Tagaytay City Visitors Guide

ABOUT SEE & DO EAT & DRINK STAY BUDGET ADVICE

ABOUT

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Luzon, Tagaytay is perfect for someone who wants a quick escape from the busy city life.  It has various leisure spots where you can create unforgettable memories, fantastic restaurants, nice hotels, and of course cool weather to complete that much needed weekend getaway.  With its location being less than two hours away from Manila, Tagaytay is truly a must-place to visit when on the island.

This brief guide to Tagaytay City will help you plan your trip. It contains information on what to do, eat, and drink as well as the must-see spots and the best hotels.

Location

Best Time to Visit

It’s best to visit the Philippines during the dry season.  Dry season in the Philippines spans from November through April.  These are the summer months in this country.

Be aware that temperatures and humidity levels are particularly high in April and May.

The best time to be a beach bum and explore the islands is from March to May.

TIP:  This guide recommends that booking for Tagaytay City summer trips should be done as early as possible, at least a month before your travel dates, since resorts get fully booked early.

The period from June to October is the rainy (wet) season and is best avoided due to the high possibility of typhoons. The typhoons can not only be destructive, but most tours and activities are cancelled under such circumstances.  Transportation via plane and boat is also seriously impacted as well.  This happens frequently so beware!

This guide recommends traveling to Tagaytay City in April-May or in November-December, just before and just after the rainy season. This will likely bring fewer crowds, yet pleasant weather, and is also a great time to score a travel deal.

Fast Facts

Getting Here

There are many ways to get here depending on your starting point. This guide recommends using the following online tools to identify all the available options and cost for each while in Tagaytay City:  Rome2Rio and PHBUS. The following are the major ports of entry for this destination.

Getting Around

The following are the modes of transportation available in Tagaytay City …

SEE & DO

The following is your guide to places to see and activities to enjoy while in Tagaytay City.

1 | People’s Park in the Sky

If you’ve never been to Tagaytay before, then People’s Park in the Sky is not something you should miss.  Being one of the highest points in the city, the park offers stunning views of Tagaytay landscape and the iconic Taal Lake and Volcano.

2 | Picnic Grove

Not too far away from People’s Park in the Sky is the Picnic Grove, another spot that offers stunning views of Tagaytay.  Additionally, guests can also enjoy a variety of fun activities such as cable car ride, horseback riding, swimming, shopping, and ziplining.

3 | Sky Ranch

Want more exciting activities when in the city?  Head over to Sky Ranch, an amusement park where you can enjoy thrilling rides such as Super Viking, Sky Cruiser, and Sky Eye, the second tallest ferris wheel in the Philippines.  There are kid-friendly rides too so Sky Ranch is a great bonding place for family and friends.

4 | Museo Orlina

Museo Orlina features the artworks of Ramon Orlina, an internationally-acclaimed artist who pioneered glass sculpture in the country.  Built on a cliff, the museum is a three-level building with a roof deck that provides a lovely view of Taal Volcano.  There is also a garden and an amphitheater where large glass sculptures are displayed.  Artworks of other Filipino artists are also showcased in the museum.

5 | Puzzle Mansion Bed & Breakfast

If you’re into puzzles, you surely don’t want to miss Puzzle Mansion which houses one of the largest collections of puzzles in the world.  The collection varies in materials, shapes, sizes, and subject.  There are even 2D and 3D puzzles as well as puzzles showcasing the works of world famous artists such as Picasso.

6 | Paradizoo

When traveling with kids who love animals, you may want to visit Paradizoo, a 10-hectare land where you can see various animals including horses, chickens, lions, monkeys, snakes, iguanas, and some sea animals.  The zoo also provides educational programs in which guests can learn about goat and cow milking and sheep-shearing.

7 | Sonya’s Garden

Sonya’s Garden is more than just a bed & breakfast where you can enjoy the night and have sumptuous meals.  The place is filled with lush greenery and lovely flowers perfect for a relaxing time away from the busy city life.  Stepping into the tropical garden feels like being transported into the magical world of fairy tales hence the number of marriage proposals and wedding celebrations the place accommodates.  It also has its own organic skin and hair care line called Sonya Botanicals, restaurant, spa, and offers classes for organic farming and bed and breakfast management.

