Philippines Attractions & Destinations

• Attractions are key to destinations due to natural beauty, historical/cultural significance, or recreational opportunities.
• The UNWTO defines a destination as central to the decision to travel.
• A destination is an area with attractions that generates income through tourism.
• An attraction simply draws tourists to a specific spot.
• The Philippines is made of 7,641 islands recognized for beaches, diving, and culture.

National Capital Region (NCR)

• Manila is the capital with shopping, arts, culture, and proximity to Laguna de Bai.
• Intramuros is the oldest Manila district, featuring stone walls and the UNESCO-recognized San Agustin Church; Fort Santiago is a memorial to WWII victims.
• Rizal Park provides gardens, event space, and historical markers.
• The National Museum preserves Filipino culture through its Fine Arts, Anthropology, Natural History, and Planetarium divisions.
• Manila Ocean Park is the first marine theme park.

Quezon City

• Quezon City focuses on cultural, historical, and educational tourism.
• Quezon Memorial Circle has a park and museum dedicated to President Quezon.
• Art in Island Museum has 3D art designed to create photo opportunities.

Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)

• Benguet is the "Salad Bowl" of the Philippines, known for vegetable production.
• La Trinidad, a strawberry producer, and Baguio City are located in Benguet.
• Baguio, the "Summer Capital," has cool temperatures and an annual Panagbenga flower festival every February.
• Baguio Cathedral has a pink facade completed in 1936.
• Burnham Park, Baguio's oldest park, offers activities like biking and boating.
• Wright Park allows horseback riding, souvenir shopping and is opposite The Mansion (the President's summer residence).
• Colors of Stobosa is hillside home artwork in La Trinidad.

Mountain Province

• The Mountain Province is known for hanging coffins.
• Historical sites are present like the Dap-ay or Ato.
• Sugong Hanging Coffins exists in Echo Valley, Sagada

Ifugao

• The province features a rice deity sculpture.
• The Gotad Ad Ifugao showcases traditions every June.
• Banaue Rice Terraces are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Philippine War Memorial Shrine commemorates World War II.

Kalinga

• Kalinga is the home of Apo Whang-Od, a traditional tattoo artist.
• Apo Whang-Od practices includes rites of passage: childbirth, adulthood, marriage, eldership, and ancestorship.

Ilocos Norte

• Ilocos Norte's capital, Laoag, has Spanish-era heritage and an international airport.
• Paoay Church (Saint Augustine Church) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Malacañang of the North is a museum located in Paoay, once the residence of President Marcos.
• La Paz Sand Dunes offer activities like sand surfing and ATV riding.

Ilocos Sur

• Vigan City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Spanish colonial architecture.
• Calle Crisologo features Spanish homes with horse-drawn carriages.
• Bantay Bell Tower was used as a watchtower built in 1591.
• Padre Burgos House is part of the NM Ilocos Regional Museum Complex dating back to 1788 and is known for its connection to Fr. Jose Burgos.

Cagayan Valley - Batanes

• Batanes is the northernmost province of the Philippines.
• The Ruins of Songsong are abandoned houses damaged by a tidal wave in the 1950s.
• The Honesty Coffee Shop is an unmanned store demonstrating Ivatan's honesty.
• Sabtang Island has beaches, mountains, and canyons.

Cagayan

• Callao Cave has seven chambers, skylights, and human remains.
• The Cagayan River is the country’s largest watercourse.
• Palaui Island has ecosystems and landscapes.

Central Luzon - Aurora

• Aurora has historical sites like Manuel L. Quezon's home.
• The Museo de Baler contains artifacts and the history of Baler.
• Quezon Memorial Park marks Quezon's birthplace.
• Ermita Hill overlooks the Pacific Ocean and provided refuge during a tidal wave in 1735.

Bataan

• Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar contains heritage houses.
• Mt. Samat Shrine or Dambana ng Kagitingan memorializes Filipino and American soldiers.

CALABARZON - Batangas

• Batangas is popular for its proximity to Manila.
• Taal Volcano is the smallest active volcano.
• Fortune Island features the ruins of a Greek acropolis.
• Anilao offers diving sites.

Laguna

• Laguna offers hot springs and waterfalls.
• Pagsanjan Falls provides boat rides through Magdapio River.
• Enchanted Kingdom is a theme park.
• Pansol is known for hot spring resorts heated by Mt. Makiling.

Rizal

• Rizal’s terrain allows biking, climbing and camping.
• It is named the "Cradle of Philippine Art".
• Angono features galleries.
• The Angono Binangonan Petroglyphs is a stone-age heritage site.
• The Higantes Festival is a parade on November 22 and 23.
• Mt. Pamitinan offers views of the Sierra Madre mountains.

