There are over seven thousand islands that make up the Philippines but only a few of them are popular with travelers. This is because, for decades, only a few locations have made it to the list of top travel blogs. The reason, however, is not because these common destinations are the only ones that the country has to offer. In truth, the archipelago is dotted with hundreds if not thousands of destinations that can cater to any type of traveler.

Hiking, mountaineering, spelunking, diving, caving, food-tripping, you name it! The Philippines is home to a wide variety of activities and a long list of locations perfect for that memorable getaway. This article enumerates some of the most unnoticed and unmentioned places that everyone must know.

Here are the most underrated Philippine destinations every traveler should visit.

1. Sorsogon

Located in Bicol, Sorsogon is one of the country’s underrated provinces especially when it comes to traveling. While many provincial buses cruise along its major highways, only a few people take time to stop and notice the region’s untouched beauty.

Unbeknownst to everyone, Sorsogon can be an ideal destination for beach and nature lovers. In the region, fishing is one of its major industries, with a wide variety of fish products coming from nearby fishing towns and islets. This proximity to the sea does not only give its people livelihood; it also gives locals and tourists the access to the major beach spots such as Tikling and Subic Beach Rizal and Dancalan Beach, among others. Additionally, the province sits adjacent to mountains and hills, and one of its mighty landmarks is great Mount Bulusan-and volcano riddled with lakes and relaxing hot springs.

2. Samar Island

Samar is located in the eastern part of Visayas and is one of the biggest island-provinces in the Philippines. The region can be reached via air and land travel, and it requires a medium level of backpacking experience in order not to be overwhelmed by its challenging logistics. However, even if Samar is a relatively remote location, it’s one of the most beautiful islands in the country and can even compete with Palawan’s blue waters and sandy shores.

Samar Island offers the biggest cave systems in the country, including Langun Gobingob cave in its western forests. Pink sand beaches are also found in the northern part of the island, as well as the newly-discovered Biri islets. On the eastern region of Samar are endless shorelines of black-sand beaches and pristine waters. Additionally, a few hours ride to Guiuan is the island’s surfing capital where local surf camps are located.

3. Siquijor

If you ask Filipinos about what comes into mind when they hear the word “Siquijor”, they would say witchcraft and mysterious beings. Indeed, the place has not been a popular destination for travelers since the myths of scary monsters and man-eating aswangs have been attached to the province’s name.

However, many who of those who gave this province the benefit of the doubt was welcomed by the region’s most stunning sights and it’s not too late for you to take the same road in your next trip. Indeed, the place can be described as enchanted, but for a good reason. The islands are home to the country’s most mesmerizing waterfalls such as the Lugnason and Cambugahay falls. Additionally, it boasts diverse marine sanctuaries and beach fronts such as Tulapos, Tubod, Kagusuan beach, and Guiwanon Spring Park. Lastly, the mystic region is the sanctuary of what locals dub as the “Old Enchanted Balete Tree”. In Philippine myths and legends, the balete tree is an enchanted place where nature spirits and mountain maidens live. Many say that it is a gateway to a supernatural realm.

4. Tawi-Tawi

Another beautiful island province is Tawi-Tawi found in Mindanao and is located in the southernmost region in the country-basically it sits on the tip of the country. A visit in this province will reveal its close ties to Islam and Muslim culture, thanks to its proximity to Malaysia and Indonesia.

The place is rich in culture and tradition its sceneries are breathtaking, but you can’t see Tawi-Tawi in most popular travel blogs. For instance, Bongao, its capital, offers a truly spectacular view for all who dare to explore its center. A quick hike to Bongao Peak, the island’s highest peak will give you a 360-view of the whole island. In front of you will be wide blue ocean and a truly magnificent view of the horizon.

Simunul, located in the southeast part of Bongao, may not have the beaches and stunning seascapes that Bongao Peak has to offer, but it has something very special: the Philippines’ oldest mosque and a National Historical Landmark.  It was in 1380 when Sheik Karimul Makhdum set the foundation of the very first mosque in the country. Originally, the structure of this holy place was made of wood as well as other light materials. However, after 500 years of existence, a huge fire ravaged the mosque. Today, the structure is made of strong concrete.

5. Bukidnon

Bukidnon is located in the northern part of Mindanao and is a landlocked province nestled in a plateau and surrounded by seemingly endless hills and mountains. In fact, its name literally means “mountain dweller” or “highlander”. Because of its ideal location for farming and agriculture, it is considered as the Philippine “Food Basket”, boasting plantations of sugarcane, pineapples, and bananas, rice, and corn, to name a few.

Traveling to Bukidnon can be a life-changing experience, especially because of what the province has to offer In terms of relaxation and outdoor adventure. Forest parks, caves, spring resorts, mountain views, mesmerizing falls, mystic caves, name it. This underrated travel destination has everything to satisfy your craving for fun and adventure.

The most affordable way to get to Bukidnon is traveling by sea and then taking a car to get to your destination. The fastest way is to fly directly from Manila to the island’s nearest airport which is Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro, and from there, take a bus to your destination. There are no direct flights yet to the province, given its challenging terrain.

