15 Tourist Spots In The Philippines That Look Like Famous Destinations Abroad 

Team Klook

Last updated 23 Apr 2021

Photo Credits (L-R): @lawhrdes @vinarivera14 and @lrry.gl on Instagram 

Take note of these tourist spots in the Philippines that resemble famous foreign destinations! 

Earning a lot of stamps on your passport is every traveler’s dream, but not everyone can afford that privilege—and it’s harder to plan out-of-the-country getaways these days. Lucky for you, there’s never a shortage of exciting places to see and experience in the Philippines. We have countless beaches, historic destinations, and nature spots that can make you feel like you’re in your dream destinations abroad!

Here, we will acquaint you with foreign-looking tourist spots in the Philippines to take note of so you can also help support the country’s tourism recovery for the foreseeable future.

Tourist Spots in the Philippines

1. Sunlight Ecotourism Island Resort (Palawan) - Maldives
2. Coron Bay (Palawan) - Halong Bay, Vietnam
3. Miniloc Island (El Nido) - Maya Bay, Phi Phi Islands, Thailand
4. Calauit Safari Park (Palawan)  - Serengeti National Park, Africa
5. Cintai Corito’s Garden (Batangas) - Bali, Indonesia
6. Binondo (Manila) - Hong Kong 
7. Intramuros (Manila) - Tarragona, Spain
8. Bamboo Eco Park (Baguio) - Kyoto, Japan
9. Cadapdapan Rice Terraces (Bohol) - Sapa Valley, Vietnam
10. Batanes - New Zealand
11. La Paz Sand Dunes (Ilocos Norte) - Desert Safari, Dubai 
12. Marlboro Country and Blue Hills, Kamanbenang Peak (Sagada) - Werfen Picnic Meadow, Salzburg, Austria 
13. Hinatuan Enchanted River (Surigao del Norte) - Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico
14. Sirao Flower Garden (Cebu) -  Keukenhof, Netherlands
15. Kaparkan Falls (Abra) - Pamukkale Thermal Pools, Turkey

1. Sunlight Ecotourism Island Resort (Palawan) - Maldives

Maldives' luxurious accommodations and world-renowned beaches are just a few reasons this paradise is on every beach lover's must-visit list. Good thing there are plenty of tropical islands in the Philippines that can rival its beauty. One of them is in Culion, Palawan, which is home to Sunlight Ecotourism Island Resort. 

Just 45 minutes away from Coron town proper, the biggest single privately-owned island resort claims a true island getaway because of its scenic beauty and impressive array of amenities. They also offer several packages or tours to explore famous tourist spots in Palawan!

Travel safe and with less worry and avail a ! This package includes a 3D2N or 4D3N stay at this luxurious resort inclusive of roundtrip flights and dining credits from Php 18,900!

2. Coron Bay (Palawan) - Halong Bay, Vietnam

For travelers seeking a touch of history on their beach vacation, Coron Bay, Palawan is the place to be. Coron Bay is one of the more famous tourist spots in the Philippines among divers because of its fascinating underwater shipwrecks and vibrant marine life! From the Japanese gunboats, aircraft carriers, tanks, and ammo from World War II wreck near the bay, to the breathtaking cliffs and semi-freshwater lakes around the island, it’s sure to remind you of the Halong Bay in Vietnam.

3. Miniloc Island (El Nido) - Maya Bay, Phi Phi Islands, Thailand

Known as one of the most enchanting beaches around the world, it's no wonder why Maya Bay in Thailand is swarmed by tourists almost all year round. But if you want to stay local, a less-crowded alternative is the unspoiled Miniloc Island located in El Nido in Palawan! This tourist spot in Palawan is full of exciting sights including pristine beaches surrounding Miniloc Island and Small and Big Lagoons that look a lot like Maya Bay, minus the flock of tourists, of course.

4. Calauit Safari Park, Palawan  - Serengeti National Park, Africa

Take the perfect travel OOTD while you’re having an African safari-like experience at this unique tourist spot in Palawan! Located on Calauit Island, the Calauit Safari Park is known as “Little Africa” because it is home to many African animals such as zebras, giraffes, and antelopes. Aside from that, this tourist spot in the Philippines also highlights endemic species like the Calamian deer, Palawan peacock-pheasant, and the Palawan bearcat, to name a few.

Book a private day tour of the Coron Calauit Safari and Busuanga Town via Klook for only Php 1,877 (from Php 2,048)! Inclusive of attraction tickets, roundtrip hotel transfers, snacks, lunch and boat transfers.

