BEST TOURIST SPOTS IN THE PHILIPPINES | TRAVEL GUIDES, WHAT AND WHERE TO EAT, LIST OF HOTELS, AND FESTIVALS

Here’s your best resource for the “Best Tourist Spots in the Philippines. This list has links to various posts that cover several travel guides; Philippine tourist attractions, food, hotels and resorts, festivals and much more.

 Batad (Banaue) Rice Terraces, Cordillera Administrative Region

Tourist Spots in the Philippines [The “Pearl of the Orient Seas]

There are only a few reasons why a country could earn the moniker, Pearl of the Orient Seas. One, it must be a country prized for its natural beauty or, two, it is one ripe for exploiting its rich natural resources. Maybe, even both.

Dubbed the “Pearl of the Orient Seas” during the Spanish colonization, the Philippines is a country full of natural beauty that boasts resources that could enrich those who would tap on it. Either brought about by its own beauty or as a result of the existing mindset about colonialism at the time, the Philippines was a country subject to foreign rule for a few hundreds of years.

Although the original inhabitants of the Philippines were either animists or practitioners of Islam, the resulting conquest of the Spaniards led to the country becoming a predominantly Christians under the Roman Catholic Church with a smaller minority practicing other religions, including Protestantism.

There is no other country with a large concentration of Christian practitioners than the Philippines in its bloc. Essentially, this part of the country’s history made it unique amongst its southeast Asian neighbors which were home to either predominantly Muslims or Buddhists.

Philippine Tourist Attraction: Masskara Festival, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental

An Archipelago of Several-Thousand Islands

Surrounded not by land but bodies of water, the Philippines is an archipelago comprised of exactly 7,641 islands as subdivided into three main islands, namely Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Of the three main islands, Luzon makes for the biggest in terms of land area and is where the heart of the country’s economy and power is placed. Although this massive landmass has its own coasts and seawaters, the main attractions in this island are found in historical landmarks, man-made structures, and nature.

For those who have a natural affection towards the sea or ocean will find the clean waters of Visayas the perfect place to be for snorkeling, swimming, diving, and any other seawater activities. In fact, it is in this part of the country where you will find some of the best beaches which are often flocked by people year-round. But dig in deep in the region and you will surprise yourself with the hidden gem of locations which make for a perfect retreat from the crowd.

While the pristine seawaters are one thing, the middle island—that is, Visayas—is also a beauty in its land terrain to boot. Whether it is trekking mountains, going for waterfalls, and finding caves, the surprise never ends.

But let us not also forget about the southern-most island of the country which is Mindanao, known for its mountain ranges and the dwelling for the nation’s tallest summit, Mount Apo. Although this island’s tallest peak may little in comparison to that of Himalayas, it takes an average of two days to reach it on foot.

Philippine Tourist Attraction: Pintados de Pasi, Pasi City, Iloilo 

Language

English is widely used and understood in the Philippines, making it easy for any foreigner to travel and interact with the locals. The national language is “Filipino” and is understood by almost all of the Filipinos.
The Philippines is an archipelago that speaks various dialects. There are 185 dialects listed for the Philippines wherein 2 of these are already extinct.

Philippine Tourist Attraction: Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, Ilocos Norte

Basic Phrases

• Magandang Umaga = Good morning!
• Magandang tanghali = Good noon! (a greeting used during noontime, between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.)
• Magandang hapon – Good afternoon!
• Magandang Gabi – Good Evening
• Salamat Po! – Thank You!
• Masarap! – Delicious!
• Paalam – Goodbye
• Ingat Ka – Take Care
• Para! – Stop (a word used when riding a public utility vehicle and you wanted to alight
• Magkano? – How Much? (a phrase used to ask a vendor)

Philippine Tourist Attraction: Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte, A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Money

Philippine Peso is the currency used in the Philippines. For most cities money changers are available. However, it would be best to exchange your money the moment you arrived at any of the international airports in the Philippines.

Credits cards are accepted in most establishments in major destinations. However, it would always be best to bring some cash just in case no credit card facility is available. ATM Machines can also be found anywhere. However, there are destinations that no ATM machines are available. It is advised that you read well travel guides and ask before your trip to specific destinations regarding the facilities you may need.

La Paz Batchoy a popular dish originated in La Paz , Iloilo City

Weather

The Philippines has 2 seasons, wet and dry. Generally speaking, January to May is the dry season, while July to December is the wet season. It is suggested to download an app to check the weather forecast before your trip.

What to Wear

It is relatively warm in the Philippines even during the rainy season. So it would be best to bring light clothes and maybe a jacket or windbreaker during raining season.

BEST TOURIST SPOTS IN THE PHILIPPINES| TRAVEL GUIDES, FOOD, FESTIVALS AND MORE   

Listed below are various travel guides, travel stories, lists of hotels, resorts and restaurants to help you in planning your trip in the Philippines.

National Capital Region ( Tourist Spots in the Philippines)

The provinces included in this region include the following: Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Pateros, Quezon City, San Juan, Taguig, Valenzuela

• METRO MANILA
• MAKATI CITY

Ilocos Region –Region I ( Tourist Spots in the Philippines)

Places covered by this region are the provinces of Dagupan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan

Below is a series of Travel Guides and Stories which covers Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. Please click here to bring you to these pages.

