'''Batangas''' is in Luzon, the chief island of the Philippines.

Understand

This is a lovely province in Luzon's Southern Tagalog region, located south of Manila/NCR. Here you will find Anilao (Mabini) which is famous for its dive sites, Taal Lake and Volcano - said to be the lake within the lake, old churches and houses dating back to the Spanish times in Taal, Calaca and Batangas City, and the Batangas International and Container Port. There is mountain trekking - in Mt. Maculot and in Mabini and Nasugbu towns. There are fresh-water beaches in the towns around the Lake -- San Nicolas, Agoncillo, Cuenca, Balete, Tanauan and Talisay. Salt-water beaches abound in Matabungkay (Lian town), in Nasugbu, in Calatagan, in Calaca, in Lemery, in Taal, San Luis, in Bauan, in Lobo, and in Laiya (San Juan town). There are also several island tourist destinations, namely: Tingloy, Verde Island, Ligpo Island, Sombrero Island, and Fortune Island. There are also Industrial Parks and various manufacturing industries dotting the shoreline.

Get in

  • Batangas City is 2 1/2 hours away from Manila when using the old inter town route. Using the STAR Tollway route, one can reach Batangas City for just 1 1/2 hour. Tanauan City is about 1 hour away and in between Tanauan City and Batangas City, one will find Lipa City. '''ALPS The Bus, Inc.''' [http://www.alpsthebus.com] is one of many bus companies that travels the said route.
  • Travellers can take air-conditioned buses in going to Batangas City. Those who want to go to Nasugbu, Calatagan and Lian towns (Matabungkay) can pass via the Tagaytay route.
  • When driving one's own vehicle to Tanauan-Lipa-Batangas City, travelers will pass through the South Luzon Expressway, then the STAR Tollway and can just follow the directional signs along the highway.
  • For short trips in the desired destinations, passenger jeepneys abound, and then tricycles.
  • Get around

    You can use passenger jeepneys to go to different parts of the province, but you can use tricycles for short trips. Tricycles could take you to the exact place that you want to go because jeepneys have routes like buses do. However, tricycles are small and cramped, and could only comfortably accommodate three passengers (2 if the passenger is over six feet tall).

    Current starting fare for jeepneys is Php 7.00 (seven pesos) for each passenger for the first kilometer traveled. Senior citizens, students, and differently abled passengers enjoy a discount: for each, it is Php 6.00 (six pesos); for tricycles, the minimum is Php 20, regardless of how many will ride.

    The fare schedule (in English) is typically posted inside the jeepney for travelers to refer on, although you may ask the driver or other passengers themselves if you are not sure how much you should pay. The locals, like in most other spots in the Philippines, can understand and converse well in English.

    See

  • There are caged '''tigers''' you can see (but don't get too close because they have a tendency to spray their territory frequently!).
  • '''Taal Volcano''' at Taal Lake
  • Fire trees (caballeros), southeast Asia's answer to Japan's famed cherry blossoms, typically bloom during late summer (April) till the start of the rainy season (June).
  • Do

  • '''Swim'''. The reef is carved to create small swimming areas at the foot of the ladders.
  • Kick back, '''relax''', and soak up the tropical ambiance. That's what this place is all about!
  • '''St. Martin de Tours Church''', located in the Taal section of Batangasa, one of the biggest catholic churches in all of southeast asia.
  • lots of beaches, resorts with swimming pools, and restaurants.
  • Swimming and snorkeling around Sobrero island to see the corals. Beautiful colors!
  • Explore the mountains on a mountain bike with the Batangas Mountain Bikers, a group of local cyclists based in Batangas City.
  • Buy

  • The Barong Tagalog, one of the Philippines trademarks, as it is worn during special occasions.
  • Batangas is famous for the Balisong knife (commonly called Butterfly knives outside of the country). If you do buy these knives, and you live outside of the Philippines, it's better to mail the knives to yourself, rather than risk having the knife confiscated.
  • Batangas is famous for its panutsa (Peanut Brittle), Sinaing na Tulingan (small tuna simmered in a broth of water, rock salt, sampaloc/tamarind, and dried kamias), suman (rice cakes wrapped in banana leaves), and the longganisa and tapa made in Taal Town, the achara of Calaca, and Bagoong of Balayan towns.
  • Sweets like macapuno, ube and pastillas are famous in the town of Malvar, particularly the Elsa's Sweet Candies in San Gregorio Malvar Batangas.
  • Saplot Batangenyo, Batangas novelty shirts.
  • Eat

  • Ask the locals about their "kilawin", it is fresh fish soaked in vinegar and acidic juices like lemon, lime, or the local kalamansi, with lots of tiny chopped onions, fresh garlic, and hot peppers, its really good when the fish is still very fresh, as in just caught and straight ahead to the chopping board.
  • Fried longganisa and Tapang Taal with Atchara
  • Beef Kaldereta and Beef Tadyang at the A & M Restaurant
  • Hamburger at the Hungry Hippo in Batangas City
  • Gotong Batangas at Gotohan sa Barangay in Lipa City
  • Crispy Pata at The Only Place / The Other Place Restaurants
  • Pritong Tilapia caught fresh from Taal Lake
  • Maliputo is a delicious fish found only at Taal Lake
  • Tawilis is another delicacy - small fishes caught only in Taal Lake
  • Pancit Tikyano (red stir-fried noodles) from Letty's in Batangas City
  • Hot Chocolate in a roadside stand en route to Mabini and Anilao
  • Kapeng Barako, the coffee that made the province famous
  • Bulalo and Halo-Halo at Almarius Grill in Lipa City
  • Lomi Noodles at Lomihan sa Bario in Ibaan Batangas
  • Drink

    Red Horse beer and Colt 45 are very popular for beers. if you want refreshing drink, try the mura juice with mura meat. its is young coconut juice with the fruit's meat, really good when served very cold mixed with condensed milk for sweetness...

