Batangas City
Batangas, the capital of Batangas province, is a major seaport, second to Manila among the ports on Luzon, and a gateway to the rest of the archipelago. With a population of 486,000 (2015), Metro Batangas is seeing fast growth, but its prominent sights like the city's religious sites and heritage homes are yet to have a mention to the tourist trail.
Understand
The name "Batangas" can be ambiguous; it can either refer to the city, the minor metropolitan area, Metro Batangas, or the province. The term is far more used to refer to the province, but "Batangas" is also the original name of the town before it became the city it is today. Media will use "Batangas City" to disambiguate it from the province, but in ordinary speech, the city is just referred to as "Batangas", the same as the eponymous province.
The city is home to the Philippines's second most important seaport, the Batangas Port, making this an important entry point to Luzon and the rest of the Philippines. Batangas City also serves as the provincial educational center, having 7 colleges and universities, with the three major ones being Batangas State University, Lyceum Philippines University and University of Batangas. Being a port city, Batangas is a fast-growing commercial and industrial center, being developed to become the regional center of the CALABARZON region.
History
The area served as the center of the ancient barangay of Comintang (Kumintang) long before Spanish colonization. Spanish settlement began in 1572 and the original town center was founded in 1581, on the present-day area of sitio Hilltop in barangay Kumintang Ibaba. After the destructive eruption of Taal Volcano in 1755 destroyed the original capital at Bonbon (present-day Taal), the settlement became the new administrative center and capital of Batangas, then called the province of Bonbon.
The current local government was set up by the American military in 1901. During World War II, the town served as a landing point by the Japanese, and dive bombers devastated most of the original town and its air field. The town was rebuilt after the war. The current city, originally intended to be named Laurel City after Philippine president Jose P. Laurel, was chartered in July 14, 1969. The completion of STAR Tollway in 2007 further boosted Batangas City's status as an international port, alongside the expansion of it port complex. In 2017, the city was affected by an earthquake swarm that originated off Balayan Bay to the west.
People
Batangas City has a population of 330,000 as of 2015.
The locals are mostly Tagalogs, with a large Visayan (especially Cebuano) and Chinese minority. There is also a small Muslim minority as well, mostly settled in Cuta and Malitam. The city also has a growing African, especially Nigerian, community, mostly living to study in the universities, and a few have formed their families in the city. There are a few who leave for Metro Manila for work and study.
Orientation
The city is divided into 105 barangays, ranging from an urban neighborhood to a rural village; many barangays with suffixed names are grouped into unofficial clusters (e.g. Kumintang, Pallocan). In general, the city can be divided into five broad areas, but this guide considers the area around Batangas port a separate district.
- Poblacion - The city proper, and the old downtown, further divided into 24 numbered barangays; has most of the shopping and higher education institutions. Batangas City Hall, Plaza Mabini, and the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception lies in this district. Various ancestral houses, most notably the Pastor Mansion, have Poblacion their home.
- East - Much of this area's activity is centered on five suburban barangays east of the Calumpang. You can find most food and shopping at SM City Batangas, but there are also scattered local food destinations. The rest is rather mountainside country off the beaten path
- North of Poblacion - Includes barangays Alangilan, Balagtas, Kumintang Ilaya and Kumintang Ibaba . It has the capitol and government offices, growing nightlife, mid-class subdivisions, and another major university, the Lyceum of the Philippines University Batangas. Along the Diversion Road are ongoing commercial developments surrounding the new central terminal, Largely agricultural lands with scattered barangays.
- Pier Area - Low to mid-class area west of Poblacion, composed of barangays Cuta, Malitam, Santa Clara, and Wawa. This district hosts the Philippines' second major seaport, Batangas Port. Not far from the port are low-cost hotels, guest houses, recreation, and the city's second major market, Julian Pastor Memorial Market (Bagong Palengke or simply, Bago).
- Southern Batangas City - More of seaside and foothill communities. This area houses new industrial developments, Pilipinas Shell's refinery, and Monte Maria.
- Western Batangas City - Coastal suburbs, with inland barangays to the north. There is not much any food destinations here, but you can find places to relax not too far from downtown.
The Calumpang River serves as an important reference point: everything west is highly urbanized, and everything east is generally rural, save for Gulod, Pallocan, and Libjo.
The Poblacion is the old downtown, with P. Burgos Street dividing the district into a commercial area and residential district. The western part is the classic commercial center, while the eastern part of Poblacion is largely residential. Most accommodations within Poblacion are east of P. Burgos.
Climate
The city has a dry and wet climate, but it greatly influenced by the monsoon climate that cause frequent rainfall to the east. Temperatures can be as high as 34.5 °C (94.1 °F) or as low as 22.1 °C (71.8 °F), with little difference by month, as in tropical countries. The dry season is very short, running only between January and April, but sporadic thunderstorms still occur. The rainy season starts as early as May or late as June. Batangas City is not as rainy as its nearest large city, Lipa or even Manila, but it is relatively hotter than the two.
