Sarah
Breathtaking Waterfalls, surrounded by lush green vegetation, amazing fine white sand beaches and a water so turquoise blue and clear that you think it’s photoshopped – yep, you are in the Philippines!
In 2018 I spent over a month exploring various islands and destination in the Philippines and madly fell in love with the country. So, let’s dive right into it and let me show you my personal best places to visit on this gorgeous group of islands!
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Palawan - Port Barton
If you have read the table of content and wondered why El Nido is not on the list: It is because of Port Barton. Port Barton is what El Nido must have been before it got too crowded.
Nowadays El Nido is horribly chaotic and dirty. It is known for food poisoning and locals believe that it might be the next place to be shut down after Boracay (which is open again).
But Port Barton is gorgeous. It has a laid-back vibe, friendly locals and some gorgeous islands offshore. And that’s why Port Barton made it on my list of the best places to visit in the Philippines! Same as in El Nido, there is four tours (creatively named: Tour A, Tour B, Tour C and Tour D). Just that they take you to places that are stunning and not crowded – and they cost half of the price of the tours in El Nido.
However, one warning: don’t expect energy 24 hours! Energy supply is limited to the night in Port Barton and only very few hotels run generators over the day. But why should you need this anyway? Get back to the calmer tranquility of Port Barton and just relax in a hammock if it is too hot without AC :).
You can find more about Port Barton (and yes, El Nido…) in my three-week itinerary for Palawan!
Palawan - Linapacan Island
Linapacan Islands is a remote group of islands, tucked in between El Nido and Coron. It is frequently found in list about the clearest waters in the WORLD – and this is no exaggeration.
We went snorkeling there and visibility was around 35m at least (if you have been diving, you know those numbers are very rare). And the beaches are amazing too – they flatly go into the sea and there is virtually no stones on most of them.
Most islands on Linapacan are uninhabited and there is no way to stay on them though. In my opinion, the best way to explore these gorgeous islands is with Tao Philippines. This eco-conscious company takes you from El Nido to Coron (and vice versa) on a 5D/4N sailing experience along these islands. And I promise, you will have the time of your life!
Also read: Tao Philippines – five days in paradise with the lost boys
Palawan - Malcapuya Island
Malcapuya Island is exactly what you would imagine a perfect beach from a catalog shooting look like: purest white sand, crystal-clear and warm water, and palm trees softly moving in the wind.
In order to get to Malcapuya Island, you need to first go to Coron and then take a boat from there. There are group tours going to Malcapuya Island and neighboring Banana island every day. You can also hire your own captain to take you there.
Unfortunately, this way you will have to share paradise with others. However, what most people don’t know: you can actually stay and sleep on the island! The groups will leave in the afternoon and then Malcapuya island gets deserted. Just as you always wished it to be from the moment you set foot on the island.
(Okay, that’s actually not true as your boat will stop on the other side of the small island – where the beach is not pretty – and walk like 200m to get to the paradise beach. But who cares?)
Cebu - Kawasan Falls
The Kawasan falls are probably one of the most instagrammed places in the Philippines. And for a good reason: they are stunning! They are for sure one of the must see places in the Philippines – not only for Instagrammers!
Also read: The ultimate Instagram travel bucket list – most instaworthy places around the world
Only when you are there, you will believe me that the water color is not photoshopped to this green-turquoise. (In my experience, most waterfalls are actually rather yellowish due to the minerals and the stone below).
In order to beat the crowds and really enjoy these falls, you should stay in Moalboal. From there, you can rent a scooter and drive to Kawasan falls in the morning. This way you will arrive before the group tours from Cebu flock in. Bring shoes and not only flip-flops as the paths to the upper falls (there is actually three levels of falls) can be really slippery!
Read: Instaworthy Kawasan Falls – how to make the most of your visit
Central Visayas - Siquijor Island
Siquijor is a real gem in the central Visayas! As it does not have a commercial airport (yet), it is not (yet) overrun by tourists. Locals didn’t like to visit there either as some believe the island is cursed/inhabited by witches.
Well, the only thing we found to be bewitching was its natural beauty! Siquijor Island boasts some of the most amazing waterfalls for bathing that I have seen so far (except for the mentioned Kawasan Falls in Cebu). This is my best tip for a beautiful undiscovered place in the Philippines!
While most people head straight to Cambugahay falls (and we went too) – there is many more waterfalls to find. We rented a scooter and simply explored the island on our own. And then the most magical thing happen (okay, so maybe there IS witches!): We found a secret waterfall. There was NO one around – it even had a grotto that you could swim into!
Read: The Secret Waterfalls Of Siquijor – A Complete Guide!
But this was not the most secret waterfall we found – we even visited one waterfall that is NOT ON GOOGLE MAPS. We were the only tourists there – although this one was not deserted. My first reflex was to correct Google Maps. But then I thought if the locals maybe come here once in a while to bathe without tourists. So I did not mark it and instead just enjoyed it. Take nothing but pictures and memories and leave nothing but footprint. 🙂
So my advice for Siquijor Island: Rent a scooter. Go to Cambugahay falls early in the morning before the crowd arrives. And then explore on your own. Maybe you’ll visit our magical waterfall. If no one is there: Go skinny dipping and feel connected to the nature.
Central Visayas - Bohol
We initially didn’t plan to go to Bohol (but ended up with a short stop there due to ferry schedules being wildly inaccurate online). But when we spent the day there, we wished we had more time to stay there!
Bohol is famous for the chocolate hills – weird, cone-shaped hills that even experts aren’t sure about where they come from.
And then there is the Tarsiers – the world’s smallest monkeys – and they are super, super cute! You can see them in different places on the island. Be wary though as they are endangered and a lot of the places are not cool! I also wrote down more about this in my one-day itinerary for Bohol (if you happen to be there just for one day like us :D)
Also read: Bohol in one day – the ultimate itinerary!
Boracay
I am naming Boracay as the last place to visit in the Philippines as I have not been there yet personally. It has been on many must see places in the Philippines lists by travel bloggers for years though. Check this Boracay travel guide to find out everything you need to know about Boracay!
When we visited in May/June 2018, Boracay was still closed to the public due to the pollution. However, now might just be the perfect time to visit, because it opened up again in November 2018. With many people having booked their holidays for 2019 already – this is your chance to see the island BEFORE it gets crowded again!
Also read: Best places to travel to in 2019 – these places won’t be the same in the future
I plan to visit Boracay end of 2019 – and then I will give you even more information afterwards! 🙂
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