Batangas, Philippines: travel guide
Volcano views, dive sites and beaches a short drive south of Manila
Beach and mountain gateway — a jumping-off point for volcano tours, diving, island hopping, and hot spring resorts.
About Batangas
Batangas is a province on the southern edge of Luzon, a short journey from Manila and an easy escape for beach days, diving and volcano views. The coastline stretches from calm bays near Nasugbu to the reefs of Anilao.
Taal Volcano, rising from a lake in the north of the province, is one of the most photographed sights, with views from the ridge at Tagaytay close by. Anilao is well known among divers for its macro life, while the ports of Batangas City serve ferries to Mindoro. Lipa and Taal town add coffee, old churches and heritage houses.
Batangas suits weekenders, divers and families. The dry months from November to May are the most reliable for outdoor plans.
- Country
- Philippines
- Currency
- PHP
- Time zone
- Asia/Manila
- Typical trip
- 2-3 days
Last updated
Top places to visit in Batangas
Taal Volcano
Nature · 4.5 rating · about 6 h · entry ₱300 (≈ ₹450)
The world's smallest active volcano on an island within a lake within an island — an extraordinary geological wonder.
Taal Lake
Nature · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
The caldera lake surrounding Taal Volcano — boat rentals, lakeside restaurants, and sweeping crater views.
Isla Verde (Verde Island Passage)
Wildlife · 4.2 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
Part of the world's marine biodiversity centre — vertical coral walls, pelagics, and stunning underwater topography.
Fortune Island
private island · 4.6 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
A 27-hectare private island off Nasugbu with Greco-Roman-style ruins, white-sand coves, and snorkeling spots; reached by boat from Nasugbu.
Laiya Beach
Beach · 4.3 rating · about 4 h · entry ₱50 (≈ ₹76)
A series of fine white-sand beaches on the Batangas coastline — the nearest white-sand beach from Manila.
Anilao Dive Sites
Wildlife · 4.5 rating · about 6 h · entry ₱150 (≈ ₹230)
The birthplace of Philippine recreational scuba diving — extraordinary coral gardens and macro-diving.
Taal Heritage Town
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the best-preserved Spanish colonial towns in the Philippines — ancestral houses, pineapple cloth weavers, and old churches.
Things to do
- Anilao Dive & Muck Diving Tour Diving · 4 h · from PHP 530 per person
- Taal Volcano Trek & Lake Boat Ride Hiking · 6 h · from PHP 530 per person
- Batangas Heritage Town & Basilica Tour Heritage · 2 h
- Calatagan Beach & Lighthouse Day Trip Day Trip · 6 h · from PHP 250 per person
Where to stay in Batangas
- Coastal Area about PHP 2,000 per night
Beach and diving destination
Hotels
- The Farm at San Benito 5-star · PHP 20,000 to PHP 45,000 per night
- Club Balai Isabel Talisay 4-star · PHP 7,000 to PHP 16,000 per night
- Anilao Seabreeze Beach Resort 3-star · PHP 2,800 to PHP 6,500 per night
Where to eat
- Café Boquete Tagaytay Filipino · about PHP 200 per person
- Bag of Beans Café Tagaytay International, Filipino · about PHP 400 per person
- Leslie's Restaurant Tagaytay Filipino · about PHP 450 per person
- Laiya Seafood Grill Filipino, Seafood · about PHP 250 per person
Getting to Batangas
Nearest airport: Manila (MNL), about 83 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
From the bus terminal to the centre
- Local bus from Grand Terminal to the port unconfirmed
A local bus or taxi links the Grand Terminal to the pier. Source: bustickets.ph
Getting around
- Jeepney main way to get around
Jeepneys are the traditional way to get around Batangas City; routes are named by their main destination and shown on painted signs on the vehicle.
- Tricycle useful for some trips
Tricycles serve the inner city streets that jeepneys do not cover, with terminals at key spots downtown.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Money exchange short-change
Major tourist zones
Cashier counts notes quickly, palms one, then re-counts and accuses you of being short.
How to avoid it: Use credit card. Count change yourself before stepping away.
Best time to visit Batangas
- Jan 27°C
- Feb 28°C
- Mar 30°C
- Apr 33°C
- May 33°C
- Jun 31°C
- Jul 29°C
- Aug 29°C
- Sep 29°C
- Oct 29°C
- Nov 28°C
- Dec 28°C
More in Philippines
Frequently asked questions about Batangas
- How many days do you need in Batangas?
- A typical trip to Batangas is 2-3 days.
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Batangas?
- The highest-rated places in our Batangas guide are Taal Heritage Town, Fortune Island, Taal Volcano, Taal Lake, Anilao Dive Sites.
- Where should I stay in Batangas?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Batangas: Coastal Area.
- How do I get around Batangas?
- Ways to get around Batangas covered in our guide: Jeepney, Tricycle, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Batangas?
- Scams reported to us for Batangas include Money exchange short-change. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Batangas?
- Average daytime highs in Batangas run from 27°C in Jan to 33°C in Apr.