely personal opinion and does not actually reflect on statistics.
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