MIMAROPA - Palawan

• It is the largest province made of 1,780 islands.
• The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park has cave systems and forests.
• Tubbataha Reefs Marine Park has aquatic species.
• Calauit Safari Park reserve contains endangered species native to Palawan.
• Coron Reefs features lakes and reefs.

Bicol Region - Albay

• The Mayon Volcano National Park is home to Mayon Volcano.
• Cagsawa Ruins features the remains of the Cagsawa Church.

Western Visayas - Aklan

• Aklan is the oldest province in the country.
• Boracay is a leading destination, named "Beach Capital of the Philippines".
• Willy's Rock and Boracay Oceanarium are also popular.
• Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo is a popular event in January.

Negros Occidental

• Bacolod is the "Land of Sweet People," known for its desserts.
• The MassKara Festival combines dance, color, and music.
• Negros Museum showcases city history.
• The Ruins is known as the “Taj Mahal of Negros Occidental."

Central Visayas - Bohol

• Bohol is home to Chocolate Hills.
• The Chocolate Hills turn brown in the dry season.
• Loboc River has a floating restaurant.
• The Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary protects endangered tarsiers.
• Panglao, Cabilao, and Balicasag Islands offer marine life.

Cebu

• Cebu is rich in history, festivals, diving spots, and nightlife.
• Magellan's Cross marks the start of Christianity.
• The Santo Niño Basilica houses a religious relic.
• Oslob allows swimming with whale sharks.
• Cebu Safari and Adventure Park is a safari park.

Negros Oriental

• Dumaguete is the "City of Gentle People"
• The Dumaguete Cathedral is the island's oldest church.
• Apo Island is one of the best diving spots.

Siquijor

• Siquijor is known as the “Mystic Island of Central Visayas."
• Siquijor was originally named Isla de Fuegos (Island of Fire).
• The Cambugahay Falls, Cantabon Cave, and Tulapos Marine Sanctuary are present.

Eastern Visayas - Eastern Samar

• Homonhon Island is where Magellan first landed.
• Ando and Divinubo Islands are also found here.

Leyte

• Leyte offers historical attractions and beaches.
• The San Juanico Bridge connects Samar and Leyte.
• Kalanggaman Island is named for its bird-wing shape.

Zamboanga Peninsula - Zamboanga del Norte

• Dapitan City has a history with Dr. Jose Rizal.
• The Rizal Shrine Park marks where he once lived.
• The P'gsalabuk Circle symbolizes cultures that hold a bowl to thank God.

Northern Mindanao - Bukidnon

• Bukidnon is home for adventure, nature, is cultural, traditional, and religious.
• Mount Capistrano offers views.
• Dahilayan Forest Park Resort features activities.
• The Abbey of the Transfiguration is a monastery.
• Kaamulan Festival shows performers, produce and a rodeo.

Camiguin

• Camiguin is the "Island Born of Fire" known for volcanoes.
• The Mountains Timpoong and Hibok-Hibok Range Natural Monument is also an ASEAN Heritage Park.
• The Sunken Cemetery rests those lost during a volcanic eruption.

Misamis Oriental

• Cagayan de Oro is the "City of Golden Friendship".

Davao Region - Davao del Sur

• Davao del Sur is home to Mt. Apo.
• People's Park is a cultural theme park.
• Mt. Apo (Sandawa) is the highest mountain in the Philippines.
• Philippine Eagle Center protects the endangered Philippine eagle.

SOCCSKSARGEN - Cotabato

• Cotabato is the "Fruit Basket of Mindanao."
• The Rio Grande de Mindanao is the largest river.
• Lake Agco is called the "Garden of Eden".
• Asik-Asik Falls features unique curtain-like springs.

South Cotabato

• South Cotabato is the “Land of the Dreamweavers,” .
• Lake Sebu has interconnected falls accessible by aerial float.
• The Bakngeb River Cave has an underground cave system.

Caraga - Surigao del Norte

• Siargao Island is the "Surfing Capital of the Philippines".
• Cloud 9 Beach hosts the Siargao International Surfing Cup.
• Magpupungko Rock Pools are tide pools.
• Tayangban Cave Pool features stalactites.

Surigao del Sur

• Tinuy-an Falls is the Philippines' "Niagara Falls".
• Enchanted River is a blue lagoon.

BARMM - Maguindanao

• Maguindanao has natural attractions and potential tourist sites.
• The Masjid Dimaukom (Pink Mosque) symbolizes peace.
• Blue Lagoon features bluish water.