Day Trips and Tours from Manila

Manila, the Philippines’ capital, encapsulates an amazing amount of world cultures within its city limits. Futuristic skyscrapers mix with classical Asian architecture and western art deco buildings. The oldest Chinatown in the world rubs shoulders with remnants of Spanish colonial times.

Vibrant Manila is packed to the gills with humanity and all that comes with it. But beyond the metropolis is a tropical wonderland offering a peaceful contrast to the big city. Escape the excess energy of one of the world’s most densely-populated cities with day trips and tours from Manila.

Taal Volcano

The world’s smallest active volcano simmers and waits just 50 kilometers south of Manila. Taal’s peak rises as an island in the middle of a crater-formed lake. Its sublime countryside and proximity to Manila have made it a prime getaway destination for city dwellers. The area is dotted with resorts, and former Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos had a palace nearby.

On a day tour to Taal Volcano, you’ll have ample photo ops of the infamous mountain from sites like the People’s Park in the Sky and Taal Ridge. There are optional boat rides on the lake for the closest look at the mountain and its steaming vents. Your guide will be sure to introduce you to delicacies like coconut “buko” pie and “kare kare” stew as you head from site to site.

Many day tours to Taal Volcano include a stop at Pagasan Falls. If time allows, you may be able to explore other gems in the area. Taal Heritage Village is a well-preserved Spanish colonial town known for its embroidery, and Museo Orlina Art Museum displays appealing glass art. You may even stop at a Pasalubong Center to watch delicious “buko” pie be made.

Pagsanjan Falls

Pagsanjan Gorge National Park shelters some of the Philippines’ most dramatic scenery, including the epic Pagsanjan Falls. The Pagsanjan River has carved a chasm into the mountains south of Manila over millennia. Its collection of waterfalls lures tourists on the 2.5- to 4-hour drive from the capital to experience their raw power.

The most famous falls, Pagsanjan, involve an adventurous, yet safe, journey on the river. Board a traditional “banca” canoe and hold on as a guide maneuvers the boat upriver toward the falls. Take in jungle scenery and rugged canyon walls on the 2-hour round-trip canoe ride.

Arriving at the falls, step aboard a bamboo raft and marvel as a guide uses a hand-powered pulley to bring the raft to the foot of the falls. Jump in for a dip in the jade-colored waters, or stay on the raft for a trip behind the falls into Devil’s Cave.

Villa Escudero Plantation

Part historic coconut plantation, part luxury resort, Villa Escudero Plantation offers perfect remedies for city burnout. Located about 2 hours from Manila, the plantation is a popular day trip from the busy metropolis. Relax by spring-fed swimming pools and tour the grounds in a cart pulled by a “carabao” water buffalo. Sample regional fare at the resort’s restaurant at the foot of a man-made waterfall.

First established for sugarcane production, the plantation now concentrates on coconuts. Spy the dam and hydroelectric plant constructed to power a coconut processing plant. Wander among the antiquities in the museum and settle in for a performance of the Philippine Experience Show.

Hidden Valley

As the name hints, Hidden Valley is a place of mysterious beauty. This hot springs resort tucked between the Makiling and Banahaw Mountains south of Manila is a paradise of volcanically-heated pools and tropical forest trails. Sink into the warm waters, stare up at the canopy of palms and soak away every ounce of stress.

Day tours to Hidden Valley provide everything you’ll need for a full day of enjoyment at the springs. With transportation, entrance to the resort and a buffet lunch, you’ll want for nothing. Wander the paths across bamboo bridges to spot waterfalls, and sample the different temperatures and surroundings of each pool.

Mount Pinatubo

Luzon Island’s “Beautiful Disaster”, the volcanic Mount Pinatubo awoke in 1991 after more than half a century of dormancy. Its explosive eruption reminded the world that it was still able to wreak havoc. Despite the destruction and loss caused by the event, the towering peak has kept its beauty and has gained an extra level of mystique.

Make the 14-kilometer trek to the summit to gaze at the deceptively placid lake that fills the crater. Pass through forests, over hardened mudflows and visit a village of Aeta people who make the slopes their home on an adventure only a bit over 2 hours from Manila.

Corregidor Island

World War II buffs visiting Manila should not miss Corregidor Island, a small mass of land packed with historical sites. The island sits at the entrance to Manila Bay, a 2-hour ferry ride from the city.

Here you’ll see barracks, tunnels and a mortar battery used by US and Philippine forces. Visit the island’s clutch of museums and monuments like the Mount Samat National Shrine and the Bataan WWII Museum. A day trip to Corregidor Island from Manila will invite you to contemplate the horrors of war and the triumph over fascism.