The most beautiful natural sites to discover Philippines

On more than 10 hectares, this superb park owes the passion of its two creators: Patricia and Nicolas (we will also admire the superb collection of art in the park). Today, open to the public at a low price, it is a pleasure to walk along the further of this huge botanical garden where some animals live in freedom, and where life seems to have regained all its rights. So you say we are under the charm, because of the quiet side (it is no coincidence that Prana gives his yoga lessons in the park…) than because of the beauty of this realization. One day, rooms should be a day to add a little magic to your stay in the Philippines. We love.

The Chocolate Hills are one of the Philippines' most popular tourist attractions. In fact, there are 1,268 hills, ranging in height from 60 to 120 m, whose vegetation suffers from the dry months of December to April, giving a chocolate hue to these geological curiosities, hence their name. In reality, the dry season is not quite dry, and rains are not uncommon in Bohol between December and April (sorry to break it to you). Legend has it that these hills are the tears that fell from the eyes of a giant. And it's true that there's something mythological about these domes - you can imagine Hobbits living there...

Getting there. Follow the road towards Carmen. The journey through winding roads, rice paddies and forests is very picturesque. The 2 km passage through the Bilar Man-Made Forest is particularly beautiful. This is a forest of mahogany trees planted by the locals as part of a reforestation project over 50 years ago, the lanky trees reaching dizzying heights. Once you arrive, you have to park in the parking lot on the main road and pay the parking and environmental fees. Shuttles then take visitors to the viewpoint, 5 minutes away. You have to climb 214 steps to reach the 360-degree panoramic viewpoint and embrace these hundreds of small hills. The view is far more impressive in fine weather, of course. It's a quick tour. Combine your visit with that of the tarsiers and the Loboc River.

It is a long white sand beach quickly accessible from the center of El Nido, by tricycle or even on foot. There are a lot of boats and swimming is not ideal, especially at low tide, but people come here mostly for the beautiful sunsets, the picturesque view of the surrounding islands and its length, more than 600 meters, is conducive to a pleasant stroll. However, several restaurants, bars and hotels have settled along the beach. It remains a beautiful beach where it is interesting to make a stop.

It can be reached in five minutes from the centre of the city. Tables and benches are installed for picnic. It is a superb beach of fine sand, ideal for bathing or snorkeling.

The main reason travelers come to Coron (Busuanga) is to discover the surrounding islands, such as Coron Island, considered one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines (would it be an exaggeration to say in the world? We'll let you be the judge). Between lagoons, lakes, turquoise waters and karst cliffs, the landscapes are majestic and of rare beauty. The most beautiful sites open to the public are the Small and Big Lagoon (Twin Lagoon). The water is cold on the surface, but warm at depth due to the presence of numerous underwater hot springs. Snorkelers can set their sights on the Siete Pecados spot (100 PHP entrance fee). Beautiful coral and plenty of fish. One of the region's major attractions are the crystal-clear lakes of Barracuda and Kayangan. Barracuda is an excellent site for scuba diving and snorkeling - you can expect to see... barracudas, of course! Admission costs 150 PHP. To get to Kayangan, it's a bit of a climb, but you'll be rewarded with a breathtaking panorama of Coron Bay. And the water is unbelievably pure - it's said to be the cleanest lake in the country. A magical site. The other lakes are off-limits to visitors, out of respect for the indigenous Tagbanua tribes who live on Coron. For snorkeling, we recommend Balinsasayaw Reef, a spot where you can observe magnificent corals and a host of multicolored fish, including clownfish playing in their anemones. A magical place.

As in El Nido, island hopping is the best way to see as many sites as possible in a single day. All hotels and agencies in Coron offer them. These group tours last around 8 hours and include lunch, entrance fees to the sites and transfer from the hotel. The tours are fixed; here are a few examples:

The Coron Island Super Ultimate Tour: the most comprehensive, we'll see the seven most beautiful sites: Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, Twin Peaks Coral Garden, Beach 91, Balinsasayaw Reef, CYC Beach and Twin Lagoon. Approx. PHP 1,800.

