Magsingal Museum

North Luzon

　　This branch of Vigan's Padre José Burgos National Museum, located 11km north of Vigan in Magsingal, displays an absorbing collection of Ilocano relics. An ancient-looking belfry (1732), part of the remains of a ruined old church, still stands in front of the museum. 　　The museum itself was once a convent...

Padre José Burgos National Museum

North Luzon

　　Built in 1788, this museum is in the ancestral home of Father José Burgos, one of the three martyr priests executed by the Spanish in 1872. It houses an extensive collection of Ilocano artefacts. Make sure to see the series of paintings by the locally famed painter Don Esteban Villanueva...

St Paul Cathedral

North Luzon

　　This church was built in ‘earthquake baroque’ style (ie thick-walled and massive) after an earlier incarnation was damaged by quakes in 1619 and 1627. The construction of the original wooden, thatched church is believed to have been supervised by Juan de Salcedo, lieutenant governor of the Ilocos region, in 1574....

La Nuestra Señora de La Asuncion Parish Church

North Luzon

　　A Unesco World Heritage Site 38km south of Vigan, this massive baroque structure built in 1769 is unique. It has an imposing brick facade and sits alone on a hill – rather than in the town square like most Spanish churches – overlooking the town of Santa Maria, giving it...

Pottery Factories

North Luzon

　　Prior to the arrival of the Spanish, Chinese settlers pioneered a still-active pottery industry. You can visit a couple of pottery factories on Gomez St. The 50m-long kiln at RG Jar, which was made in 1823 and can hold nearly 1000 jars, is a wonder to behold. Local potters let...

Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary

Sagada

　　In Canapnapan, a barangay of Corella, you can see saucer-eyed tarsiers in the wild at the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary. Over 100 of these territorial primates hang out in the immediate vicinity of the centre, though only eight are in the viewing area. The guides will bring you right to them...

Mestizo District

Sagada

　　The Mestizo District, or Kasanglayan ('where the Chinese live'), is a grid of streets hemmed in between Plaza Burgos and Liberation Blvd and bisected by the beautifully preserved Crisologo St. You can wander in a daze among ancestral homes and colonial-era architecture. The mansions here are beautiful and architecturally unique,...

Mainit Springs

Moalboal

　　These natural springs in Montañeza, 32km south of Moalboal make an attractive excursion (particularly on weekdays when it's less busy). The hottest spring tops out at 42°C and, according to the signage, 'cures skin disease and sickness of the body'. Clamber up the pretty canyon behind the springs to a...

White Beach

Moalboal

　　Glorious White Beach, where there's a broad stretch of sand and several midrange and luxury hotels, is 6km north of Panagsama. After bargaining, tricycles cost around P100 or habal-habal P50 to get here from Panagsama. ...

Kawasan Falls

Moalboal

　　Located in Badian, 17km south of Moalboal, Kawasan Falls comprise a series of three waterfalls; the largest cascades 15m into a massive, milky-blue swimming hole. Unfortunately this main pool has been a little spoiled by weekend crowds and overdevelopment. The second and third waterfalls are more peaceful, and you can...

Mile High Viewpoint

Baguio

　　See a lovely panorama and breathe in the clean air. ...

Night Market

Baguio

　　Didn't realise Baguio was so cold? The Night Market is a great place to find a cheap used hoodie or a raincoat. ...

Baguio Mountain Provinces Museum

Baguio

　　This museum is a great introduction to the Igorot ('mountain people') of the Cordillera and the harmful 'savage highlander'/'cultured lowlander' divide, introduced by the Spanish. Each display focuses on an indigenous group, and you'll see spears, bolos (machetes) of Kalinga headhunters, accounts of Ibaloi mummification practices and a Kabayan mummy,...

Lourdes Grotto

Baguio

　　Established by the Spanish Jesuits in 1907, the Lourdes Grotto sits at the top of 252 steps in the hilly western part of town. From the top, there’s a nice view of the city’s rooftops. Even better views are to be had from the top of Dominican Hill, a short...

