Getting tired of the usual Boracay, Puerto Princesa, Bohol, Banaue, Vigan and Cebu itinerary? Here’s my suggestion for intrepid travelers and backpackers wanting to explore something new, something that others only dream about. Maybe some of them you heard for the first time.
I compiled my best kept destinations and divulge the secret for my dear readers. Here are 10 destinations in the Philippines you may want to add on your must-see list this coming new year. Wait, there’s more! I added some notes on what you can expect in each of these places.
If you love Geography like me, this map will be of help as you plan your trip to the ff destinations:
10 Must-Visit Off-The-Beaten-Path Destinations in the Philippines
ENJOY DROOLING!
1. Biri Rock Formations (Northern Samar)
Dwarfed by the spectacular rock formations in Biri Island, Northern Samar
“The harshness of the elements created a spectacular formation. You will be surprised on how this was formed. It was as if a master craftsman did his obra maestra so massive for everyone to see. Standing atop the rock formation I experienced the strong winds that can even blow myself if lose balance. Its colors make it more beautiful as the elements make it gray, black, green and yellow.”
Read more about it: Secrets of Northern Samar: Spectacular Biri Rock Formations
2. Bucas Grande Island and Sohoton Caves (Surigao del Norte)
Can be reached only during low-tide, this is the Sohoton Cave Opening. Sohoton means “to stoop or get down”
If you think Coron, Palawan is beautiful wait until you visit Sohoton Caves and Bucas Grande Island. I was actually hesitant to write about the Sohoton Cove because this would mean more tourists to this piece of paradise on earth; more tourists means more trash right? But then again, the secret is out and all I can do is implore the readers to “leave nothing but footprints.” I hope you do this not only here but in every place you visit. I hope this will not be another Boracay. Be dumbfounded with clean lakes, secret coves, enchanting lagoons, spectacular rock and coral formations and incredible sea creatures like the stingless jellyfish.
Read more about it: Unbelievable Beauty of Sohoton Caves and Bucas Grande Island
3. Dahican Beach, Mati City (Davao Oriental)
Getting Stoked at Mati! (Photo credits: Master Czaldy G of CS Davao)
Another place I don’t want to share to others. Because I want to keep it to myself. I will not talked about this place here, I want you to experience it. Travel tip: Don’t you miss visiting the Amihan Boys, the surf team where I belong.
Read more about it: Travel Notes from Mati City, Davao Oriental / Stoked at Dahican Beach, Mati City
4. Gumasa White Beach (Saranggani)
Serenity at the far end of Gumasa. ZZZzzzz……
Some call it the next Boracay or the Boracay of the South. I wonder why they compare this little paradise to the dirty island of Bora.Gumasa white beach was love at first sight. Heart pumped fast as I hurriedly went off the motorcycle. I looked for a place to set-up my hammock so I can have some snooze. I tied my hammock and slept for almost 2 hours, I didn’t mind if people are walking to and fro. I slept without any fear of being mugged or anything. The place was serene and peaceful. Contrary to what many in Manila think of Mindanao.
Read more about it: Relax! Gumasa White Beach at Glan, Saranggani
5. Cantilan (Surigao del Sur)
Imagine yourself waking up with this view of the sun rising out of the Pacific… just imagine…
Cantilan? Have you heard about that town already? I bet not yet unless you are from Surigao. The locals were so warm and friendly, and fellow travelers made for kindred spirits. The nearest beach is 10 minutes from the town proper. If you are a beacholic like me, then choose what color of sand you want to comb: gray, brown, black and white.
Read more about it: Charming Cantilan / Embracing Slow Travel at Cantilan, Surigao del Sur
6. Calaguas Island (Camarines Norte)
Hammock for two 🙂 Tag along with me next time I visit this paradise
Okay, not so off-the-beaten but this island is not yet in Lonely Planet Philippines (known to write about off-track destinations). If Caramoan (famous for the Survivor Series) is favorite among foreigners then let Calaguas take your breath away. Time stops here and cellphone signal is available 30minutes walk from the beach making you forget your busy schedule and things to do in the office.
Clara, my travel buddy can’t seem to find a perfect way to describe this piece of paradise. Oh yes, she said that this is “the most beautiful I have ever seen…”Calaguas is so magnificent. Last night we are just lying on the beach and trying to count the stars (this is the most stars I’ve seen so far). We saw some fireflies and we enjoyed the night as the waves serenade us before we went to sleeps
Read more about it: Calaguas Islands Trip Guide: The Cheapest Way Possible / Dear Calaguas, You Are So Worth It
7. Sheik Makdhum Mosque (Simunul, Tawi-Tawi)
The site of the Oldest Mosque in the Philippines- Masjid Sheik Makdum
Declared a National Cultural Treasure in 1965 by the late Pres. Ferdinand Marcos himself, this important site is where the first mosque in the Philippines was erected. Built by an Arab trader Sheik Makdum Karim on 1380. The original pillars of the old mosque can still be found inside the new building. According to the story, they tried to move or cut the foundation when they are renovating it but it cant be moved or cut.
