Discover the Beauty of Batangas

Just 70 miles south of the Philippines’ capital Manila, Batangas province has emerged as one of the country’s most popular travel destinations thanks to its easy accessibility and wealth of natural and cultural attractions. Its combination of inland hills and beautiful tropical coastline has earned it the nickname ‘Land of Rolling Hills and Wide Shore Lands.’

Highlights range from the world class scuba diving at Anilao (Mabini) to trekking and climbing on Mount Maculot and the sublime volcanic environment of Mount Taal and Taal Lake. Batangas’ South China Sea coast provides some of the northern Philippines’ nicest beaches. Offshore islands such as Tingloy, Ligpo and Verde Island offer even more choices for beach lovers and water enthusiasts. The excellent year-round climate makes all these outdoor excursions a treat no matter when you come.

Batangas isn’t just sand and mountains, however. The province also has some charming colonial towns which reflect the country’s Spanish era. Head to Taal, Calaca and the main urban hub of Batangas City and you’ll find plenty of old houses and churches dating back to the colonial era. If there’s one site that really stands out, however, it must be Taal and its petite volcano and amazing lake within a lake. A handful of resort towns are spread out along its shores, and Taal itself is famous for its hand embroidered products and status as one of the Philippines’ two best-preserved Spanish colonial sites.

Ecotourism has become the preferred mode of development in Batangas, which is a boon for travellers looking for natural and cultural integrity. Although Batangas is best known for its top-notch beach resorts, there are an ever-increasing number of decent hotels in the main towns and around Lake Taal.

Charismatic jeepneys will haul you around the province at your leisure, while tricycle rickshaws provide in-town service. Manila’s international airport receives visitors from around the globe and is just a short hop from Batangas. While you’re here, be sure and try some of the region’s famous baraco coffee, which is rich and robust, and take home a souvenir of the delicate embroidery created in locally woven pina and jujsi fibres.

History

Centuries before the arrival of the first Europeans, Batangas was a thriving centre of trade and transport. The Pansipit River, which is a major waterway in the Philippines, was lined with native settlements populated by descendants of the datus of Borneo. Archaeological evidence has shown that these early people were actively trading with the Chinese from the 13^th to the 15^th century. As the Bornean datus consolidated themselves, they established the first Malay village at the mouth of the Taal River.

Two Spanish generals who were exploring the coast along Batangas province stumbled upon this Malay settlement along the Taal River in 1570. They asserted their influence over the town and by 1572 had built the area’s first stone church and convent. Batangas City itself was founded in 1581, and Lipa and Balayan followed soon after. After its resident volcano devastated the town of Taal, the capital of the province was moved to Batangas in 1754, where it remains today.

Batangas was one of the first Philippine provinces to rebel against Spanish rule in 1896. It was during the ensuing Spanish-American War that the region produced some of the nation’s most important revolutionaries such as Apolinario Mabini, the ‘Brains of the Revolution’, and General Miguel Malvar, who was the last Filipino general to surrender to the Americans. This led Batangas to become known as the ‘cradle of heroes and nationalists’. Today, the region still has a political edge to it, but tourism has become an increasingly important aspect of life in this beautiful and diverse region of the Philippines.

Weather

As in the much of the Philippines, Batangas enjoys a three season climate. Conditions remain balmy throughout the year, with an average annual temperature hovering around 28°C. Continual sea breezes help to cool off the otherwise warm and humid air, making the weather more pleasant here than in other parts of the country. In fact, Batangas is known for its naturally cool climate.

The rainy season runs from June to September, with a peak in precipitation during the month of July. Be sure to bring good rain gear if you visit during the summer. The coolest and most pleasant time of year falls between October and February, when the skies dry up and temperatures average 24°C. Evenings can get rather chilly during the winter, especially in the interior highlands. The hot season from March to May is the driest time of the year. Temperatures regularly hit 38°C, although the coastal communities enjoy sea breezes.