Aerial view of Batad Rice Terraces in Ifugao Province, Luzon Island

Things to do in  Luzon

To Manila—and beyond

The largest, most populous, and most important island in the Philippines, mountainous Luzon sprawls across about the same area as Cuba. Besides the nation’s capital, Manila, it’s home to UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Banaue Rice Terraces and the colonial city of Vigan. Things to do in Luzon range from exploring active volcanoes like Taal Volcano, Mt. Mayon, and Mt. Pinatubo; to riding a boat to the Pagsanjan Falls or the World War II sights on Corregidor Island; or soaking up food, culture, and history in Manila.

Learn more

Top 13 attractions in Luzon

#1

Bicol

star-512
Centered on the city of Legazpi, the Bicol region of the Philippine island of Luzon comprises the Bicol peninsula, home to four provinces, and the island provinces of Catanduanes and Masbate. While most travelers visit for the whale sharks of Donsol or volcanoes such as Mt. Mayon, the area is home to dazzling beaches and quirky festivals.More
Tours & Tickets
#2

Malinta Tunnel

star-52
One of the most atmospheric features of the fortifications of Corregidor Island, the Malinta Tunnel was built by American forces in 1932. It extends about 820 feet (250 meters) into a hill, with additional branches veering off. Part of it served as General Douglas MacArthur’s HQ before the American retreat from the Philippines in 1942.More
Tours & Tickets
#3

Pagsanjan Falls

star-5192
About 60 miles (97 kilometers) from Manila, a visit to the 33-foot-high (10-meter-high) Pagsanjan (Magdapio) Falls delivers an epic thrill ride. First, paddle upstream in a small boat. Then ride a bamboo raft under the cascade itself into Devil’s Cave. Finally, race down the jungled gorge through a series of adrenaline-pumping rapids.More
Tours & Tickets
#4

Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort

star-4.577
An ever-popular retreat from Manila, Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort is a historic hacienda and working coconut plantation. Attractions here run from a restaurant set in a waterfall, where you dine with water running over your toes, to swimming pools, a river, a museum, buffalo-cart rides, bamboo rafts, and cultural dance shows.More
Tours & Tickets
#5

Mt. Purro Nature Reserve

star-512
The Mt. Purro Nature Reserve ecoresort sits in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains, east of Manila. Activities include hiking, bird-watching, ropes courses, tree planting, waterfall swims, a swimming pool, and encounters with the indigenous Dumagat people. There’s also a restaurant and accommodation at a range of price points.More
Tours & Tickets
#6
Enchanted Kingdom

Enchanted Kingdom

star-00
Home to a wealth of rides, with live shows and encounters on weekends and holidays, the Enchanted Kingdom is a popular amusement park in Santa Rosa, south of Manila. The 42-acre (17-hectare) park hosts attractions that run from roller-coasters to rapids, from bumper cars to boats, as well as dining and shopping options.More
#7

Mt. Pinatubo Crater

star-56
Towering 4,757 feet (1,450 meters) above Luzon, the Mt. Pinatubo stratovolcano blew its top quite spectacularly in 1991. Today, the crater lake that’s left behind and the surreal mudflow landscapes around it make one of the Philippines’ most fun adventures—and one that’s well worth the early start. The volcano is carefully monitored for safety.More
Tours & Tickets
#8
Masungi Georeserve

Masungi Georeserve

star-4.531
Set among the rain forest of Rizal, east of Manila, the Masungi Georeserve is a conservation area with a difference. A network of paths, bridges, ladders, and nets winds its way among trees and karst pinnacles, while a second trail focuses on conservation. The restaurant is reserved for private dining, but there are other food options.More
#9
Zoocobia Fun Zoo

Zoocobia Fun Zoo

star-00
The animal offerings at Zoocobia Fun Zoo, a combination zoo and adventure park, range from a petting zoo and tropical birds to taxidermy and Philippine species, with horse rides and camel rides for an additional charge. Besides slides, ziplines, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and 4WD rides, the star attraction is the Zooc gravity-car track.More
#10

