Sightseeing in the Philippines

The country’s best views are geological, and most of them are free or cheap once you are there. Getting there is the cost, so group sights by region and fly or ferry once.

Banaue and Batad rice terraces

The Ifugao terraces in Northern Luzon are a UNESCO World Heritage site, carved over some 2,000 years by hand and fed by a mountain irrigation system. Banaue is a night bus from Manila of about 9 to 10 hours; sleeper services typically cost ₱850 to ₱1,200. Batad’s amphitheatre of terraces is a one-hour hike from the Batad Saddle, and a guide is needed for the descent to Tappiya Falls, around ₱500 to ₱800 per group plus a small environmental fee. See the Philippine tourism site for regional listings.

Chocolate Hills, Bohol

More than 1,200 cone-shaped limestone mounds spread across about 50 square kilometres. The Carmen complex has the official viewing deck, about 214 steps up and open roughly 08:30 to 17:30. Adult non-Bohol residents pay ₱150, children aged 6 to 12 pay ₱75. The hills turn cocoa-brown in March to May. Bohol is a ferry or a flight away: the fast ferry from Cebu takes about 2 hours. A guided Bohol loop that adds the Corella tarsier sanctuary can be compared on Viator .

Mayon Volcano, Albay

Mayon is often called the most symmetrical cone on earth, rising 2,462 m above the Albay Gulf near Legazpi. It sits at PHIVOLCS Alert Level 2, which means no summit climbs and strict avoidance of the 6 km danger zone. The classic views come from Legazpi and the lowlands, so enjoy it from there. Read the latest status on phivolcs.dost.gov.ph before booking any ATV tour near the base.

Taal from Tagaytay

Tagaytay ridge, about 1.5 to 2.5 hours south of Manila, overlooks the lake and the volcano. The island is a Permanent Danger Zone, so the ridge is the sightseeing spot, with bulalo at a ridge restaurant as the reward.

Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Vigan is a planned Spanish colonial town and a UNESCO site, with a pedestrian cobbled Calle Crisologo lined by bahay na bato mansions. Ride a kalesa horse carriage (about ₱150 to ₱250 an hour) and return after 18:00, when the street lamps are lit and vendors sell empanadas.

Intramuros in Manila

The walled Spanish citadel has San Agustin Church, a UNESCO site, and Manila Cathedral. Manila has its own pages, so use this as a pointer; Intramuros Administration publishes the opening hours.

Seasons and logistics

• Dry months suit sightseeing: roughly November to April. June to November brings typhoons, and flights and boats can be disrupted. Leave 1 to 2 days of slack before international departures.
• Provincial sights run on cash.
• Visa-free entry is 30 days for most nationalities, and the free eTravel form at etravel.gov.ph is needed within 72 hours before arrival.

Verdict: if you can see one thing, make it Batad at first light. For more ways to add structure, see the walking tours page .

• Philippines
• Southeast-Asia
• Guides