The Philippines is quickly emerging as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. Veteran travelers often compare it to what Thailand or Vietnam used to be like 30 years ago, making it an ideal vacation spot for those who are looking for an exciting adventure.
While we have yet to visit the Philippines, it’s certainly high on our bucket list! With more than 7000 islands and countless beautiful places, there’s never a shortage of amazing things to see and do.
How do you choose where to go in the Philippines?
There’s a problem with choosing the best places to visit in the Philippines for a vacation. Each island has its own culture, language, and cuisine. This nation is truly unlike any of its neighbors. With so much breathtaking nature, countless tourist attractions, and some of the world’s best beaches, it’s hard to figure out where to go first.
Then there’s the issue of deciding where to stay and how to get there. You might not be aware that traveling between different locations in the Philippines can be quite complicated. Many places can only be reached by car, plane, bus, or boat. And sometimes they require a combination of them!
All of this makes planning the trip extremely time-consuming… and just a tad frustrating. To save time and frustration, there’s a lot to be said for booking a travel package to the Philippines. They can negotiate better prices than you might be able to get on your own and tailor your trip to your interests. They’ll know which places you’ll enjoy the most, which hotels are good, and the best way to get from place to place. And of course, they’ll help you understand the culture and navigate the local menu items.
If you have been following our blog, you know we often use local guides when we travel. Trust us … When someone else manages the logistics, you’ll be able to relax and focus on enjoying this wonderful country.
Best places to visit in the Philippines
According to both tourists and locals, these spots are the best places to visit in the Philippines:
1. Manila
We start things off with what might not seem like the most exciting recommendation – the capital city Manila. Almost all international flights land there, so you are bound to visit Manila whether you like it or not. The only other alternative is to fly directly to Cebu instead … but that’s only possible if you arrive from another Southeast Asian country. There are no direct flights to Cebu from other parts of the world.
Most people tend to run away from Manila as quickly as possible as they make their way to the more exotic islands you can read about further down this list. And who can blame them? At first glance, Manila comes off as a dirty and crowded metropolitan city, hardly the paradise getaway you probably had in mind!
But there’s a lot to do here, and it’s worth booking one of Manila’s best hotels for a few days. With just a little bit of effort, you’ll discover this city’s hidden secrets and unravel some of the most interesting and unique experiences the Philippines has to offer.
If you are only interested in nature and the island lifestyle, then obviously Manila isn’t for you. But for those who usually like to combine nature with some culture and learning, Manila can offer a very stark contrast and a great balance to the island experience. To put it bluntly, spend at least a day or two in Manila if you want to understand what life in the Philippines is really like, instead of just the tourist bubble of the islands.
What to do in Manila?
If you only have 1 day to spend in the city, then the obvious choice is to book a guided Manila city tour. You could do everything on the itinerary on your own, but taking the tour is more time-efficient and the guide does provide a lot of added value.
ⓘ TIP: If you have some extra time, visit the National Museum as well. It’s located right next to the old town, so you can ask the guide to drop you there when the tour ends.
For longer stays, we suggest visiting at least one of the malls. Sounds crazy, but Manila has some of the largest malls in the world. Prices are quite cheap compared to most Western countries.
- The most popular one is Mall of Asia, located right next to the ocean.
- Greenbelt Mall is a nice alternative, although it is located in a much more upscale area. Don’t expect to find any bargains there.
Lastly, if you find yourself craving some nature while staying in the big city, there are a few excellent landmarks just a couple of hours away:
- Taal volcano is the world’s smallest active volcano and is located in the middle of a lake – you can take a boat and then hike for 30 minutes to the crater.
- Pagsanjan Falls is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country, but the real highlight is the 1-hour long kayaking through the river to reach it.
You can visit both of these places in one day if you don’t mind having a very tight schedule.
2. Banaue
Over the years, we have been to quite a few rice terraces, like the one in Bali. Few compare to the Banaue Rice Terraces.
Dating more than 2000 years back, the rice terraces of Banaue are widely recognized as the most impressive of their kind anywhere in the world. Many people believe that the ancestors of the indigenous people built them with minimal equipment, mainly by hand.
Banaue is completely different than anywhere else in the country. Not only is the weather much colder, but the scenery is also mountainous and there are no beaches. Yet the most compelling difference is the culture and folklore of the people who live there
If you are interested in exploring the Filipino indigenous tribal culture and way of life, then Banaue is the only place where you can experience it firsthand.
The only real downside to visiting Banaue is the fact that the only way to reach it is by road. The most popular way of reaching Banaue is by taking the night bus from Manila, or by a 9-hour drive from Manila, both of which can be quite grueling.
Even if you plan it most efficiently, you will have to spend no less than 3-4 days on this part of the itinerary. For that reason, visiting Banaue is only recommended for people who are in the Philippines for a longer period.
