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Top 7 Best Summer Destinations in the Philippines
Itching for a summer getaway in the Philippines? Choose from these top travel spots in the country!
By: Peter Parcon | March 05, 2024
The Philippines has a long list of must-visit summer destinations.
Images: Isla Cabana Cloud 9 Siargao Island Philippines (L); Anawangin & Nagsasa Cove, Zambales (R) Facebook pages
Summer plans commonly involve visiting the beach and taking a dip to escape the summer sun’s heat. While most people spend their summer destination in the Philippines, especially at the beach, others may want to spend it in other travel spots.
As for us, we recently asked our readers about their must-visit summer destinations in the Philippines. If you have yet to finalize your summer getaway in the Philippines and are still undecided on where to go, then you’re in luck.
Based on their votes, the following are the top summer destinations for your summer vacation in the Philippines.
7. Puerto Galera
White Beach in Puerto Galera is expected to be filled with vacationers during the summer.
Image: White Beach Puerto Galera
Number seven on this list of the top summer destination in the Philippines is Puerto Galera. Situated in Oriental Mindoro, the place is a consistent entry into the best diving spots in the Philippines. UNESCO also recognized it as a Man and Biosphere Reserve in 1973. Puerto Galera has some resorts, including Mendelluke Suites, Marco Vincent Dive Resort, and Tropicana Castle Dive Resort.
This place to visit in the Philippines is popular among weekend trippers who usually stay at White Beach. Puerto Galera is a summer destination in the Philippines that doesn’t run out of fun and thrilling adventures. You can go with many activities on your summer getaway in the Philippines at this place, such as snorkeling, island-hopping, diving, or lazing around the beach the whole day while waiting for the sun to set.
6. Camiguin
Camiguin Island may seem unassuming, but it offers many activities for visitors during the summer.
Image: Unsplash
The “Island Born of Fire” ranks sixth on the list of summer destinations in the Philippines. Camiguin Island was formed through earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. It is the second smallest island in the county and can be explored within a day or two. It features cultural and natural attractions that can keep you occupied during your entire stay on the island.
The hot and cold springs are among the popular summer destinations in the Philippines at Camiguin Island, including Mt. Hibok Hibok Ardent Hot Spring and Sto. Nino Cold Spring. Mantigue Island and White Island are perfect places for a summer vacation in the Philippines; visitors also seek sand, sea, and surf. Camiguin Island is different from your usual summer getaway in the Philippines since it is also home to several waterfalls, including Katibawasan Falls and Tuasan Falls.
5. Zambales
Visitors can opt to hit the beaches or hike when they visit Zambales.
Image: Anawangin & Nagsasa Cove, Zambales Facebook page
While the other places on this list of summer destinations in the Philippines are usual entries on popular summer destination lists yearly, Zambales can be considered a newcomer. The area has a lot to offer to visitors during the summer. Zambales is also the bastion of the Aestas, the earliest people to arrive in the archipelago.
One popular activity in Zambales is hiking since 60 percent of the province is covered in the mountains. When you hike, you may learn a thing or two about jungle survival from your Aeta guide, another unique experience on your summer destination in the Philippines. Since it’s your summer getaway in the Philippines, you may also want to go diving and check out the wrecks off the coast or surf in the beachside towns of San Narciso and San Felipe.
4. La Union, El Nido, and Vigan
La Union
The beaches of La Union are relatively modest since people visit the place for the waves..
Image: Unsplash
La Union is considered the “Surfing Capital of the North”, another summer destination of the Philippines. It makes the place a popular summer vacation in the Philippines among local and foreign surfers. In addition to your summer getaway in the Philippines, you can explore the Tangadan Falls and Tuddingan Falls or check out some cultural treasures in the province, like the Ma-Cho Temple and Bahay na Bato. In addition, this summer destination of the Philippines also offers foodies a treat at the night market of San Fernando City.
El Nido
Top view of a beach surrounded by mountains destinations in the country once summer comes.
Image: Unsplash
A list of top summer destinations in the Philippines will only be complete with El Nido, Palawan. Named one of the world's best islands by Conde Nast, El Nido is one place you should consider visiting during the summer. People typically associate El Nido with paradise since the place features pristine white sand beaches, enchanting lagoons, mysterious caves, and scenic limestone cliffs. In addition to your summer getaway in the Philippines, the biodiversity of life under the sea is equally as impressive as the diverse wildlife on land, making Palawan an ideal tourist spot and summer destination in the Philippines.
