15 Ridiculously Beautiful Places to Visit in the Philippines
Are you trying to decide on where to go in the Philippines? You’ve probably heard of the more famous destinations like Boracay, El Nido, and Coron. But you’re not sure what other stops to add to your itinerary. In this blog post, I’m going to share with you the 15 most beautiful and amazing places to visit in the Philippines.
I’ve divided the 15 best places to visit into 5 categories based on the geography of the Philippines. Just jump to the area you’re most interested in or read all the way straight through.
For all of my guides to this ridiculously beautiful country, visit my Philippines travel guide.
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THE NORTH: NORTHERN LUZON
Let’s start with the north.
Not many foreign travelers go here.
But they should.
Northern Luzon is the ideal place for those looking for culture, natural beauty, history, architecture, and adventure.
The three top destinations here are…
I suggest adding at least one of these places to your itinerary. Any of them will make for a nice change of pace from the islands to the south.
1. Rice Terrace of Ifugao Province
You will never forget your visit to the rice terraces in Ifugao province. Located along the slopes of the Cordillera Mountains, these terraces were built more than 2,000 years ago.
There are rice terraces sprinkled throughout the region. Some can be done on your own while others require guides. Banaue is the easiest rice terrace to get to, but Batad, Bagaan, Mayoyao, Hungduan, and Nagacadan are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Don’t worry. You can do several in one trip by hiking from one to the other.
If you’re into photography and hiking, then making the 9-hour bus ride from Manila will be worth it.
2. Sagada
This next must-visit place in the Philippines is both very weird but also quite wonderful. It’s the backpacker haven of Sagada.
Located about 13 hours by bus from Manila, this rather eerie destination is famous for its creepy hanging coffins, thrilling caves, and beautiful waterfalls. It’s ideal for those with more adventurous spirits or those seeking a bit of traditional Filipino culture.
The most important stop in Sagada is the Echo Valley Hanging Coffins. For those who like adventure, do the Cave Connection, an underground passage that connects Sumaging Cave with Lumiang Cave (more creepy coffins). You can also hike to Bomod-ok Falls, Mt. Sipitan, Mt. Kiltepan, or Marlboro Hill.
3. Vigan
Vigan is the best place in the Philippines if you love history and architecture. Being one of the oldest towns in the Philippines, the UNESCO World Heritage site is filled with fairy-tale-like old colonial houses mixing the Spanish and Chinese architectural styles.
Vigan’s heritage exists today because it’s one of the few places in the Philippines that avoided being destroyed during World War II.
You can get from Manila to this northwestern coastal town by taking a 9-hour bus ride. A long ride, but well worth it!
Spend most of your time wandering around the Mestizo District, the heritage area of Vigan, exploring the unique and beautiful architecture from the Spanish colonial era. Walk down pedestrian-only Crisologo Street especially at dusk when the sky is not quite dark yet but the lamps and lights in the shops and cafes are turned on. You can also tour the interior of some of the old mansions like Quema House and Syquia Mansion.
THE WEST: PALAWAN
Now let’s head to the beaches of the Philippines. After Boracay was closed down for 6 months, many travelers moved over to Palawan.
There’s more here to offer a tourist than one can find on any other island in the Philippines.
These are the 3 must-stop destinations in Palawan:
Palawan has 4 more stops that I won’t cover here but are worth checking out: Port Barton, Puerto Princesa, Balabac, and Sibaltan.
4. Coron
Located in the northern part of Palawan, Coron is part of a group of islands called the Calamian Islands. Everyone calls the whole area Coron.
The whole area is a diver’s paradise. There are over 20 Japanese shipwrecks in the waters around the islands.
For everyone else, the area is just simply drop-dead gorgeous. Like everywhere in the Philippines, you’ll find white sandy beaches and turquoise blue water. But you’ll also find these unique craggy rock formations and these stunning lakes with water as clear as glass.
You’ll have a boat load of island-hopping tours to choose from when you’re in Coron.