3. Vigan
While Banaue showcases the tribal history, Vigan is the best example of the country’s colonial era. The city of Vigan remains largely unchanged dating back to the Spanish colonial era – making it one of the best remaining examples of life back then anywhere in the world.
Vigan’s uniqueness comes from the fusion of Spanish, Filipino, and Chinese influences, all of which are clearly evident in its architecture and culture. For these reasons, Vigan has not only earned UNESCO World Heritage Site status, it was also named one of the new 7 wonder cities of the world.
Like Banaue, Vigan is an excellent place to experience the local culture and history, while enjoying a completely different atmosphere and weather to the islands.
Vigan is even further north from Manilal than Banaue, and they are often combined. Again, this is something that is only recommended for those with ample time to spare, or those who like off-the-beaten-track destinations.
Thankfully, it can be reached via flight from Manila to Laoag, followed by a 2-hour drive from Laoag to Vigan City itself. So, you can take the overnight bus to Banaue, then continue up to Vigan, and when you are done grab a flight back to Manila instead of having to drive the whole way back again.
4. Cebu Island
While researching Cebu, it’s easy to get confused as it’s both the name of the island and the largest city in it. Cebu City is the 2nd largest city in the Philippines, but in all honesty, it isn’t worth your time. However, Cebu Island itself is without a doubt one of the best places to visit in the Philippines.
The hotels in Cebu City are much better than those in the smaller locations around the island, so many tourists stay there and do day trips from Cebu City to the various landmarks spread across the island. While this is certainly a viable choice, it will turn all activities into a somewhat difficult experience. It will take hours to drive back and forth, and you will have to leave the city very early to avoid the heavy commuter traffic.
If your focus is on activities and adventures rather than luxury resorts, we suggest booking a resort in Moalboal instead. You’ll have to drive for 2 hours from Cebu City to reach this town, but in return, you’ll be much closer to all the amazing attractions on the island. While Moalboal is primarily a backpacker’s destination, there are still a few high-end resorts you can choose from, so you won’t have to compromise on comfort too much.
What to do in Cebu?
The main attraction in Cebu is without a doubt diving. Moalboal in particular, has the highest variety of marine creatures ever surveyed anywhere in the world! This is thanks to the incredible sardine shoal located by its shores, which attracts many different animals who feed off it.
Even if you are not into diving, we highly suggest you book an island-hopping tour and visit the area, since it’s an extremely impressive experience even if you just snorkel.
Right next to Moalboal, you can also find the Kawasan Falls, widely considered the most impressive waterfalls in the country. This 3-tiered waterfall has pools and cliff jumps at varying sizes and heights. You can visit the falls directly and enjoy it for as long as you’d like, but it’s much more exciting to reach them by booking a canyoneering tour instead.
If you ever dreamed of diving with sharks, then head up north to Malapascua. Over there, you’re almost 100% guaranteed to encounter a thresher shark, and it’s the only place in the world where you can say that. This small island is also one of the most serene and romantic places in the Philippines. It offers some luxury resorts and yoga retreats – so it’s a perfect place to wind down and enjoy some private time with your loved one.
Lastly, it’s worth mentioning the whale shark experience in Oslob. This is by far the most popular attraction in Cebu, as it offers a guaranteed chance of swimming right next to these amazing animals. Unfortunately, this is because locals feed the whales, which makes them stick around and not migrate as they would normally do.
This makes the whole experience feel very much like a zoo and takes a lot from the thrill of seeing these majestic creatures happy and free in the wild as they should be. Even worse, it has very serious negative implications for this already seriously endangered species, as it disrupts their normal migratory pattern.
If you want to see whale sharks in the wild in an eco-friendly way, we really encourage you to visit Donsol instead.
5. Bohol
Bohol is right next to Cebu and you can reach it in 1.5 hours via ferry from Cebu City. This also means that if your itinerary is very tight, you can see everything Bohol has to offer by taking a one-day tour going out of Cebu City instead of spending a couple of nights there.
That said, Bohol is one of the best islands in the Philippines in its own right, so, if possible, you should do whatever you can to spend at least 2 or 3 nights there.
Funnily enough, Bohol doesn’t stand out in any specific area – it doesn’t have the best attractions, the widest sand beaches, the best nightlife, or anything else for that matter. Instead, what makes this place so great is the fact it’s the most well-balanced destination in the country.
While most locations may only excel in one area, Bohol has it all! It doesn’t matter what type of vacation you are planning; you are sure to find something to your liking in Bohol, making this island the safest bet in the Philippines and a real anchor throughout your vacation.
What to do In Bohol?
The main attraction in Bohol is the beach and nightlife, which are both concentrated around Alona Beach. This is also where most resorts are, so you’ll have no trouble enjoying those aspects of the island whenever you feel like it.
When it comes to day tours and attractions, a few stand out:
The Bohol countryside tour includes a visit to the iconic Chocolate Hills, as well as one of the most amazing ziplines you’ll ever take in your life.
