3 Cities Every Traveler Must Visit For An Authentic Pinoy Road Trip

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippines is made up of over 7,600 islands, and nearly every one of them has a story to tell. For the road tripper however, Luzon is the best bet to experience a wealth of history, nature, and culture while keeping along a continuous, non-looping path. The best way to experience most of Luzon from Manila is to travel northward, and here are the most iconic locations to visit when going up that path.

Seaside Fun at Subic

Home to a US Naval Base until 1992, Subic is the definitive beach location in Luzon. You’ve got the iconic boardwalks of Subic bay with its inflatable obstacle islands; the playful dolphin teams of Ocean Adventure; and the wreck of the USS New York to dive into. If land-based fun is more your speed, you can also meet animals up close at Zoobic Safari, or stand in the middle of a whirlwind of feathers at Magaul Bird Park.

Subic also has a colorful nightlife; the Baguio Craft Brewery is a fantastic place for an evening out, and live music shows are abound both onshore and inland. It’s also a brilliant place to shop, at places like the Nike Factory Store, and the ever-famous Royal Duty Free.

Baguio’s Precipitous Heights

The “Summer Capital of the Philippines” is more than your average Filipino city that’s a few degrees cooler. The area around Baguio is a shining example of the mountainous Northern Luzon aesthetic. The city itself is one rife with history, evidenced by places of interest like the Emilio Aguinaldo museum and the Presidential Mansion.

Given its special location and historical significance, Baguio has a culture all of its own. However, the narrow winding streets and zigzag roads aren’t for the faint-hearted. It can be a bit difficult to negotiate its steep, winding roads, though, so taking a reliable vehicle with you is essential.

The Vintage Allure of Vigan

A city trapped in time, Vigan is a well-kept bubble of Spanish influence on the Philippines. The brick-paved streets bustling with horse-drawn cart traffic alone scream colonial times, and the perfectly preserved period architecture drive the point right home.

The cobblestone streets are lined with rows upon rows of shops that sell traditional crafts and restaurants and cafes featuring culturally iconic dishes. A monument of Filipino history, Vigan is simply a must-visit location for anyone exploring Luzon.

The Philippines has all the features of your average tropical country, but a closer look reveals that there’s a bit more to it than just that. The best way to take a closer look at this great archipelago nation is to take a trip along its roads and experience everything from street level, to more intimately get to know the rich culture and history that’s hiding underneath the surface.