5. Cintai Corito’s Garden (Batangas) - Bali, Indonesia

There's no need to buy a ticket to Bali, Indonesia to experience the island paradise that’s known for its natural beauty and colorful culture. Cintai Corito’s Garden is a Bali-inspired sanctuary in Balete, Batangas that is situated amid lush greenery and a temperate climate––indeed a relaxing staycation spot to seek refuge from the frantic pace of the city. The garden resort offers several spa treatments to help guests unwind and recharge, too!

6. Binondo (Manila) - Hong Kong 

Best known for its wide variety of authentic Chinese restaurants, Binondo is sure to remind you of the streets of Hong Kong. Being the oldest Chinatown in the world, its history traces back to the Spanish colonization and American occupation. Binondo becomes even more alive during the Chinese New Year, where people can watch dragon and lion dances and indulge in the best Chinese street foods in the district.

7. Intramuros (Manila) - Tarragona, Spain 

Away from the traffic and towering buildings lies the oldest district in Metro Manila, lined with Hispanic architecture preserved from hundreds of years ago: Intramuros. Dubbed as "The Walled City" due to its stone wall enclosure, Intramuros is a known tourist spot in the Philippines and popular shooting location for its old-world charm likening the city of Tarragona, Spain. There are walking tours available and bamboo bikes you can rent too if you wish to explore and learn more about Manila's rich history and culture.

8. Bamboo Eco Park (Baguio) - Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kyoto, Japan

Photo Credit: @lrry.gl on Instagram

Japan is a popular dream destination among Filipinos, but did you know there’s a similar tourist spot in the Philippines you can visit instead? Bamboo Eco Park gives visitors a relaxing vibe that can make you feel like you’re in Kyoto, Japan! 

Located at the St. Francis Xavier Seminary, Bamboo Eco Park in Baguio is slowly becoming a popular tourist attraction that showcases several bamboo types along its pathways. For those who have visited Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in Kyoto, you’ll be surprised at its similarity! 

9. Cadapdapan Rice Terraces, Bohol - Sapa Valley, Vietnam

The Cadapdapan Rice Terraces in Candijay, Bohol may not be as popular as the Banaue Rice Terraces. Still, it holds breathtaking views, especially from an aerial perspective and when the rice paddies are vibrant green. Its striking similarity to the Sapa Valley in Vietnam makes it one of the Philippine tourist spots reminiscent of other famous foreign destinations. Locals say that their ancestors were the ones who formed the rice terraces hundreds of years ago, but the story of how it came to be is still unsure.

10. Batanes - New Zealand

https://unsplash.com/photos/-XZuQQ83CIQ

Batanes is a dream destination for many Filipinos because of its sensational views and captivating waves that can make people feel like they're in another country, specifically New Zealand. Being located in the country's northernmost area, Batanes has a cold and breezy climate that makes it an even more refreshing and fascinating tourist spot in the Philippines.

Batanes’ COVID-19 Travel Requirements / Guidelines:

• Flights are scheduled every 16 days and accepting to a maximum of 80 passengers
• An accomplished Health Declaration form at the Basco Airport

11. La Paz Sand Dunes (Ilocos Norte) - Desert Safari, Dubai

Photo Credit: @bryanrapadas on Instagram

Photo Credit: @lawhrdes on Instagram

Care for a desert expedition? You don’t have to go far because a trip to La Paz Sand Dunes in Laoag, Ilocos Norte will remind you of the Sand Dunes in Dubai! Also called Bantay Bimmaboy by the locals, this popular tourist spot in the Philippines has steep sandy slopes perfect for sandboarding and thrilling adventures of rough-riding in an ATV. Buckle up and wear your Indiana Jones-inspired OOTDs and take the most IG-worthy shots while riding an impressive 4x4!

12. Marlboro Country and Blue Hills, Kamanbenang Peak (Sagada) - Werfen Picnic Meadow, Salzburg, Austria 

Are you a fan of "The Sound of Music''? Say no more! You can recreate the iconic Do Re Mi opening scene from the 1965 movie at the Marlboro Country and Blue Hills, Kamanbenang Peak in Sagada! The Blue Hills' awe-inspiring view of the green landscapes, blue soil, and fresh breeze looks a lot like Werfen Picnic Meadow in Salzburg, Austria, and is sure to take your breath away. Some even say that the sea of clouds at the Kamanbaneng Peak is a lot better than the more famous Mount Kiltepan.

Sagada’s COVID-19 Guidelines:

• All tourism activities in Sagada are still suspended until further notice, regardless of the point of origin

13. Hinatuan Enchanted River, Surigao del Norte - Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

Photo Credit: @valentindenice on Instagram

It’s easy to imagine you’re in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula when you visit the Hinatuan Enchanted River in Surigao Del Norte. According to local legends, the luminous saltwater is from the work of fairies—but there are theories that an underground cave system is responsible for the hypnotic shades of sapphire and jade in the water. To add to its mystical charm, the caretakers play the “Hymn of Hinatuan” every day at noon while feeding the fishes to help appease the river spirits. Indeed a sight and adventure you have to experience once in your life!

