The Atlas Obscura Guide To Philippines

55 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in the Philippines

Updated November 24, 2023

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Unusual Attractions in Philippines

The Enchanted River

Hinatuan, Philippines

Hinatuan Enchanted River

A magically clear, blue river that seems to spring from nowhere.

Waterfalls Restaurant

San Pablo City, Philippines

Waterfalls Restaurant

An eatery in a shallow river where diners can enjoy their meal mere feet from the base of an artificial waterfall.

Water gushes down a green mountain at Asik-Asik falls.

Alamada, Philippines

Asik-Asik Falls

This wondrous waterfall rushing down a green-covered mountain wasn't discovered until 2010.

Hanging coffins.

Sagada, Philippines

Hanging Coffins of Sagada

Hundreds of wooden coffins dangle from cliffs and caves in the Philippines.

Philippines

Vulcan Point

An island in the middle of a lake, in the middle of a volcano, in the middle of a bigger lake, in the middle of a bigger island, in an archipelago, in the Pacific Ocean.

Fantasy World.

Lemery, Philippines

Fantasy World

The abandoned medieval theme park was meant to be the "Disneyland of the Philippines."

Barracuda Lake.

Coron, Philippines

Barracuda Lake

This curious fresh and salt water lake holds a secret that draws in deep divers from around the world.

Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary

Corella, Philippines

Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary

A patch of Philippines forest devoted to saving the lives of an emotionally sensitive species of googly-eyed primates.

See All 55 Things To Do in Philippines

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Philippines

Waterfalls Restaurant

San Pablo City, Philippines

Waterfalls Restaurant

An eatery in a shallow river where diners can enjoy their meal mere feet from the base of an artificial waterfall.

Mexico, Philippines

Atching Lillian Restaurant

In her ancestral home, one chef preserves ancient Filipino recipes and serves up traditional, home-cooked food to history-loving foodies.

Classic Filipino dishes get a modern makeover here.

Manila, Philippines

Linamnam

Feast on contemporary Filipino cuisine in a chef’s backyard.

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Nature 9

Water 9

Natural Wonders 8

Abandoned 7

Sacred Spaces 7

Cemeteries 6

Geology 6

World War Ii 6

History & Culture 6

Ecosystems 6

Ruins 5

Military 5

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Stories About the Philippines

An overlooked character on the Victoria ship possibly got to his homeland before the Europeans arrived in theirs.

Did an Enslaved Man Beat Magellan to Circling the World?

The unsung hero may have also been instrumental in defeating the colonizers.

by Kate McMahon

November 20, 2023

Before joining the Central Luzon Huks as Commander Liwayway, Remedios Gomez-Paraiso was known in her rural town for her poise and beauty.

Commander Liwayway and Other Filipino Women Who Fought During World War II

The “Huk Amazons” were military commanders, leaders, soldiers, spies, and more.

Biko's toppings vary depending on the region, but toasted coconut and coconut-cream curds are favorites.

The Disappearing Philippine Tradition of 'Souling' for Rice Cakes

Pangangaluluwa means singing, costumes, and treats.

by Barbara Woolsey

October 24, 2022

"It takes years to perfect Kalinga tattooing," says Oggay.

A 105-Year-Old Tattoo Artist Is Teaching Girls to Ink for Independence

Filipino tribal tattooist Fang-od Oggay has built an economy on the back of skin art.

by Lynzy Billing

An artist's rendering of one of the three new giant cloud rat species.

Giant Cloud Rats Hint at a Prehistoric Biodiversity Paradise

Oversized, fluffy rodents in the Philippines may have been hunted by our evolutionary cousins.

by Gemma Tarlach

The purple hue traditionally comes from pirurutong rice, but cooks often use ube flavoring for color.

Why Filipino Christians Greet the December Dawn With Purple Rice

Puto bumbong is a sweet, post-mass breakfast during Simbang Gabi.

December 22, 2020

The penanggalan detaches from her body to approach mothers, pregnant women, and infants.

The Malaysian Penanggalan Haunts Pregnant Women and Newborns

These provincial specters are as gruesome as they are hungry.

October 29, 2020

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a fly stuck in a bubbly drink at a picnic?

At 'Soda Springs' in the Philippines, the Seafloor Bubbles Like Champagne

The bubbles are mostly carbon dioxide, and gurgle up from the ground in streamers or curtains.

by Jessica Leigh Hester

January 30, 2020

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