Boracay
With its glorious, powdered-sugar sand, White Beach is the centre of the action in Boracay and the only sight most visitors ever see. Beach locations are…
Must-see attractions in Western Visayas
Danjugan Island Marine Reserve & Sanctuary
Sugar Beach
This 42-hectare island is a model of intelligent ecotourism. Well-maintained paths provide access through thick forest to idyllic deserted beaches, sea…
Malumpati Spring & Bugang River
Panay
One of the most striking natural features in western Visayas, the astonishing Malumpati Spring and Bugang River emerges from nowhere in the midst of the…
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…
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…
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…
Iloilo
Iloilo's most famous historic home resembles the White House. You'll need to give three days' notice of your visit.
Dumaguete
About 20km northwest of Dumaguete, the twin crater lakes of Balinsasayao and Danao offer some wonderfully scenic hiking. The area is virgin forest and…
Boracay
Looming high above the east coast, this viewpoint has stunning views across the island, though the steps up were designed for giants. The lush cross…
Iloilo
Spelunkers take note: this 847-hectare old-growth forest 33km north of Iloilo has dozens of caves, of which six are open to the public, all within 3km of…
Mt Guiting-Guiting Natural Park
Western Visayas
This 15,200-hectare natural park (pronounced 'gee-TING gee-TING') is a biological treasure, home to an estimated 700 plant species, 130 bird species and a…
Bacolod
Set on lovely manicured grounds surrounded by sugar plantations, the RUINS is an early-20th-century Italianate mansion originally built by a local sugar…
Negros
Sagay is best known as the guardian of the 32,000-hectare Sagay Marine Reserve, established in 1999. For visitors, highlights are the 200-hectare Carbin…
Western Visayas
This three-tiered waterfall cascading into a refreshing swimming hole makes for a great half-day excursion. Walk (or ride) east out of Magdiwang past the…
Panay
This series of seven scenic cascades at the end of the TEA Park road can be ascended one by one, offering some fine swimming holes (the third tier is…
Negros
These glorious 30m-high falls, 4km from Valencia, are most refreshing after the challenging trek to reach them. After climbing down the 335 steps, the…
Siquijor
Northeast of San Juan is stunning white-sand Paliton Beach. The water is as clear as glass and there are wonderful views of Apo Island. Take the turnoff…
Siquijor
Opposite the San Isidro Labrador Church, flanked by centuries-old acacia trees, is the oldest Catholic convent in the Philippines, a magnificent timber…
Siquijor
From Lazi, a sealed road leads 2km north to these refreshing falls on the Po-o River. Above the falls, there's a paid parking bay on your left for your…
Dumaguete
Opposite the hospital is this small zoo and research centre housing 16 species of indigenous mammals, reptiles and birds, including the critically…
Siquijor
Siquijor's highest peak, Mt Bandila-an (557m), is near Cantabon. Concrete steps lead 10 minutes up to the peak from two clearly marked points on the road…
Siquijor
Just west of the village of Campalanas is a tremendous balete tree (banyan tree), estimated to be 400 years old and believed by some to be enchanted. In…
Iloilo
Offers a worthwhile display on the indigenous Ati (Negrito) people and a collection of old pinya (pineapple fibre) weavings, for which the area is famous…
Panay
This mangrove park with bamboo walkway is 3½km northwest of the city centre (P25 by tricycle). It offers two-hour tours on bamboo rafts pulled by…
Siquijor
A few kilometres past the town of Maria, Salagdoong Beach is popular with rowdy day trippers. There's a half-open water park that has seen much better…
Panay
About 3km north of downtown Roxas is this 7km grey-sand beach lined with eateries and picnic shelters. It varies greatly in width depending on the…
Negros
On the main road through town, the silver-domed, Romanesque Church of San Diego (1927) is topped by a crucifix that, when lit at night, is visible far out…
Negros
Also known as the Victor Gaston Ancestral Home (1898), this hardwood home has the most photogenic exterior of any house in Silay. The house has been…
Siquijor
From barangay Tubod, a paved road leads 3km up to this pleasant waterfall, which cascades into a crisp and clean teal-green swimming hole. You can jump…
Kalibo
This little downtown museum, in a nicely restored school building between the market and Pastrana Park, offers a rare look at Aklan history, culture and…
Negros
The water flowing away and around the edges of the pool at the base of the falls is coloured red from the river's rocks. It's a developed site with a…
Silliman University Anthropology Museum
Dumaguete
Housed in Hibbard Hall on the university campus, this very nice anthropology and ethnobotany collection includes artefacts from the indigenous Negritos…
Bacolod
Worth a look is this impressive 19th-century cathedral built from coral stone (quarried from Guimaras) across from the city's central plaza. It's…
Siquijor
This park is essentially a public garden with lots of flowers, walking paths and little pavilions for picnics. It's great for bird- and butterfly-watching…
Negros
An interactive marine museum for children at the Old Sagay Port, where on some weekends kids dress up as reef animals and narrate the exhibits, which…
Iloilo
For the best view of the old city, climb to the roof above the 7th floor – ask the guard for permission. You'll be surprised how different it appears…