Location
Batangas City is surrounded by of San Jose and Cuenca to the north, San Pascual and Bauan to the west, Ibaan, Taysan and Lobo to the east, and Verde Island to the south. The city covers 283 km2 (109 sq mi) of lowland, mountains, and the island of Isla Verde. Most parts of the city remains rural, and the population is largely concentrated on the mouth of the Calumpang River.
Batangas City is prone to typhoons, but the city is less prone to earthquakes. The last recorded earthquake was an earthquake swarm in 2017 that damaged some buildings, especially its historic Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Typhoons frequently pass through the city, especially from June to September. Some of them made major damage, especially on crossings between the Calumpang River.
Tourism information
- Batangas City Tourism Office, City Hall Complex, P. Burgos Street..
Get in
Batangas's nearest airport is in Manila, but the city is a major sea transport hub, with good connections to the rest of the archipelago through frequent ferry and boat services. You will most likely to have a layover in Batangas if travelling from Manila to Mindoro and/or Visayas through a combination of land and sea travel; most travellers from either way stop at Batangas before continuing onward in either direction.
By bus
Most travelers come to Batangas City by bus; most buses come from Manila, but there are services within the province and from nearby Quezon province.
- 1 Batangas City Grand Terminal (Batangas Central Terminal), Diversion Road, Alangilan. Central bus station, serving trips to and from Metro Manila and Lucena. Buses boarding RoRo ferries also stop here to drop off passengers. Jeepneys and UV Express are available from there.
- 2 Batangas Port Bus Terminal (Batangas Pier Terminal) (Take the Batangas-Pier jeepney from downtown). Terminal for southbound buses from Manila, and stopover for buses taking ferries.
From about 2013, all bus services terminating at Batangas City share a common terminal at Diversion Road, with connections to local jeepney services to downtown. Bus companies used to have their own terminal within the urbanized area, rather like the situation in Manila until today. Southbound buses, however only stop at the Central Terminal to drop off some passengers, and head for the port (where they terminate, or take the ferry).
Jeepneys to downtown or Mabini are available from the Grand Terminal; there are convenience stores, food stalls, pasalubong shops, a Shopwise supermarket (opened December 2018) and a two-storey strip mall under development, Transit Point. Nearby, along Diversion Road, are some fast food restaurants and some mid-range dining. Restrooms are available for free at the Grand Terminal since June 2019; before that, there is a ₱5-15 fee, depending whether you urinate or defecate.
The terminal at Batangas Port has good connections with boat services and one local jeepney route to downtown (BP-01 Batangas-Pier), but is rather more Spartan and functional over the Central Terminal. Other food and drink options are rather found across the boat terminal itself, and are generally accessible only to boat passengers.
Bus companies and fares
There are multiple bus operators operating routes to Batangas City from Metro Manila. Bus trips usually take the STAR Tollway or Jose P. Laurel Highway, or both, with the turning point at Lipa, and trips may take 1½-2 hours via STAR Tollway, or even 5 hours via Jose P. Laurel Highway.
Bus tickets approximately range from ₱50-220 to the Grand Terminal or ₱60-225 to the port one-way. You can avail for a 20% discount if you are a student, senior citizen, or a person with disability by provide a valid ID to the conductor or ticket seller, though conductors are reluctant to provide discounts if you produce a foreign ID. Tickets can be bought inside the bus, or at the terminal. Buses are congested during the weekend and holiday periods (Holy Week, All Saints Day, Christmas, New Year), and it is inadvisable to travel by bus at those periods. With the exception of P&O, no ticket booking is needed for most carriers terminating at Batangas City (many will have a conductor who hands out a ticket based on your point of origin), as they don't run beyond 200 km.
Both of the city's terminals are busy through the day, with arrivals and departures between 15 to 30 minutes, and there is stiff competition on level of service between operators on services from Manila. There are services from Lucena as well, but are less frequent.
- ALPS The Bus, info@alpsthebus.com. Owned by Al Perez, a Batangas local, they provide half-hourly departures from their Metro Manila terminals: Alabang (Muntinlupa), Buendia (Pasay) Cubao (Quezon City), Manila and Marikina.
- Batangas Starexpress Corporation (BSC). Operates from Alabang, Buendia and Cubao, but trips are slightly slower with stops at STAR Tollway exits. BSC operates also half-hourly services to Nasugbu, reviving again the route ALPS once operated until the early 2010s.
- Ceres Transport. Operates from Alabang, Buendia and Cubao terminals, including trips bound for destinations in Visayas using RoRo ferries. This bus company is related to Ceres Liner which serves most of the Visayas, and is owned by the Bacolod-based Yanson Group.
- Gold Star. Part of Ceres Transport, this one use larger imported Chinese buses, some with onboard restrooms (look for the "With CR" sign). Their buses have a vivid yellow livery. Most of these buses run the slower route through the centers of Tanauan and Lipa, so if you are seeking faster services that bypass those cities, find one with "ACTEX Derecho" or "CALABARZON" signs on the windshield.
- DLTBCo. Historically known also as BLTB (Batangas-Laguna-Tayabas Bus Company), they travel also from their Buendia, EDSA and Cubao terminals.
