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2012 • 5 • 20

I was a warrior in the middle of a battle. With reliable weapons in my bag — meds, vitamins, paper napkins, and a bottle of water — I decided to go on an important journey back home. Not even the bad fever and runny nose, however, stopped a smile from slicing across my lower face when we finally passed under the arc that proudly screamed “Maligayang Pagdating sa Lalawigan ng mga Magigiting,” or, in English, Welcome to the Land of the Valiant.

THEPOORTRAVELERKLOOK

Batangas — my hometown. Even when I have a bad case of cold, I still peek out the window and try to catch a glimpse of that “statement arc.” This trip was a product of an important personal crisis. The Poor Traveler, born and raised in Batangas, was a fool for not having explored much of his province. I had been to as far as Ilocos in the north and General Santos City in the south, and had gone abroad a number of times but it was such a shame that I had not taken enough time to appreciate my home. Although a proud Batangueno, I was guilty of ignoring the familiar. I was so used to Batangas that I forgot that many of the places I pass through, the things I experience, and even the food I eat  contributed so much in making me who I am.

Even though I was supposed to be at home and getting some rest, I pushed through with probably the most important trip of my life. Combating a cold and all the nasty things that came with it, I declared that it was time to return to, well, the Land of the Valiant.

Taal Basilica
Taal Basilica

How to Get There

Batangas is only two to three hours away from Manila depending on which part of Batangas you are visiting, which part of Manila you are coming from, and how heavy the traffic is. There are airconditioned and ordinary buses to Batangas. Four of the most common destination signs you will see displayed in front of the buses are the following:

  • Batangas City — most of which pass through Sto Tomas, Tanauan City and Lipa City.
  • Lemery — which pass through the towns of Cuenca, Sta Teresita, Alitagtag, and Taal. Most buses also pass through Tanauan and Lipa.
  • Nasugbu — may take the Silang-Aguinaldo Highway route or the Tagaytay-Sta Rosa route
  • Balayan —  may also take the Silang-Aguinaldo Highway route or the Tagaytay-Sta Rosa route. Will pass through the towns of Tuy and Lian.
All buses will use the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) but take different exits. There are also vans that take passengers to many parts of Batangas.

Here are some of the bus companies that travel to, from, and around Batangas, and where you will find their terminals here in Metro Manila:

  • ALPS Bus – Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
  • CROW Bus – Espana, Sampaloc, Manila;  EDSA, Pasay City
  • JAM Transit – EDSA, Quezon City; Taft, Pasay City; Cubao, Quezon City
  • RRCG Bus – Pasay City
  • TRITRAN Transit – EDSA-Kamias, Quezon City; Taft, Pasay City
  • Batangas Starexpress – LRT-Buendia
  • KL CNG Transport – Cubao, Quezon City

I only know of three van terminals in Metro Manila and these vans take passengers to Lemery — LRT-Buendia, Makati; Starmall-EDSA, Mandaluyong; and Starmall-Alabang, Muntinlupa. I know that there is one terminal at Metropoint in Pasay City that houses vans to the Batangas province but I forgot its final destination — I took a van there going to Matabungkay in Lian, once.

If you have more information to add to this list, please post a comment and I will update this.

The closest commercial airport to Batangas is in Manila so you will still have to take the bus or shuttle if you’re coming from outside of Luzon by air. For more information, please visit the official website of Manila International Airports Authority at www.miaa.gov.ph.

Batangas City harbors an international sea port — Batangas International Port — which serves as the key port in the Southern Tagalog region. It is most popular among passengers going to and from neighboring islands of Mindoro (especially Puerto Galera) and Romblon.

Finding a Place to Stay in Batangas (Hotels, Hostels, Resorts)

If you’re touring Batangas, where to stay will certainly affect your itinerary. Not all places in Batangas have hotels or resorts, or are ideal for camping. Picking where to spend the night will dictate the flow of your trip per day.

Here are some of suggestions you might want to consider.