The popular places to visit on these tours are Twin Lagoon, Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, Malcapuya Island, Ditaytayan Sand Bar, and Coconut Beach. You can also customize your own tour by hiring your own private boat.
Kayaking around the islands and Coron Bay is also popular.
Don’t miss out on climbing up Mt. Tapyas at sunset for stunning views of the bay and then finishing your evening with a stop at Maquinit Hot Springs.
5. El Nido
There is a reason why El Nido has become the most popular place to visit in the Philippines over the last few years. The limestone islands dotting Bacuit Bay are blindingly gorgeous. The bay is similar to the limestone islands of Halong Bay in Vietnam and the limestone hills of Lijiang in China.
When in El Nido, you should go on at least one island-hopping tour that’ll take you to Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Hidden Lagoon, Hidden Beach, Seven Commando’s Beach, Helicopter Island, or Snake Island. Make sure to schedule some time for relaxing on the area’s beautiful beaches like Nacpan, Las Cabanas, and Lio.
You can get a detailed and easy-to-follow itinerary guide for El Nido here.
PRO TIP: Here's a list of essential items to pack for all of your island-hopping tours while in the Philippines:
- Dry bag - You're going to get wet while in the boat and your things will get wet if you don't have a dry bag. Leave your backpack at your hotel.
- Waterproof bag or pouch for your cell phone especially for your visit to such places as the Big Lagoon and the Secret Lagoon in El Nido.
- Water shoes - It's important to have a pair because sometimes you'll need to be walking on rocks to get to your destination. You'll thank me later for bringing them.
- Sunscreen - Make sure to put it on 30 minutes before being in the sun and/or water. Banana Boat worked the best for me. You can buy it in the Philippines, too, but it's pricey (500 - 700 pesos depending on the store--shop around!)
- Mask and snorkel - OPTIONAL - Most tour companies provide you with a mask and snorkel, but if you want to bring your own, I highly recommend the full face mask and snorkel. It's ideal for those who aren't confident swimmers.
6. An Island-hopping cruise from El Nido to Coron:
Everyone who’s done one of the island-hopping cruises from El Nido to Coron has said that it is the best thing they’ve done in the Philippines.
Sold yet?
These cruises are expensive (over US$300 -$500) but well worth it. Just be warned that once you do one of these multi-day tours, any other island-hopping tour after that just won’t cut.
The most famous and the most highly-reviewed tour company is Tao Expeditions. They have both 3-day and 5-day tours through the remote Linapacan and Culian Islands. Other companies do similar routes and I met people who booked theirs after getting to El Nido. In all of them, you get to sleep on the beach. Some provide tents, while others provide pre-made very rustic wooden structures. You’ll spend your days sunbathing, swimming, kayaking, drinking, eating and well, you get the picture.
Read More Articles on the Philippines:
THE CENTER: THE VISAYAS
The center of the Philippines is dominated by the Visayas: a group of islands that are jampacked with paradise-like destinations. The Visayas contains the largest number of destinations on this list of must-see places to visit in the Philippines. These are Boracay, Bohol, Siquijor, Moalboal, Malapascua, and Bantayan. If you’ve got 2 weeks, you can easily and satisfyingly limit your stay to the Visayas.
7. Bantayan Island: It’s all about the beaches
Another island with some of the best beaches in the Philippines is Bantayan Island off the coast of Cebu island. This destination has some of the whitest sandy beaches I’ve ever seen. It’s perfect for being incredibly lazy and not doing much of anything. If you’re looking for a mellow and laidback place that’s not so touristy like Boracay, then consider Bantayan Island.
The best beaches are on the island are Paradise Beach—a long white sand beach with crystal clear water and not many other tourists. Along with Santa Fe Beach, it’s also a great place to watch the sunset. You can go on an island-hopping tour to Virgin Island and Hilantagaan Island. Make sure to add St. Peter and Paul church to your itinerary. The outside isn’t that great, but the inside makes it the most interesting Spanish colonial church to visit in the Philippines.
