Traveling A-Z: Batangas

By VINCE G. LOPEZ

November 3, 2010, 11:35am

Batangas’ proximity to the metro endears the destination to the weekend warriors looking for a quick getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. Within two hours of land travel, tourists are already presented with a number of adventure options as well as sightseeing opportunities in the province.

Numerous resorts abound in the province as long stretches of fine sands offer a relaxing alternative to the fast-paced city life. Another enchanting site in the province is the magnificent Taal Volcano which continues to entice both local and foreign tourists.

Indeed, the province’s array of natural wonders is unlimited as Batangas‘Verde Island is considered to be the center of marine biodiversity in the world. Such a unique feature of the province makes it one of the most sought after dive sites in the country. Scuba divers here and abroad are fascinated with the colorful wonders underneath the pristine waters of Batangas.

The province also boasts of its historical and cultural sites. Tourists are invited to take a tour back in time with various towns offering different memorabilia and bits from the past.

A tour of the province’s natural wonders and heritage sites can be best enjoyed while sipping Batangas’ very own Kapeng Barako or chilling in the province’s fine sands with a shot of the spiked local cocktail known as Lambanog. From food, scenic beaches, and cultural wonders, Batangas is one destination in the Philippines that has managed to sustain the tourist’s interest in the province.

Fast facts:

Language: Tagalog

Festival:
Lechon Festival / Parada ng Lechon – the famous feast is held every 24th of June in the town of Balayan

What to See:

Laiya-Aplaya and Hugom Beaches – A stretch of white sand that is best known for its unique accommodations and affordable huts for beach lovers.

Taal Lake and Volcano – South Luzon’s centerpiece attraction for tourists, the magnificent view is also one of the country’s most unique trails for adventurous trekkers.

Verde Island Passage – known as an underwater wonderland with its spectacular reef formations and 300 coral species. Its underwater rock canyons host nearly 60 percent of the world’s shore fish species.

Taal Heritage Vista – As one of the most architecturally preserved provinces during the Spanish era, the village contains picturesque antique ancestral houses as well as majestic old churches.

Our Lady of Caysasay Church and Shrine – One of the architectural wonders in the province, which contains a 27-cm image of the Virgin of Caysasay, found in the waters of Batangas in 1603.

Basilica of San Martin de Tours – reputedly patterned after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and was constructed in 1856.

How to get there:

Going to Batangas is easy as there are buses that leave every hour from major bus terminals in the metropolis. Depending on the route, provincial buses pass through practically all the major cities in the province. Batangas Pier is one of the busiest and progressive piers in the country, which also serves as an entry point to the province from other destinations.