In the Philippines, travelers can look at the same place and see two entirely different reality. One might see a romantic rural paradise where children play joyfully and the sunset glows like an Instagram filter. Another might see a poor village with nothing interesting and attractive.
Since the top three tourist destinations in the Philippines—at least in my opinion—were covered in the first part of this series, let’s move on to other places that I still consider worth visiting and would happily return to.
Rather than listing hotels and restaurants, I’m focusing on the emotions, impressions, and memories these places evoke. You can find service recommendations on travel blogs, where the information changes faster than my opinion on them.
Cebu City – Tourist Buffet
I have a problem with Cebu City, even though it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines – somehow I’ve never really gotten into the city’s vibe. I know the city, I’ve seen its attractions, and I always visit there with an open mind – but emotionally, it has never truly resonated with me.
I’ve often wondered why I struggle to connect with Cebu City, even though it has so many things I find interesting – things that tourists generally appreciate. Maybe it’s the curse of comparison: other destinations have set the bar so high that Cebu’s mediocrity simply doesn’t stir any strong emotions.
Another reason could be that I associate Cebu City so strongly with the Visayan cultural and linguistic region. I don’t speak Visayan languages, and I’ve never quite felt at home there the way I do in Tagalog-speaking areas.
Despite these mental roadblocks, I do like Cebu City – not necessarily on an emotional level, but for what it has to offer. The city has an interesting history, and its surroundings provide nearly everything the Philippines promises to travelers. Cebu City is like a tourist buffet: there’s a little bit of everything, but no standout dish that would blow your mind with its uniqueness.
Today’s Cebu City does have one ace up its sleeve. Its real appeal isn’t in its museums or historic churches – it’s in the mountains that rise on the city’s outskirts. These hills have become home to an array of scenic restaurants and laid-back hangout spots, injecting a touch of originality and providing actual reasons to linger in the city.
If Metro Manila serves as a transit hub for tourists heading to other parts of the country, then Cebu City – thanks to its excellent ferry and flight connections – plays the same role for the Visayan region.
Boracay – Fine Beach, Fun Nights,
Are the more than two million tourists who visit this small 10.32 square kilometer island every year wrong? Of course not. Boracay is home to the BEACH – White Beach, a four-kilometer stretch of powdery sand so perfect that, according to local legend, God created it only after practicing on lesser islands.
When I first visited Boracay in 1992, the island was just beginning its journey to global fame. Back then, I was amazed at how effortlessly a few side steps could take me from the chaotic symphony of the island’s main street – the so-called ”Boracay Highway,” lined with shops, bars, and restaurants – to the pristine tranquility of the dazzling shoreline, where a gentle sea breeze blew calmly.
Boracay is still a great destination if you’re looking for hassle-free, risk-free relaxation on a tropical beach. White sand so fine it feels like silk, and sunsets so breathtaking they send Instagram servers into overdrive.
Boracay was once also a paradise for lovers of wild nightlife, but those nights are long gone. Extensive renovations during the COVID pandemic have transformed the island’s atmosphere into something far more serene. White Beach is still iconic, but the neon-drenched party scene has largely given way to candlelit dinners and early bedtimes.
Bohol – Standard Package
Bohol, along with the neighboring Panglao Island, is a place I want to like more than I do. The island is a textbook example of an ordinary island in the Philippines: a ring road circles the island, passing through small towns that all look eerily similar.
Surrounding Bohol’s main island are smaller islands – some uninhabited, others home to fishing and farming communities whose way of life has remained unchanged for centuries. Well, except for the fact that they now sell overpriced coconuts to tourists.
One of Bohol’s most famous attractions is the Philippine tarsier, a tiny primate that looks like it came straight out of a cartoon. As adorable as they are, seeing them in person can be a bit underwhelming – hardly a ”close encounter of the third kind,” despite the one-hour drive from the island’s capital, Tagbilaran, to see them.
A visit to the tarsiers is often paired with a trip to Bohol’s most iconic sight: the Chocolate Hills. Watching first-time visitors react to these peculiar landforms is always entertaining – some struggle to hide their disappointment, while others are in complete awe, snapping fifty identical selfies.
The Chocolate Hills are cone-shaped mounds, 25–50 meters high, spread across roughly 20 square kilometers. There are around 1,250 of them if you include the smaller ones. They are most impressive from April to May when the dry season turns their vegetation into a toasty brown. During the rainy season, their grandeur exists mostly in tourism brochures only.
