1. Isla Naburot, Guimaras
Fresh local seafood, a bevy of the sweetest tropical fruits, and crystal blue waters await you at this little gem of an island, just off the coast of Guimaras. De-stress and unplug yourself from the white noise of city life and get some much needed "me time" this summer at Isla Naburot.
How to get there:
a. From Manila, take a plane to Iloilo City
b. From Iloilo City airport, take taxi/van to Ortiz pier and travel to Jordan pier via boat
2. Sagada, Mountain Province
If the prospect of sitting in a bus for 12 to 15 hours doesn't fill you with dread, Sagada, in our country's Mountain Province, will be a trip worth taking. The quiet, mountaintop town is a great change of pace from the hectic and often stressful hustle and bustle of city life.
How to get there:
a. (Via Baguio) Take Victory Liner, Genesis Transport, or Dagupan Bus Line to Baguio
b. (Baguio to Sagada) Take GL Trans or Lizardo Transit, first trip is 6:20 AM.
3. Donsol, Sorsogon
If swimming with whale sharks (or butanding, as their called locally) isn't on your bucket list yet, well now's the time to add it. Although these gentle giants can be seen year-round, peak seasons (when tons of them come out to feed on plankton) are between February and May.
How to get there:
By plane:
a. From Manila fly to Legazpi City (Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Zest Air, AirPhil Express)
b. From Legazpi City airport, take 5 minute tricycle ride to shuttle terminal, then take air-conditioned shuttle service to Donsol, about 1 hour away
By bus:
a. Take Lobrigo Lines to Donsol, travel time is approximately 12 to 14 hours
4. Manila
Beat the mass exodus out of the city and go on a hotel hop! Check out the best hotels in the metro and spoil yourself silly.
5. Siargao, Surigao del Norte
Popular for being a surfer's paradise and the Surfing Capital of the Philippines, surfers from around the world and around the country, have been flocking to (and then almost inevitably taking root in) Siargao for decades now, with the determined mind to catch some waves on the right-breaking reef Siargao is most famous for: Cloud 9.
How to get there:
a. Via Cebu Pacific, fly Manila - Cebu - Siargao
b. Via Philippine Airlines, fly to Surigao then take Fortune Angel ferry which leaves the port everyday at 11:45
Aside from its white sands and clear, blue waters, Malapascua is near Monad Shoal, a popular scuba-diving destination and the only place in the world you can see thresher sharks.
How to get there:
a. Fly to Cebu City (Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Zest Air, AirPhil Express)
b. Take Ceres Tours bus to Daanbantayan/Maya Wharf, from there take boat to Malapascua, about 30 minutes away
7. Mambajao, Camiguin
Besides the fact that it's home to seven volcanoes (don't worry, six are inactive), the beaches are breathtaking as well, not to mention the famous 250-feet high Katibawasan Falls which is something to behold.
How to get there:
a. Fly to Cagayan de Oro (Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Zest Air, AirPhil Express)
b. From Lumbia Airport, take a cab/van to Agora Market to catch a bus to Balingoan, about 2 hours away
c. Walk to the port and ride the ferry to Benoni port, about 2 hours away
8. Caramoan, Camarines Sur
The unexploited, virgin islands of Caramoan are one of the country's best-kept secrets, and it would be a shame to miss out on its beautiful islands.
How to get there:
a. Take the bus to Naga City, about 8 to 10 hours away
b. Take the bus to Sabang, get off on Caramoan to Naga port, then take the 2 hour boat ride to the island
9. Coron, Palawan
Underwater shipwrecks, white pristine beaches and clear blue water, limestone formations, secluded lagoons, hot springs, one of the most bio-diverse underwater areas of the country, seriously, stop me if you've heard enough. If you haven't, then book a trip to Coron in Palawan, pronto!
How to get there:
a. Fly to Busuanga (Cebu Pacific, Zest Air, AirPhil Express) in Coron. The plane ride takes approixmately an hour.
10. Anawangin Cove, Zambales
Anawangin possesses the charm of a lakeside camping ground and the mountainous landscape of a place like the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York, combined with the tropical allure of some of the countries most popular beaches.
How to get there:
a. Take the bus from Manila to San Antonio, Zambales, about 6 hours away
b. Take the boat from Pundaquit to Anawangin
(Check out: Leave Nothing But Footprints)
11. Batanes
The Philippines' very own Marlboro country, with cows and horses grazing the vast greenery, and the Shire-like landscapes that make Batanes a breath of fresh air compared to your usual tropical beach getaway.
How to get there:
a. Take Sea Air to Basco, Batanes. Peak season is March to June.
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12. Mt. Pulag
The third highest mountain in the Philippines, Mt. Pulag has, in recent years, become a popular tourist spot and hiking destination for adventure-junkies and nature-lovers alike. At 2,922 meters above sea level, the view from the top is absolutely breathtaking and well-worth the hike.
How to get there:
a. Take bus to Baguio, from Baguio rent a jeepney to take you to Ambangeg then to the Ranger Station.
(You might also be interested in: Mountain Man Essentials)
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