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travelmawyyy · 3 years

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10 Most Visited Tourist Destinations in the Philippines

The Philippines is a tropical paradise in the Pacific Ocean made up of more than 7,000 islands that offer a natural playground for your inner explorer. Collectively, its landscapes feature an array of natural wonders, from volcanoes and rice terraces to underwater rivers and limestone caves, along with beautiful beaches.

1. Boracay

There is a reason that Boracay Island is considered the beach capital of the Philippines because there are more than 12 beaches. This tiny island in the west Visayas region is ideal for beach-goers who are after simple relaxation in the sun or water activities. White Beach, on the west side of the island.

There is no shortage of pristine beaches in the Philippines, but if you are looking for a more active beach scene, one of the best places to visit is White Beach in Boracay. This is the most populous beach on the island but where you will find ample opportunities for boating and other water sports.

Plenty of chairs and hammocks are beneath the palm trees, so you can relax and enjoy the pure white sand. You can even book a beachside massage. Snorkeling is a popular activity at White Beach, but if you do not want to put in so much work, take a banana boat ride or book a trip on a glass-bottom boat.

2. Manila Historical Sightseeing Tour

The Philippines capital of Manila, on the island of Luzon, is a bustling city with non-stop activity. Hop on board one of the colorful jeepneys, the main form of public transportation, to get a taste of local life while you visit the city's top attractions. Usually over-packed with locals, the bumpy ride through the streets on the iconic and kitschy jeep/bus hybrid vehicles will be one of the highlights of your visit.

Manila is an exciting and vibrant city that is a thriving metropolis surrounded by centuries-old churches and colonial history. It is easy to walk around Manila on your own, or take a guided sightseeing tour of the oldest district, the Intramuros or walled city, where you'll find some of the most significant tourist attractions and important landmarks and monuments.

This will give you a better appreciation for Manila. You can see the famous San Agustin Church and monuments at Rizal Park and Fort Santiago, each bearing a significant influence on Manila that is best shared by a guide. Some tours are offered by coach, and others are available as walking or biking tours around the city.

After your tour, stop by one of the local restaurants for lunch and enjoy modern-day Manila as you watch the colorful jeepneys flying by on the streets.

3. Coron

One of the top diving destinations in the world, Coron Island is a tropical paradise, with electric blue and green water that almost seems unreal. The mountainous island sits on the tip of the Palawan island region, the western-most section of islands in the Philippines. The island is popular for diving because of the numerous wrecks here.

Coron Island in the Philippines is a popular diving and snorkeling location partly due to the abundant and thriving coral reefs. The Coral Garden is a specific site with particularly accessible coral and fish species. Snorkeling and diving tours to the Coral Garden often encompass stops to nearby shipwrecks.

If you are unsure where to snorkel to see some of the best coral, taking an organized trip to the Coral Garden is an easy introduction to the sport. Guides are able to point out sea turtles and fish and offer information about what kinds of coral you are viewing underwater.

Many of the preserved shipwrecks are located in depths ranging from shallow water at just three meters to deep water at 42 meters. Some of the wrecks require more than one dive to explore due to their size, but you can easily spend a week diving in this area. For non-shipwreck diving, check out Barracuda Lake, a former volcano with many unusual rock formations and fish.

4. Bohol

The island of Bohol in the Philippines' central Visayas region runs at a slower pace, and it's a destination that showcases the country's natural beauty. One of the most unique natural wonders on the island is the Chocolate Hills in Carmen. This UNESCO-protected site is a collection of 1,200 geological formations that turn brown in the dry season, resembling a landscape of chocolate candy kisses.

Bohol is home to a family-owned sanctuary for the tiny Tarsier primate, known for its large engaging eyes. For a small fee, you can take an intimate walk through the grounds and stand inches away from the small nocturnal mammal. The showcase of Bohol is the beach.

The geological wonder on the island of Bohol known as the Chocolate Hills is a unique natural phenomenon. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a protected area that features more than 1,200 small mountains that emerged above the ground over several centuries. The area was once under the ocean, and these unique hills expand in every direction.

They are green during much of the year, but during the dry season, they turn to a chocolate-brown color, thus the name, chocolate hills. A convenient path leads to the top of a lookout area, which provides the best view. Be sure to observe the many delicate flowers along the walkway that are unique to this area

5. Cebu

The island of Cebu, in the central Visayas region, is considered the port to some of the best diving and snorkeling in the Philippines. If you are an underwater enthusiast, Cebu is one of your best options for excursions that get you up-close to whale sharks, coral reefs, and sea turtles.

