Have you ever thought of travelling alone, or staying in the province and away from the toxicity of the urban life? Have you ever imagined going to a place where there is nothing but endless beautiful sceneries and refreshing views?
Have you ever planned to do soul searching and finding your lost self by travelling? If yes, then you must put Philippines on your bucket list and tick it off when you have time!
Philippines is a country known for having 7,107 islands which are definitely more than enough for you to visit. And since this is a country with rich cultural background and historical structures, you will never regret paying a tour!
There is a province in Luzon that needs to be written on your list, i.e. Batangas Province. This is a guide on the attractions in Batangas and the places to visit here.
Things to do in Batangas Province as a tourist
Batangas Province is known for having lots of places to offer from street foods to hotels and resorts, and you’ll never run out choices. It has a rich culture and the people living in this province are easy to get along with.
The hospitality of the Filipinos make it easier for foreigners to enjoy their trip as they give warm welcome and even delicious foods to fill your stomach with! And if you get to visit this province, you have to make sure that you have enough time to stay and spend, because Batangas does not run out of surprises for its visitors!
Moreover, Batangueños pay attention to tourism due to the number of discovered and undiscovered spots in the province.
With this, they welcome the outsiders, particularly foreigners, who want to explore and take breathtaking adventures in Batangas.
So, do you like coffee? Is your day incomplete without a sip of it? If yes, then you must remember this.
First to add on your list when you come to Batangas is Kapeng Barako, which is Philippines’ most well-known coffee with strong aroma that will surely make you crave for it.
Its strong smell is as strong as how it tastes and it gives you excitement that you won’t find in any other coffee. Batangueños love to drink coffee and this is the reason why they make the best out of their coffee beans. No need to go to Starbucks, I swear.
Most Batangueños drink Kapeng Barako without sugar to maintain its strong taste and aroma. It is perfect with pandesal, the most famous Filipino bread of all time, which is mostly bought early in the morning when it is freshly baked.
Some even mix Kapeng Barako with steamed rice, and it’s really something to try! If you want to make your breakfast tastier, then you must also try hawot or tuyo, also known as salted dried fish, which is also something worth to try.
A sunny-side up would also fit in! If there’s no one to cook for you, then you can run to restaurants which are already open as early as 4 a.m.!
Aside from Kapeng Barako, Batangas is also known for being the home of the oldest church in Asia — Taal Basilica, or known as St. Martin de Tours Church which is located at the Municipality of Taal, Batangas.
Aside from being the oldest church in the continent, this church is also one of the biggest and most historic churches in the world. This is one of the most requested venues for weddings and you will surely fall in love with how the rays of the sun goes through its door up to the altar during sunset.
The words solemn and sacred are not enough to describe the beauty of Taal Basilica and you have to see it for yourself. Don’t forget to tick this off your list too!
In Taal Batangas lie different attractions and one of the things that you must do when you visit Taal is museum and gallery hopping.
Taal is known for having the most preserved ancestral houses and for being the home of some of the country’s well renowned heroes and politicians.
From ancestral homes to museums and galleries, Taal has lots to offer. But it’s not just that! And if you ever want to go gallery hopping, remember to visit Leon and Galicano Apacible Museum, Galleria Taal, Gregorio Agoncillo Mansion, and more.
Some galleries and museums do not collect fees and are open for public viewing, but even when you need to pay for it, it would still be worth it.
The municipality is also famous for manufacturing butterfly knife, or balisong, a weapon slash souvenir that you can find around the area. You can also find this in some parts of Batangas or even in some areas in Philippines, but the main and legit manufacturers are from Taal, Batangas.
Some of Taal’s balisongs were even featured in Hollywood action movies and short films. Just be careful when using it and don’t forget to buy some for your friends too!
Aside from museum and gallery hopping, you can enjoy your stay in Batangas by visiting different municipalities like Balayan which is known for making bagoong, a local condiment made from preserved fish and salt.
This condiment may not smell good, but its taste will surely impress you. It is perfect with other Filipino meals and it has this appetizer-like ability that will make you eat more.
But be careful not to eat too much and don’t forget to brush your teeth and do not leave any trace. And aside from bagoong, you should also try alamang, which is a condiment of the same kind.
The only difference is that alamang has a richer and more flavorful taste than bagoong. But nonetheless, both of them are to die for!
In the Philippines, particularly in Batangas Province, you do not have to worry about money. If you don’t have much pocket money and if you want to save some money, you can try more local foods and delicacies.
