Top 10 Tourist Spots in the Philippines

The Philippines is blessed with 7,107 beautiful islands. The Philippines has the 5th longest coastline in the world. It boasts of wonderful beaches that attract locals and tourists alike. The temperate climate makes it a perfect place to enjoy the heat of the sun. Many islands offer a chance to appreciate nature's splendor. Are you ready for a tour? Allow me to take you to the Top 10 Tourist Spots in the Philippines.

1. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River - Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines

What better way to start the list than with the Puerto Princesa Underground River, one of the sites included in the provisional New 7 Wonders of Nature? The Subterranean River is reputed to be the longest navigable river in the world. The river winds through a cave before it flows directly into the sea. Stalactites and stalagmites can be found inside the cave which, through the years, formed into different figures of humans, animals, and objects.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River is located in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Palawan is also home to two of the most visited areas in the country because of its beaches and wildlife: El Nido and Coron.

2. Tubbataha Reef - Sulu Sea, Philippines

Tubbataha Reef is a marine sanctuary located in the Sulu Sea. It was also nominated at the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The reef is composed of two coral atolls. The Tubbataha Reef National Park is popular among divers. It is widely considered as the best dive site in the Philippines. The corals serve as habitat for many colonies of fish. A variety of marine life exists in the sanctuary, including some endangered species.

3. Chocolate Hills - Bohol, Philippines

The Chocolates Hills is an uncommon geological formation. Estimated to be from 1200 to 1700 mounds, these hills are spread over an area of over 20 square miles. The sizes of the hills range from 98 to 160 feet. These dome-shaped hills are actually limestone covered in grass. The grass turns chocolate brown during the dry season; this makes the area look like an endless row of chocolates.

4. Mayon Volcano - Albay, Bicol, Philippines

Mayon Volcano is an active volcano in the province of Albay. It is famous for having a "perfect cone". Its cone is considered to be the world's most perfectly formed volcano. Layers of pyroclastic and lava flows contributed to the volcano's current form.

5. Banaue Rice Terraces - Ifugao, Philippines

The Banaue Rice Terraces are terraces carved by the indigenous people of Ifugao in the Philippines. It is largely made by hand. These terraces date back to more than 2000 years ago. The people of Ifugao have been its caretakers. The Filipinos usually refer to the site as the "Eighth Wonder of the World".

6. Sagada - Mountain Province, Philippines

Sagada is famous for its hanging coffins and its unexplored caves and forests. The hanging coffins are coffins placed on cliffs. This is a traditional way of burying people practiced by the indigenous tribe in the area. Sagada is home to many subterranean caves, the most popular of which is the Sumaging Cave. Inside the cave, amazing formations of limestone rocks and crystal clear water can be found.

7. Baguio - Baguio City, Philippines

Baguio City is considered as the Summer Capital of the Philippines. Many Filipinos who want to escape the heat of summer go to Baguio to relax and enjoy the cool weather. A variety of cultural and historic attractions make it a popular choice among tourists as an interesting destination. Among its scenic spots are Club John Hay, the Mansion House, the Burnham Park, and the Lion's Head.

8. Caramoan - Camarines Sur, Philippines

The Caramoan Peninsula is popular for its beautiful island beaches. White sand beaches and magnificent coral reefs are found around the peninsula. One will never get tired of island-hopping in Caramoan because of the unique features of each island beach. Another attraction in Camarines Sur is the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex. It is a watersports park designed for wakeboarding, wakeskating, and waterskiing.

9. Boracay - Aklan, Philippines

Boracay Island is the most popular tourist destination in the Philippines. It is known world-wide because of its white sand beaches. The Boracay Island received numerous awards. It has been awarded recently as the second best beach in the world and ranked fourth in the Top 10 Islands list of the World's Best Awards 2011. White Beach is the main tourism beach. It is lined with first-class resorts and restaurants. Popular activities on Boracay include scuba diving, snorkeling, kiteboarding, cliff diving, and windsurfing.

10. Metro Manila - National Capital Region, Philippines

The Philippines does not only boast of its nature's beauty, but also of its attractions on the metropolitan area. Metro Manila is composed of the main cities and municipalities in the Philippines. From historic sites to shopping malls, tourists will always find a place to visit in Metro Manila. Rizal Park is among the most popular destinations. A monument was erected in the park to commemorate the memory of Dr. Jose Rizal, the National Hero of the Philippines. Just around the Rizal Park are other historical sites: Intramuros, Fort Santiago and Manila Cathedral. Tourists who love to shop will also enjoy the metro as three of the largest malls in the world are located in Metro Manila.

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By Catrus P Manlosa