- Jam, info@jam.com.ph. Uses all-AC coaches on services from Cubao or Pasay. Low-floor city buses are used as well, especially on peak hour services.
- N. Dela Rosa Liner. Has an all-AC bus fleet with 2–2 seating (3-2 for some of its older buses), departing from Alabang (and occasionally, from Cubao).
- P&O Transportation. Hourly departures to Tagkawayan, Quezon. Advanced booking required if coming from Tagkawayan.
- Supreme Transport. Operates a mix of AC and non-AC buses to Lucena (via San Juan), and used to hold a near monopoly on the Batangas–Lucena route.
| Origin | to Grand Terminal | To Batangas Port |
|---|---|---|
| Lipa | ₱50 | ₱60 |
| Nasugbu | ₱140 | (none) |
| Lucena | ₱160 | ₱170 |
| Calamba | ₱110 | ₱120 |
| Alabang | ₱160 | ₱170 |
| Cubao | ₱220 | ₱225 |
| Pasay-Buendia | ₱200 | ₱210) |
Premium buses
Premium express bus services, branded Point-to-Point (P2P) buses, are proposed to run to the Grand Terminal from points in Metro Manila, namely Alabang Town Center and Starmall Alabang in Muntinlupa, The Circuit and Greenbelt in Makati, PITX in Parañaque, Buendia/Gil Puyat in Pasay, and Ortigas Center in Pasig, but no operators have been granted franchises for any of these routes as of February 2020.
By car
Batangas City serves as the southern terminus for the STAR Tollway, and a drive from Metro Manila may take 1½-2 hours. Tolls are required to be paid upon entry and exit, so a toll-free option is the parallel but congested Jose P. Laurel Highway. Another option is to drive through STAR Tollway and exit at Lipa, then head for Jose P. Laurel Highway.
Because of new economic developments and plans by the provincial government for the area, new expressway-grade bypasses has begun construction since 2018, that will further make access by car travel easier.
By boat
- 3 Batangas Port, Santa Clara (Jeepney route: BP-01 Batangas-Pier. Southbound buses from Manila terminate here before deadheading to their depots or starting their return trips from the Grand Terminal.). Locally known as the Pier (pronounced as pee-YUHR locally), this is the sea transport hub for the Southern Luzon region, and the alternative to Manila's congested seaport for both passenger and freight boats.
- 4 Sitio Berberabe boat pier, Pinamucan Proper (Take any of the jeepneys with destinations beyond San Isidro or Tabangao, then walk from the nearby jeepney stop). Serves smaller wooden motorboats (bancas) from Sabang pier at Puerto Galera, since those boats are banned from Batangas Port since 2018 (see the Sabang article for further information).
Batangas City is a major seaport serving ferry and shipping services to and from the rest of the archipelago. There are roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) ferry service connecting Calapan in Mindoro, and interisland ships that call at Batangas Port. The port becomes congested during major holiday periods (Holy Week, All Saints' Day, Christmas and New Year), so better avoid travel by sea during those times.
Motor boats with wooden hulls used to leave at Batangas Port, but are since banned, and only depart from the smaller boat pier at Sitio Berberabe, far to the south, and only accessible by rather inefficient and infrequent jeepney services from the city proper.
Shipping companies
- 2Go Travel/SuperCat - Calapan, Caticlan (Boracay), Odiongan (in Romblon)
- Montenegro Shipping Lines - Odiongan
- Super Shuttle - Calapan, Roxas (Mindoro), Caticlan, Odiongan, Dumaguit, Culasi, Masbate City, Iloilo City, Bacolod, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro
By train
Train service to Batangas City at around the 1960s and 70s, but there are plans to restore service on the 54 km (34 mi) railway line from Calamba and onward to Manila.
The nearest train station with service is at Calamba, served by a few commuter trains. From there, you take a tricycle from the train station to Calamba Crossing, then take the bus to Batangas City, or take a jeepney to Turbina bus station and take the bus from there.
By plane
The only nearby airport with passenger flights is Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Metro Manila, but there are proposals to construct a new airport out of the existing Fernando Airbase in Lipa. From NAIA, you can drive directly to Batangas City, or take a provincial bus.
Get around
By jeepney
The traditional way to get around Batangas City is by jeepney, which follow a numbered network divided into 5 color-coded sector arranged by direction and destinations they serve:
- BE (eastbound routes. color code: orange) - Routes run from the poblacion or Pallocan to eastern barangays, as well as Taysan and Lobo; however, little of the routes are of use to the visitor, except for routes BE-01 (Batangas-Lobo) and BE-05 (Batangas-Dagatan) which can be used to reach Mount Banoy.
- BN (northbound routes. color code: red) - Serves northerly barangays, but most routes run onto the towns of San Jose, Ibaan and Rosario and the city of Lipa via the highways. Some useful routes are BN-01 Batangas-Balete, which provides a shorter alternate route to routes BP-01 and BP-05 between Poblacion and the Grand Terminal.
