As the monsoon season approaches in the Visayas region, there are still many places to visit during the rainy season. Besides being known for its many beaches, the Visayas region is home to a rich history instilled in its soil and structures. Each place tells a story of humans and nature living together to form the unique cultural heritage of Visayans.
Pre-colonial Visayan culture is diverse in its practices and beliefs that focus on the cycle of rebirth in nature in their creation myth. These 18 Visayas tourist destinations are not only places for you to enjoy a visit during the rainy season, but also a journey through Philippine history by looking at people’s struggles and their attempts to reconcile with nature:
18 Visayas Tourist Locations to Visit for the Rainy Season
1. 1730 Jesuit House
This tourist destination is a museum that shows the short history of barangay Parian in Cebu presented through its artifacts, images, documents, and historical actors. This is one of the foremost tourist destinations in the rainy season to shelter you from the wet season while offering a cozy atmosphere.
Also called the Jesuit House Museum, it is one of the oldest museums in Cebu and one of the ancestral houses in the Philippines. The 1730 Jesuit house shows the connected history of foreign trade and colonization between the Spanish and Chinese in the Philippines.
2. Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House
Located in Mabini Street in Cebu, you can take a look at its historical artifacts and art collections by the current owner of the house Val Sandiego. This is a good place to visit if you’re looking for a mix of art from different eras in a small space for the rainy season in Cebu.
DID YOU KNOW: This house dates back to the Spanish colonial era built sometime in 1675 to 1700. Commissioned by Chinese merchants Juan Yap and Maria Florido so that their descendants could inherit it. You can see how the growing influence of wealthy families has continued to shape Filipino history.
3. Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum
Located at Real Street, Downtown Tacloban, you will see an altar of the Sto. Nino de Leyte and you will be assigned a tour guide to view the rest of the museum’s collections of art from all over the world. This is the right tourist destination in the rainy season if you’re looking to visit a big indoor space with different artifacts to see.
DID YOU KNOW: Also referred to as the Imelda Marcos Museum because it was built by the late President Ferdinand Marcos for his wife as she was originally from Tacloban. It is one of the 29 Presidential rest houses in the Philippines during Marcos’ presidency.
4. University of San Carlos Museum
It is located at the University’s Downtown Campus on P. Del Rosario Street. It is one of the lesser known Visayas tourist destinations, where you can observe how weird human culture was through its antiques. The museum has many oddities including displays such as artificial skull shaping practiced on babies in the 16th century.
The museum was inaugurated in 1967 by the first president of USC Rudolf Rahmann alongside then first lady Imelda Marcos. Rahmann established the university’s anthropology department in 1952 as they had a growing collection of historical artifacts.
5. Rizaliana Museum
Found at Mabini Street in Cebu, you will find Rizal’s wardrobe, various letters and postcards to his loved ones, personal sketches, and an original K.K.K. flag. If you want a more intimate look into one of the Philippines’ national heroes then this is one of the ideal places to visit during the rainy season.
FUN FACT: This museum came about around 1952 when Jose Rizal’s sister, Doña Trinidad visited Cebu bringing with her Rizal’s personal belongings. She ended up donating them all to the museum that currently has the Philippines’ biggest collection of Rizal’s memorabilia.
6. The Negros Museum
The opening of the museum was in 1996. It serves as Negros Occidental’s provincial museum which is located in Gatuslao Street in Bacolod that presents the history, culture, and artistic practices of the people of Negros Island. One of the cozy places to be during the rainy season in Cebu, Philippines.
This was the first curatorial museum in the Philippines that didn’t just display artifacts but contemporary artworks from local artists. If you want to get a closer look at Negros Occidental’s past and present give this place a visit.
7. Molo Mansion and Café
Originally known as the Lacson-Yusay Mansion at Locsin Street, Molo in Iloilo City. The mansion was built in the 1920s, Dona Petra Lacson was the first tenant to live there, she married Estanislao Yusay, Manila’s judge of the Court of First Instance during that time.
Over the years, it has been passed down to two Philippine Presidents, Manuel L. Quezon and Sergio Osmena. It is now turned into a heritage site with a souvenir shop where there is also a well-known café where you can try Ilonggo delicacies nearby. A warm, spacious Visayas tourist destination to hang out with loved ones.
8. SM Seaside City
A large supermall located in Cebu South Coastal Road, Antuwanga, it is a wonder of human architecture with its circular partitioned structures and a seaside tower in the middle that offers a stunning view of the city that is the right tourist destination in the rainy season.
Designed by Arquitectonica, an internationally renowned architecture firm from Miami, Florida in the USA. You can stroll around and check out their many stores, restaurants, and amazing views of the seaside.
9. Capitol Park and Lagoon
One of the most visited historical sites in Bacolod in Negros Occidental. You can take a walk around its park and see its famed golden-colored Carabao sculptures on each side of the lagoon. Its broad grounds are the perfect place to visit during the rainy season. The Provincial Capitol building was built in 1926 along Lacson Street, under the orders of Governor Jose Locsin, a native former doctor-politician back when the province thrived due to its sugar industry.
