Philippine provinces and cities to visit

The Republic of the Philippines is divided into a total of 81 provinces.

The country has an area of 300,000 square kilometers (115,831 miles). It counts with a string of over 7,100 islands in southeastern Asia, precisely between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

Each province is divided into cities and municipalities. Provinces in the Philippines are ruled by an elected legislature called Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and a democratically elected governor.

To make it simpler, these 81 provinces are grouped into 17 regions, based on several characteristics.

Out of these regions, 13 have a number that corresponds to its geographical location. The remaining 4 regions do not have a numerical designation and are:

Regions are also grouped into three major islands groups:

Regions and Provinces of the Philippines

The Philippines is a stunning country and each province has its own beauty, culture, and traditions. In recent years, international interest has grown toward visiting the Philippines.

Foreign nationals who wish to explore the Philippines and its provinces must verify the country’s entry requirements. According to the traveler’s nationality, a Philippines visa might be necessary.

Find out about all the provinces in the Philippines.

Luzon Island Group

NCR: National Capital Region

CAR: Cordillera Administrative Region

Region 1: Ilocos Region

Region 2: Cagayan Valley

Region 3: Central Luzon

Region 4A: Calabarzon

Region 4B: MIMAROPA / Southwestern Tagalog

Region 5: Bicol Region

Visayas Island Group

Region 6: Western Visayas

Region 7: Central Visayas

Region 8: Eastern Visayas

Mindanao Island Group

Region 9: Zamboanga Peninsula

Region 10: Northern Mindanao

Region 11: Davao Region

Region 12: Soccskargen

Region 13: Caraga Region

Barmm: Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

Philippines Provinces and its Cities

The Philippines Provinces are divided into several cities. Some of the cities are more popular among tourists than others. Manila, set in Metro Manila province, is usually one of the most visited cities in the country.

Abra Province

Agusan del Norte Province

Agusan del Sur Province

Aklan Province

Albay Province

Antique Province

Apayao Province

Aurora Province

Basilan Province

Bataan Province

Basilan Province

Batanes Province

Batangas Province

Benguet Province

Biliran Province

Bohol Province

Bukidnon Province

Bulacan Province

Cagayan Province

Camarines Norte Province

Camarines Sur Province

Camiguin Province

Capiz Province

Catanduanes Province

Cavite Province

Cebu Province

Cotabato Province

Davao de Oro Province

Davao del Norte Province

Davao del Sur Province

Davao Occidental Province

Davao Oriental Province

Dinagat Islands Province

Eastern Samar Province

Guimaras Province

Ifugao Province

Ilocos Norte Province

Ilocos Sur Province

Iloilo Province

Isabela Province

Kalinga Province

La Union Province

Laguna Province

Lanao del Norte Province

Lanao del Sur Province

Leyte Province

Maguindanao Province

Marinduque Province

Masbate Province

Misamis Occidental Province

Misamis Oriental Province

Mountain Province

NCR, 2nd District Province

NCR, 3rd District Province

NCR, 4th District Province

NCR, City of Manila, 1st District Province

Negros Occidental Province

Negros Oriental Province

Northern Samar Province

Nueva Ecija Province

Nueva Vizcaya Province

Occidental Mindoro Province

Palawan Province

Pampanga Province

Pangasinan Province

Quezon Province

Quirino Province

• Aglipay
• Cabarroguis
• Diffun
• Maddela
• Nagtipunan
• Saguday
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Rizal Province

• Angono
• Antipolo
• Baras
• Binangonan
• Cainta
• Cardona
• Jalajala
• Morong
• Pililla
• Rodriguez (Montalban)
• San Mateo
• Tanay
• Taytay
• Teresa

Romblon Province

• Alcantara
• Banton (Jones)
• Cajidiocan
• Calatrava
• Concepcion
• Corcuera
• Ferrol
• Looc
• Magdiwang
• Odiongan
• Romblon
• San Agustin
• San Andres
• San Fernando
• San Jose
• Santa Fe
• Santa Maria (Imelda)

Samar Province

• Almagro
• Basey
• Calbayog
• Calbiga
• Catbalogan
• Daram
• Gandara
• Hinabangan
• Jiabong
• Marabut
• Matuguinao
• Motiong
• Pagsanghan
• Paranas (Wright)
• Pinabacdao
• San Jorge
• San Jose de Buan
• San Sebastian
• Santa Margarita
• Santa Rita
• Santo Niño
• Tagapul-an
• Talalora
• Tarangnan
• Villareal
• Zumarraga

Sarangani Province

• Alabel
• Glan
• Kiamba
• Maasim
• Maitum
• Malapatan
• Malungon

Siquijor Province

• Enrique Villanueva
• Larena
• Lazi
• Maria
• San Juan
• Siquijor
• Sorsogon Province

South Cotabato Province

• Banga
• General Santos (Dadiangas)
• Koronadal
• Lake Sebu
• Norala
• Polomolok
• Santo Niño
• Surallah
• T'Boli
• Tampakan
• Tantangan
• Tupi

