Tucked within the majestic mountain ranges of the Cordillera Administrative Region is yet another precious gem worth visiting in the Philippines. Hailed as the “Natural Dye Capital of the Philippines” for the prominent supply of natural dye-producing materials in the area, the beautiful province of Abra has long been an incredible melting pot of rich history, culture, and must-visit natural wonders in the northern part of the Philippines.

It’s also home to thriving ethnic and indigenous tribes that preserved much of the country’s pre-colonial traditions, which is a perfect fit for all history buffs out there! Sitting at the heart of the mountains, expect to take on amazing adventures discovering hidden gems of nature such as sparkling falls, rugged hills, hidden cave systems, and a whole lot more!

Traveling to Abra indeed offers an all-new experience for everyone, especially those who are used to visiting the pristine beaches of the Philippines. And in the same way, this is a fulfilling experience for outdoor lovers like hikers, cave spelunkers, and trekkers! More than unforgettable explorations and expeditions into the majestic mountains of Cordillera, tourists are also in for an amazing close encounter with Abra’s precious culture. With countless products to choose from like balikutsa, tablea, gourd hats, and many more, I’m sure that you’ll have plenty of pasalubong for your loved ones back home!

So, what are you waiting for? Prepare all your gears and equipment because we’re set to discover and explore the 15 Best Tourist Spots in Abra! Let’s go!

1. Kaparkan Falls

Number one on the list and probably the most popular tourist spot in the entire province of Abra is no other than the magnificent Kaparkan Falls. This precious gem is considered the pride of Abra and I’m sure that you’ll agree with me when you’re able to witness its enchanting beauty with your own eyes. Kaparkan Falls is a multi-tiered waterfall that is said to be approximately 1000 meters high.

Also known as the Mulawin Falls, this extraordinary natural wonder is like a big limestone terrace filled with crystal clear waters cascading down the mountain. Intrigued by its mesmerizing beauty, tourists from different parts of the world are now flocking to the province of Abra just to visit this breathtaking attraction. Well, you can’t blame the people because it wasn’t until 2015 when Kaparkan Falls was discovered thanks to a group of hikers exploring the lush jungles of Abra.

Oh, and just a quick tip! The best time to visit Kaparkan Falls is during the rainy season, from August to September. This is the perfect time of the year because the natural limestone pools are surely filled with crystal clear waters. And before I forget, let me just remind you that reaching the enchanting paradise of Kaparkan Falls requires a lot of energy and patience because it involves lengthy minutes of off-road driving, hiking, and trekking. Don’t worry though because it’ll all be worth it!

 

2. Kili Falls and Hot Spring

Next, we’re still headed to a breathtaking waterfall here at Abra! Kili Falls and Hot Spring is a wonderful combination of natural and man-made wonders. Hidden within the small municipality of Tubo, Abra lies a remote settlement called the Kili Village where we’ll find yet another exciting tourist destination in the province.

First off, Kili Falls is a small yet mesmerizing waterfall where a powerful current of water flows through limestone rock formations. It is indeed beautiful to look at and at the same time a wonderful opportunity to take a swim and enjoy the natural pool of water in the area! So don’t miss out on taking Instagram-worthy pictures, alright?

Located just nearby the area of the waterfalls is yet another must-visit attraction in Kili, the Kili Hot Spring. This one is a man-made hot spring or spa where tourists are invited to enjoy a relaxing bath while admiring the breathtaking scenery of Kili. Oh, and just beside the trail of the pool lies another tourist attraction in Kili that you shouldn’t miss! The Kili Rice Terraces surely is an aesthetic gem that will please your eyes. It’s also a popular spot for photo ops so be sure not to miss out!

 

3. Sapilang Falls

Located in Barangay Sagap, Abra is another sought-after waterfall attraction in the province. Sapilang Falls, more popularly known as the Sapilang Twin Falls. From the name itself, this waterfall is especially unique because there are two separate cascades flowing down the stream of Abra River, hence the name, Sapilang Twin Falls. The first waterfall can be described to have tall, thin, and multi-layered cascades while the second one can be characterized to be having a broad and bare-faced rock formation.

