If there’s one of the many things that makes me happy is traveling. I always take time to unwind and travel around the Philippines to appreciate more of my home country and to see its 7,000++ beautiful places here. The Philippines is made up of 3 major islands – Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, with over 7,000 islands to visit and reason to love my country. I am born in Mindanao and now living here in Manila and still, I haven’t explored much of the island Luzon which I am working on it and once I am free from the day job I find time to travel on a budget.

Traveling on a budget? I mean in a really tight budget and still want to experience a happy life, good adventure without breaking the bank.

Here are my Top 10 Provinces to visit for under 2,000 Pesos budget

1. Pampanga

Balloon Festival is annually held in Clark Pampanga every February. A ticket is being sold for 350 Pesos / 7 USD – General Admission. During this festival, a lot of travel agencies and organizers are having group tours so if you want to meet new friends along the way, then booking a group tour is best for you. It also includes other trips within Pampanga like SandBox, and city tour (depending on the tour organizer itinerary) also van transportation, driver fee, and toll fees. Tour packages costs around 1,100 to 1,300 pesos / 22 USD to 26 USD.

2. Tanay Rizal

Tanay Rizal is about 2 hours away from Manila (no traffic). It’s one of the provinces of Rizal and has popular falls where locals often go to. The budget is only 690 Pesos / 13 USD (group tour).

Read full itinerary here

3. La Union

This is one of the many places in Luzon to check out numerous falls. One of the famous falls is Tangadan Falls located in San Gabriel La Union.

Read full itinerary here

4. Corregidor

Often mistaken that Corregidor is part of Bataan but it’s actually part of the province of Cavite. One of the most historical and creepiest places here in Luzon.

Read full itinerary here

5. Batangas

Go-to beach of the Manilenos. About 2-3 hour drive from Manila and has numerous beaches to choose from.

Read full itinerary here

6. Angono Rizal

Another municipality of the province of Rizal. About 1.5 to 2-hour drive from Manila (depending on the traffic). Popular to its Higantes Festival and celebrated every November. Most of the National Artists of the Philippines are from here. Also, the petroglyphs of Rizal can be found here.

7. Baler Aurora

Aside from Siargao and La Union where surfers go to, Baler Aurora has a decent height of waves that surfers would love.

(2,000 pesos per pax – cheapest budget for a group of 2 to 4)

Read full itinerary here

8. Baguio

A 4-hour drive from Manila and the most popular hideaway of Filipinos if they want to smell fresh pine trees, eat fresh Strawberries and cold weather.

(2,000 pesos per pax – cheapest budget for a group of 2 to 4)