• ILOCOS NORTE
• ILOCOS SUR
• VIGAN
• PANGASINAN
• DAGUPAN

Cordillera Administrative Region ( Tourist Spots in the Philippines)

Places covered in this region are the provinces of  Abra, Apayao, Baguio, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province

• BAGUIO CITY
• BANAUE, IFUGAO
• SAGADA, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE
• IFUGAO
• MOUNTAIN PROVINCE

Cagayan Valley – Region II ( Tourist Spots in the Philippines)

Region II includes the provinces of  Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Santiago

• BATANES

Philippine Tourist Attraction: Mt. Pinatubo, Pampanga

Central Luzon (Region III)

Region III includes the provinces of Angeles, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Olongapo,  Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales

• PAMPANGA
• OLONGAPO CITY
• CLARK
• PUERTO GALERA

 

CALABARZON – Region IV-A ( Tourist Spots in the Philippines)

Region IV-A includes the provinces of Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Lucena, Quezon, Rizal

• BAGUIO CITY
• TAGAYTAY, CAVITE
• QUEZON
• LUCBAN, QUEZON
• BATANGAS
• LAGUNA

Philippine Tourist Attraction: Coron, Palawan

Southwestern Tagalog Region ( Tourist Spots in the Philippines)

This region includes the provinces of Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Puerto Princesa, Romblon (MIMAROPA)

• CORON
• EL NIDO
• PALAWAN
• PUERTO PRINCESA
• ORIENTAL MINDORO
• MARINDUQUE

Mt. Mayon, Legaspi, Albay

Bicol Region – Region V ( Tourist Spots in the Philippines)

Region V covers the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Naga,^, Sorsogon

• ALBAY
• CATANDUANES
• SORSOGON
• LEGAZPI, ALBAY

Dinagyang Festival, Iloilo City

Western Visayas – Region VI ( Best Places to Visit in the Philippines)

Region VI includes the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Bacolod, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Iloilo City, Negros Occidental

• TALISAY
• VICTORIAS CITY
• MURCIA
• NEGROS OCCIDENTAL
• KABANKALAN CITY
• LA CARLOTA CITY
• BACOLOD CITY
• BAGO CITY
• CAUAYAN
• CALATRAVA
• SIPALAY CITY
• CADIZ CITY
• SILAY CITY
• SAGAY CITY
• MANAPLA
• ESCALANTE CITY
• DON SALVADOR BENEDICTO
• EB MAGALONA
• ILOILO
• GUIMARAS ISLAND
• HINIGARAN
• SAN CARLOS CITY
• ROXAS CITY
• CANDONI
• CANLAON CITY
• CAPIZ
• CARLES, ILOILO
• ANTIQUE
• AKLAN- KALIBO
• BORACAY,AKLAN

Philippine Tourist Attraction: Manjuyod, Bais, Negros Oriental

Central Visayas – Region VII ( Tourist Spots in the Philippines)

Region VII includes the provinces of Bohol, Cebu, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Negros Oriental, Siquijor

• VALENCIA
• MABINAY
• SIQUIJOR
• SIATON
• NEGROS ORIENTAL
• DUMAGUETE
• MACTAN
• MOALBOAL
• MALAPASCUA ISLAND
• MANJUYOD, BAIS
• CEBU
• OSLOB
• BOHOL
• BOLJOON
• BADIAN
• BANTAYAN ISLAND
• CAMIGUIN
• CAMOTES ISLANDS

Philippine Tourist Attraction: Biri Rock Formation, Biri island Northern Samar

Eastern Visayas- Region VIII ( Tourist Spots in the Philippines)

Region VIII covers the provinces of  Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Ormoc, Samar, Southern Leyte, Tacloban

• SAMAR PROVINCE
• LEYTE
• NORTHERN LEYTE

Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX)

Region IX includes  the provinces of Isabela City, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay

 Camiguin Island

Northern Mindanao – Region X ( Tourist Spots in the Philippines)

Region X includes the provinces of Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro, Camiguin, Iligan, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental

• CAMIGUIN
• ILIGAN CITY
• BUKIDNON
• CAGAYAN DE ORO

  Maxima Aqua Fun, Samal Island 

Davao Region – Region XI ( Tourist Spots in the Philippines)

Region XI covers the provinces of Compostela Valley, Davao City, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental

• DAVAO CITY
• DAVAO DEL SUR
• SAMAL ISLAND, DAVAO DEL NORTE

 Glan, Saranggani

SOCCSKSARGEN – Region XII ( Tourist Spots in the Philippines)

This region includes the provinces of Cotabato, Cotabato City, General Santos, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat

• SOUTH COTABATO
• SULTAN KUDARAT
• GENERAL SANTOS CITY
• GLAN, SARANGANI
• TACURONG, SULTAN KUDARAT
• SARANGANI
• LAKE SEBU, SOUTH COTABATO

 Tinuy-an Falls, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur

Caraga Region- Region XIII ( Tourist Spots in the Philippines)

Region XIII covers the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Butuan, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur

• BUTUAN
• SURIGAO CITY
• SURIGAO DEL NORTE
• SIARGAO
• AGUSAN DEL NORTE

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao ( Tourist Spots in the Philippines)

This region includes the provinces of Basilan (excluding Isabela City), Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi