Why limit yourself to a romantic dinner to celebrate the Day of Hearts? Do the unexpected and whisk your spouse away to an extreme Valentine weekend trip where you can savor love once more in careless abandon. The Philippines is so rich in biodiversity that you can find an adventure on land, by the sea, on sea, and through forests. Just pick a location and start your own adventure!
1. Wallclimbing, Rapelling, Ziplining
Engaging in physical activities amid lush and verdant forests and mountains keeps the adrenaline pumping. Challenge your limits by going wall-climbing then rapelling and ziplining—or both! Ziplines are guaranteed to make you squeal in delight because of the combination of speed and height. But as long as you have equipment in place, you can have fun safely.
Where to try it: Pugad or Pugo Adventure in Pugo, La Union
How to get there: Drive to Pugad, just along the Marcos Highway. The turnoff is well-marked with banners. Alternately, you can take the bus.
Aside from that, you can also rent an ATV to ride around the terrain or you can go head-to-head in a game of paintball. Another favorite is the giant swing because, after all, who doesn’t love to swing?! Of course, you can simply trek the undulating hills, breathing in the fresh, cool air.
Contact them at: +63917-506-6931
Photo by liquene via flickr creative commons
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2. White Water Tubing
The whitewater tubing experience is an exciting, shriek-inducing ride over and between rocks that take you up and down and side to side. There’s no way not to get wet! Even better is feeling the crystalline waters all around you. Don’t worry, you get suited up with a helmet and a life jacket. A guide will also assist you the whole time, making sure that you don’t fall off and hurt yourself.
Where to try it: Pangi River, Sarangani
How to get there: Take a plane to the Gen. Santos International Airport, then hire a van to take you directly to the site. The land travel will take about an hour and a half. When you get there, you will take a half-hour-long carabao cart ride through a small, quiet barrio before getting suited for the ride.
This is a community-based sustainable tourism site, so all the proceeds of the tour go directly to the people that live there and keep the river clean.
Contact them: Through your local travel agent.
Photo by dgphilli via flickr creative commons
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3. Skimboarding
Using a smaller, simpler board than a surfboard, guys and girls can catch small or big waves near the shore. It may look simple, but skimboarding requires concentration and balance to master. Even after you learn how to balance on the board, you will surely take a lot of time trying to do tricks.
Where to try it: Glan, Sarangani
How to get there: Take a plane to the Gen. Santos International Airport. From there, take a private van to Glan, the scenic ride will take about an hour and a half.
Moms who may tire of the activity can have themselves buried in the black silica to undergo a natural spa not just for healthy skin but improved immunity as well.
Contact them: Through your local travel agent.
Photo by Miles Davis via flickr creative commons
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4. Spelunking
Whatever the weather outside, caves remain cool inside. Exploring caves can be physically challenging, as you squeeze through and crawl under crevices and gaps. Have fun seeing stalactites and stalagmites up close—and identifying what shapes they form.
Where to try it: Ugong Rock, Barangay Tagabinet, PalawanEnjoy safe (not slippery!) spelunking inside this limestone karst mountain that is said to be about 23 million years old! When you get to the top, you see magnificent views of other mountains and forests, from 100 meters up. Then, you get harnessed for one of two ziplines: sitting or Superman position.
How to get there: After you arrive by plane at Puerto Princesa City, you can hire a van to take you to Ugong Rock. However, this is usually an optional stop after a trip to the Underground River, whose landing area is less than half an hour away.
Contact them: Through your local travel agent.
Photo by Sandra via flickr creative commons
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5. Butanding-Spotting
Butanding or whale sharks are unique in our waters that tourists can’t help but find a way to spot these gentle giants. All you need is a boat that will take you out, and snorkeling gear. The experience of being almost face to face with these amazing mammals will be a most memorable experience.
Where to try it: Donsol, Sorsogon
Sightings are said to take place from November to June, as they feed off the marine life in the area.
How to get there: Fly into the airport in Legaspi City. From there, travel by land to Donsol for about one hour.
