Tourist Attractions in the Philippines
Located
at the very eastern edge of Asia, the Philippines are home to more than
7,000 islands, which are inhabited by friendly locals and many
indigenous tribes. From pristine beaches and marvelous natural wonders
to interesting historic sites and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, the
Philippines pack many exciting things to see and do. Check out the
following top
tourist attractions in the Philippines.
10Tubbataha Reef
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.
9San Agustin Church, Manila
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.
8Mayon Volcano
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.
7Malapascua Island
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.
6Puerto Galera
Just south of Manila is the charming coastal town of
Puerto Galera,
well-favored for its gorgeous beaches, excellent diving spots and wide
diversity of marine species. The most popular beaches are White Beach
and Sabang Beach, which also offer nearby shopping, dining, nightlife
and hotel accommodation. Another popular attraction is the natural
harbor of Muelle Bay with its rows of shops, restaurants and bars.
Visitors can also go snorkeling to see some of Asia’s best coral reefs
or dive among old shipwrecks and hundreds of fish species.
5Puerto Princesa Underground River
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.
4Donsol
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.
3Chocolate Hills
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.
2Boracay
Boracay
may be a small island, but it packs great features such as
award-winning beaches, beautiful resorts and great adventures like cliff
diving, parasailing, motorbiking, horse riding, snorkeling, kite
surfing and scuba diving. If that is not enough, boat tours allow
visitors to watch stunning sunsets, explore volcanic caves and remote
coves of turquoise lagoons. When the sun sets,
Boracay night-life pulsates with many bars and restaurants serving food, drinks and fun until dawn.
1Banaue Rice Terraces
No
trip to the Philippines could be complete without seeing the
spectacular Banaue Rice Terraces. Carved from the mountain ranges about
2,000 years ago without modern tools by the Ifugao tribes, these
magnificent farm terraces resemble giant steps reaching up to the sky.
Locals to this day still plant rice and vegetables on the terraces,
although more and more younger Ifugaos do not find farming appealing and
emigrate to the cities.
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