A PIECE OF HEAVEN HERE ON EARTH

Not all countries are as bestowed with rich natural resources, meticulously developed man-made wonders, and inherently good and beautiful people as the Philippines undoubtedly is. Some of these treasures are hidden in the remotest of towns waiting to be found, while some are out in the open – proud in all their glory and majesty.

Come, join me in this exciting, visually-satiating and (if I may say so myself) informative journey of discovering and exploring all the exquisite gems of the country. I assure you that when we’re done, you’ll never be prouder that Philippines is your home. 🙂

 

THE BEAUTY OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES IS SIMPLY BREATHTAKING!

The softly rolling hills that could soothe anyone’s weary soul

The Rolling Hills of Batanes. Photo credit: Bong Bajo. To know the must-see spots in Batanes, click here. For more amazing pictures of Batanes, click here.

 

The serenity and rustic charm of the countryside

Photo credit: basf.com. To know more about the country’s most beautiful towns, click here.

 

The pristine, powdery white-sand beaches

White Sand Beach, Boracay. Photo credit: lhongchou’s photography. For a list of the best Philippine beaches, click here.

 

The magnificent and towering limestone cliffs

El Nido, Palawan. Photo credit: delmundotravelandtours.com. Aside from cliff diving, the country offers a wide range of extreme activities for thrill-seeking tourists. Here’s the list.

 

The exotic marine life and coral reefs

Tubbataha Reef National Park , Sulu Sea, Palawan. Photo credit: planetphilippines.com. For the best dive destinations in the country, click here.

 

The gigantic, strong waves that surfers simply can’t get enough of

Cloud 9, Siargao, Surigao del Norte. Photo credit: primer.com.ph. For the country’s best surfing destinations, click here.

 

The grandiose and romantic lakes

Kayangan Lake in Coron, Palawan. Photo credit: thecarpediemer.com. For the list of the best lakes in the Philippines, click here.

 

The picture-perfect lagoons

Tayak Lagoon in Caramoan, Camarines Sur. Photo credit: guide.alibaba.com. To know the country’s best lagoons, click here.

 

The deafening downpour of the refreshing water from the falls

Tinago Falls, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte. Photo credit: Runel Reyes. For the best waterfalls in the Philippines, click here.

The other side of Tinago Falls. Photo credit: Rosario C. Liwag.

 

The stunning crater lakes (Who would have thought that a devastating volcanic eruption can create something this beautiful?)

Mt. Pinatubo. Photo credit: bamboo.travel. To get to know Mt. Pinatubo, click here.

 

The shimmering waters of the seas and oceans (with colors that can easily change from turquoise to sapphire to emerald to deep blue-green, depending on the glint of the sun)

Amanpulo island-resort, Palawan. Photo credit: wanderluxe.theluxenomad.com. Curious to know where you can find the clearest waters in the country? Click here.

 

The lush mangrove forests and freshwater marshes

Bohol Mangrove Forest Reserve. Photo credit: Roberto Verzo. To know more about our mangroves, click here.

 

The stunning vista of sunrises

Mt. Pulag, Benguet. Photo credit: Justin Monteron. Here are the ten spots in the country that guarantee an amazing view of sunrises.

 

The brilliant hues of the sunsets

Aurora Blvd., Manila. Photo credit: angestudyantesaseptictank.wordpress.com. Here are the spots in the country that allow one to witness magical sunsets.

 

The rain forests that are rich in rare flora and fauna

The forest of Palawan, considered as the last ecological frontier of the Philippines. Photo credit: thetravelworld.com. For the list of the flora and fauna endemic to the country, click here.

 

The unique conical karst hills

Chocolate Hills in Bohol, in their naturally verdant colors. Photo credit: Reana Lovenaria. To see the other tourist spots in Bohol, click here.

The Chocolate Hills turn chocolate brown during the dry season. Photo credit: attracttour.com. To learn the four legends behind this extraordinary landscape, click here.

 

The magnificent sea of clouds that is every mountaineer’s dream destination

Mt. Pulag National Park (dubbed as the Playground  of the Gods). Photo credit: Edgar Alan Zeta-Yap. For the things to do and places to visit when you’re in Benguet, click here.

 

The quiet, secluded coves

Anawangin Cove, San Antonio, Zambales. Photo credit: pinoymanila.com. To know more about the best coves in the country, click here.

 

The relaxing cascade of water from the hot and cold springs

Mainit Hot Spring, Compostela Valley. Photo credit: pinasmuna.com. For a list of the best natural springs in the Philippines, click here.

Timoga Cold Spring, Iligan City. Photo credit: greentravelphilippines.com.

 

The mystical and elaborate limestone caves with all its elegant stalagmites and stalactites

Callao Cave, Penablanca, Cagayan Valley. Photo credit: Adrian Checa. To know the country’s most popular caves, click here.

