These fantastic spots are just a few hours away from Manila!
Images: @nayomiresort (L); @marculit (R)
Routines can be tedious. Doing the same thing every single day can burn you out, which is why taking a break now and then is essential to keep the flame in you ignited. You’ll be surprised that you don’t have to travel far to experience incredible things.
Just two hours away from Manila, a province is thriving with places where you can try different outdoor activities in Batangas. Whether it’s a land activity like hiking or a water activity like scuba diving, there are the best spots in Batangas for each. While the city is also known for being home to some of the most breathtaking beaches in the country, it also houses lots of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Planning to visit and experience the outdoor activities in Batangas any time soon after quarantine? Then, list these spots and the best things to do in Batangas in your itinerary!
Location:Calle MM Agoncillo, cor. Calle Gliceria Marella, Taal, Batangas
Heritage Town has houses that you can read about in history books.
Image: @ohhhkaysss
One of the best outdoor activities in Batangas is to feel a time travel back to the past and tour around Heritage Town! The well-preserved Spanish colonial town is home to ancestral houses, and the majority of them are found along Calle Marcela Marino Agoncillo. Here, you’ll find the Basilica de San Martin de Tours, the most prominent church building in Asia, built around 1755, the Hall of the Municipal Government of Taal, and some iconic ancestral houses, including Gliceria Marella de Villavicencio Ancestral House and Goco Ancestral House.
This kind of outdoor activity in Batangas will let you experience the ambiance of the past. Heritage Park also houses Galleria Taal, the former home of the Ilagan-Barion family. It was turned into a museum that showcases the photographs and collections of Manny Inumerable, a Villavicencio relative. Exploring these heritage towns in the city is the best thing to do in Batangas if you like and love a historical adventure.
The Heritage Town is open from Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Gulugod Baboy, the mountain's name, literally translates to “pig’s spine.”
Image: @marculit
Another fun outdoor activity in Batangas to reunite with Mother Nature is seeing the beauty of Batangas from the top of Mt. Gulugod Baboy! Also known as Mt. Pinagbanderahan, the mountain is a favorite hiking spot among locals and tourists. The mountain's trail starts with a cemented path that eventually leads hikers to a grassland. Reaching the top is the best spot in Batangas, which means getting an unobstructed view of the Janao Bay, Sombrero and Maricaban Islands, Verde Island, and Batangas Bay. Before undergoing this outdoor activity in Batangas, hikers will have to register twice before hiking Mt. Gulugod Baboy: one is located at the jump-off point, and the other is located at the summit. One with nature is another excellent thing to do in Batangas; feeling the gentle breeze of the wind that touches your skin is relaxing and calming to the soul.
Note that environmental and summit fees will also be collected aside from the registration fee and guide fee at this outdoor activity in Batangas.
Explore what the blue waters of Batangas offer at Anilao Diving Resort.
Image: Anilao Diving and Beach Resort website
After exploring the mountains, dive into the waters at Anilao Diving and Beach Resort! The place is known for being a paradise for scuba divers and marine photographers because of its diverse marine ecosystem. Diving is another level of adventure of outdoor activities in Batangas to experience. Anilao boasts 287 coral species, and you can choose to go either muck or reef diving to see them. The resort also offers other water activities, including snorkeling and night diving, a new thing to do in Batangas.
Enjoy a calming yoga session and find peace within you at The Farm.
Image: @thefarmatsanbenito
If you’re itching for a day away from the busy streets of the jungle that is Metro Manila and find relaxing outdoor activities in Batangas, then you can always visit The Farm at San Benito. The environment at The Farm is the perfect place for meditation, allowing its guests to find inner peace during their stay. This best spot in Batangas offers activities like yoga sessions, power walks, and body-conditioning workouts that will give your body the holistic treatment it deserves. There’s also a 27-hole golf club, an outdoor activity in Batangas where you can channel your inner Tiger Woods!
At Nayomi Sanctuary Resort, you can have a unique escapade kind of outdoor activity in Batangas; you can sleep under the stars in style! A particular type of thing to do in Batangas! While the resort offers accommodations like villas and rooms, the place also has lovely glamping tents, giving you a unique overnight experience. The tents are made of cotton canvas and sit on pine wood decks that raise them off the ground. They have spacious lounge areas where you can chill with your loved ones. Just wait until nighttime drops to encounter this outdoor activity in Batangas and see how dreamy the place can get with the lights on and the stars hovering above!
Thanks to these incredible places in Batangas, you can satisfy the cravings of your adventure-seeking soul! Note that some of these outdoor activities in Batangas may still be closed due to quarantine, but waiting for them to reopen is worth it. For now, stay at home and stay safe!
Go toYoorekka Magazineto discover more beautiful spots in Batangas you should soon!
This article was initially published in Yoorekka on June 29, 2020.
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About Antonette Louise Guiao
Antonette is a writer, a night owl, an extrovert, and a BTS ARMY. Her spare time is consumed by drawing digital vector art, sleeping, binge-watching Netflix series, and learning how to cook. An adventurer by heart, she aspires to travel the world with her family, try extreme outdoor activities, and taste all sorts of food in different countries.
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