Top 3 Tourist Destinations To See When In Ilocos Norte

Are you planning to go on a trip to visit Ilocos Norte? On the other hand, you may not have any other place in mind; why not visit the most magnificent northern coastal province of the Philippines? Ilocos Norte has a lot of fun places to go to. Whether you like to go site seeing or enjoying the history behind these sites, it’s all here.

If you plan to go there from Manila, the country’s capital, it’s about 400 kilometers north. You could either take the bus, a private vehicle or a plane ride. The province offers some of the most beautiful tourist places, local and foreign tourist alike can enjoy. 

Here are some of the places you may want to visit in Ilocos Norte:

THE SINKING BELL TOWER

This is the Philippine’s version of Italy’s Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Sinking Bell Tower. This is one of the tallest bell towers in the country and is situated at the heart of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

The tower is named so because it was built on sand and it’s incredibly heavy. Therefore, the mixture of the loose foundation and the massive weight causes it to sink to the ground considerably. Every year it sinks at a rate of an inch.

The tower is especially breathtaking when it’s all lit up at night.

PAOAY CHURCH

Paoay Church is a national treasure of the Ilocos Norte and awarded as a UNESCO world heritage site. Established during 1896 by the Augustinian Friars, they only used coral bricks that are evident from its massive walls. In addition, the church is also a prime example of a Baroque church. It belongs to a picture perfect view that is reminiscent of the Spanish era with the beautiful buttresses on the building.

BANGUI WINDMILL

The Bangui Windmills are not only the first among its kind in Southeast Asia, but it’s also here in Ilocos Norte. The windmill is built with 20 tri-blades that are 70 meters high, with them widely spread in an arc formation along the Bangui Bay. It is situated north of Laoag City and about a 45-minute ride.

These are just some of the magnificent sites found in Ilocos Norte. They host a lot of Philippine tourist attractions that’s worth visiting. It may take a longer article to explore them all and may take days to see most of them, but it’s worth the trip.

Zambales Island-Hopping Experience: Top 3 Islands to Visit

Among the provinces in Central Luzon, Zambales is considered to be the second largest province in said region. The place has its fair share of historical landmarks and ecotourism adventures. You'd surely love it here – and if you're a big fan of history and are fond of nature's greatest sceneries, Zamabales is a must-visit place for you.

However, the one thing that makes Zambales one of the best Philippine vacation spots is because of the great island-hopping experience that the place is known for. The province has a lot of pristine islands, some having been used as shooting locations for Philippine movies.

The island-hopping experience also gives you a chance to explore some of the unspoiled allure of the province's natural resources. Here are some of the must-visit islands around the area:

Anawangin Cove

Curve-shaped and situated in San Antonio, Zambales, Anawangin Cove is one of the most famous destinations in the province. It's a long stretch of white sand combined with white volcanic ash. What's more interesting is that there are flourishing pine trees lined up on the shore.

Asides from camping here, you can also take a hike to the forest or climb the cliffs in the south side of the cove.

Nagasa Cove

Compared with the Anawangin Cove, Nagasa Cove is bigger and less crowded. Here, there's a river that goes all the way to the sea, as well as a strange rock formation and a couple of waterfalls in the nearby mountains. It's much farther than Anawangin, however, you'll be rewarded with a picturesque view of the cove.

Capones Islands

Capones is a volcanic mass that's only a 30-minute boat ride away from Anawangin Cove. It's known for its Spanish lighthouse, which is an excellent place to get a picturesque view of the Zambales coast as a whole. First of all, you just need to trek the rocky shore to get there; however, the trek will be worth it once you get to the top.

Image from: faq.ph

There are a lot more Philippine attractions to be found in Zambales aside from these three spots. However, don't limit yourself to only the island hopping experience in Zambales; remember that the place is also quite diverse in history and in natural resources. Don't you miss out on everything Zambales has to offer.