Read more about it: Sheik Makdum Mosque- The Oldest Mosque in the Philippines
8. Cuyo (Palawan)
Enormous Cuyo Fortress, built to withstand the Moro Raids
Cuyo is a part of Palawan and has an enormous fortress church and well-preserved old houses that dates back during the Spanish and American Era. The Cuyo Fort is built in 1683 by the Recollects to protect the inhabitant from the More slave raids replete during the 17th and 18th century. I was there for only 6 hours during a short stop over of the ferry from Iloilo to Puerto Princesa. While trailblazing the island, I feasted of cheap sinigang na Lapu-Lapu and sweet mangoes, yum yum!
9. Adams (Ilocos Norte)
Lover’s Peak. Wake up early to witness the sunrise, like around 5am (30minutes walk from the town proper)
Going here was like an introduction to a beautiful song, building up as I begin to see patches of rice paddies, springs big and small, the climax of the song- the kindness of the locals. I was billeted on a beautiful and cozy log cabin that houses a winery. Adams is known for its Bugnay wine, sweet, fruity and light. The is one of the projects the local government does to provide income to the locals. The name ‘Adams’ was given bhy the first settlers of the place because they thought it was the “Garden of Eden,” Adams Garden and before long, it was called Adams.
Read more about it: Astonishing Adams, Ilocos Norte
10. Tinglayan (Kalinga)
The ancient form of tattooing, using charcoal from the pinewoods mixed with water made permanent with the help of a makeshift needle from the thorn of calamansi tree.
Hidden among the mountains of Sierra Madre is the province of Kalinga. Civilization here dates back centuries ago but its just 17 years old as it was part of a bigger province before- Kalinga-Apayao. Its one province that would forever be etched on my mind as I experienced true hospitality and saw the living heritage it offers the world. Tinglayan is also known for Whang-od, the last Kalinga Tattoo artist, age 89. In the photo above she tattoes Dr. Vene of Ateneo with the ancient method she learned during her teen years. She was already featured in Discovery Channel’s Tattoo Hunter by Lars Krutak.
Read more about it: Kalinga: Tattooed on my Mind / JourneyingJames- A Rice Farmer in Kalinga
There you go!
THERE!
YOU!
GO!
If you love off-the-beaten-path destinations, maybe you have been to some from the list. Better yet, add to the list of places not known yet to tourists. I’m interested to know.
If you haven’t been to any of these, maybe, not maybe, it’s time to explore more of the country.
NOT ENOUGH? CHECK BELOW:
- 13 “Untouristic” Provinces You Should Visit this 2013 (Part 1)
- 13 “Untouristic” Provinces You Should Visit this 2013 (Part 2)
Great list, James! These are indeed off the beaten coz I’ve never been to any of these places yet!
seriously? you must be kidding right?
or i guess i made the list too off-the-beaten-path haha
sohoton and biri!! Naa sa akong lista pero wa pa gyud na tinuod. :c
ay sayup, naka anha naman diay kog sohoton. Ang mati diay. c:
maayo! lagaw na karon christine
Puhon2 jokering james!
Wow so happy that Calaguas was included in the list! Fell in love with the place since I first visited it so had to go back the same year. Was hoping I could visit it a 3rd this year but I have been busy. With the help of your blogs, I wish to cover more land and beaches in this magnificent country that is the Philippines.
Always love off-the-beaten-path places.
Genuine people, awesome food, amazing scenery, less tourist, once in a lifetime experience.
Keep it going bro.
I have all my faith in u.
~CHEERS~
Kenji
WORD Kenji! haha here’s to more out-of-the-tourist-trail-travels this 2013, cheers bro!
Great list! I’m from Eastern Visayas and I had never been to Biri.
Can I add Kalanggaman Islet (Palompon, Leyte)to the list? A tiny island called as such because of its being bird-shaped. In the Visayan dialectlanggam means bird. The wings are white sand bars on the east and on the west. Also a great site for kayaking, snorkeling, and diving. It’s a sanctuary.
i havent been to kalanggaman island but i hear lots of great feedbacks about the island. thanks for reminding me of that charesma
1 out of ten. lol.
I’ll use this list as a guide. thanks James! 🙂
hope you visit more next year 🙂
Wow very NICE list James!!!
