Tagaytay
Discover Tagaytay
Located at a mountain ridge on southern Cavite, the city of Tagaytay provides a mildly cool refuge from Manila's gritty side. It is the unofficial "Second Summer Capital" of the Philippines (the first is Baguio), and its proximity to Metro Manila draws local and foreign tourists alike. Despite the city's association with scenic Taal Volcano and the lake surrounding it, being in neighboring Batangas province, Tagaytay has many hidden things beyond the first impressions. Once a sleepy mountain town, Tagaytay has been a home to many things worth visiting: scenic viewpoints, religious sites, dining, and a new arrival, shopping malls. Rising at about 600 m (2,000 ft), Tagaytay is cooler than the lowlands of Cavite, and some rich residents, both Filipino and foreigner, have set up mansions near to the scenic views of mountains and the dominating Taal volcano and lake. It is a city of 85,000 people (2020), scattered in 38 barangays. Due to its altitude, there are also some pine trees – similar to those in Baguio — growing here.
What to Experience in Tagaytay
Taste of Tagaytay...
Coffee - Coffee shops are abundant in the city proper, some of the noted ones are Starbucks Coffee and Bag of Beans. Tagaytay is a safe place to visit, and the locals are very nice, just beware of the usual things in Tagaytay such as scammers and pickpockets; in short exercise the usual level of common sense when travelling. Driving and crossing the street in Tagaytay requires great caution due to its narrow two-lane highways, the sheer number of vehicles and the mountainous terrain complete with blind curves. Since the 2020 eruption, Taal Volcano Island is a permanent danger zone abandoned by residents. Do not entertain touts offering tours to the island, as the chance of rescue in the event of an eruption are good as zero. During periods of major volcanic activity, Tagaytay may be affected by ashfall or at the very least, vog, a combination of fog and volcanic gases that may be a problem for those with sensitive lungs. Nevertheless, Tagaytay’s location at the top of the ridge makes it a relatively safe location to watch an eruption unfold, as it is unlikely to be reached by pyroclastic surges in contrast to the Batangas towns immediately below. Respiratory illnesses are common during the cold season (September-March). A jacket is advisable during that period. Police, Medical and Fire: 911. 911 may also be texted from cellphones.
Climate
Tagaytay has a mild climate and dramatic scenery, which makes it popular with residents of Manila. Average temperatures range from 22 °C (72 °F) to 25 °C (77 °F). There are three seasons, a cool dry season, hot dry season (summer) and the wet season. Peak seasons are the cool dry season, which includes the Christmas and New Year period, and the hot dry season, which includes the Holy Week peak period. The cool dry season from December to March is the most pleasant season to visit, with daytime highs below the 30s and nighttime lows from 20 °C (68 °F) and below, and not much rainfall, except in December. The hot dry season is characterized by daytime highs at 30 °C (86 °F), but is short, only lasting between April and May, and the weather becomes variable by May. While the humidity can make the heat unbearable, Tagaytay generally does have cooler temperatures, so many tourists flock the city during Holy Week.
Essential Information
Best Time to Visit
Year Roundmost pleasant season to visit, with daytime highs below the 30s and nighttime lows from 20 °C (68 °F) and below, and not much rainfall, except in December....
Getting There
Multiple OptionsTagaytay is 60 km (37 mi) south of Manila, and is easy to reach than the more popular Baguio. While it's possible to reach the city by bus, many travelers bring a car. Most tourists to Tagaytay bring a car, making all major road entry points packed during times. Tagaytay is an hour from Manila under proper traffic conditions, but expect travel to be 1½-2 hours due to traffic jams or an occasional rainstorm. From Manila, the main highways to Tagaytay are the moderately congested Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Road (Route 420), the most traveled route with an interchange with the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) on the Santa Rosa end, and the perennially snarled Aguinaldo Highway (Route 62 in Bacoor, Route 419 between Bacoor and Silang, Route 410 from Silang to Tagaytay). Many travelers from Manila drive to Tagaytay via SLEX....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Tagaytay does not have any taxis, and they are not available from the malls either; the few taxis are generally those who pay thousands of pesos to get to the city from Manila. There are jeepneys across town, but almost all run to nearby towns and municipalities. Within Tagaytay, you'll either get around by car or if you don't drive, by tricycle or jeepney. Jeepneys are common. Fares are usually around ₱20-50, sometimes a little more depending on the distance. At the Tagaytay visitor's center and near the zip line is quite easy to walk and explore. Most tourists visit Tagaytay to view Taal Volcano, an active volcano with a large crater lake with a small cone rising in the middle. Though part of nearby Batangas province, tours to the area are mostly organized from here (see #Do). You can just view the volcano from the slopes of the city; trips to the volcano are expensive though by local standards, but reasonable by foreign standards, especially if you bargain.
Where to Stay
Tagaytay is a safe place to visit, and the locals are very nice, just beware of the usual things in Tagaytay such as scammers and pickpockets; in short exercise the usual level of common sense when travelling. Driving and crossing the street in Tagaytay requires great caution due to its narrow two-lane highways, the sheer number of vehicles and the mountainous terrain complete with blind curves. Since the 2020 eruption, Taal Volcano Island is a permanent danger zone abandoned by residents. Do not entertain touts offering tours to the island, as the chance of rescue in the event of an eruption are good as zero. During periods of major volcanic activity, Tagaytay may be affected by ashfall or at the very least, vog, a combination of fog and volcanic gases that may be a problem for those with sensitive lungs.
Money & Budget
Small shops line the roadway as you come into the area, the vegetables and fruits are fresh and good quality. There is also the Good Shepherd Convent (like the one in Baguio) and you can get your favorite Ube jam, pili, etc. In addition to that you can also get their buko pie for which Laguna/Cavite is known. Coffee - Coffee shops are abundant in the city proper, some of the noted ones are Starbucks Coffee and Bag of Beans. Tagaytay is a safe place to visit, and the locals are very nice, just beware of the usual things in Tagaytay such as scammers and pickpockets; in short exercise the usual level of common sense when travelling.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Tagaytay is a safe place to visit, and the locals are very nice, just beware of the usual things in Tagaytay such as scammers and pickpockets; in short exercise the usual level of common sense when travelling. Driving and crossing the street in Tagaytay requires great caution due to its narrow two-lane highways, the sheer number of vehicles and the mountainous terrain complete with blind curves. Since the 2020 eruption, Taal Volcano Island is a permanent danger zone abandoned by residents. Do not entertain touts offering tours to the island, as the chance of rescue in the event of an eruption are good as zero. During periods of major volcanic activity, Tagaytay may be affected by ashfall or at the very least, vog, a combination of fog and volcanic gases that may be a problem for those with sensitive lungs.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Tagaytay
a view of a lake and mountains from the top of a hill
a body of water with islands in it
green trees near body of water under blue sky during daytime
brown concrete house on top of mountain under blue sky during daytime
a scenic view of a body of water from a hill
Picnic Grove
a large ferris wheel sitting next to a building
Tagaytay Hotel
Taal Volcano
A breathtaking panoramic HDR view of the majestic Taal Lake in Tagaytay City. Captured from Sintá Restaurant, this image showcases the stunning overlooking spot that offers a perfect vantage point of the iconic landscape.
a view of a lake and mountains from the top of a hill
a body of water with islands in it
green trees near body of water under blue sky during daytime