Coron Island Ultimate Tour C : Siete Pecados, Kayangan Lake, Skeleton Wreck, white sand beach (Banol, Atwayan, Smith or Beach 91), Twin Lagoon, Coral Garden and Cyc Beac. Approx. PHP 1,700.

Coron Tour B: Barracuda Lake, Twin Lagoon, a white-sand beach (Banol, Atwayan, Smith or Beach 91), Skeleton Wreck and Reef Garden. Approx. PHP 1,400.

Please note. All the boats leave at the same time in the morning, and we regret the crowds at the sites, although we understand them (we come to Coron mainly for island hopping). Rest assured, however, that the crowds in no way detract from the spectacular beauty of the scenery and the magic of the experience.

For greater peace of mind, autonomy and flexibility in choosing which sites to visit,opts for a private boat tour. Approx. PHP 4,000/person. This also allows you to request an early morning departure and avoid the crowds at the sites.

Smart tip : all agencies in Coron Town offer roughly the same services, so don't hesitate to negotiate prices a little. Another tip is to bring your own mask and snorkel (rental available), as well as a waterproof pouch to carry your phone to the various sites. Last but not least, protect yourself from the sun if you don't want to end up a crayfish at the end of the day.

On the main road, at one end of San Juan, the Tubod Marine Sanctuary is an area of more than seven hectares that has been protected for more than thirty years and where you can dive, swim or snorkel. It is undoubtedly the most beautiful spot to admire the corals and fishes in Siquijor. It is possible to rent snorkeling equipment (at the entrance, on the beach) or diving equipment (at the diving center of Coco Grove Beach Resort on the beach). The white sandy beach is beautiful and the sea is calm and crystal clear. Be careful, it is important to check the tides to go there when the tide is high otherwise swimming is not very pleasant. On the way there, a small hut offers fruit juices and other drinks. The seabed is very nice because it is protected, i.e. fishing is forbidden as well as the degradation of corals or the collection of shells. Among the hundreds of fish you can see, the famous clown fish (Nemo) playing in its anemone, the parrot fish, the grouper, the lion fish... all more colorful than the others. And what about the corals? It is quite exceptional to be able to access such a rich and bright coral garden only twenty meters from the beach. The Tubod sanctuary is also known to be home to giant clams, mollusks that can grow up to one meter. If you are lucky, you may even see sea turtles. A must-see in Siquijor!

An hour's drive from Dumaguete, this unique natural park offers great hiking around the two lakes(Twin Lakes): Balinsasayao and Danao. Formed more than 10,000 years ago by a volcanic eruption, these lakes are in fact craters, 90 meters deep, which have filled with water. Here, the vegetation is flamboyant and the fauna varied. Remember to bring binoculars to try to see deer and wild boar as well as a multitude of birds. It is possible to visit the park with or without a guide and also to paddle.

A dreamy beach with golden sand and coconut trees, it is the ideal place to play the Robinsons, the perfect place to withdraw from the world for a few days, bask in the sun during the day or do some diving and have a drink to admire the beautiful sunsets. Some resorts occupy the beach without altering it too much for the moment, but since 2021, a bridge has been built, making access to the beach much easier (before it was only accessible by boat). No doubt that things will change soon. Enjoy it before...

To the northeast of Ormoc, Lake Danao offers a beautiful excursion in the surrounding area. The lake was placed under state protection in 1972 and named after the wife of dictator Marcos, Imelda Lake, before becoming Danao Lake in 1998. Danao simply means "lake" in Tagalog, which explains why other lakes, such as Camotes Island, are so named. You can kayak or picnic on one of the floating huts. A breath of fresh air.

We've fallen in love with the waterfall also known as Zodiac Falls! Nestled among rocks and lush vegetation, the 7-metre waterfall is magnificent, with caves hidden beneath trickles of water and rounded, polished rocks. It's very pleasant to swim in, and the more adventurous can climb over the side to jump off (the rocks are not slippery, surprisingly). For the rest of us, it's just as exhilarating to watch the adventurers (often the locals) perform impressive pirouettes. Great atmosphere. We recommend it!

