It is already half of the first month of the new year and only few weeks before summer but how’s your bucket list for this year going so far? Are you done contemplating which places to see and cross in your travel wishlist? What beach to visit? What waterfalls to trek? Where to have some pinch of adventure? Where to go on a road trip? What new experience to try? Or simply, where to this year?!
With plenty of amazing destinations in the Philippines, I bet filling up your bucket list is a breeze! But just in case you are having a hard time choosing, let me help you with my personal list of places that you should visit in the Philippines this 2014!
1. Batanes: A Piece of Heaven
Yes! Batanes is on top of my list and should be on top of your own bucket lists too. The place is really magical, awesome, special and *insert ultramegasuperlative word here*. With its beautiful rolling hills, towering lighthouses, picturesque coasts, hidden coves of white sand beaches, unique culture, cool weather and amazing people, Batanes truly beckons. Make sure to make it to Batanes this year, you won’t regret it!
2. Palaui Island (Cagayan): Rugged and Scenic
Palaui Island is a protected landscape and seascape in the northeastern-most part of Cagayan Valley, an island characterized by rugged terrain, rolling hills, scenic coves and beaches, hidden waterfalls and a whole lot more! From being a mysterious secret paradise, Palaui Island today is in international spotlight. No thanks to Survivor USA for exposing this beautiful place to the world. So before the crowd flocks to Palaui Island (I hope not), make sure to visit it.
3. Kalinga: Cultural Immersion
Immerse with the unique culture and tradition of the mountain people in one of the least explored provinces of Cordillera – Kalinga! An off-beat travel destination that offers experience beyond what you expect. Go white water rafting in Pasil, get a tattoo from Whang-od in Buscalan, bike the trails of Tinglayan, discover the charm of Balbalasang or enjoy the rice terraces and scenic landscape of the other towns in the province. A whole new Cordillera experience awaits in Kalinga!
4. Coron (Palawan): Of Limestone Islands, Beaches and Dive Sites
The Northern Palawan town of Coron is one of the places that suffered the brunt of Super Typhoon Haiyan in December of 2013. But despite the damages the typhoon brought, the natural beauty of the place is still intact and always ready to awe everyone. Put Coron in your bucket list, see the picturesque islands and beaches, dive the ship wrecks underneath and explore the wonders of this tropical paradise. It’s our way of helping the island rise again after the calamity.
5. El Nido (Palawan): Sweet Escape
Hailed as one of the best islands and beaches of the world by various international and local publications, El Nido‘s pristine scenes await. With 45 island and islets that harbor some of the country’s best white sand beaches, picturesque cliffs, hidden lagoons, stunning sunset, vivid marine life and other inland attractions, El Nido is the place to be! See it now before the crowd finds it way here and enjoy the serenity, natural beauty and the paradise that is El Nido.
6. Biliran: Breakout Paradise
Super Typhoon Haiyan also devastated the small island province of Biliran but it should not stop us from visiting this breakout paradise in Eastern Visayas. What is it in Biliran Island? Waterfalls, hot springs, white sand beaches, rice terraces, lovely people and more for you to discover!
7. Leyte: A Phoenix on the Rise
Super Typhoon Haiyan may have flattened Tacloban and other cities and towns in Leyte but the province is on the rise and ready to bounce back. Let us revisit the San Juanico Bridge, Leyte Landing Memorial, Provincial Capitol, Lake Danao and Sto. Niño Shrine and Museum, Calanggaman Island, Cuatro Islas and the waterfalls, beaches, churches, parks, historical spots and other attractions of the province. Let us help rebuild the province by supporting their local economy!
8. Bohol: Naturally Beautiful
No earthquake nor storm can raze a place naturally beautiful like Bohol. With its powdery white sand beaches, stunning Chocolate Hills, colorful dive sites, heritage churches and structures as well as the local’s deep religiosity and happy disposition, Bohol definitely deserves a spot in your travel wish list for 2014.
