The 7 Most Beautiful

Places to Visit in The

Philippines
Filipinos are notorious for having extreme
levels of “pinoy pride”. This is the term used
to describe how proud they are of anything
remotely Filipino. Anything made in the
Philippines or done by a Filipino, especially
when recognized abroad, sets off a barrage
of national pride. In a country as stunning
and as naturally endowed as the Philippines,
with such a richness of islands, there really is
much to be proud of.
 El Nido
• It’s difficult for a place as beautiful as El Nido
to not top a list like this. With its gorgeous ro
ck formations, pristine beaches, and clear aq
uamarine waters, El Nido is a place that mak
es Filipinos beam with pride. Located on the
northern tip of mainland Palawan, the munici
pality of El Nido has been increasingly drawi
ng tourists in year after year, with more travel
lers, both local and foreign, discovering its b
eauty. It is largely responsible for why Palaw
an is recognized (and has been, for the past
few years) as the best island in the world.
Coron
• Also within the gorgeous province of Palawan is the mu
nicipality of Coron. Perhaps the other major factor to tha
nk for Palawan’s “best island” recognition, Coron boasts
of similar gems as El Nido — crystal clear waters perfec
t for snorkelling, powdery white sandy beaches, and ine
scapable picture perfect landscapes. As in El Nido, trav
ellers can charter a small boat or join organized tour gro
ups for a day’s trip including the most famous islands an
d lagoons. One stop that should not be missed by anyo
ne visiting Coron is the breathtaking Kayangan Lake, du
bbed the cleanest in the country and surrounded by stu
nning karst walls, truly a sight to behold, both above an
d below the water.

• Kayangan Lake, Coron, Palawan, Philippines

 Tubbataha
Reefs
Southeast of the island of Palawan, within the
Sulu Sea, lies one of the best marine reserves
and dive sites in the world, the Tubbataha
Reefs Natural Park. Home to thousands of
hectares of coral reef (containing about half of
the world’s coral species) and an extensive
variety of fish, shark, dolphin, and whale
species, the Tubbataha Reefs is one of the
most sought-after waters for divers. For anyone
interested in making the trip, the limited three-
month-long dive season runs from mid-March
to mid-June, and the only way to explore its
spectacular waters is by visiting on a live-
aboard boat.
Banaue Rice Terraces

The Philippines is studded with natural beauty from below its

seas to the top of its mountains. Another site in the archipelago
that Filipinos can rightfully brag about are the rice terraces of
Banaue. Over 2,000 years old, these rice terraces are a product
of manual hard work by the ancestors of the region’s indigenous
people. The picturesque terraces are still valuable to locals to
this day, providing them an efficient space to farm. Though the
Banaue Rice Terraces are the most prominent, there are several
other scenic rice terraces within the mountainous region of the
Cordilleras.
 Chocolate Hills
The pride of the Bohol Province
(alongside their adorable Tarsiers
— the world’s tiniest primates
endemic to the Philippines) is
easily the rolling landscapes of
the Chocolate Hills. They were
named so for their color transition
between the wet and dry
seasons, turning brown during
the latter, and closely resembling
the famous Hershey’s Kisses
chocolates. Over a thousand hills
are estimated to be scattered
across the 50 square kilometer
area.
Intramuros

Intramuros, nestled within today’s restless Metro

Manila, is a walled area that played an important
role in the country’s history. It can be said that
Intramuros was once the old “Manila” and
essentially was the established center during the
Spanish occupation. Over half a square kilometer in
size, Intramuros today contains traces of the past
with its cobblestone streets and conserved ruins and
architecture. Visitors can go on walking tours to
learn about Intramuros and the country’s history and
take kalesa (horse-drawn calash) rides around the
historic walled city.

Intramuros, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines

 BORACAY
Perhaps the second most popular
Philippine island next to Palawan is the
island of Boracay. Known for its powdery
white sand, spectacular sunsets, and
vibrant night life, Boracay has long been a
tourist hotspot Filipinos could brag about.
With the long list of activities and water
sports available, visitors will never run out
of things to do on the island. However, it
has recently been shut for six months due
to a large-scale pollution problem, which
has dramatically affected tourism in the
area.