As the summer travel season heats up, more Filipinos are choosing to explore destinations closer to home, with staycations and domestic trips continuing to gain momentum.
A recent Klook Travel Pulse 2026 study found that 71% of Filipinos engaged in domestic travel in 2025, reflecting a growing preference for nearby getaways, food-focused experiences, and short-haul adventures.
The trend is shaping how many plan their holidays this year, with more travelers opting to “rediscover” local destinations instead of traveling abroad.
READ: Rundown: Most booked travel spots for Pinoys in 2025, where they’re headed in 2026
“From hidden culinary gems to drivable destinations where adventure awaits, the Philippines truly has so much to offer. Rediscover home and find the ‘extra’ in the ‘ordinary’ with Klook this summer!” the company said in its seasonal campaign.
Food experiences remain a major draw. In Metro Manila, travelers are exploring elevated dining and nightlife options, from heritage-inspired meals from Mento at Binondo to cocktail tastings at Nightcap Manila and rooftop views at VU’s Sky Bar and Lounge at Marco Polo Manila in Ortigas.
Outside the capital, Cebu continues to position itself as a culinary and cultural destination, with resorts such as Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort offering seafood dining paired with live music, while Shangri-La Mactan highlights curated cultural dining experiences through its Kasadya Cultural Experience.
Island destinations are also seeing renewed interest. In Siargao, restaurants such as Wild Siargao and Loka Siargao combine local cuisine, cocktails, and casual beachfront spaces, reflecting the island’s growing lifestyle and tourism scene.
For those opting to stay closer to Metro Manila, heritage and nature-based experiences remain popular. The Manila Hotel serves as a base for exploring Intramuros, where visitors can walk through historic landmarks such as Fort Santiago and Casa Manila Museum with the help of Intramuros Pass. Guided tours by Viva Old Manila!: Intramuros Walking Tour in the area continue to attract both first-time and returning visitors.
Nature escapes just outside the city, such as Rizal, are also drawing interest. Day tours to Mt. Maynoba and the Cayabu Twin Peaks offer hiking routes, waterfalls, and summit views, while wellness destinations like Luljetta’s Hanging Gardens Spa provide a quieter retreat focused on relaxation and scenic landscapes.
Further north, Pampanga’s Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort, Aqua Planet and nearby resorts offer family-oriented water attractions, while Subic remains a hub for outdoor and leisure activities. Among the spots to visit are Hotel Kamana Sanctuary Resort; 4,200-square-meter floating playground, Inflatable Island Beach Club; Zoobic Safari, a 25-hectare forest park and a Sunset Yacht Cruise on Subic Bay, offering unlimited food and music aboard a yacht.
In Batangas, mountain and coastal resorts such as Canyon Woods Resort Club and Canyon Cove continue to attract weekend travelers seeking a mix of beach and highland scenery.
With short drives, weekend trips, and staycations increasingly replacing long-haul travel, the Philippines is seeing a shift in how people define summer travel, focusing more on accessibility experiences and rediscovering familiar destinations in new ways.
—With Rosette Adel