Five Places You Shouldn’t Miss in the Philippines

by Flip Nomad on June 28, 2011

I’m an avid traveller and have backpacked across the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries as well. And I often noticed that most backpackers skip the Philippines on their backpacking itinerary. I always think that they’re missing a lot since my home country is such a backpacker’s heaven because of the numerous islands, beaches and mountains that they can go to.

Here are five places that I think every backpacker should visit in the Philippines.

El Nido, Palawan

El Nido tops my list I have been there and I even stayed for almost a month. The beauty of El Nido and the islands of Bacuit bay would definitely mesmerize anyone who goes to this magical place. Pictures are not even enough to give justice to its beauty.

El Nido, Palawan

Boracay, Aklan

Boracay has been named the ‘World’s Best Beach” by numerous international awards giving body. Boracay is indeed one of the best beaches in the Philippines. The white, soft powdery sand and crystal clear water will definitely make anyone fall in love with this place.

Boracay, Aklan

Banaue, Mountain Province

Banaue is where you could find the famous Banaue Rice Terraces. It was tagged as the “Eighth Wonder of the World” by the locals and some foreigners who have seen its beauty. Banaue seems to be the biggest rice terraces among all the others that I’ve seen in Southeast Asia.

Banaue, Mountain Province

Donsol, Sorsogon

Tourists flock to Donsol around may to July every year to swam with what is known as the “gentle giants” or whale sharks. During this season, the sea is rich with planktons which turned out to be the main food of the whale sharks. I’ve swam with a few whale sharks myself and this is by far one of the most amazing adventures I’ve ever had in my life.

Chasing whale sharks in Donsol

Legazpi, Albay

A quaint little city in the middle of the Philippines, Legazpi City in Albay would wow you with the majestic view of Mt. Mayon or Mayon Volcano. Mayon Volcano seems to be the sister of Mt. Fuji becaus both volcanoes/mountains have perfect cone shape. There are varieties of outdoor activities that you could indulge yourself into. And before you leave the city, make sure you try their “Chili Ice Cream”.

Mayon Volcano

Article by Flip Nomad

Flip is a Filipino Backpacker blogging at Flip Nomad about his budget travel tips and overland journeys across Southeast Asia. Follow him on Twitter @FlipNomad

Flip has written 1 awesome articles for AOB.

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http://www.theridingdutchman.com Roy
Cool! I still want to go to El Nido I think it’s a true paradise on earth!
http://www.cruisinaltitude.com Kerwin – Cruisinaltitude.com
WOW! I’ve not been to any of these places, just to the capital. I’ll be traveling there in the next year or so; will have to go check out at least one . Thanks for sharing.
I love the Rice Terraces.
rona
I’m a Filipino but I’ve only been to one of the places that you have mentioned (Boracay). The sands and water of Boracay are literally “nakakasilaw” on a clear sunny day. Hopefully I can visit the other four soon! I’ve only been to Puerto Princesa, Coron and Busuanga in Palawan but I already consider it as the best among all the must-see destinations in the Philippines! Thanks for sharing this.
- Rona

Flipnomad
feel free to share this post in your FB and Twitter Rona

Guest
this is an awesome list!!! Considering for my honeymoon. Any suggestions on how to get to these places???

Flipnomad
for cheap flights around the country check out Cebu Pacific Air, Airphil Express and Zest Air… if you have a limited time, I highly recommend visiting El Nido, Palawan…

upperviceo
Represent!!!! Nice post, Flip!
http://twitter.com/DSAfrica Jordi @ DSAfrica
Flip, I just returned from a 2 week honeymoon in Boracay. It was meant to be a 5 day visit and turned into 17… island hopping for the next time in Philippines.
What made us stay on? We actually went for a friend’s wedding (9 June, landed on the 5th) and originally planned to leave on the 11th. It was the beginning of the reason but who fell in love with White beach, lonely sunsets in Puka beach staring at the palm trees, jungle and giant bats (yes!)… We will definitely be back.
The thing is, the Philippino people make this paradise, a heaven. The happiest bunch on earth, and after more than two weeks in the island, they kept telling us “if you like Boracay, you will love Palawan.”
We’ll definitely be back

Flipnomad
palawan is breathtaking Jordi… i also love Boracay … im happy that you enjoyed your stay in the Philippines

http://www.unframedworld.com Andrew – The Unframed World
Re-di-cu-lous photography!

Flipnomad
thanks man… but my pictures didnt give the place justice… el nido, boracay, banaue and other plaes in the Philippines are ridiculously beautiful… so beautiful words and pictures could not describe them…

http://www.unframedworld.com Andrew – The Unframed World
Re-di-cu-lous photography!
http://marilil.wordpress.com/ lili ram
this is a good list. I’m posting it on my page. Thanks.

Flipnomad
thanks tita lili

http://www.theshirtoffmybackpack.com Scott
stunning pics. The Philippines were a place that I never thought of as a place to visit next year on my RTW, but your post is the latest in a long line that is swinging me your way!

http://artofbackpacking.com Michael
I love it when blogs do that. The more reading I do, the more I want to see.
Flipnomad
come and visit the Philippines Scott

http://www.lakwatseradeprimera.com/ lakwatsera de primera
Great work Flip!
http://www.lakwatseradeprimera.com/ lakwatsera de primera
Great work Flip!

Flipnomad
very beautiful country…

http://twitter.com/SarahKloke Sarah’s Toothbrush
The Phillipines is kind of like that beautiful person that walks into the bar and everyone stops talking because they are so unbelievably stunning.
Yes, that’s exactly what the Phillipines is like.

http://artofbackpacking.com Michael
Haha. Nice analogy.

http://twitter.com/toniwonitravels Toni White
Some of the most gorgeous photos I have ever seen Flip – I’ll be sure to get there one day I promise =)

Flipnomad
toniwoni, the pictures cant do justice with how beautiful el nido is and the other places i mentioned too

http://www.crazysexyfuntraveler.com Crazysexyfuntraveler
I’m visiting SE Asia in the end of the year and more times was told I should visit the Philippines but after I saw the photos in this post, I’m really thinking of visiting.

Flipnomad
come and visit the philippines… gorgeous beaches awaits especially in palawan

Jeff Morris
Thanks Flip to have this info for us. I would love to make my trips to these five beautiful places in Philippines.

Flipnomad
you’re welcome jeff…

Jeff Morris
Tourists flock to Donsol around may to July every year to swam , and Legazpi are great among these five to hike on.

Flipnomad
the whale shark experience is a mind blowing experience…so surreal

Joriz_23
Batlag & Daranak Falls!
http://www.facebook.com/xvanx Vanessa Caron-Cantin
I find it mind blowing that most travel blog have nothing about the Philippines. I am SO glad i went a couple of months ago and i just cannot wait to get back there! Sagada will always be like a second home in my heart

Flipnomad
happy to know that you enjoyed your stay in sagada

http://www.travel-wanderings.blogspot.com Ashleigh
Those photos literally take my breath away! The Phillipines is somewhere that I don’t have a lot of knowledge of, it doesn’t seem to be the place to go for twenty-somethings in my area…I have been contemplating going for that reason alone, but now it is definitely on my list!

Flipnomad
if you enjoy partying on the beach, boracay is a must place to go come and visit ashleigh

http://www.senyorita.net Micamyx|Senyorita
The Philippines has a lot to offer! This should be a list of 10 Great job, Flip!
http://jerwinpasco.com/ JP
Great! I would add Sagada here.