8 | Mahogany Beef Market

Get the freshest meat, fruits, vegetables, and herbs as well as ornamental plants from Mahogany Market.  The market is known for selling different cuts of fresh meat coming straight from livestock farmers and fresh produce from the farmers of Tagaytay.  On the second level of the market are food stalls where you can enjoy the delicious bulalo (beef marrow stew).

9 | Nurture Wellness Village

Nurture Wellness Village is one of the pioneers of the spa and wellness industry in the Philippines.  It is even named as one of the top spas in Asia by a couple of magazines.  Nurture offers various spa and wellness treatments including massages, body polish, scrubs, holistic health services, enema, charcoal whole body wrap with biomat, pyroenergen, acupuncture, and many others.

NOTE: The Pilipinyahan Festival occurs annually in Tagaytay City the 1st week of May.

EAT & DRINK

The following is your guide to the flavorful food to enjoy and restaurants to try while in Tagaytay City.

1 | Antonio’s Garden

The number restaurant in Tagaytay based on user reviews, Antonio’s Garden is a fine dining restaurant with a homey and relaxing ambience.  They take pride in using the very best ingredients and use precise culinary technique to provide guests with high quality food they deserve.  The restaurant is known to have the best foie gras, salad, and chocolate souffle in the city.

The restaurant has sister restaurants in Tagaytay – Breakfast at Antonio’s, Balay Dako, and Terraza.

2 | Balay Dako

Balay Dako is another restaurant by Antonio’s group of restaurants.  Balay Dako, Negrense term for big house, serves a variety of Filipino foods such as lumpia, sisig, bulalo, sinigang, and others.  The price is a bit high but the servings are large so it’s worth it.  On top of that, service is great and the restaurant has a good ambience with a great view of Taal Lake so it’s something not to be missed when in Tagaytay.

3 | Sonya’s Secret Garden

Aside from its refreshing ambience, Sonya’s Garden has a great restaurant as well.  The restaurant boasts of using fresh ingredients coming straight from their garden.  Their price range is a bit expensive but considering the food in addition to the relaxing ambience and excellent service, Sonya’s Garden is truly a recommended place to visit especially for first timers in Tagaytay.

4 | Aozora Japanese Restaurant

For authentic Japanese foods, there’s no other place to be but Aozora.  This lovely restaurant serves good sashimi and California maki as well as fusion dishes like bulalo ramen.  Their price range is reasonable and has three branches in Tagaytay.

5 | Marcia Adams Restaurant

Marcia Adams is a lovely garden restaurant that is good not only for your tummy but for your Instagram feed as well.  It has various dining areas including the garden, sunset lounge, Greek terrace, and the Provencale Pavilion.  They have the best panna cotta, pork chop, and tzatziki.

6 | Charito by Bag of Beans

Charito by Bag of Beans is a French-style semi-fine dining restaurant serving tasty dishes such as roast beef, lamb curry, baby back ribs, and chicken teriyaki.  Freshly-baked goodies are also available daily.  Offering a spectacular view of the Taal Volcano, Charito by Bag of Beans is surely the best place to enjoy the cool Tagaytay weather with family and friends.

7 | The Purple Owl

The Purple Owl is the perfect spot for romantic date nights and intimate celebrations such as marriage proposals, anniversaries, baby showers, and others.  The place even offers movie dates and live music packages that include a private space, full course meal, and projected movies or live band playing.  The food is catered by Mrs. Gee’s Kitchen which serves homemade foods like salad, pasta, steak, and more.

KNOWN FOR: Buko Pie (Coconut Pie)

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WHERE TO STAY

There are many different types of accommodations available in this destination ranging from hostels to luxurious resorts. The following is your guide to our top choices for each range in Tagaytay City.

1 |  Lee Boutique Hotel (Budget)

2 | View Park Hotel (Mid-Range)

3 | Taal Vista Hotel (Luxury | Resort)

This guide recommends using the following sites to conduct research online of where to stay in Tagaytay City or for a specific destination:

Book your room with these trusted online booking sites.  Booking online in the Philippines almost always guarantees the best price and a room when you arrive.  We use these sites frequently to get the best prices and enjoy convenient bookings. Click each of the buttons below to find the best place for you at the lowest rates:

TIP: Taal Vista Hotel is the best property to experience this destination.