Flaming Sword

star-00
One of a number of monuments commemorating the World War II Battle of Bataan and the Bataan Death March, the Flaming Sword monument depicts a hand holding high a blazing sword. Simple and unsigned, it celebrates the bravery of the Filipino and American soldiers of the USAFFE whose death marches converged on this point in 1942.More
Tours & Tickets
#11
Zoobic Safari

Zoobic Safari

star-00
The Philippines’ answer to the safari park, 62-acre (25-hectare) Zoobic Safari sits at the heart of Subic Bay. While the emphasis is on the tiger safari, attractions include a crocodile pit, a serpentarium, a train ride, and a petting zoo. In season, the park operates a night safari, which includes a drive through the tigers’ habitat.More
#12
Subic Bay

Subic Bay

star-00
A popular weekend escape from Manila, Subic Bay was once the base for a huge US naval fleet. Today it’s reinvented as a family-friendly tourist destination, with attractions from theme parks and safari parks to jungle trekking. Most foreign travelers visit to dive the magnificent wrecks, trek the jungle, and tour the abandoned base.More
#13
Surrender Site Marker

Surrender Site Marker

star-00
On April 9, 1942, after over three months of bloody conflict, the Battle of Bataan came to an end when General Edward P. King surrendered 76,000 American and Filipino soldiers to Japanese forces. The Philippines commemorates this World War II trauma with a national holiday and the Surrender Site Marker, a sculpture strangely set on school grounds.More

Explore Luzon by interest

Top activities in Luzon

Manila Old and New: Sightseeing Tour Including Intramuros and Fort Santiago
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Manila Old and New: Sightseeing Tour Including Intramuros and Fort Santiago

star-4.5
240
From
$60.00
Intramuros: History of Old Manila | Manila Walking Tours

Intramuros: History of Old Manila | Manila Walking Tours

star-5
46
From
$35.00
Manila Super Saver: Manila Sightseeing plus Tagaytay Tour with Taal Volcano
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Manila Super Saver: Manila Sightseeing plus Tagaytay Tour with Taal Volcano

star-4
69
From
$160.00
Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours

Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours

star-5
374
From
$37.34
Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food

Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food

star-5
211
From
$65.00
Pagsanjan Falls Adventure from Manila
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Pagsanjan Falls Adventure from Manila

star-4
32
From
$160.00
Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown

Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown

star-5
77
From
$65.00
Introduction to Philippine History

Introduction to Philippine History

star-5
60
From
$60.00
Hidden Valley Springs Resort Day Trip from Manila
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Hidden Valley Springs Resort Day Trip from Manila

star-4.5
8
From
$160.00
Green Lava Trail - Mayon ATV Adventure

Green Lava Trail - Mayon ATV Adventure

star-4.5
7
From
$32.70
Trekking at Pinatubo Volcano + 4X4 Ride | Near Manila

Trekking at Pinatubo Volcano + 4X4 Ride | Near Manila

star-4.5
2
From
$210.00
WaterFalls, Cave, Mountains in a Day | Explore Nature, Paradise near Manila

WaterFalls, Cave, Mountains in a Day | Explore Nature, Paradise near Manila

star-1
1
From
$90.00
PanoramicTagaytay Ridge Tour from Manila
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

PanoramicTagaytay Ridge Tour from Manila

star-4
49
From
$150.00
Villa Escudero Coconut Plantation Day Trip from Manila
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Villa Escudero Coconut Plantation Day Trip from Manila

star-3.5
9
From
$140.00
Manila Instagram Tour (Shared Tour)

Manila Instagram Tour (Shared Tour)

star-4.5
3
From
$93.00
Skip the Line: Villa Escudero Plantation & Resort Day Pass Ticket

Skip the Line: Villa Escudero Plantation & Resort Day Pass Ticket

star-4.5
11
From
$40.00
Villa Escudero Tour with Lunch From Manila (SHARED)

Villa Escudero Tour with Lunch From Manila (SHARED)

star-5
5
From
$128.00
Hundred Islands Day tour in Pangasinan (Private)

