6 Off The Beaten Path Places That Should Be On Your Bucketlist

written on August 30th, 2016 by Kristiana Rule

Tired of the usual touristy crowd? Sick of the throngs of people messing up your peace and quiet? Lucky for you there’s 7,107 islands in the Philippines. Here are some places off-the-beaten path you might wanna check out.

1. Real, Quezon

Real may just look like another little town outside of Manila, but it has its own secret charms. Rising in popularity as the country’s next big surfing spot, city dwellers from Manila can take the 3 hour drive to catch waves. It’s a laid back town perfect for backpackers and weekend warriors who love camping out. There’s also Balagbag falls- a two-tiered waterfall that’s relatively free of the usual crowds.

2. Islas de Gigantes, Iloilo

Islas de Gigantes in Carles, Ilo-ilo could easily be mistaken as El Nido or Coron with its steep rock formations and clear, shallow lagoons. They also boast cheap and fresh seafood that you can stuff yourself with all day. You don’t have to travel far to Palawan to enjoy limestone cliffs or crystal clear waters.

3. Nagsasa Cove, Zambales

Nagsasa Cove is a picturesque getaway known for its rolling hills and breathtaking views. You can hop between islands, or camp between the shades of the pine-like agoho trees that line the beach. The sand is a unique mix of white and gray, thanks to ash and debris from Mt Pinatubo’s eruption. Hikes are picturesque against the hills that are full of golden-brown grass.

4. Bega Falls, Agusan del Sur

Mindanao has a lot of hidden jewels. One of them is Bega falls in Agusan del Sur. The mighty 4-tiered waterfall cascades down a sheer rock face. Getting there can be tough- it can only be accessed by habal-habal and a guided hike leading to the falls. Indeed, one of Mindanao’s hidden jewels.

5. Caramoan, Camarines Sur

If your dream vacation destination of choice was the set of Survivor, you can be sure that it’s off the beaten path. Caramoan is actually a group of islands off the coast of CamSur. The white-sand beaches are pristine and unspoiled. Coming here may be a challenge- but there are islands you can hop to and beaches free of trash and party people- you can bet that this destination is worth it.

6. Manjuyod Sandbar, Negros Oriental

How do you feel about a 7 kilometer long sandbar? Negros Oriental’s Manjuyod sandbar has been described by travellers as the “Maldives of the Philippines”- as cottages on stilts have been built on the sandbar itself. Getting there is pretty tricky- it only appears during lowtide, but the breathtaking view of the sand, sea and sky is all worth it.