I’ve been to 4 of the provinces on your list but never been to those sites.. urghh! hehe BUT can I share a list of mine too.. :p
I love:
1. Hinatuan Enchanted River and Bislig Tinuy-an Falls, Surigao del Sur (just the best)
2. Honda Bay Palawan (i like Pandan Island the most)
3. White island in Camiguin (a serine sandbar)
4. Sand Dunes Ilocos Norte (try the 4×4 ride – it’s cool)
5. Swimming with the Whale Shark and Tumalog Falls, Oslob Cebu (the gentle giants and my first ever waterfalls adventure which started the drive in me to find the most beautiful waterfalls in our country – one of which is Tinuy-an Falls my no.1 in this list)
Hope to conquer more and improve this list… 😀 happy to read your blog! Thanks JAMES!
thanks for sharing your list jon-jon!
i guess only hinatuan and bislig can be considered off-the-beaten-path.
also, forgive me for being blunt but i discourage people swimming with whalesharks in oslob as they have a poor practice of tourism there. poor tukis.
hope you understand sir jon-jon
THANKS James!
I completely understand your side. I’ve been there a long time ago and I was actually thinking if I should include it that’s why I only highlighted my love for waterfalls… Good to raise the issue in OSLOB also, the whalesharks are no longer living on their own, they are dependent on the fishermen who feed them… This is an imbalance in the ecosystem.
Have you seen the fireflies in Ihawig… It’s perfect for x-mas.. 😀
yep, i love tumalog falls too and southern cebu- really beautiful people, cheapo but good food, weel-preserved heritage sites and awesome marine life.
i have seen fireflies in palawan not in iwahig, hehe
It’s weird but it makes me a little proud that you haven’t seen the frieflies in Ihawig. Hahaha may be because of all the places you’ve been already, it’s rare that there are still few more places that you haven’t seen yet.. 😛
If you will be on the right timing were planktons are glowing underneath and the milkyway galaxy above plus the fireflies it’s really beautiful. Also, try swimming in the clear river inside Ihawig Penal Farm,, hehe our brothers there are really kind.
Wala pa akong napupuntahan sa listahan mo James.. LOL!
Still getting there..=)
so i guess you are into familiar sites. haha
My, I need to add more to my list. Thank you, James. As always, your “lists” never disappoint.
thanks tita lili, i hope you get to visit some from the list.
It looks amazing! I’m a beach bum too so I love this… I just fret not going to Mati and Cantillan when members of DENR Davao invited me to see it. I promised I will be back but because I moved in Thailand, I don’t know yet when its gonna happen. Lucky James.
now im inviting you to cantilan and mati 🙂
dont miss these the second time 🙂
Tama na Hindi.. Hahahaha
Kasama ang Adams, Ilocos Norte. Our tour guide during my trip to Pagudpud shared that it’s nice to check that town pero pahirapan pa daw ang transportation papunta dun ngayon :)) Nice post kuya james! May maidadagdag na naman sa places to visit!
yep, im more excited visiting places where not a lot of people goes to. haha thanks rj!
You know that I love going off the beaten track!♥
Kay Angel at Sir Ed pa lang yung blog sa Sohoton when I went there! hehe
It’s (un)fortunate that I’ll be travelling with people who’ve never been to our country. I’m inclined to take them to the “usual” but amazing sights though. Ayan! Nakakaiyak na di uli ako matutuloy sa Davao! 🙁 Gotta plan another trip back to the Philippines soon (Di pa nga nakakabalik eh! hehe)!
why not bring them to off-the-beaten-paths? diba mas okay kapag yung kwento nila different from the usual kwentos of those who have been in this country?
Dahican lang ang napuntahan ko on your list, and it’s my most favorite beach in the world! =)
haha! tie to explore more of our country then swexie!
Great post, James. I am researching about Philippines for my trip in April. Will definitely used some of the info from the post and the blog! Thank you!
Happy Travels!
thanks sir! have fun in our country. you are most welcome here
Biri looks inviting! Great list James.
thanks riz! wanna go back there the soonest
Great “pioneering” list…pang Mabuhay Mag…my problem is: How to get to Cuyo?…tnx for initiating this list, great job.
there are 2 options, either from puerto princesa or from iloilo, only by ferry. sometimes there are ferries from coron to cuyo too
Nice list!
Love sohoton cove. Been there twice but the 2nd time was quite disappointing on the charges the local people or so that manage the place. They seem to have charges on everything and not only that it was not like the first time I visited the place. I’m not sure, I don’t know if they were taking advantage through fees because I felt like they were over charging us during our visit. Anyway the place was still breathtaking just like the 1st time I went there.
May I add up to your list the Dinagat Islands and the lake bababu. These places will surely give you lingering smile on People’s faces.
Btw, I like your post with the “new tourist attractions in Surigao”. Damn waste the nature for real. I’m afraid that soon the mining waste will soon reach the Socorro Islands and destroy the corals, jelly fishes, crystal clear water and everything that the place has to offer.
I hope not.
Kudus to you man.
Tnx.
thanks sir eric for the feedback on Surigao’s newest attraction. it seems like you have traipse surigao and dinagat islands. beautiful places and im happy to be reading that people discover these places
I’ve been in Sohoton!