Talisay Transportation

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Before the opening of the Star Toll, hubby and I went to Talisay for joy rides. We liked to go via the Sta. Rosa, Laguna-Tagaytay route to feel the adrenaline rush as we passed through the steep zigzag road. We also sighed at the beautiful view of Taal Lake & Volcano. From South Luzon Expressway ( SLEX), we exited at the Sta. Rosa Toll Gate, turned right at the Sta. Rosa-Silang Road and proceeded to Tagaytay. At the T- intersection after the Tagaytay market, we turned left at the Tagaytay Ridge Road, driving straight ahead, then took a right turn at Ligaya Drive (look for “Talisay – Laurel” sign board ). Ligaya Drive led us to “bitukang manok” (which literally means chicken intestine), called such because of the very narrow, steep and winding road. Just when we thought the zigzag road was over, we encountered more sharp turns, but the beautiful view was worth the joy ride. If you take the same route as this, you must know where your final destination in Talisay is because that will determine if you’ll turn left or right at the T-intersection at the end of the Ligaya Drive. If you’re headed for Taal Lake Yatch Club or Laurel town, you have to make a right turn. If you’re headed for the Talisay town proper, Club Balai Isabel or other resorts in Barangay Aya, you have to make a left turn. The left side is also the way to Tanauan, Batangas.

You need to hire a boat to go to Volcano from Talisay.

We had booked our tour with Taal Lake Yacht Club for PHP 1800 for five. As we had paid in advance in Manila, we received PHP 300 discount.

Price includes:
Boat ride to/from Talisay to Taal Volcano
Free services of tour guide on the trek
Free use of Club's hut for two hours when back to Talisay
Car parking.

Really value for money!

The town of Talisay is actually located at the foot of the Tagaytay rim on the shore of the Taal Lake. In order to get there, you need to take a zig-zag road which descends dramatically from Tagaytay rim down to Talisay and the landscape is breathtaking. It is best to hire local transportation with a driver as the locals are much more familiar in negotiating the down slope bends.

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Personally, I think walking up to Taal Volcano crater is not so tough because the slope is relatively very gentle and there is a well marked path leading all the way to the top, where there will be shelters and drink stalls waiting for you. The walk up takes about 1-2 hours and you can take your time to rest and enjoy the magnificent scenery (see travelogue section of this VT page). It is good to start early so that the weather will not be so hot, because most of the path is in the open and exposed to the weather.

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Most tourists going up the Taal Volcano crater and back did it by riding on horses or donkeys. The cost is about 1,000 pesos per horse or donkey and is recommended for those people who are physically not so strong and/or on a hot day. The horses and donkeys are available at the village on the foot of the volcanic island just after you alight from the boat ride. The disadvantage of riding a horse or donkey is that you have less chances to take photographs of your journey. Personally, I walked all the way up and down, and did not find it tough because I am used to trekking and walking during my various travels.

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In order to reach Taal Volcano, you need to take a banca (traditional boat) at Talisay across Taal Lake to the volcanic island and it takes about 15-20 minutes each way. The scenery is superb when you cross the lake. The return banca ride is about 1,250 to 1,500 Pesos, approximately US$25 to US$30 depending on you're bargaining ability. But that's for the entire boat, not per person. It is best to do the arrangements prior to reaching Talisay as there are many boat touts around there which will harass you. More photographs of the bancas and Taal Lake are at the travelogue section of this VT page.