Check Batangas City Rates Here
Check Lipa City Rates Here
  • If you wish to spend the night in the city, find a hotel in Lipa or Batangas City.
  • If you crave an overnight stay at a resort by the beach, pick one in San Juan, Lobo, Calatagan, Nasugbu, or Lian. You might also consider one of the resorts in Anilao, Mabini.
  • If you want to feel like traveling in time and experiencing how it feels to live in the Spanish era, there’s a hotel in Taal, smack in the center of the town proper just beside the town plaza, called Casa Punzalan Hotel that can give you just that.
  • If you’re climbing Gulugod Baboy in Mabini or Mt. Maculot in Cuenca, you may choose to camp there.

Your choices will dictate how your itinerary will flow. Always take into consideration the accessibility and the proximity of wherever you will be staying to the other destinations you will be visiting.

For more accommodation options in Batangas, visit this page.

Places to Visit in Batangas

The following photos link to more information about these places and my personal experiences exploring them.

Taal Volcano
Taal Volcano

Matabungkay Beach, Lian
Matabungkay Beach, Lian

Taal Heritage Town
Taal Heritage Town

Balayan Town
Balayan Town

Taal Basilica
Taal Basilica

Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine
Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine

Lipa Cathedral
Lipa Cathedral

Mt. Carmel Church
Mt. Carmel Church

Casa de Segunda, Lipa City
Casa de Segunda, Lipa City

Batangas Basilica
Batangas Basilica

Apolinario Mabini Shrine
Apolinario Mabini Shrine

Miguel Malvar Museum
Miguel Malvar Museum

Cape Santiago Lighthouse, Calatagan
Cape Santiago Lighthouse, Calatagan

Beaches in San Juan, Calatgan, Nasugbu
Beaches in San Juan, Calatgan, Nasugbu

Other points of interest:

  • Mt. Batulao, a 4/9 difficulty peak in Nasugbu
  • Mt. Maculot, a favorite among mountaineers especially during Holy Week
  • Mt. Gulugod Baboy, an easy climb in Mabini, Batangas
  • Malabrigo Lighthouse, the other century-old lighthouse in Batangas. Located in Lobo.
  • Fantasy World, a magnificent fairy tale castle in the hills of Lemery
  • Sombrero Island, a white sand-strewn peak off the coast of Anilao
  • Laiya, a long stretch of white beach in San Juan
  • Ligpo Island, a family-owned island resort in San Luis
  • Anilao, a spectacular diving site in Mabini

Where and What to Eat in Batangas

Not many people realize it but Batangas is also a food destination. The abundant natural resources — lakes to seas, farms and forests, seas and mountains — have enriched the cuisine of the province. Here are some of the restaurants you shouldn’t miss in Batangas and their specialties. Click on the photos for more info.

Bulalo at Rose and Grace, Sto. Tomas
Bulalo at Rose and Grace, Sto. Tomas

Kaldereta and halo-halo at Casa Rap, San Jose
Kaldereta and halo-halo at Casa Rap, San Jose

Pinoy seafood at Kainan sa Dalampasigan, Nasugbu
Pinoy seafood at Kainan sa Dalampasigan, Nasugbu

Cakes at Cafe Milflores, Batangas City
Cakes at Cafe Milflores, Batangas City

Batangas Lomi at Lomi King, Lipa City
Batangas Lomi at Lomi King, Lipa City

Goto at Gotohan sa Barangay, Lipa City
Goto at Gotohan sa Barangay, Lipa City

Tapang Taal in Taal and Lemery
Tapang Taal in Taal and Lemery

Kapeng Barako at Cafe de Lipa
Kapeng Barako at Cafe de Lipa

For a longer list of restaurants in Batangas, head over to this website.

Building an Itinerary

Batangas may be only a few hours away but creating an itinerary for a trip to this historic destination is no easy task. Batangas has so much to offer. Whether you’re looking for an adventure trekking the Taal Volcano or a gastronomic delight trying out the local dishes like bulalo and lomi, or an enlightening tour around its various historical sites, Batangas has something for you. The problem is that Batangas is HUGE. And it doesn’t stop there. Most of the province’s most popular and most interesting attractions stand so far away from one another. It would be a lot less difficult if you’re on a road trip, driving a private car but doing this tour using public transportation is tough and tiring. For example, if you’re main destination is the beaches of Nasugbu and you also wish to get up close and personal with the Taal Volcano or the churches of Lipa, finding your way to them is like solving a difficult puzzle considering the time.

