North Luzon
In a peaceful location next to the scenic Paoay Lake, the opulent former estate where the Marcos family spent their holidays is open to the public. The…
Must-see attractions in Philippines
Banaue
The Banaue View Inn runs this museum, which contains books written decades ago by anthropologist Otley Beyer and Igorot artefacts collected by his son…
Cebu
This tiny island, southwest of Olango, encompasses a marine reserve which is managed privately by Nalusuan Island Resort & Marine Sanctuary. The…
North Luzon
Estimated to be at least the second-longest cave system in the country at 12.5km (it still hasn’t been explored to its terminus), Odessa-Tumbali Cave is…
Southeast Luzon
The Buntod sandbar, protruding from the sea about 7km east of town, is part of the Bugsayon marine sanctuary and accessible only by boat. You can hire a…
Bicol
A couple of kilometres northwest of Daraga is the most classic of Bicol's panoramas: the stand-alone greenery-topped belfry of the sunken Cagsawa Church…
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…
Puerto Galera
This waterfall drops 30m from a forested ravine into splash pools off the main Puerto Galera–Calapan road, 13km out of town, then flows out again in…
North Luzon
Paradisical Blue Lagoon holds Luzon’s whitest sand and bluest waters but the large-scale development here has eaten up a big part of the beach and it's…
Palawan
These actually consist of some 64 falls along the Estrella River, which is fed by Mt Victoria. The lowest falls are easy to reach – they are in Estrella…
Puerto Princesa
Behind the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral (c 1872), this restored WWII garrison is the site of an open-air war museum and shrine to American prisoners of…
Manila
This gallery in the colonial Casa Tesoro mansion features regular changing shows of experimental art and installations in its 2nd-floor gallery…
Dumaguete
Opposite the hospital is this small zoo and research centre housing 16 species of indigenous mammals, reptiles and birds, including the critically…
Around Manila
The American-built Pacific War Memorial, at the island’s highest point (210m), is a shrine to the thousands from both sides who died in the conflict…
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…
Southeast Luzon
Pawa Mangrove Nature Park consists of some 300 hectares of mangroves threaded through with a 1.3km boardwalk. It’s a lovely, quiet place for a stroll, and…
North Luzon
In secluded Caunayan Bay, this memorial commemorates the mission of American submarine USS Stingray, which delivered weapons to Ilocano guerrillas, thus…
Cagayan de Oro
The three galleries here have an interesting mix of photos, ceramics, art and artefacts, including several huge ceremonial M’ranao swords and a full-scale…
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…
Moalboal
These natural springs in Montañeza, 32km south of Moalboal make an attractive excursion (particularly on weekdays when it's less busy). The hottest spring…
Environmental Enforcement Museum
Puerto Princesa
In the Pasyar Travel & Tours complex, this is a worthy and important museum that displays confiscated chainsaws, boats, dynamite and (sometimes) animals…
Around Manila
The Bataan Peninsula's most poignant site is on Mt Samat near Balanga. Atop the mountain is a 90m-high crucifix with battle scenes carved around its base…
The Cordillera
About 3km northwest of Kabayan, near barangay Kabayan Barrio, is the Tinongchol Burial Rock, where several coffins have been leveraged into cuts in a…
Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife Center
Manila
This park and wildlife rescue centre (open 9am to 4pm Tuesday to Sunday) runs a mini-zoo where confiscated animals and injured wildlife are nursed back to…
The Cordillera
This compact museum is a good introduction to this part of the Cordillera. Ask the friendly curator to explain the difference between traditional clothing…
North Luzon
Housed in the historic Tabacalera warehouse, the snazzy Museo Ilocos Norte is one of the better ethnographic museums in the Philippines. It houses a large…
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…
Vigan
It's worth stopping in Badoc, halfway between Vigan and Laoag (about an hour by bus), for a peek inside the restored ancestral home of Juan Luna, arguably…
North Luzon
Kabigan Falls is 120m of crashing white water and a cool, clear pool for swimming. It's accessible via group tours run by all hotels or via private…
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…
Southeast Luzon
The focal point of the town, this stone cathedral dates back to the 17th century and its fortified ramparts testify to its role as local refuge during the…
Bantayan Island
About an hour's boat ride from Santa Fe in Bantayan, this tropical islet is a popular (perhaps too popular) day trip. The white-sand beach is gorgeous and…
Bicol
From Panicuason (pan-ee-kwa-sone), a steep, half-hour walk along a rough road (passable by some vehicles if it’s very dry) leads to the entrance of Mt…
Eastern Visayas
About 4km north of Almeria is Agta Beach, with Biliran's largest concentration of resorts, although it's a fairly mediocre stretch of sand and can fill up…
North Luzon
A wonderful spot for surfing, Liw-liwa is a beautiful stretch of volcanic-pumice-strewn beach just south of San Felipe, which is 5km north of San Narciso…
North Luzon
Oriented for perfect sunsets, this wide grey-white beach with lapping waves is strewn with colourful fishing bangka. Add to this a view of Capones Island…
El Nido
The wealthy Ayala conglomerate, in conjunction with Ten Knots Travel, are developing this wide white-sand beach 7km north of El Nido proper into a swanky…
Camiguin
A beautiful clear stream of water dropping more than 70m to a plunge pool where you can swim and picnic. The few souvenir kiosks and concrete walkway mean…
Southeast Luzon
Fourteen kilometres south of Masbate Town is the attractive crescent Bituon Beach, hugely popular with local families on weekends. The dive resort here…
Port Barton
Gorgeous little falls dropping out of the jungle near the village of Bigaho, 13km north of Port Barton on the new road to San Vicente. You can motorbike…
