Best in April

Mambajao, Camiguin

Camiguin Island

The "Island Born of Fire" off northern Mindanao: a white sandbar, a sunken cemetery, waterfalls, hot and cold springs and sweet lanzones. A slow scooter loop with a short flight from Cebu.

Corella, Bohol

Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, Corella

Meet a tiny big-eyed tarsier in a quiet Bohol forest: a short guided walk at a conservation sanctuary in Corella, with strict no-flash and no-touching rules.

San Juan, Siquijor

Siquijor

A small, friendly island of turquoise waterfalls, sunset beaches and old stone churches, best explored on a slow loop by motorbike or tricycle. Now reachable by direct flight from Cebu.

Dauin, Negros Oriental

Apo Island

A tiny volcanic island off southern Negros with one of the Philippines' most famous community-run marine sanctuaries. Snorkel with green sea turtles over healthy coral, the respectful way.

Panglao, Bohol

Panglao Island

Bohol's beach island: white sand at Alona, turtles and reef walls at Balicasag, an underground lagoon at Hinagdanan and an easy fast-ferry trip from Cebu.

Sagada, Mountain Province

Sagada

A cool mountain town in the Cordillera, known for the hanging coffins of Echo Valley, Sumaguing Cave, sunrise over a sea of clouds and pine-scented hikes.

Limasawa, Southern Leyte

Limasawa Island

A small, quiet island off Southern Leyte where the first Easter Mass in the Philippines was held in 1521. Climb to the hilltop cross, snorkel clear water and enjoy slow island life.

Bangui, Ilocos Norte

Bangui Windmills

A row of giant wind turbines along a grey-sand shore at the northern tip of Luzon, plus the classic Ilocos Norte loop: rock formations, a hilltop lighthouse, a UNESCO church and sand dunes.

Basco, Batanes

Batanes

The northernmost province of the Philippines: rolling green hills, wild coastlines, old stone houses and a slow, gentle way of life. A trip you plan ahead and never forget.

Carmen, Bohol

Chocolate Hills

Over a thousand grassy hills rolling to the horizon in the heart of Bohol, an easy day or overnight trip from Cebu by fast ferry, with tarsiers and the Loboc River on the way.

El Nido, Coron and Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Palawan

Limestone lagoons in El Nido, crystal lakes and wrecks in Coron, and an underground river in Puerto Princesa. How to pick your base and fly there from Cebu.

General Luna, Surigao del Norte

Siargao

The surfing capital of the Philippines: Cloud 9 waves, a green lagoon, tidal rock pools and tiny palm islands, about an hour by direct flight from Cebu.