Tam-awan Village

Baguio

　　Nine traditional Ifugao homes and two Kalinga huts were taken apart then reassembled on the side of a hill at this artists colony. Spending the night in one of these huts (single/double P500/P1000) is a rare treat. You can participate in art workshops, learn dream-catcher or bead making, and enjoy...

Camp John Hay

Baguio

　　A Japanese internment camp for Allied prisoners of war in WWII, and then a US military rest-and-recreation facility, 246-hectare Camp John Hay has been reinvented as a mountain resort with restaurants, hotels, shops, a fantastic golf course and a handful of scattered sights sprinkled amid rolling hills and stands of...

St Louis University Museum

Baguio

　　This campus museum is run by Isekias 'Ike' Picpican, one of the country’s foremost authorities on the history and culture of the Cordillera people. You can spend hours examining weapons, funereal artefacts, tribal costumes, musical instruments such as the nose flute, woodcarvings, and photographs of various rituals and sacrifices, but...

BenCab Museum

Baguio

　　This superb museum dedicated to the life, times and work of artist Benedicto Reyes Cabrera (BenCab) is as fascinating as the man himself. The gallery is a mix of high glass panes that slant light into modern art colonnades offset by walls of traditional animist wood carvings, bulol (sacred wood...

Pamuayan Falls

Port Barton

　　These refreshing 8m falls are a 4km walk or motorbike ride north of town on the rough new road to San Vicente. 　　It slows to a trickle at the height of the dry season (March to mid-May). ...

Bigaho Falls

Port Barton

　　Gorgeous little falls dropping out of the jungle near the village of Bigaho, 13km north of Port Barton on the new road to San Vicente. You can motorbike here (difficult in the wet season) or arrive by boat – it's included on one of the standard boat tours out of...

Capitol Park & Lagoon

Bacolod

　　The city's central gathering place is worth a stroll, particularly on weekends when it's a popular picnic spot. Bring some food for the resident tilapia. ...

Negros Museum

Bacolod

　　Houses an eclectic collection, from a room dedicated to the sugar industry to one containing toys from around the world. Don't miss the fake cannons used to scare the Spanish, including coconut cannonballs. It also has a small art gallery, a gift shop and a popular outdoor cafe. ...

San Sebastian Cathedral

Bacolod

　　Worth a look is this impressive 19th-century cathedral built from coral stone (quarried from Guimaras) across from the city's central plaza. It's especially striking at night when its two bell towers are illuminated. ...

RUINS

Bacolod

　　Set on lovely manicured grounds surrounded by sugar plantations, the RUINS is an early-20th-century Italianate mansion originally built by a local sugar magnate in honour of his deceased wife. During WWII, US soldiers set it on fire to prevent the advancing Japanese army from occupying it. Three days later, after...

Negros Forests & Ecological Foundation

Bacolod

　　A zoo with a difference, this foundation seeks to preserve endangered animals endemic to Negros. It houses mostly birds, including an extraordinary collection of rare and colourful hornbills that alone justifies a visit. There are also flying foxes, Visayan leopards and endangered local deer. ...

Cathedral of St Catherine of Alexandria

Dumaguete

　　The city's and region's main Catholic church; the impressive facade mostly dates to 1936. ...

Bell Tower

Dumaguete

　　An imposing landmark, this coral-stone tower was built between 1754–76, with the top layer or campanario (the part with the bell) added in 1867. Locals light candles and pray at a grotto at the base. ...

Silliman University Anthropology Museum

Dumaguete

　　Housed in Hibbard Hall on the university campus, this very nice anthropology and ethnobotany collection includes artefacts from the indigenous Negritos and the Islamic period, including a massive ceremonial 10ft-long kris (sword). ...

Centrop

Dumaguete

　　Opposite the hospital is this small zoo and research centre housing 16 species of indigenous mammals, reptiles and birds, including the critically endangered Negros bleeding-heart pigeon, Philippine spotted deer (only found on Negros and Panay) and the Visayan warty pig. Donations are appreciated, and needed, as conditions are worrisome. 　　Cetrop...