Surigao del Norte’s COVID-19 Guidelines:

• A negative swab-based or saliva-based RT-PCR test result taken within 48 hours prior to arrival
• Confirmed roundtrip tickets
• A confirmed booking at an accredited accommodation for at least 2 nights
• Valid ID
• Surigao del Norte e-Health Pass

14. Sirao Flower Garden (Cebu) -  Keukenhof, Netherlands

Photo Credit: @callme_samien on Instagram

Photo Credit: @lelepongsss on Instagram

The Sirao Flower Garden is a haven filled with flowers and spectacular windmills that will make you feel like you’re in Keukenhof in the Netherlands, one of Europe’s most extensive flower gardens! Aside from the expansive field of brightly colored flowers leading up to the windmills, this famous tourist attraction in Cebu also has countless other panoramic sites you can take hundreds of photos of.

15. Kaparkan Falls (Abra) - Pamukkale Thermal Pools, Turkey

Photo Credit: @renz.adonis on Instagram

Deep in the quaint municipality of Tineg, Abra lies the province’s hidden gem: the Kaparkan Falls, also known as Mulawin Falls. This high-terraced waterfall is likened to Turkey’s Pamukkale Thermal Pools as it highlights white limestone terraces that stretch to the Tineg River. It’s believed that the best time to visit this natural wonder is during the rainy season, as you’ll be mesmerized by the striking shades of emerald and azure found in the multi-tiered pools.

Meanwhile,  When Bellarocca Resort in Marinduque was still in operation, it looks like you were in Santorini Greece.

The resort was in operation from 2009 to 2016, located in my Island Paradise -Marinduque💚

This second photo is from Santorini, Greece

Finally, My Photo of the Day:

Masungi Georeserve in Rizal province turned a once-illegally-logged mountain into an award-winning conservation park, with hanging rope bridges and trails threading through dramatic limestone karst formations. Visitors help fund reforestation just by hiking through it.

     

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Stevan or Esteban Javellana- Filipino Novelist and Story Teller

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevan_Javellana

My ChatGPT Prompt: Stevan Javellana, author of Seeing Without the Dawn is a well-known Filipino novelist and story writer. I am wondering of his ancestral connections with the Javellana-Lopez clan of Jaro, www.javellana.wordpress.com.  Can you dig and do some research on our ancestral connections if there are any? 

Chat GPT Response: Yes,  I did some digging, and I found a very interesting and potentially important connection. I would not yet say that I have proved that Stevan Javellana was a descendant of your Don Manuel Javellana-Doña Gertrudis Lopez line, but the evidence has narrowed the question considerably.

In fact, I think we have found the right branch to investigate next.

1. First, an important correction about Stevan Javellana

The novelist is sometimes listed as Stevan Javellana, sometimes Esteban Javellana. He was born in Iloilo in 1918, graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1948, and wrote the famous Without Seeing the Dawn, published in 1947. 

But the most important discovery is in a Philippine Supreme Court decision, G.R. No. 83484, Solivio v. Court of Appeals.

The Supreme Court explicitly identifies Esteban Javellana, Jr., the novelist and author of Without Seeing the Dawn. It states that:

• his father was Esteban Javellana, Sr.
• his mother was Salustia Solivio
• his father died about ten months after marrying Salustia in December 1916
• Esteban Jr. was therefore born posthumously
• he was raised by his mother Salustia and her sister Celedonia
• he died unmarried and without children in La Paz, Iloilo, on February 26, 1977. 

That is a very strong identification. In other words: Stevan Javellana = Esteban S. Javellana Jr.

The Supreme Court itself calls him the novelist who wrote Without Seeing the Dawn. 

2. And here is the fascinating part for your family research

The same Supreme Court case identifies Concordia Javellana-Villanueva as the sister of Esteban Javellana Sr.

That means we now have this basic paternal family structure:

Esteban Javellana Sr.
↓
Esteban/Stevan Javellana Jr. (1918–1977)
Author of Without Seeing the Dawn

and

Concordia Javellana-Villanueva
= sister of Esteban Javellana Sr. 

This gives us a previously unknown-to-us older Javellana generation that we need to connect to your tree.

3. But there is an important complication

Your Javellana.wordpress.com genealogy currently reconstructs the descendants of:

Don Manuel Javellana + Doña Gertrudis Lopez

Their children included Don Cristino Javellana (Capitan Tinong), Mariano, Inocencia, Florentina, Cristeta, Escolastica, Carmen and Marcelina. 

