There are plenty of amazing places to see in the Philippines that you may have trouble deciding where to go first. In the country’s 7000 islands, you’ll find warm sunny beaches, lush tropical forests, snow-capped mountains, and pristine coral reefs and plenty of historical sites.
For example World War II landmarks and ancient tombs in Manila’s North Cemetery. Here are 10 of the best safe places to visit in the Philippines that are sure to make your list of must-see locations.
Top Ten Places to See in the Philippines
01: Banaue Rice Terraces
No visit to The Philippines is complete without taking a trip to Banaue. Often called the 8th wonder of the world, these ancient terraces were built by hand and designed by Mother Nature herself.
They are often referred to as an oasis because of how green they are even after several years of drought. You can climb them (if you aren’t afraid of heights) or simply marvel at their beauty from afar.
02: Coron Island
Corn Islands, also known as Coron Reef, is a coral atoll of 42 islands located in North Palawan.
The uninhabited island has stunning turquoise waters, white sand beaches and rich marine life—which is why it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Divers have been visiting Coron for years, but recently, more tourists are discovering its beauty; and with good reason.
03: Hundred Islands National Park
The Hundred Islands National Park is a protected area comprising eighty-seven islands off northeastern Luzon, located in the Sulu Sea of northern Philippines. The islands are immediately east of Tawi-Tawi and Borneo, south of Palawan, west of Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea, and north of Mindanao.
It contains part of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park; Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a protected area in Palawan consisting primarily of coral reefs which are among some of the best tropical reefs on Earth.
The park includes approximately 900 different species of corals and 1500 species of fish, 400 species of mollusks, 500 species covered with soft corals and 200 species found nowhere else but here.
04: Mayon Volcano
Mt. Mayon is an active volcano on Luzon Island in the Philippines. According to Wikipedia, it was one of several sacred peaks by pre-colonial tribes who lived near it, and its slopes are still dotted with pilgrimage sites and artifacts.
If you’ve ever seen pictures of Mt. Mayon, you can understand why people have a soft spot for it: The Crater Lake at its summit is strikingly beautiful (literally there’s lots of sulfuric steam) and it’s something travelers should definitely experience.
05: Baler, Aurora Province
The most beautiful place in town is Baler, Aurora Province. This place has a white sand beach with crystal clear water and perfect waves for surfing. There are also whale watching tours you can join during summer to watch them playing.
Furthermore, there are caves nearby that you can visit and swim while inside of it. One more thing, do not forget to taste local seafood dishes because they are delicious and cheap too.
In sum, Baler is one of your must-visit places if you are visiting Luzon Island, especially if you want to experience ocean activities such as surfing or swimming with whales.
06: Chocolate Hills, Bohol
This town is home to several beautiful sites to see, including its natural wonders like Chocolate Hills and Tarsier Sanctuary. The main feature here are hundreds of hills that look like they’ve been dipped in chocolate powder.
If you’re into bird watching, be sure to head to a nearby sanctuary where tarsiers can be found. Several islands off Bohol’s coast provide beautiful swimming beaches for those seeking relaxing breaks from busy city life.
Cebu City: This city is one of the biggest and most popular tourist destinations on Mindanao Island, owing mainly to its convenient location by sea.
07: St. Paul Subterranean River National Park
Although it’s not always considered a top Philippine tourist destination, Iloilo is home to one of Southeast Asia’s most extraordinary natural wonders: St. Paul Subterranean River National Park.
The attraction is unique because it boasts a limestone cave that actually runs beneath a portion of Lake Panay and ends up surfacing 50 kilometres away—in Negros Oriental.
The result is an underground river that actually sits below sea level—this means you can take part in an incredible cave tour, even when there are massive waves above your head on Lake Panay.
It’s no wonder why St. Paul Subterranean River National Park was declared as both an ASEAN Heritage Park and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
08: Mt. Apo Natural Park
There are a lot of beautiful places to see in the Philippines, but Mt. Apo Natural Park takes top prize for the most stunning location on Earth.
Located in Davao del Sur, Mindanao Island, Mt. Apo is one of Southeast Asia’s highest mountains and is said to be about 5x larger than Stone Mountain, GA and Yosemite National Park combined.