DID YOU KNOW: The place was used as a headquarters by the Japanese military during World War II and is now the official seat of the Governor of the province.
10. Esoy Hot Spring
This tourist destination is one of the natural thermal pools in Catmon, Cebu. This sublime slice of nature is near the equally stunning Katinggo Falls. “No Booking, No Entry” policy is strictly observed, so be sure to make a reservation in advance.
This is a good place to visit during the rainy season to help rejuvenate your body. There is also the option to join in the journey to Katinggo Falls via hanging bridge and trekking past boulders and streams.
11. Cebu Ocean Park
This expansive recreational park was established in 2019 and located near the SM Seaside Complex. This huge oceanarium gives guests the opportunity to experience its many sea and jungle creatures. Cebu Ocean Park is an ideal secure place to visit if you’re going with your family or friends as one of the foremost Visayas tourist destinations around.
Besides the aquatic wildlife, there are also birds and insects to see in the Jungle Trek area. You can opt to scuba dive and walk alongside the fish in their tanks.
12. Bohol Tarsier Conservation Area
The Philippine Tarsier Conservation Area is one of the most popular Visayas tourist destinations in the rainy season. The sanctuary is located in Barangay Canapnapan, Corella a few kilometers away from Tagbilaran. A place to preserve the endangered species of small primates called tarsiers.
Created by the Philippine Tarsier Foundation, a non-profit organization so that there is a safe haven for these animals. It’s an open area so expect to be around trees, flora, fauna and other types of wildlife (so bring bug spray!).
13. La Villa Francisco Hotel and Mountain Resort
This big hotel and resort is located at Barangay 100 San Roque, Diit, Tacloban City. A perfect place for family fun with their water slides and pools. You can relax and walk around their various cottages, gazebos and restaurants. A good place to visit during the rainy season to immerse you in water.
If you’re looking to go drinking with friends there is a pool bar near the resort. There is also a function hall if you’re looking to book a company retreat or a family member’s special occasion.
14. Hinagdanan Cave
This Visyayas tourist destination located at Dauis, Bohol is home to amazing stalagmite and stalactite formations. Within the ceilings of the cave is a freshwater lagoon that is 12 meters deep. Because of this, visitors can only enter the path one at a time for safety. One of the best places to visit during the rainy season because it is a natural sanctuary.
TRIVIA: It was said that the cave was discovered by accident when the area’s farmer was clearing decaying branches only to find two openings. The farmer built a ladder to enter the cave and named it Hinagdanan meaning “laddered”. The cave was also used as a hideout for the locals in World War II.
15. Crocodile Island
This crocodile-shaped island is located off the shores of Palaui Island in the Cagayan Province. Once called Manidad Island by the locals before it became a tourist spot, it also has unique rock and marble formations used as a viewing deck. If you want to look at an exceptional natural landscape, check out this Visayas tourist destination.
FUN FACT: Not to worry! No actual crocodiles live on the island. However, it serves as a habitat for different species of fish and oysters.
16. Danao Adventure Park
If you’re feeling more adventurous for the outdoors, then this wide-ranging adventure park is for you. It boasts the longest and tallest zipline in the Philippines. Located in Barangay Magtangtang, Bohol. It has many options because of its various tour packages that makes it one of the best places to visit during the rainy season.
Besides activities like bungee jumping or rappelling, you can also learn about the nature preservation efforts of the community in their organic farming methods and Francisco Dagohoy’s relevance in Philippine history, a native of Bohol.
17. The Lacson Ruins
This place is located at Talisay City and is all that’s left of an ancestral mansion of a rich sugar businessman, Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson. A serene place to visit during the rainy season in Cebu. The mansion is a testament to the endurance of love and human grief in the face of loss. The mansion almost burned to the ground when in 1942 Filipino guerillas set fire to the place to prevent it from being used by the Japanese forces.
TRIVIA: The Lacson Ruins is also known as the “Taj Mahal of Talisay”. Don Mariano built the mansion in honor of his Portuguese wife, Cora Maria Osorio Rosa-Braga, who died in an accident.
18. Loboc River Cruise
The Loboc River is one of the most relaxing and popular tourist destinations in Bohol. Before Spanish colonization, the river played an important role as a trade route for the locals exchanging agricultural goods and sea produce. The guided cruise started in the 1980s as a bamboo raft ride for tourists. This can be a great way to cap off your Visayas trip during the rainy season in Cebu, Philippines with lots of food to eat on the boat ride and beautiful sights to behold.
DID YOU KNOW: Loboc River is considered one of the cleanest rivers in the Philippines.
Your Next Adventure in Visayas
As you can see, each location has its own story about the Filipino people. Each piece of history shows how people have tried to live with the continuing cycle of life.
ALSO READ: TOP 20 CEBU TOURIST SPOTS AND ATTRACTIONS TO VISIT THIS SUMMER
So if you’re looking for reliable and fast transport for your itinerary in Visayas, check SuperCat’s schedules and rates. Contact us to help organize your adventure this coming rainy season.