Best Philippine summer destinations (Part 1 of 3)

Summer is finally here! A lot of people look forward to summer because it’s the perfect time for families and friends to take advantage of the good weather and enjoy a much deserved vacation. After all, summer is synonymous to outdoor fun, languorous trips and opportunity to discover new places.

The Philippines is home to a myriad of beautiful places. This tropical haven is a sanctuary of scenic spots teamed with rich and colorful culture. With 7,107 islands, the Philippines makes an ideal adventure ground especially for those who are looking for a great summer experience.

Here are some of the favorite summer destinations in the country:

Baguio

Expect a lot of people to flock to Baguio during summer. Vacationers often head to Baguio to take advantage of the cold weather and escape the sizzling summer heat. Its popularity as a summer destination has made Baguio the summer capital of the Philippines. It is also referred to as “City of Pines” because of pine trees that tower the landscape. Some favorite sights to see in this northern part of the country are the Session Road area, Mines View Park, Camp John Hay and Burnham Park.

Batangas

Batangas is a favorite place of beach lovers. The province’s beautiful coral reefs and diverse marine life are sought after by divers. Some of the popular diving spots in Batangas are Anilao, Nasugbu, Balayan Bay, and Ligpo Island.

Its close proximity to Metro Manila makes Laiya Beach in San Juan, Batangas perfect for weekend getaways and excursions.

Taal Lake and Volcano attract local and foreign tourists. Visitors can usually arrange for a guided trek from the shore of the volcano island to the rim of the volcano in order to see the main crater lake. Please take note, however, that this may not be possible for the meantime because the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recently declared Alert Level 2 in the area.

Mountaineers also frequent Batangas to climb Mt. Maculot, the highest mountain in the province.

Boracay

Boracay, fondly called “Bora” for short by frequent visitors, is famous for its powdery white sand beaches and pristine blue waters. Boracay used to be an untapped piece of paradise before the mid '90s. Through the years it has attracted hordes of investors. Today, big hotels and establishments have mushroomed around the area, making Boracay a modern and posh summer hangout for both local and foreign tourists as well as a popular choice of celebrities. It’s a great place to enjoy water activities such as snorkeling, diving and island hopping, and its stunning sunsets are something to behold. The orchestra of hues in the sky as the sun goes down is a prize for onlookers and photographers alike.

Bohol

Bohol is a lovely little island located in the southern Philippines. It is probably best known for its famous Chocolate Hills. During summer the Chocolate Hills resemble mounds of chocolate because of their brown color, but during the rainy season, they transform to green. Tourists marvel at the province’s tiny creatures called tarsiers. Known to be the smallest primates, these cute little creatures are considered as one of Bohol’s famous tourist attractions. Bohol also has its share of beautiful beaches found on Panglao Island.

Cebu

Known as the Queen City of the South, Cebu is brimming with fun water activities during summer as local and foreign visitors flock to its beautiful beaches. Recently, visitors have gotten excited about something other than water adventures. Many people are raving about the sky extreme adventure. The Sky Experience Adventure in Cebu offers two exhilarating sky adventures. One is the Sky Walk Extreme which allows thrill seekers to walk on the outer rim of the 37^th floor of the Crown Regency Hotel tower. It’s an electrifying but safe experience because each walker is hooked on an overhead safety harness system as he walks on a four-foot-wide walk path. The Edge Coaster is for the brave souls who want to feel as if they are soaring in the sky at a 45-degree angle in a sitting position.

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Camiguin

This pear-shaped volcanic island is located at the northern tip of Mindanao. Its pristine beaches make it a perfect summer destination. The Department of Tourism (DOT) has designated this island province as one of the top 25 tourist destinations in the Philippines and the number seven diving spot in the world.

Camiguin has been called “Born of Fire” because it shelters seven volcanoes, namely Mt. Hibok Hibok, Mt. Mambajao, Mt. Guinsiliban, Mt. Timpoong, Mt. Vulcan, Mt. Uhay and Mt. Tres Marias. Adventure seekers can make arrangements with local guides to climb these mountains.