Tagbilaran, the island’s capital, is a typical small provincial city, with the same things as every other city its size – and the same things missing. The city itself doesn’t offer much to tourists and is often just a stopover on the way to Panglao Island, where most of Bohol’s tourism and activities are centered.
The most famous spot in Panglao is Alona Beach, which is great for a mix of beach lounging, diving, bar-hopping, and general beach vacation vibes. However, my personal preference leans toward Doljo Beach, a quieter area on the island’s northwest coast, close to Bohol’s new airport. It’s still relatively low-key beach but slowly catching up with the more turbocharged tourist scene.
Tagaytay – Scenery Tourism
Although I’ve had many great times in Tagaytay, let’s be honest: I only recommend it as a day trip for tourists who want to see Taal Volcano. Yes, it’s as unique and impressive scenery, but don’t expect any life-changing experiences.
On clear days, Tagaytay is worth the trip, offering stunning views from its ridge over the much lower-lying Taal Lake and its still-active volcano. But if it’s raining or the clouds are hanging low, you’ll just be left wondering why you spent 2–3 hours driving only to shiver in a chilly fog.
On holidays and weekends, the main road is packed with cars, tricycles, and tour buses. Almost everyone is looking for something to do and, in the end, they usually end up eating at one of the many roadside restaurants where they can admire THE VIEW while dining.
From these restaurants and viewpoints, you’ll see a massive 70-kilometer-wide caldera (the crater of an ancient, much larger volcano), now home to a large lake. In the middle of this lake sits an island formed by smaller active volcanoes.
For history enthusiasts, Tagaytay has one unique offering. At the highest point of the ridge stands the People’s Park in the Sky. Originally called Palace in the Sky, it was the Filipino version of an “Eagle’s Nest.” The palace was commissioned by Imelda Marcos to accommodate U.S. President Ronald Reagan during a planned state visit. However, construction stopped when Reagan canceled his trip, leaving the palace unfinished.
Puerto Galera – A Mixed Bag
Puerto Galera is a monument to missed opportunities and short-sighted local politics – a place that makes you look around and wonder what could have been if… Despite that, I still find a lot of good things about Puerto Galera.
Located on the northern coast of Mindoro, Puerto Galera is a small town about three to four hours away from Metro Manila by bus and ferry. The town itself isn’t much of a tourist attraction, but its coastal areas to the east and west offer a variety of tourism experiences.
Tourist destination Puerto Galera can be roughly divided into two distinct areas: To the east, about five kilometers from town, is the tourist village of Sabang, where you’ll find dive resorts, nice restaurants, bars, and nightlife. If you’re planning to get scuba-certified in the Philippines, Sabang is an affordable and practical option.
To the west, about 7–10 kilometers from town, you’ll find several beaches, White Beach being the most famous (and the whitest). These beaches offer a “poor man’s Boracay,” where party tourism and family-friendly tourism coexist. White Beach has gained a reputation as a weekend party hotspot for the local youth. Meanwhile, the neighboring beaches of Aninuan and Talipanan provide a quieter retreat for families and couples looking for a more relaxed getaway.
Siargao – Riding the Wave
Siargao is the place to be if you wanted to stay ahead of the curve and experience the latest trends in Philippine tourism. Siargao’s rise to fame is a perfect example of how a single good story can transform a remote fishing village into a trendy tourism hotspot.
Located on the edge of the Pacific Ocean off coast of Mindanao, Siargao was originally a well-kept secret among surfers. This small island became famous for its legendary Cloud 9 wave – so incredible that riding it felt like gliding through the clouds. Initially, Siargao was a destination known only to a few adventurous backpackers. But as the word spread, everyone found their way there.
The surfing is at its best from September to October, when Siargao also hosts an international surfing competition. At other times of the year, Cloud 9 may not live up to all the hype, but even without a surfboard, Siargao is a nice spot for laid-back beach tourism.
Siargao isn’t just a surfer’s paradise – it’s also home to breathtaking natural wonders. The enchanting lagoons of Sugba and Sohoton Cave are so stunning that they make you wonder how most of the world hasn’t yet discovered their existence.
Subic – The charm of a former military base
Whenever we mention visiting Subic, geography enthusiasts immediately ask, ”Which part exactly?” The name ”Subic” includes multiple destinations, each catering to a different type of tourism. What makes the Subic area compelling is its sheer variety.
At the heart of Subic’s tourism scene is the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, a special economic zone. This slightly artificial-looking area boasts duty-free shopping malls (where many items are priced the same as in regular stores), overpriced hotels, and an almost surreal atmosphere of a former American military town.