8. Bohol: Exploring the natural wonders of the Philippines
One of my favorite destinations in the Philippines is the island of Bohol. It’s a perfect addition to any itinerary because it gives you not only the white sandy beaches and the crystal clear water but also the opportunity to see animals in the wild (tarsier primates), swim in pools at the base of waterfalls, view unique scenery like the Chocolate Hills, paddleboat down jungle-clad rivers, and kayak through mangroves while fireflies buzz above you. It’s also easy to get to with just a two-hour ferry ride from Cebu City.
Bohol is also a premier diving and snorkeling destination with its colorful and healthy coral reefs and abundant sea turtles. You can go on some fun island-hopping tours to Balicasag or Pamilacan Islands. The best beaches in Bohol are Dumaluan Beach, White Beach, and the beaches in Anda.
You can get a detailed and comprehensive travel guide for Bohol here.
PRO TIP: Make sure to buy sea shoes/water shoes for your trip to the Philippines. The bottom of the ocean is rocky and it’s easy to cut yourself or break your toe or foot while walking in the shallow part of the ocean.
9. Boracay: Is this still the #1 island in the Philippines?
Boracay was THE place to visit when in the Philippines. It used to be packed with package tour groups. The island then became an environmental disaster. So, the forward-thinking government closed down the island to tourism for six months in order to get it back in shape. Now in order to be allowed on the island, you need to show that you already have a booking at a certified hotel.
Plus: No more fire dancing, no more loud music on the beach, no more alcohol on the beach, no more single use plastic bottles, and no more sunbeds or deck chairs on the beach. No more endless parties. It’s now a more laid back and quiet place.
Located off the coast of Panay island, Boracay is a thin (500 meters) and long (7 km) island. People go to this island for its powdery white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. White Beach with its killer sunsets is probably the best beach in the Philippines. Popular activities include sailing trips, island-hopping tours, and kitesurfing.
PRO TIP: Download these apps onto your phone for your trip to any country in Asia. They will make your life so much easier!
- Grab: - Grab is the ride-sharing service that people use in Southeast Asia. It's a must-have for getting around Manila, Hanoi, Singapore etc. It's not so necessary on the smaller islands.
- Klook - Klook is a tour-booking website used by lots of travelers in Asia. You're more likely to book with an honest tour company through Klook than through anyone else.
- WhatsApp: What's App is the best service to use for getting in touch with other travelers, tour guides, and businesses in the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, etc.
- Booking.com: I think Booking.com is the best website to use for booking accommodations in Asia.
- MAPS.ME & Google Maps: I have both of these apps on my phone. Sometimes MAPS.ME works better than Google Maps and vice versa. Make sure to download your maps to your phone before you start your adventure so you can view them offline. If you switch SIM cards, you might lose your downloaded maps.
10. Malapascua + Kalanggaman: Diving with Sharks and exploring the most beautiful island in the Philippines
Malapascua is another diver’s paradise to visit in the Philippines. The island is THE place to dive with thresher sharks! When I get my open water diving certificate, I’m definitely coming back here. But I, personally, didn’t go to Malapascua to dive. Instead, I went in search of the perfect island. I was told that you could find the most beautiful island in all of the Philippines off the coast of Malapascua, called Kalanggaman Island.
Yes, I can attest to the fact that Kalanggaman Island was probably the most beautiful island I’d been to with the most beautiful sand bar I’d ever seen. I have just one huge regret—I didn’t camp overnight on the island.
There are other things to do around Malapascua as well. You can rent a private boat that’ll take you around to some great snorkeling spots, spend the day on the nearly empty and beautiful North Beach, and end the evening with dinner with some fresh seafood at the local market.
You can find a detailed travel guide on how to visit both Malapascua and Kalanggaman here!
11. Moalboal: Whoever said sardines weren’t interesting?
One of the most unforgettable things I saw in the Philippines was the sardine run in Moalboal. You can not only dive but you can also snorkel a few meters off a beach in Moalboal and see a wall of a million sardines swimming past you. I think Cebu has the best waterfalls in the Philippines, and their close proximity to Moalboal makes it the perfect base to explore them.