Camiguin is gifted with natural wonders and interesting historical spots. Its magnificent falls and natural springs are considered popular tourist spots. These are Katibawasan Falls, Ardent Hot Spring, Tangub Hot Spring, Macao Cold Spring and Sto. Nino Cold Spring. Its famous Sunken Cemetery is a favorite must-see for visitors. The huge Cross Marker pinpoints the location of the community cemetery that sunk during the 1871 volcanic destruction. The Sunken Cemetery has been used as settings for local films; the most recent one was a local horror movie entitled Ouija, starring Judy Ann Santos.

Palawan

Palawan is a paradise composed of 1,768 islands and islets with a rich variety of fauna and flora and bountiful marine life. The waters of Palawan are perfect for diving. Busuanga Island in Coron is a favorite of divers, who can have the opportunity to see and explore several WWII Japanese shipwrecks.

Puerto Princesa, the province's capital, has breathtaking beaches that are perfect for swimming, snorkeling and diving. It is also famous for its St. Paul underground river which was nominated as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Tourists looking for somewhere a little more quiet and private can arrange for a chartered plane to El Nido, an island known for its limestone cliffs, lush forest and picturesque beach.

Sorsogon

If you want something more exciting than snorkeling and diving, why not try whale shark watching? The whale shark is locally known in the Philippines as the butanding. These gentle giants have thrived in the waters of Sorsogon for many generations now. In 1998, the Philippine Department of Tourism made an official announcement declaring this area as an official haven of the butanding.

Sorsogon is also known for its beautiful Mt. Bulusan National Park where the active Mt. Bulusan reigns supreme. Tourists marvel at the park’s lush flora and fauna.

Sorsogon is surrounded by several beautiful white sand beaches, such as the Tolong-Gapo, Rizal Beach, Paguriran Island and Libanon Beach.

Subic

Subic is another summer spot bustling with fun activities such as swimming, diving, kayaking, jet skiing, wind surfing, parasailing, yachting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and trekking. It’s a place where visitors will never run out of something fun and worthwhile to do. Some of the popular beaches in Subic are All Hands, Dungaree, Grade Island, Hidden, Miracle and Nabasan. Subic has diving programs for novices and skilled divers who want to go on shipwreck or marine life dives.

Tourist spots perfect for the whole family are Zoobic Safari (home to numerous wildlife particularly tigers), Ocean Adventure (features dolphin and sea lion shows) and Jungle Joe's World (play zone for kids).

Adventurous types can try out the Jungle Environmental Survival Training Camp. Participants can learn about environmental survival skills such as making fires, finding drinking water in the forest, and more.

Tagaytay

Tagaytay is ideal for those looking for a more affordable weekend getaway. Its cool climate and clean air makes it a refreshing place to visit during hot summer days. People who go to Tagaytay can enjoy fun activities such as picnics, horseback riding and sightseeing. Some places of interests include Picnic Grove, Palace in the Sky, and Tagaytay Zoo.

There are many great places to eat in Tagaytay. Those who are tired of the usual burgers can try the authentic Mushroom Burgers in Tagaytay. Guests who want to feel close to nature while dining can try Sonya’s Garden and Antonio’s. Coffee connoisseurs can try the renowned Coffee Alamid at Bag of Beans.

Visitors also delight in buying delicious pasalubong such as fresh fruits, buko pie, tarts, and delectable ube from the Good Shepherd Convent.

Video: Video Sky Experience by SarapMagTravel c/o Youtube.

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Rachel Yapchiongco, also known as Rach to her friends, is a Psychology and Marketing Management graduate of De La Salle University. She took up several units of MBA at the same university. Rachel is a full-time mom to a charming young boy and married to an entrepreneur with a passion for cooking. She shares parenting experiences and slices of everyday life on her personal blog called Heart of Rachel.

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