You don’t have to fly out of the country to go somewhere exotic.  These three local places give off that unspoiled, undiscovered vibe.

WRITTEN BY BEA GABUYA, NING HILARIO, AND PORTIA LADRIDO
PHOTOS COURTESY OF PEVONIA BOTANICA, IRIS GABUYA, AND ANGELA TIONGSON

Crimson Resort & Spa
Mactan, Cebu

This resort, a six hectare area in the island of Mactan, has all the makings of a paradise. Clear blue waters that circle the island provide a magnificent backdrop to Crimson—privacy is important here, but so is fun. There are several activities on the menu, allowing guests to try out parasailing or wakeboarding. Crimson’s atmosphere is not too luxurious that it becomes intimidating, and not too energetic that you’re forced to get up from your lounge bed. That’s the beauty of this resort—it serves as a haven for whatever purpose your getaway has.

Who to take:
Get the whole family down to Cebu — Crimson has activities for everyone, from the kids to lolo and lola.

Average price range:
Transportation: around P4000 for plane ticket
Accommodation: starts at P7250/night
Pocket money: around P5000

How to get there:
The resort is roughly 15 minutes away from Mactan International Airport—look for the official Crimson Resort and Spa van that will take you straight to the resort. The resort rep, available 24/7, will assist you from the airport to the resort just as long as you give flight details before your stay. Otherwise, it’s easy to take a cab.

Isla Naburot
Guimaras Province, Region 6

The isla’s white beach is burrowed between the mainland and the rest of the island, making a natural haven. No noisy trikes, no unnecessary technology, no stress—just nature in all her peaceful beauty. There’s no electricity; candles, lamps, lanterns, and a bonfire light the place. The absence of even the slightest bit of technology is certainly its biggest asset. The villas are made of natural materials, often from discarded wooden structures, and the rooms are open to the air, which make you feel like you’re really one with nature. Perhaps, it’s a lot like being casted away to paradise.

Who to take:
The place is best for people you have intimate relationships with. It’s a private resort, so being there with say, a lover, is a perfect scenario.

Average price range:
Transportation: Around P12, 000 including round-trip plane ticket
Accommodation: P6000/ night (including food)
Pocket money: any amount you think is necessary for emergency funds

What to bring:
Besides the basic beach necessities, bring a battery powered radio. Since there’s no electricity, it’s the only way to have music—unless you’re a group of talented singers who can play the guitar and all.

How to get there:
From Iloilo airport, you can rent a shuttle or a cab to take you to Fort San Pedro along San Pedro drive in the port area. Isla Naburot’s private boat is docked at a certain area near there. Don’t worry too much about this though, since the moment you directly book a reservation in Isla, the owners could easily help you out on getting there.

Aguinid Falls
Samboan, Cebu

Two barangays before reaching the edge of Cebu, a five-leveled waterfall is hidden behind a highway.
Aguinid Falls has five levels, all of which you need to go through to see the grandest of them all. Each waterfall level gives a different kind of challenge: in the first level, rock climbing against the water current to take a step higher is necessary; after the first level, the next ones are steeper and more dangerous. The last tier is the biggest one, and it offers you a direct view of the lower-level waterfalls.

Who to take:
Bring your sister, brother, friend, boyfriend, and anyone fun. You will need a lot of help when going up and down.

Average price range
Transportation: Around P7000 (including air and bus fare, habal habal)
Accommodation: There are no hotels near the area since a day trip to the Falls is enough
Pocket money: P1000 will be more than enough for meals

What to bring:
A waterproof camera. Leave everything in your hotel, including money and cellphones. Everything will get soaked after the trip.

How to get there:
From Cebu, ride a Ceres bus that heads to Bato via Barili. Upon reaching the town center of Samboan, look for habal-habals that will take you to Barangay Tambong. The locals there are always willing to guide the tourists to the Aguinid Falls.