Taal
Discover Taal
Taal is a municipality in Batangas. The old downtown (Poblacion) is noted for its Spanish colonial architecture, and is designated as a National Historical Landmark by the Philippine government. Being about a two-hour drive from Metro Manila, Taal is an easy getaway from the concrete jungle and chaos there, a much closer alternative to the better-known heritage town Vigan. There are many tourist-oriented businesses; you may find a heritage house with a cafe or a bed and breakfast in it. Even the 7-Eleven store near the basilica is built in colonial-style architecture to blend with the surroundings.
What to Experience in Taal
Taste of Taal...
Not available
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Taal.
While the entire waterfront of Taal (mostly lying within the Barangay of Butong) is described as a "beach" (at least, most seaside accommodations have the words "beach resort" in their names), most of it is not actually swimmable, because the water is very shallow most of the day. During the low tide, if so inclined, you can walk into the ocean for hundreds of meters, among coconut-sized and boulder-sized corals, and it won't get any deeper than knee depth. One swimmable section of Taal's beach is some 100-200 meters south of the Church of St Peter (aka the Butong Parish Church, or Kapilya Ni San Pedro). In this area the sea bottom becomes decently deep fairly close to the shore, and the bottom is soft (dark gray) sand, without many rocks. During the winter, the sea is very flat, without big waves. One gets the impression that everyone in Taal must get married at least twice a year, since there are so many shops selling wedding dresses in the market area.
Climate
Taal has a dry season between November and April, with precipitation for the rest of the year. Travel from Manila to Taal takes about two hours, or longer depending on traffic conditions. By car the usual route is taking STAR Tollway, exit to Jose P. Laurel Highway (Route 4) in Lipa, then follow the highway between Lipa and Santa Teresita (Route 433) and Route 436. Alternately, travel via Tagaytay on the Diokno Highway, then Route 436 to reach Taal. However that route is not for the faint of heart; the Diokno Highway is scenic, but also dangerous due to many ravines, some of them not protected by guard rails, and the narrow winding road. On some occasions, Diokno Highway is closed due to landslides, forcing a longer detour from Tagaytay via the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway and the Palico-Balayan-Batangas Road. From Batangas City, there is a direct highway (Route 436), about an hour's travel.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsTravel from Manila to Taal takes about two hours, or longer depending on traffic conditions. By car the usual route is taking STAR Tollway, exit to Jose P. Laurel Highway (Route 4) in Lipa, then follow the highway between Lipa and Santa Teresita (Route 433) and Route 436. Alternately, travel via Tagaytay on the Diokno Highway, then Route 436 to reach Taal. However that route is not for the faint of heart; the Diokno Highway is scenic, but also dangerous due to many ravines, some of them not protected by guard rails, and the narrow winding road. On some occasions, Diokno Highway is closed due to landslides, forcing a longer detour from Tagaytay via the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway and the Palico-Balayan-Batangas Road. From Batangas City, there is a direct highway (Route 436), about an hour's travel....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The heritage town area of Taal follows a rough grid plan, typical in Spanish-era town centers, characterized by narrow streets intended for foot and animal traffic. Some streets maintain the cobblestone pavement, where others have been repaved as concrete roads. Most visitor destinations in Taal can be reached by walking. Tricycles operate in the heritage town, and throughout the rest of Taal and Lemery. Fares generally run ₱30-100, depending mainly on distance but also on bargaining. Jeepneys (mainly on Lemery-Lipa or Lemery-Batangas routes) pass through the town and provide a cheaper way to reach destinations on major roads. For example, a tricycle between downtown and the Food Streat will cost ₱50-80 but jeepney is ₱10 per person. If you are going into Lemery, a jeepney (₱8) will get you into the town but you will likely need a tricycle (perhaps ₱30) to get to your final destination; it is easier to just get a tricycle all the way (around ₱70, though they may ask for ₱100).
Where to Stay
Accommodations around Taal are generally upmarket, as one room can cost above ₱2000 a night, but cheap by international standards. Nearby Lemery offers cheaper alternatives, with rates from ₱1000 up. Most tourists visit Taal in the day, and find accommodation elsewhere in the province. Bed and breakfast places are cheaper, but still steep by Filipino standards. The downtown area is inland, but there are beach resorts along the highway going south from Taal or north from Lemery. Petty crime is relatively uncommon in Taal, but standard precautions still apply. Care should be taken when walking down the main highway in Taal proper during the rainy season, as water can suddenly rush down the street and accumulate at the bridge leading to Lemery. Apart from the weather, the most serious nature-related safety issue in Taal is the threat of the Taal Volcano.
Money & Budget
One gets the impression that everyone in Taal must get married at least twice a year, since there are so many shops selling wedding dresses in the market area. (One can, indeed, often see them worn at the weddings in the nearby Basilica of St Martin of Tours.) Most are decorated with embroidery, applique and/or bead work; the work is generally of high quality and often quite elaborate. Most shops also offer other formal wear, dresses for women and Barong Tagalog embroidered shirts for men. Some also have other embroidered items such as cushion covers or wall hangings, and a few have Western-style formal mens' wear. In many shops the work is done on the premises and most of these will be happy to create made-to-order items.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Petty crime is relatively uncommon in Taal, but standard precautions still apply. Care should be taken when walking down the main highway in Taal proper during the rainy season, as water can suddenly rush down the street and accumulate at the bridge leading to Lemery. Apart from the weather, the most serious nature-related safety issue in Taal is the threat of the Taal Volcano. The 2020 eruption led to Taal and other towns being placed under a "lockdown" (evacuated and abandoned) two months before the word became synonymous with the COVID-19 pandemic. While that eruption did not escalate, authorities fear that a full eruption could generate pyroclastic surges that could traverse Taal Lake and obliterate Taal given its relatively flat location on the lake's southern shore. Therefore it is best to regularly check the volcano's alert levels and heed instructions by authorities in cases of heightened activity or a major eruption.
Glimpses of Taal
a view of a lake and mountains from the top of a hill
View of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano from a balcony on an overcast day.
Taal Volcano, February 2020 Philippines
Smiling young man holds up a photograph of his grandmother
An old wooden couch upholstered with woven rattan, decorated with hand made crocheted pillows in the morning light
Fisherman sailing off to lake to catch some fish for their food :)
Young Filipino poses with photograph of his grandparent in his ancestral home.
a large body of water surrounded by mountains
Picture of Fewa/Phewa lake situated at pokhara
Taal Volcano, 2019 Philippines
a view of a lake and mountains from the top of a hill
View of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano from a balcony on an overcast day.
Taal Volcano, February 2020 Philippines