A popular activity in Moalboal is to go canyoneering off (jumping) of Kawasan Waterfall. You can also grab a scooter or motorcycle and search for other waterfalls like Dao Falls, Binalayan Falls, and Aguinid Falls. Seeing the sardine run is also incredibly easy even if you’re not a good swimmer. Just rent a life jacket at one of the shops near the beach and swim out to the sardine run. You’ll probably also see a turtle or two while you’re there.
PRO TIP: When you arrive in the Philippines, you can buy a SIM card at the airport. There are 2 companies used throughout the Philippines: Globe and Smart. Each of them gives you 10 or 12 GB of memory for 30 days for 1,000 pesos (US$20). I used 2 GB in 30 days.
If you have to "add load" (add minutes or data) for some reason, you can do it at a convenience store around the Philippines. Tell them you want to "add load". You need to give the clerk your phone # to complete the transaction (I usually store my SIM card # in my Contact,s List).
BUT that's not it. You then need to register your phone. If you have Globe, dial *143#. I usually have the store clerk or someone at my hostel or hotel help me complete the registration. If you don't register after every time you add data to your phone, the minutes and data disappear.
12. Siquijor + Apo Island: Shamans and sea turtles
A small island located between Negros, Cebu, and Bohol islands, Siquijor (pronounced seekeehor) is a mysterious island famous for its shamans and sorcerers. Another unique feature of the island is its marine sanctuaries that are filled with healthy coral and teeming with fish. Getting to these reefs is super easy. Just walk right off the beach and into the water. BUT don’t walk on the coral. You can also take a boat to Apo Island and snorkel or dive with giant and friendly sea turtles the size of a dining room table.
The most popular place to visit in Siquijor is Cambugahay Falls—a waterfall with multiple levels of pools. Siquijor’s two best beaches are Paliton Beach and Tubod Beach. Because of Siquijior’s placid waters and healthy coral, it’s a great place to go snorkeling. You can also go cliff diving, hiking, and spelunking.
You can read my comprehensive and detailed itinerary guide for Siquijor here.
THE SOUTH: MINDANAO
Now we’re heading further south to the island of Mindanao. Here the Philippines is becoming harder to get to. As a result, Siargao and Camiguin weren’t on the travelers’ radar as much as those destinations in the Visayas until now.
13. Siargao: Not just a surfer’s paradise
When I was last in the Philippines, it seemed than every backpacker I spoke to was on their way to or on their way from Siargao. It was THE island to be at in the months before the Caronavirus hit. Siargao is famous for its surfing, but if you’re not a surfer, don’t think the island doesn’t have anything for you. In fact, it’s also got lots of other unique and beautiful features like stunning lagoons, surrounding islands with gorgeous powdery white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, and unique Instagram worthy spots like Bending Palm Tree and Palm Tree Road.
There are a few really good island-hopping tours you can go on. These include one to Instagrammable Sugba Lagoon (bring your drone if you have one), Sohoton Cove, and Naked, Daku, and Guyan islands. If visiting Magpupungko Rock Pools (and you should!), make sure you check whether the tide is in or out. Siargao is also perfect for exploring the island by motorbike or scooter.
14. Camiguin: Want a little bit of Hawaii in the Philippines?
Located off the northern coast of Mindanao, under-the-radar Camiguin is an adventurer’s dream island. Having more volcanos than any other island in the world, Camiguin looks more like the islands of Hawaii than of the Philippines. The island is littered with hiking trails, hot springs (and cold), and waterfalls. If you’re looking for an island destination with lots of adventure and great diving but without the hordes of tourists like in Palawan and Boracay, then add this island to your Philippines itinerary.
Visit Katibawan Falls, where you can swim in the pool at the base of the falls. Climb up Hibok Hibok Volcano for panoramic views of the island and then once you’ve climbed down, stop at Ardent Hot Springs to soak your tired muscles. Because Camiguin is a volcanic island, the sand is dark brown. But not to worry. You can find the white powdery stuff on White Island. Camiguin also has some unique snorkeling opportunities where you can snorkel in a giant clam sanctuary.
