Fascinating tourist spots in Batangas makes it one of the top destinations in the Philippines near Metro Manila. Its lovely white sand beaches, islands, dives sites and mountains are perfect getaways near the crowded cities.
Batangas is a province in the Philippines located in CALABARZON Region in Luzon, around 2 – 3 hours bus ride from Manila. It offers variety of accommodations from budget to luxury hotels and resorts. Below is the list of top tourist spots in Batangas you may want to visit in your next holiday or summer vacation.
10 Best Tourist Spots in Batangas
1. Taal Volcano
Taal Volcano by www.unchartedphilippines.com
Taal Volcano is one of the most visited tourist spots in Batangas. Standing 311+ meters above sea level, it is considered as the smallest active volcano in the Philippines located within a lake, Taal Lake. Inside the volcano there is another lake, Taal Crater Lake. This interesting feature makes a really picturesque view. Visitors can ride a boat to reach the foot of the volcano and from there one can either trek or ride a horse to reach the top. It is not advisable though to swim in the Taal Crater Lake.
Taal Volcano falls under the jurisdiction of the towns of Talisay and San Nicolas, Batangas.
2. Fortune Island
Fortune Island by rampadorangtunay.wordpress.com
Fortune Island is one of the beautiful places to visit in Batangas famous for its crumbling pillars called the “Acropolis” from the Acropolis of Athens in Greece. It was once a private luxury island resort but it is now an abandoned one due to lack of freshwater source and prone to typhoons. If you are expecting a white sand beach and good facilities, for family outings, this is not your ideal destination. But for group of friends who loves camping, snorkeling and cliff diving, this can be your ideal destination. Aside from that, take photography to goddess level as the imitation of ancient pillars of Greece makes a beautiful backdrop.
Fortune Island is located in Nasugbo, Batangas.
3. Masasa Beach
Masasa Beach by John Marx Velasco on Flickr
Masasa Beach is one of the best tourist spots in Batangas where it boasts its clear waters and serene environment. It is a long stretch of fine sand beach and is not being developed, no luxury accommodations or restaurants. This is the best destination if you just want to have awesome bonding with friends. One can either rent a kubo or pitch a tent. Beautiful corals and turtles can also be sighted. Masasa Beach is an ideal destination for swimming, snorkeling and camping.
Masasa Beach is located in Tingloy, Batangas.
4. Sombrero Island
Sombrero Island by nicerioadventures.blogspot.com
Sombrero Island is a small unspoiled island in Batangas. It is called sombrero (“hat” in English) because it looks like a hat from afar. It has a beautiful pristine beach where some parts are rocky and some are good for swimming. One can also see beautiful corals and fishes. The island has big rock formations so most people do rock climbing to have a better view. There are no good accommodation but only nipa huts. It is a quiet, small but beautiful island perfect for swimming away from the crowed cities.
Sombrero Island is located in Tingloy, Batangas.
5. Laiya Beach
Laiya Beach is one of the best destination in Batangas especially for luxury travelers. It is very long stretch of white sand beach that has around 44 amenities including beach front resorts. Visitors say it could be the next Boracay in the Philippines other would say it is the next tourism hub in Luzon. So if you are looking for a beach destination with comfortable or luxury facilities, Laiya Beach is your ideal destination.
Laiya Beach is located in San Juan, Batangas. The most popular beach resort is the La Luz Beach Resort & Spa.
6. Matabungkay Beach
One of the busiest beach destination in Batangas is the Matabungkay Beach. It is a long stretch of somewhat grey sand beach and an array of inns, resorts and stores along the shore. A lot of people visit here especially on holidays. Most of the time, it noisy since there are a lot of videoke around. There are plenty of things to do here like swimming, snorkeling, riding jet ski and banana boat. The most popular one is chilling on a raft and have lunch there. There are plenty of rafts anchored on the shore and most people tend to stay there all day.
Matabungkay Beach is located in Lian, Batangas. If you are planning to stay over the night, stay at Coral Beach Club.
7. Anilao Dive Sites
Anilao by nicoboxethai on Flickr
Anilao is a Marine Protected Sanctuary in Batangas which is being dubbed as the birthplace of scuba diving in the Philippines. There are around 50 dive sites in Anilao, that’s a variety of dive sites to choose from starters to professional divers. Visitors can witness beautiful corals and variety of marine life. Most of the resorts in Anilao can provide a diving package for first timer or beginner divers. The best time to go diving in Anilao is during April and May where most of the days the weather conditions are good which gives good visibility underwater.
Anilao is located in Mabini, Batangas. Eagle Point Beach and Dive Resort is your best accommodation if you are a beginner diver. The resort also has an easy access to Eagle Point, one of the best dive sites in Anilao.
8. Nasugbo Beaches
Nasugbo Beach by worldandtimeenough.wordpress.com
Nasugbo Beaches are very popular among the locals, travelers and vacationers in Batangas. Nasugbo is a first class municipality in the province and the beach front resorts here are top of the line. Most of the resorts has its own cove which also offers plenty of things to do: swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, jet skiing and banana boat riding. Variety of beach resorts to choose from budget to luxury ones. Although there are public beaches but mostly one have to go to private subdivisions to access them.
Nasugbo Beaches are located in Nasugbo, Batangas. The three most popular resorts and hotels here are: Club Punta Fuego, Canyon Cove Hotel & Spa, and Pico Sands Hotel.
9. Mount Maculot
Mount Maculot by www.weekendsidetrip.com
Mount Maculot is one of the most popular tourist spots in Batangas especially among mountain climbers and campers. It is standing 947 meters above sea level and offers magnificent view of Taal Lake, rock formations and forests. It is one of the day-trip or summer destination in Batangas since climbing is not very difficult (4/10 difficulty level) and it takes only few hours to reach the popular destinations: Rockies, Summit and Grotto which all gives breath-taking scenery.
Mount Maculot is located in Cuenca, Batangas.
10. Basilica of Saint Martin de Tours
Basilica of Saint Martin de Tours by Rick St. John on Flickr
Through the ages, Basilica of Saint Martin de Tours is standing still on top of the hills of the old heritage town in Taal, Batangas. It is considered to be the largest church in the Philippines and in Asia, standing 96 meters long and 48 meters wide. It has been damaged by volcanic eruption and earthquakes decades ago, rebuilt, repaired, decorated and as of the moment, recognized as the Taal’s town imposing symbol. Saint Martin is the Patron Saint of Taal, the fiesta is celebrated every November 11, and maybe the best time to visit.
Basilica of Saint Martin de Tours is located in Taal, Batangas.