BUDGET

Suggested Budget

Use the chart below to get an idea of how much to budget daily.  Actual amounts will depend on YOUR travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages … some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less. Prices are in USD.

Travel Costs

Accommodation

A bed in a hostel dorm costs from 350 PHP ($7 USD), but smaller dorms can cost from 500 PHP ($10 USD).  For a private double, prices start around 700 PHP ($14 USD).

Most budget hotels begin at 700 PHP ($14 USD) per night for a double room and usually include free wifi and breakfast.  For a three-star hotel, prices begin around 1,400 PHP ($28 USD) per night.  AirBnB is also widespread throughout the country, with private rooms starting from as little as 500 PHP ($10 USD) per night.  For entire apartments, expect to pay at least 1,400 PHP ($28 USD) per night.

Resorts and luxury accommodations vary greatly from 1,400 PHP ($28 USD) to 5,000+ PHP ($100+ USD).  However, there are some really nice resorts and luxury accommodations which are surprisingly affordable.

We use and recommend booking online to save money using HostelWorld, Agoda, Booking.com, and AirBnB. 

Food

Local food is extremely cheap, with street food costing under 50 PHP ($1USD).  For an inexpensive meal at a local restaurant, prices start around 100 PHP ($2 USD).  For a meal at a mid-range restaurant with drinks and table service, expect to pay from 200 PHP ($4 USD).  Knowing that their target customers are primarily tourists, Western food venues can be pricey compared to Filipino food.  Also, some of the ingredients need to be imported, which contributes to the higher cost. Western food (burgers, pizza, pasta, etc.) is much more expensive but is still relatively affordable at around 200 PHP ($4 USD) for a meal and drink.

Fast food like McDonalds will cost around 200 PHP ($4 USD).  A beer at the bar will cost around 50-100 PHP ($1–2 USD).

A week’s worth of groceries will cost between 300-600 PHP ($6-12 USD) per person.  However, food in this country is so inexpensive, and kitchens & refrigerators are hard to come by, I don’t recommend cooking your meals here since there is plenty of delicious street food to eat at very cheap prices. You won’t make it as good as they do and the food is too delicious to miss!

Transportation

There are many modes of transportation available in the Philippines and each varies greatly. 

Public Transportation is cheap.  Bus services on the islands are inexpensive.  Local buses (called jeepneys) are the most common type of transportation in towns and cities. The fare is usually between 7-25 PHP ($.20–.50 USD).

On islands without a bus system, a taxi or tricycle is the only form of transport with fares starting at 50-500 PHP ($1-$10) USD for short trips. 

Taxis are everywhere, and they’re very cheap.  Most fares shouldn’t cost you more than 500 PHP ($10 USD) around town.  

To get between islands, you’ll need to take a boat or to fly.  There are ferries that connect the island together since they aren’t too far apart but, generally speaking, flights are the most realistic option. 

Flights between islands usually cost about 2,000-3500 PHP ($40-70 USD).  However, this isn’t the cheapest way to travel.  It’s only recommended if you have limited time. 

We recommend booking online to save money using: Skyscanner, momondo, Kayak, kiwi.com.

Attractions & Activities

Most attractions and activities in the Philippines are pretty cheap. Most attractions throughout the area are FREE to enter, though some of the more well known and popular ones cost 5-100 PHP ($.10-$2 USD) to enter. 

Depending on the activity, most day tours only cost around 1,000-1,500 PHP ($20-30 USD), oftentimes less.  You have more bargaining power if you go with a group. If you are expecting to do some climbing, remember to pack some warm layers. It gets cold at the top!  

Other activities such as Island Hopping, scuba diving, helmet diving, swimming with whale sharks, jungle trekking, canyoning, ATVs, jet skis, wakeboarding, cruises, parasailing, horseback riding, cultural experiences, and tours can cost as much as 1,250-5,000+ PHP ($25-100+ USD).

The Philippines is one of the least expensive places to learn how to scuba dive. Learning to scuba dive usually costs about 15,000-20,000 PHP ($300-400 USD), but often includes FREE accommodation for the duration of the course, which lasts three or four days.

Always book your tours and activities when you arrive.  Stick to travel agents who are selling on the ground. If a travel agent won’t negotiate with you, move on to the next until you find one that will.  Booking tours online is almost always more expensive. 

Typical Costs in Tagaytay City in 2021:

• Hostel Dorm Bed: 250-350 PHP ($5–7 USD) night
• Budget Hotel:  700 PHP ($14 USD) night
• Mid-Range Hotel:  1500 PHP ($31 USD) night
• Street Food: 50-150 PHP ($1–3 USD) meal
• Restaurant Meals: 200-300 PHP ($4–6 USD) meal
• Local Beer: 50-100 PHP ($1–2 USD) bottle
• 1.5L Bottle of Water: 38 PHP ($.75 USD) bottle
• Jeepney Ride: 7-25 PHP ($.20–.50 USD) ride
• Tricycle Ride:  20-100 PHP ($.5-2 USD) ride
• Taxi: 75-500 PHP ($1.50-10 USD) ride – use GrabTaxi app
• Long-Distance Bus Ride: 400-500 PHP ($8–10 USD) ride

DOWNLOAD: Budget Planner Template

ADVICE

The following is some of our best advice on traveling to Tagaytay City.  Learn what you need to know BEFORE you go!

Tips & Hacks

he following are our Top 10 Tips when visiting this destination in the Philippines:

• Be aware that a tourist VISA is only 30 days. You can extend it upon arrival, or within the first 30 days, for an additional 30 days for a fee of approximately 3,000 pesos.
• Don’t buy into the fear factor. The Philippines has an unjustified reputation of being a dangerous place. It’s true there are security guards everywhere, but that is to deter theft.
• Manila is NOT the Philippines. Get outside of the cities to see the real Philippines.
• Don’t over plan. Boats, buses, and even airplane schedules are notoriously unreliable. Be flexible.
• Check the weather. The weather varies greatly throughout the Philippines daily.
• Typhoons can have a huge impact on your plans. Account for this when planning your trip.
• It’s not cool to raise your voice or show outward frustration in public.
• Be polite at all times. Realize that your country’s sense of humor may be different from Filipino humor and take this into account when interacting with Filipinos and while in public places.
• Things move at a slower pace. Accept it … don’t get frustrated … but do account for it.
• Don’t drink the tap water… but stay hydrated! Save money by buying large bottles (6-10 liters) of water and using it to fill your water bottle or hydration bladder in your backpack.

For a complete list of our travel tips & hacks, check out the following guide and be sure to download a FREE copy for yourself.

VIEW & DOWNLOAD: The Ultimate Travel Tips & Hacks Guide for the Philippines

Money Matters

The Philippines has its own currency called the Philippine Peso. Banks, ATMs, and money-changers can be found on the island. If you are exploring the neighboring islands or provinces, make sure to bring enough cash that will last until the next time you get to an ATM or bank since most tours, transportation, and budget accommodations only accept cash.

READ MORE: Money in the Philippines: Everything You Need to Know

Health & Safety

Crime

While overall the Philippines is a safe country to visit, as is Tagaytay City, you need to use common sense just as you would in any country, especially when traveling, and in a city, town, or area you are unfamiliar with.

Consult your hotel or resort front desk as they are more likely to give you reliable information than a random stranger on the street. Be careful when approaching strangers and selective about who you approach. Always pay attention to your gut feeling and follow it.

READ MORE: How to Avoid Scams & Thieves in the Philippines

Safety

There are many things to consider when traveling in order to stay safe … things that we may not be accustomed to during our normal everyday lives. The following are articles about tips on how to stay safe while traveling in the Philippines:

• 6 Common Accidents to Avoid  
• How to Beat the Heat in the Philippines
• Taxi Safety Tips: Dos and Don’ts
• Motorbike Safety Tips
• Beach & Ocean Safety Tips
• Sun Safety Tips  

TIP: The best way to avoid problems and stay safe is to travel with a local resident.

Health

Staying fit & healthy can be challenging when traveling in the Philippines. 

The tropical Philippines climate requires you to prepare for illnesses that you may not normally be accustomed to. 