Must-Visit Beautiful Tourist Places in Philippines

Must-Visit Beautiful Tourist Places in Philippines

Dying to step on Philippine soil?
Beautiful tourist places are waiting for you

For instance, must-visit river in Palawan
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

Believed to be the longest in the world
See biodiversity at its best at the National Park

Fancy the monkeys and monitor lizards?
Watch them as you embark on a trip inside the cave

Must-visit historic town of Vigan
Born during the Spanish colonial era

Experience treading on cobbled streets
Immerse in a glorious past; relive the memories

Must-visit attraction – Tubbataha Reefs
Vibrant coral reefs; one of the best diving spots

These and more Philippine attractions
Just waiting to be discovered

Find them all here at
www.philippinetouristattractions.com

Asik-Asik Falls – Secret Gem Of Cotabato

What was once the quiet town of Alamada has now turned into a fast-rising tourist destination in North Cotabato. This is all because of Asik-Asik Falls, a majestic creation nestled among lush forest vegetation. Accordingly, it was accidentally discovered when the military conducted clearing operations in the area.

A beauty of such magnanimity would be impossible to hide from the public. Perhaps, the locals may just not be aware that Philippine tourists attractions of such splendor can boost the economy and will put Cotabato in the tourism map.

Asik-Asik Falls

You may not believe it but this wonder is unlike any other falls in the country. Why? Because for one, you won't see any stream or river uphill from which water flows and cascades. Therefore, it is not a towering falls.

What you'll see instead are waters gushing out of a spring that's covered by thick vegetation and dropping into a 60-meter high wall. The hard rock wall has a width of approximately 140 meters, covered with moss and ferns. From afar, it would seem like a green curtain of dripping water. So enchanting! Then below, a rocky shallow pool catches the water and flows into the Alamada River.

But alas, this magnificent natural wonder may be difficult to reach. The road going there is bumpy and once there, you have to endure a 376-stone steps before you reach the main attraction. Yet, once your eyes catch the awe-inspiring work of nature, all your efforts will be paid off.

How to Get There

Alamada can be reached by van for one hour and a half ride from Cotabato City to Midsayap. From there, rent a habal-habal that will take you straight to Asik-Asik Falls and be ready to pay a price. Or a cheaper option would be to take the jeep to Dado, then transfer to another motorbike that will bring you to the falls.

If you're in haste, the former is the fastest way and the most convenient as well. Also, for your own convenience, it would be wise to have one passenger only per motorbike. There are also jeepneys and vans from Midsayap to Alamada Town proper from which a motobike can be chartered.

And since you're already in Cotabato, why not proceed to Davao and wade in the clear blue waters of Samal Island? Be your own judge as to which is the most popular tourist destination in Davao.

D’ Bone Collector Museum – The Latest Must-See Attraction of Davao

If you're a travel enthusiast, you shouldn't miss the most recent one-of-a kind attraction found only in the child-friendly city of Davao in the southern part of Mindanao island. Where in the Philippines can you find a collection of bones from a wide variety of animals. 

Of course, kids will surely love it here when they see the complete skeletons of dogs, reptiles, horses, ostriches, a tiger, dolphins, even a 41-ft sperm whale. This museum, fast becoming popular, is indeed one of the beautiful tourist places Davao could be proud of. 

An Eye-Opener For The Situation of Animals

It was founded by a son of American missionaries now living in Davao, as he has married a Filipina with whom he has two kids.

Darrell D. Blatchley, originally from Idaho, USA, is opening everyone's eyes to the plight of animals and their survival in this world. He is doing his best to help raise the public's awareness on the conservation and preservation. He isn't limiting it to just marine and airborne species, but for land-dwelling animals as well.

For example, studies show that most aquatic animals die from consuming plastics. People who visit the museum will be reminded of how often our negligent acts can have a devastating impact on the environment. This where Blatchley's education and awareness drive comes in helpful.

What To Expect

The museum is housed inside a  three-storey building located in Bucana, San Pedro Extension, Davao City. On the ground floor, you can see several preserved remains – bones, skulls, even whole skeletons – of various species.

Horses, a deer, bears, a lion, monkeys, birds, a dugong, dolphins, snakes, crocodiles, butterflies, armadillo, whales and insects are some of those. There's even a Cambodian python which is one of the longest snakes in the world.

You may wonder where in the world did all that stuff come from? Well, it's from Blatchley's extensive collection since he was a young boy.

At a tender age, he received  a set of mule antlers from an uncle and that spurred his interest in animals as well as their skeletal remains. Other remains in his collection have been donated by friends and various organizations around the world.

So, if you're around, drop by the place which is open from Mondays through Fridays during business hours. Also, don't forget to explore other great Philippine tourist attractions while touring around Davao.