Your own line comes through:

Don Manuel Javellana + Doña Gertrudis Lopez
↓
Marcelina Javellana
↓
your Catague/Katague line

This is the ancestral connection you have already documented on your blog. 

The present evidence does not yet establish that Esteban Javellana Sr. was another son of Don Manuel and Doña Gertrudis.

And I want to be especially careful here. It would be very tempting to say:

"Stevan Javellana was your relative because he was a Javellana from Iloilo."

But genealogy requires more than the surname and place. We need the connecting parent.

4. One very interesting clue: La Paz, Iloilo 

There is, however, another clue worth pursuing.

Several sources identify Stevan/Esteban Javellana as being from La Paz, Iloilo, rather than specifically Jaro.  That is not necessarily a contradiction.

Your Javellana family was centered in Jaro, but Iloilo's prominent families moved among Jaro, La Paz, Iloilo City, Santa Barbara, Zarraga, Cabatuan, Guimaras and eventually Negros.

Your own Javellana.wordpress.com research demonstrates exactly this phenomenon. For example, descendants of Don Manuel and Gertrudis moved into Guimaras, Negros and other parts of the Visayas.  So La Paz does not rule out a relationship.

5. Another discovery that I think is particularly important

The Supreme Court decision also says that Esteban Jr.'s estate included agricultural property in  Calinog, Iloilo. 

That gives us another geographical clue.

Your family history contains extensive connections among Jaro, Iloilo, Barotac Viejo, Guimaras, Cabatuan, Zarraga, Calinog and Negros.

So I would not stop the investigation simply because Esteban Sr.'s immediate family was associated with La Paz.

The most intriguing possibility

Here is what I think we should investigate next:

Was Esteban Javellana Sr. a son or grandson of one of the siblings of Don Cristino Javellana?

Or perhaps:

Was Esteban Sr. descended from an older sibling of Don Manuel Javellana?

That distinction is critical.

Your Javellana.wordpress.com tree essentially begins its documented reconstruction with Don Manuel Javellana and Doña Gertrudis Lopez. 

If Esteban Sr. belongs to a sibling of Don Manuel, then you and Stevan could still be blood relatives but the connection would be one or more generations farther back than we initially suspected. And there is one particularly useful lead

The Supreme Court case tells us the name of Esteban Sr.'s sister:

Concordia Javellana-Villanueva.

Interestingly, your Javellana.wordpress.com tree also contains a Concordia Javellana, born around 1902, daughter of Filomeno Javellana and Rosalia Jaranilla. 

But I do not think we should assume these are the same Concordia. Your site's Concordia reportedly married Porfirio de los Reyes, while the woman in the Supreme Court case was Concordia Javellana-Villanueva. That is an excellent example of why we need original records before joining two branches.

My preliminary conclusion

I would classify the evidence this way:

Question	Finding
Was Stevan Javellana a real prominent Iloilo writer?	Yes
Was he also known as Esteban Javellana?	Yes
Was he the author of Without Seeing the Dawn?	Yes
Was he Esteban Javellana Jr.?	Very strongly established
Was his father Esteban Javellana Sr.?	Yes
Was his mother Salustia Solivio?	Yes
Did Esteban Sr. have a sister named Concordia?	Yes
Is this Concordia already proven to be the Concordia in your Javellana.wordpress.com tree?	No
Is Esteban Sr. proven to descend from Don Manuel Javellana & Gertrudis Lopez?	Not yet
Is a Javellana-family relationship plausible?	Absolutely—and worth pursuing

The Supreme Court record is particularly valuable because it is much stronger genealogical evidence than the numerous internet biographies of Stevan. It actually names his parents and identifies his paternal aunt. 

I think we can go considerably further.

The next step I would recommend is a focused reconstruction of Esteban Javellana Sr.'s family, looking specifically for his birth/baptismal record, marriage record to Salustia Solivio, his sister Concordia's records, and then working backward to their parents.

If we can identify Esteban Sr.'s parents, we may be able to place him directly on your Don Manuel Javellana–Doña Gertrudis Lopez family tree and potentially determine exactly how many generations separate you from Stevan Javellana.

That would be a fascinating addition to your Javellana family genealogy website: “Was the Author of Without Seeing the Dawn One of My Javellana Cousins?”

And I think there is enough evidence now to make that investigation worthwhile.

My Related Articles on this Topic: 

http://marinduquemyislandparadise.blogspot.com/2016/07/stevan-javellana-without-seeing-dawn.html

Lastly, My Photo of the Day: