THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN THE PHILIPPINES

The Philippines is a stunning place, with a lot to offer. Today we share the most beautiful places in the Philippines, so you don’t miss a thing!

Here you are, once again, feeling the travel itch, exploring where you should travel next. You’re thinking of sandy white beaches, pristine, blue sea. But, you’d also like to be near an adventure, you’d like to explore, climb that mountain. You’re probably googling hotels in Canggu or Seminyak, and while Bali is always a great option, providing everything you’ve already imagined… Why not try something new?

The Philippines is an amazing country, becoming more and more popular among tourists. It has volcanos, it has waterfalls, caves and white beaches – what more could you ask for? Here are some of the places that are a must-see in the Philippines.

Beautiful Philippines places

The Chocolate Hills of Bohol

Yes, it would be really amazing if these were made out of real chocolate, but that’s not the case. So, why the chocolate part of the name? During the dry season in the Philippines (late November to May), the grass on the hills turns brown, making them look like big, chocolate bonbons spread across Bohol.  The best viewing point is from Sagbayan Peak, which offers a 360-degree perspective view of the hills.

Puerto Princesa National Park

This is one of the six UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Philippines and one of the new seven wonders of nature. The river goes deep into the mountain for about three miles, streaming quietly among the stalactites and stalagmites. It is directly connected to the sea, so it’s not only important because of its unique rock formation, but also as a biodiversity hotspot – you’ll see crab-eating monkeys and lizards at the entrance of the cave and bats in the cave.

This Philippines Itinerary is perfect for those looking for beaches, sea views and relaxation!

Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras

The pride of the Ifugao tribe, whose ancestors hand-carved the many step-like terraces in the mountains, creating a wondrous view that is often referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” These historic terraces are one of the rare sites on the Philippines that weren’t influenced by colonial cultures, thanks to the difficult terrain – allowing the local tribes to preserve their customs and culture.

Mayon Volcano

Mayon volcano is one of the most popular active volcanos in the Philippines. It is perfectly cone-shaped and is rising to a staggering 2.462 m on Luzon Island. Climbing the volcano is possible, but is advisable only for the more experienced hikers because of its steep slopes and dangerous fumes that are emitted by the volcano. For those to which this seems a bit too extreme – enjoying the view from a safe place, such as Ligñon Hill, is also highly rewarding.

Waterfalls Restaurant

If you’re wishing to enjoy a bit of traditional Philippine cuisine with a twist, you must try the Waterfalls Restaurant. Located in the Villa Escudero resort plantation, take off your shoes, sit at a bamboo table and enjoy your refreshing meal. Once you’re done, you can lean under a waterfall to freshen up for the rest of your trip.

Tubbataha Reefs National Park

If you’re into diving and exploring the amazing life within the coral reefs, Tubbataha Reef is a must. It is one of the best places to scuba dive in the world. It has more than 360 coral species, more than 600 fish species, 11 shark species and so much more. You should definitely check the Amos Rock diving spot, which is one of the most popular spots because of its diverse sea wildlife.

Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary

Tarsiers are googly-eyed, small primates that are endangered due to intensive deforestation happening in their natural habitats. You won’t be allowed to pet them, as they are easily stressed, but even observing them jumping around is worthwhile. Also, buying something from the gift store will help their conservation, and you’ll have a cute googly-eyes keychain to show back home.

Hanging Coffins of Sagada

The people of Sagada have a different idea about the afterlife than most of us. Instead of burying coffins into the ground, they hang the coffins in the cave, believing that the higher they are, there is a higher chance of their spirit reaching a higher nature in the afterlife. It’s eerie, but an astonishing view.

Vigan

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Philippines, established in the 16^thcentury, Vigan is one of the best-preserved Spanish colonial cities in Asia. Visiting Vigan will make you feel as if you have been teleported to Spain, with all the perfectly preserved buildings and cobblestone streets. The city is full of museums and small workshops, allowing you to truly experience the antiquated ambiance of the city.

With more than 7000 islands, numerous beautiful sandy beaches, waterfalls, mountains, booming cities and an easy Philippines visa process – the Philippines is surely becoming the next “it” destination. If you wish to lay around on the beach, sipping cocktails or go climb a volcano – you can do both. If you’re still not convinced, consider the fact that the Philippines have the longest Christmas celebration in the world, lasting from the 1^stof September to the 6^thof January!

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Helpful Resources

Travel essentials:

• We LOVE this camera for our travel photography.
• For a cheap, easy and compact camera, we use this to vlog and take photographs. 
• We use this travel drone (but make sure to check drone laws in your chosen destination first). 
• This is our favourite travel insurance because it covers so many activities and travel situations that could arise on longer trips but also offer year coverage.

What to pack

• No matter where we travel to, I always take these trusty hand sanitizers and a mini first aid kit. 
• We love these toiletry bags (especially great for smaller bathrooms) and choose a laptop bag like this as our hand luggage. 
• We keep our devices charged on long travel days with these lightweight battery packs and bring these worldwide travel adaptors on all our trips. 
• I still struggle not to overpack so stick to using an expandable suitcase like these and always take my trusty luggage scales to avoid being charged at the airport.