9. Eastern Samar: Built by Waves
The easternmost province in Samar Island, another Super Typhoon Haiyan ravaged area, is blessed with beautiful coastline with stunning view of sunrise over the vast Pacific Ocean. And just like the scene at day break, Eastern Samar is also on the rise and at day break of its prominence. Go surfing in Calicoan, enjoy the beaches of Salcedo, Llorente and Maydolong, visit the islands off Borongan and Taft, or trek to the numerous waterfalls in the province. Choose the long offbeat road to Samar’s eastern coast and bask in the glory of the place built by waves. Experience the pristine beauty of Eastern Samar!
10. Northern Cebu (Bantayan and Malapascua): The Charm of the Islands
The islands of Bantayan and Malapascua in Northern Cebu are also reeling from the effects of Super Typhoon Haiyan and they deserve our visit too to spur their local economies. Worry not, because the natural attractions of these two islands are still intact and worth visiting like the long stretch of white sandy beach of Bantayan and the dive and snorkeling sites of Malapascua.
11. Cotabato: A New Eco-Tourism Haven
Unknown to many, the province of Cotabato is home to some of the country’s most amazing natural wonders making it a very promising eco-tourism destination. One worth visiting is the majestic Asik-Asik Falls in the town of Alamada, a spectacular 140-meter wide springfalls that is fast becoming a tourism hotspot. Cotabato is also a gateway to revered Mt. Apo, the highest in the country. Other attractions of the province include Kabacan Falls, Tawsuvan Falls, New Israel Eco-Tourism Park, Liguasan Marsh, Arakan Valley, Lake Agco and Pisan Caves.
12. Zamboanga City: Rising from the Debris
Zamboanga is a city rising from the debris of last year’s armed conflict, and the best way to help them recover is by patronizing the city. Let us revisit Zamboanga and its attractions such as the famed Pink Sand Beach of Sta. Cruz Islands, Fort Pilar, Zamboanga City Hall, Pasonanca Park and Plaza Pershing among others. The city, being a regional hub, is also gateway to the region and even to Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Malaysia. So make your way to Asia’s Latin City this year, include Zamboanga City in your list!
13. Tawi-Tawi: Beautiful Isolation
Tawi-Tawi is a cluster of 107 islands and islets scattered over Sulu and Celebes Seas but it is not a usual tourist destination. It is the southernmost province of the country, closer to Malaysia than the nearest Philippine city of Zamboanga. But its distance and isolation is a blessing if one will look on the positive side of tourism which means refreshing scenery, unspoiled island beaches, unexploited dive sites and other tourist attractions that are still in their raw state. The province is still enveloped by the ghost of its dark past, portraying a negative image of the place. But hey, the place is worth visiting so why not give Tawi-Tawi a chance this year?
14. Siargao Island: Cloud Nine and Beyond
Siargao Island is not only about surfing, it is an ultimate destination that offers variety of activities and attractions for any type of travelers. You want to surf? Ride the waves of Cloud Nine! You love the beach? Bask in the island beaches off General Luna! You want to dive? Check out Cathedral Cave! You want more? See Magpupungko Tidal Pools and Bucas Grande Islands, or go fishing, snorkeling, trekking and biking then feast with the fresh bounty of the sea! Siargao Island it is this year!
Did I help you fill your 2014 bucket list or did I just make everything complicated? Hahaha! It’s your call! The Philippines has tons of amazing places to explore and experience, it will take a lifetime to see them all. So set your travel goals for this year and make sure to cross them out in your bucket list before the year ends. I know 14 is a small number, but it’s a great number to jump start our wandering. Dalai Lama said that we should visit some place we have never been at least once a year, so travel and cross that item in your bucket list!
