Batangas is one of the top road trip destinations from Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. It is just two to three hours away from the city, which is also a favorite quick local getaway. It is a must-visit province if you plan on going on a road trip in the Philippines.
Home of the world’s smallest active volcano, Batangas offers plenty of tourist attractions. From beaches to islands, mountains to a volcano, farms to coves, and historical sites to churches, there are many places you can stop to visit during your road trip.
A day may not be enough to visit the place because of its many tourist attractions. However, having a planned route will definitely help you organize your road trip to make it a hassle-free and fun-packed experience.
No need to worry about preparing an itinerary, though, because we’ve got you covered in this article. Read on to discover the best itineraries for your road trip in Batangas.
Batangas road trip itinerary #1: Explore the Bee World at Milea Bee Farm
- Best time of the year to attend: November to May
- Suitable for: All ages
- Duration: 1 hr and 30 mins
- Things to see: Italian Bees, Philippine Native Honey Bees, a variety of Philippine Native Stingless Bees, Bee Hive, Honey, Fruits, and Vegetables
Image source: https://mileabeefarm.com/products/beesita-sa-bukid-visit-the-farm
Milea Bee Farm is a top farm destination with its authentic and serene environment. With its aim to save the bees, the farm is dedicated to the care and propagation of various species of honey-producing bees.
Currently, they have Philippine Native Honey Bees, Italian Bees, and a variety of Philippine native Stingless Bees in their natural habitat.
Located 21 kilometers away from Batangas City, this small farm is located in a secluded area with no neighbors and no electricity. It is also a five-minute walk away from its parking area. But this is what makes it exciting because it brings you to the natural world of bees.
They offer a Beesita sa Bukid tour to guide you in your stay at the farm. The guided tour starts with a talk about bees, and then you can taste the fresh honey direct from the beehive.
The tour ends with light snacks and bottomless honey drinks. It lasts one hour and thirty minutes and is available daily from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm only. We suggest picking up an earlier time to avoid the scorching noontime sun.
Milea Bee Farm also grows edible fruits, herbs, and various vegetables like cucumber and celery. They offer vegetable picking to the guests, where they can personally pick the fresh and organic vegetables from their gardens.
Please note that the farm does not have a restaurant. They can, however, serve food using their organic ingredients if there is a prior arrangement.
Batangas road trip itinerary #2: Dive in Anilao
- Best time of the year to attend: April to May
- Suitable for: Teens and adults
- Things to see: Rich and colorful underwater world, rare critters, nudibranchs
The birthplace of scuba diving in the Philippines, Anilao is one of the top diving destinations in the country. It is a protected marine sanctuary that is home to rich coral reefs, a variety of fish, and other underwater creatures.
It is also ranked third for muck diving, next to Indonesia’s Lembeh Strait and Malaysia’s Mabul Island.
Anilao has more than twenty diving sites you can choose from. The prominent ones in the area are Kirby’s, Twin Rocks, Mainit Point, Beatrice Rocks, Secret Bay, Devil’s Point, and Eagle Point, to name a few.
Since it is just three hours away from Manila, Anilao is the preferred diving destination of both local and foreign divers. It is also a beginner-friendly diving place because many offer specialized diving courses and packages for both advanced and beginner divers.
The primary diving season in Anilao is from early November to May. However, the peak season for diving is April to May. The temperature may go up to 28.8 degrees, but the visibility is good, where you can expect to see up to 30 meters in terms of diving conditions.
Before deciding to dive, please make sure to check the local weather report to know if diving is suitable on your chosen date.
Batangas road trip itinerary #3: Hike in Mt. Maculot
- Best time of the year to attend: November to May
- Suitable for: All ages
- Duration: 5 – 6 hrs
- Things to see: View of Taal Volcano and Taal Lake, the Grotto, the Rookies, and the Summit
Mt. Maculot is one of the famous hiking spots in the Philippines that is good for hikers at all levels. Its summit has a 4/9 difficulty level, making it the best day-hike adventure option with a magnificent view of the Taal Volcano.
The mountain is located at Barangay Cuenca, Batangas. Local authorities require local and foreign hikers to pay a fee and register before trekking. A trained guide is also needed for a safe journey.
Even though some parts of the trail are steep, slippery, and muddy, it is a beginner-friendly mountain trail. It takes about five to six hours trekking to reach the summit. If you want a day hike, it is recommended to start hiking at 5 am.
What’s good about Mt. Maculot is that it has 14 resting campgrounds or stations, which symbolize Jesus Christ’s journey on Mount Calvary.
There are also three main destinations for mountain trekking: the Grotto, the Summit, and the Rockies. The Grotto is the popular vantage point and is the sire for the Lady of Lourdes shrine.
Both the Summit and the Rockies vantage points offer views of the most famous Taal Volcano. The Summit is the second vantage point that offers breathtaking views of the Taal Volcano Island, Mount Makiling, and Labangan Bay. Meanwhile, the Rockies is the last vantage point overlooking the rocky cliffs along the southern part of Taal Lake.
Before the Taal Volcano became active again, tourists could trek the main creator of the small volcano, either walking or riding a horse. However, the local authorities currently prohibit such activity for safety reasons. You can only view the Taal Volcano and Taal Lake from a distance.
Batangas road trip itinerary #4: Revisit history at Taal Heritage Town
- Best time of the year to attend: December to February
- Suitable for: All ages
- Duration: 6-10 hours
- Things to see: Ancestral houses, museums, Taal Basilica, Our Lady of Casaysay Shrine
If you want to take a break from hiking and diving, touring around the Taal Heritage town is a good idea for your road trip.
Taal Heritage Town is a small town in Batangas with well-preserved structures and houses built during the Spanish era. You can learn history and marvel at the architecture of the houses, museums, and churches during your road trip.
The place is also known for its own locally-made Barong Tagalog and Filipiniana dresses, which are the country’s traditional clothing.
The great thing about visiting the heritage town is that you can go inside some of the heritage houses. Many of these ancestral houses are turned into mini-museums and others have become bed and breakfast inns.
Aside from the ancestral houses and museums, you can visit the famous Basilica de St. Martin de Tours. It is the largest Catholic Church in Asia, with a length of 96 meters and a width of 45 meters, so it is hard not to notice.
Image source: https://www.taal.gov.ph/tourism/heritage-village
Also known as Taal Basilica, the structure will remind you of Rome’s St. Peter’s Basilica. It is the most visited destination during the Lenten season and is a popular wedding venue.
Conclusion
Batangas has a lot to offer to tourists wishing to go on a road trip to this Philippine province. There is something for everyone to see and experience.
We have presented some of the best places and activities you might want to consider on your road trip.
The itineraries above are fit for all ages and tastes. There is the Milea Bee Farm for nature lovers and healthy living promoters, the Anilao marine sanctuary for diving fans, Mt. Maculot for hiking enthusiasts, and Taal Heritage Town for those interested in history.
When planning your road trip, make sure to consider your budget, time of year, weather conditions, and local rules and regulations to make sure you have a safe and fun road trip.