With all the fantastic sites to visit in Batangas, a weekend is NOT enough. Unfortunately, I had only a long weekend.

This was our initial itinerary.

Day 1: STO. TOMAS, TANAUAN, TALISAY, LIPA CITY
05:30 am – ETD (Wait for bus along EDSA)
07:30 am – Malvar Museum and Library, Sto Tomas
09:35 am – Mabini Shrine, Tanauan City
11:00 am – Taal Volcano, Talisay
06:00 pm – Lipa Cathedral, Cafe de Lipa
08:30 pm – Check in at Hotel

Day 2: LIPA CITY,  ANILAO
07:00 am – Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Chuch and Casa de Segunda
09:00 am – Breakfast at Casa Rap, San Jose
11:00 am – Anilao, Mabini (Check in at Resort, Lunch, Sombrero Island)
09:00 pm – Sleep

Day 3: TAAL TOWN, CALATAGAN
08:00 am – Taal Heritage Tour (Ancestral Houses, Taal Basilica, Caysasay Chapel, Balisong)
11:00 pm – Lunch at Don Juan BBQ, Taal
02:00 pm – Cape Santiago Lighthouse, Calatagan Beaches
04:00 pm – ETD — Travel back to Manila

Taal Heritage Town

Budget Breakdown

To give you an idea on how much you’re going to spend to make a trip across Batangas happen, here’s a breakdown of my expenses during the 3D/2N trip that encompassed Sto. Tomas, Lipa City, Batangas City, Taal Town, and Calatagan.

DAY 1
P91 – Buendia to Sto. Tomas (Bus)
P187 – Bulalo (P375 per bowl)
FREE – Malvar Museum and Library
P8 – Sto Tomas to Tanauan (Jeep)
P13 – Tanauan City to Brgy. Talaga (Jeep)
FREE – Mabini Shrine Entrance
P13 – Mabini Shrine to Tanauan City Proper (Jeep)
P25 – Tanauan to Lipa Cathedral
P45 – Tricycle Ride (P30 per trip)
P190 – Cafe de Lipa
P20 – Casa de Segunda Entrance Fee
P50 – Casa de Segunda Camera fee
P35 – Lipa to Batangas City (Bus)
P70 – Diversion to Basilica (Tricycle)
P50 – Isaw dinner at Plaza Mabini
P205 – Cafe Milflores
P325 – Mac-ro Lodge (P650/room)
P1,327 – SUB-TOTAL

DAY 2
P11 – Batangas City to Balagtas (Jeep)
P17 – Balagtas to Casa Rap (Brgy. Banay-Banay, San Jose) (Jeep)
P130 – Tapang Casa Rap meal
P80 – Halo-halo (Casa Rap)
P17 – Casa Rap to Lipa City (Jeep)
P49 – Lipa to Taal Town (Jeep)
P2 – Caysasay Shrine to Lemery (boat)
P30 – Lemery to Balayan (Bus)
P10 – Trike to Balayan Town Proper from Highway
P125 – Trike to Ronco Beach Resort (P250/trip)
P1000 – Ronco Beach Resort overnight stay (P2000/room)
P1,471 – SUB-TOTAL

DAY 3
P125 – Ronco to Calatagan Bayan (with stop at Calatagan Lighthouse)
P38 – Calatagan to Lian (Jeep)
P25 – Lian to Palico (Jeep)
P30 – Trike to Kainan sa Dalampasigan
P305 – Kainan sa Dalampasigan
P15 – Kainan to Nasugbu Terminal (Trike, P30/trip)
P78 – Nasugbu to Tagaytay (Bus)
P616 – SUB-TOTAL

TOTAL – P3,414

Note that when I did this trip, I was with a friend. You can bring this cost significantly lower if you’re part of a bigger group. As always, I have to remind you that your spending habits are different from mine so please use this breakdown as a guide only, just so you have an idea on how much to prepare.

The Poor Traveler had been to a number of places in and out of the country but this trip is probably the closest to my heart. Batangas is my hometown and this tour gave me an opportunity to learn more about the place I was born and raised in. It allowed me to explore and understand my province’s physical and cultural beauty and, ultimately, myself.


