Kalibo
Five minutes from town in New Buswang (P20 per person by tricycle), this 120-hectare park is the base for a mangrove reforestation project begun in the…
Must-see attractions in Philippines
Manila
The building where José Rizal was incarcerated has been turned into a shrine-museum dedicated to his life. There's a re-creation of his cell block, the…
North Luzon
Nineteen kilometres southwest of Laoag is North Luzon’s most famous church. Unesco World Heritage–listed Paoay Church was built in classic earthquake…
The Cordillera
At this wonderful museum, powerful black-and-white photos are interspersed with indigenous art, representing each of the region’s main tribes. You may…
Museum of Cordillera Sculpture
Banaue
This museum showcases a collection of Ifugao woodcarvings, and what a collection it is. Ritual objects and antique bulol line the vast hall, among…
Baguio
This campus museum is run by Isekias 'Ike' Picpican, one of the country’s foremost authorities on the history and culture of the Cordillera people. You…
Iloilo
Built between 1787–97, this impressive church, with its striking pyramidal towers, served as a fortress against Muslim raiders. Damaged over the years by…
Dumaguete
While Filipino cities aren't generally known for their beauty or charm, Dumaguete's waterfront promenade along Rizal Blvd is an exception to the rule…
Iloilo
A massive banyan tree looms atmospherically over the entrance to this grand home built in 1803 by Philippines VP Fernando Lopez (Mariquit was his wife's…
Negros
This stately house contains an astonishing private art collection, as well as antiques belonging to one of Silay's principal families. The house is owned…
Davao
An excellent museum with two floors of well-designed galleries exploring the complex patchwork of indigenous tribal groups, religions and ethnicities of…
Negros Forests & Ecological Foundation
Bacolod
A zoo with a difference, this foundation seeks to preserve endangered animals endemic to Negros. It houses mostly birds, including an extraordinary…
Negros
An exquisite narrow 7km stretch of sand exposes itself at low tide in the waters northeast of Bais City. Boats leave from Capiñahan port in South Bais Bay…
Davao
An unconventional setting for a fine-art gallery, paintings by artist Kublai Millan fill the walls of this large space. Take an elevator to the 4th or 5th…
Iloilo
Iloilo's most famous historic home resembles the White House. You'll need to give three days' notice of your visit.
Mindanao
At the southeastern end of town near the waterfront is this solid and squat building, partially restored to maintain its historic character. Inside is a…
Bacuit Archipelago
Miniloc Island is perhaps the most interesting of the archipelago's islands. The main attractions are Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon and Secret Lagoon, three of…
Bacuit Archipelago
Cadlao Island is like a mini–Tahiti miraculously relocated to the Bacuit Archipelago. In addition to being a wonderful piece of eye candy for those…
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
Sabang
At 8km in length, Sabang's famous underground river is one of the longest navigable river-traversed caves in the world and draws scores of tourists. Trips…
Sagada
Lumiang Burial Cave is a 10- to 15-minute walk south of the main village, towards Ambasing, well signposted along the left-hand fork in the road. Steep…
Bacuit Archipelago
Like the back of a half-submerged stegosaurus, Matinloc Island snakes some 8km along the western edge of the Bacuit Archipelago. Along with neighbouring…
Cebu City
Downtown, in a quiet residential area, this museum was originally a private home (built in the 1850s). Later it was purchased by the Gorordos, one of Cebu…
Palawan
The most anthropologically significant site in the Philippines, this cave complex is where the remains of some of the earliest Philippine humans have been…
Sagada
The exhilarating Sumaging Cave, or Big Cave, is the most popular of Sagada's caves. Its immense chambers are home to other-0worldly rock formations with…
Cebu City
Established in 1565 under the command of Miguel López de Legazpi, conqueror of the Philippines, Fort San Pedro has served as an army garrison, a rebel…
Around Manila
Improbably perched on a towering mound of earth at Tagaytay’s eastern end, this is Ferdinand Marcos’ unfinished summer home. It's a derelict yet…
Bohol
This island 7km north of Anda has several anthropologically important cave paintings – made with bare hands – that date back tens of thousands of years…
Coron Town
Accessible by a steep 10-minute climb, the crystal-clear waters of Lake Kayangan are nestled into the mountain walls; underwater is like a moonscape…
El Nido
Often called Las Cabanas Beach after a local resort, this is the closest nice beach to El Nido and has a rockin' sunset bar scene centred around Beach…
Puerto Galera
Much less touristy than the area's famous Tamaraw Falls, Talipanan Falls is a short walk from the village of Talipanan. Hire a Mangyan guide (P200) in the…
Chocolate Hills Main Viewpoint
Bohol
Views from this perch are indeed magnificent, surrounded by Bohol's famous chocolate hills. However it's highly commercialised, with kiosks selling…
Bantayan Island
Around 5km east of Santa Fe this sublime cove beach has white sand, shade umbrellas and excellent swimming, and the surrounding area is attractively…
Bicol
For one of the best panoramic views of brooding Mt Mayon and the city, head up Ligñon Hill. It’s a steep, but paved, 20-minute walk up the hill; tricycles…
Bicol
Set on a hill splendidly overlooking Mt Mayon is the baroque-style Nuestra Senora de la Porteria church in Daraga, constructed completely from volcanic…
Coron Town
There are two sides to this photogenic lagoon where salt and fresh water meet. Boats dock in one half and and the other half is accessed by swimming…
Moalboal
Glorious White Beach, where there's a broad stretch of sand and several midrange and luxury hotels, is 6km north of Panagsama. After bargaining, tricycles…
Mindoro
Mangyan tribespeople trek down from the hills for up to five hours to trade tubers, maize, rice and other vegetables for lowland products at this…
Sumilon Island Marine Sanctuary
Cebu
The marine sanctuary off Sumilon Island is a conservation success story in the Philippines. Resorts in Lilo-an run dive trips to the reserve, or you can…
Mindoro
This friendly research center and library is a treasure trove of books, archival photos and old news clippings about Mangyan culture. Its souvenir shop…
Samar
The forested island of Capul, west of Dalupiri, has a delightfully easygoing pace of life. It was a galleon staging post during Spanish days – the name…