Twin Lakes National Park

Dumaguete

　　About 20km northwest of Dumaguete, the twin crater lakes of Balinsasayao and Danao offer some wonderfully scenic hiking. The area is virgin forest and full of wildlife, including monkeys and birds; if you're lucky you might spy a rare Philippine spotted deer or Visayan warty pig. 　　Entry to the park...

Rizal Boulevard

Dumaguete

　　While Filipino cities aren't generally known for their beauty or charm, Dumaguete's waterfront promenade along Rizal Blvd is an exception to the rule. Constructed in 1916, this scenic quarter-mile lined with old-fashioned street lamps is a peaceful spot to stroll, attracting families on picnics, power walkers and those content to...

Municipal Hall

Coron Town

　　Coron's Municipal Hall is in the centre of town. ...

Banol Beach

Coron Town

　　A common stop on island-hopping trips to Coron Island is Banol Beach, a small sandy area with shelter from the sun. ...

Mt Tapyas

Coron Town

　　Grunt your way up 700-plus steps to Mt Tapyas in Coron Town for astounding views of Coron Bay. It's a quintessential Coron experience. ...

Barracuda Lake

Coron Town

　　A popular island-hopping stop, scenic Barracuda Lake is of interest to divers for its unique layers of fresh, salt and brackish water and dramatic temperature shifts underwater (it can get as hot as 38°C). It’s accessible by a short climb over a jagged, rocky wall that ends directly at the...

Twin Lagoon

Coron Town

　　There are two sides to this photogenic lagoon where salt and fresh water meet. Boats dock in one half and and the other half is accessed by swimming through a narrow crevice. It's a de rigueur island-hopping stop, with good snorkelling. ...

Kayangan Lake

Coron Town

　　Accessible by a steep 10-minute climb, the crystal-clear waters of Lake Kayangan are nestled into the mountain walls; underwater is like a moonscape. There’s a little wooden walkway and platform to stash your things if you go for a swim. Don’t expect privacy or quiet, though, as the lake, an...

Coron Island

Coron Town

　　This island, only a 20-minute bangka ride from Coron town, has an imposing, mysterious skyline that wouldn’t be out of place in a King Kong film. Flying over Coron, you see that the fortresslike, jungle-clad interior is largely inaccessible terrain pockmarked with lakes, two of which, Kayangan Lake and Barracuda...

San Pedro Cathedral

Davao

　　This centrally located cathedral on the site of the city's oldest church has an interesting design meant to resemble an ark. Daily mass in English at 6am and noon. ...

Dabaw Museum

Davao

　　This museum, next to the Waterfront Insular Hotel northeast of downtown, has a good collection of tribal weaving and artefacts from most of the Mindanao tribes. ...

People’s Park

Davao

　　A family-friendly expanse of more concrete than green space with larger-than-life-sized sculptures of native peoples of Mindanao, all designed by artist Kublai Millan. ...

Bankerohan Public Market

Davao

　　Vibrant, chaotic, claustrophobic, smelly and resembling a sprawling shanty town, Bankerohan provides a taste of local flavour. Everything that appears in Filipino kitchens is sold here. Mornings are the best time to visit. ...

Davao Crocodile Park

Davao

　　Around 5km north of the city centre is this large complex spread out along the Davao River. A combination conservation centre and zoo, there are croc ‘shows’, including feeding sessions, tightrope walking, a cultural show and an excellent riverfront restaurant serving up crocodile four ways – sizzling, pasta, omelette and...

Kublai's Gallery

Davao

　　An unconventional setting for a fine-art gallery, paintings by artist Kublai Millan fill the walls of this large space. Take an elevator to the 4th or 5th floor of the ordinary Chinatown shopping plaza. ...

Museo Dabawenyo

Davao

　　An excellent museum with two floors of well-designed galleries exploring the complex patchwork of indigenous tribal groups, religions and ethnicities of Davao and Mindanao as a whole. Especially interesting are the photographic exhibitions documenting the Japanese and American occupations of the city. ...