The Anawangin Cove is by far the most popular destination for campers and beach goers alike. Just the mention of the name Zambales will ring a bell for those who have gone to the cove that a trip to Pundaquit is never complete without feeling Anawangin’s mixture of volcanic ash and white sand beneath your feet.
Baler is known for numerous tourist attractions. In addition to the Baler Catholic Church and other historical sites , there are resorts at Sabang Beach and Cemento Beach, where surfers from all over the world compete for the annual International Aurora Surfing Cup. The coral-rich islands of Dimadimalangat, Aniao and Lukso-Lukso lie just off the coast.
Batangas Beach Resorts are full of natural landscape that vacationers will love and have a good time. The towns of San Juan, Mabini, Calatagan, Lian, Lobo and Nasugbu are where the famous beach resorts are located. The long shorelines of Laiya and Hugom bear white sand, warm blue water and fresh breeze. Swimming, snorkeling, jet skiing, kayaking and boating are activities that awaits you.
Calatagan is a well-known get away of some of Manila’s discerning families. Around this town are superb rest houses of well to do families in the Philippines. Primarily because of the ancient Spanish provincial charm and atmosphere. The panoramic view of the seascape, distant mountain ranges, and the lush tropical landscape is ideal for a memorable vacation.
Nasugbu is premier tourist town in the western tip of Batangas. The beach has loads of translucent water and white sand beaches. It is rich with coves and dive sites.Some of the notable dive sites in Nasugbu are Fuego Point, Hamilo Cove, Lo-oc Bay, Twin Island and Awash Reef. Underwater scenery a diver can treasure are crayfish, coral shrimps, frogfish and morays. Even a Japanese freighter, which sunk during the World War 2, can be seen in Hamilo Cove.
Far south in the city of Davao, lies the premier beach resort know as the Pearl Farm. The place no longer has the pearls you are looking for. But the place can still offer an experience as valuable as a pearl. This is because of the great resort that is accompanied by the white sands.
Cebu, the queen city of the South, has its fair share of great beaches. One of them is Mactan Island. It provides tourists with great entertainment such as night life activities that will spice up the visit. Mactan is dubbed as "diving mecca of the south". It is also the best place for snorkeling, island hopping, jet ski, and sailing. The only public aquarium outside of Luzon and the first of its kind in the Visayas, Mactan Island Aquarium is a visitor attraction.
These are islands that surround the capital of the South Western province of Palawan. Among these islands, the tourist can go island hopping, diving and swim on the cool waters. In one of the islands, one can see the variety of fishes without swimming out too deep.
The island is known to the island "Born of Fire". It has seven volcanoes and several volcanic domes. Volcanic eruptions and land movements have created this spectacular island which is full of natural wonders and historical riches. The island is also listed as among the Top 10 dive spots worldwide. The place has been known to be one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines because it still seems like a paradise. Some people even consider the place the “Garden of Eden” in the country. Camiguin has a great topography that includes waterfalls, and the hot and cold springs. The place will be mesmerizing and will definitely tempt you to go back.
Known for its diving locations and tourist resorts. The dive sites that can be found on the northwest tip of the Panglao Island are Doljo Beach, Napaling and Puntod. These sites are deep and the currents are strong. It is also the site of Habitat for Humanity's "Tabalong Habitat Village". The village, still under construction, has capacity for 500 houses on land donated by local merchant Alturas. One interesting geological feature found in the island is the Hinagdanan Cave which has an underground water source.
Known as the Queen City of South, Cebu or also called as Sugbo offers a
lot of fascinating destinations to its tourists. When it comes to
tourism, Cebu is by far one of the finest and most progressive provinces
in the entire Philippines, with Cebu City as the center of education,
industry and trade in the Visayas. Located in the central part of the
Philippine archipelago, Cebu has certainly become one of the most
established and prominent tourist spots in the world today.
Next up is Governor Chavit Singson’s Baluarte. I don’t know about you
but I see this place as part zoo, a part Jurassic park, and a part
museum. As a 90’s kid, do I still have to tell you why I love this
place? Dinosaurs man, DINOSAURS! Epic win! Take all the animals out and
I’d still be drooling over this place!