Would you believe if it I tell you that a dollar is enough to get yourself a meal or two? Should I also tell you that $10 is more than enough to get a complete set of meals from morning until night plus your midnight snacks?
Yes, and it is possible in Batangas!
If you roam around during the night, you can find different street foods in Batangas and you won’t need lots of cash to enjoy them.
A dollar or two would surely be enough to satisfy your palates. And if you want burgers, pizzas, and the likes, there are restaurants which are open 24 hours and food parks which are available from afternoon ’til midnight.
Some of the food parks that you must try are Ciudad Food Avenue, 3:16 Food and Chillout Park in Batangas City, MEZ and Dayton Food Park in Lipa City, Batangas.
They don’t just offer Filipino food, but they also have other cuisines that will surely make you drool over.
And if you prefer the usual fastfood chains and convenient stores, Batangas also got your back! Just don’t forget to bring medicine and tissue paper because you might want to answer the call of nature after you eat. Kidding!
Furthermore, if you also want to eat other cuisines like Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean, you can find restaurants that offer such and you won’t have to pay too much.
One of the most famous cuisines in the Philippines at the time being is Korean cuisine, as K-Pop Music and Korean Drama fever take over the country. You can find unlimited serving of samgyeopsal, a well-known Korean food for only $7!
Not to mention, it also comes with unlimited serving of Korean side dishes.
When you come to Batangas, there is something that you should not forget to eat — lomi, which is made of noodles.
Lomi is not just famous in Batangas, but also in other parts of the country. Its rich taste is perfect for chilly weather, and even during warm or Summer season.
This food never gets out of style — it’s always alive! And the places where you can find the best lomi houses in Batangas are Lobo, San Jose, Lipa, Calaca, or should I say, you can actually find it anywhere in the province!
And the cheapest bowl of lomi would only cost you as low as less than a dollar! Believe it or not, it tastes more than that.
If you prefer fine dining restaurants or buffet ones, you can also find some in the city. With just $10, you will get to enjoy local foods and international cuisines in one stop! Some of the restaurants that you can try are Ginazel’s Hotel and Restaurant, Wanam sa Bukid, Club Yolanda, and more!
If you want to go to bars and have fun with the locals, you might want to visit Leekle Beeches, Euphoria Bar and Resto, D’ Brother Sports Bar, and more party venues to choose from!
Most of them could be found at Batangas City. Groove to the music and dance to the beat played by Batangas’ best DJ’s. Say hey!
Enough with food and parties! If you’re fond of swimming and going to beaches, then the Province of Batangas is perfect for you.
In this part, I will give you tips on how to enjoy summer in Batangas. You must take down notes because I’m about to tell you where to go to Batangas when it comes to water sports and other fun activities.
First stop is San Juan, Batangas, which is famous for its white sand beaches and world-class resorts. If you want a place for your beach wedding or if you just want to have fun with your friends then you must pay a visit to San Juan.
Aside from the place, you will surely love the warmness and hospitality of the locals. If you want budget-friendly resorts, San Juan, Batangas has it. If you want to enjoy an expensive and exclusive stay, you also have lots of resorts to choose from and they are not far from each other, so you can jump from one resort to another.
Next stop is Calatagan, Batangas which is the home of the country’s Maldives-like resort. If you want to go to Maldives but your budget is not enough, then go to Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort instead, which is just 2–3 hours away from Manila.
In this municipality you will find several resorts like Manuel Uy Beach Resort, Lago de Oro, and more stunning beach resorts that you can only find in the Province of Batangas. Don’t worry. The long trip is worth it!
Third stop that you shouldn’t miss is Anilao, Batangas which is the perfect place for those who love to go scuba diving! Get your Go Pros ready because you will surely want to take pictures and videos of your beautiful journey. Moreover, Anilao, Batangas is perfect for water sports and more fun activities that you will surely love!
Batangas has so many resorts to offer to foreigners and visitors, and you will never run out of choices. And if you want beautiful but super budget-friendly resorts, then you wouldn’t want to miss Lobo, Batangas, a place where you can find most of the countries’ cheapest and most affordable resorts.
Not to mention, most are open to the public for free! All you need to pay in some of them are cottages or accommodation, and other facilities. Trust me, you wouldn’t want to leave.
In Lobo also lies one of the country’s famous lighthouses — the Malabrigo Lighthouse, which is also a perfect spot to witness the beauty of the sea and the sun in one view.
This lighthouse is at a perfect spot as it faces the sea and the beauty of the sunset. These days, the place is visited by more people because of the Filipino drama or teleserye which is being shot at this wonderful place. Why not? This is surely a perfect spot.
