Taal Lake and Volcano
The Taal Lake and Volcano are two reasons why locals and tourists from Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, and Laguna are heading to Tagaytay. Many are intrigued by the Taal Volcano as it is known to be the smallest active volcano in the world.
Its location along a mountain ridge makes it visible at different dining establishments and other attractions located along the Aguinaldo Highway.
About Taal Lake and Volcano
The Taal Volcano stands at 1,020 feet and has 47 craters and four maars, volcanic craters formed when old groundwater becomes in contact with hot rock or magma during an eruption. Accordingly, the main crater lake is 1.9 kilometers in diameter and is located on Volcano Island.
The entire Taal Volcano is far more extensive than the rocky outpost, and the Taal Lake hides much of the Taal caldera, and only a small portion of the volcano sits above the water. Hence, it has been classified as a complex volcano system by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
There has been a total of 34 Taal Volcano eruptions recorded within over 400 years. And the latest eruption happened on January 12, 2020. It affected not only Batangas but also neighboring towns and provinces, including Metro Manila.
Where to get the best view of Taal Lake and Volcano?
Before the recent eruption of Taal Volcano, various activities, such as boating, trekking, and horseback riding, can be done on the island. However, with the recent volcanic activities observed by PHIVOLCS, it would be better to view the volcano and lake from a distance and on safer ground.
Taal Lake and Volcano are visible at different locations along the Emilio Aguinaldo Highway. Hence, it would be easy to find a spot for your sight-seeing activity. Certain tourist spots offer exquisite views of the lake and volcano, including the Picnic Grove and Sky Ranch. If you want a better view of the volcano from higher ground, then the location to be at is in People’s Park in the Sky as it is located on top of Mount Sungay, which has the highest point in Cavite.
It would be better to first check the advisories on Tagaytay activities before planning a trip to the city as Taal Volcano is active.
How to Get to Tagaytay
There are various ways to get to Tagaytay by private or public vehicles. It would mostly depend on where people will be coming from.
Visitors with private cars can get to Tagaytay City via South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and exit to Sta. Rosa Drive or via Emilio Aguinaldo Highway.
On the other hand, if visitors are going to Tagaytay by using public transportation:
OPTION 1: Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX)
Tagaytay, Mendez, and Nasugbu are the three available bus routes at the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), either directly bound for Tagaytay or passes the city.
OPTION 2: DLTB Bus Terminal, Pasay City
Buses en-route Nasugbu or Calatagan both pass through Tagaytay before reaching its destination in Batangas. These are the ideal bus routes for people wanting to visit Tagaytay.
Unlike buses from PITX, DLTB buses going to Nasugbu or Calatagan take the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and exit in Carmona.
OPTION 3: UV Express Van
Mall terminals have UV Express vans that offer rides to different cities and towns. Vans with routes to Nasugbu, Calatagan, and Lemery are the ideal ride for those who want to visit Tagaytay as it passes through the Tagaytay proper.
There are available vans at the following places:
LRT Buendia, Pasay City
Starmall Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Festival Mall, Muntinlupa City
Starmall EDSA-Shaw, Ortigas City
Where to get more information about Tagaytay?
Discover and explore Tagaytay’s stunning views and sceneries, food offerings, family-friendly activities, and accommodations with Staycation Tagaytay.
Staycation Tagaytay is a website that provides various information about Tagaytay, including places to visit, delicacies to try, and accommodations available for travelers who want to wander through the magnificent city.
Sources:
https://guidetothephilippines.ph/articles/things-to-do/tagaytay-tourist-spots
https://guidetothephilippines.ph/articles/ultimate-guides/tagaytay-travel-guide