The most beautiful natural sites to discover Visayas

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.

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!

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).

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).

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.

Mount Bandilaan, in the center of the island is the highest point of Siquijor at 628 meters. The park office is located in Cantabon near the caves of the same name. The 360-degree view from the watchtower and the surrounding landscape are worth the trip on a clear day. This mountain is home to the mystical village of San Antonio, famous for hosting during the holy week many healers who exchange their knowledge to prepare various potions and concoctions (for a fee of course, count on about 500 PHP). The Good Friday ceremony is worth seeing.

A ten-minute walk from the D'Mall on the island's east coast, Bulabog Beach is a favorite with windsurfers and kitesurfers, especially between October and May when the winds are strong, and of course with anyone who enjoys watching them. Less flashy than White Beach, the beach itself is not breathtakingly beautiful, especially at high tide, and can even be dirty at times. It's not suitable for swimming. On the other hand, the atmosphere is much more relaxed, youthful and sporty, especially in season.

Alert, secret beach! This magnificent beach is not yet occupied by any hotel. The water is incredibly beautiful (it is more pleasant at high tide) and the sand is remarkably soft. Do as the locals do and spread wet sand on their bodies(sand massage), it is very pleasant. Few tourists know this place. At sunset it is also a treat for the eyes. To get there, go to the Minalulan baranguay and after the basketball court, go to the end of the road, there is a sari-sari, you can access the beach from there.

This underground river has been open to the public since 2018. With a life jacket, headlamp, and a guide, one descends along a steeply sloping staircase before reaching the entrance of the cave in which one can easily stay for an hour swimming, observing the bats and the different rock formations. It's fun if you like being underground. Be careful, the road leading to it is quite steep, so drive carefully if you are on a scooter.

This 400 year old Balete (a kind of fig tree) is the oldest tree in Siquijor. Besides being sumptuous with its huge roots intertwining with its drooping vines and branches, this tree is surrounded by a multitude of legends. At its feet, an artificial basin is filled by a mysterious water source. If you need a pedicure, dip your feet in it, small fish will eat your feet (well, the dead skin). It's a fun (or unpleasant, you be the judge) experience. People laugh and the tree sits majestically.

Kalanggaman Island lies off the coast of the town of Palompon, which can be reached in 1? hours by van from Ormoc (150 PHP). There are boats waiting to take you there. It's one of the most beautiful islands in the archipelago, best known for its narrow, powdery white sandbank that stretches for 800 metres through turquoise water. What a pleasure to stroll along this thin strip, with the impression of walking in the middle of the sea! It's possible to swim, snorkel and even picnic and camp on the island for an even more immersive experience.

At 680 hectares, Lake Danao (not to be confused with Lake Ormoc) is the largest lake in the Visayas. You can't swim here, but you can rent a kayak. The other main activity is a zip-line over the lake to one of its islets. There are two restaurants serving Filipino cuisine. To be honest, the complex is a bit derelict (the resort is abandoned, which is amazing to see), so you're unlikely to spend more than an hour there. However, it's well worth the detour to admire the view and chat with the locals.