Philippines Bucket List: 27 Amazing Things You Must Do

If you’re looking for the ultimate Philippines bucket list, then look no further!

This comprehensive guide includes 27 things to add to your list because the Philippines has everything you could possibly want from a destination. I would even go so far as to say that I think it’s one of the most underrated countries in Asia and it never fails to surprise me that so many people on their Southeast Asia travels overlook this sensational destination.

Given that the Philippines is an archipelago of over 7000 islands, it ticks all the boxes; from rich history and culture, breathtaking sceneries to hospitable, super friendly locals. Each island we visited was wildly different from the previous one; they all have their own personalities and it’s astonishing how different the vibe is in each place. So if you’re planning to explore the country, here’s a bucket list of things you must do and see to help plan your own unforgettable trip to the Philippines!

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My advice – don’t leave for the Philippines without this guide!

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1. Island Hopping in El Nido

It is undeniable that the Philippines is full of stunning beaches and island hopping in El Nido needs to be on every Philippines bucket list itinerary. There are 4 different boat tours to choose from here, each of them taking you to different, but equally stunning locations. We went on El Nido Tour A; visiting 7 Commando Beach, Secret Lagoon, Secret Beach, Twin Rocks, Shimizu Island and the Big Lagoon.

2. Squeeze through a hole in a limestone wall to discover Secret Lagoon

Secret Lagoon is a small pool of water hidden within a cove at Secret Beach, El Nido. Sure the beach is incredibly tranquil, but you will be blown away by the extraordinary scale of the limestone cliffs which tower over the beach, and where tiny patches of sound are dwarfed by the cliffs. The sheer scale of this amazing natural formation is hard to describe.

You cannot see the Secret Lagoon from where the boat docks, though it is a very popular spot with a long line to get inside. You jump off the boat and have to cross through the sea to the small hole in a limestone wall. The water is too shallow in parts to swim, but the rocks are incredibly sharp – make sure you bring good quality aqua shoes with you for this. We made the mistake of purchasing cheap ones on eBay and instantly regretted it – you have been warned. Don’t make the same mistake as me and your feet will thank me later!

You can witness my entertaining entrance though the small hole at the Secret Lagoon entrance in the vlog above. The other side of the gap opens up into a small pool of water completely surrounded by the cliffs. When you look up, all you see is the blue sky peeking though – it’s breathtaking. Now there really isn’t much to do inside the lagoon, aside from standing around in knee-deep water looking at a big group of strangers, but it’s such a unique experience to simply be in the moment and enjoy it.

3. Visit Nacpan beach from El Nido

Nacpan Beach is one of the most beautiful stretches of sand in the Philippines. With four kilometres of soft cream-coloured sand, swaying coconut palms, a fishing village, clear water and small surf-able waves, it’s the kind of place you would picture if you closed your eyes and imagined paradise.

4. Kayak at Big Lagoon

The Big Lagoon blew me away! Renowned for its clear waters, snorkelling spots and towering limestone, it certainly did not disappoint. This spot features on every Philippines bucket list, and for good reason; it was truly one of the highlights of our time in El Nido, Palawan. We explored the area on a kayak – accidentally went through a secret cave without informing our guides, which was scary but fun – and it was pure bliss.

Just be careful if you step out of your kayak in the shallow parts to take photos. You are allowed to do this, but there are lots of jellyfish in the water. Often you can see them through the clear water, but not always! I somehow got bitten on my finger without even realising.

5. Swim with Whale Sharks

Head to Oslob to swim alongside gentle giants in their natural habitat. If you aren’t staying in Oslob, then I recommend booking this whale shark tour with lunch included. This trip includes hotel pickup bright and early in the morning and return transfers from hotels in Moalboal or Cebu.

6. Take the ferry from Cebu to Bohol

Cebu and Bohol are two islands that are very close together, and you cannot visit one without the other. The short distance makes it ideal for a day trip, however, I would recommend spending at least one night in Bohol to experience all it has to offer.

Upgrade and travel in style in business class on OceanJet Ferries though; it’s only about £5 per person and totally worth it for such a seamless experience.

7. Batad Rice Terraces

Visiting the Batad Rice Terraces is a truly unique experience that showcases the ingenuity of the locals that built these rice terraces. The breathtaking views of the natural rice terraces are striking. You can hike up the terraces to get spectacular overlooking views of the surroundings, and though the hike can be challenging, the overall experience is remarkable. After the hike, you can take a refreshing dip in the cool waters of a nearby waterfall.

Top tip – ensure you wear hiking shoes with good grip for this as the trails can be narrow and uneven in parts.

8. Chocolate Hills

The Chocolate Hills are renowned for the unique geological formation of over 1,200 cone-shaped hills in Bohol, which turn a chocolate brown colour during the dry season. The viewpoint is a steep hike up the hill – be very careful when it rains as the bamboo steps are extremely slippery and broken in parts, and the hand rail non-existent in parts. Very much worth the visit though for the insane views of the numerous hills spread out all over the landscape. 

The viewing platform makes for a great resting place, and your guide transforms into a photographer. Ours was very patient while I teetered over the edge of the platform for ages, not wanting to look down as I’m scared of heights, but still insistent I wanted to get a photo taken!

Reader, I did it.

9. Chocolate Hills ATV ride

When in Bohol, an ATV quad biking or buggy ride is one of the best ways to see the unique landscape. We opted for a quad bike as the weather was wet and muddy when we visited, and this was a great experience.

Riding through the mud and jungle, and weaving through the coconut trees was an epic experience.

10. Climb Mount Pulag

You can trek to the summit of the third highest peak in the Philippines; Mount Pulag for breathtaking views of sea clouds and sunrise. Famed for its sea of clouds, but it’s also one of the best spots for stargazing too.

Mt Pulag is the highest peak in Luzon and the third highest mountain in the country in which a large part of it is regarded as a National Park. The best time to visit is between November and March, when is it less likely to rain.

11. Swim with turtles

Swimming with turtles is an experience that is on many people’s bucket lists. These graceful creatures have been around for over 150 million years and being able to see them cruising along under the water and living their best lives is such a magical experience. Some of the best spots for swimming with turtles in The Philippines are Apo Reef, Apo Island, Moalboal, Siquijor Island and Port Barton.

It is important to ensure you visit somewhere ethical and responsible, so that it doesn’t negatively affect the sea turtles; like the Apo Island turtles tour. Always make sure you keep your distance, never touch the turtles and don’t splash around too much as this may spook them. If turtles don’t see you as a threat they will often just allow you to cruise by as they move along.

12. Island and beach hopping in Boracay

While Boracay is probably the most touristy destination in the Philippines, known for their over the top nightlife, don’t let this deter you from visiting; it is still one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire country. Boracay’s magical sunsets can make even the most cynical visitor stand in awe. You can go on a boat tour beach hopping around Boracay; visiting islands and beaches such as Crocodile Island and Puka Beach, where you can swim and snorkel. Alternatively, you can go on a sunset cruise while paddle boarding which sounds like my idea of heaven.

13. Tarsiers in Bohol

Even if you aren’t a wildlife lover, you cannot miss an opportunity to see these tiny, endangered primates in person – and Bohol is one of the few places you can do so.

The Philippines tarsier is known for its small size and huge eyes that they use to hunt insects at night. The Tarsier Conservation Area in Bohol is a protected area for the Tarsier to repopulate and reside away from any threats. They are absolutely adorable, with huge eyes and watching the way they sleep on tree branches is so precious.

14. Firefly watching tour in Puerto Princesa

Going on a firefly watching tour is one of the best, unusual things to do in Puerto Princesa, and is a pretty cool experience and fun way to spend an evening. These tours pick you up from your hotel before you get get taken on paddle boats to watch the riverbank begin to illuminate from the glow of the fireflies – all while enjoying a buffet dinner. If you are looking for a unique experience in the Philippines, then definitely think of adding this one to your itinerary.

15. Ride a Jeepney

A Jeepney is the cheapest mode of public transportation in the Philippines – and unlike busses elsewhere, they can stop anywhere, making it easier for the driver and passengers to hop on and off when needed. Brightly painted and packed with commuters, Jeepneys are the most popular way for locals to get around in the Philippines. Rides cost around 7-8 pesos on average (10 pence) and up to 25 pesos (35 pence) for longer journeys. They are not only super budget friendly, but the best way to meet locals and a great way to get an insight into local daily life!

Top tip – Always carry small change for the driver and track your journey on google maps, so you know when to get off. Almost all Filipinos speak English, so they will be more than happy to help you out if you are confused about the journey.

16. Loboc River Cruise

This Loboc river cruise in a floating restaurant in Bohol was one of my favourite activities on this island due to the amazing natural beauty and tranquility of the Loboc River. While I was disappointed with vegan food in the Philippines overall, the buffet lunch on this cruise was outstanding. The on-board entertainment was, erm interesting, the native Philippine Dance show was excellent but the scenery was the real star of the show – followed closely by the food.

To get to the cruise, you head to a small town called Tay Tay where you will find many boat operators – be warned, they only take cash payment – we paid 850 peso per person (around £12 each). Alternatively, you can also book a Bohol Countryside Tour which includes this fab experience and a driver for the day, visiting various sights. 

17. Explore Coron Island

One of the most popular islands to visit in the Philippines is Coron in the province of Palawan. Now most tourists with limited time normally have to choose between visiting either El Nido or Coron in Palawan and often don’t do both. Sadly, we didn’t have enough time for Coron. However, it is renowned for it’s beautiful beaches, shallow coral reefs and incredible dive spots, so there is something for everyone. Whether you are looking for a relaxing break or an adventure packed holiday, you won’t run out of things to do here.

18. Learn to surf in Siargao

Siargao is the surfing capital of the Philippines thanks to it’s towering waves, so if this is on your bucket list, where better to do it then on a beautiful tropical island. You can go surfing all year round in Siargao, but if you want to experience the huge waves that this island is known for then the best time to travel to the Philippines is between the months of August and November. I’m a huge fan of water sports and trying new water activities, but sadly didn’t have any time on my Philippines itinerary to visit Siargao – I’m adding it to my Philippines travel bucket list for next time though!

19. Visit Sirao Garden

Sirao Garden, or Little Amsterdam is an instagrammers paradise; a hidden gem near Cebu City. A beautifully designed garden to capture the essence of Amsterdam – and it does just that. The quirky design consists of a canal, bicycles, a giant clog and gorgeous flower beds.

The views from the highest points are breathtaking and the gardens tendered to so beautifully. This spot is a fabulous way to spend an afternoon.

20. Learn to scuba dive

The Philippines is one of the cheapest places in the world to learn how to scuba dive and this has been on my bucket list forever. Moalboal or Malapascua Island, Cebu is meant to be a great spot to get your PADI certification and learn to dive, however we did ours in Mactan – and let’s just say it wasn’t the best.

If you watched my vlog (below), you’ll see that I didn’t actually complete my PADI as I didn’t feel very safe with the company we chose to book with, however, I completed 2 out of 3 days. I passed the theory exam, but only did one day of training as I had a panic attack in the water and didn’t want to go back for the last day.

If scuba diving is something you are interested in learning, you will need to factor in 3 days into your trip to complete this, and leave some time post dive for flights elsewhere as you cannot fly within 24 hours or so of diving, depending on how many meters you dive. I only went as far as 12 meters instead of the recommended 18 meters needed to pass the Open Water course.

21. Visit Kawasan Falls

If you’ve ever seen pictures of the Philippines, then I can almost guarantee that you will have seen Kawasan falls in Cebu; this is on most people’s Philippines bucket list. Kawasan falls is a mesmerising three-tiered waterfall that should not be missed. Take a refreshing dip in the stunning crystal-clear turquoise waters and the surrounding jungle which you can explore. 

22. Go Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls

If you are feeling adventurous, try Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls for an exhilarating experience. In fact, this activity is one of the most booked tours on the island– and for good reason. Moalboal is the best place to stay if you want to see Kawasan falls, as it’s only a 30 minute drive away and means you can get there early before the tourists. These beautiful falls are a must for any Philippines bucket list, so make sure you don’t forget your camera! 

23. Bilar Man-Made Forest

The Bilar Man-Made Forest is a magnificent man-made marvel; a dense forest stretching two kilometers along the border of Loboc and Bilar in Bohol. Made up of mahogany trees planted over 50 years ago as a reforestation project, it showcases the essence of environmental conservation, attracting nature lovers and photography enthusiasts alike.

The best time to visit this tourist destination is all year round, but would be much better in the dry season. We noticed an abrupt change in temperature when we got out of the car at the side of the road. The vast towering trees provide much needed shade in the heat, dropping the overall temperature of the area.

24. Hike up Mount Tapyas

When most people think of the Philippines, they think of beach and water-based activities. However, hiking is also a popular activity all over The Philippines with plenty of amazing routes; such as a short hike up to the Coron Hollywood sign which is located on Mount Tapyas.

25. Hike to Taal Volcano

On some islands in the Philippines, you can hike up volcanoes. One notable trek to the world’s smallest active volcano is Taal volcano on the island of Luzon, where you can enjoy a scenic boat ride across Taal Lake.

26. Rope swings at Cambugahay Falls

Cambugahay Falls on the island of Siquijor are a really popular tourist attraction and on everyones Philippines bucket list thanks to the multiple rope swings. We sadly didn’t get time to visit this island, but this three-tiered cascading waterfall looks incredibly picturesque. You can swing and jump to your heart’s content into these waterfalls.

Adrenaline lovers, this is the perfect spot for you. 

27. Get to know the Filipino locals

Filipinos have a reputation for being extremely friendly, and they certainly lived up to that. Genuinely some of the most friendly people you could ever wish to meet; always smiling and happy to help when they can. One of my favourite tips I can give you is to interact with the locals – it’s the best way to learn about their culture.

I hope this has piqued your interest in the Philippines – as you can see, this beautiful country has so much to offer and is the perfect destination for every traveller. These are some of the best experiences for you to add to your Philippines bucket list, but there are plenty more for you to choose from too! 

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