The Philippines is undoubtedly one of the vital spectacular locations in Southeast Asia, however with nicely over 7,000 islands to select from, deciding that are probably the most stunning locations within the Philippines to go to, generally is a welcome problem.
Every island is completely different, and you may loosen up on basic, tropical seashores comparable to those that Boracay is so well-known for, or you may head into the unexplored Coron archipelago, the place you will discover uninhabited islands and uncooked magnificence.
However it’s not simply seashores, as a result of a few of the most stunning locations within the Philippines are the unmatched Rice Terraces of Banaue or explosive volcanoes comparable to Taal or Mount Mayon.
To encourage your subsequent journey, listed below are probably the most stunning locations within the Philippines!
Don’t go away residence with out: Lonely Planet Philippines (Nation Information)
20 Lovely Locations within the Philippines
Island of Luzon
Everybody that visits the Philippines will discover themselves on the island of Luzon. That is the place you will discover Manila, the capital and important hub of vacationers in and in another country.
That mentioned, far fewer vacationers will spend time exploring Luzon than, say, heading for Palawan or Boracay.
Which means that not solely will you discover a few of the most stunning locations within the Philippines in Luzon, additionally, you will go to with out the crowds.
1. Taal Volcano
The Taal Volcano is without doubt one of the most stunning locations within the Philippines as a result of there are few different locations on the planet the place you will discover a volcanic crater that’s shaped inside a lake, which is itself discovered inside a bigger volcanic crater.
It’s an epic place, and it’s discovered just some hours away from the busy capital, Manila. You may day journey to the sting of the lake, for spectacular views, or be part of extra intense mountain climbing and boating Expeditions throughout the water.
Watch out although, as a result of that is very a lot an energetic volcano. Taal made headlines when it erupted as lately as 2019.
Uncover the pure great thing about Taal Volcano on this 8-hour tour. You’ll take a ship trip to the volcano island and admire the setting of the crater and surrounding Taal Lake on a horseback trip with a information.
2. Rice Terraces of Banaue
The Philippines is likely to be finest recognized for its seashores, however one of the vital stunning locations within the Philippines can really be discovered within the excessive mountains of the Cordilleras, in Luzon.
The Rice Terraces of Banaue are a UNESCO World Heritage-listed vacation spot, the place for hundreds of years the locals have carved the hillsides and mountain slopes into terraces for rising rice.
Trek by mountains, forests, native communities, and previous waterfalls on this four-day trek. Keep in a single day in a village, the place you may chat with locals and study their life and tradition.
3. Sagada
Head into the mountains of Luzon, and also you’ll be amazed not solely by the sheer great thing about the Cordilleras however by the fascinating tradition too.
In Sagada, you will discover indigenous customs which have been practiced for a whole lot of years, whereby the locals will grasp their deceased family members from the perimeters of cliffs.
The Hanging Coffins of Sagada are a cultural sight like no different within the Philippines.
4. Mount Mayon
Mount Mayon is probably the most energetic volcano within the nation, however its sheer excellent symmetry, as an virtually completely conical tower, makes this one of the vital stunning locations to go to within the Philippines.
The volcano is steeped in native legend and lore, and it by no means fails to dramatically erupt each few years.
When it’s not exploding although, it’s an journey playground, with ATV excursions and zip strains discovered on the slopes.
Mindoro Island
Mindoro is the seventh largest island within the Philippines and is situated simply south of Luzon and Manila.
Whereas tourism has discovered it, you gained’t discover the massive crowds or social gathering scene like a couple of of the opposite locations across the Philippines.
As a substitute, you’ll discover a extra laid again, off the overwhelmed path vibe.
It’s also a highly regarded island for scuba diving and provides an ideal setting for folks seeking to get licensed or work on their scuba expertise.
6. Puerto Galera
Puerto Galera is situated on the northern shoreline of Mindoro, the following island to the north of Boracay. The seaside city is just some hours by land and ferry from Manila, making it a preferred getaway for locals.
It’s very far faraway from the massive metropolis although, and also you’ll discover an ever-growing variety of resorts, resorts and tour corporations welcoming vacationers to the attractive shoreline and spectacular dive websites of Puerto Galera.
Puerto Galera is an island paradise and an ideal place to spend a few hours resetting your thoughts and physique. This brunch yoga tour is a good distinctive possibility you’ll not discover wherever else on the island.
Visayas Islands
This area of the Philippines includes many of the central a part of the nation and is made up of three distinct areas. This consists of Western, Jap and Central.
Other than Palawan, the Visayas Islands are one of the vital well-known locations to go to within the Philippines. You’ll discover superb magnificence on the seashores and landscapes.
After all, loads of vacationers to go together with this too. That apart, it’s a area that’s value visiting on any journey to the Philippines.
5. Boracay
Boracay is probably the most well-known island within the Philippines, and that’s as a result of it’s one of the vital stunning locations within the Philippines.
Famed for its wonderful white sand seashores, and crystal clear waters, Boracay has modified lots within the final yr after it was closed on account of over-tourism.
It’s a brand new island now, and accountable tourism has develop into key right here, to protect nature for future generations.
You’ll discover loads of seaside resorts and island-hopping alternatives, and for first-time vacationers to the Philippines, Boracay is all the time an ideal possibility.
Rapidly and simply be taught the fundamentals of scuba diving in Boracay at one of many world’s most stunning seashores. Get pleasure from two dives with a PADI teacher: one in shallow waters plus an open water dive that may be reached by boat, each off of White Seashore.
7. Chocolate Hills
Chocolate Hills is without doubt one of the most iconic and exquisite locations within the Philippines.
Situated within the middle of Bohol, within the Jap Visayas, the Chocolate Hills are so-called due to their resemblance within the dry season to chocolate-covered hilltops.
From a viewing platform, you may stare out for miles on the Chocolate Hills as they unfold throughout the panorama in entrance of you. It’s uncommon, but a splendidly stunning sight to see, with a whole lot of conical hilltops arrayed earlier than you.
In search of a complete tour to go to the Chocolate hills? Ebook this 6-hour tour into the Bohol countryside that includes loads of points of interest.
You’ll go to the Chocolate Hills, see mahogany timber within the Bohol Forest, and get a close-up encounter with a tarsier. Get pleasure from a buffet lunch at a floating restaurant and listen to commentary out of your informative information.
However it’s not simply in regards to the Chocolate Hills, there are many different issues to do and locations to discover round Bohol. Together with some implausible, world-class scuba diving in Panglao.
8. Kawasan Falls
The island of Cebu is an adventurer’s dream, and most of the most stunning locations within the Philippines might be discovered right here. The crowning jewel although isn’t a seaside or a stretch of shoreline, however a waterfall.
On the spectacular Kawasan Falls, you will discover a number of ranges of crashing waterfalls, hurtling over dramatic cliffs into startlingly blue plunge swimming pools.
You may go swimming within the chilly, refreshing water holes, or you may be part of exhilarating canyoning excursions that have you ever floating by rapids and leaping off cliffs.
Taken with a bunch tour? Go to Kawasan Falls and Mantayupan Falls on a full-day journey from Cebu.
In a small group, you’ll embark on two quick hikes to every waterfall, the place you’ll have the prospect to swim in freshwater swimming pools and revel in your pure environment.
Palawan
A part of the Mimaropa Area, Palawan is the most important province within the Philippines. It stretches from the island of Mindoro within the north to Borneo within the south.
The province is made up of the massive island of Palawan within the south, the island of Busuanga within the north, with the well-known Coron and beautiful Calamianes Islands in between the 2.
This a part of the Philippines has been voted, time and time once more, as one of the vital stunning locations on the planet.
It provides beautiful seashores, islands and coral reefs. It’s a spot that individuals go to see and find yourself returning to many instances after.
Yow will discover your self each on or off the overwhelmed path and it’s fairly straightforward to discover a place away from all of it to loosen up.
9. El Nido
Till only some years in the past, El Nido was however a sleepy fishing village within the far reaches of Palawan. Occasions have modified shortly although, and it’s now one of the vital standard backpacking locations within the Philippines.
That’s as a result of phrase of the unbelievable pure great thing about El Nido unfold shortly, as vacationers are drawn right here for the dramatic Lagoons, white sand seashores, and island-hopping alternatives.
El Nido is the right image of the Philippines. It’s tropical, it’s adventurous and it’s outrageously stunning.
10. Miniloc
Miniloc is without doubt one of the most spectacular islands that you may go to from El Nido. The small island can solely be reached by boat, and its isolation and remoteness are a part of its nice attraction.
Yow will discover sandy seashores and the limestone rocks that the El Nido space is so well-known for.
You may day journey right here or you may spend a couple of nights within the eco-friendly resort, absorbing the island vibes.
11. Lagen
One other nice island that you may go to from El Nido, is Lagen Island. This is without doubt one of the most stunning locations within the Philippines, and it’s an journey playground too.
You may discover coral reefs and colourful Lagoons, you may Island hop, snorkel and paddle your manner by dense mangroves.
12. Nacpan
Situated within the north of Palawan island, not removed from El Nido, is without doubt one of the most stunning locations within the Philippines.
Nacpan is residence to an excellent seaside and distinctive karst rock surroundings that stretches all alongside the coast.
It’s stunning, however similar to El Nido, it could get busy too, even though not too way back, few vacationers would ever have heard of Nacpan.
13. Puerto Princesa Underground River
Palawan has a few of the most dramatic surroundings within the Philippines, so it’s actually no shock that tourism has actually begun to take off right here in the previous couple of years.
One vacation spot that must be high of any traveler’s bucket checklist, is the fabled Underground River, which is discovered only a quick journey away from Palawan’s largest metropolis, Puerto Princesa.
This wonderful UNESCO World Heritage Website is the place you’ll discover a subterranean paradise.
Underground rivers have carved their manner by the limestone rocks alongside the shore, and the cavernous depths have but to even be absolutely explored.
Ebook a full-day nature tour from Puerto Princesa Metropolis for the final word expertise. Spot coastal wildlife, trip a paddleboat alongside an underground river and discover a flooded cave system.
