Things to Do in the Philippines

📍 Metro Manila

The country's political and cultural center. Heritage walking, world-class museums, the oldest Chinatown in the world, and a dining scene that rivals other Asian capitals.

📍 Baguio, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province

Where the Philippines' pre-colonial identity is most intact. UNESCO rice terraces, hanging coffin burial caves, sea-of-clouds mountain treks, and living tattoo traditions.

📍 Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan

One of the best-preserved colonial landscapes in the country. UNESCO-listed Vigan, the Bangui windmills, the Paoay Church, and a surf scene in La Union.

📍 Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino

One of the least-visited and most rewarding regions in the country. Batanes' unique landscape, Palaui's pristine marine reserve, and the longest river in the Philippines.

📍 Pampanga, Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac

The agricultural heartland of Luzon. The Pinatubo crater lake hike, Anawangin Cove camping, WWII heritage in Bataan, and Pampanga's kapampangan food culture.

📍 Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon

The most accessible region from Manila. Taal Volcano hikes, Anilao muck diving, Pagsanjan Falls boat rides, the Pahiyas Festival, and Tagaytay's ridge dining.

📍 Palawan, Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon

Home to three UNESCO sites and some of the world's most biodiverse marine ecosystems. Palawan dominates but Romblon, Marinduque, and Mindoro each have distinct identities.

📍 Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, Masbate

A region of volcanoes, whale sharks, and the spiciest food in the Philippines. Mayon's perfect cone, Donsol's WWF-supervised butanding encounters, and Caramoan's Survivor islands.

📍 Iloilo, Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Guimaras, Negros Occidental

The second most visited region in the Visayas. Boracay's world-famous beach, Iloilo's heritage district and Dinagyang Festival, Gigantes' limestone islands, and Bacolod's food culture.

📍 Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Siquijor

The second most visited region in the Philippines. Cebu's Spanish heritage and Sinulog Festival, Bohol's Chocolate Hills and tarsiers, Apo Island's world-class reef, and quiet Siquijor.

📍 Leyte, Samar, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Southern Leyte

One of the most rewarding and least crowded regions in the Visayas. Dramatic cave systems, the largest naval battle site in history, remote Pacific surf breaks, and pristine island sandbars.

📍 Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga City

The "City of Flowers" with a unique Spanish Creole language, pink sand islands colored by organ pipe coral, and the Yakan indigenous weaving tradition.

📍 Camiguin, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro, Lanao del Norte, Misamis

Camiguin's seven volcanoes and sunken cemetery, Cagayan de Oro's world-class river rapids, and Bukidnon's highland plateau with Asia's longest zipline circuit.

📍 Davao City, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro

The highest mountain in the Philippines, the world's largest eagle in a semi-wild sanctuary, durian food culture, and the Kadayawan Festival honoring Davao's indigenous peoples.

📍 South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos

The tuna capital of the Philippines, the T'boli dream-weaving tradition, the Seven Falls of Lake Sebu, and the marine-rich Sarangani Bay.

📍 Siargao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan, Dinagat Islands

Siargao's Cloud 9, Asia's premier surf break, the impossibly clear Enchanted River, the wide-curtained Tinuy-an Falls, and stingless jellyfish lagoons in Dinagat.

📍 Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi

The cultural heartland of Muslim Mindanao. Maranao torogan architecture, the Bajau sea nomads of Tawi-Tawi, Lake Lanao's freshwater biodiversity, and living brass and weaving traditions.