7 Best (and Most Fun!) Places to Visit in the Philippines

While the white sand beaches of Palawan and Boracay Island often make it to the summer travel bucket list due to their exposure from magazines, blogs, and trusted global websites, there are many other scenic and dreamy destinations around the Philippines that are worth visiting. Tourist spots in the Philippines can range from beaches, hiking spots, cities, and mountainsides that offer a varied range of activities you won’t experience anywhere else. The best part is that the country itself is small so you can easily take a car ride or plane ride to multiple vacation spots in one trip.

1. Bohol

If you liked Boracay but don’t care for its crowd and now commercialized white beach, visit the neighboring island of Bohol instead. It’s a popular site for divers, as they explore the turquoise waters for the rich marine life and in some sites, for its abundance of sea turtles. On other days, tourists can dine on a river cruise, visit the main Alona beach strip, or visit one of its many spas. One can also allot a day for island hopping which can take you to see surrounding islands, and allot a night for the firefly-watching tour at Abatan River mangrove. Of course, there’s also the much talked about Chocolate Hills and a quick trip to see the island’s famed tarsiers, the world’s smallest primates. 

2. Iloilo

Photo by Buczaii from Wikimedia Commons

Another Visayan destination, Iloilo is a perfect mix of history, culture, food, and nature rolled into one place. There are perfectly preserved heritage houses that visitors can tour or even enjoy a cup of coffee in, such as Nelly’s Garden or Casa Mariquit, which was the former home of vice president Fernando Lopez. One can also get a taste of rural life and visit the Trappist Monastery, a charming location famous for its mangoes and the preserved snacks that the monks turn them into. A car and boat ride can take you to the nearby islands of Gigantes, a picturesque place that’s untouched by modern life and known for some climbing spots.

3. Batanes

Completely undisturbed and remote, the northernmost point of the Philippine archipelago can easily be mistaken as a Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings filming location. Visitors can explore this paradise’s many coastlines and beaches for some sun and sea. A few notable places to visit are Chawa Cave, Chadpidan Beach, and Nakabuang Beach. It’s also easy to immerse yourself in Ivatan (that’s what the local people are called) culture by planning a trip to the Fundacion Pacita Lodge, the former residence of acclaimed artist and proud Ivatan Pacita Abad, or to the ruins of Songsong, beautiful old roofless stone houses that the province is known for.

4. La Union

One of the most vibrant places to visit in the north is La Union, known to many as a surfing destination for its swells and beaches. But because of that draw, it has attracted many budding entrepreneurs to make the move to the beach paradise and set up shop somewhere along what’s fondly called “elyu.” The food scene is now booming with rows of small restaurants serving up homey and hearty fare. If you’re not much of a surfer, you can always spend your time hiking to its many refreshing falls such as Arosip Ecotrail, which leads you to the Padtok Falls, Tekdag-Aso Falls, or the Zim-sim-ug Twin Falls, or another trail that leads you to a satisfying dip at the Tangadan Falls, where you can cliff dive into crystal clear (and ice cold!) waters. If you're not the adventurous type, La Union may still have its appeal. Facing the West Philippine Sea, Santorini-inspired Thunderbird Resort Poro Point is the perfect spot for R & R.

5. Manila

Photo by TheDigitalWay from Pixabay

This should go without saying but many tourists dismiss the glory and grit of Manila, which in itself is a perfect staycation place. There are old but stunning accommodations such as the historic Manila Hotel, the revamped Henry Hotel in Pasay, or the glamorous Peninsula Manila. Then there are much newer haunts, like the Shangri-La at the Fort, which houses many delicious dining spots, or Poblacion, a small street in Makati that comes alive at night, patronized by small and budding businesses, bars, and eateries. My personal favorite things to do are spend the day at the mall (Power Plant never fails to amuse) or roam around the outdoor spaces at Bonifacio Global City. You can also visit one of the many contemporary galleries or catch what’s showing at the CCP Theater.

6. Puerto Princesa

As the capital town of the Palawan province, Puerto Princesa is often overlooked by tourists who want to spend more island time at El Nido or Coron. But Puerto Princesa possesses its own gems, like the perfectly abandoned Sabang Beach, where one can picnic in surrounding gardens without disturbance. There's also the Puerto Princesa Underground River, which in itself, it already enough reason to visit the area. Many of the locals and the residents who now call Puerto their home have set up their own unique enterprises—coffee shops, bars made out of bamboo, hotels—so supporting small businesses will be an easy decision.

7. Baguio

What would a tourist list to the Philippines be without Baguio on it. But this isn’t the Baguio you knew in your youth or through your mom’s stories. The mountainous province up north has grown up and modernized itself a little. There’s always some place new to see, to eat at, and to experience at Baguio. It’s a fun trip to experience with both friends and children.