The Philippines is one of the competitive destinations to tour around in Asia, especially with its wide array of offerings. But aside from this, we daresay that the country has cheap and delicious food, low-cost activities, budget-friendly accommodation, and if you’re up for feeling like a local, has affordable forms of transportation. This month, we bring you some Philippine destinations that are surely some of the best afforda-travels:

Zambales

Roughly 4 hours away from Metro Manila, Zambales is a treasure trove if you want things within your reach; want to go swimming? Visit the likes of Anawangin Cove, want to go surfing? Visit the quiet town of San Felipe, Zambales, want to go hiking or do a culture trip? Visit Mt. Pinatubo. Zambales is also one of the homes of the indigenous tribe called Aetas. Not only will Zambales save you from airfares, you’ll also have a number of options for affordable accommodations, and budget yet satisfying meals.

Dumaguete

Often called a sleepy town for its laid-back vibes, or college town because of Silliman University’s vast expanse in the city, Dumaguete is much better known as the City of Gentle People. From Dumaguete city’s commercial setup, it’s easy to explore and go onwards the Province of Negros Oriental as the sites are only an hour or two away. The famous scuba diving destination, Apo Island, is only an hour or more away, and if you’re up for a nature trip, the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park is only 50 minutes away from the city center. Apart from these, accommodations are also budget-friendly, and food choices also cannot be missed, especially the mouth-watering Silvanas for dessert.

Cebu

As Cebu is one of the go-to destinations in the Philippines, it is no wonder that the province has lots of options depending on your budget; whether you’d want to stay in the city or planning to go to other tourist sites, Cebu’s offerings will surely fit your wallet’s capacity. The entrance fees to attractions are low, and tours or activity fees are reasonable. Should one also fancy doing things the local way, Cebu’s public transport is also easy to learn, and jeepney, buses, and ferry costs are very cheap. Now, there are no reasons why it will be hard to visit cultural sites such as the Basilica del Sto. Niño and Fort San Pedro.

Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Palawan is most of the time synonymous to El Nido or Coron, but don’t skip its capital– Puerto Princesa! The capital has access to world class attractions such as the Underground River, and Honda Bay which are only about 30 to 45 minutes away from the city. Travelers can enjoy Palawan’s natural beauty without spending as much; even sit-down restaurants in Puerto Princesa are cheaper compared to tourist-heavy Palawan towns. Puerto Princesa offers eco-adventures, cultural sites, and island-hopping at a fraction of the cost of other Palawan destinations. The best part in this town is the access to the local markets where seafood is abundant and inexpensive, hence, it’s merrier!

Bacolod

Enjoy the City of Smiles comfortably on a modest daily budget as compared to other cities in the country. Bacolod is an affordable destination because of its budget-friendly accommodations, inexpensive food choices (think of their famous Manokan Country where one can taste the famous Chicken Inasal!), cheap public transport, and low-cost cultural experiences such as the MassKara Festival and heritage tours like the heritage houses in nearby Silay City, Negros Occidental, and The Ruins in Talisay.