These are just 5 of the most under rated destinations in the Philippines. Blessed with many beautiful places to explore, the Philippines has a lot to offer. This makes it really difficult to pick a favorite as each location has its own unique appeal.
There are certain places around the country that are not as popular. The good news is, travelers who have visited them end up with wonderful memories of their trip. That’s why these travel destinations are worth a spot in your travel bucket list.
1. Bukidnon
Bukidnon is one of the under rated destinations in the Philippines. It is a landlocked province in the northern part of Mindanao. It is nestled in a plateau and surrounded by hills and mountains. Bukidnon actually means “mountain dweller” or “highlander”. It is considered as the country’s food basket. You can enjoy the sight of vast plantations of sugarcane, pineapples, bananas, rice and corn.
It has weather similar to Baguio; making it a great summer destination. Enjoy forest parks, mystic caves, spring resorts, mesmerising water falls, and great mountain views. Take your pick and create your own adventure in discovering Bukidnon’s hidden gems.
2. Camiguin Island
Camiguin is the “Island Born of Fire”. It holds the world record for the island with the most number of volcanoes for every square kilometer. Mount Uhay, Mount Hibok-Hibok, Mount Ulan and Mount Mambajao are all volcanoes on this island. The island hosts the Lanzones Festival, which is one of the most popular festivals in the country.
The island is a secluded destination. It has refreshing waterfalls, cold and hot springs and an untouched sand bar. The sunken cemetery, the well-preserved ancestral homes and churches that are centuries-old are popular tourist spots. If you’re going to Cebu, be sure to include Camiguin in your itinerary.
3. Camotes Islands
Be sure to add Camotes Islands to your Cebu itinerary. The islands are located between Cebu and Leyte; composed of four towns in Cebu: Port, Tudela, Pilar and San Francisco.
According to local folklore, the Spaniards asked the locals the name of the place; the reply they got was the word “camote”. The locals were harvesting sweet potatoes (camotes). They thought that the Spaniards were asking what they were digging. That was how the group of islands got its name.
Santiago Beach in Camotes, Cebu | Photo: cebucitytour
The islands boasts of beautiful white beaches, amazing caves and a lake. You can enjoy scuba diving, free-diving or snorkeling, and other beach sports like volleyball and frisbee. You can immerse yourself in the beauty of nature by taking island tours. Take a tour of Lake Danao, Timabu Cave, Buho Rock, Bukilat Cave, and Busay Waterfalls, to name a few.
4. Catanduanes
Is Batanes on your bucket list? If you can’t afford Batanes yet; Catanduanes is a great altertnative. Nicknamed “land of the howling winds”; typhoons often visit the area. Prepare your travel essentials for such weather.
Aside from the howling winds and strong ocean breeze; the beauty of Catanduanes will sweep you away. Enjoy gazing in awe and don’t forget to take pictures of its serene mountain tops, scenic grasslands and towering cliffs. It has historic sites just like Batanes and rock formations that will look gorgeous on your Instagram feed.
5. Siquijor
Another one of the most under rated travel destinations in the Philippines is Siquijor. It is popularly known as one of the most mysterious places to visit in the Philippines. It has a serene cove which is believed to be the haunting ground of witches, sorcerers and even mythical, supernatural creatures. The mystery of the place is heightened by these rumors which are all untrue.
Travelers who have visited the place are mesmerized by the beauty of its natural wonders. These include waterfalls, parks and beaches like Kagusuan Beach, Paliton Beach and Salagdoong Beach. Pick a curious bunch of friends who are eager for an adventure and book a trip to this mystical location.
There are sure to be other places around the country that should be on this list. We would love to hear your recommendations.
Travel safety is a big concern for all of us. Fortunately, the safety of air travel is each airline’s major priority. Airports have stricter health and safety measures too. Don’t decide on a destination yet. Booking flights have undergone a lot of changes in the new normal. Read up on the new requirements and processes first. Don’t want to go too far? Consider going on a road trip instead.
Updated. First published on Pinoy Smart Living on 08.16.2019. Feature Image: Original Photo by Adrianna Calvo from Pexels.
