Tourist Attractions & Monuments Philippines

It's a huge, well-kept park where Filipinos love to take their families for the day or even to stay. It's like a little country in the city. Tropical plants and flowers galore, a swimming pool, horseback rides and restaurants. The park is also home to a resort, or rather a lodge, for guests wishing to spend a night or more: there's a campsite, standard and deluxe rooms, as well as comfortable cottages and villas. It's not the height of luxury, but it's nice for a day out!

It's a surprising place, to say the least. Part restaurant, part café, part art gallery. A table is reserved for you in a very intimate corner of the garden, among the lush tropical plants and crazy sculptures of owner Eddie Fabancura. An art gallery features contemporary works by young artists from different parts of the country. The evening lights create a supernatural atmosphere. The cuisine, simmered in the oven, is excellent.

It dominates the Socsksargen region (2,293 m), in South Cotabato, around thirty kilometers from General Santos. Covering an area of 13,500 hectares, this former volcano has long since ceased to be active. Today, it is a popular destination for hikers. The trail starts in the municipality of Tupi, thirty minutes from General Santos. It takes between eight and ten hours to walk from its base. The vegetation is dense and the view from the summit (if it's not foggy) is superb.

The tourism department can organize a cruise on the river to meet the Manobo tribe, who live in boats converted into houses. Alternatively, you can hirea local speedboat . The Agusan River flows through Butuan. It is Mindanao's widest and longest navigable river, and the country's third largest. Striated by numerous tributaries, it flows through the middle of the Agusan Valley, from Davao del Norte in the south to Agusan del Norte in the north, where it empties into Butuan Bay. It is at the heart of local life.

The Bitaug Treeis located in Calocan, near Magallanes. With a diameter of almost 3 metres, it is over 500 years old and is perhaps the oldest tree in the country. As such, it has witnessed Spanish colonization, the Philippine revolution and the birth of Caraga as a region. After dark, it is inhabited by thousands of fireflies that light up the fishermen. You can see them up close (the natural Christmas Tree, as the Filipinos like to say): just ask a fisherman to take you there.

The Tuasan Falls are less popular with travellers than the Katibawasan Falls, yet they are just as impressive and just as refreshing. A lifeguard supervises the pool, so you can bathe in complete peace of mind, even though there's no current and you're on foot. The waterfall rises to a height of some twenty meters, and the water has pretty emerald-blue hues. We particularly appreciate its wooded, tropical ambience, with the waterfall surrounded by rocks and abundant, verdant wildlife. Very relaxing and photogenic.

The town of Coron is known worldwide as the gateway to many underwater wrecks. Indeed, several Japanese ships were sunk by the Americans during the Second World War. Some of them are up to 160 meters long and perfectly preserved (such as the Irako wreck), or are home to beautiful corals and abundant aquatic life (such as the Okikawa Maru, Akitsushima, Kogyo Maru or Olympia Maru wrecks). Beginners can dive around Lusong (9m) andEast Tanbgat (22m). An exceptional experience.

Tam-Awan means "viewpoint" in Ilocano. This art village, in addition to being very picturesque itself, does indeed offer beautiful views of the mountains. The village, composed of small huts, promotes local and regional artists. One can participate in workshops, buy the works produced on site by the artists, and even experience sleeping in traditional huts. There is also a charming café that serves traditional Filipino and local dishes such as chicken soup. We recommend it!

Letting a local guide take you on an authentic, in-depth tour of the city can be an excellent idea, especially in a capital like Manila, which at first glance can impress or even intimidate some travelers. Explore Manila Tours offers several themed half-day tours: a historical tour of the city with a guide who is also a true storyteller, a Filipino cooking class, or various food tours focusing on the Chinatown district or street-food in general.

This gigantic palace was built for Imelda Marcos and the family of the former dictator Marcos. It is almost as ostentatious as her shoe collection. It has a propagandistic side, as each room presents a province of the Philippines and the good deeds of Imelda Marcos, a native of Tacloban. In addition to the palace's insane architecture, the galleries are filled with works by local and European artists. A guided tour is mandatory.