Both are definitely gorgeous-looking but only one can be hiked and trekked by visitors, which is the latter. Sapilang Falls is indeed a haven for outdoor lovers because there are lots of challenging trails and hikes before you can even reach the sparkling paradise. Oh, and let me just remind you that you first have to drop by the house of Barangay Sagap’s Captain to register and fill out some forms before you can go on with your adventure. This is to ensure your safety and to assign a trained tour guide for your exploration, so don’t worry!

 

4. Piwek Rock Formation

Another must-visit natural wonder in the province of Abra is the scenic Piwek Rock Formations. These white and unique-looking limestone rock formations are nestled along the banks of Tineg River. Within these gleaming rock formations lie natural pools with emerald green waters that are truly a sight to see.

Many tourists take on the challenge of visiting Piwek Rock Formations because you can rarely see these types of rocks within the lush forests of the Philippines. Just a disclaimer though, reaching the Piwek Rock Formations requires a lot of hiking and trekking. So I suggest you bring your A-game with you and consider hiring a tour guide for safety purposes. Well, other than that, go have some fun out in the wild!

 

5. Apao Rolling Hills

After traversing down some challenging cliffs and trails just to reach Piwek Rock Formations, I suggest that we now head to a more relaxing place to ease our minds. So, are you ready? Let me welcome you to one of the most breathtaking and picturesque sceneries in the entire country, the Apao Rolling Hills!

Witnessing the mind-blowing beauty of the rugged and wavy hills enveloping the entire landscape of Tineg, Abra is something you surely wouldn’t forget. You can also catch a glimpse of the sea of clouds in the morning if you’re early enough. Aside from being a premier picture-taking spot, visiting Apao Hills will also give you a chance to breathe in the cool and fresh mountain breeze. So enjoy it while you can!

 

6. Mount Bullagao

For all outdoor lovers and adventurers out there, we’re just getting started! Our next destination, Mount Bullagao, is yet another majestic peak waiting to be conquered in the beautiful province of Abra.

Made famous by its nickname, “The Sleeping Beauty of Abra” because of the mountain’s shape which is like a maiden peacefully lying down, the mountain will surely make you fall in love with nature’s undeniable beauty. The hiking and trekking trails are relatively manageable even for beginners so might as well take on the challenge if I were you!

 

7. Don Mariano Marcos Bridge

Coming up next, another must-visit landmark and indeed one of the most important engineering wonders in the Philippines is none other than the Don Mariano Marcos Bridge of Tayum, Abra. This attractive bridge is painted in red, making it the perfect viewing deck to watch the mesmerizing view of the setting sun in Abra. So, don’t miss out on taking amazing photos during your trip!

This bridge extends for a span of 886.812 meters across the Lagben River, making it the Third-Longest Bridge in the Philippines. Well, now it’s officially the fourth longest bridge in the country, considering the construction of the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway.

 

8. Teofilo Garcia Tabungaw Gourd Hats

After lots of explorations and adventures into the natural wonders of Abra, it’s now time to immerse ourselves in the province’s rich and colorful culture! One of the best ways to do this is by visiting the mind-blowing masterpieces of Teofilo Garcia, which are popularly known as Tabungaw Gourd Hats. These are unique-looking traditional hats that are said to be both weather-resistant and attractive as well.

It’s however important to note that Tabungaw Gourd Hats are seasonal creations because Tabungaw seeds will only spring out during the months of June and July. Because of Teofilo Garcia’s growing popularity, most of his creations are now sought by hat collectors from different parts of the world! Well, that’s actually not a surprise given that Teofilo Garcia was given the National Living Artist Award in 2012.

 

9. Abel Loom Weaving in La Paz

Next up, another wonderful opportunity to dive deeper into the rich culture of Abra is by knowing more about Abel Loom Weaving in La Paz, Abra. La Paz is one of the most culture-centered places in the entire province and it’s thanks to their expertise in making colorful fine woven fabrics called Abel. These hand-loomed textiles are then used as traditional clothing such as scarves, shoals, skirts, and more.

The tradition of loom weaving in La Paz has been going on for several generations already as loom weavers inherited the traditional techniques from their great grandmothers. I’m sure that you’ll be delighted to visit La Paz just to witness its traditional loom weavers create their masterpiece! Oh, and it’s also the perfect opportunity to bring home some unique and special pasalubong to your loved ones!