Why should you Sta Maria a visit? Beach, beach and more beach! Sta Maria
probably has some of the most underrated beaches in the Philippines.
The shoreline is sprinkled with white sand, and the water is crystal
clear. You can enjoy a late afternoon splash as the sun sets in the far
horizon, slowly dipping itself in the ocean. And the best part is? The
beach is not packed with people! I really love it when you discover a
speck of paradise and somehow you can have it for yourself.
If adventure is the thing you are looking for during your visit to Cagayan De Oro,
then Macahambus Adventure Park is the place for you. This outstanding
natural getaway offers you opportunities to experience the extreme
thrill and excitement. The most popular and highly appreciated
activities of the park are Rapelling, The Zipline and the Skybridge
which surely takes the adventure seeker to another World
of thrill. The Skybridge which is stretched around 123 meters and about
150 meters high above the ground offers the most exquisite and
breathtaking view of the gorge. This narrow bridge of rope gives a very
heart - pounding experience while crossing it. Further, Rappeling and
Zip Line Experience are the ultimate things to do which will really
chill your nerves. Just imagine of hanging and sliding down through a
cable at a height of 150 feet across the two ends of the gorge. You will
never forget this adrenaline-laced thrill all through your life.
You do not have to go far just so you get a taste of speed, wakeboard
and thrill. Davao also offers this kind of adventure to offer. Although
it is not yet complete, when done, the DECA Wakeboard Park will be the
biggest wakeboarding park in the whole country. One advice, if you do go
and experience wakeboarding, make sure to go when there are not so many
people around so you could have the speed adjusted and you have more
turns.
Although, territory wise IGACOS or the Island Garden City of Samal
belongs to Davao del Norte, the island could be easily accessed through
Davao City. Take a break from busy Davao and go to Samal for a day or
two vacation. There are a lot of resorts to choose from depending on the
kind of retreat you want to have.
Balesin is a forgotten island. This used to be a popular beach escape
during the Marcos era. All developments stopped at one point in time
and the island became less accessible. There were only two ways to get
there: via a 4-hour boat ride or a cost-prohibitive charter flight.
The Balesin resort was not well-maintained and the food needed a lot
of improvement. Soon, the island resort was forced to cease operations.
With its halted development, the beauty of its beaches became the
centerpiece again.
Balesin’s beach is safe for kids because it slopes gradually. I was
actually able to visit the place before it closed down. I remember
hopping from one secluded beach cove to another on foot. It was very
relaxing -- all I did was lie down on the beach and enjoy nature’s
splendor.
The province of Ilocos Sur is where the Ilocos Region’s myriad of
cultures and histories converge to become a living museum of a spirited
past. A national shrine, a national landmark, a national museum,
heritage museums, ancestral houses, period houses, cobble-stoned streets
– they all share space in the timeless land of Ilocos Sur.
Vigan holds a unique place in the Philippines. It’s history runs deep
and can be seen in the Spanish style architecture and cobblestone
streets. Prior to the Spanish colonial period, Vigan was a major trading
port, its location on Northern Luzon made it a convenient stopping off
point for Chinese merchant ships.
Pagsanjan Falls, formerly called Magdapio Falls, referred to as
“shooting rapids.” It is found in Cavinti, starting from Pagsanjan town.
Another is Lake Caliraya, which is located between Cavinti and Lumban.
The strong mountain breeze that blows from the Sierra Madre Mountain
Ranges and the distant Mount Banahaw makes the lake an ideal place for
aqua sports like wind surfing, water skiing, sailing as well as game
fishing.
A popular tourist destination, Pagsanjan Rapids and
Falls is a series of 14 rapids punctuated by mini-waterfalls on the way
to the main falls.
Mount Samat is a mountain in the Town
of Pilar, Province of Bataan, Republic of the Philippines that is the
site of the Dambana ng Kagitingan or "Shrine of Valor".
