11 Best Outdoor Tourist Spots Near Manila: Fun Things to Do, Places to Visit, Day-Trip Activities

You can also check out the wonderful collection of museums in Manila like the National Museum of Natural History, the Mind Museum, and the National Museum of Anthropology. The National Museums of Fine Arts and Art in Island are some of the best art museums in Manila. If you’re a foodie, you can book one of the Philippine tours that highlight Filipino cuisine. Going for a Manila helicopter tour is one of the adventurous things to do in Manila. 

However, if you’re looking for new experiences and outdoor activities, there are several things to do near Manila. You can check out the best beaches near Manila or this list of day tours near Manila. 

Here are some of the best outdoor places to visit near Manila, Philippines that you should explore for a fun day out with your family or friends:

11. Yoki's Farm (Cavite) 

Photo by Yoki's Farm

Yoki’s Farm is one of Cavite tourist spots worth checking out. This 10-hectare farm is a perfect destination for families and big travel groups. Yoki’s is one of the biggest hydroponics farms in the Calabarzon region of the Philippines. But on top of the hydroponics farm, the property also maintains a zoo, museum, and orchidarium. It's also one of the top kid-friendly places to visit in Manila.

• Read our article on the best resorts in Cavite

Yoki’s Farm sits in Mendez Municipality, which is only 66KM from Metro Manila. This upland town is one the smallest in Cavite. The province of Cavite is a major tourist spot near Manila. It’s the birthplace of the country’s national heroes and is often referred to as the Historical Capital of the Philippines. 

Yoki’s museum mostly features precious antique items and the zoo houses various livestock as well as animals like birds, reptiles, and tortoises. You can stay overnight at Yoki’s as it has rooms available for rent. Other facilities in the complex include a swimming pool, kids’ playground, lagoon, and pavilion area. 

10. Dinosaurs Island (Pampanga) 

Photo by Dinosaurs Island

Dinosaurs Island is one of the Pampanga tourist spots that are perfect for visiting families with children. This animatronic theme park and museum is the first of its kind in the country. It features life-size dinosaurs, rides, and displays to give visitors an interactive education as well as an entertaining experience. 

Dinosaurs Island is tucked within a forest trail in the Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga. Clark is about 92KM from Metro Manila; this makes Clark an excellent destination for day trips from Manila. Situated in Central Luzon, Pampanga is a prominent province known for its cuisine and various natural attractions. Shoud you wish to extend your stay, won't find it hard to book the right accommodation for your as there are many Pampanga hotels to choose from.

• Check out our article on where to stay in Pampanga

Some of the Dinosaurs Island’s main activities include going for the Jurassic Jungle Safari ride, hiking the Dino trail, and doing the Dinosaur adventure ride where you can experience what it’s like to ride on the back of a dinosaur. Aside from dinosaur-themed activities, this theme park also manages a section called Insectlandia and World of Wonders. 

9. Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort (Quezon) 

Villa Escudero is often considered one of the best resorts in Quezon. This plantation and resort complex features the country’s rich agricultural heritage and countryside culture. Villa Escudero was founded in the 1880s by the Escudero family. 

Today, the property is a resort and a special zone for outdoor, cultural, and agricultural activities on top of being a working coconut plantation. It features a waterfall restaurant, a lake, and a museum, which owns one of the biggest private collections of antiquities in the country. 

Photo by @desy_motret on Instagram

Villa Escudero is perfect for families and traveling groups. It is a great place to stay for international travelers who want a taste of Filipino culture, hospitality, and countryside lifestyle. Some of the activities you can enjoy while here include bamboo raft paddling, fishing on Lake Labasin, swimming in the pool, dining at the Labasin Waterfalls Restaurant, and watching a cultural show. 

• Enjoy a hassle-free visit with these packages:
  • Villa Escudero day tour
  • Villa Escudero overnight package

Villa Escudero’s resort rooms make use of indigenous materials and showcase Filipino architecture. If you don’t want to stay overnight, you can also visit this resort on a day tour. Villa Escudero sits in Tiaong, Quezon province. Quezon is part of the Calabarzon region of Luzon. It is known for its beautiful mountains, coastlines, and historical sites. You can also visit the resort by booking a Villa Escudero day tour.

8. Theme Parks: Sky Ranch (Tagaytay) and Enchanted Kingdom (Laguna) 

If you’re looking for fun activities near Manila, then you head out to one or both of these two themed parks located South of Manila.

