Category Local Destinations

Wed Jul 28 16:59pm

It’s when jumping off cliffs or being drenched by a downpour at sea that you become at peace with yourself.

Quick impressions of Siargao from the ferry: It’s small and still provincial. The dock is like all the other provincial harbors I’ve seen—busy and noisy, big bundles and cargoes being transported to or from all kinds of floating vessels. Off to one stretch of the coastline, as our ferry got ready to dock, coconut trees swayed while wiry brown kids enjoyed diving into the dock’s deep waters. As we disembarked, I observed that my fellow passengers included backpacking foreigners toting longboards. What surprised me, though, was that many of the surfers on the boat with us were travelling alone. Since then, I learned that surfing is a solitary sport...

Mon Aug 30 12:30pm

Travelife Domestic Editor at Large Gabby Malvar maroons himself on a sandbar in Dumaguete, in southern Philippines

Sunday, 9:10 AM

Four stilted houses seemed to levitate above the water in the middle of a forlorn sea. My bangka (outrigger canoe) approached the last and smallest structure in the neat row. As we wafted alongside, the crewmembers gracefully leapt to a landing area no bigger than a small table, and deftly untied knots of rope that released a ladder to the balcony. As the lone room was aired out, two large containers of fresh water for my bathing and toilet needs were transferred from the boat. Linen and pillowcases were replaced. With clinical precision, my hosts transformed the place into something liveable for the next 24 hours.

“Everything fine, sir? We ...

Fri Mar 11 16:47pm

By Izah Morales, Yahoo! Southeast Asia

As the plane descended, I looked out of the window and caught sight of the serpentine flow of the Cagayan River. The green patches that covered the surrounding land made the setting look like a giant quilt.

It was my second time in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan but it still felt like the first time. Flying to Tuguegarao via Cebu Pacific was such a breeze. It was only an hour away from Manila by air. I had taken the bus before—and that trip took 10 hours.

There may be places that you visit only once, but Cagayan is definitely one spot that you’d always want to return to. As Region II’s Department of Tourism puts it, “Cagayan is where adventure never ends.”

Here are the top 7 reasons why you should visit Cagayan, dubbed...

Wed Apr 20 11:22am

By Izah Morales, Yahoo! Southeast Asia

If you’re in the mood for a road trip this summer, then pack your bags and head to Ilocos Norte. Located 408 kilometers northwest of Manila, the province of Ilocos Norte is a haven for outdoor adventurers.  It is where you’ll experience the cool breeze from the mountains, a lazy day on the beach, a reflective walk through a path of puddles, a climb to an ethereal formation, an adrenaline-filled slide down the sand dunes, and a mouthwatering food trip.

Here are the top five things to do when visiting Ilocos Norte:

1. Trek through the Adams Trail and take a dip in Anuplig Falls. Stretch your legs and arms and trek in the virgin forests of Adams, Ilocos Norte...

Wed Sep 14 16:40pm

By Flipnomad for Yahoo! Travel

The Philippines is often skipped by tourists travelling around Southeast Asia due to its awkward geographic location. One has to take a flight to enter the country in comparison to an overland option that you have when you go from one country to another in mainland Southeast Asia. And because the country is receiving lesser tourists than its neighbours, the islands remained pristine, almost untouched and almost paradise-like.

One of those paradises that I was lucky to have had visited in the past is El Nido.

El Nido is one of the country’s most gorgeous beach paradises that can be found in Palawan, which is often referred to as the last frontier of the Philippines.

There’s a variety of options when it comes to travelling to El Nido...

Wed Sep 28 12:32pm

By Ferdz Decena for Yahoo! Travel

Forget about Puerto Galera for the mean time as we talk about a sleepy town ready to wake from slumber on the south west side of Mindoro Island. The town of San Jose, found in Occidental Mindoro is no longer just a transit town to Apo Reef. It is also a jump-off point to serene island retreats, scenic white sand beaches, enthralling nature walks, historical sites, indigenous cultural encounters and home to an endangered species.

Go Island Hopping. Off the coast of San Jose are three islands each with its own unique character. The blinding white strip of island seen on the horizon from of San Jose is Manadi Island popularly known as the White island. A 15 minute boat ride is all it takes to reach the island...

Wed Nov 2 14:51pm
By Ferdz Decena for Yahoo! Travel

North Luzon is full of surprises! And it’s mostly when we veer off the usual destinations when we find them. Claveria, found north-west of Cagayan Valley, is one such surprise. I wasn’t expecting to find a scenic boat-filled cove known as Taggat Lagoon with dramatic rock formations in this northern coastal town when I first caught sight of it under torrential rain. We were just passing through the town on the way to Pagupud, Ilocos Norte and took a cursory look but the image of the lagoon remained in my mind. It was enough to persuade me to go back and this time stayed longer to explore.

See the legendary rocks. Legend tells of a rich but greedy old couple and their son living in Claveria...

Wed Nov 2 12:29pm
By Gael Hilotin for Yahoo! Travel

Sorsogon is a quaint province in the Philippines that rose to fame due to the biggest fish in the world – the whale sharks locally called butanding,  that found refuge in the waters of Donsol town. But what most tourists don’t know is that aside from these gentle giants, Sorsogon has more to offer to tourists. Another promising town is the craggy and drowsy Matnog.

The Philippines is divided into 3 main island groups – Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Matnog is located south of the mainland of Luzon, well-known as “The Gateway to Visayas”, the main island famous for its white sand beaches, thus frequented by travelers and locals crossing the sea by roro(roll on and roll off)...

Subterranean River National Park Location

Located about 50 kilometers from the north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines, Subterranean River National Park is also known as St. Paul’s Subterranean River National Park.

Subterranean River National Park Highlights

The major highlight of Subterranean River National Park in Philippines is an amazing limestone karst landscape with an underground river 8.2 kilometers. Subterranean River National Park is a major destination among other Philippines Tourist Attractions. The underground river is known to be the longest in the world. The government of Puerto Princesa has maintained National Park since 1992. It was recognized as an important heritage site by the UNESCO December 4, 1999.

The national park features an outstanding limesto...

The city of Baguio is located at an altitude of 1500 m above the sea level. It is the coldest place in Philippines and people visit the place to get a chilled effect during the summers. However surprisingly, one of the natural hot springs, the Asin Hot Spring is situated in the Baguio city itself. It is located 16 kms northwest of Baguio. Visitors and nature lovers can travel to Baguio just for the sake of soaking themselves in the hot waters of Asin.

How to reach Asin Hot Spring, Baguio

You can travel to the Asin Hot Spring in a jeepney. The jeepney is easily available and will take about 45 minutes to reach the Asin Hot Spring covering a distance of 16 km.

Asin Hot Spring, Baguio Highlights

You can see the water boiling in the natural pools of the Asin Hot Spring...