5 Philippines spots most tourists completely miss

Everyone knows Boracay and El Nido. Here are 5 places that hit different:

1. Siquijor — Nicknamed "Island of Fire." Tiny, mystical, almost no crowds. The waterfalls here are unreal and you can rent a motorbike for the whole island in a day.

2. Camiguin — An island with more volcanoes per square kilometer than any other island on earth. Hot springs, white sand sandbars, and the freshest lanzones you'll ever taste.

3. Batanes — Feels like you left Southeast Asia entirely. Rolling green hills, stone houses, and dramatic cliffs. It's the northernmost province and one of the most stunning places in all of Asia.

4. Siargao (beyond Cloud 9) — Everyone goes for the surf break but the real move is island-hopping to Naked Island, Daku, and Guyam. Rent a boat for $15 and have a sandbar to yourself.

5. Coron's lesser-known lakes — Skip the packed Twin Lagoon tour. Hire a private bangka and hit Barracuda Lake at sunrise. Zero tourists, crystal water, and underwater thermoclines that feel like swimming through different dimensions.

I write about spots like these every week in Ac Magazine — it's completely free to join. Come through.