Along with the island fortress of Corregidor, Mount Samat was the site of the most vicious battle against the Japanese Imperial Army in 1942 during the Battle of Bataan.
Suffering
heavy losses against the Japanese all over Luzon, Filipino and American
soldiers retreated to Bataan Peninsula to regroup for a last valiant
but futile stand. This retreat to Bataan is part of a United States
strategy known as War Plan Orange.
After
fierce battle lasting 3 days, 78,000 exhausted, sick and starving men
under Major General Edward P. King surrendered to the Japanese on April 9, 1942.
It was, and still is, the single largest surrender of U.S. and
Philippine Forces ever. These forces were then led on the Bataan Death
March.
The
mountain is now a war memorial. A huge white cross stands as a mute but
eloquent reminder of the men who died there. It also acts as a tourist
attraction with a war museum nearby that has a wide array of displays
from paintings of the Philippine heroes to armaments used by the
American, Filipino and Japanese forces during the heat of the battle.
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. It is truly amazing
and it’s now listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. To get here you
just take about an half hour boat ride from the pier in Sabang.The
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located about 50
kilometers north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines.
The National Park is located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range on the
northern coast of the island. The City Government of Puerto Princesa has
managed the National Park since 1992.
On the way there you get to see several other nice beaches, that seems
only to be accessible by boat.The boat will take you to a beach inside
the national park, and from here it’s just a short walk to the entrance
of the cave. The boats are like small canoes, and there is room for 3-4
people in each as well as a guide. When there we were told that the cave
goes like 8 km into the mountain, but the guided tour is only a couple
of kilometres in, still you get to see a lot on this trip.
Siargao is an island that is
located in the North Eastern tip of Mindanao which is in the South East
of the Philippine Archipelago. The Eastern coastline is facing directly
the Pacific Ocean and Siargao Island lies the Philippine Trench which
has a depth of 10,057. So that is why Siargao has gigantic and powerful
waves that hts the island. Siargao island is Surigao Del Norte's "last
frontier" facing the Pacific Ocean.The Oceanic Trench that is so deep
gives a magnificent waves break with juice straight out of deep water
and focus the wave energy straight at the beach.
Siargao is one of the world's great frontiers for surf exploration
in the Philippines. The most popular break in which has a powerful
wave-off and is known to be one of five toughest breaks in the world is
"Cloud 9". Siargao island "Cloud 9" gas been frequently compared to the
famous and popular surf of Australia and Hawaii. The famous and popular
Siargao's "Cloud 9" which is a powerful hollow right hander is one of
the ten best waves in the world.
Intramuros, Also known as the Ciudad Murada (Walled City) because of
its most famous feature: a nearly three-mile-long circuit of massive
stone walls and fortifications that almost completely surrounds the
entire district. located along the southern bank of the Pasig River,
was built by the Spaniards in the 16th century and is the oldest
district of the city of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Its
name, in Latin, intramuros, literally "within the walls",
It is constructed almost completely of stone blocks and possesses the
same architectural traits one can see in other Spanish defenses like the
Caribbean. It has been attractively landscaped with abundant tropical
flowers and plants, and it is a relief for many families looking for
shade in ever hot and muggy Manila.Built by the Spanish construction
began in 1589. The fortress was surrounded by a moat and twenty foot
high stone outer wall enclosing 64 hectares of land inside.
Manila Baywalk is a famous open
space in the city. Giant kaleidoscopic lamp posts, coconut trees and
scenery cover-up the entire stretch besides the Roxas Boulevard. Manila
Bay is the harbor which serves the port of Manila (on Luzon), in the
Philippines. The entrance is 19 km wide and expands to a width of 48 km.
Mariveles, in the province of Bataan, is an anchorage just inside the
northern entrance and Sangley Point is the former location of Cavite
Naval Base.This walkway lies in front of Manila Bay where visitors can
experience one of the most spectacular sunsets of the world.