Hundred Islands Day tour in Pangasinan (Private)

star-5
1
From
$84.00
Baguio City Tour with Lunch

Baguio City Tour with Lunch

star-4.5
4
From
$105.00
Banaue Rice terraces adventure (3 days 2 nights) from Manila***

Banaue Rice terraces adventure (3 days 2 nights) from Manila***

From
$370.00
See all Luzon tours

All about Luzon

When to visit

Most travelers visit Luzon during the dry season, which runs roughly from December to May, although climate change is affecting weather patterns. Manila is best enjoyed between December and February when temperatures are lower; highland destinations like the Cordilleras make an excellent choice in May when the heat can be scorching. As with anywhere in the Philippines, Christmas, New Year, and Easter Week (in March or April) see huge celebrations, high prices, and congested transport—book well ahead.

Getting around

Luzon’s railway network is mainly shut down or under construction, except for some light rail in Manila. So you’ll likely find yourself doing most of your intercity travel by bus: long-distance routes are generally air-conditioned and comfortable. Within cities, transport options range from jeepneys and minivans to taxis and 2-wheel or 4-wheel rideshares (Grab is a popular app). Self-driving is also an option, although most travelers prefer private drivers to negotiate Manila’s notorious gridlock.

Traveler tips

For decades, travelers have made the pilgrimage to Buscalan village in the Cordilleras, where centenarian Apo Whang-Od hand-tapped the traditional batok tattoos of her Kalinga people. Whang-Od trained up her grandnieces, Grace Palicas and Elyang Wigan, in her ancient art, and today their skills and designs are in huge demand: reach out to them ahead of time before braving the long journey.

Attractions
13
Tours
147
Reviews
899
EN
84313286-a782-4a4c-a167-fd8aa4d24be8
geo_hub

People Also Ask

What is Luzon famous for?

Luzon is the Philippines’ biggest island and home to the capital, Manila. It’s famous for UNESCO-listed rice terraces, volcanoes, particularly Mt. Pinatubo, Taal Volcano, and Mt. Mayon, heritage architecture, including baroque churches and Vigan city, and World War II history, particularly Corregidor Island. The Pagsanjan Falls are the Philippines’ best-known waterfall.

...More
What are the main tourist activities in Luzon?

From historical tourism in Manila and Vigan to hiking the UNESCO-listed rice terraces of the Cordilleras, Luzon has plenty of tourist activities. Scuba divers flock to Subic Bay for WWII wrecks and Anilao for weird and wonderful critters; San Juan in La Union is the surf scene’s epicenter.

...More
Are Luzon and Central Luzon the same?

No. The term “Luzon” generally means the island of Luzon. Central Luzon is an administrative region in the middle of Luzon, just north of Manila. It includes seven provinces—Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ejica, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales—plus the cities of Angeles and Olongapo, which don’t belong to a province.

...More
Is Luzon worth visiting?

Yes—and not only for Manila. The UNESCO-listed Banaue Rice Terraces are spectacular landscapes created 2,000 years ago, while fascinating Cordillera cultures run from the Hanging Coffins of Sagada through to the tattooists of Buscalan. Luzon is also great for World War II history buffs, volcano junkies, wreck divers, and surfers.

...More
How many days do you need in Luzon?

You could spend your entire vacation exploring this mountainous, bizarrely shaped island and its rich indigenous cultures—and still not see it all. A week lets you take in Manila and Vigan, then hike in the Cordilleras; with 10 days, you can add Mt. Mayon and the Donsol whale sharks (in season).

...More
What is the best month to visit Luzon?

February is a great month to visit Luzon: the weather is generally dry and not too hot, but the sights are less crowded than over Christmas or New Year. Chinese New Year (generally in February) sees colorful celebrations in Binondo (Manila’s Chinatown): book ahead and expect high prices.

...More
What language do they speak in Luzon?

The Philippine national language is Filipino (a type of Tagalog), but English is the language of business, and educated Filipinos, and people working in tourism usually speak good English. There are 130 languages recorded in the Philippines, scores of them in Luzon: Ilocano is widely spoken in the north.

...More
Frequently Asked Questions

More Tours in Luzon