For many Filipinos abroad, a trip home begins with family. But somewhere between the reunions and shared meals, there may also be room for a place you have always wanted to see.
A beach you remember from childhood. A mountain town you have only seen in photographs. A province that has spent years on your list.
These twenty destinations, drawn from Sarisari’s travel shortlist, offer starting points for that next journey. They are not a ranking: the best place depends on the experience you want, the time you have, and the people travelling with you.
1. Boracay Island
White Beach is Boracay’s familiar calling card: a long shoreline, pale sand, and sunsets that invite you to slow down. Beyond time on the beach, visitors can explore places to eat and the island’s lively evening scene.
2. El Nido, Palawan
Limestone cliffs, sheltered lagoons, and island-hopping routes give El Nido its distinctive landscape. Rather than trying to fit everything into one outing, leave room to appreciate the places your permitted tour includes.
3. Coron, Palawan
The Coron area brings together lake scenery, limestone formations, and wreck-diving sites. Kayangan Lake is a well-known stop, while diving requires an itinerary suited to your training and experience. Follow local community rules at every site.
4. Cebu
Cebu offers much more than a single beach escape. Moalboal is known for its sardine run, while the Badian area draws visitors to Kawasan Falls and guided canyoneering. Check current access and activity conditions before making plans.
5. Bohol
The Chocolate Hills and Philippine tarsiers make Bohol memorable, but they are only a beginning. Give yourself time for its coastal towns and countryside. At wildlife sites, keep quiet, avoid flash photography, and never touch or disturb the animals.
6. Siargao
Cloud 9 helped make Siargao a familiar name among surfers. Lagoons, coastal villages, and island excursions offer other ways to explore. Surf breaks differ in difficulty, so choose lessons and locations appropriate to your ability.
7. Manila and Intramuros
Manila deserves more than a hurried transfer between flights. In Intramuros, walls, churches, plazas, and museums offer different windows into Philippine history. A thoughtful visit leaves room for the city’s living culture as well as its landmarks.
8. Puerto Princesa, Palawan
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is a major reason to include this part of Palawan in a trip. Plan around current permits, weather, and transport arrangements, and allow time beyond the cave excursion.
9. Baguio
Pine trees, parks, markets, and cooler mountain air are part of Baguio’s appeal. It is also a busy city, so an unhurried itinerary can be more rewarding than a long checklist of stops.
10. Vigan City
Vigan’s heritage streets and ancestral houses invite exploration on foot. Look beyond a photograph on Calle Crisologo to the food, craft traditions, and people who give the city its present-day character.
11. Batanes
Rolling hills, stone houses, and dramatic coastlines make Batanes distinctive. It is also home to living Ivatan communities, not simply a scenic backdrop. Respect private property and local customs, and build flexibility into plans because weather can affect travel.
12. Sagada
Sagada offers mountain scenery, caves, and opportunities to learn about local traditions. Burial sites are sacred places. Follow community guidance on access and photography, and use authorised guides where required.
13. Apo Island, Negros Oriental
Apo Island is known for marine conservation, reefs, and opportunities to observe sea turtles. Keep a respectful distance from wildlife, do not stand on coral, and follow local guides’ instructions.
14. Siquijor
Waterfalls, beaches, and local traditions give Siquijor a character of its own. Cambugahay Falls is a familiar name, but exploring the island thoughtfully means treating its communities and beliefs with respect rather than reducing them to folklore.
15. Davao City
Davao offers an urban base for exploring parts of the surrounding region, with food, parks, and cultural experiences to consider. Mount Apo is a separate undertaking that requires careful preparation and current information about permits and access.
16. Banaue and Batad, Ifugao
The rice-terrace landscapes around Banaue and Batad reflect generations of knowledge, labour, and community life. They are working cultural landscapes. Stay on permitted paths, respect farming activities, and consider the demands of steep terrain when planning walks.
17. Camiguin
Volcanic landscapes, springs, and the Sunken Cemetery give Camiguin a distinctive mix of scenery and history. A slower circuit of the island leaves space for small discoveries between the better-known stops.
18. La Union
Surfing, cafés, and coastal weekends have made La Union a familiar choice for many travellers. Conditions change with the season and the day, so get local advice before entering the water, whether you are learning to surf or simply swimming.
19. Hundred Islands National Park, Pangasinan
Island-studded seascapes draw visitors to this protected area near Alaminos. Plan boating with authorised operators, wear the safety equipment provided, and respect restrictions intended to protect the islands and surrounding waters.
20. Subic Beach, Sorsogon
This Subic Beach is in Matnog, Sorsogon, not Subic Bay in Zambales. Known for its pinkish-white sand, it offers a different coastal stop for travellers exploring this part of Bicol. Confirm boat arrangements and sea conditions locally.
Plan for the place, not just the photograph
Weather, transport, permits, opening hours, and site rules can change. Check current information with local tourism offices and authorised operators before travelling. Swimming, diving, surfing, caving, and mountain activities each require their own preparation; a beautiful setting is not a guarantee of safe conditions.
Travel also means visiting someone else’s home. Ask before photographing people, respect sacred places, give wildlife space, and take your waste with you.
For a balikbayan, exploring the Philippines can be another way of reconnecting. For a first-time visitor, it can be the beginning of a much longer relationship with the country.
Which destination holds a memory for you, and which would you like Sarisari to explore next?