Southern Leyte Province

• Anahawan
• Bontoc
• Hinunangan
• Hinundayan
• Libagon
• Liloan
• Limasawa
• Maasin
• Macrohon
• Malitbog
• Padre Burgos
• Pintuyan
• Saint Bernard
• San Francisco
• San Juan (Cabalian)
• San Ricardo
• Silago
• Sogod
• Tomas Oppus

Sultan Kudarat Province

• Bagumbayan
• Columbio
• Esperanza
• Isulan
• Kalamansig
• Lambayong (Mariano Marcos)
• Lebak
• Lutayan
• Palimbang
• President Quirino
• Senator Ninoy Aquino
• Tacurong

Sulu Province

• Banguingui (Tongkil)
• Hadji Panglima Tahil (Marunggas)
• Indanan
• Jolo
• Kalingalan Caluang
• Lugus
• Luuk
• Maimbung
• Old Panamao
• Omar
• Pandami
• Panglima Estino (New Panamao)
• Pangutaran
• Parang
• Pata
• Patikul
• Siasi
• Talipao
• Tapul

Surigao del Norte Province

• Alegria
• Bacuag
• Burgos
• Claver
• Dapa
• Del Carmen
• General Luna
• Gigaquit
• Mainit
• Malimono
• Pilar
• Placer
• San Benito
• San Francisco (Anao-Aon)
• San Isidro
• Santa Monica (Sapao)
• Sison
• Socorro
• Surigao City
• Tagana-an
• Tubod

Surigao del Sur Province

• Barobo
• Bayabas
• Bislig
• Cagwait
• Cantilan
• Carmen
• Carrascal
• Cortes
• Hinatuan
• Lanuza
• Lianga
• Lingig
• Madrid
• Marihatag
• San Agustin
• San Miguel
• Tagbina
• Tago
• Tandag

Tarlac Province

• Anao
• Bamban
• Camiling
• Capas
• Concepcion
• Gerona
• La Paz
• Mayantoc
• Moncada
• Paniqui
• Pura
• Ramos
• San Clemente
• San Jose
• San Manuel
• Santa Ignacia
• Tarlac City
• Victoria

Tawi-Tawi Province

• Bongao
• Languyan
• Mapun (Cagayan de Tawi-Tawi)
• Panglima Sugala (Balimbing)
• Sapa-Sapa
• Sibutu
• Simunul
• Sitangkai
• South Ubian
• Tandubas
• Turtle Islands (Taganak)

Zambales Province

• Botolan
• Cabangan
• Candelaria
• Castillejos
• Iba
• Masinloc
• Olongapo
• Palauig
• San Antonio
• San Felipe
• San Marcelino
• San Narciso
• Santa Cruz
• Subic

Zamboanga del Norte Province

• Baliguian
• Dapitan
• Dipolog
• Godod
• Gutalac
• Jose Dalman (Ponot)
• Kalawit
• Katipunan
• La Libertad
• Labason
• Leon B. Postigo (Bacungan)
• Liloy
• Manukan
• Mutia
• Piñan (New Piñan)
• Polanco
• President Manuel A. Roxas
• Rizal
• Salug
• Sergio Osmeña Sr.
• Siayan
• Sibuco
• Sibutad
• Sindangan
• Siocon
• Sirawai
• Tampilisan

Zamboanga del Sur Province

• Aurora
• Bayog
• Dimataling
• Dinas
• Dumalinao
• Dumingag
• Guipos
• Josefina
• Kumalarang
• Labangan
• Lakewood
• Lapuyan
• Mahayag
• Margosatubig
• Midsalip
• Molave
• Pagadian
• Pitogo
• Ramon Magsaysay (Liargo)
• San Miguel
• San Pablo
• Sominot (Don Mariano Marcos)
• Tabina
• Tambulig
• Tigbao
• Tukuran
• Vincenzo A. Sagun
• Zamboanga City

Zamboanga Sibugay Province

• Alicia
• Buug
• Diplahan
• Imelda
• Ipil
• Kabasalan
• Mabuhay
• Malangas
• Naga
• Olutanga
• Payao
• Roseller Lim
• Siay
• Talusan
• Titay
• Tunga

Recommendations for Travel to the Philippines Provinces

Travelers are advised to plan their trip taking into account the time it takes to reach different provinces. To travel within the Philippines, foreign visitors can book flights or take buses or other public transportation.

When planning a trip to the country all foreigners should be sure to meet the entry or visa requirements for the Philippines. Several countries have visa-free agreements with the Philippines and its citizens can stay in the territory for stays of up to 30 days.

Travelers are recommended to keep track of the weather before and during their visit. Approximately 20 tropical cyclones enter the Philippines territory each year.

Foreign visitors are advised to have cash and should check the currency and exchange rate in the Philippines for their trip.

It is important to keep in mind the customs, values, and etiquette in the Philippines. All travelers are expected to be respectful of public spaces, natural reserves, and behave in a civilized manner. Each province is home to different foods, traditions, and customs.