Airbnb Travel Guide: Underrated Places to Visit in the PH This 2022

Dubbed as the “Pearl of the Orient Sea,” the Philippines is composed of tropical islands and fascinating landscapes. The country has a lot to offer for those looking for adventures and hidden gems in Southeast Asia.

The Philippines can be your next perfect getaway where you can surround yourself with nature, culture, and fun all in one! Tourist spots across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao won’t disappoint you as each island is brimming with natural attractions, captivating sceneries, and friendly locals. 

This year, lodging rental company Airbnb launched a travel guide in the Philippines to help you (especially first-time visitors) with your itinerary and find the most underrated destinations and interesting food to try in the country.

5 Most Underrated Destinations of 2022

5. Pink Beach, Zamboanga Peninsula

Zamboanga is one of the most beautiful provinces in Mindanao, serving diverse cuisines and stunning beaches. Zamboanga’s Great Sta. Cruz Island, popularly called the pink beach, boasts cherry-colored sand. Its pink color comes from the red organ-pipe corals that mix with the regular sand when dissolved in water.

4. Ulan-Ulan Falls, Biliran

One of the undiscovered paradise spots in the country is the Ulan-Ulan Falls located in the Eastern Visayas region of Biliran. The term “ulan” is a Tagalog word that means rain. Ulan-Ulan falls is 25 meters high and is girdled with thick tropical forest.

3. Cambugahay Falls, Siquijor

Cambugahay Falls in Siquijor is a three-tier falls hidden in a jungle with turquoise blue water that comes from natural springs. The first tier is where most tourists swim because it has the biggest pool and deepest water.

2. Solong and Hicming Falls, Catanduanes

With a touch of adventure and refreshing experience, Hicming and Solong Falls are two of the many underrated tourist spots in Catanduanes. You need to hike through the river and forest to reach the Hicming Falls. Meanwhile, the Solong Falls makes a perfect picnic destination among tourists and locals.

1. Sorsogon

One of the best provinces to visit in the Philippines this 2022 for an eco-friendly traveling experience is Sorsogon in the Bicol region. Aside from its charming local communities, beaches in Sorsogon are home to some gentle giants called butanding (whale sharks). The province is also packed with hot springs, mangrove forests, lagoons, and surfing spots.

5 Most Interesting and Unique Local Foods to Eat

5. Dulce Prenda

Dulce Prenda is a rare Filipino biscuit made from sweetened kundol (winter melon). It originally came from Bacolor in Pampanga with Spanish and Chinese influences.

4. Tuslob-Buwa

If you’re strolling around Cebu, tuslob-buwa (or dip in bubbles in English translation), is a Filipino street food that consists of pig’s brain and liver. It is usually sautéed with garlic, onions, shrimp paste, and chilis. Dip in soy sauce for extra flavor.

3. Tiyula Itum

Another interesting food to try in the Philippines this 2022 is tiyula itum, a black beef soup cooked with lemongrass, ginger, turmeric, and charred coconut meat. It looks like dinuguan but does not contain pig blood and its black color comes from burnt bamboo, garlic, and miso. It is usually served during Muslim weddings and Mindanao festivals.

2. Betute Tugak

This local food from Pampanga may come as a surprise to some tourists because of its exotic nature. Betute tugak is a deep-fried frog stuffed with minced pork and some vegetable and spices. It is best consumed when dipped in spicy vinegar or soy sauce with calamansi.

1. Sinuglaw

Sinuglaw is a combination of the words “sugba” which means to grill and “kinilaw” meaning to cook through a vinegar-based dressing. Sinuglaw is made with grilled pork belly and fish ceviche served as a main dish or appetizer.