Benjamar GabawaThe Philippines is dotted with so many beautiful destinations that it’s so hard to choose and plan for your next family trip in the country. Fret not, we’ve gone through the trouble of looking for the best of the best recommendations so all you have to do is sit back, relax and take your pick. These unspoilt, nature-themed destinations from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao are guaranteed to bring your family getaway to a whole new level of fun and excitement!
Luzon
1. Nuvali Parks & Nature, Laguna
Image credit: Nuvali Parks & Nature
Nuvali is a 2,290-hectare mixed residential, commercial, and playground not just for the young but for the young at heart as well. It has almost 50 kilometres of bicycle trail that offers you scenic views of Mount Makiling, Laguna de Bay and the famous Tagaytay Ridge. It also has a multi-functional man-made lagoon complete with watersports fun, as well as an outdoor adventure hub called Camp N that will test your physical limits and mental abilities through obstacles.
With all these exciting activities in one place, what more can you ask for? Unleash the adventurer in you while you unwind with your kids and loved ones.
2. The Coffee Farmhouse, Cavite
Image credit: The Coffee Farmhouse
With its inviting gardens, farm, and serene country-style living, The Coffee Farmhouse is undoubtedly a family-friendly place.
The property exudes a homey ambience provided by its fruit-bearing coffee trees, flowering plants, and rustic accommodations perfect for a relaxing stay. The property also offers a guided coffee plantation tour, indoor fun such as board games, table tennis, billiards, and a therapeutic massage. You can also have a leisurely swim in the property’s swimming pool, ride bicycles and scooters around the farm, or just lounge lazily at the hammocks within ideal location inside the property. In other words, this place should be on your next family getaway bucket list.
3. Mount Samat, Bataan
Image credit: Kyle Vitug
Who says you can’t spend a worthy family getaway on a mountain? Mount Samat in Bataan will prove those naysayers wrong.
The mountain, aside from being a novice-friendly climb, is also worth spending time with your family. At the summit, historical landmarks can be found, such as the Dambana ng Kagitingan and a World War II museum. Dambana ng Kagitingan was created to pay tribute to the valour and bravery of Filipino and American soldiers who fought in WWII. So Mount Samat is not just your ordinary mountain, it is your history teacher too!
4. Picnic Grove, Tagaytay
Image credit: The Official Website of the Province of Cavite
The name Tagaytay has already become synonymous to family-friendly getaway because the place is home to many family-friendly resorts and theme parks. One of these theme parks is Picnic Grove.
Because of its natural kid-friendly allure, Picnic Grove has been the place of choice for many schools as well as other respected institutions. The park has a stunning garden and a zipline to beat. Moreover, it is also situated in a spot that provides leisure seekers with an awe-inspiring view of the mesmerising Taal Lake and volcano. Its cool climate is sure to attract kids and adults alike so there is no reason not to bring your whole family here.
5. Aquascape, Lake Caliraya, Laguna
Image credit: AquascapePH
This man-made lake is by far one of the most unique and family-friendly getaways in Luzon. Around the lake are many attractions, including water sports and exciting outdoor recreations such as water skiing, fishing, camping and kite flying. But definitely don’t miss the gem of the lake: the Lake Caliraya floating cottages, or better yet, floating hotel rooms. Pack a lot of energy when you visit and wake up to a new adventure of your life!
Visayas
6. Salagdoong Beach, Siquijor
Image credit: Liz
How about a thrilling cliff jumping, diving, and skimboarding for your next adventure? Salagdoong Beach in Siquijor will let you experience all that and more!
This stunning beach also features a fun water slide that will take you right down to the sea. If you’re wondering why you haven’t heard of such a place until now, it’s because it is still virtually unexploited. Bring the whole family and enjoy the one-of-a-kind Siquijor hospitality, where kids and kids at heart will surely have the times of their lives!
Also read: Top 20 Beach Getaway Destinations in the Philippines
7. Garin Farm and Inland Resort, Iloilo
Image credit: Garin Farm
If there is one place where you can spend a perfect family getaway in Iloilo, Garin Farm and Inland Resort is the place to be.
The main draw to this humble yet enchanting farm is its fun outdoor activities, which include kayaking and boat paddling in the lagoon, frolicking under the sun at the outdoor swimming pool, farm tour, and an exhilarating 300-metre zipline ride. You can also burn calories by climbing the stairs with 456 steps leading to the Divine Mercy Cross on top of a hill. If you’re considering extending the fun until the next day, the farm also offers unique accommodations: glass-walled rooms that give you panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the Visayan Sea.
Last but not the least, don’t miss Garin Farm’s own ice cream made from the milk of the farm’s own carabaos.
8. Campuestohan Highland Resort, Talisay, Negros Occidental
Image credit: Campuestohan Highland Resort
If you want a unique family-friendly getaway, Campuestohan Highland Resort will blow you away.
