Luzon travel guides

Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines and the one with the most variety in a single trip. In the north are the cool mountain towns of the Cordillera, the old Spanish-era streets of Ilocos and the far-off islands of Batanes. Manila sits in the middle, and the long tail of the island runs south through Batangas and down to the volcanoes and islands of Bicol.

The mountains are the main draw for many visitors. Baguio is the easiest to reach, and it gets crowded during Panagbenga in February and on long weekends. Farther in, Sagada has caves and hanging coffins, the rice terraces of Banaue and Batad are a full day by road, and Mount Pulag is known for its sea of clouds at dawn. Expect long, winding drives and cold nights, and pack layers even in summer.

Closer to Manila, the trips get shorter. Zambales has camping coves and the Mount Pinatubo crater lake, Pampanga is a food trip built around sisig, and La Union and Baler are the surf towns. To the south, Tagaytay overlooks Taal Lake, Anilao is a dive spot within driving distance of the capital, and Bicol has Mayon Volcano, the Caramoan islands and the whale sharks of Donsol. In Manila itself, the guides cover a 24-hour stopover in Intramuros and a food crawl through Binondo.

Distances on Luzon are big, so most people pick one region per trip rather than trying to see it all. The northern half catches most of the typhoons between about June and November, and mountain roads can close after heavy rain, so leave a spare day. Fees, permits and transport schedules change, so check current details with the local tourism office before you go.