+ Across the entrance to Manila Bay are several islands. The largest
is Corregidor, which is 3 kilometers from Bataan and, along with the
island of Caballo, separates the mouth of the bay into the North and
South Channels. In the south channel is El Fraile Island and outside the
entrance, and to the south, is Carabao Island. El Fraile is a rocky
island, some 4 acres (16,000 m²) in area, which juts up into the
southern entrance of the bay. To the immediate north and south are
additional harbors.
Mount Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano located on the island of
Luzon, at the intersection of the borders of the Philippine provinces of
Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga. It is located in the Cabusilan Mountain
range separating the west coast of Luzon from the central plains. The
mountain was inconspicuous and heavily eroded. It was covered in dense
forest which supported a population of several thousand indigenous
people, the Aeta, who had fled to the mountains from the lowlands when
the Spanish conquered the Philippines in 1565.
Mt. Pinatubo is a great place to visit. Here, visitors can take
guided hikes on some parts of its slope. It involved either days of
hiking or hours of 4×4 travel followed by a 2 hour hard hike.The place
is really awesome even in pictures and, maybe, the 1991 eruption added
to the magnificence of this natural tourist spot. Adventurers absolutely
love this place because it is a package deal. You can also take a
refreshing dip in Pinatubo’s 2.5 kilometer crater lake. Also avail are
relaxing spa adventures offered by some town establishments around Mount
Pinatubo.
Ocean Adventure, a unique marine park, is now open in Subic Bay with
some of the world's most beautiful mammals - dolphins, whales and sea
lions - in their natural habitat. Come in to the water and swim and play
with the false killer whales. A photo and video service is available to
capture this once-in-lifetime encounter.Ocean Adventure is the home of
exotic marine life in the Philippines. It is located at Camayan Wharf in
the former US naval base now known as the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. To
get there from Manila takes about 2 ½ - 3 hours by land transport.
Bottlenose dolphins and false killer whales play inside their open
lagoon by the rainforest, while you learn more about these fascinating
animals. Meet one of the sea lions at the Nauticus Theatre and watch
them perform their tricks. Here our animals live and play in a natural
setting of clear water swarming with marine life, coral reefs, and a
lovely white sand beach. Experience an encounter with whales, and sea
lions, and a host of fish and sea creatures in a selection of exciting
and cherished ways
Mount Apo is a large solfataric potentially active stratovolcano on the
island of Mindanao in the Philippines.Mt. Apo, the highest mountain in
the Philippines and Southeast Asia's second highest. Known to the
natives as kingdom of the mountain god, Apo Sandawa. It is the highest
mountain in the country and overlooks Davao City-40km northeast, Digos
City-25km southeast, and Kidapawan City-20km west. Its name means
"master" or "grandfather" Mount Apo , active volcano, 9,690 ft (2,953 m)
high, on S Mindanao island, the Philippines. It is the highest peak of
the islands. Mt. Apo has a snowcapped appearance but is actually covered
with white sulfur.
Mount Apo is one of the most popular climbing destinations in the
Philippines, is said that the best time to travel or climb Mt. Apo would
be on a morning and the best month to climb would be the months of
summer before Holy week. To Avoid being crowded take a cab on your way
to Ecoland Bus Terminal and find Digos bound bus . An average hike
requires 3-4 four days. Various sights include Lake Venado, one of the
highest lakes in the Philippines, and the old crater of Mt. Apo near its
summit
El Nido is considered a showcase of Palawan's geology and various
wildlife It is one of the most important sites for biological diversity
in the country and has been stated by the Philippine government as a
protected area. Have your own holiday home in one of the most popular
resort town in the Philippines. This property boasts white sand beach
and crystal clear water, so excellent for swimming, snorkeling and scuba
diving. El Nido is a first class municipality and managed resource
protected area in the province of Palawan in the Philippines. It is
about 420 kilometers southwest of Manila and about 238 kilometers
northeast of Puerto Princesa, Palawan’s capital.
