Best Places to visit in the Philippines this 2024!

Best Places to visit in the Philippines this 2024!

1. Sipatan Twin Hanging Bamboo Bridge

How I wish I could circumnavigate Bohol Island in the Philippines. The wonders of its nature is surreal. I cannot deny the fear I felt looking at the swaying and squeaking bamboo bridge while the people are striding it to get to the other side but I did it and I was so happy to be able to reach this destination in Bohol.

You will learn more about this Sipatan Twin Hanging Bridge here: https://dailytravelpill.com/bamboo-hanging-bridge-bohol-what-you-need-to-know/

2. Panglao Island Bohol

Panglao is an island in the north Bohol Sea, located in the Central Visayas region of the Visayas island group, in the south-central Philippines.

The island has an area of 91.12 square kilometres (35.18 sq mi). It is within Bohol Province, and comprises two municipalities: Dauis and Panglao. Panglao island is located southwest of the island of Bohol and east and south of Cebu.

Panglao has a terrain that ranges from plain, hilly to mountainous. Panglao is made of Maribojoc limestone, the youngest of the limestone units found in the western area of Bohol. The limestone composition delayed the development of the international airport as coralline limestone is soluble which causes formation of caves and sinkholes. One interesting geological feature found in the island is the Hinagdanan Cave which has an underground water source. The cave is an important water source as the island has no rivers or lakes.

Panglao is a popular tourist destination in the Philippines and includes several small islands, such as Gak-ang, Pontod, and Balicasag and is close to Pamalican island. Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panglao_Island

3. Chocolate Hills Bohol

Is the Chocolate Hills in Bohol delicious?

If the locals in Bohol think it’s breathtaking then how much more a tourist like me? At the beginning, in the first few years when Chocolate Hills became famous to the Taiwanese people, they presume this is in Cebu.

They would often say: “Ahhh I like Cebu and its Chocolate Hills!” Then I would reply, “Wow!! You also went to Bohol? That’s 2 Philippine Islands already.” This way they would know that they had been to another province that’s just a few minutes away from Cebu.

Now, I hear Taiwanese say I love Bohol and Cebu. The Panglao Beach in Bohol has pristine waters and many of them enjoy diving too! It’s a happy thing to know that our archipelagoes are attracting more tourists. Chocolate Hills is definitely a must go place in the Philippines.

Best Places to visit in the Philippines this 2024

Also read Best Places to visit in the Philippines 2023 https://everydaywithgen.com/best-places-to-visit-in-the-philippines-this-2023/

4. Baclayon Church Bohol

La Purisima Concepcion de la Virgen Maria Parish Church (also The Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary Parish Church), commonly known as Baclayon Church, is a Roman Catholic Church in the municipality of Baclayon, Bohol, Philippines within the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tagbilaran. Baclayon was founded by the Jesuit priest Juan de Torres and Gabriel Sánchez in 1596, and became the oldest Christian settlement in Bohol. It was elevated as a parish in 1717 and the present coral stone church was completed in 1737. The Augustinian Recollects succeeded the Jesuits in 1768 and heavily renovated the church since then.

The church was declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines and a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Together with the churches of Maragondon, Loboc and Guiuan, the Baclayon Church was formerly included for the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List of the Philippines since 1993 under the collective group of Jesuit Churches of the Philippines. When a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Bohol and other parts of Central Visayas in 2013, the church building sustained major damage. It was reconstructed by the National Museum of the Philippines from 2014 to 2018. Read more here: Reference Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baclayon_Church

Best Places to visit in the Philippines

5. Blood Compact Shrine Bohol

The Blood Compact Monument is an artwork that was made to honor the first international treaty between the Philippines and Spain. The memorial stands in an area along the side of what is now known as Tagbilaran East Road in the Bool District. Its current spot holds historical significance since it is where  Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Rajah Sikatuna performed a blood compact on March 16, 1565. This gesture supposedly signified peace and friendship between the foreigners and the natives of Bohol.

The life-sized monument was created by National Artist Napoleon Abueva, a native Boholano as well. It is placed on a raised dais and portrays 5 life-sized bronze statues of men gathered around a table and toasting drinks with Legazpi and Sikatuna.

Best Places to visit in the Philippines

How to get there

Travelers can reach the historical monument by taking a car along Tagbilaran East Road from Tagbilaran City. As for public transportation, you can also ride a tricycle directly to the statue. Otherwise, you can join tours that include the Blood Compact Monument in its itinerary. 

Best time to visit

Since the monument is positioned outdoors, it is best to visit it between December and March when the weather is generally cooler. There are also fewer chances of rain during these months so you can get a closer look at the memorial.

Read more here: Reference https://guidetothephilippines.ph/destinations-and-attractions/blood-compact-shrine

Best Places to visit in the Philippines

6. Bohol Museum

The National Museum Tagbilaran is located on Carlos P. Garcia Avenue and was opened to the public in July 2018. The site of Bohol’s national museum used to be the 1860 Provincial Capitol Building, which was reconstructed after it had been damaged by an earthquake in 2013. 

The museum has dedicated sections where the results of the archaeological excavation and exploration of the sites in Anda Peninsula are displayed, giving insights into the prehistory of the island of Bohol. Along with this, The museum organizes artwork exhibits, such as the one featuring the Boholano artist Napoleon Abueva. The exhibit features dozens of significant works from the artist’s collection and the tools he used in sculpting. Abueva was known as the Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture and was a National Artist for Sculpture when he was still alive. These recognitions are the first for a Boholano artist.

Best Places to Visit in the Philippines

An entire section also displays the rehabilitation efforts made on the old churches damaged during the earthquake. Also housed in the museum is documentation on the protection, conservation, and preservation of cultural properties of Bohol and Eastern Samar, which were both hit by the 2013 earthquake. These are important since they are considered National Cultural Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.

Best time to visit

The museum is open from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 8 AM to 4:30 PM.  Best Places to Visit in the Philippines

Reference: https://guidetothephilippines.ph/destinations-and-attractions/national-museum-tagbilaran

7. Hidden Valley Mountain and Wavepool Resort Pinamungahan Cebu

Traveling to this mountain resort is an adventure in itself as the road winds its way up over scenic rice fields and mountains. Located 14 kilometers away from the town proper, the Hidden Valley Mountain Resort is owned and managed by the Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LMPC).

It is a perfect place for relaxation, swimming, conferences, seminars, meetings, weddings, parties, reunions and other such gathering or celebrations. The mountain resort – which has two big pools for adults and two small pools for the kids – is one of the best places to commune with nature and enjoy its serenity. Read more here: Reference http://www.pinamungajan.gov.ph/listindex.asp?newsid=8&category=resorts&wfunc=viewarticle&rightpanel=yes&titlecap=Hidden%20Valley%20Mountain%20Resort

Best places to visit in the Philippines

8. Museo Toledo at Toledo City Cebu

A very simple and small place to enjoy and discover in Toledo City, Cebu, Philippines. After a quick visit at the museum you can explore the market, bbq area and the park in the city.

9. Capilla Santa Ana Museum and Community Center

This Capilla Santa Ana Museum and Community Center was a surprise to me when I visited Cebu in 2013! I never thought Toledo City Cebu has a museum with so many precious collections! If you’re from Cebu, try this beautiful museum in Toledo.

10. ECAP Cebeco III Toledo City Cebu

A simple place to have your afternoon snack, pay your electric bill and relax. The Cebu Province presentation attracts some tourists and many take a picture on their most favorite city, municipality or place in the map of Cebu.

Discover more about Cebu, Philippines here!