It’s difficult to see how anyone could see all of Mt. Apo, as it has an area around 180 square miles (441 km2). It also has a 2,954-foot (900 m) long emerald-colored crater lake that sits over 6,200 feet (1,890 m) above sea level.
09: Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
Located a little north of Puerto Princesa, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is as enchanting and awe-inspiring as it sounds. The park encompasses over 9,000 hectares of marine and terrestrial environments that are protected by UNESCO.
Visitors can enjoy activities like snorkeling or diving at depth, island hopping, and enjoying beautiful sunsets on several islands within Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park’s territory. Tubbataha Reefs were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.
10: Manjuyod Sandbar Beach
Manjuyod is an idyllic place that serves as a perfect holiday destination for those who want to escape from busy lives. A tourist spot in Cebu, Manjuyod Sandbar Beach is located along Barangay Manjuyod, which is approximately one kilometre south of Poro Island.
This beach often appears on top lists of popular beaches around Asia and was dubbed by CNN as the world’s best island beach. Because of its picturesque shoreline with fine white sand and crystal clear waters.
It is easy to see why people flock here each year. On your next trip to Cebu, consider visiting Manjuyod Sandbar Beach! Best Time to Visit: January-March and June-September.
Also Read: Cheap Places to Stay in Turkey
Cost to travel to the Philippines?
It’s safe to say that travel in the Philippines is the best in Asia, and maybe even the world (just go here and here if you don’t believe me). It’s cheap, too, and with our well-developed tourism infrastructure, it’s never been easier to get from one place to another quickly.
So how many does it cost to travel in the Philippines? Here are some of my own tips on traveling in the Philippines without breaking the bank.
Airfare
You can travel between major cities using low-cost airlines such as Cebu Pacific and Air-Asia. Traveling via local airlines is much cheaper than international airfare.
However, you will not have access to on-demand flights. If you’re traveling between islands, you may need to plan more than a week ahead of time if you want to save money. Domestic airline tickets are usually purchased at least 10 days prior from departure date.
Avoid peak travel times like holiday seasons (especially Christmas) or weekends to find affordable flights. For example, flying off-season could slash your plane ticket costs by half.
It’s also worth checking out budget carriers for domestic travel; these smaller budget airlines offer low fares but limited routes. The best way to travel around within the Philippines island travel.
Another option is booking flights with Tigerair which fly direct from Manila to many destinations including Boracay Island – Caticlan Airport (Boracay), Puerto Galera, Subic Bay International Airport (Pasay City), Clark International Airport (Angeles City), Kalibo International Airport (Kalibo), Bohol Danao Air Port (Tagbilaran City), Calbayog Airport (Tabon).
Other Means of Travel
Buses and jeepneys (local buses) are inexpensive, convenient, and available almost everywhere. Uber has also begun its operations in Manila recently and providing services at very competitive rates compared to taxis, although taxis remain a popular way of travelling around especially when travelling up north.
Lodging Cost
The average price of a hostel dorm room is 1,500 pesos or $32 USD per night. You could share a room with one other person, making it 500 pesos ($12) per person.
If you wanted your own private room, it would be 2,000 pesos ($48) for two nights, which is $24 for one night (1/2).
The average price of an Airbnb is 2,500-3,000 pesos or $63-$80 USD per night. Average price of sharing a double bed Airbnb with someone else: 1,250-1,500 pesos ($27-$32 USD) per night.
Food
When you’re traveling in a country, one of your biggest expenses is going to be food. There are many strategies for eating on a budget.
One way is through a meal service that can bring meals directly to your hotel room (UberEats is available in major cities around the world). If you’re eating out, take advantage of lunch deals and order two dishes instead of one.
You could also buy snacks or drinks from convenience stores like 7-Eleven or Family Mart because they will probably be cheaper than other outlets—or even street carts. Just make sure that what you eat and drink isn’t making you sick while traveling.
Conclusion
I furnished an overview of some top places to see in the Philippines for travel lovers. Also, add extra details about the expenses for potential visitors to the Philippines.
The Philippines has some of the most beautiful beaches and tropical islands in the world. It’s a tropical paradise, and you can visit some of the most amazing places in the country.
There are hundreds of different places to visit in the Philippines, and you can find something to suit everyone’s tastes and preferences. If you want to relax on a white sandy beach with palm trees swaying in the breeze, you can find that.
