Tourist Destinations & Attractions

Tourist Destinations and Major Attractions

• Attractions draw visitors to a destination because of natural beauty, historical, or cultural significance
• Tourist attractions provide value through historical importance, cultural value, political significance, nature, beauty, and leisure.
• Magellan's Cross, Colon Street, and Bantayan Island in Cebu are examples of attractions within a single destination.
• The UNWTO defines a destination as the place central to the decision to travel.
• A destination is a country, state, region, city, or town marketed to tourists.
• Destinations often have multiple attractions; Manila has Rizal Park and Intramuros.
• A destination is an area with attractions that generates income from tourism
• An attraction is a place that draws tourists.
• The Philippines has 7,641 islands with diverse activities, beaches, and culture
• It is known for wellness getaways, diving, beaches and adventure.

National Capital Region (NCR) - Manila

• Manila is the capital of the Philippines, offering shopping, arts, cultural immersion, and recreation
• Manila is near lakeshore towns of Laguna de Bai, known for arts and crafts

Intramuros

• Manila's oldest and most historic area, Intramuros translates to "within the walls"
• The area is encircled by thick stone walls resembling an old castle.
• San Agustin Church is within Intramuros' walls and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the oldest church in the Philippines.
• Fort Santiago, also an Intramuros attraction, is among Manila's oldest fortifications, built by the Spanish in 1571
• Today, Fort Santiago is a memorial to World War II victims and Filipino sacrifices for freedom.

Rizal Park

• The premiere people's park with sculptures, markers, gardens, photo and art exhibit facilities, and event venues
• Freedom and courage flagship, hosting rallies, oath-takings, and national events

The National Museum of the Philippines

• A government agency museum conducting research and conservation programs
• It houses the National Museum of Fine Arts, Anthropology, Natural History, and the National Planetarium

Manila Ocean Park

• The first world-class marine theme park and educational facility in the Philippines
• Integrated urban resort featuring aquatic life and an aqua-themed hotel
• The Oceanarium features marine creatures indigenous to the Philippines and Southeast Asia
• Other attractions include the Sea Lion Show and the Star Bird Show.

Quezon City

• Quezon City focuses on cultural, historical, and educational tourism, offering livelihood opportunities,
• Quezon Memorial Circle is a 27-hectare park dedicated to President Manuel Luis Quezon
• The monument has a museum with President Quezon's memorabilia and remains inside the shrine.
• Art in Island Museum is a 3D art museum founded by Yun Jae Kyoung with Korean painters
• The museum creates the illusion of depth for photo opportunities.
• Other attractions include the Mall of Asia, The Mind Museum, St. Joseph Parish Church, the Bamboo Organ, and the Ayala Museum.

Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) - Benguet

• Benguet is the Salad Bowl of the Philippines, and a primary source of vegetables.
• It features mountain views, tranquility, a cool breeze, and an escape from busy city life.
• La Trinidad, the capital, produces vegetables and strawberries

Baguio City

• A famous tourist destination known as the "Summer Capital of the Philippines"
• It has cool temperatures, averaging 15-23°C.
• Baguio's pine-scented air and climate have earned it the name "City of Pines."
• It is known for the Panagbenga Festival, an annual flower festival in February
• "Panagbenga" is derived from a Kankanaey term meaning "season of blooming."

Baguio Cathedral

• A landmark in Baguio with a pink facade, rose windows, and twin square belfry completed in 1936.

Burnham Park

• Baguio's oldest park, with gardens and a lake
• Activities include biking, skating, boarding, and boating.

Wright Park

• A popular attraction for horseback riding and souvenir shopping
• A stone stairway leads to the "Pool of Pines"
• Wright Park is opposite The Mansion's main gate, the President's summer residence
• The Mansion has a mini-museum of memorabilia and art from former presidents.

Colors of Stobosa

• A hillside home artwork in La Trinidad, Benguet, is a global transformation icon
• Colors transformed stone hill houses to symbolize "re-blooming"

Mountain Province

• Known for hanging coffins with mummified remains of local ancestors
• Historical sites include the Dap-ay or Ato, where tribal elders decide issues and concerns
• Visitors can participate in tribal celebrations like the Lang-ay Cultural Festival.
• Sugong Hanging Coffins/Sugong Cave, in Echo Valley, Sagada, demonstrates a tradition of placing the deceased in coffins

Sumaguing Cave

• One of the famous spelunking sites

Bontoc Museum

• Features artifacts for domestic purposes, traditional celebrations, or practices

Ifugao

• Features a standing male figure representing a rice deity (bulul)
• The Gotad Ad Ifugao festival occurs every June showcases old Culture
• The Banaue Rice Terraces are known as the "Eight Wonder of the World," named a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• The rice terraces were made 2,000 years ago
• The Philippine War Memorial Shrine commemorates the end of World War II
• It resembles an oversized Ifugao native house in Linda, Kiangan and depicts Filipino opposition to the Death March

Kalinga

• Home to Apo Whang Od in Buscalan Village, the last mambababatok (traditional Kalinga tattoo artist)
• For over 70 years, Apo Whang-Od has been tattooing Kalinga warriors and women
• She uses soot and water, a coconut bowl, an orange/calamansi thorn on a bamboo stick, and dried bamboo grass for tattoos.

