Today's Travel Tips
5 Provinces in the Philippines You’ve Probably Ignored But Should Visit
The Philippines has a total of 81 provinces, how many of them have you visited?
Are you the type to stick to the trail and go to the places where
tourists usually go, or are you the kind of person who would rather
choose adventure, deviate from the norm and take the roads less
travelled?
For the curious and adventurous traveler, we put together a short
list of Philippine provinces that seriously need more attention.
Surigao del Sur
One of Surigao del Sur’s prides is the Enchanted River in the town of Hinatuan.
This entrancing river continues to fascinate tourists and residents
alike not just because of its crystal clear water but also because of
the many unexplained mysteries that surround it.
It may be reminiscent of Coron’s Kayangan Lake
but with its widely spread stories of mystical creature sightings to
beautiful fish that can’t seem to be caught, this river has a whole lot
of reasons to call itself “Enchanted.”
Not a fan of otherworldly stories? How about this: rivers are generally bodies of fresh water but the Enchanted River has salt water flowing through it. What’s interesting is that there is no visible source of where that salt water is coming from.
While it’s been reported that the river is about 25 meters deep, many
still claim that no one has ever reached the bottom of the Enchanted
River.
Another spot that should not be missed when in Surigao del Sur is the Philippines’ “Little Niagara Falls” called Tinuy-An Falls.
This three-level white water curtain in Bislig has the widest
waterfalls in the Philippines. It’s also said that a rainbow always
appears in the area between 9:00 AM to 11:00AM. Definitely another
grandeur to behold.
The
easiest route to get to these places in Surigao del Sur from Manila is
via a 1.5 hour flight to Butuan City, Agusan del Norte. From Butuan City
you can get to either Hinatuan or Bislig by bus with both destinations
taking approximately 4 to 5 hours of travel time.
Antique
You’ve probably passed by Antique on your way to Iloilo or Boracay
but have you ever stopped to check out what this place has to offer?
The province of Antique is often referred to as the place “where the
mountains meet the sea” because of the short distance between its
mountains and coast which is really a pleasant sight to see especially
if you are a nature lover.
If you’ve already tried the water rafting in Cagayan de Oro then you
must experience the river kayaking in Tibiao, Antique. Unlike the white
water rafting in CDO, you get to ride and navigate the kayak alone from start to finish.
With whitewater rafting grades of up to 3 (intermediate level with
medium-sized waves and 3 to 5-foot drops) and 4 (advanced level with
large waves, considerable drops and sharp maneuvering needed), it’s no
wonder the Department of Tourism has been promoting it as a whitewater kayaking destination.
If you are a fan of waterfalls, then trekking to the falls of Bugtong-Bato should top your list. The 1.3 kilometer trek will give you a nice scenic view of three out seven waterfalls of Tibiao.
For a unique and relaxing experience, do not miss the Kawa Hot Bath from the same town. The over-sized woks serve as a tub to give travelers a therapeutic sauna-like experience.
Here are some ways to get to Antique:
You can take a 17-hour Philtranco bus ride to Tibiao, Antique from Cubao, Quezon City.
Take an hour flight to Caticlan and get to Tibiao from the airport within 2 hours by car or van.
Fly from Manila to Iloilo City (1-hour flight) and take a 2 to 3-hour bus or van ride to Tibiao.
Take an hour flight to Caticlan and get to Tibiao from the airport within 2 hours by car or van.
Fly from Manila to Iloilo City (1-hour flight) and take a 2 to 3-hour bus or van ride to Tibiao.
Capiz
If you are a seafood lover, then Capiz is the perfect place for you.
It’s not called the “Seafood Capital of The Philippines” for nothing.
Fresh seafood is very abundant and affordable in Roxas City, Capiz’s capital.
This tiny province in Visayas may have an unpleasant reputation
because of “aswangs” or shape shifting mythical creatures that are said
to be thriving here, but visiting this captivating place and discovering
its secluded waterfalls, well-preserved churches, and rivers will prove
the folklores wrong.
Take the relaxing Panay River Cruise
or the Palina River Cruise on a cabana and have the river all to
yourself as you spot mangroves, fishing boats and fishing villages that
will give you a peek of the daily life of the locals.
After the cruise, you can visit the Pangilatan Falls, regarded as the most beautiful falls in Western Visayas.
There are daily flights (1 hour) from Manila to Roxas City, Capiz.
Marinduque
Marinduque, dubbed as the “Lent Capital of the Philippines,” is not
only worth your time during Holy Week. In fact, the best time to
experience the natural wonders of this small heart-shaped island is
during off-peak seasons. Marinduque has lots of places waiting to be
explored but unfortunately, people only go here to see the famous
Moriones Festival.
The town of Sta. Cruz, Marinduque is home to the Bathala Caves, a complex network of seven caves but only four of which have so far been explored.
If you are into mountain climbing, then trekking the summit of Mt. Malindig in the town of Buenavista, should be included in your itinerary. It is said that on a clear day, Mt. Mayon is visible from its summit.
If you are up for some swimming, visit the 1-kilometer long, fine white sand beach of Poctoy. This beach has a magnificent view of Mt. Malindig and its coral reefs and clear water makes it an ideal spot for snorkeling.
Air Asia Zest no longer has direct flights to Marinduque. You can instead take an 8 to 10 hour direct trip via the JAC Liner bus.
Siquijor
Siquijor, they say, is a mystical island that only brave souls would
dare set foot on. Lore has it that Siquijor is a place of sorcerers or mangkukulam which unfortunately, is enough reason for some people to avoid visiting this province.
Obviously, these are all just rumors as the only thing that’s supernatural on this small island is its rustic beauty.
If you are up for an adrenaline rush and know how to swim, prepare to walk down 130+ steps so you can jump off Cambugahay Falls Tarzan-style (using a rope strung on a branch or baging). With its multi-level cascaded falls, you’ll end up jumping anywhere from 8 to 12 feet high.
For a taste of Siquijor’s history, checking out the 400-year old giant Balete tree can get a bit creepy but it’s a definite must-see.
Get
to Siquijor from Manila by taking a 1-hour flight to Dumaguete City,
Negros Oriental and then taking another 1-hour ferry ride to Siquijor
from the Dumaguete Port.
No comments:
Post a Comment