5 Unique Tourist Spots in the Philippines

It might be cliché but the Philippines truly is a beautiful country, with lots of wonderful tourist spots for the locals and tourists to enjoy. With its 7,100+ islands, it would prove difficult for us to travel to each and every amazing tourist attraction in our country; thus, it sure becomes easier if you simply pick the top spots or the most popular ones to visit.

You’ve probably gone to many of the country’s most popular tourist attractions but have you been to these unique tourist spots?

Mayon Volcano, Bicol

Even after it has gone through several eruptions and lava flows, this beautiful volcano is known for its almost perfect cone. It is unknown why this volcano always retains its cone but only a few other volcanoes have the same feature in the world.

Mayon_Volcano

By Lei from Las Pinas, Philippines (Flickr) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Soda Springs, Camiguin

Camiguin is a wonderful island to visit, thanks to the plethora of amazing tourist spots you can find there. Spend time exploring the island, enjoying the waterfalls, visiting the Sunken Cemetery, or relax in the many hot or cold springs.

When in Camiguin, don’t miss a visit to the Bura Soda Spring Pools – it is probably the only spring in the world where the water tastes like soda. It is delicious. There is even a small pool where the fresh soda water is gathered for tourists to taste.

If you are not adventurous enough to sample a glass of this natural soda water, you could at least have fun swimming in the soda-flavored water.

Soda Springs, Camiguin

Image Credit to Noel Autor

Enchanted River, Surigao

The Enchanted River is full of mystery and tales of the supernatural. It has several unique features, including its ‘schedules’, such as the noon-time fish feeding wherein swimmers are asked to go out of the water; then, the bell is rang. Soon after, lots of fish would appear, even when the waters did not seem to have that many fish when the people are swimming.

It also has salt water even when the sea is not near. The caves beneath the river had never been fully explored because of the many unexplainable on-goings in its deep caverns.

Hinatuan_enchanted_river

By 2il org (Flickr: Enchanted River) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Chocolate Hills, Bohol

A trip to Bohol is never complete without a visit to the Chocolate Hills. Hundreds of these mounds could be found in the towns of Carmen and Sagbayan. Scientists have yet to explain why these hills sprouted in such a way, but the fact they exist in Bohol is truly something to appreciate.

These hills are comprised of limestone. During the 2013 earthquake that hit Bohol and its neighbors, some of the hills were ‘broken’, revealing the ‘white chocolate’ (the limestone) inside.

Chocolate_Hills_overview

By P199 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

Taal Volcano

A small yet active volcano, Taal is among the favorites because of its uniqueness. This beautiful volcano is set in the middle of the lake. Its crater holds the record for having the “largest lake in the world located on an island in a lake on an island”.

The volcano is accessed by boat from the mainland and could be viewed from Tagaytay.

Taal_Volcano_view_from_Tagaytay

By Yla Corotan (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

So, have you visited any of these 5 stunning and awesome tourist spots?