Conclusion

The Philippines is a destination that you can never get tired of and there are still hundreds of places that are just waiting to be discovered. Don’t finalize that bucket list first. Start doing your research and you’ll be surprised at what you can discover. Happy travels!

When traveling in the Philippines, you can never run out of places to explore. This is because the archipelago is one of the most diverse destinations in the world in terms of food, culture, language, and of course, of the sights and sounds that every region has to offer.

The start of the travel year is here, and if you’re already planning for your next trip, this article will help you make the decision of where should be your first stop. There are a lot of things that every island in the country takes pride in: from beaches, cave systems, rock formations, rice fields to mesmerizing waterfalls.

That is why it is important to make every trip unforgettable especially if your next destination is set in a uniquely majestic setting, so it’s good to have your camera as a constant travel buddy.

Here are the top places in the Philippines with the most fantastic views for that picture-perfect travel moment.

1. Batanes, Cagayan Valley

Batanes is a small archipelago region that sits on the valleys of Cagayan. As the northernmost province in the Philippines, not many people have actually explored its geographical wonders. For those who were lucky enough to fly to its remote islands, they were one of the fortunate few to have witnessed the elegance of this beautiful paradise.

Almost a dominant part of Batanes is composed of long ranges of hills and mountains, with a vast shoreline rammed by endless waves, providing a magnificent view for landscape photographers and shutterbugs. In fact, many vloggers and travel writers have declared the place as a top travel destination because of its natural beauty. The place is also a favorite spot for movies and other cinematic works.

2. Batad, Ifugao Province

The Banaue Rice Terraces may be a world-famous destination for local and international backpackers because of its title as a UNESCO World Heritage site, but its neighboring village, Batad, holds the same title and has an equally majestic view to offer.

Among Ifugao’s rice terraces, Batad’s winding stairs of rice plantations are gaining its own popularity as one of the most visited cultural villages in the region. This is because the area has welcomed itself to travelers by providing lodging homes and inns that offer a full experience of the people’s food, culture, and way of life.

Nearby are fascinating sights of seemingly endless mountain ranges, but there is more to what this place can offer. For instance, a 30-minute walk from the village is Tappiyah Waterfalls, a 70-meter falls that grants a picturesque background for a unique travel-slash-backpacking photo.

3. Masungi Georeserve, Rizal

This spectacular travel-adventure destination is just a few hours away from Metro Manila – but only a few weekend warriors and adventurers have dared to explore this part of the country. Why? The location offers a stunning view of a wide variety of greeneries and different shapes and sizes of rock formations. However, getting there requires determination and physical endurance.

Park authorities suggest that guests should set aside an entire day for every visit as the adventure involves a few hours of trekking and hiking before reaching the actual destination. From there, are winding paths, thrilling rope courses, and most importantly, uniquely designed stops. The activity aims to raise awareness to the importance of conservation. In fact, the whole point of the activity started as a creative protest against illegal logging, mining, and quarrying in the region, especially in the forests of Rizal.

4. El Nido, Palawan

El Nido is one of the major regions in the large island of Palawan. As a travel destination, it is perhaps the most popular in terms of accommodation, beachfront view, and quality of the natural environment. Compared to Coron and Puerto Princesa, it has the most number of foreign and local tourists that visit every year. The only catch is that you have to prepare a much bigger travel fund in order to fully experience what it has to offer.

El Nido has the best beaches in the country and is home to Philippines’ exclusive island-resorts that many Hollywood and local celebrities frequently visit. Its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters offer a scenic view for photographers and videographers.

For underwater photography, El Nido has a lot of scuba diving sites on its must-experience list. The underwater sceneries of the region present a wide variety of structures that include vertical walls that can go as deep as 50 meters, descending slopes, sandy ocean surface, and of course, schools of different species of fish and sea creatures that hide across its colorful reef systems.

5. Biri Island, Samar

Samar has a lot of surprises for travelers and adventurers who want to explore the untouched and underappreciated travel destinations in the country. Biri Island, for instance, is a rising superstar among backpackers who took the road less traveled. In the island is a sight like no other and many who had the chance to visit this remote location can attest to the spot’s almost surreal and out-of-this-world experience.

The Biri Island Rock Formations are actually small islets characterized by rough and rocky terrains. These six different land formations have been nicknamed by the locals according to their distinct physical features: the Caranas, Macadlaw, Puhunan, Bel-at, Masapat, and Magasang. These rocky islets are connected and can be accessed by foot during low tides.

The place does not only offer a mesmerizing photo opportunity but also provides what every typical island has in store for its visitors: a beachfront for sunbathing and swimming, with natural pools in crystal clear waters for a quick dip. Be warned, though, that Samar is generally a hot and humid region so staying long hours under the sun may not be a great idea.

Traveling to the unknown

Many people don’t really have the courage to explore more and discover everything that the country has to offer. Thanks to the power of social media and the internet, many places and travel destinations are starting to make their mark on every traveler’s map.

Remember that the best places in the Philippines with the most fantastic views are not only found in the most popular travel websites. Some of them are out there, waiting for their chance to show the world that they, too, can be a special entry in someone’s bucket list.