(Editor's Note: This list will constantly be updated to show new destinations.)
Some countries have been reopening borders already, but it may take a while before we can hop on a plane and go international. Don’t waste your time waiting. Check this roundup of safe, easy-to-reach, under-the-radar spots in the Philippines that you’ve been missing all along—and you can visit safely and conveniently at this time.
A note for the reader: The general guideline when passing through checkpoints is to present a negative swab test result within 48 hours. Please check the guidelines for each province that you would visit.
BLOC Camp Site in Laguna
Glamping has become a buzzword in the local tourism landscape in 2018, and has not died down even during the pandemic. If you’ve never tried it before, take your cue from “glampers” who don’t want to travel far and swear by the BLOC, the first to offer modern campsite experience in Laguna. The lakeside spot has distinctive yet cozy tent designs like the Tiny Houses that come in different shapes and sizes, and a bahay kubo (nipa hut) for a rustic respite.
ArtSector Gallery & Chimney Café 360° in Rizal
Good food and visual pleasure surround this lofty art spot in Binangonan. The five-story building is another one of Antonio “Tony” Leaños’s architectural gems in Rizal, so you can feel a Pinto Art Museum vibe, but with a 360-degree view of the Manila skyline.
Anilao Awari Bay in Batangas
Coron, Palawan, Asia’s leading dive destination, has yet to reopen for our action-packed plunging adventures, but there’s Batangas. Beginners and experts will love the thrill of Anilao’s diving spots in Balayan Bay that boast of pristine waters and diverse aquatic life.
Chalet de Tagaytay in Tagaytay
We all know you miss the holiday town, but have you booked your stay? If not, consider this quaint spot that serves as the perfect vantage point overlooking Taal Lake. The capiz windows and ornate fixtures complement its ancestral bedrooms, a living room with fireplace, and a 12-square-meter balcony with sunbeds. The house can accommodate 10 people.