Some of the most spectacular scenery from the water near Cebu are the sea caves that attract photographers and outdoor enthusiasts looking for unique diving and snorkeling sites. The Sudlon National Park, located approximately an hour from Cebu City, is a breathtaking park to explore and hike. While Cebu's greatest draw is its water, Cebu City is a metropolitan area, with tourist attractions like museums and cathedrals that will interest history buffs

6. Banaue

The rice terraces of Banaue are one of the most striking things to see in the Philippines. The emerald-green terraces are an agricultural wonder in this area. Your most impressive view of the terraces is at sunrise, when clouds and fog lift off the mountain to reveal the intricate landscape of the terraces.

The Batad Rice Terraces and the Bangaan Rice Terraces are protected UNESCO World Heritage sites. For a deeper taste of this region, take a stroll through the Banaue Ethnic Village or the Hiwang Village to mingle with the indigenous people who farm the rice terraces.

Viewing the Batad rice terraces at sunrise in Banaue is an unforgettable experience. This is especially recommended for landscape photographers who want to capture compelling images of Philippine agriculture. Some of these terraces are more than 2,000 years old and represent a common form of farming in the country.

The stacked terraces are carved by hand into the mountainside, creating vertical farming fields in a region void of flat land. Workers commonly plant rice and vegetables. You are able to walk some roads above the terraces that give you the best view by looking below. Early morning and dusk provide the best light to illuminate the electric green color of the fields.

7. Vigan

The historical city of Vigan in the northern Philippines is one of the most charming towns to visit in the Luzon region. Its culture is a fusion of Chinese and Spanish influences originating from settlers to the area. Take a ride in a horse-drawn kalesa through the streets and admire the colonial architecture, courtesy of the Spanish who colonized the area in the 18th century.

Vigan is a city with many nuances to explore. The best view of the area is from the Bantay Bell Tower, which is also a noted landmark in the area. The Calle Crisologo historic district is a walkable district, where you will encounter many local craftsman and see historical architecture. A visit to the St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral is breathtaking and a perfect spot to sit and people-watch as you take in the local culture.

8. Baguio

Baguio is a city tucked away in a mountainous region on Luzon Island. Though it is a city, Baguio is intimate and reminiscent of a cottage-type environment. Baguio is called the City of Pines for the rich pine forests and cooler temperatures that surround it. You can explore one of the many hiking and biking trails or take in a round of golf at one of the resorts in the area.

Baguio is unique to other destinations in the Philippines because the city is surrounded by trees and not water. Parks like Mines View and Burnham let you enjoy some of the flora and fauna that are special to this region. Be sure to spend some time along Session Road, which is the main drag through Baguio, where you can take in a slice of local life

9. Samal Island

On Samal Island, also called Garden City of Samal, hiking, diving, and kayaking are a way of life. One of the top things to do on Samal Island, besides relaxing at the beach, is visit the Monfort Bat Sanctuary, which is home to millions of bats in the caves.

An enjoyable day trip away from the beach is to Hagimit Falls, where you can walk on the nature trails and cool off in one of the pools below the tropical waterfalls. Samal Island is a short distance away from Davao City, which makes a great change of pace when you want a more metropolitan scene or a broader range of dining.

10. Sagada

It is a trek to get to the hanging coffins in Sagada, located deep in the northern Cordillera Mountains, but the sight is something most people in the world will never see. The hanging coffins, some centuries old, are suspended from the cliffs of the Echo Valley. These ceremonial burials were reserved for the wealthy tribesmen.

Getting to the mountainous region requires some travel time and physical endurance to hike the steep and narrow paths to the secluded coffins. You will want sturdy shoes, and you may want to train before your trip to adapt more quickly to the high altitude. The reward is a sight you will never forget and well-earned bragging rights.

As you see, Philippines have a lot of beautiful places, beaches and landscapes. Indeed, It's more fun in the Philippines. MABUHAY!

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travelmawyyy · 3 years

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THE 10 BEST HIKING

SPOTS IN LUZON

The best hikes in the Philippines are without a doubt some of the best ways to find the most amazing views in all of the Philippines. With the Philippines being made up of over 7,000 islands (7,641 to be exact), it’s safe to say the hiking options abound here. So much so that it can be confusing deciding what to pick when it comes to these amazing hikes.

1. MT. BALUTAO

This is known as one of the most popular hikes in the Batangas and definitely one of the best hikes in the Philippines for beginners. The moderate terrain leads you past a number of smaller, vividly green mountaintops before you get to the summit.

Up here, you’ll have an absolutely spectacular view of the many coastal towns that populate the Batangas.

