Top 2 Best Tourist Spots in Cordillera: 2024 Itinerary, Places to Visit

There's too much chaos on the roads of the Metro, so searching for deserted places with a picture perfect landscape is now a norm. With the gorgeous and stunning photos scattered on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, it is now easy to promote, search and catch a glimpse of places to visit in the Philippines. If I would suggest places in Luzon, the provinces in the Cordillera region are on the top. Been here a few times and I noticed that it is one of the favorite destinations of countless international and local tourists. Who says no to a place with a big picture of a so called paradise. There's healthy forest with fresh air, cool and relaxing ambiance, pristine lagoons, colorful flora and fauna, and has a cool weather with no heavy traffic and no cellular signal perfect for bonding.

AZURE URBAN RESORT RESIDENCES, Parañaque City

Azure Urban Resort Residences is one of the newly developed vertical residential structure in Parañaque City. It gotten the attention of social media and Filipinos because it is designed by Paris Hilton, a world famous socialite and a hotel heiress. She has great sense of art and class as it appears on the outcome of Azure Urban Resort Residences, from its details, facilities, pool side, residential units and the white sand beach by the pool. Through an invite by one of the unit owners, had a chance to enter and enjoy what's inside Azure Urban Resort Residences, photos below will describe:

Butuan National Museum, Agusan del Norte

Butuan National Museum
Butuan National Museum is one of the historical structures in Butuan City that houses and protects the relics discovered in the region. It also holds several objects used by the locals for their daily life such as jars, ceramic and earthenwares, hand woven clothe, and many more. Photos below are just some of items inside the museum:

Balangay Shrine, Butuan City

Balangay Shrine
In Butuan City, Agusan del Norte | The Filipino word Baranggay came from the word: Balangay or Balanghai which is watercraft used by the ancient people in the Philippines for transportation and for barter and trade. If I am not mistaken, it was discussed when I was in the fifth grade, in HEKASI. I am happy that today, it’s time to see the actual relics of Balangay, discovered in Butuan. Since the guard did not allow me to use my DSLR or even my digital camera, photos below were captured using my mobile camera:

Getting Around Butuan City (Visited Museums)

Butuan City tourist spots
Backpacking in Butuan City is easy because all the historical sites are located just within the vicinity, accessible using the local's public utility vehicles such as jeepney and tricycle. During our visit in Butuan, at the intersection of the Narra Road (where Jollibee, McDonalds and KFC are located), we chartered a tricycle to visit two museums in the city. Below are two of the museums in Butuan City. 

International Doll House (Museum), Surigao del Sur

International Doll House Surigao
The International Doll House was mentioned by John, our guide. Somehow familiar because we already saw it on TV. John encouraged us to visit this this amazing place by giving us details of what are displayed inside. According to him, there are dolls with gold on the head, there’s a toy motorcycle with a value of 2.5 million pesos and many more. So we thought, it's worth to visit. 

LIBUACAN COLD SPRING, Surigao del Sur

Libuacan Cold Spring
Libuacan Cold Spring is a river system with cold and crystalline water, free flowing, and surrounded by relaxing greens. Since the area is surrounded by trees, the ambiance is really cool and relaxing; everything seemed to be fresh. It was our second option because the famous Enchanted River was closed due to its renovations but its fine, there will always be a perfect time for us. 

MANLAWI SANDBAR, Caramoan - 2023 Travel Guide

Manlawi Sandbar
Manlawi Sandbar is one of the “must visit” in Caramoan group of islands. This sandbar has an amazing shape, sometimes forming a heart, that captures most of the eyes of the tourists worldwide. However, visiting Manlawi sandbar is very crucial because it disappears during high-tide. Our bangkero knows the accurate time (12NN), so we experienced its beauty for thirty minutes.

MINALAHOS ISLAND, Caramoan

Minalahos Island
Minalahos Island is a small islet in Caramoan group of islands. It has a limited space for visitors due to its undersized shore line but the shape and rock formations are stunningly gorgeous. The plants and hanging on the rocks also added a beautiful landscape. If you’re fond of rock scrambling, I highly suggest to bring outdoor sandals for the sharp edges of the boulders.

SABITANG LAYA ISLAND, Caramoan

Sabitang Laya Island
The island of Sabitang Laya is one of the Caramoan group of islands. It is almost the same with the other islets with a crystal clear waters, amazing rock formation, but the only difference is that it has longer stretch of fine white sand. Aside from that, by the shoreline, there’s a wide and long stretch of trees and grasses. Of course, the wind is cool and fresh.