Vigan
The colonial houses at Vigan give visitors a peek at life during the Spanish era.
Image: Vigan Arce Mansion
Spending your summer getaway in the Philippines in a historic place like Vigan is a history lover’s dream. Aside from the Vigan Heritage Village or the Mestizo District, Plaza Salcedo is another place history lovers should not fail to visit while in Vigan. Going to this kind of summer destination in the Philippines is another way to spend your vacation. Its Spanish-style houses with East Asian and European influences, on your summer vacation in the Philippines, this place will show what a Spanish colonial town looked like in the 16th century. It is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
3. Siargao
Clear weather is always welcomed for visitors looking to catch a wave in Siargao..
Image: Isla Cabana Cloud 9 Siargao Island Philippines Facebook page
Siargao Island is third on the list of summer destinations in the Philippines. It is home to one of the world's top ten best waves for surfing. The island is also considered the Surfing Capital of the Philippines, which is why this is a popular summer getaway in the Philippines. It has several surf areas depending on the level of the surfer. Beginners can start at Jacking Horse, while experienced surfers can head to Cloud 9 or Rock Island.
In addition to surfing, given that this is a summer destination in the Philippines, visitors to Siargao can also go island-hopping and visit Daku Island or Naked Island. They can also check out Sohoton National Park or dip at Malinao Beach or Alegria Beach. You may also want to explore this summer destination in the Philippines, in their caves on the island, including Crystal Cave and Hagukan Cave.
2. Boracay and Coron
Boracay
The powdery-white beaches in Boracay have remained unmatched anywhere in the world.
Image: Pixabay
Boracay is considered one of the summer destinations in the Philippines. Even before Boracay Island went through rehabilitation in 2018, it was considered among the best islands in the country and a famous summer getaway in the Philippines. The six-month respite from tourism activities benefitted the island as it only enhanced its natural beauty and cemented its status as one of the archipelago’s best islands. For your summer vacation in the Philippines, aside from visiting the powdery-white beaches of Boracay, visitors can also indulge in many water sports activities. They can also visit the bat caves of Yapak with an experienced guide at this summer destination in the Philippines.
Coron
Exploring the islands of Coron is a great way to spend your summer.
Image: Coron Underwater Garden Resort Palawan Facebook page
Similar to Boracay Island, Coron is also a shoo-in for any list of summer destinations in the Philippines. It is one of the islands in Palawan and is well-known for its white-sand beaches and Japanese shipwrecks lying off its coast. Aside from swimming and diving at this summer getaway in the Philippines, visitors can also go island-hopping and visit Barracuda Lake, Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, and Banol Beach. Hiking up Mt. Tapyas allows viewing Coron from a high vantage point. After the hike at this summer destination in the Philippines, drop by the Maquinit Hot Springs to soothe your tired muscles.
1. Baguio
The scenic tourist sites of Baguio are just one of the things tourists visit every summer.
Image: Baguio Heritage Foundation, Inc. Facebook page
On top of this survey it is pretty logical since this is a list of the top summer destinations in the Philippines. Even though it has many other nicknames, including the City of Flowers, City of Pines, and Garden City of the Philippines, Baguio is still considered the Summer Capital of the Philippines. The cool weather in the City of Pines makes it an ideal summer getaway in the Philippines.
While many people visit Baguio for the climate and spend their summer vacation in the Philippines, the city offers more to its visitors besides providing a brief relief from the summer sun's heat. Many tourist spots in and around the city at this summer destination in the Philippines, including the iconic Lion’s Head welcoming visitors to Camp John Hay, Burnham Park, Mines View Park, and the Ifugao Woodcarvers’ Village.
Summer is the perfect time to start exploring the breathtaking scenery found all over the country, and luckily, you still have a lot of time to do just that.
Visit Yoorekka Magazine for more summer destinations in the Philippines!
This article was initially published in Yoorekka on April 17, 2019.
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About Peter Parcon
After leaving spending 16 years of his professional life in the academe, Peter decided to try his luck in the world of online freelancing. For the past eight years, he has been creating content for clients all around the world. He can work on just about any topic - from tattoos to technology and food to finance. He dreams of visiting every island in the archipelago some day.
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