Must-see attractions in Western Visayas
White Beach
With its glorious, powdered-sugar sand, White Beach is the centre of the action in Boracay and the only sight most visitors ever see. Beach locations are…
Malumpati Spring & Bugang River
One of the most striking natural features in western Visayas, the astonishing Malumpati Spring and Bugang River emerges from nowhere in the midst of the…
Miagao Church
Built between 1787–97, this impressive church, with its striking pyramidal towers, served as a fortress against Muslim raiders. Damaged over the years by…
Rizal Boulevard
While Filipino cities aren't generally known for their beauty or charm, Dumaguete's waterfront promenade along Rizal Blvd is an exception to the rule…
Casa Mariquit
A massive banyan tree looms atmospherically over the entrance to this grand home built in 1803 by Philippines VP Fernando Lopez (Mariquit was his wife's…
Nelly's Garden
Iloilo's most famous historic home resembles the White House. You'll need to give three days' notice of your visit.
Twin Lakes National Park
About 20km northwest of Dumaguete, the twin crater lakes of Balinsasayao and Danao offer some wonderfully scenic hiking. The area is virgin forest and…
Mt Luho View Deck
Looming high above the east coast, this viewpoint has stunning views across the island, though the steps up were designed for giants. The lush cross…
Bulabog Puti-An National Park
Spelunkers take note: this 847-hectare old-growth forest 33km north of Iloilo has dozens of caves, of which six are open to the public, all within 3km of…
Mt Guiting-Guiting Natural Park
Western Visayas
This 15,200-hectare natural park (pronounced 'gee-TING gee-TING') is a biological treasure, home to an estimated 700 plant species, 130 bird species and a…
Cataja Falls
This three-tiered waterfall cascading into a refreshing swimming hole makes for a great half-day excursion. Walk (or ride) east out of Magdiwang past the…
Bugtong Bato Falls
This series of seven scenic cascades at the end of the TEA Park road can be ascended one by one, offering some fine swimming holes (the third tier is…
Paliton Beach
Northeast of San Juan is stunning white-sand Paliton Beach. The water is as clear as glass and there are wonderful views of Apo Island. Take the turnoff…
San Isidro Convent
Opposite the San Isidro Labrador Church, flanked by centuries-old acacia trees, is the oldest Catholic convent in the Philippines, a magnificent timber…
Cambugahay Falls
From Lazi, a sealed road leads 2km north to these refreshing falls on the Po-o River. Above the falls, there's a paid parking bay on your left for your…
Opposite the hospital is this small zoo and research centre housing 16 species of indigenous mammals, reptiles and birds, including the critically…
Mt Bandila-an
Siquijor's highest peak, Mt Bandila-an (557m), is near Cantabon. Concrete steps lead 10 minutes up to the peak from two clearly marked points on the road…
Balete Tree
Just west of the village of Campalanas is a tremendous balete tree (banyan tree), estimated to be 400 years old and believed by some to be enchanted. In…
Museo Iloilo
Offers a worthwhile display on the indigenous Ati (Negrito) people and a collection of old pinya (pineapple fibre) weavings, for which the area is famous…
This mangrove park with bamboo walkway is 3½km northwest of the city centre (P25 by tricycle). It offers two-hour tours on bamboo rafts pulled by…
Salagdoong Beach
A few kilometres past the town of Maria, Salagdoong Beach is popular with rowdy day trippers. There's a half-open water park that has seen much better…
Baybay Beach
About 3km north of downtown Roxas is this 7km grey-sand beach lined with eateries and picnic shelters. It varies greatly in width depending on the…
Lugnason Falls
From barangay Tubod, a paved road leads 3km up to this pleasant waterfall, which cascades into a crisp and clean teal-green swimming hole. You can jump…
Silliman University Anthropology Museum
Housed in Hibbard Hall on the university campus, this very nice anthropology and ethnobotany collection includes artefacts from the indigenous Negritos…
Bandila-an Mountain View Park
This park is essentially a public garden with lots of flowers, walking paths and little pavilions for picnics. It's great for bird- and butterfly-watching…
For the best view of the old city, climb to the roof above the 7th floor – ask the guard for permission. You'll be surprised how different it appears…
Lambingan Falls
This beautiful waterfall and swimming hole is about 12km east of Magdiwang (4km past the turn-off for the natural park). Tricycles can take you here (P300…
Bandila-an Nature Centre
The nature centre has been largely neglected but does have walking trails and some impressive trees and other floral life. It's 2km east of Cantabon.
Fort San Andres
For the best views of Romblon, walk up the stairs to the ruins of this crumbling 17th-century fort overlooking the centre.
San Isidro Labrador Church
The impressive and stylishly time-worn pink-coral-stone and timber San Isidro Labrador Church was built in 1884.
Metropolitan Cathedral
This impressive cathedral is the seat of the Catholic diocese in western Visayas.
Sacred Heart of Jesus Shrine
Occupying a hilltop location about 1.5km from the bus terminal is this enormous nearly 132ft-tall statue of Jesus. Originally the hands were supposed to…
Navalas has the only heritage church on the island – quaint Spanish-era Navales Church (1880) is made of coral blocks blackened by the years. The much…
Olang Art Park
This retreat for Filipino artists is set over 3 hectares. There's usually a resident artist or two hanging about, plus a performing-arts stage, a modest…
An imposing landmark, this coral-stone tower was built between 1754–76, with the top layer or campanario (the part with the bell) added in 1867. Locals…
Ang Panublion Museum
Originally built as a water-storage tank, this quirky museum on the plaza will give you a quick (30-minute) introduction to the city. A Heritage Walk…
St Anne's Church
This historic neo-Gothic church is interestingly sometimes referred to as 'the feminist church' because there are only sculptures of female saints on…
Siquijor Heritage Museum
Upstairs in the San Isidro Convent building is this small museum, with historical photographs and a few old santos.
Iloilo Esplanade
This riverside walkway is a credit to the city, which had to move mountains to build it. It's 1.3km long, made of brick paving stones, and for pedestrians…
Cathedral of St Catherine of Alexandria
The city's and region's main Catholic church; the impressive facade mostly dates to 1936.
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