Tagaytay
Tagaytay is a popular city in the Cavite province of the Philippines, known for its cool climate, beautiful scenery, and an array of attractions. It's a favorite destination for both locals and tourists due to its proximity to Manila, which is approximately 60 kilometers away, making it an ideal spot for weekend getaways.
Best Time to Visit
Tagaytay, like the rest of the Philippines, experiences a tropical climate with two main seasons: the dry season and the wet season.
Dry Season (November to April): This period is generally considered the best time to visit Tagaytay, as you'll have a higher chance of clear skies and good weather. Temperatures during these months range from 22°C to 30°C. The cooler months of December, January, and February can be especially pleasant, with less humidity and cooler temperatures which are perfect for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
Wet Season (May to October): These months bring heavier rainfall, which can occasionally interfere with outdoor activities. However, the city's attractions are less crowded during these months, and you can still have sunny days between the rains.
During the dry season and holidays, Tagaytay can get quite busy, especially on weekends, so if you prefer to avoid crowds, you might want to plan your visit on a weekday or during the off-peak season.
How to Get There
Getting to Tagaytay from Manila is quite straightforward as there are several methods of transportation available.
By Car: If you're driving from Manila, you can take the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and then exit at Sta. Rosa, Eton, or Greenfield City. The travel time is usually about 1 to 2 hours, depending on traffic conditions.
By Bus: There are several bus companies, such as DLTB and San Agustin, that operate between Manila and Tagaytay. You can catch these buses at major bus terminals in Manila such as the ones in Buendia, Pasay, or Cubao. The bus ride will typically take around 2-3 hours depending on traffic. Make sure to inform the driver or conductor to drop you off at your exact destination in Tagaytay.
By Van: Some transport terminals in Manila also have vans that go to Tagaytay. These can be faster than buses, but they usually wait until they're full before departing.
By Taxi or Ride-Hailing App: For a more comfortable and convenient journey, you can take a taxi or use a ride-hailing app like Grab. However, this option is more expensive compared to the others.
Top 12 Attractions in Tagaytay
Taal Volcano and Lake: An iconic sight in Tagaytay, Taal Volcano and Lake offer breathtaking views. You can also take a boat trip to the volcano and hike to the crater.
Sky Ranch: An amusement park ideal for families, featuring various rides including the Sky Eye, the tallest Ferris wheel in the country.
Picnic Grove: A popular eco-tourism park where you can enjoy a picnic, horseback riding, and zip-lining.
People's Park in the Sky: Once a mansion, now a park that provides one of the best views of the surrounding areas, including Taal Lake.
Our Lady of Manaoag at Tierra de Maria: Known for its 50-foot statue of the Virgin Mary, this shrine is a place of worship and reflection and offers a panoramic view of Tagaytay.
Twin Lakes Shopping Village: A Tuscan-inspired shopping village that offers shopping and dining experiences with a scenic view.
Ilog Maria Honeybee Farm: An eco-friendly bee farm that promotes natural health and beauty products. A tour here is both educational and fun.
Museo Orlina: This museum showcases the works of world-renowned glass sculptor Ramon Orlina. It also hosts exhibits of other contemporary artists.
Puzzle Mansion: Home to the world's largest collection of jigsaw puzzles, recognized by the Guinness World Records.
Sonya's Garden: A beautiful garden that offers bed and breakfast accommodations, a bakery, and a spa. It's also popular for its buffet-style restaurant serving healthy, organic food.
Paradizoo: A theme farm offering a variety of fun activities and attractions including farm animals, vegetable gardens, and a flower garden.
Pink Sisters' Convent and Chapel: A quiet place for prayer and reflection, known for its pink-clad nuns and beautiful, serene chapel.
Top 14 Activities to do in Tagaytay
Hike Taal Volcano: Take a boat ride to Taal Volcano Island and hike to the crater for a stunning view of the crater lake.
Ride the Sky Eye: Enjoy the panoramic views of Tagaytay and its surroundings from the top of the Sky Eye Ferris wheel in Sky Ranch.
Zip-lining at Picnic Grove: Experience the thrill of zip-lining over the lush greenery at Picnic Grove.
Visit a Farm or Garden: Visit places like Sonya's Garden or Paradizoo to learn more about local flora, fauna, and organic farming.
Horseback Riding: There are several places in Tagaytay where you can enjoy horseback riding, including Picnic Grove and Sky Ranch.
