36 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in the Philippines - Atlas Obscura

Unusual
Attractions
in the Philippines

Hinatuan, Philippines

Hinatuan Enchanted River

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

Added by valcalma

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.

EricGrundhauser

Added by EricGrundhauser

Alamada, Philippines

Asik-Asik Falls

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

Added by franbienjan

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.

Added by EDanryd

Sagada, Philippines

Hanging Coffins of Sagada

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

Added by wbagadion

Sierra Bullones, Philippines

Chocolate Hills

Bohol's mysterious brown hills.

michelle

Added by michelle

Talisay City, Philippines

The Ruins in Talisay

A once great mansion stands in stately ruin.

Annetta Black

Added by Annetta Black

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.

Jee Ann

Added by Jee Ann

See All 36 Things to Do in the Philippines See All 36 Places

Unique
Food & Drink
in the Philippines

Sea Grapes

Gastro Obscura

Fruits & Vegetables

Sea Grapes

This "green caviar" is vegetarian friendly.

Gastro Obscura

rachelrummel

Added by rachelrummel

Halo-Halo

Gastro Obscura

Halo-Halo

A sundae with a surprising mix of flavors that reflect Filipino history.

Gastro Obscura

rachelrummel

Added by rachelrummel

Engkala

Gastro Obscura

Fruits & Vegetables

Engkala

This creamy, bright pink fruit is known as the "Borneo avocado."

Gastro Obscura

Jared Rydelek

Added by Jared Rydelek

Marang

Gastro Obscura

Fruits & Vegetables

Marang

A Filipino fruit that smells like gasoline and tastes like pears, jackfruit, and pineapple.

Gastro Obscura

Jared Rydelek

Added by Jared Rydelek

See all 21 things to eat in the Philippines See all 21 things to eat in the Philippines

Explore the Philippines

Launch Map

Recent the Philippines Activity

fishmankatie wants to go to Cemetery Beach

fishmankatie wants to go to Vulcan Point

fstephenson wants to go to Asik-Asik Falls

suisunali has been to World's Largest Shoes

suisunali has been to Marikina Shoe Museum

Stories
About the Philippines

The Daraga Church was built in the Philippines by the Franciscans in the 1770s.

How Building Churches Out of Egg Whites Transformed Filipino Desserts

What else are you going to do with all those yolks?

by Richard Collett

February 22, 2019

A detail from a Regency-era dress made of silk and piña.

This Prized Filipino Fabric Is Made From Pineapple Leaves

It's been a favorite of royalty and a first lady.

September 06, 2018

Mount Mantalingahan in the Philippines.

Cold, Damp 'Sky Islands' Are Hotspots for Unusual Plants and Animals

Exploring an ecological oasis high up on the Philippines' Palawan Island.

by Jessica Leigh Hester

A mysterious "globster" spurs intrigue and horror for residents of Oriental Mindoro.

Found: A Mysterious 'Globster' Washed Ashore in the Philippines

The unidentified marine carcass has made the beach rather unpleasant.

by Christina Ayele Djossa

Grace Palicas tattoos a woman visiting Buscalan village.

A 101-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

Watch the Oldest Hand-Tap Tattoo Artist in the Philippines at Work

Well into her 90s, Apo Whang-Od continues this ancient tradition.

by Mariana Zapata

November 22, 2016