Caramoan Islands National Park, nestled on the peninsula of the same name northeast of Naga. It is one of the wildest places in the Philippines. Its limestone cliffs that plunge into the sea, its wild vegetation, its white sandy beaches and turquoise waters have an air of El Nido and Coron in northern Palawan. In short: sublime. Caramoan, if the name rings a bell, it is perhaps because the filming of Koh Lanta was held there in 2008 and more recently returned in 2023 for the ^24th edition of the cult show. In between, many versions of the North American Survivor have also taken place here. And Caramoan has become a bit of a reality TV 'paradise'. However, there are still great opportunities for adventurers, especially around Caramoan and Paniman. The most beautiful islands are : Lahuy, Matukad, Pitogo, Sabitang Laya, Minalahos, Lahus, Hunongan, Gota, Cotivas and Tinago.

Activities. There is something for everyone, from the traditional island hopping to explore the islands by boat, to diving and the many caves and beaches to explore.

Getting there. Recently, Caramoan National Park has been reached directly by land. From Naga: direct bus (5h, 260 PHP) or van to Sabang Port (1h30, 150 PHP) then boat to Guijalo Port (2h, departures from 6am to 11am, 120 PHP). Then tricycle to Caramoan (30 minutes, 120 PHP).

Don't miss this sublime seashell-filled beach, known as Puka Shell, where there's no accommodation whatsoever. There are, however, a few small restaurants and cold drink vendors. The site is truly magnificent: turquoise water, no seaweed, white sand... a real postcard! Ideal for a day of total idleness and a quiet picnic (remember to bring everything with you). You can get there by banca along the coast of Boracay, or by tricycle from White Beach (the road ends at Puka Beach).

Classified by Unesco, the Apo Reef is the second largest contiguous coral reef in the world (after the barrier reef in Australia) and the largest in the Philippines. It is to dive in the heart of this magnificent natural park that one goes to Sablayan essentially. The reef consists of three islets, Apo Island, Apo Manor and Cayos del Bajo, surrounded by white sand beaches. On Apo Island, a lighthouse offers a 360 degree view, it is superb. Nearly 400 species of fish including sharks, manta rays and giant napoleons - one of the largest fish, which can reach 2 meters, live more than 30 years and is part of those fish that change sex during their life, they are born female before becoming for some males. But also, there are more than 200 species of corals that inhabit these dizzying seabeds. Located at 34 kilometers from Sablayan, it takes about two hours by banca to reach Apo Reef. Since Apo Reef is very exposed to the weather, it is sometimes impossible to get there, especially during the rainy season. Therefore, prefer the season from October to May. If the reef is renowned among divers as one of the most beautiful dive sites in the country. Apo Reef is also a natural paradise for all others, as walking on the white sandy beaches of Apo Island, watching the birds, climbing the lighthouse, swimming in the crystal clear waters or kayaking are all forms of enchantment.

The Cambugahay waterfalls are one of the major attractions of the island, below the road between San Juan and Lazi. To avoid the crowds, try to go early in the morning, before 10am. The water is of an unreal color, the place of an enchanting beauty. Staircase pools, arcs of waterfalls, warm turquoise water, it is pleasant to stay there for an hour or two, to swim, picnic and why not spend a few extra pesos and try one of the liana jumps (1, 6 or 11 meters). It's wonderful!