As we adapt to the new normal, travel opportunities are slowly opening up. However, expect some major changes as they intensified safety measures. Airline companies are now adapting to the new normal in air travel. Travelers also have things to consider before booking a flight in the new normal.
For both domestic travel and international travel, here are some factors that will impact your travel plans.
Reduced Destination Choices
Many countries have issued a “no travel” advisory for its citizens as well as for foreign visitors. Countries who have reopened their borders may sometimes decide to close them again when covid cases in their areas suddenly spike. Your travel destination may suddenly become unreachable even if you’ve already booked your ticket. Uncertainties such as these will be part of the travel experience for a while. Expect more cancelled flights due to your destination suddenly banning travel to their areas.
Now that there’s less of the world open to travel, you might need to adjust your dream of traveling the world for the time being. Exploring your own backyard through a road tripmight be a good way to flex your travel muscles without dampening your wanderlust.
New Airline Routes
Due to the uncertainty in access to different destinations, airline routes will also be adjusted accordingly. Target destinations will be destinations that are least affected or have no reported covid cases. Some of these territories are not popular destinations. These include Kiribati, Marshal Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. All of these territories have no reported cases of covid.
If exploring new destinations is a good idea to you, then see if your favorite airline is already offering flights to these areas. Do your research too so you know whether these areas already allow foreign travel and what each place has to offer. Other destinations with less or reduced covid cases are also opening up for travel.
Rapid Testing in Airports
Airline companies are now conducting rapid tests for all of its staff before flights. Airline companies also require travelers to undergo the same test. You need to get to the airport even earlier than before. This may be a little inconvenient for some of us but it ensures the health and safety of everyone on board. We should be grateful for it instead.
Adjusted Baggage Standards
As part of the drive to encourage less contact and social distancing, passenger baggage standards have also been adjusted. Only 2kg are allowed for carry-on baggage from the original 7kg. The good news is, 5kg has been added to the free baggage allowance (FBA). Passengers are encouraged to carry as little on them as possible in-flight. This will also make it more convenient to carry out frequent disinfecting procedures in the cabin.
This means a change in how you pack your travel bags. Carefully consider what to pack on your carry-on bag. Some must-have items need to be relegated to your FBA instead. For carry-on essentials, carry only up to 10, 100ml bottles of sanitizers with up to 70% alcohol.
Pre-Flight and Post-Flight Requirements
Here are some more things that you need to consider before booking a flight in the new normal. Pre-flight online check-in is required. Face masks are required at all times. Cabin seating will follow social distancing standards. In-flight meals will be simplified. Meals in sealed packaging and beverages will be offered only on demand. However, hand sanitizers will always be available. Passengers will fill-out health forms to document travel/health history.
Aside from these procedures, you may be required to undergo rapid testing at the airport of your destination. Expect more stringent safety and health measures in your travel destinations.
More Expensive But Safer Travel
With all these changes to how we travel, one thing is certain. Airline companies will have to make-up for investing in new safety measures. At the same time, they need to reduce their passenger capacities and flight destinations. Ultimately this will result in more expensive tickets. Travel will still be safer than before. However, you may have to categorize it as a luxury item in your budget from now on. Expect hotels to follow the same trend. They will be more expensive but they will be intensifying their safety and health measures to ensure the safety of their customers.
The pandemic has transformed how we go about travel. These are some of the things you need to consider before booking a flight in the new normal. While it will feel inconvenient at times; it’s these little things that make travel safe for everyone. Remember to do your part too. If everyone cooperates, our travel experience will be safe and enjoyable.
Once you’re off the plane, don’t forget some travel rules that you need to observe. Travel is an important experience that we all need to indulge in from time to time. It helps us see the world from a different perspective. It also helps transforms us for the better as well.
We all want a vacation now and then to be able to relax and re-energize. However, our busy lives just doesn’t allow for a luxurious getaway. Us girls also wanted to go on a vacation but our schedules never seem to match. We always had something to do on weekends. But we were all determined and constantly excited to discuss our plans for a weekend getaway. Finally, we settled on just going on a short but fun road trip to a small resort in Atimonan, Quezon.