 

10. Tagpew Falls

Ah, after learning much of Abra’s weaving culture, it’s now time yet again to further explore the province’s breathtaking natural wonders. Are you ready? Well, I hope you are because we are now headed to the famous Tagpew Falls of Tubo, Abra! This 120-meter spectacle is also known as Tagpao Falls, which can be related to the local term Tagpao, meaning a female’s pubic area.

The reason why it’s named like this is that it is said that the waterfalls look like the upper part of a female’s pubic area when inverted. Anyhow, witnessing the enchanting beauty of Tagpew Falls with your own eyes during your visit to Abra truly is an unforgettable experience! It involves a lot of hiking and trekking through difficult trails in the forest but after seeing the mind-blowing cascades of Tagpew Falls flowing through amazing rock formations, you’ll eventually feel that it was all worth it.

 

11. Abualan Cave

Another must-visit natural landmark in Abra that absolutely calls for an exciting adventure is the Abualan Cave. It is one of the most organic locations to enjoy a firsthand experience of nature’s undeniable beauty. Also regarded sometimes as Guano Cave because of the presence of bat poop due to numerous bat dwellers inside, the cave serves as a reminder that nature is indeed full of surprises and unexplored gems.

Inside the cave, you’ll find gigantic rock formations and incredible stalactites and stalagmites scattered in different areas. Once you pass through Abualan Cave’s narrow entrance, you’ll feel like you’re now entering a whole new world, far from all the things we’re used to. And that, my friends, is one of the most amazing reasons why traveling and exploring the world is my passion.

 

12. Manambor Falls

Oh, you thought we were done exploring waterfalls? No, no. Not just yet. Our next destination is the fifth (5th) and last waterfall on this list, but it certainly isn’t the least! Manambor Falls is known for its relatively small yet enchanting cascades of water, measuring only 30 feet high. But don’t let its size fool you because it definitely is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the province of Abra. Feel free to dive, swim around, and just relax in the natural pool created by Manambor Falls. Oh, and you also shouldn’t miss taking incredible pictures of yourself with the falls in your background.

Just a quick trivia! Did you know that locals believe that there is a hidden kingdom right beneath the natural pools of Manambor Falls? They say that this particular kingdom is the reason why the cascades of the waterfall sound like a beating drum. Interesting, huh? Well, that’s another rumor for your to confirm!

 

13. Libtec Crystal Cave

I hope you’re still in for another amazing adventure because there’s another one waiting for us! The Libtec Crystal Cave, located in Dolores, Abra, is one of the most popular spelunking and trekking spots in the province. Also known as the Quiling Crystal Cave, this cave is a wonderful haven for bats and lots of mineral deposits. It’s the reason why it was regarded as a crystal cave, after all.

Inside the cave, you’ll discover hidden chambers, incredible stalactites and stalagmites, flowstones, and of course the native bats called kurarapnit. Unfortunately, these poor creatures became victims of overhunting. So when you’re lucky enough to spot some, do your part and don’t hurt them in any way, alright?

 

14. Panaclisan River

Regarded by many as one of the most beautiful rivers not only in Abra but in the whole country, the famous Panaclisan River of Barangay Nalbuan, Abra is indeed another must-visit tourist spot in the province! The water in this river is incredibly crystal clear that it almost looks like a freshly-cleaned swimming pool teeming with beautiful boulders and currents.

The river banks also consist of noticeably unique white rocks, making it an aesthetically pleasing tourist spot indeed! Oh, and you can also spot several marine species here at Panaclisan River such as paliling, paco, igat, or river eels. Deep pool pockets and hidden lagoons are also scattered along the river which are perfect spots for swimming and cliff diving!

 

15. Boliney Hot Spring

Ah, and there it is! Finally, after a long and tiring adventure around the beautiful province of Abra, it’s now time to relax our muscles and just regenerate our energy! Well, the best place to do that is the famous Boliney Hot Spring of Barangay Bani, in Abra. This must-visit spot can be easily reached with the help of jeepney rides and a little bit of trekking, but it’ll all be worth it once you reached the hot springs!

The natural thermal waters perfectly combine with the cold crystal clear waters of the river, giving visitors a chance to enjoy both a cold and warm bath. It’s also the best place to have a picnic with family and friends while admiring the overlooking view of the river right below. There are cottages and comfort rooms built around the area of Boliney Hot Springs so I’m sure you won’t have any problems!