- BP (routes within poblacion, as well those serving major urban barangays, color code: yellow, white (for BP-03 Batangas-Capitolio-Hospital)) - Routes connect the poblacion with suburban barangays. Four of its five routes are the routes most useful to visitors: BP-01 Batangas-Alangilan, BP-02 Batangas-Pier, BP-03 Batangas-Capitolio-Hospital (color-coded white) and BP-05 Batangas-Balagtas. Routes BP-01 (southbound via National Highway, northbound via Evangelista and P. Herrera streets) and BP-05 (southbound via Hilltop, northbound via Bay Mall/UB) connects the poblacion with the central bus station, BP-02 with the port, and BP-03 with Pallocan via a longer route through Gulod (around Pontefino) and Kumintang (around the provincial capitol and the LPU campus).
- BS (southbound routes. color code: green) - Routes serve the southern barangays. Useful routes are BS-01 Batangas-Libjo and BS-05 Batangas-San Isidro (both practically the same route), which directly connects the poblacion with barangay Pallocan, and the BS-09 Batangas-Pagkilatan, which can be used to reach Monte Maria without a car.
- BW (westbound routes. color code: blue) - Routes links the poblacion or Grand Terminal with western barangays, and the towns of San Pascual, Bauan, Mabini, and Lemery. One useful route is BW-05 Batangas-Caltex, which provides a connection between downtown and the Calicanto commercial area (though it is possible to just walk along P. Burgos instead).
Routes have numbers, being in the form of network sector-number (e.g. BP-01), but are rarely used by residents, and instead, routes are referred to their primary destination. Nonetheless, visitors can easily find their route without asking by looking on the painted route name signs on the front and sides.
Jeepneys are frequent, and routes reach most of Batangas City's nooks and crannies. Jeepneys congregate at the Grand Terminal (for Poblacion-bound, northbound, and westbound routes), Pallocan (in front of SM, for eastbound routes) and SM Transport Terminal (behind SM, for southbound routes except BS-01 from barangay Libjo and BS-05 from San Isidro). Fares start at ₱9 for the first 4 km (2.5 mi), increasing by ₱2.25 for each additional kilometer. Jeepneys get crowded during rush hour, so beware of pickpockets or gropers.
By tricycle
Within the city proper, it is possible to get around by tricycle, which have terminals scattered at important spots within the poblacion. Tricycles are coded by color and number, and they prowl Batangas City's inner streets not served by the extensive jeepney route network. Fares start at ₱8 (as of 2019) for the first 2 km (1.2 mi), increasing by ₱4 for each additional kilometer. Watch out for scams, especially for trips from the downtown to Pallocan (and vice versa) at night, when jeepneys are less frequent once the malls close.
On foot
The poblacion area is just almost a kilometer wide, and as such, is compact and easily explored on foot. Pallocan is also just 1 km (0.62 mi) away from downtown, and if you have the energy, it is possible to walk across Calumpang Bridge rather than to take a jeepney, though it can be unpleasant with the humid climate, and it may feel unsafe to walk around at night. A jeepney ride between the city proper and Pallocan (and the other way around) should not cost more than ₱9, so is a tricycle ride at ₱8 on the same way.
By car
Driving in downtown Batangas City is difficult, with slow traffic, many one-way streets, limited parking, and narrow streets. Public transportation coverage in the city is good, with most places relevant to travelers reachable by jeepney, and exploring the poblacion is easy on foot. Nonetheless, car travel is advised when going to places like Monte Maria, where it can take over a hour on a jeepney.
See
While it is often viewed as a mere layover point for travelers between Manila and the Visayas by land and by sea, Batangas City is rich in historical heritage, from religious sites to heritage buildings.
- 1 Acosta-Pastor House, C. Tirona Street. Built in 1883, it is the ancestral home of Don Alejo Acosta, who served as a capitan de barrio of . It remains the property of Acosta's descendants, and has been turned into a museum
- 2 Assemblyman Rafael Recto People's Park (Batangas Provincial Community Park), Tolentino Road, Kumintang Ibaba (behind the Provincial Capitol complex and beside Lyceum Philippines University Batangas). Provincially-maintained park, with wide grassy spaces and mini-amphitheatre
- 3 Bahay Pamahalaan, Lungsod ng Batangas (Batangas City Hall), P. Burgos Street (Near Plaza Mabini). The historic city hall which . Since 2019, it has been renovated, with a newer facade.
- 4 Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Basilica de la Immaculada Concepcion, Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception), M.H. del Pilar Street (In front of Plaza Mabini). The historical Roman Catholic church at the downtown, it has a Baroque façade and interior, and houses both the images of the Infant Jesus (Santo Niño) and the Immaculate Conception.
- 5 Batangas Provincial Capitol Building, Jose P. Laurel Highway, Kumintang Ibaba (Past Telecom Road). A Neoclassical capitol building housing the office of the governor of Batangas. First built in 1926, it was destroyed by bombing twice, during World War II and in 1950. Around the façade is a tall flagpole, the provincial seal of Batangas, a marble terrace, and two fountains
- Borbon-Rosales House, P. Panganiban Street. Dating back to 1870, it was the ancestral home of the Borbon family, as well as the Rosales family, where the former archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Godofredo Rosales, is part of
- 6 Laurel Park, National Highway cor. Telecom Road, Kumintang Ibaba. A fenced circular park dedicated to the historical contributions of the Batangueños (people of Batangas). Inside the park is sculptures representing the five Batangueño virtues of nobility, bravery, industriousness, wisdom, and beauty, as well as
- 7 Monte Maria Batangas (Half-hour travel by car). Constructed in 2013, this Catholic pilgrimage site includes the Santo Niño Chapel (a replica of the Church of Our Lady Victorious in Prague) and the 90 m (300 ft) statue of the Virgin Mary, the Mary, Mother of All Asia, which will become the largest in Asia. The location in the coast also provides views of Puerto Galera and Verde Island.
- 8 Museo Puntong Batangan (Museo ng Lungsod Batangas), City Hall Complex, P. Burgos (Near the post office). Opened in 2006, it presents the city's cultural heritage and history, as well as the history and culture of Batangueños.
- 9 Plaza Mabini, P. Burgos Street, Poblacion (Near the city hall). A 2 ha (4.9 acres) Spanish-era downtown plaza in Poblacion, named in honor to revolutionary Apolinario Mabini. The present plaza dates to 1915, and has been redesigned in 2004 by the firm under renowned Filipino architect and urban planner Jun Palafox. It has a monument to Apolinario Mabini, pedestrian space with sunrays design, dancing fountains, playground, a covered amphitheater, flower stalls, souvenir shops, and tourism office.
Do
Travelers to the rest of Batangas Province use Batangas City as a jumping off point, but the city serves also as a starting point for travelers to Puerto Galera. There are few any unpolluted beach areas around the city, and one beach in the Santa Rita area near the port complex, while popular with some locals, is badly littered with waste from seaside residential areas. In-city beach resorts can be found in Pagkilatan, just south of the Monte Maria pilgrimage site. Nearby seaside resorts are found in Mabini and San Juan. Inland resorts are also numerous, but access is mostly poor in many of them.
Festivals
- See also: Festivals in the Philippines
- Feast of the Holy Child (Santo Niño) - Held every January 16, and dedicated to the Santo Niño ng Batangan. The festivities start with the fluvial parade of the Santo Niño on Calumpang River. Residents invite everyone into lavish feasts they prepared for that day. Major streets in the Poblacion are closed, causing traffic jams outside. The city is heavily packed, making the local festivities an alternative to the ones in Cebu and Iloilo, but not as lively as the celebrations in Visayas.
- Good Friday procession - A solemn procession where various Catholic religious images are paraded through the Poblacion and is returned to the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Devotees hold candles throughout the parade. Major streets are closed to traffic.
- Sublian Festival - A week-long festival reviving the old Batangas Tagalog tradition of subli, a rain-making dance. Festivities last a week, culminating with the Batangas City Founding Day. Various schools and companies send groups to compete in dance competitions, with winning groups parading in Batangas City Founding Day.
- Batangas City Founding Day - July 23 - The most colorful of the local festivities in Batangas City, commemmorating its cityhood since 1969. Various local businesses are also promoted in the festival.
Sports
- 1 Batangas City Sports Complex (Beside Batangas State University. Accessible by jeepney from Bago.). Has a 20 by 50-meter 8-lane swimming pool, running track and basketball courts.
- Batangas Coliseum (Beside Batangas State University. Accessible by jeepney from Bago.). Multi-purpose arena, sometimes hosts professional league games held in Batangas, as well as local sports events and concerts.
Learn
Batangas City is the education center of Batangas, and hosts the province's major higher education institutions. Major higher education institutions include the Batangas State University (including annex in Alangilan), Lyceum Philippines University Batangas, St. Bridget College and University of Batangas, and a number of colleges and vocational schools. There are a few international schools that cater to children of foreigners. There have been an increase in foreign students, especially Nigerians, in local universities.
There is one public library along P. Burgos, between the central police station and University of Batangas' elementary department, but is being reconstructed as a 3-storey building since 2018 and is not expected to open until about late 2019 or early 2020.
Buy
The major shopping area is found on the area in Poblacion approximately bordered by P. Burgos to the east, Rizal Avenue to the south, and D. Silang to the west and northwest.
Inside Poblacion
- 1 Bay City Mall. 10AM-9PM daily. Owned by a local retail company, it is a local favorite. It houses a Citimart department store and supermarket, a National Book Store, numerous ukay-ukay outlets, Jollibee and Chowking, and other local businesses.
- 2 Citimart, Rizal Avenue (Beside Jollibee). 10AM-9PM daily. Owned also by the retailer owning Bay City Mall, this is a large department store building with a supermarket below. The department store remains closed, but it hosts a Greenwich and a Chowking restaurant.
- 3 Unitop, A. Evangelista Street (Beside Novo.). A local favorite, with its own supermarket, in the basement. It sells household items, clothes, and groceries.
Outside Poblacion
- 4 Puregold, Calicanto Road (beside Caedo Commercial Center). Has a Mang Inasal and a BDO ATM.