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It was a 6-hour ride, far enough from the city but still near enough not to exhaust us from the travel time. Picking a date to go was tricky at first. But our determination and positive thinking paid off because a couple of days before the weekend, all our schedules synced. So, we met early morning, on a weekend, (despite some mishaps and a sleepless night of packing our bags) for our quick adventure. It was a very quick one indeed. And it was all worth it as we came back with more than just fun memories of our trip.
The essence of pleasure is spontaneity.
– Germaine Greer
The Journey
The 6-hour road trip to Atimonan, Quezon didn’t feel tiring at all as we started early in the morning to avoid traffic. Our goal for this road trip was to relax and have fun. We always thought of this trip as an adventure; so we were all on an adventurous mood as we tried out alternate routes around the area when we did encounter traffic.
One of us volunteered to drive and borrowed her boyfriend’s car for the trip as well. Aside from admiring the sight of green trees, the mountains in the distance and endless fields of green with cows and horses grazing or shading themselves under the trees, we also had a playlist to accompany us. Of course, we had lots to talk about too so we never got bored during the trip.
One of the most fun we had was when we were going thru the zigzag road. Since the road had steep turns, people are stationed at these sharp corners to manage traffic. They signal drivers to stop when there are oncoming cars from the opposite lane to avoid accidents. They also wore colourful shirts and had colourful flags for good visibility. As a sign of thanks, drivers throw out coins as they pass by. So we prepared our own coins and gave some to them at every turn until we ran out of coins. We were especially fond of the grandmother who was sitting at one of the stations.
Courage and the willingness to just go for it, whether it is a conversation or a spontaneous trip or trying new things that are scary – it is a really attractive quality.
– Alanis Morissette
The Resort
Since it was a quick road trip to Atimonan, Quezon, we didn’t really have time to go to all the tourist spots but we did visit a few ones near the resort where we stayed. The Playa de Lucia Resort which was a newly developed facility. Some parts of it was still under construction at the time and they had a swimming pool. However, we were more interested in getting some vitamin sea so we let the kids enjoy their pool time.
Resort signage at the entrance to the pool area.
When we finally checked into our room, the first thing we did was rest for a bit on the comfortable beds. While our companions took a nap, two of us went around to scout the area, check out the beach and of course, take pictures.
The scene at the resort’s pool area from our 2nd floor terrace.
The Pier
We took everything at a slow pace so we set aside swimming for the next day. For the rest of the afternoon, a friend who lived in the area took us around to some interesting spots. First off, we went to Coco – an old pier which was a trading port back in the day. Though it now has cracks and holes, the structure still looks solid and locals and tourists alike visit the place for a relaxing view of the sea. Of course we had to take pictures and it was especially beautiful during sunset.
View of the beach from the old pier.
View of Coco – the old pier, from the side.
This was halfway to the end of the old pier; a long walk from the beach.
View of the ocean from the edge of the old pier.
The pier extended from the beach far out into the sea. It was this part where the floor of the pier had broken down and through the break, you could look into the deep, blue waters. Approaching the break and looking into the water was exciting and scary at the same time. The water’s deep blue color made it seem mysterious, as though mermaids could be swimming underneath the waves, or sea creatures could suddenly rise up and snatch you.
The golden glow of the sun lends the whole place a nostalgic feel. | Source: Pinky
The beautiful view makes the mysterious waters less scary. | Source: Pinky
View of the deep, blue sea from the edge of the broken portion of the old pier. | Source: Pinky
A fisherman casting his nets near the old pier.
A good view of the massive structure from the beach front.
We didn’t go near the edge to avoid accidentally drowning in the deep waters. The calm waters helped us to relax and just enjoy the view. The walk to the end of the port and back to the beach was quite long but the view all around was a welcome respite from the daily scenery in the city.
The Lonely Mermaid
Our next destination was a lone piece of rock, or boulder which just seemed to be attached beside the road and right behind it, a sculpture of a lonely mermaid atop a smaller rock. See a theme here? The rock seemed to be impossibly suspended since it looked like it had a smaller base; which would make it all the more mysterious but we were too afraid to go down and check.