Sky Ranch is a leisure and entertainment park located on a 5-hectare property in Tagaytay, known for its cool climate and amazing views of the Taal Volcano and Lake. Staying at hotels in Tagaytay with Taal view is a must when you're in this city. 

Sky Ranch offers a wide range of attractions and rides that suits guests of various ages. Young guests would love the kiddie rides like the baby bumper, fun bike, and toy swing. Thrill-seekers would enjoy rides like the 63-meter high Ferris Wheel, drop tower, and log coaster. Parents can also enjoy nearby Tagaytay restaurants and Tagaytay coffee shops with a view of Taal volcano.

Photo by Enchanted Kingdom

Enchanted Kingdom is a well-established theme park and one of the best Laguna tourist spots. It features more than 20 attractions like Ekstreme Tower, The EKsperience (flight simulation ride), Space Shuttle, and interactive motion theaters. 

Both themed parks are perfect for families and big groups. Similar to Enchanted Kingdom, Sky Ranch has no onsite hotel but it's right beside Taal Vista Hotel. Tagaytay is a place full of accommodation options. Here are some of the best hotels in Tagaytay to consider. 

7. ECHOfarms (Cavite)

ECHOfarms is located in Amadeo, Cavite and grows organic vegetables, fruits, herbs, and coffee. You can visit their herb garden that is home to basil, tarragon, and coriander, or if you’re a coffee lover, you can book a coffee farm tour.

This tour will allow you to learn more about Philippine coffee, as you will not only get to sample the varieties grown on the farm, but you will also visit the nearby the Philippine Coffee Board Inc. Technology Center, where you will tour the germination area, the nursery beds, and the planting and harvesting area and enjoy fresh coconut juice.

If you happen to visit during harvesting season, you can try soaking and drying some of the harvested beans yourself. Then, you’ll visit the milling and sorting areas at ECHOfarms before enjoying a live coffee brewing demonstration.

Taste the different available coffees and take some home with you by shopping at the ECHOstore.

6. Camp N Trail System Nuvali (Laguna)

Photo by Camp N Trail System Nuvali

If you have done a lot of sightseeing activities in Manila, perhaps it’s time to get rugged and dirty and have some fun while at it. Camp N Trail System is found in Nuvali, Laguna. Nuvali is an eco-city residential and commercial complex developed and managed by the Ayala Land Company. 

Photo by Camp N Trail System Nuvali

Camp N Trail System is an adventure, tour, and outdoor activity venue. It features an 8KM trail that showcases forests, open fields, and a bamboo plantation. This trail system covers 8 kilometers and also features an obstacle course. World of Outbound is the operator of Camp N Trail but other outdoor and bike brands help maintain and support the trail system.

The good news is if you plan on experiencing this trail system, you don’t have to go far to find accommodation. The Nuvali area is home to the Seda Hotel, which features 150 rooms. Situated in the Calabarzon region, Laguna has always been a popular destination for a day trip near Manila as it is only about 30 to 44KM away from the metropolis. 

5. Laguna Hot Spring Resorts (Laguna) 

Laguna has always been a popular weekend destination for locals because of its proximity to Manila. The province is rich with Laguna tourist spots such as historical places and monuments as well as natural attractions. Many travelers come to Laguna to experience its hot spring resorts. The province is home to several hot springs because of the geothermal heat and steam coming from Mount Makiling, a nearby volcano. 

Most of the natural hot springs in Laguna are found in the town of Calamba, Pansol, and Los Baños. They are ideal destinations for couples and big groups who are looking to relax from the busy urban life. 

Some of the best Laguna hot spring resorts include Al Fresco Spring Resort, The Cliffhouse Laguna, Pansol Terraces, Villa Rina Hot Springs, and Arabella Spring Resort. These resorts offer naturally heated spring water as well as top-notch accommodation options and modern facilities. 

4. ATV Adventures (Rizal) 

Photo by ATV Adventures Rizal

ATV Adventures Rizal is a great spot for a day tour adventure near Manila. It is also one of the most exciting Rizal tourist spots. ATV Adventures Rizal organizes various types of ATV tours around the Sierra Madre mountain range. These tours highlight mountain sceneries, concrete roads, hilly terrains, riverside trails, and thick forests. They are the perfect activity for outdoor enthusiasts and thrill-seekers. 

• Book Rizal tour packages
• Read our article on the best Antipolo Rizal hotels and resorts

You don’t have to be an ATV riding expert to participate. ATV Adventure offers instruction and safety demonstrations to participants before the actual tour. 