- 5 SM City Batangas, National Highway, Pallocan West (Behind Days Hotel), ☏ +63 43 722-0276. 10:00-21:00. Opened in 2005, it hosts a large department store, hundreds of shops, and movie theaters. It underwent expansion that added more restaurants, and a Kidzoona children's play area. Also has a SM Supermarket.
- 6 SM Hypermarket, National Highway, Balagtas. 9AM-9PM. This branch of this nationwide chain used to be a Makro store, and has large parking space, perfect if you bring a car with you. Prices are expensive compared to the others downtown. Has a BDO ATM, food court and a Watson's pharmacy, everything you need in one place.
- 7 Xentro Mall Batangas, Diversion Road, Alangilan (Beside the Grand Terminal). 10AM-9PM. Opened May 2018. Single-story mall with a Savemore supermarket, and some shops and restaurants.
Public markets and talipapas
There are also public markets and talipapas (wet markets) in the downtowns and some major barangays, and are good for local fruits, vegetables, meat and fish. Batangas City has two major public markets, with a number of talipapas in key barangays. The other towns also have one public market.
- 8 Batangas City Public Market (Lumang Palengke), D. Silang Street (reachable by jeepney from almost all routes on Poblacion). 5AM-7PM daily. An important marketplace for the city for years since the 1900s, it hosts small services, clothing stalls, and local meat, fish and produce. It also has some small restaurants specializing in the regional cuisine and a McDonald's ice cream stall. Parking is also available at a fee of ₱10.
- 9 Julian Pastor Memorial Market, DJPMM Access Road, Cuta (served by numerous jeepney routes through Poblacion, except for the Batangas-Capitolio-Hospital route). 6AM-3PM daily. A newer public market built to the south. Has a wet and dry section. A dry section to the west is under construction and almost complete, but still unopened.
Eat
Batangas City has a lot of restaurants, but a more local experience is to eat at the plainer restaurants selling homemade dishes or Batangas specialties. The city abounds in places catering to local tastes, and better locations for local specialties are not hard to find. For a mid-size city like this, items are in overall, moderately priced.
Budget-friendly options are mostly found downtown, but upscale local dining is mostly in suburban locations like Alangilan.
Poblacion
The downtown has many restaurants, not limited to fast food chains, and you can also find the Filipino-style eateries, which are plain but they can provide cheap and local food.
West of P. Burgos
- 1 Bafoo's (B & A Foods), Ricardo Building, Rizal Avenue (near the traffic light with DJPMM Access Road 2). Specializes in the Batangueño favorite, lomi, but also serves other regional dishes. It now has branches in Pallocan West (near Calumpang Bridge) and Kumintang Ibaba (near University of Batangas).
- 2 Ng Wanam Food House, 20 A. Evangelista Street (beside Lumang Palengke). 6AM-noon. Best noted for their affordable pancit, but only open during the morning. Location is also not too far from downtown shopping areas.
- 3 Johanna's Grill, ☏ +63 43-723-2289. 10AM-9:30PM. Retro-themed restaurant specializing in baby-back ribs.
The "Lumang Palengke" does have a
East of P. Burgos
- 4 Eat n' Be Well Vegetarian Haven, 25 C. Tirona Street (near the corner with P. Canlapan). 7AM-7PM. Cooperative-owned restaurant serving vegetarian dishes.
- 5 Ho Tsai, A. Evangelista Street (at the corner with P. Dandan). 8AM-8PM. One of the first Filipino-Chinese restaurants in the city. Serves Filipino-Chinese fast food like pansit, lomi and mami, as well as common Filipino favourites, like Filipino-style spaghetti, fried rice and pulutan dishes. From ₱50.
- 6 Hungry Hippo, National Highway (on commercial building outside University of Batangas). Small hamburger restaurant with stall below and tables above.
- 7 Mirellis Diner, Lt. Col. D. Atienza Street (beside Golden Gate Colleges Integrated School), ☏ +63 43 984-3846. 8AM-8PM. Little sit-in restaurant serving Filipino and Western meals, including burgers, sandwiches, pancit, silog, and others.
- 8 Nung Ru Thai, M.H. Del Pilar Street (beside Zenaida Arcade), ☏ +63 943 335-5079. 5PM-midnight. Owned by a Filipino who lived in Thailand, this is only one of a few restaurants that serve Thai and Indian cuisine in Batangas.
- 9 Purple Beetle Cafe, 69 P. Burgos Street (below World Trade Hotel). Small, but nice and chic place to hang out and eat if you stay on the hotel just above.
- 10 Mr. Kimchi, The Plaza, P. Dandan Street (behind Plaza Mabini). 11AM-10PM. Korean dining, complete with hot pot, barbecue, and soju, within the downtown at a reasonable price.
- 11 Taza Mia!, P. Dandan (behind Plaza Mabini). 7AM-11PM. Part of local coffeeshop chain, serving coffee and pastries.
East of Poblacion
- 12 Big Mike's Grill House, 5 Pastor Avenue, Pallocan West (in front of Ford Batangas). 10AM-10PM. Serves sizzling favorites like sisig, bangus and gambas. You can also try their house style baby back ribs, fried rice, and burger.
