Luzon, Philippines

Travelling is my way of stimulating growth upon myself. I have always dreamt of travelling the world. Starting it at Luzon which is the northern major island of the Philippines and where I am currently living will be the best way to begin a travel bucket list. Not only I can access different places in Luzon through land but also Luzon is the biggest island in the Philippines, where I can have a lot of options to start with. Here are my Luzon Escapade Bucket List ideas that I hope can help you too if you’re planning to travel the Philippines starting with Luzon.

Ilocos Norte

• Explore the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation in Burgos Ilocos Norte
• Try breathtaking zip line of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sure

• Explore historic City of Vigan, Ilocos Sur
• Visit the Santa Maria Church. It is also one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Philippines and one of the Baroque Churches in the country.

La Union

• Learn surfing at the Surfing Capital of the North, La Union
• Visit the restored Baluarte in Luna, La Union

Pangasinan

• Swim into the Cabongaoan death pool in Pangasinan
• Swim into the underground rivers of the caves in Bolinao, Pangasinan

Batanes

• Rent a bike and explore the province of Batanes
• Chow down some coconut crabs and “Arayu” that is also known as Dorado
• Ride a boat from Basco to Itbayat

Cagayan

• Visit caves and Babuyan Group of Islands in Cagayan
• Go spelunking at the Sierra caves
• Visit the Calvary Hills of the Far East

Isabela Province

• Visit the Japanese War Tunnel in Ilagan, Isabela Province
• Charter a plane going to Palanan, Isabela
• Visit the ruins of the oldest church in the province, the St. Paul the Apostle Church in Cabagan

Nueva Viscaya

• Hike at Mt. Ugo
• Visit the Lower Magat Eco-Tourism Park

Quirino

• Go White Water Rafting in Governors Rapids in Maddela, Quirino
• Breathe in some fresh air atop the rolling hills of Landingan Viewpoint in Nagtipunan, Quirino

Abra

• Swim in Kaparkan Falls’ basins of Abra
• Visit the Piwek Rock Formations and Apao Rolling Hills of Abra

Apayao

• Explore Lussoc Underground River in Apayao
• Cliff dive at Maton River in Pudtol, Apayao
• Find some Philippine eagles at the Calanasan Philippine Eagle Sanctuary

Benguet

• Spend the whole week at the summer capital of the Philippines, Baguio City
• Go strawberry picking in La Trinidad
• Witness a breathtaking sunrise at the summit of Mt. Pulag

Ifugao

• Ride a wooden scooter in Ifugao
• Visit the different UNESCO World Heritage Rice Terraces in Ifugao

Kalinga

• Get inked by a traditional tattoo artist in Buscalan Village, Tinglayan, Kalinga
• Watch the sunrise at Chico River

Mountain Province

• Walk into the blue soil of Sagada
• Drink Mountain Provinces’ world-famous coffee

Baler

• Visit the Museo de Baler
• Get inside the biggest Balete tree in Asia
• Go on top of the PAGASA Weather Station and get a 360-view overlooking the town of Baler and Discalarin Cove

Bataan

• Take a day trip and learn a part of our history at Corregidor Island
• Explore the Five Fingers in Mariveles, Bataan

Bulacan

• Join the traditional dance at Obando
• Visit the Barasoain Church

Nueva Ecija

• Learn more about agriculture at the NFA museum
• Visit Pantabangan Dam
• Go cliff diving at Minalungao National Park in Nueva Ecija

Pampanga

• Witness the grandest Giant Lantern Festival in the country held at Pampanga
• Ride the tallest Ferris Wheel in the Philippines at Sky Ranch Pampanga
• Take a 4X4 and go up at Mt. Pinatubo
• Experience one of the largest water parks in the country, the Aqua Planet

Tarlac

• Visit the Death March Monument in Tarlac
• Learn more about democracy at The Aquino Central Museum

Zambales

• Camp at Anawangin Cove or Nagsasa Cove, Zambales

NCR

• Visit the National Museum of Anthropology, Natural History and Fine Arts

Cavite

• Join the fun in the Pahimis Festival of Amadeo, Cavite
• Hike at Mt. Pico De Loro
• Visit Bonifacio Trial House in Maragondon, Cavite

Laguna

• Swim at Laguna’s Pagsanjan Falls
• Visit the childhood home of our National hero at the Rizal Shrine in Calamba, Laguna
• Bring home quality a pair or two footwears from Liliw, Laguna
• Dine at a floating restaurant in Calauan, Laguna

Batangas

• Learn SCUBA diving or freediving in Anilao
• Dive into the center of the center of the world’s Coral Triangle, the reef of Batangas
• Tour around the Heritage town of Taal
• Visit the Philippines’ very first camera museum, Galleria Taal

Rizal

• Visit Agono, Rizal’s “Art capital of the Philippines”
• More art appreciation in Pinto Art Museum
• Hike to Mt. Balagbag, Rizal

Quezon Province

• Join one of the most colorful festival in the region, the Pahiyas Festival of Quezon Province
• Enjoy the golden sands in Jomalig Island
• Enjoy the pristine beaches of Borawan, Alibijaban and Cagbalete Island

Oriental Mindoro

• Visit the Mangyan Village at the foot of Mt. Malasimbo in Puerto Galera
• Dive and enjoy the white sand beaches of Puerto Galera
• Explore the quite but beautiful town of Bulalacao
• Hike the second highest mountain the country, the Mt. Halcon of Mindoro Oriental.
• Dive into the second largest contiguous reef in the world, Apo Reef in Sablayan, Mindoro Oriental

Occidental Mindoro

• Trek and find Tamaraws at Mt. Iglit-Baco National park
• Get a prisoner as your guide and explore the Sablayan Prison Farm & Rainforest
• Take the longest zip line from an island to another at Sablayan
• Swim with turtles at Pandan Island

Marinduque

• Experience the Moriones Festival
• Rent a bike and explore the Circumferential roads of Marinduque and discover the white sand beaches around the province

Romblon

• Watch the beautiful sunset at Bonbon Beach, Romblon
• Explore Cresta De Gallo

Palawan

• Explore the beaches and lagoons of Coron in Palawan
• Visit El Nido’s Lagoon and Beaches in Palawan
• Go underground and explore the Underground River in Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Albay

• Ride an ATV and take the black lava trail near Mayon Volcano, Albay
• Visit Cagsawa ruins and enjoy the view of Mayon Volcano, Albay
• Visit the majestic Quitinday Underground River

Camarines Norte

• Try different water sports in Bagasbas Beach, Camarines Norte
• Experience the pink sand beaches of Parola Island, Camarines Norte

Camarines Sur

• Go wake boarding at CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC)
• Explore the paradise tucked in Caramoan Group of Islands
• Join the fun at the Penafrancia Festival
• Explore Mt. Isarog National Park

Masbate

• Dive at the manta bowl and explore the underwater world of Ticao Island
• Visit the Buntod Sandbar, Masbate
• Experience beauty and diversity of the Burias Group of Islands in Masbate

Catanduanes

• Surf at the “Majestics” Puraran Beach, Catanduanes
• Explore the Palumbanes Island, Catanduanes

Sorsogon

• Find and swim with whale sharks in the wild of Sorsogon
• Ride the waves of Gubat, Sorsogon
• Be amazed and swim with giant fishes in Juag Lagoon Sanctuary in Sorsogon
• Grab a paddle and kayak around Lake Bulusan

My Luzon Escapade Bucket List may take me years to get it all completed but this is a motivation for me to look far of what I can do and visit moving forward. I hope my list can give you an idea of the endless wonders of Luzon.

Thank you!

Ferline Roxas