El Nido is located in the northernmost tip of mainland Palawan. It is
approximately 430 kilometers from Manila and 238 kilometers from Puerto
Princesa, Palawan's capital. The flight to El Nido from Manila takes
about one and a half hours. This town is bound in the north by the
Linapacan Strait, in the south by the Municipality of Taytay, in the
east by the Sulu Sea and the west by the South China Sea.
Camaya Coast is a modern tropical vacation home with a beach and a view
located in Sitio Wain, Brgy. Biaan Mariveles, Bataan. It will feature
the best of seaside living with a variety of water sports and resort
facilities. It has a clean shoreline. The water is clean as well. The
air is so fresh. The trees are inviting. The mountains are all around
you as if so proud to say how magnificent your surroundings are. It was a
refreshing serenity to behold. Playing on the sand is so fun-filled and
amusing. Maybe it is not yet a "Boracay", but that's waht attracts me
most to the place
This Hidden Paradise is the newest, and perhaps the most exciting
destination for local and international tourists. It is located in the
Southern tip of the Bataan Peninsula, Some 173 kilometers from Metro
Manila.
The famous Dakak Beach is most known for its strikingly shaped bay and
powdery white sand, and as a diving Mecca in Mindanao. Perfect blue
waters, tremendous dive sites with great quantity of coral reefs, and a
wonderful sunset scope characterize this tropical Eden. Dakak Park and
Beach Resort boasts 15 hectares of wooded land, a natural reservoir for
native plants and animals, and a 750-meter private white-sand beach.
It’s
famously known for its striking talcum powder beach and marvelous dive
sites. The perfect azure sparkling seawater is brilliant for swimming.
It nestled near the provinces of Cebu and Dumaguete. This 750-meter
private beach is located at the tip of Northern Zamboanga and facing the
exotic turquoise water of Sulu Sea. Dakak is located in the historical
Dapitan City and make Zamboanga Del Norte a spot in the tourist map.
Taal Volcano, in the
Philippines, has been called the smallest active volcano in the world.
It is located about 70-km south of Manila on an island inside a lake
called Taal Lake. What makes Taal Volcano more unique is the fact that
the volcano itself has a lake of its own inside its crater which is
called the "Crater Lake." One of the most picturesque places in the
country, it contains Volcano Island.
Lake, southwestern Luzon, Philippines. It covers an area of 94 sq mi
(244 sq km) and occupies a volcanic crater less than 10 ft (3 m) above
sea level. Volcano Island (984 ft or 300 m), which rises from the lake
and is also called Taal Volcano, contains another small crater (Yellow
Lake). The volcano has erupted 25 times since 1572, most recently in
1970. Located within a national park, the lake is a major tourist
attraction.
The lake and its environs is home to many species of
flora and fauna a number of which are endemic to the lake like the "
Tawilis " ( Sardinella tawilis ), the only fresh water sardine in the
world and the Taal Lake Seasnake ( Hydrophis semperi ) or known to
locals as '' Duhol '', the only freshwater sea snake in the world.
Hundred Islands in Alaminos, The islands (124 at low tide and 123 at
high tide) are scattered along Lingayen Gulf and cover an area of 18.44
square kilometres (4,557 acres) Pangasinan is one of the iconic
attractions of the Philippines. We've learned about it through our
elementary text books and seen it extensively in our tourism campaigns.
The islands were shaped from uplifted coral deposits millions of years
ago and their unusual “umbrella-like” shapes caused by the eroding
action of the ocean tides. Three of the islands were developed as places
where visitors can stay. Ironically, I only got to visit it recently.
But the visit, albeit short, was most definitely worth it.
La Mesa Watershed in Quezon City is
the primary source of drinking water of about 12 million Metro Manila
residents. It is located in East Fairview Subdivision, in Quezon City.
It is in the heart of the La Mesa Dam Watershed which is the source of
the Metro Manila water supply.The Ecopark spans 33 hectares and lies
within the La Mesa Watershed which measures 2,700 hectares though the La
Mesa Watershed itself is off limits to the public - of course to
protect the reservoir of metro manilas' water source.