- 13 F. Baylosis Crispy Pata, G.C. Berberabe Subdivision, Pallocan West, ☏ +63 43 708-6820. 10AM-10PM. Houses the city's favorite crispy pata and chicken, for locals and tourists alike. There is also a wide variety of Filipino dishes and sides, starting at ₱190. The restaurant has an ambient atmosphere and friendly staff, and prices of meals are reasonable. You can eat with the sounds and voice of an acoustic guitar player. Private karaoke rooms are available for rent for those who want a feast with eating, drinking and singing. There is also a function hall, "Hall of Fame" for large events and meetings. ₱499.
- 14 Wanam sa Bukid, Doña Romana Building, National Highway, Gulod Labac (near Gulod Labac Barangay Hall, just past Santisima Trinidad Parish). 7AM-9PM. Serves various Filipino favorites, such as chop suey, miki noodles, fried chicken, fried lumpia (spring rolls), and crispy pata. ₱100-999.
- 15 Jocas Lomi Haus, ☏ +63 43 402-0558. Open-air eatery specializing in lomi, Batangas's major contribution to the Filipino cuisine.
North of Poblacion
- 16 A&M Village Restaurant, Arce Subdivision, Kumintang Ibaba. Serves a variety of Filipino dishes, but its specialty is its beef caldereta and tadyang
- 17 Al Goto King, Diversion Road, Balagtas (near the bus stop in front of Talipapa), ☏ +63 43 783 0702. 24 hours. Small and often crowded restaurant, specializing in bulalo and goto. The restaurant has parking spaces beside.
- 18 Brand X Burgers, National Road, Balagtas (in front of the Epic Center), ☏ +63 43 984-7859. 10AM-2AM. Restaurant serving a fusion of Filipino breakfast and American fast food. From ₱140.
- 19 Cafe de Alps, Ciudad Food Avenue, Diversion Road, Alangilan (past Batangas Grand Terminal). 9AM-10PM. Bus-themed restaurant and cafe, serving Western and Filipino dishes From ₱185.
- 20 Hinomaru, Diversion Road, Alangilan (1 km (0.62 mi) away from Batangas Grand Terminal, near Honda Cars Batangas).
- 21 Jhorjanes, National Highway, Balagtas (beside 7-Eleven near Balagtas Rotonda; annex beside car repair shop). Specializes in the lomi and bulalo recipes, but they also serve local seafood, chicken, and vegetable dishes.
- 22 Kainan sa Sawali, Antonio Carpio Road, Kumintang Ibaba (after Arceo and Santuray Road).
Port Area
- 23 Jovita Cafe, DJPMM Access Road, Santa Clara (in front of RLR Travellers Inn). 9AM-9PM. Casual restaurant not far from 3 nearby hotels, and another branch near SM City Batangas. They serve coffee, pasta, pastries, and other. This is the only place in town that serve bagel sandwiches. From ₱90-150.
- 24 The Other Place, Rizal Avenue Extension, Santa Clara (near the traffic light with DJPMM Access Road), ☏ +63 43 723 1891. Filipino-themed restaurant serving common local fare. From ₱290.
Food parks or food courts
Drink
There are rather a few bars found in town, in contrast of Lipa, but if you are seeking a drink for the night, you can find some bars scattered around the city proper.
- 1 8th Avenue Restobar (The Ultimate Party Hub), Pastor Avenue, Pallocan West (beside Ford Batangas. Jeepney routes: Batangas-Libjo, Batangas-San Isidro), ☏ +63 43 702-5754. 16:00-02:00. Perfect place to jam and drink through the night, also near to hotels. No WiFi is available in-restaurant.
- 2 D' Brothers Sports Bar, G.C. Berberabe Subdivision, (between F. Baylosis Crispy Pata and St. Therese of the Child Jesus Multiple Intelligence School annex). 10:00-02:00. Sports-themed restaurant and bar, perfect place to talk, drink, and watch sports. Popular among locals and foreigners alike
Sleep
Batangas City hosts many hotels and guest houses, many of which are not listed. Guest houses and apartments are increasing in demand as both local and foreign students flock the city. DJPMM Access Road near the port is home to hotels popular for travellers who will stay in the city for the night before going to board. Many of the available accommodations are found in Cuta, Santa Clara, and Sorosoro Karsada.
| This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room: | |
| Budget | under ₱1000 |
| Mid-range | ₱1000-2000 |
| Splurge | over ₱2000 |
Budget
- Avenue Pension House 1, now the PGR Travelers Inn, 30 JP Rizal Avenue Batangas city. +63 43 300-1964. from ₱490 per night.
- 1 City Star Travel Lodge, Jose P. Laurel Highway, Sorosoro Karsada (near SIDC Feed Mill), ☏ +63-43-702-1467.
- 2 Yellowbell Country Inn, P. Panganiban Street, ☏ +63 917 446 8441, yellowbellhotel@yahoo.com. Clean, has parking, cold water shower, TV, free Wi-Fi, generator. They also have some 2-bedroom 2-storey apartments with kitchen at ₱2000 a night. Tricycles can usually be found parked right outside. double ₱900.