    Try Lambanog from San Juan town. It's a local brew from Cane.

    Sleep

    The reputation of Batangas as a tourist destination has resulted in the sudden growth of charming one-stars, numerous bungalows over the water accessed by boardwalks, with wooden stairs leading down to the famous Philippine waters, to classy three-stars that offer rest and recreation at stunning prices that are dirt-cheap by international standards. Whether it's escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life, or seeking to invest in the Philippines' center of industrial parks, you will find accommodations to meet your every need in Batangas.

  • Days Hotel Batangas. ays Hotel Batangas. astor Village, Pallocan West. rom the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, car rentals are readily available in the form of taxi cabs that is waiting outside the airport. The hotel is located at the Pastor Village, Batangas City.. 63-43-9807321. ttp://www.dayshotelworldwide.com. Days Hotel - Batangas City is located in Luzon Island. Tours to centuries-old churches and communities in Taal, Lipa, Malvar and Tanuan can be arranged. Shop for native products like pina cloth and balisong. For the more active, head to Anilao Beach or Puerto Galera for snorkelling and scuba diving.

  • Anilao Outrigger Resort. olo, Anilao, Mabini. 632-890-6778. ttp://www.outrigger.com.ph. owest rates start at Php2,800.00. 632-729-6571. [http://www.outrigger.com.ph The official website of Anilao Outrigger Resort] provides information on room rates, room types, and watersports activities that you can do while in Anilao. The resort also provides complete diving equipment and houses a restaurant and bar. Just note that there are about 185 steps down to the resort from the parking lot. Porters will carry your luggage up and down. But you have to climb all of those stairs after your visit, which if this includes diving is strenuous.

  • Chateau Royale. m 72 Batulao, Nasugbu. 632-696-4374. 632-696-4376. ttp://www.chateauroyaleresort.com. est rates on official website start at US$60. [http://www.chateauroyaleresort.com/accommodations.php Chateau Royale Sports and Country Club], fifteen hectares of prime real estate, is a world-class resort [http://www.chateauroyaleresort.com/location.php located in Batangas] that offers a tranquil and serene experience that calms the mind and nurtures the soul. Dozens of activities and [http://www.chateauroyaleresort.com/facilities.php facilities] revolve around comfortably appointed log cabins that offer the true Batangas country suite experience.

  • Evercrest Golf Resort. atulao, Nasugbu. 632 733 9593. 632 735 9353. ttp://www.evercrestgolfclubresort.com. est rates on official website start at US$70. Conference rooms, tennis courts, swimming pools, and, of course, an immaculate world-class golf course, make the Evercrest Golf Club Resort a viable possibility for R&R in the heart of Batangas.

  • Lima City Hotel. alvar. 043-981-1555. 043-981-2555. ttp://www.paramounthotels-philippines.com/lima.php. est rates on official website start at US$37. [http://www.limacityhotel.com/ The Lima City Hotel] is the first hotel to operate inside an industrial estate, the Lima Technology Center of CALABARZON Area. It is is conveniently located bordering Lipa City and Malvar, Batangas accessible through the STAR (Southern Tagalog Access Road highway, a speedy and scenic 60-minute drive from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

  • Microtel Inns and Suites. irst Philippine Industrial Park, Sto. Tomas, Batangas,. 63 43 405 7009. 63 43 405 7010. ttp://www.microtelinn.com/reservations/locationdetail.asp?facid=3141. est rates on official website start at US$42. Strategically situated within the First Philippine Industrial Park (FPIP) complex in Batangas, Philippines, this hotel has 57 comfortable rooms at affordable rates. It offers great proximity to major air and seaports, as well as access to the four-lane South Superhighway connecting Metro Manila to the CALABARZON growth area.

  • Matabungkay Beach Resort. rgy. Matabungkay, Lian. 632-752-5252. ttp://www.matabungkay.net/. est rates on official website start at US$30. Experience the Philippine beachlife now famous all over the world, and be ready to explore and discover fascinating sea life as soon as you step out of your room at the Matabungkay Beach Resort, a world-class resort of undeniable beauty and charm.

  • Hotel Pontefino. astor Village, Gulod Labac. 043-723-3466. ttp://www.pontefino.com.ph/. est rates on official website start at US$65. 043-723-3488. The newest leisure boutique hotel in Batangas City, comes fully equipped with state-of the-art amenities to suit the needs of every guest. Opened December 2003, redefines luxury, comfort and graciousness in service. From my three visits in the area, this is probably the nicest hotel not on a beach. It is also reasonably close to a SM mall. They offer free WiFi in the hotel lobby.

  • Hotel La Corona. ipa City. 63 43 756 1223. ttp://www.hotellacoronalipa.com. [http://www.hotellacoronalipa.com Hotel La Corona de Lipa], a hip hotel and party hotspot. Offers 37 rooms, KTVs, function rooms, and bar and restaurant. It's a 90-minute drive from Makati City.

    Get out

    Many travelers transit through Batangas in order to catch a ferry to another island. Batangas has a large port with boats going almost everywhere in the Philippines. The boats/ferries caled RoRo (Roll-on, Roll-off) usually can accommodate your own vehicles. Schedules change frequently so check ahead of time. Also, the terminal is a focal point for many islands and therefore sees a lot of traffic. Expect longer lines and waiting times especially during public holidays, especially Holy Week. Fortunately, the Filipino culture observes and respects queueing so lines move orderly and quickly.