Luneta has been the site of some of the most significant moments in
Philippine history . Rizal Park is situated in the heart of the city of
Manila, Philippines. It is at the northern end of Roxas Boulevard,
overlooking Manila Bay.The park was a tribute to the Philippine's
national hero, Jose Rizal, a doctor and novelist who was shot by firing
squad at this site on December 30, 1896 on charges of fomenting local
rebellion against the Spanish government.
Rizal Park's history
began in the early 1700s during the Spanish rule. While Manila's social
and business activities were confined within Intramuros, a small area
just south of the walls was cleared to prevent sneak attacks from the
patriotic natives. The area was shaped like a small moon and thus was
named Luneta. The Park was also called Bagumbayan in Spanish colonial
era, and later known as Luneta.
One of the top tourist attractions in the Philippines, The Chocolate
Hills are unusual geological formations that consists of at least 1,268
individual mounds scattered throughout the interior of the island of
Bohol. The almost symmetrical and same-sized formations range from 98 to
164 feet (30 to 50 meters) high and are covered in green grass. During
the dry season the grass turns brow, hence the name. There is no
consensus on how these giant mole hills were formed. One theory holds
that the Chocolate Hills are the weathered rock formations of a kind of
marine limestone on top of an impermeable layer of clay.
Located in the province of Sorsogon, a place of pristine beaches,
stunning waterfalls and unexplored caves, the sleepy fishing village of
Donsol is the place in the Philippines to see whale sharks. The ocean’s
gentle giants can be seen between November and June, with the numbers
peaking between February and May. Tourists can also take a boat cruise
along the Donsol River through mangrove and palm trees, and watch the
night light up with millions of sparkling fireflies. If that’s not
enough, a traditional shrimp-catching expedition with bamboos and nets,
followed by a tasty dinner of the cooked catch is also available.
Located on the northern coast of the island of Palawa, Puerto Princesa
is a nature lover’s paradise. Home to unspoiled landscapes rich in
wildlife, this lovely town also lays claim to one of the world’s most
unique natural phenomena, an underground river known as the Puerto
Princesa Subterranean River. Protected within a national park, this
natural wonder is the world’s longest navigable underground river.
Guided paddle boat tours show intriguing rock formations and fluttering
bats.
A small island made up of quiet fishing villages, Malapascua Island is
popular for its ideal diving spots and for being the only place in the
world to see thresher sharks on a regular basis as well as manta rays
and hammerheads. The other hidden gems here are the beautiful, sandy
white beaches, crystal clear waters bordered by coconut trees and
colorful coral gardens.
Rising more than 8,000 feet (2,400 meters) above sea level, Mayon
Volcano is significant for its perfectly symmetrical cone shape.
Visitors can enjoy a number of activities here such as camping,
climbing, hiking, bird watching and photography. A picturesque spot in
which to admire Mayon Volcano is from the nearby Cagsawa ruins. Mayon is
the most active volcano in the Philippines, having erupted over 49
times in the past 400 years. The most destructive eruption of Mayon
occurred on February 1, 1814 bombarding the nearby towns with volcanic
rocks. The belfry and what is left of the baroque church that was
destroyed by the 1814 eruption can still be seen.
Located in Manila, a visit to the San Agustin Church is a must see.
Built in 1589, this beautiful church has survived seven earthquakes and
two fires over the centuries and now remains as the oldest stone church
in the Philippines. At the main entrance, there are exquisite carvings
on the wooden doors. Inside the lovely, Mexican-influenced interior is
designed in the shape of a Latin cross. The gorgeous ceiling was painted
in the 1800s by Italian artists, Giovanni Dibella and Cesare Alberoni.
The Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea is a marine sanctuary protected as
the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park. The reef is made up of two
atolls, North Atoll and South Atoll, separated by a deep channel of
approximately 5 miles (8 km) wide. It has become one of the most popular
dive sites in the Philippines because of its coral walls where the
shallow coral reef abruptly ends giving way to great depths. The marine
park is open to live-aboard diving excursions between the months of
April to June when the waves are most calm.