The Lonely Mermaid
A lonely mermaid was there and you can walk up to the monument thru cement steps from the side of the road. We didn’t want to risk losing our footing on the slippery steps, so we contented ourselves with a picture of both the rock and the lonely mermaid. Both these lonely structures were by the highway and the backdrop of the beautiful blue of the sky and the ocean behind them made the whole scene beautiful to look at.
Scenery around the resort at dusk. | Source: Pinky
The sky changing color as night approaches. | Source: Pinky
The Dinner
It was getting dark at this point so we opted to go back to the resort and prepare for dinner. We had agreed to wear the dresses we could never wear for work during this vacation, and dinner was the perfect excuse to do so. I had prepared hair clips that we could wear as accessories for this very occasion and so off we went to dinner at a nearby restaurant (who’s name I can’t remember) which was also near the sea.
The restaurant was large and though it was dark outside, we could hear the sound of the waves and feel the cool breeze from the sea. There weren’t too many people around so the place felt quiet and we were chatting in low voices so as not to interrupt the relaxing atmosphere. This made eating the dishes enjoyable but it also made us very sleepy after we ate our full.
So after dinner, we wen’t back to our room but we didn’t sleep. We spent the time chatting about our issues in life and figuring out our futures until late into the night. It was one of the most honest, deepest conversations and profound self-reflections that I have had in a long time. Being honest with one’s feelings and getting advise without being judged is such a freeing experience and I am thankful for the experience with these girls. As the night wore on, sleep finally got to us and we agreed to take an early morning swim so we could be back on the road before lunch.
The Beach
The next day, we went down to the beach in our swimsuits. We were met at the hotel entrance by Lucio, the owner’s dog who was named after his late wife Lucia (which is also the name of the resort). Lucio walked with us to the beach. We could hear him splashing in the water as we meditated at sunrise while grounding ourselves in the sand. He didn’t go too deep into the water though although we encouraged him. Instead, he was sunning himself by the beach as though he was guarding us and our belongings.
Lucio scouting ahead.
Sunrise at the beach. | Source: Pinky
It’s not the first time I saw a beach with calm waters but in the mornings, the water is usually cold. Here however, the water was warm and inviting and because there were hardly any waves, we could enjoy just submerging ourselves neck-deep in the water without salt spray stinging our eyes.
We dreamed of our own beach property where we could enjoy this view.
We mostly floated around to bask in the early sunshine. It seemed as if we owned the whole place because we were the only ones on the beach at this time. Since the sun wasn’t scorching hot at this time of day, we didn’t even put on sunscreen. The whole world seemed peaceful and serene at the time. No buzz from city traffic disrupted our thoughts and the gentle sound of the water and warm sea breeze was calming to our senses. In such surroundings, it was possible to let go of one’s worries and just enjoy the present moment.
The sun welcoming us to another day.
The sun was getting warmer and so after a couple of hours, we went back to our room. Lucio also walked with us back to the resort entrance and headed to his usual sleeping spot. We could feel how relaxed he was as we had been relaxed too due to the slow pace of activities we had been enjoying since we arrived.
The Journey Back Home
Before lunch time, we hit the road as we are nearing the end of our road trip to Atimonan, Quezon. We passed by the same zigzag road but this time around, we stopped by the souvenir center. The shop sells local delicacies and crafts. My companions got themselves some honey. I bought some turmeric powder and a woven bag.
One of the most memorable sceneries that greet you and the one you say goodbye to when taking a vacation in the province. | Source: Pinky
Our next stop after this was for lunch along the way, where we also got more souvenirs. After a few more hours, we could tell just by the state of the traffic that we were nearing Metro Manila. We were back in the city again but we feel refreshed and revived. Our short vacation made us feel more ready to face the usual daily grind the next day.
The Experience
We did not visit many tourist spots during this road trip to Atimonan, Quezon because our goal was to slow down our pace and enjoy relaxing activities instead. We all agreed to repeat this experience. Just go somewhere to relax, not worry about tourist spots and itineraries. We just want to be with nature, enjoy the sights and sounds without hurrying back to and from each destination.