This tour additionally consists of lodge pickup and drop-off, buffet lunch in Sabang, and all actions in Puerto Princesa Subterranean River Nationwide Park.
14. Coron Island
Coron is without doubt one of the most stunning locations within the Philippines as a result of nowhere else can match this distant space in terms of pure points of interest and marine range.
The island itself is situated close to the bigger Busuanga, and it made up of towering limestone cliffs and turquoise lagoons.
The island itself is sacred to native indigenous folks and you will see that no resorts or commercialism right here. You might be, nevertheless, in a position to get pleasure from a few of its pure points of interest.
These embody Kayangan lake (beneath), Baracudda Lake and the Twin Lagoon. It’s also among the best locations on the planet to kayak.
15. Kayangan Lake
On Coron Island, probably the most well-known of these pure points of interest is Kayangan Lake.
This freshwater lagoon is steeped in native legend, and might solely be reached by a pointy ascent over wood ladders that lead over the jagged limestone rocks.
Take {a photograph} on the iconic lookout that gives sweeping views of Coron Bay, after which take a refreshing swim within the chilly, clear waters of Kayangan Lake.
16. Culion Island
Situated reverse Coron Island, Culion Island is without doubt one of the largest, but most under-visited islands within the Calamianes archipelago.
Culion Island has a darker historical past than most within the area as a result of for a few years this was a leper colony. These instances have lengthy since previous, and the isolation and remoteness of Culion are actually its greatest vacationer draw.
Along with some fascinating historical past, you’ll discover unexplored seashores and atolls, loads of nice snorkeling spots and an array of shipwrecks to dive, in addition to an island that’s comparatively untouched by mass tourism.
17. Malcapuya Island
The primary time we laid eyes on Malcapuya, our first ideas had been to check it to one thing you’d see in French Polynesia.
The seashores are white sand and surrounded by a few of the most stunning teal waters we’ve ever seen.
This can be a place that’s visited on day journeys from Coron City, and in contrast to the primary time we visited in 2016, you will see that it filled with vacationers.
Don’t let this deter you, although, as there’s some implausible snorkeling off the seaside and loads of room for everybody to loosen up and revel in this slice of paradise.
18. Go Island
When you’re on the lookout for the quintessential Philippines, then look no additional than Go Island. A part of the broader Calamianes Islands, Go Island is situated additional north of the main vacationer spots round Coron Island.
It’s a protracted journey alongside the coast of Busuanga earlier than you may catch an equally lengthy fishing boat throughout to Go Island.
It’s nicely definitely worth the journey although since you’ll be greeted by the marvelous sight of an ideal, white sand seaside, shallow waters that are perfect for snorkeling, and relaxed island vibes like nowhere else in Coron.
19. Black Island
On the identical journey to Go Island, you can too journey to one of the vital stunning locations within the Philippines, Black Island.
Not removed from Go Island, Black Island is understood for its excessive, limestone rocks that rise abruptly from the ocean.
You’ll discover a shipwreck proper off the lengthy, sandy seaside, and loads of caves to discover too.
It’s attainable to go to this island on a day journey from Coron City nevertheless it’s even higher to camp right here whereas on a multi-day kayaking expedition within the space.
20. Busuanga
Busuanga is considered one of our true loves in terms of the Philippines. Most individuals haven’t heard of it, which makes me chuckle, as a result of the very well-known Coron City is definitely situated on this island.
That mentioned, just about no one really sticks round to go to this superb place. As a substitute, they keep within the city and head out to discover the close by islands which can be extra well-known.
I imply, we get it however Busuanga is just about the final frontier and is begging to be explored.
The topography of the island makes it a implausible place for journey and you will discover some nice mountain climbing and mountain biking alternatives. Thick forests give strategy to stunning swimming pools within the inside of the island and pleasant folks wave from the villages as you move by.
We like to put in kayaks and paddle alongside the shoreline, throughout turquoise waters and discover close by sandbars. You may even harken a bit to Africa, by heading over to the close by Calauit Island for a safari.
Busuanga is untouched, beautiful and a spot that has stolen our hearts every time we go to the Philippines.
| Really helpful Excursions | ||
| Philippines Palawan Journey 9 Days Manila to Puerto Princesa Journey Kind: Small Group 12-16 Folks |
Northern Philippines and Palawan Journey 16 Days Manila to Puerto Princesa Journey Kind: Small Group 12-16 Folks |
Northern Philippines Journey 9 Days Manila to Manila Journey Kind: Small Group 12-16 Folks |
| Test Worth | Test Worth | Test Worth |
Extra on the Philippines:
- 30 Should-Go to Vacationer Spots within the Philippines
- 36 Philippines Pictures To Encourage Your Subsequent Trip
- 25 Wonderful Drone Pictures of the Philippines
- Journey Recap: 4 Weeks within the Philippines
- Crowning Glory Reef: World Class Snorkeling off Culion Island, Philippines
- Philippines Journey of A Lifetime: Sea Safari from Coron to El Nido
- Scuba Diving in Puerto Galera, Philippines
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