Book Your Next Barkada Trip in these New Places in the Philippines!

Thanks to Kalanggaman Island, the once sleepy town of Leyte became a popular destination to many tourists and travelers itching to find a new beach spot. But if you’re not one to join the crowd, skip Kalanggaman Island on your next trip to Leyte and head straight to Biliran.

Biliran Island is one of the smallest provinces in the country making it a great place to rent a scooter and just drive around town. It is also packed with beautiful natural resources and challenging activities to keep you busy. You can enjoy canyoneering at Sampao River or visit jaw-dropping waterfalls such the Ulan-Ulan and Tinago Falls.

Biri Island is another lesser known town perfect for those who are looking for new place to explore. Located in Northern Samar, Biri Island is a laidback town perfect for relaxation so don’t expect crazy parties at night here compared to more popular islands like El Nido and Boracay.

One of the must-do activities in Biri is visiting the island’s humongous rock formations that will leave you in awe. Make sure to stop by the rock formations of Bel-At, Macadlaw, Magasang, and Caranas. They are best visited during low tides. They also turn golden as rays hit the formations during sunsets.

Whenever people fly to the island of Negros, they always go straight to the city of Bacolod for its array of amazing food and the beautiful ruins of Talisay. If you’re heading to Negros soon, make Cadiz City part of your itinerary and visit Lakawon Island.

Just a couple hours’ drive north of Bacolod plus a short boat ride, you’ll reach Lakawon Island. The island is dubbed as the “Boracay of Negros Occidental” because of its powdery white sand and incredible blue waters that can challenge Boracay itself. You can swim to your heart’s content in the morning and end your day at TawHai Floating Bar, known to be one of the biggest of its kind in Asia.

Dumaguete is often known as a gateway to the famous Apo Island. But there’s also another awesome place you can access from Dumaguete called the Manjuyod Sandbar.

Manjuyod Sandbar, located in Manjuyod, Negros Occidental, has been called “The Maldives of the Philippines” because of the clear blue waters and pristine white sand in the area. However, instead of expensive cabins on stilts, you’ll be welcomed by native nipa palm huts where you can relax for hours. Dolphin watching is also a popular activity in the sandbar overlooking the Tanon Strait.

Many people visit Iloilo City just so they could reach the popular Gigantes Islands. But there’s more to Iloilo than the Gigantes Island! Another equally jaw-dropping destinations to visit are the islands of Concepcion.

To truly appreciate these natural wonders, make sure to rent a boat with your friends and visit the islands that make up Concepcion Islands. Some of the popular island stopovers include Sipol, Malangabang, Agho, and Bulubadiangan. Each island boasts its own beauty so make sure to visit as many as you can!

The Philippines is known for its many powdery white sand beaches, but would you believe the country also have one in pink? The Great Santa Cruz Island in Zamboanga City became known for its blush-colored sand that was featured in National Geographic’s article “21 Best Beaches in the World” [1].

The Great Santa Cruz Island gets its pink color from the red organ pipe corals debris that gets mixed with the sand in the shore. Make sure to plan your visit here making advance arrangements with the local tourism office of Zamboanga ahead before visiting the island. Make the most out of your visit as only limited numbers of people are allowed per day, and overnight camping is also disallowed.