No one can pass through Siquijor without hearing about the legendary sunsets on Paliton Beach, and with good reason. Two kilometers northwest of San Juan, this beach is splendid, bathed in crystal-clear waters. Deserted during the day and with no accommodations to disturb the peacefulness of the place, Paliton Beach takes on another dimension in the late afternoons, and especially on weekends when many locals come to enjoy the view and the atmosphere, with passing travelers mingling with the merrymakers. An alley of street-food stalls unfolds, providing an opportunity to try out all these local delicacies: try dynamite, for example, chillies coated in cheese and deep-fried, or mango turon, bitter mango chunks in soy sauce, accompanied by fresh fruit juice or beer. You can sit on the big tables or on the giant swings (to take your Instagram photo!). And then, of course, the beach fills up from 4pm with small groups of people meeting up with friends, playing music, splashing around in the water and waiting impatiently for the highlight of the show: slowly, the sun descends into the sky, before disappearing behind the mountains of Negros Oriental and beginning to color the sky and sea in a thousand and one shades of blue, pink and orange. Siquijor in general and Paliton Beach in particular have not stolen their reputation as the most beautiful sunsets in the Philippines. A must-see spot on the island!

White Beach is Boracay's main attraction. The beach stretches for four kilometers along the west coast, between the villages of Angol and Balabag. Considered one of the most beautiful stretches of sand in the world, it is a national geological treasure. The dazzling white sand has an incredibly soft, powdery texture; it seems to have been sifted over and over again. The water is warm, ideal for swimming. The sunsets here are unrivalled in their beauty - among the most beautiful in the Philippines, without a doubt!

That's all well and good, but the other side of the coin is a little less sexy: during the hottest months, from February to around May, green algae invade and ruin White Beach. What's more, during the off-season, the wind forces the hotels to "barricade" themselves to avoid getting sanded up: huge tarpaulins line the beach and, although it's easy to walk from the hotels to the beach, it loses some of its legendary charm. Finally, as the most beautiful beach on the island, which is perhaps the most touristy in the archipelago, it's crowded. Nevertheless, White Beach is well worth a visit, if only to sip a juice as the sun sets.

In practice, the beach is divided into three sectors: Station 1 is home to the largest hotels (and therefore the widest beach); Station 2 is the heart of the resort, with hotels, bars and restaurants; Station 3 is more peaceful (small hotels, much less crowded).

Also known as Magsaysay Island, it can be reached from the village of San Roque in 20 minutes by boat. It lies off the east coast of Camiguin and is home to a few fishing families. The sand on this small island is even whiter than on White Island, and the rocky seabed makes it ideal for snorkeling. You can also enjoy grilled fish, shellfish or soup. Please note that the maximum time on the island is 4 hours.

Located in the center of the island, this cave was discovered in 1985. It is about 300 meters long and 10 meters wide and has an impressive underground river where you can take a dip. The visit is a bit acrobatic but fortunately one or two guides accompany each visitor. One thing is sure: you have to like adventure and not be claustrophobic but it's worth it! Remember to take good shoes (with water) and be careful, we come out a little dirty from this little escapade.

On this beautiful beach, you will be able to taste culinary specialties such as sutukil which combines the three ways of cooking fish: sugba (grilled fish), tula (fish soup) and kinelaw (fish marinated in vinegar sauce). It is also the only place where you can taste sinakol, a corn cake cooked in a bamboo tube. The hearty plate will not cost you more than 50 PHP. From the shore, you can see the island of Apo just in front. However, many resorts have taken up residence on this beach.

White Island" is an incomparably soft sandbank - immaculately white, if you must know - up to three hundred metres long at low tide, disappearing completely at high tide. White Island lies two kilometers between Agoho and the beaches of Yumbing, just behind the Hibok-Hibok volcano. It's the ideal place to sunbathe, snorkel or simply enjoy the view of the surrounding area from this paradise islet. However, it's best to get there early in the morning or at the end of the day, as there's no shade on this sandbar glistening in the turquoise blue of the Mindanao Sea, and what's more, you may be the only ones to enjoy the island for an hour or so.

Underwater. White Beach is also an excellent expedition for snorkeling enthusiasts, just around the beach and some three hundred meters from the islet. Its seabed is actually home to a sloping reef ranging in depth from six to twenty-five metres. To explore it, however, you need to be a certified " advanced " diver. Among other things, there's a magnificent black coral garden, and an occasional current offers the chance to see bigger fish and feel yourself fly as the current carries you away... For experienced divers only. Fish are abundant here, with stingrays, moray eels, scorpion fish and crabs to name but a few.