14 Breathtaking Tourist Spots in the Philippines That Prove It’s Asia’s Underrated Paradise

The Philippines is one of those places where it’s hard to tell if what you’re seeing is real or just extremely unfair to the rest of the world. You’ve got beaches that look edited, water so clear it messes with your depth perception, and landscapes that change completely every time you hop to a new island. With over 7,000 islands, it’s no surprise that some spots rise to the top and keep pulling travelers back again and again.

These tourist spots in the Philippines are popular for a reason. Palawan’s beauty shook me to my core, where the moment I left I wanted to return. From iconic beaches to natural landmarks that feel almost unreal, this list covers the stops that put the country on the map.

1. El Nido, Palawan

El Nido sits at the northern tip of Palawan and is known for having over 45 islands just off its shores. The sheer number of limestone formations rising out of cobalt water makes getting around by boat feel like entering a new world. Visitors can join island‑hopping tours that weave through hidden lagoons, secret beaches, and snorkeling spots with schools of fish in every direction.

The small town itself is lively with seafood restaurants and local stalls. Watching the sun dip below jagged peaks is a regular evening ritual here.

2. Coron, Palawan

Coron is part of the Calamian Islands and is famous for shipwrecks that rest just below the surface. World War II Japanese vessels now serve as exceptional dive sites, attracting divers from around the globe.

Beyond wrecks, Coron has clear lakes like Kayangan and Barracuda that reveal mirror reflections amid granite walls. Climbing a short ridge above town at sunset gives a sweeping view of islands punctuating the Sulu Sea.

3. Puerto Princesa Underground River, Palawan

The Puerto Princesa Underground River snakes beneath a limestone karst landscape for over eight kilometers. In 2012 it was named one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, and the boat tour through its caverns confirms why. Stalactites and stalagmites rise like sculpture from the dark river banks as guide narration flickers off flashlights.

After the river tour, you can hike nearby trails shaded by rain forest where birds and butterflies flit about. Boat rides past mangroves add another dimension to the visit, showing how ecosystems connect from river to sea.

4. White Beach, Boracay

White Beach is the long, gentle stretch of sand that put Boracay on many travelers’ maps. The sand here is powdery and light underfoot, gradually sloping into clear water that changes hue by the hour.

Small boats and paddleboarders drift across the bay, while beachfront cafes serve cool drinks and grilled seafood. Sunset on White Beach has a ritual quality, with strings of lights coming on as dinner crowds gather.

5. Siargao Island

Siargao is a tear‑shaped island in the south edged by reef breaks that make it one of the Philippines’ best surf destinations. Cloud 9 is the name most surfers whisper, but there are plenty of gentler breaks for beginners to learn on.

Inland, coconut palms shade narrow roads that lead to quiet lagoons and pools like Sugba Lagoon. Renting a motorbike and exploring the coast reveals quiet beaches and small villages.

6. Chocolate Hills, Bohol

The Chocolate Hills are a geological curiosity: over a thousand grassy mounds that rise across the landscape in neat rows. In the dry months their green turns an earthen brown, hence the name. From the viewing platform, the hills stretch in every direction like ripples frozen in time.

Nearby, tiny tarsier primates peek from trees, their big eyes adding a whimsical touch to the visit. Local guides can take you to lesser‑visited points where few other travelers go.

7. Kawasan Falls, Cebu

Kawasan Falls tumbles down tiers of limestone into turquoise pools that look almost unreal. The best way to experience them is to follow the river upstream on a short trek past smaller cascades and emerald pools. When you reach the main fall, you’ll find space to swim, float, or simply sit on rocks and watch water ride sunlight.

I also went canyoneering here, leaping into pools from 10 meter high and scrambling along the riverbed with a guide.

8. Banaue Rice Terraces, Ifugao

The Banaue Rice Terraces were carved into steep mountainsides over 2,000 years ago by hand. From viewpoints, the terraces rise in green and earthy steps, following contours that seem almost designed.

Walking the trails between them makes the scale and effort of ancient agriculture tangible. Local villages welcome visitors with simple pathways and views into daily life in the highlands. Early morning mist can hover among the ridges.

9. Camiguin Island, Camiguin

Camiguin is one of the Philippines’ smallest provinces but packed with contrasts: volcanoes, cold springs, waterfalls and white‑sand beaches. It’s known as the Island Born of Fire because centuries of volcanic activity shaped its hills and shores.

Locals will tell stories of sunken cemeteries you can see just offshore at low tide. Hot springs near the foothills are perfect for a simple soak after a day of exploration. Renting a scooter here is easy and lets you hop from crater lakes to quiet coves in a single afternoon.

10. Sardine Snorkeling in Moalboal, Cebu

Off the coast of Moalboal, a shimmering wall of sardines gathers near the reef, moving as if one creature. Freediving into the mass of tens of thousands of fish flash silver against the blue and having it surround you 360 degrees ia nothing but absolutely magical. It’s easy to reach from the shore, so you can hop in and out between breaks on the beach.

11. Taal Volcano & Lake, Batangas

Taal Volcano sits in the middle of a lake within a volcano within an island. Boat rides from the lakeside town bring you across calm water toward the volcano’s base. A hike up the crater reveals steaming vents and wide lake vistas that remind you how dynamic the earth can be. Local vendors at the base sell snacks and drinks that fuel the climb and make the rest worthwhile.

12. Kalanggaman Island, Leyte

Kalanggaman Island is a long, thin sandbar that gleams in shallow, clear water stretching both ways. Day trips usually arrive by boat in the morning and linger until afternoon, when the tide and light create perfect photo conditions. There’s hardly any shade, so an umbrella and plenty of water are essentials. The sandbar’s shape and emptiness make it feel like a private playground on some days. Local operators offer snorkeling gear so you can float near coral gardens just offshore. It’s simple beauty with no frills, and that’s exactly the point.

13. Apo Reef, Mindoro

Apo Reef is one of the largest contiguous coral reef systems in the world, and it shows under clear tropical seas. Liveaboard dive trips take you through channels and walls where diverse species move through gardens of coral. Even snorkelers can find turtles, parrotfish and sprawling coral heads near the surface. The reef’s scale and health make it a point of pride for local conservationists. Being on deck as the sun rises over open ocean is a gentle, expansive way to start any day here. Days on the water are long but richly rewarded.

14. Mount Mayon, Albay

Mount Mayon is famous for its near‑perfect conical shape and is the most active volcano in the Philippines. Towns surrounding Mayon watch its moods closely, with viewpoints ranging from rice terraces to riverbanks.

On clear days, the volcano’s symmetry against a blue sky feels almost unreal. Trails and overlooks offer different perspectives, from lush foothills to older lava flows. Communities nearby weave the mountain into daily life.