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Jaymie

Hi, I find your blog really interesting. I’m one of your subscribers. I hope you don’t mind adding your site on mine :)

The Poor Traveler

Not at all! Thank you so much! :)

mervz | pinoyadventurista.com

Very detailed! Thanks for sharing! I wanna visit Cape Santiago Lighthouse too… I haven’t been there… Oh by the way, I’m also Batangueño! My father is from Lipa and we used to go there every summer or when there’s special occasions…

The Poor Traveler

Woot! YOu’re a Batangueno, too! Love it! :D

Kim Lapid Luzung

waw a lighthouse in batangas @_@.. adding this on my trip list

Marry Grace B. Rosales

Proud to be a Batangueña =)

Amalia Girado

Lalo maganda sa isla berde batangas…city

Ako Si Pilya

I really really really love Batangas!

The Poor Traveler

Me, too!

Lila

The heritage tour sounds really fun.I’d like to try it myself.Could I ask how much you paid for the entrance fees, if there are any?

Thanks! Great article btw.

The Poor Traveler

Only Casa de Segunda charges, P20. :)

ryan

It had been a while since I checked on your site. Have you taken out the packages that you offered before?

The Poor Traveler

Hi Ryan! I don’t offer (and have not offered) packages. I only write about my experiences taking those packages among others. :)

carrot

sir where is mac-ro lodge located? any cheap yet very accommodating place to stay at calatagan?

m0ni

thanks for sharing! will visit batangas soooon! <3

Dashdeb

Thanks for sharing .. that’s an awesome contribution to Philippine tourism.. Hope the locals continuously support this effort in spite of dilapidated international airports which initially showcased what to expect. Hey great politician, have conscience, bring those scammed billion funds to make our country the best place to visit and create livelihood.

Jece Li

planning to visit Batangas (alone) this weekend, but will be there for just an overnight stay. Would appreciate a good recommendation on which of the beach areas are fun and nice to stay. :-)

yoshke

Tingloy (Masasa Beach/Sombrero island) is perfect. :)

sam

where is the good place to stay that is near to every tourist spot? also near by the beach

Margarette

Hi! may I ask the directions to Calaca, Batangas? And how many hours is the travel from Manila to that place? Thank you.

sha

hi may i ask if how much going to lemery? and what bus company

yoshke

Hi! P178 from LRT-Buendia. JAM or DLTB. :)

trishia morales

Hi. How about batangas to manila? And what is the easiest way? Thanks

Charrisse Rivato-Brazil

Hi! Maybe you can help me, Me and my family is about to go to Batangas this Saturday for a weekend getaway.We are backpackers only and we will just comute. Our 1st stop is at Padre Pio shrine in Sto Tomas.We are eyeing a resort in Mabini, Anilao looking at it in the internet we find it very nice and relaxing.The place is called Sea Spring resort,which i think our kids will love it. Now from Sto tomas how can we go to anilao?I hope you can help me with this. Our trip is 3 days from now. And im so stressed in planning this trip.Thank you!

KA

I will have around 3 days to sightsee outside of my stay in Manila. I was thinking about taking a trip to Batangas. I would also like to take the hike to see the crater lake thing at Taal Volcano and was wondering if it was feasible to travel by public transportation from Manila to the volcano to Batangas? Better question, does transportation run from the volcano to the Batangas? I am not sure how to best plan this itinerary

Cynthia Ortega

Message…hi! How can I get to San Juan Batangas from Calaca? Is there a bus or any public transportation? Am just a commuter. Tnx

May

Hi! Any suggestion how can i commute from Balete going to Agoncillo? Thanks

Maria Leonora Teresa

Thanks for the info…I would like to ask for the cheapest place to stay for a night in Batangas City and Lemery.. thank you.

grace

Good day! Pano po pumunta ng calatagan public market from batangas grand terminal? Thank you

RG Sayson

Hi, do you know how I can get from Balayan to Lipa? Is there a direct bus ride?

I was thinking I can get a ride from Balayan to Lemery or maybe Balayan to Batangas City, and get a ride from there to Lipa.

Maria Janice Alino

hi, wanna ask po… may bus or jeep ba from Tagaytay going to Nasugbu??san po ang sakayan? thanks..

Cindy

Good day! We are currently conducting a research about travel blogs. We are humbly requesting if we can survey the tourists who commented on your blogs?