4 Suggestions of Activities for First Time Philippine Visitors

Philippines – an archipelago on the eastern edge of Asia that’s made up of 7, 107 islands. If you’re a tourist who just got to the Philippines, congratulations – you’re in paradise! However, if it’s really your first time, chances are you don’t know what you’ll do first, right? 

Planning your Philippinetravel ahead of time will free you from the troubles of having to wonder what to do, on the spot. If you can't think of anything, here’s a list of the things you can do in the Philippines:

1. TRY SCUBA-DIVING

Philippine waters are simply amazing and one-of-a-kind. One dive and you’ll see the wonders of the underwater world. You can see different coral reefs, and even shipwrecks from World War II. Always remember to wear your gear first before submerging yourselves in water. 

In addition to seeing coral reefs and shipwrecks, you can also swim with the sharks and other fishes as well. To better remember this moment, better take your underwater camera with you.

2. WATCH TWO ROOSTERS DUKE IT OUT

Cock fighting has been part of Philippine tradition for a very long time. Whenever you visit a village in the Philippines, you’ll oftentimes see people gathering around to see two roosters fight. 

If you’re the kind of person who thinks this is animal cruelty, don’t. This is just a part of Philippine tradition and has been around for a very long time.

3. ROAM THE STREETS INSIDE A JEEPNEY

If you see funny-looking vehicles on the streets in the Philippines, they're likely jeepneys. The jeepney is one of the most used forms of Philippine transportation. You could say tour Philippine experience is incomplete without riding this to get to another place. Better buckle up for a bumpy ride ahead.

4. EAT LOCAL FOOD

Now, this is an experience you won’t want to miss. The Philippines has a lot of food that you’ve never tasted anywhere before. Although some of the foods don't have local origins, you can see and taste that Filipinos placed their own special touch to these delicacies. Best to start with adobo before anything else.

These are just some suggestions for your Philippine vacation experience. You can freely follow all of these if it’s your first time in the country. But let me tell you this: once you’ve tried them out, you’ll want to try them all over again.

3 Off-The-Grid Beach Destinations In Misamis Oriental

Misamis Oriental is a province located in Northern Mindanao, and is blessed with verdant farmlands, booming industries, and pristine natural wonders and attractions. This area serves as the perfect staging point for those who wish to explore Northern Mindanao, one of the main towns located in Laguindingan, a town that's only an hour away from the capital Cagayan de Oro City. If you're searching for great swimming and diving spots in this area, here's a peek at a few of the loveliest beach destinations in Misamis Oriental:   

Duka Bay

Located in the laid-back town of Medina, Duka Bay is one of the most beautifultourist places in the province. At Duka Bay resort, you can spend hours scuba diving or snorkeling, and explore Gingoog Bay's rich underwater life, where well-preserved coral reefs teem with lots of marine life. Guests can also board the resort's glass-bottomed boats, to see the rich marine life, without getting themselves wet.

The Duka Bay resort also has 9 well-appointed standard bedrooms and junior suites and villas. Each villa has its own balcony, thus enabling you to get a stunning view of the bay and nearby surroundings. And the hotel rooms also have hot showers, which is something you don't see in other resorts.

Mantangale Alibuag Dive Resort

Located in Balingoan, the main jump-off point to Camiguin Island, the Mantangale Alibuag Dive Resort gives expert divers easy access to more than a dozen well-preserved dive sites in the Misamis Oriental mainland, as well as in nearby Camiguin Island.

The resort has a well-stocked dive shop with lots of well-maintained equipment, and it also has professional instructors for those who need to further polish their diving skills. The resort also has a restaurant which serves tasty local and international treats.

Agutayan Island

If you've already been to stunning Camiguin Island, perhaps you'll say that the Agutayan Island looks like a smaller version of the famous white island. Agutayan Island is actually a marine sanctuary near the coast of the town of Jasaan. Visitors can hire boats which cost around P1,000, for the 20-minute ride to the sand bar.

Like most sand bars, Agutayan Island is devoid of trees and other vegetation, but there's a cottage there, for guests as well as the sanctuary's watchers. The perfect time to visit the island is early in the morning, so you'll avoid the harsh heat of the sun at noon time. 

The reefs here are truly amazing, and you'll be mesmerized at the sight of hundreds, if not thousands of jacks, clown fishes, and other colorful aquatic animals swimming in your direction! Next time you come to Misamis Oriental, drop by the most popular tourist destination in Jasaan, and enjoy seeing the rich marine life in the waters around the town!