Photo by adametrnal via flickr creative commons
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6. Underground River
Declared one of the 7 New Wonders of the World, the Puerto Princesa Underground River is part of a bigger complex, the St. Paul’s Subterranean River National Park that is a protected area. The popular tourist destination takes you from the white-sand beach, through a small part of the forest, then on a river tour of a part of the cave system with hundred year-old stalactites and stalagmites. The river is brackish, meaning, it is a combination of fresh and saltwater, as the river flows out into the sea.
Where to try it: Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
How to get there: Arrive at the Puerto Princesa airport. Then, travel by land for about two hours to the landing area, from which you will take, first, an outrigger boat for half an hour, then take a short walk through the forest, before taking a 45-minute paddle boat tour of the area that is open to tourists.
Since it flows into the sea, bad weather affects public access to the river. In addition, access to the cave is limited, so you must book your visit in advance to get the necessary permits.
Contact them: Through your local travel agent.
Photo by Austronesian Expeditions via flickr creative commons
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7. Cruising on the River
Many rivers in the country are still wide, flowing with fresh water and teeming with life. You can ride on a floating restaurant as it glides down the water. They serve freshly-cooked meals. Along the way, you can have a better appreciation of the flora and fauna along the river banks. Some river tours allow you to alight at some stations for some entertainment on land.
Where to try it: Loboc River, BoholThough the province was badly affected by the earthquakes and aftershocks last year, the Loboc River Cruise is now back in operation.
How to get there: Take a plane to Tagbilaran City Airport. You can either hire a van there to take you to Loboc or ride a public bus at the terminal.
Contact them: Through the local tourism office or your travel agent.
Photo by Kath Hoboc-Lee via flickr creative commons
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8. Sandboarding
Powder-fine, undulating sand is a great setting for sandboarding. You take a board to the specified site from which you are “released” to cascade, with the wind blowing through your hair… hopefully, land on your feet. Even if you land on your bum, though, there’s no harm. The most tiring part is going back up to try it again. And again. The best time to try the sandboarding activity is at sunset, when the sun is less harsh and the colors are at their most mystical.
Where to try it: Paoay, Ilocos
The Paoay Sand Dunes have been an important backdrop for classic Filipino movies like “Panday” and “Himala” as well as international films “Mad Max” and “Born on the Fourth of July”.
For more daring adventure, you may want to rent a ride on a 4x4 vehicle that goes on paths that will make your heart race.
How to get there: Take a bus or plane ride to Laoag City. From there, you can hire private transport to take you on a short ride to the Paoay Sand Dunes.
Contact them: Through the local tourism office or your travel agent.
Photo by IlocosNorte via flickr creative commons
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9. Trekking and Camping
Pack your camping gear and trekking shoes and take a trail! Even the uninitiated will marvel at the beauty of trekking and camping in protected mountain areas. Exploring woodlands and discovering new paths can be a very romantic activity indeed.
Where to try it: Makiling, Los BañosThe stories of mysticism surrounding Mount Makiling have been passed on from generation to generation. You will need to properly register with your Identification Card to take the Maria Makiling Trail.
How to get there: You can take a bus to Los Baños. However, it is advisable to bring your own vehicle there, since you have to drive some distance to the trail and camping area.
Contact them: Through the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems: http://mountmakiling.org.
Photo by incrediblethots via flickr creative commons
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10. Dolphin-Watching
Many of the Philippines’ islands are home to beautiful wildlife. But for something above and beyond swimming and sunbathing, you can hire a boat to take you out early in the morning to go dolphin-watching--though it may be more appropriately called dolphin-stalking. At the break of dawn is when it is most suitable to do this, so you have to wake up really early. As you huddle quietly and wait for the signal, the anticipation rises. Then, after the first sighting, it will be a mad chase as several boats gun their engines to get closer, in pursuit of dolphins swimming and jumping from here to there.
Where to try it: Panglao, Bohol
This tour service may be combined with snorkeling at Balicasag Island. There will be gear for rent on the boat.
How to get there: After you land at the Tagbilaran City Airport, take a tricycle to the island of Panglao, if you book accommodations there. If you stay in Tagbilaran, your hotel can arrange for your land transfer to Panglao.
Contact them: Ask your hotel about boats that they recommend.
Photo by Doun Dounell via flickr creative commons
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