THE EAST: SOUTHEASTERN LUZON
Are you looking for a truly off-the-beaten-path destination in the Philippines? Of course! Who isn’t? Southeastern Luzon is about as under the international tourism radar as you can get in this country. There are a few good places to visit here, but I’m going to add one place to this list of the 15 best places to visit in the Philippines, and that is Mt. Mayon, an active volcano near the city of Legazpi.
15. Legazpi + Mount Mayon: More beautiful than Mt. Fuji?
Located either by a short plane ride from Manila or a 15-hour bus ride, Legazpi is famous for being at the foot of the most perfectly cone-shaped volcano in the world: Mount Mayon. Take that Mt. Fuji! If you’re looking for stunning scenery, this is an ideal stop to your Philippines vacation.
Legazpi is a typical noisy and busy Filipino City. However, the Albay District is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Walk up Lignon Hill or Sleeping Lion Hill to views of Mount Mayon. But spend most of your time outside of Legazpi hiking up or part-way up Mt. Mayon, checking out the Cagsawa ruins, and driving an ATV to the foothills of Mt. Mayon.
Looking for more off-the-beaten-path destinations?
Full Face Snorkel Mask
I love these full face snorkel masks. They're helpful if you're not a great swimmer or if swimming in the ocean freaks you out. THIS is the best thing I bought for my trip to the Philippines!
Waterproof Dry Bag
Another must-have item on your island hopping tours in the Philippines is a dry bag. I like this one because it comes with a waterproof phone case. And the price is pretty reasonable.
Water Shoes
Another of my best packing decisions was a pair of water shoes for when you need to walk from the boat to shore. I met someone who broke her toe on an island hopping tour in El Nido. These shoes will help prevent that from happening.
So these are what I think to be the best places in the Philippines to visit. Now if I had only 2 or 3 weeks in this country, my top 5 (I’m having a hard time cutting it down to 5) would be the rice terraces of Ifugao province, El Nido, Boracay, Bohol, and Siargao.
What do you think? Have you been to the Philippines? What were your favorite places?
If you’re planning to go sometime in the future, where are you most looking forward to visiting?
If you have questions or comments, please leave them in the comment section below!
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More Info on the Philippines:
- Learn how to take public transportation and a Grab and taxi around Manila - First-Timers Guide to Getting Around Manila
- Manila Itinerary: 2 Days Exploring the Culture and History of Manila - In this guide, you'll get a detailed step-by-step itinerary for seeing the sights in Manila.
- Port Barton Itinerary: What to do for 3 Days in Port Barton - Find out how to discover the most beautiful beach in the Philippines.
- One of my favorite experiences in the Philippines was an island-hopping tour of Sibaltan. Get the details here: Sibaltan Tour: Finding Your Secret Paradise in Palawan, Philippines
- El Nido Itinerary: An Adventure of a Lifetime - Learn where to go, what to eat, where to see, and of course, what to do in El Nido.
- Bohol Travel Guide: Exploring the Natural Wonder of the Philippines will tell you exactly what to see and do in Bohol, how to get there, where to stay, and much, much more!
- Siquijor Itinerary: Exploring the Island of Fire will give you the skinny on everything you need to know to travel to Siquijor.
- Malapascua Itinerary: Plan Now! Go Later! will help you plan your trip to Malapascua and Kalanggaman Islands.
- Find out what my 15 favorite places to visit in the Philippines are.
- Solo Travel Guide for the Philippines will give you some pointers on how to best travel solo in the Philippines cheaply and safely and still have a kick-ass time!
About the Bamboo Traveler
Welcome to The Bamboo Traveler, a travel blog dedicated to helping those travelers who want to dig deeply into the history, heritage, and culture of a place. Whether it’s through the pages of your passport or the pages of a book, I’ll help you travel the world and uncover the history, culture, food, architecture, and natural beauty of some of the world’s most fascinating places.
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