Aside from the beauty of its beaches, Lobo is also known for its Mangrove Forest located at Lagadlarin, which is a perfect place for a photo shoot. This place is maintained and protected by the municipality of Lobo, and because of this, an environmental fee is collected from each visitor.
If you are fond of taking pictures for your Instagram, then you should definitely include this on your list too!
Aside from the views and people, Lobo also has restaurants, mountains perfect for hiking, festivals and celebrations and so much more to visit for!
And if you want to try local delicacies, you can also buy things from souvenir shops and local market, and some of the foods that you got to try are sweetened tamarind, sweetened kamias, bagoong, uukan, and other products made by the Loboeños.
If you are a sweet talker, you might even end up having free foods from the locals!
On the other hand, if you want to visit secluded islands, then you must visit Masasa Beach at Tingloy, Batangas and Fortune Island at Nasugbu which are just a boat away from the mainland city.
These places are perfect for those who do not enjoy going to crowded beaches and noisy areas. Just don’t forget to bring your tent, foods, drinks, and personal things, and leave nothing but footprints. These places are also maintained and protected by the municipalities to preserve their beauty.
If you also enjoy mountain hiking, then Batangas is the perfect place for you, as it has so many mountains and even a volcano where you can enjoy trekking with your friends! Yes, a volcano.
And this thing that I am talking about is Taal Volcano, a volcano surrounded by a lake, which is said to be the smallest one in the country.
But do not judge the book by its cover, because this thing has 33 recorded eruptions in history and is still active and ready to rumble! In order to visit this magnificent view, you will have to ride a boat and cross a lake to get to the bottom of the volcano.
And when you get there, you can choose from walking through the peak or riding a horse. As for myself, I prefer the former, because that is surely more exciting and challenging. Why call it trekking if you will ride a horse, right? Horse is for the lazy ones. Kidding!
After trekking, not far from Taal Volcano is an aqua park which is a perfect venue for Summer getaway with your friends and colleagues! This aqua park is located at Club Balai Isabel at Talisay, Batangas.
Aside from the aqua park, this resort has good facilities and instagrammable image which is just right for those who make vlogs and write blogs online. No worries about budget, because you will never regret paying for it!
Apart from water activities and food trips, there is something that you might also want to try when you visit Batangas Province — pilgrimage tour.
In Batangas, you can spend your holy time at some of the most famous pilgrimage sites in the country — Monte Maria, Marian Orchard Pilgrimage Site, and National Shrine of St. Padre Pio Batangas.
The most famous among the three is the third one, which is said to have helped most devotees in their prayers. St. Padre Pio is believed to be a miraculous saint who helps people who are sick, depressed, and those who have serious appeals to the Lord.
Aside from praying and attending mass at the venues, visitors or devotees can also purchase blessed accessories like bracelets, necklaces, and other souvenir items which are personally blessed and prayed for by the local priests.
Speaking of souvenirs, in Batangas, you don’t have to worry about getting them. Most items in the markets and malls are cheap and won’t cost you much penny. From key chains to foods to bags and other accessories, everything is available at the local shops and exclusive pasalubong (souvenir) centers in each municipality.
So don’t forget to buy for yourself and for your friends so you can have something to remind you of how beautiful your journey in Batangas has been.
So the next time you think of visiting the Philippines, do not forget to add Batangas on your list.
s you have read, this province does not only offer good food, but also good sceneries that will make your trip worthwhile. No need to book for more expensive flights and pricey accommodations because you can stay in cheap but comfortable hotels that are not as costly as those in Manila.
And if you have a friend in Batangas, then you won’t have to worry about it anymore. Batangueños and all Filipinos are hospitable and will make your stay more memorable.
Plan a trip now and get yourself something to remember. Life should not always be about work and problems. Travelling if life too! And as Henry David Thoreau said, “Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.” So what are you waiting for? Get lost in Batangas!
Additional tips on Batangas
When booking for your trip to Philippines, you can use different applications and websites so you can choose from a variety of airlines and ongoing promos.
Moreover, if you want to save money when going from one place to another, I suggest you to use Grab or Uber, or just right the bus, jeepneys, and tricycles, for they are much cheaper than riding the cabs that you only see around. And for you not to get lost, search for directions or read articles on how to go to a certain place beforehand.
Furthermore, if you want to look for the cheapest accommodation, you might also want to try to use mobile apps to book for your stay and be sure to pick the hotels which are near the malls and the places that you want to visit.
Note: This article was written by a freelancer.
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Originally published at www.ordinaryreviews.com on June 21, 2018.