The following are our Top 10 Tips for Staying Healthy while Traveling in the Philippines:

• Maintain a Balanced Diet
• Stay Hydrated but Only Drink Bottled Water
• Get Plenty of Rest
• Allow Your Body Time to Adjust 
• Keep Active
• Sanitize Often 
• Be Aware of Food Safety Concerns
• Take Your Vitamins
• Practice Safe Sex
• Be Prepared Should You Get Sick

READ MORE: Stay Healthy in the Philippines: How to Avoid Getting Sick

Staying Connected

You need to have a local-based SIM card in order to stay connected when in the Philippines. Network giants such as Globe and Smart have SIM cards you can use to make calls, send text messages, and also to connect to the Internet. A SIM card costs around 50 PHP ($1 USD) and usually comes with a FREE load worth 50 PHP ($1 USD). You can buy a card containing a code you can enter on your phone to replenish your load or buy an electronic load that is available almost anywhere in the city.

While you may not have problems with signal strength when in the city, it is not always the case when on islands or in remote areas of a province.  So when arranging for transportation pick up, say when renting a boat to take you to and pick you up from the island, it would be best that you make it clear what time you need to be picked up before the boatman leaves.

Recommended Travel Apps

Apps for smartphones and tablets can be useful both before you leave and while you’re traveling.  Most are available for iPhones and Android phones.

The following are our Top 10 most useful travel apps on our smartphones when traveling in the Philippines:

1. Grab (taxis/ride shares)
2. Angkas (motorbike ride-hailing)
3. WhatsApp (phone calls)
4. Skyscanner (flights)
5. Rome2Rio (transportation)
6. Agoda (accomodations)
7. Booking.com (accomodations)
8. AirBnB (accomodations)
9. Traveloka (flights, accomodations, activities)
10. Klook (attractions & activities )

Be certain to download and set up apps BEFORE leaving on your trip to make certain each is installed and working properly.

For our complete list of travel apps that we use and recommend while traveling in the Philippines, checkout our checklist below.  Download a FREE copy for yourself as a PDF.

READ MORE: The Ultimate List of Travel Apps for the Philippines

Itinerary

Trying to decide what to do when traveling to a destination for the first time can be a bit overwhelming given your lack of familiarity with the place along with all of the available options. 

We’ve created the following itinerary to help simplify the process and ensure that you get the most out of your trip.  Although we provide a 7 day itinerary for this destination, it can always be adjusted to fit the length of your trip.

VIEW: Tagaytay City 7-Day Travel Itinerary

Packing Checklist

The secret to a successful and stress-free trip is to start by using a packing list.  This will reduce anxiety from the start and ensure that nothing important is forgotten when packing.   To make this process easy for you, we’ve created a detailed packing list.  Click the link below to download it for FREE now. 

Carrying your checklist with you during your travels can be useful when repacking, by helping to ensure that you do not leave anything behind.

VIEW & DOWNLOAD: Our Ultimate Packing Guide & Checklist

Things to Remember

This guide recommends to take note of the following while traveling Tagaytay City or in the Philippines in general.

Smoking

There is a nationwide ban which prohibits smoking in public places including indoors, the streets, on sidewalks, in restaurants , and on public transportation, requiring smokers to use designated smoking areas.  Selling tobacco to and purchasing from or for minors is also prohibited. Violators are subject to fines (up to 5,000 PHP | $100 USD) and even 4 months in prison.

Alcohol

The minimum legal drinking age is 18.  Alcohol such as beer and hard drinks can easily be bought in grocery and convenience stores.  The most common alcoholic beverage is beer, generally served cold.  Local alcoholic drinks include tuba (coconut wine which is usually very strong) and potent moonshine-like clear liquors made from sugar or fruit.  Imported beer, wine, and name brand hard alcohol are available but expensive.

Drugs

Drugs are illegal in the Philippines.  Don’t use, buy, or sell any non-prescription drugs while in the Philippines … not even marijuana.  It is considered an especially heinous crime to buy from, for, or sell drugs to children.  The penalties are severe … up to and including death.

Nudity

Public nudity is illegal in the Philippines and is not tolerated.  Most locals consider it offensive.  There are laws which prohibit provocative and erotic clothing and swimwear, therefore carefully consider your clothings and swimwear choices to make certain they are not too revealing.

Foreigners & Expats

If you are not a Filipino citizen, remember that you are a guest when visiting this country … be certain to act accordingly.  Respect the people, their customs, and the environment and wlidlife. You can be deported and banned … so behave … but have fun and enjoy all that this wonderful destination has to offer.

READ MORE: Practical Information about the Philippines

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