The island hopping tour is one of the most diverse ones in the country, as it includes encounters with dolphins and sea turtles.
Lastly, Bohol is also one of the best diving spots in the Philippines, with diving in Pamilacan island being the biggest highlight.
6. Boracay Island
Boracay Island is one of the most famous locations in the Philippines, as it often grabs one of the top spots on “best beaches in the world” lists. The island is also often compared to the most popular islands in Thailand, such as Koh Phangan or Samui. While the nightlife in Boracay is lacking in comparison, the beach is much wider and simply more impressive.
Boracay is very different from other locations in the Philippines since it’s the only modern, world-class tourist destination and the only one that is fully developed and easily accessible. This small island became so popular at one point that the government had no choice but to close it down for almost a year because the infrastructure was collapsing.
Thankfully, now the island is rehabilitated and able to support a much larger number of incoming visitors each year. There are more than 600 different hotels and resorts, and you can’t go wrong with any of them. Just make sure your resort of choice is located directly on White Beach and not in some more remote location.
When it comes to activities, there isn’t too much Boracay can offer. Sure, there are island hopping and diving tours available, but they pale in comparison to similar ones on other islands in the Philippines. If you go to Boracay, your plan should be to mostly just chill at the beach and party at night, and only one or two tours.
7. Palawan
Saving the best for last, Palawan is famous worldwide for being one of the best islands in the world. When you close your eyes and dream of a vacation in a tropical paradise – this place is what it looks like. No vacation in the Philippines is complete without a stop in Palawan, and people usually dedicate at least half of their vacation in the Philippines to exploring this amazing place.
The reason for that is that Palawan is a large island, divided into several sections. If you want to truly see everything it has to offer, you’ll need at least 2 weeks, if not more! That’s the reason why it enjoys so much praise, the sheer diversity of choice, and the amazing quality in everything you see and do.
Writing a detailed guide on what to do in Palawan requires a separate article. Here, l’ll leave you with a quick summary of only a few of the amazing opportunities this island presents.
What to do In Palawan
Puerto Princesa is the capital city of Palawan and one of its main attractions. Its location next to Honda Bay provides breathtaking views from your resort and allows you to embark on fantastic island-hopping tours where you can explore an endless amount of stunning small islands and virgin beaches. More importantly, this city is also the starting point for the Underground River tour – one of the new 7 wonders of the world and an extremely impressive and elaborate cave system you can explore while sitting in your kayak.
Then, there’s also El Nido town, which is undoubtedly considered the crown jewel of the Philippines. Staying there allows you to explore countless beautiful islands and hidden beaches, and the lagoons are often compared to those at Halong Bay in Vietnam. Not only that, but it’s also the place where you can find world-class, private island resorts that can compete with those of the Maldives while only costing a fraction of the price.
Lastly, you can head all the way north to visit Coron. This is the least developed part out of the three, but it’s still just as popular. While conditions there are not as comfortable, it’s the ideal choice for people who are more adventurous and want to fully experience the raw, mesmerizing power of nature. When you see postcards or pictures of the Philippines in magazines, Coron is usually where these were taken. In particular, Kayangan Lake is probably the single most beautiful location in the whole country.
Palawan is also a world-class diving location, with all three destinations above offering many diving opportunities you can’t experience anywhere else. If we’d have to summarize it for simplicity, Puerto Princesa is the best for snorkeling, El Nido is great for coral reefs and the variety of fish, and Coron is considered the best place in the world for wreck diving.
Frequently asked questions about top places to visit in the Philippines
What are some of the best beaches to visit in the Philippines?
Some of the best beaches to visit in the Philippines include Boracay, El Nido, Siargao, Panglao Island, and Coron Island.
Where can I find the best places to go trekking in the Philippines?
Some of the best places to go trekking in the Philippines include Mount Pulag in Benguet, Mount Pinatubo in Zambales, and Mount Apo in Davao.
What are some of the best places to go for a luxury vacation in the Philippines?
Some of the best places to go for a luxury vacation in the Philippines include Boracay, Palawan, and Cebu
Where is the best surfing in the Philippines?
Some of the best places for surfing in the Philippines include Siargao, Baler, and La Union.
What are some of the top beaches in the Philippines?
Some of the best beaches in the Philippines include Boracay, El Nido, Siargao, Panglao Island, and Coron Island
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Do you have any favorite places in the Philippines that we can add? Let us know!
I hope to visit Boracay Island with its more than 12 beaches. The tiny island in the west Visayas region is ideal for beach-goers. I also like that Puka Shell Beach is close by.
We’ve heard that it’s a beautiful beach. Is there much shade there?
There are so many beautiful places to see in the Philippines! I hope to see them all someday. I would especially like to visit Donsol to see whale sharks in the wild. It must be quite an experience. Palawan also sounds appealing for diving and snorkeling. Great post, Linda!
Anda, Palawan is the place to go as we have been told by every Filipino we’ve ever asked. Still Boracay has to be visited just because…