We may not remember the names of the places we’ve been to but our senses will always remember the rest and quiet that we experienced together. Two days is a short time to get to know each other better. But somehow we have a deeper understanding of each other’s personalities just from the conversations we had that night and from the jokes and anecdotes we shared with each other throughout the trip. We may not see each other again soon, but we know that we will always have a connection. And we will always be looking forward to our next adventure together.
Still hesitating to go on that trip? I hope this mini-adventure of ours, our road trip to Atimonan, Quezon gets you motivated to plan for your own weekend getaway. Tell us about your best travel adventures and your favorite travel moments.
P.S. Yes, we took a lot of pictures of the scenery around us. Maybe why we only got to visit a few spots. They’re something to look back again to when we are stressed out and we want to remember some of our happy moments.
Travel goals should be a part of everyone’s bucket list. Travelling is fun and full of excitement. It makes people happier. Travelling also helps you grow as a person. It exposes you to a whole new world. It opens your eyes to different ways of doing things. So, if your goal is to have a fresh start, a perfect way in redesigning your life is to have worthy travel goals to make your life better.
Here are worthy travel goals to consider when you go to your next destination:
1. Go to a Place You Have Never Been Before
There is a vast world out there. There are so many places to go to and so many different cultures to experience, so why limit yourself to just a few? Exposing yourself to at least one new place each year is definitely worth your time and resources.
2. Try Traveling Solo
Travelling solo can change you as a person. It will help you grow. When you travel solo, you will have to assume responsibility for your travel. If something goes wrong, there is no one to blame but you. There is no else who should come up with solutions but you . In short, you need to learn the art of survival in an unfamiliar place. You need to be alert all the time and learn to talk to the locals. You will be forced to come out of your comfort zone. In short, the success or failure of your trip lies solely on you. It might be scary at first but once the trip is over, you will go home a better and more confident individual.
3. Meet New Friends
When you travel, you will notice that everyone is friendly. It is so easy to start a conversation with strangers. To befriend the locals, it helps to learn the basic everyday phrases of the local language. If you are part of a tour, you will be surrounded by fellow travelers like yourself. Just simply start a conversation by asking them questions like where there are from or what places they have visited so far in the area. Most of the time, they will be more than pleased to share with you their travel experiences. Meeting friends from around the world is what makes traveling more fun and meaningful.
4. Allow Time for Spontaneity
Having a day-to-day itinerary will help you manage your time and resources well. It will make travelling from one point to another easier if you know where you are going. However, it is not wise to schedule every minute of your trip. That will only lead to stress if it is not followed. Allow some time for spontaneity. If you feel like skipping a part of your tour to just sit in a cafe and watch people; then go ahead.
5. Buy Souvenirs from Local Makers
If you are going to buy souvenirs, don’t buy things that are made abroad. Shop for items that you will never find elsewhere. Buy from local makers and artisans. Bring home something unique.
6. Try the Local Food
One of the best part of travelling is the food. Your travel will not be complete if you are not going to try out the local cuisines. Always try something new. Have a taste of the authentic flavours. A country’s traditional dishes are reflections of their culture.
7. Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place or landmark that is inscribed by the United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organisation as having cultural, historical , intellectual and scientific significance to a particular place. By visiting these sites, you are actually helping the preservation of these places for the future generation. Click here for the complete list of UNESCO World Heritage List.
8. Join Cultural Tours
There is no better way to learn and experience a travel destination than from the locals themselves. Joining a cultural tour will give you an in-depth understanding about the place, its history and the people. There is no need to join a multi-day tour group. There are half-day or whole day tours in almost all travel destinations. Some cities even offer free-walking tours for tourists.
9. Go on An Epic Road Trip
A road trip is the best way to really experience and explore a place. First, you are in charge. You can stop whenever and wherever you want to. You can eat whatever food you like. In short, you are in control and you have the freedom to choose your own adventure.
10. Go on A Cruise
Did you know that a cruise is one of the cheapest way to travel? The fee that you are going to pay for the cruise covers almost everything. It includes the transportation, the accommodation, all meals (including room service, use of facilities and amenities, entrance to live shows onboard. Most importantly, a cruise will take you to several different places or countries in just one trip.