Cheers! 🙂
You got a lot of list out there. I also found as I am searching in the internet a promising tourist attraction in the Philippines. History says the lake was created by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake. Find out more.
http://phptourism.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-amazing-result-of-earthquake-lake.html
Yea. Philippines rocks! There are really a lot of beautiful tourist attractions here. I suggest you also include Pescador Island. The place is really promising. It could be the next number 1 tourist attraction in the Philippines. Today maybe Palawan is the best as nominated recently but who knew? Pescador Island could be the next. Find out more about Pescador Island also called as “The Sardine Run of Pescador Island”:
http://phptourism.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-sardine-run-and-best-diving-spot.html
I came back to moalboal middle of this year and the sardines changed location. They are no longer in Pescador, they are just located in the waters very close to Panagsama.
oh. too bad. but the place is still good. 🙂
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I suggest you to include Jomalig Island of Quezon Province, even it is far from city you will still be amaze when you get there. It is only 2 rides from Metro Manila, a Bus (4-5 hours) and Cargo/Passenger Boat (7-8 hours). Search pictures of the island and be amaze. Enjoy traveling and experience the trilling waves when you ride the big boat. If you need a tour guide just contact me @ cp#09094628870 or email me @ [email protected]
Thank you and God Bless.
nice..!!
i like el nido palawan..
i wll try to visit there sometimes!
great places in the philippines 🙂
Thank u so much for including zamboanga in ur list. It is really big help especially to thos who were affected by the siege who makes a living by driving and fetching tourist to and from sta cruz island.
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Love your post! I’ve also travelled through the Philippines and made a top destination list of the places I’ve been to: http://aroundtheworldinaday.com/philippines_thailand_comparison/top_destinations_thailand_top_destinations_philippines/
Would be great to let me know if you had similar experiences.
Thanks, Carina.
Awesome!!!!!!! Philippines is really amazing and has many beautiful places that you can visit! One of the best country in the world 😀 You may visit EL Nido, Coron Palawan, Siargao, Boracay, Kawasan Falls !!!!!!!! And many more beaches and falls. Island Hopping also! Awww THE BEST! :))
You look for an ebook about the best beaches and islands in the Philippines? Also about people and culture and many infomations and pictures about the country and how to live there as a foreigner? Included are also “15 reasons why to go to the Philippines” and “Philippines – the most western country in asia!”
http://www.Philippine-Travel-Book.com
Exactly! There are many beautiful places to explore in the Philippines. I wish to see them all. When summer nearly comes I’m getting excited to plan what am I going to do. Where and How should I spend my summer? For those who are planning for their summer, here are some tips for your summer.
Yes..!!!and great pleasure to hear and see that Bohol is one of the list where in best summer destination in the Philippines. Despite all the damages of the eartquake still standing and facing the beauty of BOHOL…see u there…my HOME TOWN…proud to be BOHOLANOS…
Thank you for including the provinces which have been affected by Haiyan/Yolanda. Indeed, it will be a great help to their local economy, especially since these places are indeed beautiful!! I’ve been to Coron, Malapascua, Biliran and Leyte before the typhoon happened and I’ve been to Biliran (my province) and Leyte in the aftermath of the typhoon and while it is heartbreaking to see the current status of these provinces, I think that given a little time, they can rise again (just like Mc Arthur’s and his comrades’ still standing statues in the midst of all the fallen trees) even better than before. In fact, the historical sites in Tacloban are already being opened to the public. When we were there in the last week of December 2013 though, the wreckage in all the towns from Tacloban to Palo to Biliran has not been totally cleaned up, so maybe if others would want to visit and are weak hearted or easily saddened, they could go there in the middle or latter half of the year. ( sorry for the visual)
On a lighter note, the other places you recommended are definitely in my bucket list! And if I wouldn’t be able to visit these this year, then in the following years to come!
Thank you for including Coron, Palawan in your list! 🙂
Eastern Samar is indeed marvelous, my mom is from Hernani, just a nearby town of Llorente and the white sand beaches Hernani has to offer is equally awesome as that of Salcedo, the only difference is that these beaches are less popular hence if you feel like being isolated for a while i suggest you visit this place too.
Angel, i think Tawi-Tawi is a cluster of 307 islands and islets. By the way, great list! Hope I can travel to at least four of these places before the year ends… 🙂
That site of Palui is breathtaking! I can’t believe I’ve never been there. I must go take my family and friends with me. Great post!
Only been to three, soon four. Bakit ganun? hahaha Thank you sa list! 🙂