There is more to the Philippines than just Boracay, Bohol and Palawan. Tourists flock to more popular areas and often, they miss the real gems while looking at some beautiful stones. These destinations managed to stay under tourist radar for a long while prolonging their preserved beauty. The remoteness of these places adds to the ultimate adventure that only the brave ones get to experience.
Let us take a look at some of the best-hidden gem destinations in the country that are yet to be discovered in the international scene.
Batad Rice Terraces (Ifugao, Mountain Province)
Photo credit: Out of Town Blog
People who have been to Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao, Mountain province must have been awed by the vibrant rice paddies. Little did they know that just around the corner, a better, more spectacular, bigger and more beautiful but quiet gem is right under their nose just waiting to be discovered…
Batad Rice Terraces is shaped like an amphitheatre and is the true gem that which is often overlooked because Banaue rice terraces are more popular and easier to get to. Batad Rice Terraces is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. It is truly the most magnificent and well-preserved rice terraces in the entire Cordillera region. The rice paddies date back between 2000 and 6000 years.
Batad Rice Terraces is so remote that transportation going to the jump-off point is so scarce. There are actually no vehicles and no concrete roads to the place. One needs to go there by foot and hike down toward the village. The trails are not difficult but very steep so you really need to be very fit to make it all the way back to the top.
When to Visit:
Batad is situated high in the Cordillera mountain range so expect a cool weather throughout the year. It is prone to rains as well so always bring a raincoat with you when you visit. The rice terraces are often cloaked in fog and mist especially in the morning but it is best viewed from the view deck during midday. Best Time to visit is during the summer (April- June) and December to February.
How to get there:
There are some tours that offer van transport from Manila to Batad as a 3-day itinerary including nearby tourist spots like Sagada and Banaue. Mostly, these are local tourists. Independent backpackers can take a bus from Manila to Banaue for 10 hours and from Banaue, take a jeepney or a tricycle to the “Saddle”- the jump-off point. From there a 20-minute trek down muddy trails ensues to the village. For more adventure, you can opt to take off at Batad junction instead and take a 3km trek down to the village. Visit also the nearby Tappiya falls and bathe in its cool but satisfying waters.
Batanes (Batanes group of Islands)
Photo credit: Pinoy Adventurista
Batanes is the northernmost part of the Philippine archipelago. It is so remote that it is much easier to go to Taiwan and Thailand than Batanes. It is only accessible by air transport and you must have a lot of cash to spare for transport when you want to go to this paradise as it is more expensive going to Batanes than anywhere else in South-east Asia.
Why visit this gem destination?
Only a handful of tourists manage to visit this breathtaking archipelago. For this reason, Batanes remained idyllic, clean and well-preserved. Batanes is very different compared to other Philippine destinations. It gives more of a European vibe with its rolling hills, vast grasslands, towering limestone cliffs and clear blue waters than a tropical beach paradise. Locals who have visited the place fell in love with its raw beauty and breathtaking views which seemed to be cut out straight from Jurassic Park or Lord of the Rings.
Batanes is virtually crime-free. It is the least populated in the country and therefore there is very little advancement in the community. People here still practice their basic and traditional lifestyle and live in traditional houses. One of the best ways to experience Batanes is by going to a homestay instead of a hotel, and getting to know the local way of life firsthand.
When to visit:
Batanes is in the Pacific and therefore the islands are constantly battled with fierce storms. The best time to visit is between December and May when the rainy season is over. The temperature is relatively cool all year round.
How to get there:
Only 2 airlines ply the route to Batanes: Philippine Airlines and Sky Jet. Airfare is expensive so expect to pay from 7000 to 15000 pesos for a roundtrip fare. There are some promo tickets sometimes but it is very hard to come by. And once you leave, Batanes will surely leave you heartbroken.
Hinugtan Beach (Malay, Aklan)
Photo credit: Trover
Take Boracay and remove all the commercial establishments on it and place it in a quiet and rural setting and you will get the Pristine Hinugtan Beach. It’s got Boracay’s white sands, crystal and turquoise blue waters minus the crowd, establishments and boats. It looks so much like Boracay before the fame and discovery. Since it’s quite close to Boracay, it can also be easily visited as a day tour from the island as well. In fact, many of the Boracay tour operators offer Hingutan Beach as a part of their tour package.
Hinugtan Beach has 3 different areas. One is rough and rocky and not very good for swimming. The other one is with powdery creamy-white sands that surpasses that of Boracay and the third one is with cream-coloured sands that are not as fine as powder. It is amazing how such one stretch of beach can have 3 different qualities.
When to visit:
Hinugtan beach is best visited during the dry season. It is mostly accessed from Boracay Island by boat and so good weather is always a prerequisite otherwise stormy sea will engulf you. The dry season starts from December to May.
How to get there:
Hinugtan beach is quite remote. From Boracay, a 45-minute panoramic ride by boat will take you to this Hidden paradise. It is more difficult to go by land transport, though. Hinugtan beach is in Buruanga town and most buses and public transports pass by the jump-off point so that part is easy.
From the jump-off point, however, if you don’t have your own transport then you will be walking all the way to the top of the hill which could take hours. However, the paved road ends where nature begins. One has to descend the tricky rocky and muddy road (difficult for even motorcycles; we tried and we failed) and then follow the small muddy trail until you find the beach. It is difficult to get to indeed but once there, it will take your breath away.
Surigao Del Sur (Mindanao)
Surigao del Sur is in the south of the country. It is part of Muslim Mindanao which is notorious for Muslim rebels. Do not fear though, Surigao Del Sur is safe and beautiful. The reason why it remained under tourist radar is because travellers, especially international tourists, tend to avoid Mindanao altogether for fear of their safety. However, If you are brave enough to go, there is much to see and do in this hidden gem destination.
Hinatuan Enchanted River
Photo credit: Popsugar
You will certainly be enchanted by this river. The sheer beauty and clarity of the water are enough to leave you breathless. But what’s mysterious about it is that no one has yet to reach the bottom of the river no matter how reachable it seems. The underwater currents are very strong. Another mystery is where the schools of fish come from during feeding time and why no one has been able to catch one despite their numbers. Well, this is plain folklore but who knows…
Tinuy-an Falls:
This waterfall is locally known as the Niagara of the Philippines. It is 90 meters wide and 55 meters tall. It is 4-tiered and the waters are powerful.
Photo: Wikipedia
Brittania Group of Islands:
Photo credit: http://www.tourists-attractions.com
This small archipelago consists of 24 islands and only 4 are accessible to tourists. Here, you will find white sandy shores, sandbars and good snorkelling spots.
When to visit:
Surigao Del Sur gets its fair share of rains all year round but the best time to visit is from July to October.
How to get there:
Surigao Del Sur is accessible via air transport from Manila and Cebu to Butuan and Tandag City respectively. The only airline flying that route is Cebu Pacific. The province can also be accessed by land transport from neighbouring provinces like Davao, Butuan and Iligan.