Visit a Museum: Explore Museo Orlina to appreciate the works of glass sculptor Ramon Orlina, or try to solve some puzzles at the Puzzle Mansion.
Food Tripping: Enjoy the local cuisine in Tagaytay, particularly the Bulalo, a local beef marrow stew. Don't forget to try the fresh fruits and the local coffee.
Shopping at Local Markets: Shop for local products, fresh produce, and souvenirs at local markets like Mahogany Market.
Spa and Wellness Retreat: Treat yourself to a relaxing massage or wellness treatment at one of Tagaytay's spas, like Qi Wellness Living.
Visit Religious Sites: Reflect and pray at peaceful sites like the Our Lady of Manaoag at Tierra de Maria, or the Pink Sisters' Convent and Chapel.
Explore Twin Lakes: This Tuscan-inspired vineyard resort community offers shopping, dining, and even wine tasting.
Picnic at Picnic Grove: Enjoy a picnic with your loved ones while enjoying the scenic views.
Explore the Ilog Maria Honeybee Farm: Learn about bees and the production of honey, and buy some natural honey and bee products as souvenirs.
14. Boat Ride on Taal Lake: Apart from hiking the Taal Volcano, you can also enjoy a scenic boat ride on Taal Lake itself. This can provide a different perspective of the volcano and the surrounding landscape, making for a unique and enjoyable experience.
Best Shopping
Tagaytay has several great spots for shopping, ranging from local markets to more sophisticated shopping complexes. Here are some of the best places to shop in Tagaytay:
Twin Lakes Shopping Village: This is a Tuscan-themed shopping complex that provides a selection of restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and even a supermarket. Its architecture and stunning views over Taal Lake make it a unique shopping experience.
Ayala Malls Serin: This mall is a blend of local and international retail shops, restaurants, and a supermarket. It’s beautifully designed to integrate nature into the shopping experience, creating a relaxed atmosphere.
Mahogany Market: It's a great place to shop for fresh produce, local goods, and souvenirs. It's particularly known for its meat market, where you can buy high-quality beef, and its food stalls, where you can sample local dishes like Bulalo.
Fora Mall by Filinvest: Located along Emilio Aguinaldo Highway, this mall offers a variety of shopping and dining options. It also has a supermarket and cinemas.
Ilog Maria Honeybee Farm: This is a wonderful place to buy natural and eco-friendly products like honey, beeswax candles, health supplements, and beauty products.
Bag of Beans: While it's primarily known as a restaurant and coffee shop, Bag of Beans also sells a variety of local products like coffee beans, pies, and bread that you can take home.
Rowena's Pasalubong: This popular store is the perfect place to buy 'pasalubong' or souvenirs to bring back home. They are famous for their 'tarts' – small pastries with various fillings – as well as other local delicacies.
Entertainment & Nightlife
Nightlife in Tagaytay is a bit different compared to the bustling cities like Manila or Cebu. It's more laid-back and relaxed, with a focus on enjoying the cool climate, the good food, and the stunning views. However, there are still some spots where you can enjoy some music, drinks, or live performances.
Bars and Restaurants: Many of Tagaytay's restaurants and cafes are open late into the night and offer beautiful nighttime views of the city and Taal Lake. Some places like Bag of Beans and Fire Lake Grill have a cozy atmosphere perfect for relaxing evening chats.
Sky Ranch: This amusement park stays open until 10 pm or even later, depending on the season. Riding the Sky Eye ferris wheel at night can provide stunning views of the city lights.
Cultural Shows: Some hotels and resorts organize cultural shows featuring traditional Filipino music and dance. It's worth checking with your accommodation to see if there's anything scheduled during your stay.
Night Markets: On special occasions, night markets are set up in Tagaytay where you can shop for local crafts, clothes, and food.
Spas and Wellness Centers: While not nightlife in the traditional sense, many people enjoy relaxing evening treatments at one of Tagaytay's many spas and wellness centers.
Live Music: Some restaurants and bars, like the Charito by Bag of Beans, occasionally feature live bands and performers in the evening.
Local Cuisine
Tagaytay is well-known for its local cuisine, which takes full advantage of the fresh produce and meats available in the region. Here are some must-try dishes and food experiences in Tagaytay:
Bulalo: This is a traditional Filipino beef marrow stew that's a specialty of the region. It's made with beef shanks and marrow bones, boiled for hours until a flavorful broth is produced. Bulalo is often enjoyed at restaurants with a view of Taal Lake.
