Seated at the heart of the Philippine archipelago, the islands of Visayas are among the prettiest and most visited in the country. From east to west, these islands continue to lure visitors of different tongues and nations for their pristine beaches and untamed wilderness. Its main islands of Samar, Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Masbate, Panay and Negros are further encircled by equally magnificent islets and breathtaking waters. Famous for its white sandy beaches and incomparable nature, coupled with great Visayan hospitality, Visayas is truly a paradise at the heart of the Philippines.

As gems of tourism in the country, the islands of Cebu, Panay and Bohol offer their visitors a wide array of opportunities to discover the treasures and beauty that lie within them.

Cebu, known to the locals as the “Queen City of the South,” is also the oldest in the country. With its rich history that has brought major landmarks such as the Magellan’s Cross, Fort San Pedro, and the monuments of the epic Datu Lapu-Lapu who killed Ferdinand Magellan, and the latter, who is one of the first to discover the Philippines. Cebu is also a huge commercial center and an international transport hub, having an international harbor and many other smaller ports. South of the Philippine’s oldest city is the town of Carcar where well-preserved Castillian houses stand, surrounded by beautiful gardens and old churches. Authentic wood guitars are famous products at Maribago, while amid the beach clubs and resorts are many other historical sites.

Magellan's Cross in Cebu

Panay Island holds other historical and cultural gems, including an 18^th century baroque church known as Miagao in Iloilo. The nearby Sicogon Island with its virgin forests, magnificent mountains and rich marine life, is a retreat for scuba divers. Who would forget to mention the most popular island treasure that is the Boracay Island, a huge expanse of sugary white sand beach and a prime destination to experience the sun.

Miagao - An 18th Century Baroque Church in Iloilo

Bohol is another one of the prime islands in Visayas, where natural wonders abound. The island is most famous for its limestone hills (hundreds of them), better known as the “Chocolate Hills” as they appear like huge mounds of the sweet treat. Aside from its handsome beaches, one interesting site in the island is the Baclayon Church, a very old stone church, and probably the oldest in the country.

Visayas is probably the most popular group of islands for those travelling to the Philippines. The region is known to tourists from all over the world as one of the best beach destinations in Asia as it offers a variety of attractions such as pristine beaches, happening nightlife, cultural attractions and magnificent natural sights.

Here are the top places to visit while in Visayas:

Cebu

Cebu is the oldest city in the country and is also known as the center of commerce and education in the Southern part of the Philippines. In spite of its continuous industrial group, the city still manages to keep its ancestral heritage alive. Cebu is a mix of the old and the new as you can find old historic structures alongside modern buildings and infrastructure.

Boracay

For those who love the sea and the sand, Boracay is the top favourite in this region. The island is located on the northern tip of Panay and is well connected to major cities all over the country with scheduled flights being provided daily. The island is every bit a tropical paradise with its white sand beaches, tropical scenery and interesting water sports opportunities.

Boracay was formerly the country’s best-kept secret but these days, it has continuously attracted tourists from all over the world. Because of this, it has become a bustling metropolis offering diverse culinary fare from native Mediterranean to Asian and even local cuisines.

Bohol

This province is another one of the natural havens in the Visayas region. It is not as internationally famous as Boracay but this is probably where its charm is coming from. It’s not as crowded as other tourist destinations in the country so you will still be able to enjoy the beauty of the island at its finest. It is known as the ultimate destination for divers as well as those who simply want to experience nature up close.

Bohol boasts breathtaking sceneries and an interesting history that helped shape the modern Filipino society. Its historical significance dates back to the time of the 1565 blood compact between  the Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and the then Chieftain Sikatuna.

The charming landscape of Bohol draws attention to the formations, structures, and natural elements that helped define the island, such as the Baroque mission churches of the Jesuits, the watchtowers dating back to the 16^th century, and of course, the Chocolate Hills. Consisting of 1,268 hills shaped like cones, it is the province’s most famous attraction, and really put Bohol on the map.

Bohol is also the home of the world’s smallest primate, the tarsier. It is a nocturnal animal that measures only four to five inches with a long tail that is longer than its entire body. If you are interested to see or watch the tarsier, you can visit its natural habitat up on the hills of Corella town, where you will be welcomed by the locals.

The coastline of Bohol is also worth seeing. Bursting with tropical charm, the province’s coastline is characterized by white sand beaches and gentle coves that lead to diving sites like Balicasag, which is one of the best in the Visayas. There is also a forest of black corals worth visiting for its beauty. You should also spend time in Cabilao, where you can see hammerhead sharks swimming along the crystal clear waters. If you are lucky enough, you may also find yourself swimming along dolphins.

Bohol is a tourist-friendly province where you are provided with accommodation options ranging from classy resorts to affordable hostels. Transportation is easy – the resorts usually provide cans you can rent for the day, and for the budget-conscious, there are motorized tricycles for hire, too. If you’re lucky, your driver can double as a tour guide.

The Visayas region is among the Philippine’s biggest groups of islands and offers a plethora of interesting sights and sounds. Each of its provinces and cities offer a one-of-a-kind experience. Here are some of the must-see and must-do things when you are visiting the Visayas.

The Ati-atihan Festival

Filipinos love festivals and celebrations, and one of the must-see festivals in the Visayas is the Ati-atihan in Kalibo, Aklan. The festival is held to honor the Child Jesus (Santo Nino) who is the patron saint of the region.

The Chocolate Hills

Travel to Bohol and check out the unusual geological formation of hills that resemble Hershey’s Kisses. Although green during rainy and ordinary seasons, the hills turn chocolatey brown during dry season or in the summertime, thus the name.

Cruising the Loboc River

Of all the cruises you can take in the Philippines, the Loboc River Cruise is the one that should not be missed. The river is situated in Bohol Island and is a major tourist spot of the province, attracting both foreigners and locals alike. The river is characterized by a winding path where you can find floating restaurants and small bancas. The cruise offers a treat to the senses as surroundings consist of lush tropical greenery.

Island-hopping

Visit Cebu and go island-hopping by riding traditional rowboats or the banca. Doing this allows you to discover the captivating surroundings of Cebu’s many islands while giving you access to more of the white and unspoilt beaches. You can also enjoy a variety of activities such as watersports, picnics, and diving.

The Crown Regency EdgeCoaster

If you just want to be silly and adventurous all at the same time, do as the locals do and head over to Cebu to ride the EdgeCoaster, developed by the Interactive Rides, Inc. This unique extreme thrill ride is not matched by anything you’ll ever see in amusement parks, and is guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping.

Islands of paradise

Welcome to Asia’s best selection of tropical islands, the Visayas group in the Philippines. Experience the mouthwatering travel possibilities these numerous islands offer, from world class diving to stunning beaches, luxury resorts, friendly Filipino hospitality and endless coconut palms. We have the best of the Visayas covered here.

Plan your travels and update yourself on travel in the Visayas with this blog from an expert resident of Boracay and the Philippines. We plan to soon upgrade this into a full tourist info site with more than 100 pages and plenty of stunning pictures on the Visayas. Let us reveal the best of these islands.

From popular Boracay, across Panay and Negros to Bohol and Cebu we have the popular places covered. And then there’s the out of the way gems in Southern Leyte, the West coast islands of Samar, even the Romblons and sweet little Siquijor. Discover the individual flavours and highlights of each island right here.