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Few things can beat waking up to a fresh breeze, the lulling sound of waves, and a soft, glowing sunrise. For most city dwellers, owning a vacation home right by the beach, or amidst lush, foggy mountains, or in the countryside, would be an ideal scenario. The Philippines has much to offer in this regard and we have compiled a list of the top ten places in the Philippines, where you can fulfill your vacation home dreams.
1. Boracay
Boracay, the breathtaking island paradise nestled in the Malay town of Aklan province, has captivated the world with its crystal-clear turquoise waters and seemingly endless stretches of powdery white sand beaches. Its stunning beauty and unparalleled charm have earned it global recognition as it was recently honored with the prestigious title of the 5th Best Island Destination in Asia in the highly coveted 2023 DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Award.
Beach lovers who come to visit, enjoy activities such as kitesurfing in Bulabog, island hopping to the secluded Puka Beach, paraw (native sailboat) sailing along Station 2, cliff diving at Ariel’s Point, or just relaxing in the sun.
Boracay is easily accessible with two nearby airports in the Panay mainland, has a sizeable commercial strip, and a thriving night life. Property buyers can choose between condo and apartment units, houses and lots, and even entire resorts.
2. Bohol
Just off the southeastern coast of Cebu lies the island province of Bohol and its 73 islets. Home to the famous Chocolate Hills, the peculiar tarsier, and a diverse marine life, Bohol also boasts white-sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and exceptional diving sites. Dolphins are a common sight in the area, and you can even spot hammerhead sharks around the reef in the clear waters of Cabilao.
A haven of natural beauty both under water and on land, Bohol is easily reachable via air and sea. With a gently rolling terrain, a mountainous interior, and rustic rivers, the island offers a variety of properties to prospective buyers.
3. Palawan
With its azure waters, hidden lagoons, splendid karst formations, verdant rainforests, mangroves, and numerous marine sanctuaries, this island enthralls nature and adventure lovers alike. Alongside its scenic beauty, the dugong, Tubbataha Reef, and Puerto Princesa Underground River also draws people to Palawan.
Palawan’s terrain is as diverse as its flora and fauna. Made up of over 1,700 islands with mountain ranges cutting through the main island, Palawan offers a variety of properties to buyers, ranging from farm lands with ocean views, to seafront properties, and island lots.
4. Samal Island
Known for its unspoiled aquamarine waters and extensive coral gardens, the Island Garden City of Samal is a mere 15-minute boat ride away from Davao City. Populated by resorts, the most famous of which is Pearl Farm, Samal also offers the charming Hagimit Falls and various snorkeling and scuba diving sites to vacationers.
Prime beach properties, as well as farm lots in Samal are up for sale, giving buyers a chance to own a home in this coastal paradise.
5. Marinduque
Folklore tells us that Marinduque emerged right at the spot where the ill-fated lovers Marin and Duke sank to their death, thus explaining the island’s heart shape. Famous for its Moriones Festival, Marinduque is a haven of hot springs, waterfalls, caves, mountains, islets, and crystal waters. With a beachfront house or an inland getaway in this community of mostly fishers and farmers, you’d quickly forget the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy some peace and quiet.
6. Batanes
At the northernmost tip of the Philippines lies the Batanes group of islands with its centuries-old churches, Ivatan stone houses, charming lighthouses, roads carved out of mountainsides, emerald pasturelands, imposing cliffs, and restless waves crashing into rugged shores. With a vacation house amidst Batanes’ dramatic scenery, you would enjoy the sight of softly rolling hills, picturesque Mount Iraya on Batan Island, or the majestic Pacific Ocean.
7. Panay
The island of Panay is divided into the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo. Aklan is known for its mangrove forests, pristine Jawili Falls, and its seven basins, dive sites, palm-fringed beaches, and of course the Ati-Atihan Festival. Antique, on the other hand, is known for its Bugtong-Bato Falls, marine reserves, quiet shores, and lush jungles. Capiz boasts of Roxas City, dubbed the Seafood Capital of the Philippines, its Panay church bells, which are the largest in Southeast Asia, and Baybay Beach, with its long stretch of black sand. Aside from the Dinagyang Festival, Iloilo offers stunning white-sand beaches off Carles and Estancia and rice terraces in Leon and Igbaras.
Panay is often overlooked as nearby Boracay draws all of the attention, but for a serene escape in a rural landscape, Panay is one of the best.
8. Negros
A central mountain range divides the island of Negros into two parts: Negros Oriental in the east and Negros Occidental in the west. The stately Mount Kanlaon, the spectacular beaches of Sipalay, and the internationally acclaimed marine sanctuary and diving sites of Apo Island, draw crowds from all over the world. If you are a passionate diver or hiker, Negros would make a perfect home for you.
9. Cebu
Home to the country’s second most important city, with thriving business centers and a major trading port, Cebu may not strike anyone as an island escape. But the white-sand beaches, world-class diving sites, and marine sanctuaries of Mactan, Pescador, Bantayan, and Malapascua prove Cebu is a great destination for some R&R. Thrill seekers would especially love Pescador, where swirling schools of sardines can be found, a huge underwater cave called “The Cathedral” can be explored, and Malapascua, where thresher sharks can be seen daily.
10. Mindoro
Most tourists know Mindoro only for the beaches and secluded coves of Puerto Galera, a quick weekend getaway from Manileños. But Mindoro holds more tourism gems. Among them are grand Mount Halcon, the Apo Reef National Park, the second largest contiguous coral reef in the world, a relatively unknown slice of paradise called Pandan Island, and the 13 virgin islands of Bulalacao. With its beaches, diving sites, and mountains, Mindoro has all the ingredients for a perfect and complete island escapade.