Photo by ATV Adventures Rizal

ATV Adventures offers various types of trails for their tours. The short trail, which lasts one to two hours, is perfect for beginners. Longer trails last at least three hours and may involve trekking through jungles and rivers. If you wish to make this activity an overnight affair, you can opt for the campsite overnight trail.

ATV Adventures is based in Barangay San Juan , Antipolo, Rizal. Just 37 kilometers east of Manila, Rizal Province is a great weekend destination for city dwellers. It has good food that you can try in Antipolo restaurants and Antipolo coffee shops, historical places, and amazing outdoor attractions and activities. 

3. Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake (Zambales) 

Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake is one of the most beautiful crater lakes in the Philippines due to its mesmerizing aquamarine color and volcanic landscape. It is also one of the top tourist spots in Luzon.

The crater lake was formed from the last eruption of the Pinatubo Volcano in the 1990s. These days, Mt. Pinatubo crater lake tours has become one of the most popular outdoor activities near Manila. 

The crater lake trail features picturesque views of volcanic formations, cliffs, streams, and the provinces of Tarlac, Pampanga, and Zambales. Treks to the crater lake are usually organized by booking a guided tour, which ensures your safety during the activity. The tour involves riding a 4x4 jeep on the lahar fields before reaching the base, where the trekking begins. The Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake trek is ideal for adults who love outdoor activities and are physically fit and healthy.

Botolan, Zambales is the closest town to Mt. Pinatubo is also one of its main gateways. Botolan is about 222 kilometers from Metro Manila. Zambales Province sits on the western coast of Luzon and is known for its rugged and gorgeous shoreline. 

• Read our articles on the best resorts in Zambales and the top hotels in Subic

2. Batangas Beach Resorts 

Photo by Aquatico Beach Resort

Batangas has become the go-to weekend destination for residents of Manila because it's home to some of the best beach resorts near Manila. This province in the Southern Luzon Region, around 100KM away or 2-3 hours drive, is the home of the Taal Volcano and is also known for its pristine beaches and islands.

Beach hopping in Batangas is one of the most fun activities near Manila. Some of the popular beach destinations in this province include Laiya, Anilao, Talisay, Masasa, and Isla Verde. These prominent beaches are also home to some of the best Batangas resorts like Acuatico Beach Resort, Camp Netanya, and Club Balai Isabel. 

Photo by Camp Netanya

Acuatico Beach Resort combines the tropical resort atmosphere with modern design. Camp Netanya’s look and vibe are reminiscent of the famous Greek island of Santorini. Acuaverde Beach Resort offers its guests the white sand beach experience and fun water activities like flyboarding, jet skiing, and kayaking. Most Batangas resorts are designed to welcome families, couples, and friends seeking a comfortable place to enjoy the beach scenery.  

1. Masungi Georeserve (Rizal) 

If you want an outdoor activity near Manila that's more immersive in nature, a day tour to Masungi Georeserve in Rizal Province makes a perfect choice. Masungi Georeserve is a conservation area within the vicinity of the Sierra Madre range and is one of the top hiking spots in the Philippines. The area is admired for its thick forested landscape and towering limestone formations called Masungi Rock. These incredible structures can rise to 640 meters (2,100 feet).

Masungi is home to hundreds of animals and plants and is a well-known hiking site. Because this area is highly protected, you need to make a trail visit request before hiking. The management usually grants hike requests to a limited number of people. Each permitted hike comes with an experienced park ranger as a guide. 

Masungi makes an ideal destination for a day tour near Manila as it's only about 46KM away. However, you also have the option to stay overnight around the Masungi and Rizal area. Here are some of the best hotels and resorts in Antipolo Rizal.

Discover the Best Outdoor Tourist Spots Near Manila

If you have more time to spare, check out our articles on glamping resorts, the top Philippine destinations and tourist spots accessible from Manila and the best places to visit in the Philippines. If you want a well-planned travel experience, consider booking all-inclusive Philippines vacation packages or popular Philippine tour packages.

If you need to stay in Manila for some time, book a stay at one of the Manila hotels and enjoy the vibrant and colorful city as much as you can. Here are some things to do in Manila around the top tourist spots in Manila. You can also visit the instagrammable places near Manila.

Just remember that weekends are usually the time when locals plan a road trip near Manila. The roads during this time are busy because of road trip cars, so make sure to organize your transport ahead of time and leave early. 

While there are many fun things to do near Manila, be on the lookout for the latest Philippines travel requirements to avoid hassles and disappointment.