Attractions awaiting the resort’s guests include the 4-Lane Sky Bicycle, Cable Hamster Wheel, and Bungee Trampoline. And if these are not enough, the resort also has a giant swimming pool that resembles King Kong’s foot. They also have an Indian Village, which, true to its name, looks like a real Native American village complete with life-sized statues of Native Americans as well. If you want a scenic view of the whole resort, there is a hanging bridge with a viewing platform on one end where you can take a lot of photos for your Instagram grid.
9. Aloguinsan River Eco-Cultural Tour, Cebu
Image credit: Wandering Ella
When in Cebu, there’s a perfect getaway for the whole family – Aloguinsan River Eco-Cultural Tour. The tour is literally an adventure, entertainment, and cultural learning rolled into one.
The river tour starts with a warm native song welcome at the starting station and some refreshingly fresh coconut juice, including its tender meat, of course! A short boardwalk stroll cutting a mangrove forest will then take you to the jump-off point. A guide will explain the importance of the mangroves in our ecosystem and give other relevant details about the stimulating river cruise ahead. The river itself has a rich historical background, so be ready with your ears and relax your minds while you cruise along the 1.4-kilometre long Bojo River in Aloguinsan, Cebu.
10. Danjugan Island, Cauayan, Negros Occidental
Image credit: Danjugan Island
If there is a perfect place to match the word “unspoilt,” this is it. Danjugan Island was once an overexploited area. But thanks to conservation efforts of the people who really care for this strip of paradise, they literally put life back to the island. Now it is home to marine and land wildlife.
This eco-tourism island is now a protected area and you can enjoy the island’s charms via guided tours. Now, the best part is that you can still stay on the island at two designated areas – Moray Lagoon Camp and Typhoon Beach, where you can enjoy nature’s beauty in the purest sense.
Mindanao
11. Dakak Resort, Zamboanga
Image credit: Dakak Resort
Exciting, fun yet relaxing – these are the adjectives that would describe Dakak Park and Beach Resort.
What sets it apart from other venues is its sports and leisure activities that every guest can enjoy. These include horseback riding, rock climbing, ziplining, Dapitan River cruising, cove hopping, and kayaking, among others. To top it all off, they also offer a thrilling helicopter ride where you can see the most coveted view of the whole resort and its surroundings.
12. Maxima Aqua Fun, Samal Island, Davao del Norte
Image credit: Maxima Aquafun
Maxima Aqua Fun, as the name suggests, will give you all your money’s worth with all its water-themed fun.
When banana boat ride and diving seem like outdated water activities for you, then how about being on the other side of a water blob that will hurl you a few feet to the air towards the waiting warm waters of the Samal Sea? Weezing around in jet skis, paddling your own kayak into the open waters, and just enjoying the scenic views from the top of the hill will surely give you the adventures of your life while spending a lot of quality time with your family.
13. Outland Adventure, Davao City
Image credit: Outland Adventure
If you want to try the fastest and the longest zipline not only in the country but in Asia, pack your things and head on to Outland Adventure. Just ten minutes away from downtown Davao City, this is truly a place of exhilarating adventures. Their famous Xcelerator zipline is already a big adventure in itself. Before you can be tethered for the flight of your life, you have to cross a river and climb the platform 200 feet high up in the air!
Outland Adventure is also the largest ropes course facility in the country. Rest assured, once you start flying on their zipline like your favourite superhero, you wouldn’t want to stop!
14. Dahilayan Forest Park Resort, Bukidnon
Image credit: Dahilayan Forest Park Resort
With its lagoons, ponds teeming with colourful fish, picnic area and outdoor activities, Dahilayan Forest Park Resort seems more like an oversized playground than a resort.
Outdoor rides, such as the forest luge, zorb, barrel train, and bumper boat will let you experience unlimited excitement and bonding with your family and friends. The forest luge is similar to a go-cart where you can drive down a track and see scenic views. Zorb is where you get to go inside a giant orb and roll down the path you want. Kids will love the barrel train, a makeshift train controlled by a tractor in the front, while they get to enjoy going around the whole area. On the other hand, you can choose a water adventure and play on the bumper boats, which are literal counterparts of bump cars on water.
These rides are certified for all ages. So don’t just look with envy at your children while they roam and roll around. You can join them, too!
15. Gumasa Beach, Sarangani Province
Image credit: Provincial Government of Sarangani
With a long shoreline of fine white sand, this strip of paradise in Sarangani Province is an ideal family getaway.
The beach is a six-kilometre crescent-shaped piece of paradise. Its turquoise waters are as inviting as those found in other famous beaches, such as Boracay and other world-famous beaches in Palawan. This is why it is also called “Boracay of the South.”
While you’re there, you can take your family members on an easy walk on the shore or you can join other guests in other outdoor activities at the beach. It’s all about fun in this location!
Do these places strike a chord? There’s definitely more fun in these unspoilt destinations in the Philippines. Go ahead and have fun with your loved ones. Choose your next destination, mark your calendars, and enjoy!
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Brought to you by Tourism Promotions Board Philippines (TPBP).
