With over 7,000 islands to explore, opting for a road trip instead of booking a flight to Palawan or Boracay may seem counterintuitive—not for the budget traveler! Flights to premiere destinations in the Philippines can get notoriously expensive, so renting a car or taking a bus is an inexpensive solution for the wander-lusting Manileño.

Another reason you might hit the road instead of taking the air is the flexibility a road trip allows. If you drive past a roadside gem, nothing is stopping you from pulling over and checking it out. Whether you prefer to drive early in the morning or late at night, you won’t have to worry about making it to the airport on time to catch a flight.

Finally, road-trippers can bid farewell to the packing restrictions an airport enforces. With enough space in your vehicle, you can pack camping gear, board games, and ingredients for a potluck.

If you’re road-tripping to escape Metro Manila’s sweltering heat, Tagaytay City is the place to be. Complete with chilly weather and scenic landscapes, Tagaytay City is the go-to weekend retreat for a reason.

No matter how many times you’ve visited Tagaytay, you can’t go wrong reserving a table at any of the lakeside restaurants overlooking Taal Volcano, the smallest active volcano in the world. You’ll get even better views at the Sky Ranch Sky Eye, one of the country's tallest Ferris wheels.

If you are lucky, you might snag a reservation at Antonio’s for brunch or Bag of Beans.

Other unique Tagaytay hotspots worth a visit are The Puzzle Mansion, a museum housing one of the most extensive collections of finished puzzles, andMuseo Orlina, a museum rife with beautiful glass sculptures.

Are you looking for a quick and accessible beach getaway? Subic is the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.

It’s perhaps most famed for its Inflatable Island, a floating playground spanning 4,200 square meters (about eight basketball courts). It’s perfect for adrenaline junkies and laid-back sunbathers alike.

Outdoorsy types might prefer to book a stay at Glampz, a unique, nature-centric getaway neighboring Subic’s popular Zoobic Safari. In the same thread, animal enthusiasts might enjoy an afternoon at Ocean Adventure, where you’ll come face-to-face with sharks, manta rays, eels, and other fascinating sea creatures.

Known as the Culinary Capital of the Philippines, Pampanga is an idyllic destination for food enthusiasts looking to try something traditional or eccentric. Aling Lucing’ssisig is a crowd-pleasing dish that reminds us why modern iterations of the popular dish don’t quite live up to its pioneering recipe.

Another culinary can’t miss is Bale Dutung, with dishes by Chef Claude Tayag. Menu items that belong on your list of must-tries include the ensaladang pako, Claude 9 talangka rice, lechon tortilla, sisig babi, and kare-kareng laman dagat.

If a day of thrill-seeking is more your vibe, visit Sandbox Pampanga. This 2-hectare outdoor park boasts numerous obstacle courses, a zipline, an aerial walk, and an adventure tower. Feeling daring? Give the giant swing a shot!

Your adrenaline tour need not end at Sandbox. Bring the fun over to Pradera Verde for an afternoon of wakeboarding or to Aqua Park, one of the largest water parks in Asia.

Are you looking to head south for a quick breather? Drop by Laguna for some fresh air, lush scenery, and historical tours.

Whether an avid Instagram photographer, nature lover, or sightseer, visiting the seven crater lakes across San Pablo can provide much-needed quiet and time to reflect.

After a long day of lake-going, you can retire at Casa San Pablo, a quirky, playfully architectured bed and breakfast home to the most delicious Laguna cuisine. We recommend trying the adobong manok sa gata, kulawo, and ginataang hipon.

If you’re looking for something livelier, consider dropping by the Aquascape Lake Caliraya, where you can spend an afternoon biking, kayaking, motorboating, and jet skiing. ‘

While we’re still waiting for the Philippines’ equivalent of Universal Studios or Disneyland, you can always drop by the Enchanted Kingdom, which is now home to a handful of new and exciting rides.

Just a hop and skip away from the city center is Rizal, a melting pot of attractions and activities spanning art museums to adventurous hikes.

The Pinto Art Museum is always a crowd favorite. Here, you’ll feast your eyes on works by veteran and emerging artists in an almost otherworldly setting akin to Grecian architecture. We recommend sitting down for brunch at Cafe Rizal if you arrive early. The pochero con fabada is to die for.

If something active is more your scene, you can try your hand (or feet) at a hike atop Mount Daraitan. It’s a hike suitable for beginners. On your way down, you can cool off at the Tinipak River, whose emerald-green waters and stunning rock formations are breathtaking.

One of Rizal’s little-known gems is the Pililla Wind Farm, home to gigantic windmills similar to those in Ilocos Norte. It’s also the perfect destination for cyclists—the views are nothing short of awe-inspiring!

Just a few hours south of Manila is Batangas, home to some of the most popular beach resorts in the country. From Canyon Cove Hotel and Spa toPico Sands Hotel, you’ll find beachfront destinations that mimic international destinations like Greece and Italy almost anywhere.

If you’re dropping by Lipa, we recommend staying at The Farm at San Benito, a luxury wellness retreat known for its holistic sanctuary programs. Here, you can indulge in dozens of aesthetic treatments, Yin yoga classes, functional fitness classes, and meditation salas.

For sightseers, you can’t miss the Fortune Islands, a cliff diving point with gorgeous white-sand beaches and glistening blue waters. The most breathtaking part of this once-posh abandoned resort is the Grecian Acropolis, which still rests upon a limestone cliff. Instagram simply can’t resist.

Batangas is also renowned for its hiking destinations. You'll be spoiled for choice, whether a beginner, intermediate, or veteran hiker. Dare to take on new heights (literally) atMt. Batulao, Mt. Gulugod-Baboy, Mt. Talamitam, and Mt. Maculot.

Surfers unite! Your best chance at catching a (somewhat nearby) wave is at La Union, a renowned weekend beach destination for water sports lovers.

If you can snag a room at the Thunderbird Poro Resort, this Santorini-inspired hotel boasts spectacular views off a 100-foot cliff. Plus, it’s home to eight unique bars and restaurants—a one-way street to a happy tummy.

For travelers on a budget,San Juan is rife with more affordable hostels, where you’ll meet local and international wanderlusters from all walks of life.

If you’ve never been to La Union, you’ll be surprised to know it isn’t just the Philippines’ number one surfing destination. Here, you can visit the Red Clay Pagdamilian, a popular pottery studio where you can learn the basics of creating your own vessel (and take it home, of course).

Another quaint and adorable must-see is the Gapuz Grapes Farm, where you can pick grapes under the sun. We recommend visiting between March and May, when grape season is at its peak.

Bataan is the Philippines’ top heritage and ecotourism destination, and it’s just a quick drive from the city center. Perhaps the ultimate to-do in this area is visitingLas Casas Filipinas De Azucar, a 400-hectare resort with over 30 heritage homes from the Philippines’ glory days.

You can soak in Old Manila on the Heritage Walking Tour, where you’ll come across locals in traditional Filipino clothing, stunning architecture, and the beautifulPaseo Escolta.

Another Bataan hotspot garnering attention on social media is Mariveles, home to the Hidden Coves at Five Fingers. Here, you can enjoy an adrenaline-filled cliff-diving afternoon off Natsu Lagoon or Longos Kawayan Point.

Are you an animal lover or a self-proclaimed conservationist? From August to February, the turtles at the Pawikan Conservation Center start laying their eggs, so you won’t want to miss the Pawikan Festival in November when guests can help release hatchlings back into the sea.

If you don’t mind a longer drive, Baguio is worth your while. Book a stay at the iconic Manor at Camp John Hay, where you can enjoy the crisp air and breathtaking mountain views in a jacket you probably don’t get towear under Manila heat.

You can take your family boating at Burnham Park, the “park of all parks” home to lush greens and blossoming flowers you can smell as you walk past.

Art lovers will love a pit stop at BenCab Museum, home to dozens of contemporary Filipino art pieces and seasonal exhibitions. Perhaps the museum’s most famed display is the bulol collection. The bulol is an Ifugao rice god figure thought to bring about power and wealth.