Tagaytay – frequently visited due to its cool climate and scenic destinations, is a popular hangout for friends and family especially at summer time. Enjoy food trips, picnics, long walks, a beautiful view of Taal lake, and experience the chilling breeze of nature.
Relatively a small city with a few population, you could roam around the landscape with ease – either via private car or public transportation. And the best thing at Tagaytay would arguably be trekking the Taal volcano and visit the beautiful lake of Taal. Though Taal is technically part of Batangas rather than Tagaytay, its best to reach it via Tagaytay because of the convenient path it provides.
We know there’s more places to visit than what’s in here though feel free to look around some places we had visited below and rediscover Tagaytay in a new way.
How to Get Here
1. Via Public Transportation
From Manila, you could select a variety of bus lines that would take you to Tagaytay. You could ride buses going to Nasugbu, Batangas at Pasay Rotonda – terminal located at the back of Sogo hotel. Drop off at Olivares and you’ll find many tricycles or jeepneys that would take you around the city.
2. Via Private Vehicle
From Manila, take South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). Exit at Sta. Rosa then via Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Road. It can also be reached via the Coastal Road Expressway and then taking Aguinaldo Highway heading south towards Tagaytay. It will take you around two hours depending on traffic.
Where to Stay
Many resorts and hotels are located here at Tagaytay as it is frequently being visited by tourists. Most hotels are on a 12 hour rate as people come and go swiftly. You’ll never find it hard looking for one as you’ll see one in almost every corner.
The Budget
Budget below corresponds to the route taking the public transportation from Manila. We actually just negotiated with the locals regarding tricycles and boat rides, though rates are mostly close as tariffs are implemented already.
1. Transportation (Php)
- From Manila to Tagaytay Junction @ Buendia Terminal (via Liner): 78 ea
- Tricycle to Talisay Port (two-way): 450 ea
- Boat Ride to Taal Lake (two-way): 1500 up to 6 pax
- Tricycle to Puzzle Mansion: 60 (one way)
- Jeepney to Peoples’s Park: 17 ea
2. Taal Rates
- Environmental Fee: 50 ea (adult), 30 ea (child)
- Horse-back ride to Taal Lake(optional): 450
- Guide: 500
- Red Lava Entrance: 50 ea
3. Entrance Fees
- Puzzle Mansion: 100 ea
- Sky Ranch: 100 ea (adult), 50 (child/senior)
- People’s Park: 30 ea
- Picnic Grove: 50 ea
Taal
The Philippine’s smallest active volcano. Enough said! Though the most amazing about this place is that – an islet is found inside Taal lake, in which the lake resides inside the volcano’s crater, and the volcano resides inside a huge lake (I think Batangas Lake?!). Imagine crossing a lake, then trekking uphill to find another one?
To reach it – it would just take you a 20 minute boat ride to the foot of the volcano, then just a 4 to 5 kilometer trek to the Taal’s peak. You could also opt to ride horses to make it faster (though probably not more comfortable in my opinion). You would encounter a lot of dust and small vents (mini-creaters) of sulfur, so a mask is preferable but not actually required. It’s best climbing at the morning where the sun is not so hot and chill down until late afternoon at the top.
Once atop, nature would welcome you with a spectacular scenery of Taal’s creater. A beautiful lake surrounded by lush green forestry. There is also an area above that locals call the Red Lava – frozen lava hardened on top of huge rocks. This is the best place to capture memories and enjoy how beautiful nature could be if respected. There are no railings on these parts, so its best to be careful and guide children wherever they go. Climbing down the lake is forbidden in this section of entry but would be possible if entered via another route at Batangas.
A relaxing view of Taal Lake at Red Lava rocks.
Sulfur vents steam out at the lake’s landscape.
A view of Taal’s trail to the summit.
Downtown
After a trek at Taal, unwind at the city’s central district. Stroll around parks, chill at bars, glutton on a mayhem of food choices, and have a thrill on ziplines and thrillers! You could even visit the world’s largest puzzle collection! With the cool weather at your side and the ease of transport throughout the city, its never tiresome to roam around.
Sky Ranch
The newest attraction in town for those who love a rush of adrenaline! It features the famous Sky Eye Ferry’s wheel which boasts a bird’s eye view of Tagaytay City and the Lake of Taal. Enjoy exciting rides like Horseback Riding, Zipline, and Viking while feeling the cool breeze run thru you. It’s best to visit the Ranch at night as it gets livelier by the moment.
A lively night life at the Sky Ranch!
Puzzle Mansion
Visit the largest puzzle collectin in the world at Tagaytay! Not only does it contain several art pieces (made to puzzles) by several popular individuals, it also houses the largest jigsaw puzzle in the world! You could purchase puzzles at the teller and even make a puzzle out of your pictures at Puzzle Mansion!
Roam around and see the different masterpieces and creative designs of puzzles – either by the material or by how the puzzle was artistically created. For those that want to stay for a while, you could stay at Puzzle Mansion Resort and laze around for all you like.
Collections of differet jigsaw puzzles of all shapes and sizes.
Palace in the Sky
Locally known as the People’s Park. This mansion was built during the Marco’s era and is the highest point on Tagaytay. Here you’ll see a great view of the city and Taal and enjoy picnics at the beautiful landscape that surrounds you. A perfect place for relaxation and having a break after a long day’s walk.
A scenic view at the highest point of Tagaytay.
Picnic Grove
In our opinion, the most popular tourist destination at Tagaytay. As it’s name implies, how about a picnic?
Housing a lot of gazebos and a wide lot area, its a perfect destination for large groups and doing team building activities. It features horseback riding, eco-trails, boardwalk, ziplines, and cable cars! Located at the ridge of Tagaytay, it has a different view of Taal compared to other areas as it is the closest and most revealing of all (most views from other areas are top views).
Feel free to tour Picnic grove on whatever route you take.
Restaurants
After walking around town and probably having trekked Taal, you’re basically starving! Try out a variety of recipes at popular restos or find local street food along the way. Oh, don’t forget to taste their sweet pineapples, they’re really abundant at Tagaytay and you could spot them basically anywhere.
Bulalo Belt
Bulalo – One of the best food prepared at Tagaytay! They even have dedicated an area called “Bulalo Belt” to house different Bulalo Restaurants! With the cool weather and the scenic view of Taal, its not bad to have a hot meal served at your table. Just try not to overdo it as you may get a heart stroke! (lol).
What’s cooking doc?! Bulalo.
Mushroom Burger
A unique restaurant found on Tagaytay, Mushroomburger features a variety of recipes – all made of mushrooms! For those who love to try something new, then this would be one of the must-eat resto’s you should visit. You also could buy raw mushrooms for take out! How’s that!
Well, what mushroom should I eat?
Leslie’s Restaurant
A local favorite due to its romantic site and Filipino style interior. It also has an excellent view of Taal. 🙂
Sonya’s Garden
Simply vegetarian. All veggies.:)
More Attractions
- Paradizoo
- Bee Farm
- Tierra de Maria
- Bag of Beans
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