Taal Travel Guide

  Casa Punzalan's View of the Basilica
by wabufamy
 
  • Casa Punzalan's View of the Basilica
      Casa Punzalan's View of the Basilica
    by wabufamy
  •   Taal
    by asianbelle
  • Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay
      Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay
    by cyndymc
  • Photo Mural Shows Where It All Stated
      Photo Mural Shows Where It All Stated
    by cyndymc
  •   Taal
    by charriecalalang
 

Explore Taal

Things to Do  

Old and Amazing

Old and Amazing, Taal

 wabufamy Says:  We made the Basilica our first stop in our trip to Taal Batangas. Being "The Biggest Catholic Church in Asia", we were intrigued by its size. The church dates back to the 1800's and is definitely big. As we were going around the church, a security guard suggested that we go... 

Admire the Beadwork and Embroidery

Admire the Beadwork and Embroidery, Taal

 wabufamy Says:  The "Taal Burda" is famous for its craftmanship and unique design, but I never knew they also did beadwork. I'ved tried doing beadwork in my recent gown project and I am awed at the creations I found in the Taal Market. Had I seen this place 18 years ago, I would've bought... 

Miraculous Well

Miraculous Well, Taal

 asianbelle Says:

The Church of Caysasay

The Church of Caysasay, Taal

 asianbelle Says:

Asia's biggest church

Asia's biggest church, Taal

 asianbelle Says:

Church of Our Lady of Caysasay

Church of Our Lady of Caysasay, Taal

 lakbayPinas Says:  The Church of Our Lady of Caysasay is one of Taal’s distinct cultural structures housing some priceless relics dating back from the Spanish colonial period. Caysasay enshrines the 400-year-old 27-centimeter image of the Virgin fished out by a resident from the Pansipit River... 

Marcela Mariño de Agoncillo Historical Landmark

Marcela Mariño de Agoncillo Historical Landmark, Taal

 lakbayPinas Says:  This national landmark is the birthplace of Marcela Agoncillo, known as the seamstress of the first Filipino flag. Located in a street aptly named in her honor, the museum prominently displays the different flags used during the Philippine revolution against Spanish... 

Down Memory Lane in Taal

Down Memory Lane in Taal, Taal

 cyndymc Says:  One of the basic considerations in declaring Taal a UNESCO Heritage Site is the existence of well preserved ancestral homes. We didn't get to see all the ancestral homes, but we managed to see some on the way to Caysasay. It is amazing how such ancestral homes can give us a... 

Restaurants  

Restaurant? What Restaurant?!

Restaurant? What Restaurant?!, Taal

 monina_c Says:  There is no restaurant on the island but residents on the island are willing to kill, dress and cook a chicken for you for the right price. There is also one who is willing to scoop up tilapia from his fish pen and cook it for you for a fee (P100/kg + P100 cooking fee-price... 

Nightlife  

No nightlife

No nightlife, Taal

 monina_c Says:  There is no regular electricity supply on the volcano island so there is no organized nightlife there. 

Transportation  

Boat Rental

Boat Rental, Taal

 monina_c Says:  Boat rental to the Taal Volcano can vary from P800.00 to P900.00 (as of January 2008). If you get approached by touts be firm and do not be swayed by the extras that they may "offer" (e.g. life vest - it is regulations that all boats have them.) 

Owner Jeep

Owner Jeep, Taal

 freddie18 Says:  This type of vehicle is very common in Taal and in the Philippines in general. This is actually existing a long time ago in every part of the archipelago. This is built by vehicle manufacturer in the Philippines. If I remember it right, this type of jeep is available only in... 

Shopping  

Taal Market: Enjoy the Local Products

Taal Market: Enjoy the Local Products, Taal

 freddie18 Says:  If you feel like buying the local crafts of Taal, come wander around the public market. There are so much to buy. Taal is noted for Longganisa or Local Sausage, Taal Beef, Suman or Rice Cake, embroidered clothes, and fan-knives. These are their specialties so we can make... 