Tawilis: These are small, freshwater sardines that can only be found in Taal Lake. They're typically fried until crispy and served with a dipping sauce.
Crispy Pata: A popular Filipino dish of deep-fried pork leg, often served with a soy-vinegar dip.
Tagaytay Pineapple: The city is known for its sweet and juicy pineapples. They're delicious eaten fresh or used in various dishes and desserts.
Coffee: Due to the cool climate, Tagaytay and its surrounding areas produce coffee. You'll find many cafes serving locally grown coffee.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: Because of its fertile soil and cool climate, Tagaytay is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. Don't miss out on trying local strawberries, bananas, coconuts, and various greens.
Local Pastries: Tagaytay is also known for its delicious pastries like Buko Pie (coconut pie), and Rowena's, which sells a wide variety of tarts.
Organic Food: There are places like Sonya's Garden which offer healthy and organic food options, straight from their garden.
Local Pizza: Visit Amoroma for some authentic brick oven pizza with a Filipino twist.
Remember, the culinary scene in Tagaytay can offer more than local Filipino cuisine. There are many restaurants serving international dishes, too, from Korean and Japanese to Italian and American, catering to all tastes and preferences.
Accommodations
Tagaytay has several areas that are popular among tourists due to their proximity to attractions, views, and amenities. Here are some of the best areas to consider when choosing accommodation:
Tagaytay City Proper: Staying in this area gives you easy access to many of the city's attractions like Sky Ranch, Picnic Grove, and multiple dining options. There are several hotels and guesthouses catering to different budgets.
Taal Lake Area: This area offers some of the best views of Taal Lake and Volcano. The accommodations here are generally resorts and high-end hotels, perfect for those seeking a luxurious experience.
Crosswinds Resort Suites: Located in the quiet part of Tagaytay, this Swiss-inspired resort is great for a peaceful retreat. It's close to Picnic Grove and People's Park in the Sky.
Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway Area: This is another good area to consider due to its accessibility. There are many hotels, restaurants, and shops along this highway.
Magallanes Drive: This area is home to some upscale accommodations and offers easy access to various attractions and restaurants.
Silang Junction North: This area is near several notable restaurants, malls like Ayala Malls Serin, and attractions like Our Lady of Manaoag at Tierra de Maria.
Itinerary
The Tranquil Escape: A 2-Day Itinerary in Tagaytay
Day 1: Discovering Natural and Cultural Wonders
Morning:
Start your day with breakfast at one of the popular eateries, such as Bag of Beans, which is renowned for its great coffee and hearty meals.
After breakfast, head to the beautiful Picnic Grove, where you can enjoy a peaceful walk in the eco-trail, try horseback riding, or experience the zip-line for a bit of adrenaline.
Afternoon:
Visit the Museo Orlina to appreciate the artistry of Ramon Orlina, a world-renowned glass sculptor. The museum also provides a beautiful view of Taal Lake.
Enjoy lunch at the Fire Lake Grill or Antonio's, both of which offer delicious meals and stunning views.
Post lunch, head towards the People's Park in the Sky. This park, situated on the highest point of the city, provides panoramic views of the entire Tagaytay and the surrounding landscape.
Evening:
For the evening, make your way to Sky Ranch, an amusement park featuring various fun rides. The highlight here is the Sky Eye, the country's tallest Ferris wheel, which offers breathtaking views of the surroundings.
Have a lovely dinner at any of the restaurants in Sky Ranch, offering a variety of cuisines to cater to diverse taste buds.
Day 2: Exploring Local Flavor and Leisure
Morning:
Start your day with a breakfast at one of the local cafes. You might want to try the breakfast menu at Antonio's, which is quite popular.
Post breakfast, embark on an adventure to Taal Volcano. Take a boat ride to the Volcano Island, then hike or ride a horse to the top to see the famous crater lake. Remember to bring hats, sunblock, and water to stay hydrated.
Afternoon:
After the hike, head back to Tagaytay and enjoy a well-deserved hearty lunch. Try the local specialty, Bulalo, a delicious beef marrow stew, at one of the local restaurants like Leslie's.
Post lunch, spend a leisurely afternoon at the Ilog Maria Honeybee Farm to learn about bee farming and shop for some natural bee products.
Evening:
End your trip on a relaxing note by visiting one of the local spas, such as Qiwellness Living, for a massage or wellness treatment.
Finally, have a delightful dinner at the Charito by Bag of Beans, which not only serves great food but also features live music performances.
