THE  UNTOUCHED  PLACES  IN  THE  PHILIPPINES

On the lookout for an off-the-beaten-track destination for your next big adventure? With over 7,000 islands to choose from, the Philippine archipelago surely has no shortage of mesmerizing pristine hidden gems! From majestic, verdant hills to an extraordinarily beautiful waterfall, Skyscanner has a rundown of some of the most enchanting, unspoiled destinations in the Philippines.

SIQUIJOR

Want to escape the hustle-bustle city life? Yearning for a memorable beach escape? Then, pack your bags, and explore the mystical island of Siquijor! Even though it’s slowly becoming a beloved travel destination, much of the island province is undeveloped. As a matter of fact, Siquijor has barely any public transportation or streetlight at night. What’s more, it is loaded with natural and historic attractions alike, such as Cambugahay Falls, Lazi Church, Capilay Spring Park, Paliton Beach, Kagusuan Beach, Guiwanon Spring Park, Salagdoong Beach, and Century-Old Enchanted Balete Tree.

KAPARKAN FALLS, ABRA

Looks a little familiar? At first glance, this stunning cascade looks like a famous terraced waterfall in Vietnam or Laos. But, guess what? You can lay eyes on this spectacular nature-engineered spring terraces with a visit to Caganayan, Tineg, Abra. And, while getting there isn’t a walk in the park, you’ll be rewarded with a pleasant and refreshing view that will add more life to your Instagram feed. Of course, it also has refreshingly cold waters that will help alleviate stress as well as relax your jaded muscles. 

CATANDUANES

Dreaming of a scenic trip to Batanes, but don’t have a lot of cash in your wallet? If your answer is a big yes, we suggest that you head to its equally remarkable neighbor, Catanduanes. Here, you’ll get to feast your eyes on breathtaking landscapes that will remind you of Batanes, from relaxing mountain tops and verdant grasslands to towering cliffs and wondrous rock formations. Likewise, “the land of the howling winds” has a pleasant ocean breeze and home to a bunch of interesting sites. Sounds like a fine recipe for a perfect getaway, right?

GUIMARAS

Think Guimaras is all about its world-class mangoes? The truth is, there’s more to this island province than its incredibly delicious and world-famous fruit. As long as you’re up for anything, you can capture fully the beauty of Guimaras in an array of ways, including sightseeing, island hopping, knowledge-based tours, local culture, history and adventure. And in spite of its burgeoning tourism, Guimaras isn’t very developed and is jam-packed with lovely fauna and flora.

BONTOC, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE

Bontoc has been, for years, lurking behind the shadows of its renowned neighbors – Sagada and Banaue. Today, though, Bontoc is amazingly flourishing and is making some buzz on the tourist radar. For those who are itching for a not-so-typical outdoor adventure, this modest mountainous destination will put you on a state of pure bliss with its towering peaks and awe-inspiring sights, like the Maligcong Rice Terraces, Mount Kupapey and Mount Fato.

CARNAZA ISLAND, CEBU

Traveling to Cebu? Trust us, there’s no better place in Cebu to go on a soul-searching retreat than the island of Carnaza. With its fresh sea breeze, remote location and laid-back island charm, Carnaza will definitely give you a relaxing break like no other. Furthermore, the island has a plethora of sights that will unleash our inner shutterbug, including unique rock formations, crystal clear waters and pristine white sands. To make things even better, it’s located near to a couple of other remarkable spots – Malapascua Island and Masbate’s La Manok Island.

MATI CITY, DAVAO ORIENTAL

Mati was, once, one of Davao Oriental’s best-kept secrets, until it was catapulted into the limelight by a skimboarding competition. Known as one of the rising stars of Mindanao’s tourism scene, Mati brims with surprises for those who are willing to explore this city. Clean, beautiful and free from the seas of tourists, the city has quite a few awesome diversions to offer to the fit traveler as well, like surfing, skimboarding and even ultra-light plane rides.

BUKIDNON

Bukidnon is, without a shadow of a doubt, a picturesque wonderland that should be in every Pinoy adventurer’s bucket list. Billed as the ultimate destination for mountaineers and intrepid travelers, this province is, after all, home to 4 of the 10 highest peaks in the Philippines – Mount Dulang-Dulang, Mount Kitanglad, Mount Maagnaw and Mount Kalatungan. Even when you’re driving on the highway, you can witness grand views of the province’s canyons, mountains and hills. Moreover, Bukidnon is home to an impressive collection of unexplored natural wonders, including caves, waterfalls, rivers and lakes.

QUIRINO

Most of the provinces in our archipelago are known for something pretty concrete. There are provinces that are well-known for their beaches and landscapes, while there are others that are beloved for their history and food. Quirino, however, has yet to carve its own identity. And yes, it’s the air of mystique of an offbeat place that makes Quirino appealing to travel junkies who are longing to experience something unique and new.

When it comes to modern-day amenities and facilities, Quirino is rather rugged and raw, but it has tons of eco-adventures and natural attractions to offer. Here, you’ll get your fix for adrenaline and nature through a variety of activities, including outdoor sports, rafting, trekking, spelunking, caving, camping and nature tripping.