30 Hidden Gems in the Philippines That Tourists Have Not Found Yet
The Philippines receives 7+ million international visitors per year -- and 90% of them go to four destinations: Boracay, Palawan, Cebu, and Siargao. This means that thousands of extraordinary places go essentially unvisited by foreigners. Here are 30 genuine hidden gems that deserve far more attention than they get.
Islands and Beaches
- Camiguin Island -- a small volcanic island with hot and cold springs, waterfalls, sunken cemetery, and one of the Philippines best white sand beaches at White Island sandbar. 45-minute ferry from Balingoan, Mindanao.
- Romblon Island -- the marble capital of the Philippines. Beautiful beaches, excellent diving at Cobrador Island, and a genuinely unhurried atmosphere. 4-hour fast ferry from Batangas.
- Batanes Islands -- the dramatic northern frontier. Stone-house villages, rolling green hills, near-temperate climate. The only Philippines destination that feels like the North Atlantic.
- Siquijor Island -- the island of sorcerers and healers has extraordinary marine life (Tulapos Marine Sanctuary), Cambugahay Falls, and a beautiful Spanish-era church. Under 1 hour ferry from Dumaguete.
- Samar Island -- raw, wild, and almost entirely unvisited by foreign tourists. The Sohoton Natural Bridge National Park has jaw-dropping limestone karst similar to El Nido. Cathedral Cave is world-class. 5-hour bus from Tacloban.
- Cuyo Islands -- ancient sultanate-era fortifications, pristine reefs, and crystal-clear water between Palawan and Panay. Accessible by ferry from Puerto Princesa.
- Caramoan Peninsula, Bicol -- limestone karsts and hidden lagoons that rival El Nido. The venue for multiple Survivor season filming. 3-4 hours from Naga, Bicol.
- Jomalig Island -- pristine white sand beaches east of Quezon province. Known only to Manila weekend warriors. Rough 6-hour ferry from Real, Quezon.
- Calicoan Island, Eastern Samar -- perfect surf breaks that rival Siargao, virtually no tourists, and some of the most dramatic Pacific Ocean coastline in the Philippines.
- Dinagat Islands -- a new province north of Siargao with extraordinary waterfalls, caves, and isolated beaches. Almost no tourist infrastructure -- a true frontier.
Mountains and Inland
- Mount Pulag (Benguet/Ifugao) -- the highest peak in Luzon at 2922m. Sea of clouds above the pine forests. The Philippine highlands in their most dramatic form.
- Sagada (Mountain Province) -- hanging coffins, cave funerary culture, Bomod-ok Falls, and cool mountain air. 8-hour bus from Baguio.
- Kalinga Province -- traditional Kalinga warrior culture, rice terraces, and authentic indigenous community experiences. The least touristed of all Cordillera highland destinations.
- Lake Sebu (South Cotabato) -- Tboli indigenous culture, seven-tiered Falls of Hikong Alu, and some of the Philippines best weaving traditions.
- Cagayan de Oro Highlands (Bukidnon) -- Philippines most extreme whitewater rafting on the Cagayan River. Class 3-4 rapids with a legitimate mountain landscape backdrop.
Underwater Hidden Gems
- Anilao, Batangas -- the birthplace of Philippine diving and still one of the best macro diving destinations in the world. 2-hour drive from Manila.
- Dauin, Negros Oriental -- volcanic sand diving with extraordinary macro life. Adjacent to Apo Island, itself one of the worlds premier reef marine reserves.
- Puerto Galera, Mindoro -- the original Philippines dive destination. 3-hour journey from Manila but feels like a different world.
- Tubbataha Reefs -- technically not hidden (it is a UNESCO site) but almost no one actually goes there due to the live-aboard requirement. The best reef in the Philippines by an enormous margin.
- Macajalar Bay, Misamis Oriental -- thresher shark sightings that rival Malapascua, virtually no dive tourists.
Cultural Hidden Gems
- Batad Rice Terraces, Ifugao -- a UNESCO World Heritage amphitheatre-shaped rice terrace system that is far more dramatic than the more accessible Banaue.
- Vigan City, Ilocos Sur -- the best-preserved Spanish colonial city in Asia. Cobblestoned Calle Crisologo is extraordinary at dawn before the tourist calesas arrive.
- Tawi-Tawi Province -- the southernmost Philippines, with extraordinary indigenous Bajau sea nomad culture. Only for travellers who have done their research on current access conditions.
- Butuan City, Agusan del Norte -- the oldest urban settlement in the Philippines, with pre-colonial gold artefacts and balangay boats in the national museum. Completely overlooked by tourism.
- Zamboanga City -- the City of Flowers. Extraordinary Yakan weaving culture, pink sand beaches at Santa Cruz Island, and a Chabacano (Spanish creole) speaking population unique in Asia.
Completing the List
26. Tingloy Island (Batangas) -- excellent diving, near-empty. 27. Balabac Island (southern Palawan) -- pristine turquoise water, endangered turtles, virtually no tourist infrastructure. 28. Pagudpud (Ilocos Norte) -- the Hawaii of the North, white sand and turquoise water on the South China Sea coast. 29. Lanzones Festival country (Camiguin in October) -- one of the Philippines most authentic local festivals built around a fruit. 30. Hinatuan Enchanted River, Surigao -- a river of impossibly blue water emerging from underground springs, used to go completely viral before crowds arrived.
For tours to some of these hidden gems, check our tours directory -- some destinations have local operators we have vetted.