The Philippines has a lot to offer those in search of a weekend away, and it’s easy to hop a quick flight to Boracay or Palawan. However, for an archipelago, Philippines offers a surprising number of amazing road trip opportunities for those looking to take a different kind of vacation. In fact, some people have driven from Manila to Davao in just one week, making use of roll-on/roll-off ships (also known as ro-ro) to transport cars between islands. But, for those who have less than a week, there are a variety of itineraries within the three country’s three major islands — Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao — that you can do. So pack your bags, rent a car and set off on one of these weekend road trips in the Philippines.
Manila to Ilocos Norte
Ilocos is one of the most popular vacation destinations from Manila, with its breathtaking beaches like Pagudpud and the Blue Lagoon, UNESCO World Heritage sites (don’t miss the Paoay church) and warm hospitality. While many choose to fly from Manila to Laoag, a lot of wanderlusters have endeavored to take the more adventurous route, which is a 12- to 14-hour drive, where you can take advantage of fun stops, including the town of Vigan, famous for its well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture and delicious empanada, as well as Bangui for its serene surroundings and famous windmill farm. On the way back, you can also stop in the surf town of La Union, where you can even stay overnight in one of its hip beach hostels such as Flotsam and Jetsam Artist Hostel or The Circle Hostel.
Manila to Bicol
Good things also await revelers who wish to head down south instead. From Manila, drive down to the province of Bicol via the South Luzon Expressway and Pan-Philippine Highway. The drive takes more or less 10 hours, but probably more if you choose to make a quick stopover at Legazpi City in Albay (and we suggest it) for a peek at the majestic, perfect cone of the Mayon Volcano and the Instagrammable, historic ruins of Cagasawa. A favorite end point for people choosing to head to the Bicol region are the breathtaking beaches of Caramoan islands, where several international editions of the TV show “Survivor” have been shot. The islands can be reached through a 2-hour ro-ro (roll-on/roll-off ship) ride from terminals in Sabang and Guijalo.
Samar to Leyte
If you are already in Bicol, you can easily reach the Visayan islands of Samar and Leyte by taking a ro-ro from the 24-hour Matnog Port in Sorsogon. Samar and Leyte are two islands connected by the country’s longest bridge, San Juanico, which is also part of the Pan-Philippine Highway. In Samar, you can choose to stay overnight in Catbalogan or, better yet, camp in the country’s largest cave, Langun-Gobingob located in the town of Calbiga. Meanwhile, in Leyte, don’t miss the MacArthur Park in Tacloban, which is the location of General Douglas MacArthur’s historic arrival to the Philippines during WWII. Round out your trip with a visit to Lake Danau National Park in Ormoc for some peace and tranquility after your drive.
Iloilo to Dumaguete
On the western side of Visayas, another favored road trip takes you from Iloilo all the way down to Dumaguete, with a short breather in the beautiful town of Bacolod. A 10-hour journey more or less, the adventure starts with a ro-ro ride from Iloilo’s Dumangas Port to Bacolod. Make sure you time your arrival at lunch hour, so you can indulge in the city’s beloved Chicken Inasal (marinated chicken barbecue) at Nena Rose Chicken Inasal restaurant and finish off with local dessert called Napoleones from either Pendy’s or Roli’s and a quick photo-op at the ruins of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson just 15-minutes away. Dumaguete is about four to five hours from Bacolod, but your hard work will be rewarded with the myriad of things to see and do such as dolphin watching in Bais, hiking in Casaroro Falls, or just walking around the town to admire the numerous monuments and Spanish-era architecture.
Davao to Cagayan de Oro
Driving from Davao to Cagayan de Oro can offer some amazing sights. A five-hour road trip on a good day, the shortest and arguably best route to take is through the highland town of Buda (also fondly called the “Baguio of Mindanao” because of its cool weather) and the province of Bukidnon. The road is scenic and there are numerous mountain resorts in both Buda and Bukidnon where you can stay overnight to enjoy the cool breeze before indulging in the numerous activities CDO has to offer such as white water rafting, tubing, diving, hiking or zip-lining.
Any other road trips through the Philippines we should add to our list? Share with us in the comments.
Feature image: istockphoto/travnikovstudio
