The Philippines is recognized as one of the 18 mega-biodiverse countries on Earth, harboring an extraordinary concentration of endemic species found nowhere else in the world. The nation's protected area system encompasses over 240 sites covering approximately 5.4 million hectares of terrestrial and marine environments, from cloud forests on volcanic peaks to pristine coral reef systems.
For ecotourists, these protected areas offer opportunities to experience wilderness in its purest form while directly contributing to conservation through entrance fees, guided tours, and community-based tourism programs. Each visit helps justify the economic value of preservation over exploitation.
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
Located in Palawan, this UNESCO World Heritage Site protects one of the world's longest navigable underground rivers. The 8.2-kilometer river flows directly into the sea through a spectacular limestone cave system adorned with stalactites and stalagmites formed over millions of years.
The park encompasses a complete mountain-to-sea ecosystem including old-growth lowland rainforest, karst landscapes, and coastal mangroves. It shelters numerous endemic and threatened species including the Palawan peacock-pheasant, Palawan bearcat, and the Philippine cockatoo.
Visitors can take boat tours through the first 1.5 kilometers of the underground river, experiencing the dramatic cave formations while watching swiftlets and bats navigate the darkness. The surrounding forests offer excellent birdwatching opportunities, with over 80 species recorded in the park.
Mount Pulag National Park
Standing at 2,922 meters, Mount Pulag is the highest peak in Luzon and the third highest in the Philippines. The mountain spans parts of Benguet, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya provinces, protecting unique mossy and pygmy forests that exist nowhere else in the country.
The park is famous for its "sea of clouds" phenomenon, where trekkers camping at the summit witness the sunrise over an ocean of mist filling the valleys below. The mountain also hosts the rare dwarf bamboo grasslands and stands of endemic Benguet pine.
Mount Pulag is sacred to the Ibaloi and Kalanguya indigenous peoples, who have traditional territories within the park. Visiting requires coordination with the park office and local communities, ensuring that tourism respects both ecological and cultural sensitivities.
Trekking Routes
- Ambangeg Trail: The most accessible route, taking 4-5 hours to summit. Suitable for beginners with moderate fitness levels.
- Akiki Trail: A challenging "killer trail" through diverse forest zones, requiring 8-10 hours and good physical condition.
- Tawangan Trail: Passes through Kabayan municipality where ancient mummies can be viewed in burial caves.
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
Rising from the middle of the Sulu Sea, Tubbataha is widely considered the best diving destination in the Philippines and one of the finest in the world. The marine park protects almost 100,000 hectares of coral reef, seagrass beds, and deep-sea ecosystems.
The reefs support over 600 species of fish, 360 species of coral, 11 species of sharks, 13 species of dolphins and whales, and the endangered hawksbill and green sea turtles. Schools of jacks, barracuda, and reef sharks are commonly encountered on every dive.
Access is limited to liveaboard dive vessels during the season from mid-March to mid-June, ensuring minimal impact on this pristine environment. The remote location and strict regulations have helped maintain Tubbataha as one of the most intact marine ecosystems in Southeast Asia.
Philippine Eagle Center and Mount Apo
The Philippine Eagle, one of the world's largest and most powerful raptors, survives only in the remaining old-growth forests of Mindanao, Luzon, Samar, and Leyte. With fewer than 800 individuals remaining in the wild, it is critically endangered.
The Philippine Eagle Center in Davao City serves as a breeding facility and educational center where visitors can observe these magnificent birds up close. More adventurous ecotourists can trek into Mount Apo Natural Park, the highest peak in the Philippines at 2,954 meters, where wild eagles still hunt in the forest canopy.
Conservation programs welcome volunteer support and sustainable tourism helps fund protection of eagle habitats. The center works with local communities to establish forest guardianship programs that provide livelihoods while protecting critical habitat.
Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park
The largest protected area in the Philippines covers over 359,000 hectares of Luzon's northeastern coast and mountain ranges. The park protects the most extensive remaining lowland rainforest in the country, along with critical habitat for the Philippine crocodile.
The park harbors exceptional biodiversity including the Northern Luzon giant cloud rat, Philippine warty pig, and over 250 bird species. The Divilacan-Casiguran seascape within the park is an important nesting site for marine turtles.
Community-based ecotourism programs offer trekking, wildlife watching, and river cruises in search of crocodiles. Local guides from the Agta, Dumagat, and Paranan indigenous communities provide unparalleled knowledge of the forest and its inhabitants.
Visiting Protected Areas Responsibly
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) manages most protected areas through the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau. Visiting typically requires registration, payment of entry fees, and in many cases, arrangement of guides and permits in advance.
- Register with park authorities and pay all required fees which support conservation
- Follow designated trails to minimize disturbance to wildlife and vegetation
- Practice strict Leave No Trace principles including packing out all waste
- Maintain safe distances from wildlife and never feed animals
- Use only biodegradable products in natural water sources
- Respect indigenous territories and obtain necessary permissions
- Report any illegal activities like poaching or logging to park rangers
Conservation Through Tourism
Ecotourism plays a crucial role in justifying the protection of these areas against development pressures. When managed sustainably, tourism provides employment for local communities, creates economic incentives for conservation, and builds a constituency of informed advocates for environmental protection.
Each visitor who experiences these natural wonders becomes a potential voice for their preservation. The memories and connections formed in Philippine nature reserves inspire continued support for conservation long after the trip ends.