Other attractions in CAR

• Kapakan Falls in Abra, Mines View Park and Mt. Pulag in Benguet, and Lussok Crystal Cave in Apayao.

Region I - Ilocos Region

• Ilocos Norte's capital is Laoag, the northernmost urban hub, its international airport, and Spanish-era heritage like Vigan
• It has a rich socio-economic and cultural dynamic.

Paoay Church aka Saint Augustine Church

• A UNESCO world heritage site, one of the baroque churches and Spanish colonial buildings

Malacañang of the North

• A national park and museum in Paoay
• It was the official residence of President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and family

La Paz Sand Dunes

• A sandy coastal desert and beach near Laoag City
• Activities feature sand surfing and ATV rides

Ilocos Sur

• Vigan City is the most well-preserved Spanish colonial town in the Philippines
• The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 16th century
• Features colonial-era houses, horse-drawn carriages, and Baroque building designs.

Calle Crisologo

• A famous street with Spanish houses, showcasing Vigan's rich culture and history

Bantay Bell Tower

• An iconic symbol of Vigan, built in 1591 as a watchtower

Padre Burgos House

• One of the three historical buildings in the NM Ilocos Regional Museum Complex in Vigan
• It was built in 1788 and declared historical due to its association with Fr. Jose Burgos

Other attractions in Ilocos Region

• Bangui Windmills in Bangui, Ilocos Norte, Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos, Pangasinan, beaches in San Juan, La Union, and the Baluarte Watch Tower in Luna, La Union.

Region II - Cagayan Valley

• Batanes is the northernmost and smallest province of the Philippines.
• Indigenous people are called Ivatans

Ruins of Songsong

• A ghost barangay in Uyugan with abandoned old houses after a 1950s tidal wave

Honesty Coffee Shop

• An unmanned refreshment store with an Ivatan's honesty showcasing

Sabtang Island

• One of the most beautiful islands with intermittent sand beaches, steep mountains, and deep canyons

Cagayan

• The Callao Cave in Peñablanca, Cagayan, which features limestones, skylights, and a chapel
• It is home to the oldest human remains in the country.
• The Cagayan River, aka Rio Grande de Cagayan, is the mightiest watercourse of the Philippines.
• Palaui Island is a protected ecotourism sanctuary with virgin ecosystems and geological formations.

Cagayan Valley

• Features the Binuangan's Sea of Clouds and Lower Magat Eco-Tourism (LMET) Park in Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino Watersports Complex, Governor’s Rapids, Aglipay Caves and Campsite in Quirino, and the Aguinaldo Shrine and the Giant Butaka in Isabela.

Region III - Central Luzon

• Aurora has historical sites and natural attractions
• The former home of President Manuel L. Quezon includes waterfalls, greenery, and beaches

Museo de Baler

• Features artifacts (jars, bells, porcelains, paintings) and Aurora's history

Quezon Memorial Park - The birthplace of President Quezon

• Ermita Hill overlooks the Pacific Ocean.
• The town was devastated on December 27, 1735, during Tromba Marina destructive tidal wave

Bataan

• Features Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar - a beach resort, convention center, and heritage destination
• Mt. Samat Shrine aka Dambana ng Kagitingan - memorializes bravery and symbolizes heroism of Filipino and American forces
• The shrine includes the Colonnade and the Memorial Cross

Central Luzon region

• Features Mt. Arayat and Mt. Pinatubo in Pampanga, and Anawangin Cove, Nagsasa Cove, Potipot Island, and Capones Island in Zambales
• The Philippine International Hot-air Balloon Festival in Pampanga is also one of the most anticipated events.

Region IV-A – CALABARZON

• Batangas is a popular holiday destination near Manila.
• Taal Volcano is the smallest active volcano in the Philippines
• Fortune Island - features pillars called the Acropolis, faces freshwater shortage, and typhoons.

Laguna

• Features minerals hot and cold springs, waterfalls, and forest areas
• Pagsanjan Falls enables boat rides or "shooting the rapids."
• The Enchanted Kingdom is the first world-class theme park.
• Hot spring resorts are at Pansol, warmed by Mt. Makiling which is dormant

Rizal

• Has hills and valleys stretching form Montalban and Antipolo to Laguna de Bay
• Activities feature biking, mountain climbing and camping amidst hills, lakeshores, caves, and waterfalls.
• Known as the "Cradle of Philippine Art," with many art galleries in Angono

Daranak Falls

• Located at the bottom of the Tanay mountain range and ornamented with trees

Angono – Binangonan

• Featuring site discovered by Carlos “Botong” Francisco, in 1965.
• It is a cultural heritage site from the stone age
• Known for 127 drawings of human and animal figures

Higantes Festival

• A celebration to express gratitude to patron Saint Clement held in Angono

Mt. Pamitinan

• Provides levels of difficulty climbing due to existing limestone crags and marble boulders

CALABARZON

• Features beaches and islands in Quezon, People’s Park in the Sky and Sky Ranch in Tagaytay, Cavite, and Tanay Sea of Clouds in Rizal.

Region IV-B – MIMAROPA

• Palawan is made of 1,780 islands with El Nido and Coron
• Features cliffs, beaches, scuba diving,coral reefs, and forests
• Palawan houses the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

• Features cave systems, limestone karst landscapes, forests, natural beauty, and wildlife
• Distinctive characteristics is One of its rivers enters directly into the sea, and one portion is influence by tidal effects

Tubbataha Reef Marine Park

• Has North and South Atolls and the Jessie Beazley Reef
• The North Islet serves as a nesting site for marine turtles and birds
• Contains a magnificent wall, vast lagoons, and islands

Calauit Safari Park

• A game and wildlife reserve on Calauit Island in Coron, Palawan
• This conservation facility is containing Palawan's Calamian island chain critically endangered species
• Provides a safari tour

Coron Reefs

• Located in Busuanga Island and comprises lakes enclosed by rock
• Features coral reefs and marine life

Other Tourist spots in MIMAROPA

• Poctoy White Beach in Marinduque, Tabon Caves in Palawan, Looc Fish Sanctuary in Romblon, and Puerto Galera in Mindoro.

Region V – Bicol Region

• Albay is mountainous with plains and valleys.
• Mayon Volcano National Park - Known for perfect cone
• Features endangered species
• Offers ATV tours
• Includes the Cagsawa Ruins with only the belfry and some parts of the convent available

Other know attractions in the region

• Shrine of the Black Nazarene and Calaguas Islands in Camarines Norte, Peñafrancia Basilica and Caramoan Islands in Camarines Sur, and Donsol Whale Shark Interaction Center in Sorsogon.

Region VI – Western Visayas

• Aklan is one of the oldest province in the country
• Boracay has beaches,sunset, and community, and is known as the “Beach Capital of the Philippines.” also ranked at the top in Asia

Willy’s Rock

• Statue that is popular in Boracay,
• Boracay Oceanarium has the most long stretched underwater tunnel of Philippines with pearls

Negors Occidental

• Bacolod known due to Masskara fest
• Landmarks of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson is The Ruins because its burned out

Region VII – Central Visayas

• Bohol is where u can hear cultural, visual and performing arts
• Chocolate hill can be observe by land as well

Loboc River

• Features restaurants that are floating
• Has a river where u serenaded by local musicians

Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary

• In bohol ecotourism where primate that are small and endangered

Cebu

• Magellan cross by Ferdinand and his discovery of land from Spanish

• Cebu Basilica is famous because original of old religious relic

Ceby safari of adventure

Negros

• Dumaguete offers way of life
• Cathedral completed in 1776

Siquijor Molave can be found where surrounded with fireflies Cambugahay

Region VIII – Eastern Visayas

• Easten Samar is famous in Homonhon and Ferdinand first step in Philippine on March 16 1521

• Adon has beautiful plants

• Divinubo faces pacific ocean with reef and lagoons

Leyte

• Versatile provice like San Juanio Bridges by land
• Sambawan is other side
• Kalanggaman is bird like wing

Region IX – Zamboanga Peninsula

• Zamboanga Del Norte and Rizal declared plaza
• Rizal shine is historic

Region X – Northern Mindanao

• Bukidnon is the largest province and an eco-tourism that has natural resource.

• Mount capistrano is for those landmarks.

• Dahilayan Forest has resort and activity

Camiguin

sunken and cemetery

Region XI – Davao Region

• Sur has highest peak of Philippines known as mt Apo and durian as capital, Davao city os nature friendly Also has eagles birds

Region XII – SOCCSKSARGEN Cota has the fruits for baskets of MinDanao and lakes

Region XIII – Caraga

• Surf capitol and white sand, Cloud 9 Is to watch sun rise.
• Tayangban cave is cave pull has bamboo

BARMM – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

• Maguindanao Has Redevouer for potiental tourists
• masid Is to symbol peace and love