Taal Shops: Philippine Barong & Saya

Taal Shops: Philippine Barong & Saya, Taal

 freddie18 Says:  Philippine Barong and Saya (Gown) are very famous in Taal, Batangas. Barong can be worn by either women or men depending on the style. Available for men are dress shirts and for women are gowns with intricate cutwork and crochet insertions. Obviously, most of them are... 

Local Customs  

Walking Instead of Riding a Vehicle

Walking Instead of Riding a Vehicle, Taal

 cyndymc Says:  As in other provinces I've been to, locals have a different concept of distance. What may be NEAR for them can be already FAR for us; what could be walking distance for them is actually many blocks away and tiring for us :( Specifically in Taal, we were advised to just leave... 

Warnings Or Dangers  

That is HOT!!!

That is HOT!!!, Taal

 monina_c Says:  When hiking up to the crater of the Taal Volcano, do not check if the sides of the cracks in the ground scattered all over the volcano island are hot. They are! I found that out to my sorrow!I got curious to prove to myself if that small fissure on the ground is really... 

Use a little common sense please!!!!

Use a little common sense please!!!!, Taal

 monina_c Says:  If you do decide to walk/hike to the crater of Taal Volcano, please use a little common sense to avoid getting hurt. Here are some points to remember:1. Bring drinking water with you so you can replace what you lost through sweating.2. Dress appropriately. Wear clothes that... 

Tourist Traps  

To Walk or Not to Walk

To Walk or Not to Walk, Taal

 monina_c Says:  Do not be fooled by the touts on the Taal Volcano Island who tell you that the trail to the crater is difficult and too long to walk. First off, the trail up is only 4-kilometer gradual hike up. Any reasonably healthy/fit person can walk the whole way although the final... 

Favorites  

Fruit Trees and Lots of Bamboo

Fruit Trees and Lots of Bamboo, Taal

 freddie18 Says:  Just by driving someone along the Taal streets and roads leading to the town, you will encounter fruit bearing trees like Coconut, Mango, & Banana. You will also find sugar cane plantation and bamboo everywhere. The latter two are abundant in any part of Batangas including... 

How to Make Barong By Hand

How to Make Barong By Hand, Taal

 freddie18 Says:  I am posting pictures of local people of Taal who actually do the hand embroidery and bead insertions in a jusi material. Making them by hand is no secret. Stores would let you watch them. Afterall, this kind of business is an art and......needs a lot of patience!When you... 

The Place

Plan a Taal vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Taal locals

Experience Taal
  •   42 Tips and Reviews
  •  140 Photos
  Share your Travels  
Map of Taal
 

The People

2 Members Live Here
 
Advice from the Locals
 profile photo

 mita's empanada in taal - a must try!.. original recipe of mama mita.. 

2 members live in Taal

 

Questions and Answers

krizzysexynurse profile photo

Q:  me and my friends are planning to go to Taal crater lake this coming Jan 2010..i have read an article from Taal lake Yacht Club... 

asianbelle profile photo

A: If the "warning" came from Taal Lake Yacht Club, then probability that it is true is high, after all, they are based along Taal Lake. IMO, it's not only the safety of... 

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Top Taal Writers

1

My Taal Homepage

freddie18 profile photo

 Taal in Batangas is considered as the fourth class municipality and one of the most preserved town culturally. If you plan to visit Batangas, I would recommend you drop by this town and enjoy the... 

2

Taal Volcano

monina_c profile photo

 The cool breeze was a welcome presence upon reaching the crater. The crater itself was a sight to see. The water within it looked so calm and harmless, mirroring the surrounding ridge. Beautiful! 

3

Fascinating Town of Taal

cyndymc profile photo

 Taal is the oldest town of Batangas Province, and was declared by UNESCO as a Heritage Site for being one of the only 2 remaining culturally preserved sites of Spanish colonial era. History records... 

4

A heritage town down south

lakbayPinas profile photo

 Taal is one of thirty-one (31) municipalities (along with three cities) that comprise the province of Batangas in the Calabarzon Region. 

5

TAAL LAKE AND VOLCANO TRIP

littlegirl0130 profile photo

 Okay, if you can see the picture, its a shot that I took of the Taal Lake and Volcano during our trip there... I've lived in the Philippines for as long as I can remember and I've had trips to... 

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