 

The enchanting rivers with their slow-moving shimmering freshwater

Photo credit: Michael Yap

Both are pictures of the Enchanted River. Photo credit: grp.ph. If you’re interested to know the longest rivers in the Philippines, click here.

 

The colossal, potentially-dangerous volcanoes that stand tall in their splendor

Mayon Volano, Albay. Photo credit: earthwaystravel.com. Want to know the most active volcanoes in the country? Click here.

 

The unique beaches lining the coast

Valugan Boulder Beach, Basco, Batanes. Photo credit: Jonas.ph. Philippine beaches are not just white and gray sand. We also have Black sand beaches (Sto. Domingo, Bacacay and Tiwi, Albay; Dauin, Negros Oriental; Puerto Azul, Ternate, Cavite: Laoag, Ilocos Norte), Pink sand beaches (Subic Beach, Matnog, Sorsogon; Sta. Cruz Islands, Zamboanga), Golden-yellow sand beach (Patar, Bolinao, Pangasinan), Brown sand beaches (Currimao, Ilocos Norte; Sabang, Palawan; Nacpan, El Nido), Round pebble beach (Mabua, Surigao City), Volcanic ash beach (San Antonio, Zambales), Sand ridges (Cagbalete Island, Mauban, Quezon), and of course, Boulder beach (Basco, Batanes). Here‘s the list of Philippine beaches perfect for barefoot walking.

 

The exotic islands dotting the archipelago

Hundred Islands, Alaminos, Pangasinan. Photo credit: filipinotrekker.wordpress.com. The Philippines consists of an estimated 7,641 islands. If you want to see the list of the named islands, click here.

 

The dramatic landscape of the vast sand dunes

La Paz Sand Dunes, Laoag, Ilocos, Norte. Photo credit: langyaw.com. For things to do in Ilocos Norte, click here.

 

The breathtakingly panoramic sandbars

Sandbar Island Beach Resort, Conception, Iloilo. Photo credit: mikelaagan.com. For some of the country’s most amazing sandbars, click here.

 

The highest peaks to conquer

Mt. Apo, Mindanao. Photo credit: Albert’s photo collection. Here are the best mountains to climb in the Philippines.

 

The winding underground river with its many chambers

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan. Photo credit: chateaucrescentine.wordpress.com. To know and see more of Puerto Princesa, click here.

 

 

THE MAN-MADE WONDERS ARE EQUALLY SPECTACULAR!

The awe-inspiring rice terraces

Banaue Rice Terraces, Ifugao. Photo credit: journeyetc.com. Celebrate the country’s world heritage sites by clicking here.

 

The quaint villages

Calle Crisologo, Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Photo credit: to the owner. To know more about Calle Crisologo, click here.

 

The ruins with all their history and mystery

The Ruins, Talisay City, Negros Occidental. Photo credit: Jacci Austin. To know the most haunting abandoned places in the Philippines, click here.

 

The historical forts, shrines and other landmarks

MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park, Palo, Leyte. Photo credit: jessicarulestheuniverse.com. Here are the other tourist attractions in Leyte.

 

The old houses that take us down memory lane

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, Bagac, Bataan. Photo credit: Christian Bederico. To take a quick peek at the country’s only heritage resort by the sea, click here.

 

The hanging coffins as part of a dying tradition

Hanging Coffins, Sagada, Mountain Province. Photo credit: bookretreats.com. Enjoy a virtual exploration of Sagada by clicking here.

 

The imposing cathedrals, Baroque churches and Gothic basilica

Paoay Church, Ilocos Norte. Photo credit: travelilocandia.blogspot.com. For a list of some of the oldest churches in the country, click here.

 

The monstrous shopping malls

SM City North EDSA, Quezon City, Metro Manila. Photo credit: luxurylaunches.com. To know the country’s largest shopping malls, click here.

 

The impressive skyscrapers

Makati skyline. Photo credit: to the owner. Want to know the top 10 tallest buildings in the Philippines? Click here.

 

The fancy hotels and luxurious resorts

Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa, Panglao, Bohol. Photo credit: agoda.com. Don’t drool now, but here are the most luxurious resorts in the Philippines.

 

 

OUR RICH CULTURAL, HISTORICAL AND RELIGIOUS HERITAGE HAS BEEN WELL-PRESERVED!

Masskara Festival, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. Photo credit: incolors.club. Here‘s a guide to the most awesome festivals in the Philippines.

 

 

THE SUMPTUOUS FILIPINO CUISINE THAT IS NOW MAKING WAVES IN THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET!

Photo credit: asialifemagazine.com. Click here for the top iconic Filipino dishes.

 

 

AND, OF COURSE, THE WARM HOSPITALITY THAT FILIPINOS ARE KNOWN FOR ALL OVER THE WORLD!

Photo credit: Sabrina Lovino

 

 

INDEED, PHILIPPINES IS A GLORIOUS HAVEN FOR ANY TRAVELER!