While the entire journey takes about eight hours round trip, it is important to leave time to soak up the atmosphere at the top. If you really want to take your time, there are a number of campsites available along the way.

The Sierra Madre mountain range is the longest in the Philippines. Said to be one of the prettiest spots in all of Rizal, the trail is moderate to somewhat difficult, but it can still be done in one day.

2. MT. DARAITAN

The trek uphill is scenic enough, as you are surrounded by a lush green tropical forest that is absolutely teeming with birds and other wildlife.

The top, however is where it truly shines as you find yourself surrounded by the spectacular beauty of the Sierra Madre mountain peaks. On the way down, be sure to make time to stop and check out the many waterfalls and stalagmite caves.

3. MT. MACULOT

This is another particularly popular hike in the Batangas. An hour or so into the moderate hike, you come to the famous Rockies, where you must scramble over a boulder field to continue your ascent.

The vast majority of people who chose to go on this hike to tend to concentrate solely on getting to the Rockies, however, if you are feeling up to the challenge you can go even farther!

It is a hard, somewhat tenuous walk, but when you get to the summit, you are rewarded with one of the best viewpoints of Taal Lake that can be had anywhere, along with a pretty breathtaking view of the Batangas.

4. MT. MASUNGI GEOSERVE

Located in Rizal, this is a popular destination for anyone wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of Manila (and believe me, it’s one busy city!).

This hike is one that’s got something fun for hikers of all ages, as you have the opportunity to stroll on a suspension bridge through some absolutely otherworldly scenery.

The lush green of the rainforest, coupled with the multiple limestone formations make for a picturesque and easy day hike that truly gives you a feeling of being far removed from busy city life.

5. MT. PULAG

As the highest peak in Luzon, it is perhaps not surprising that Mount Pulag is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful and best hikes in the Philippines!

The climb to the summit is moderately difficult and takes about five hours each way.

Understandably (it is a mountain, after all) the mountain top is where the hiking truly comes into its own as here, you get to stand above a sea of clouds, offering a perspective unlike any other in the Philippines.

It is important to note that this region frequently suffers from unexpected cold spells and temperature drops, so be sure to prepare yourself properly before embarking on the hike.

6. MT. PINATUBO

This is the site of the second largest volcanic eruption to occur within a densely populated area.

On June 15th, 1991, Mount Pinatubo erupted violently, sending huge waves of superheated ash and gas into the atmosphere, and today, you can visit this beautiful yet sombre location with a moderately paced hike that takes anywhere from two to three hours to complete.

The clear, vividly-blue waters that have collected in the volcano’s crater is a serene yet somewhat eerie spot to stop for lunch, to relax, and of course, grab yourself plenty of photos!

7. MT. PICO DE LORO

This is an absolutely beautiful hike with gorgeous rewards for those who are prepared for its challenges.

The going can be very steep and slow, and the slippery conditions can make it downright treacherous at times – as a result, this is perhaps not the ideal hike for a beginner.

If you do make the climb, however, you will find yourself standing just below the highest point in Cavite. Feeling particularly daring? Rock climbers can ascend up Parrot’s Peak for a view that is truly out of this world, albeit not for the faint of heart.

8. TARAK RIDGE

The Tarak Ridge hikes is an excellent option for anyone looking for a challenging day hike.

When you’re here, be sure to stop for a picnic lunch on the banks of the Papaya River. This is a good spot for getting all of the rest you can, as the path gets dramatically more difficult from here on out.

Once you get to the summit, you will find yourself surrounded by gorgeous scenery, including a panoramic view of Manila Bay and Bataan.

9. MT. MAYNOBA

Located in the Rizal Mountains, this peak is most famous for the ethereal views rewarding those who climb to its summit. (*Yup! It’s another one where you can get to stand above the clouds.)

In order to catch a glimpse of this ethereal natural phenomenon, you will need to get out of bed very early, as the effect is most pronounced around sunrise.

10. MT. DAGULDOL

This is one of the best hikes in the Philippines for anyone who wants a gradual, relatively easy hike without compromising on awesome scenery.

At the summit, you will find yourself surrounded by a visual delight as you gaze upon the seacoast that is beautifully framed by the thick woods. This area is absolutely teeming with local flora and fauna as well, so be sure to keep a lookout for native colourful butterflies and songbirds.

When you’re done here, head over to nearby Laiya Beach, where you can just chill and gorge on some of the freshest seafood available.

Remember: Don't go off hiking on your own and pay attention to the weather forecast.

However, due to Covid-19 pandemic, hiking spots are open for residents only.

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