37 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.

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.

Alamada, Philippines

Asik-Asik Falls

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

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.

Sagada, Philippines

Hanging Coffins of Sagada

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

Sierra Bullones, Philippines

Chocolate Hills

Bohol's mysterious brown hills.

Talisay City, Philippines

The Ruins in Talisay

A once great mansion stands in stately ruin.

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 37 Things to Do in the Philippines See All 37 Places

Unique
Food & Drink
in the Philippines

Sea Grapes

This "green caviar" is vegetarian friendly.

Engkala

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

Halo-Halo

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

Mountain Maid Ube Jam

In the mountains of the Philippines, a convent raises funds with a sweet spread made from purple yams.

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

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Stories
About the Philippines

Teofilo Garcia poses by a pile of hats in progress.

The Man Making Hats Out of Vegetables

Teofilo Garcia may be the last Filipino to turn gourds he grows into headwear.

by Richard Collett

September 24, 2019

Hapless prey would never know what hit them.

It’s Not So Easy to Rename a Species With a Problematic Moniker

One scientist argues that we should reconsider the Bobbit worm.

by Sabrina Imbler

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 6, 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