The Freeport Zone is separated from Olongapo City by fences and security gates. Inside the zone, the streets are wide and well-maintained and everything is eerily tidy. Yet, beyond these gates, Olongapo offers the usual messy and chaotic cityscape where urban decay coexists with the artificial cleanliness of shopping malls and fast-food chains.
A little further out, you’ll find family-friendly attractions of Subic, such as Zoobic Safari, where tigers lounge around with minimal enthusiasm, Ocean Adventure, home to well-trained killer whales, and guided nature hikes of Pamulaklakin Nature Park. For those seeking beaches and nightlife, the real action is outside the Freeport Zone in Barrio Barretto and Baloy Beach areas.
Subic’s identity becomes even murkier as you head inland, where you’ll stumble upon the small town of Subic – a place that offers visitors nothing more than the realization that, yes, there is yet another Subic here.
However, because these different ”Subics” are spread across a large area, having your own transportation is essential. And if you plan to drive within the Freeport Zone, be aware that traffic laws are strictly enforced here – an unusual experience in the Philippines.
One undeniable advantage of Subic is its accessibility from Metro Manila. Despite what the map shows, the trip to Subic is surprisingly quick; you can drive the entire way on expressways and get there in just a few hours.
Clark – Ghost of Its Former Glory
Clark was once the US military’s largest overseas air base, but today it looks like a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie. Wandering around the area feels like stepping into both a ghost town and an American war film – except the storyline here revolves around the desperate struggle of duty-free businesses clinging to the last remnants of profitability.
The Clark Freeport Zone carries an oddly unique atmosphere, where history meets the eerie charm of abandoned buildings. The modernized Clark International Airport still stands, occasionally injecting signs of life into the area.
Despite ambitious plans, Clark Freeport Zone has yet to transform into the economic powerhouse that its inherited infrastructure should have enabled. Yet, efforts persist to brand the area as a thriving destination for tourism, entertainment, and international business – a vision where casinos, leisure activities, and corporate ventures seamlessly coexist.
However, Clark remains a pleasant place to visit, precisely because of its quiet and laid-back vibe. The area regularly hosts family-friendly events, including car and motorcycle races, hobby camps, and various exhibitions that briefly awaken an otherwise slumbering environment.
But if wholesome entertainment isn’t your thing, neighboring Angeles City is more than ready to accommodate your needs. Sitting just outside Clark’s special economic zone, ”Disneyland for grown-ups” offers unforgettable (or mercifully forgettable) experiences for nightlife lovers.) experiences for nightlife enthusiasts.
Corregidor Island – Time Capsule of War Memories
For travelers fascinated by World War II history, Corregidor Island at the mouth of Manila Bay is a world-class destination. When the Japanese began their conquest of the Philippine archipelago, their first target was the Allied headquarters, which General MacArthur had moved to the fortified island of Corregidor at the start of the war.
For two months, the Japanese relentlessly pounded the island with aerial bombardments and heavy artillery until its defenders were finally forced to surrender. In total, more explosives were dropped and fired onto Corregidor’s 5.5 square kilometers than on any other comparable battlefield in the world.
Perhaps due to the long-standing management of the island by the Philippine military, Corregidor’s historical landmarks have remained well-preserved. Its ruins, cannons, and bunkers tell a poignant story of a hopeless battle. The most striking attraction is the Malinta Tunnel complex, where Allied commanders were forced to take refuge for months as Japanese forces battered the island.
Corregidor is an excellent guided day trip via ferry boat from Metro Manila. Visitors can also explore the island independently, immersing themselves in the haunting remnants of war. If you’re unfamiliar with the details of the battles, a knowledgeable guide can bring history to life.
The island also has a small hotel, though its existence mostly serves as a reminder that some things haven’t improved much since World War II. And if war history isn’t your thing, it won’t take long before you find yourself asking existential questions like: ”What on earth am I doing here?”
Perfectly Imperfect
If you judge tourist destinations in the Philippines by the standards of perfection, you might completely miss how stunning they are in their imperfection. Sure, there’s room for improvement, but if these tourist destinations were polished too much, they could lose the very charm that comes from their peculiarities and occasional shortcomings.
The Philippines is an incredible tourist destination where breathtaking nature meets its charmingly amateurish presentation. Add to that friendly people and a culture that thrives on spontaneity, and you get an experience that’s truly one of a kind.
The interpretations of Philippine tourist destinations in this series are entirely my own, and they shouldn’t be taken as absolute truth. When it comes to traveling in the Philippines, an old jungle proverb holds true: your opinion is firm — until it changes.
The Philippines as a Tourist Destination (part 1)