- 3 Mac-Ro Lodge, P. Panganiban Street (at the corner with Lt. Col. D. Atienza Street), ☏ +63 43 722 1038. Air-conditioned rooms with cable TV and backup generator. from ₱650 for 12 hours.
- Mac-Ro and Yellowbell are on the same street a short block apart, and their signs are visible from the other, so if one is full it will be convenient to try the other.
- 4 RGR Traveller's Inn, DJPMM Access Road, ☏ +63 43 723-6021. Air-conditioned rooms, but without cable TV or Wi-Fi. You can board a jeepney if you are going to Mabini once you check out.
- 5 Hotel Quinio, P. Burgos Street, ☏ +63 43 723-8395. Cheaper option downtown, but lacks most frills. Has no Wi-Fi or elevator
- 6 La Tropicana Motorists' Lodge, Jose P. Laurel Highway, Sorosoro Karsada.
- 7 RLR Travellers Inn, DJPMM Access Road, ☏ +63 43 723-2309. AC rooms with cable TV, hot water shower and free Wi-Fi. No free breakfast and swimming pool. ₱950.
- 8 Meaco Royal Hotel Batangas City, 7 A. Evangelista Street (at top of Novo Department Store). Relatively new mid-range choice not far from cheap shopping spots at Poblacion. You can either stay in a single or twin room, or family rooms, all with air-conditioning, cable TV, and Wi-Fi. Refreshments are available just on the third floor. Free parking available. ₱950.
Mid-range
- 9 D' Mariners' Hotel, Arceo Road, Kumintang Ibaba (turn left from National Highway before Kainan sa Sawali), ☏ +63 925 853-7928. Air-conditioned rooms, with an option of Deluxe (single or twin) and Family, with cable TV, telephone, and room service. Has WiFi, free breakfast and swimming pool. From ₱1100.
- 10 The Alpa Hotel and Restaurant, Tolentino Road, Kumintang Ibaba. Under new management and ongoing refurbishment. Air-conditioned rooms with cable TV, but without much of the frills carried over by the old management. Has swimming pool. ₱1590.
Splurge
- 11 Batangas Country Club, Bolbok Road, Bolbok. Classy hotel and resort within 5 km (3.1 mi) of Batangas Port, mostly serving travellers to Mabini or Puerto Galera. A/C rooms with cable TV, Wi-Fi, laundry, coffee or tea makers, and restaurant. Has amenities like swimming pool, billiard hall, and gym. From ₱3210.
- 12 Days Hotel Batangas, Pastor Avenue, Pallocan West (from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, car rentals are readily available in the form of taxi cabs that are waiting outside the airport; the hotel is in the Pastor Village), ☏ +63 43 980-7321. Tours to churches and communities in Taal, Lipa, Malvar and Tanuan can be arranged. ₱5507.
- 13 Hotel Pontefino, Pastor Village, Gulod Labac, ☏ +63 43-723-3466, fax: +63 43-723-3488. A/C rooms equipped with internet access and cable TV. Some of its facilities and services are business center, fitness room/ gym and recreational room. From ₱3445.
- 14 Luks Lofts Hotel, Juaning Road (beside the IntegrityNet call center and near Days Hotel Batangas and SM City Batangas), ☏ +63 43 302 1000. Though housed in a small 3-story building, it is the most luxurious in town, having air-conditioned rooms with cable TV, free Wi-Fi, living room and kitchen. Amenities include indoor pools, sauna, billiard room, café, and spa. ₱14000 and up.
- 15 SM Travelodge, Batangas-Quezon Road, Tinga Labac, ☏ +63 43 723-4101. Luxury traveller's hotel, with air-conditioned bedrooms with cable TV, living room, and hot tub bathrooms. You can also arrange tricycle services to Poblacion or to the port once you check out. From ₱2060.
Long-term stays
Stay safe
Batangas City has its problem of crime, with illegal drug trade and gun possession being the major concern. Some areas in the Poblacion area are haven of criminals and drug dealers, and it is best to avoid them. Beggars can be spotted in the streets, and pickpockets can be a major concern, especially if you bring valuables with you. The city remains relatively safe, if you follow common sense.
Tricycle scams are often a hassle after sunset, and it is best to arrive before 7PM (or generally, after sunset), where after it, jeepneys become hard to find (most will abruptly turn around at the middle of the trip after unloading their remaining passengers). Otherwise, wait with a local seeking a tricycle, wait for the next jeepney with passengers, or walk to the nearest stop where jeepneys still stop.
Traffic is also hectic, and noisy. Traffic lights can be seen in the major crossings, but elsewhere, watch out, as stop or give way signs are ignored. Running on red is a common sight. Honking is prevalent, jeepneys will practically stop anywhere, and motorcycles will cut through lanes when others are stuck in a traffic jam. Traffic will snarl to a halt in rush hours. Traffic enforcers can be frequently sighted, but numbers can be passive about obvious violators, and others are outright corrupt. As of 2019, a new local traffic law has been passed, but it remains to be seen whether it will change the existing traffic situation.
Walking must be taken with caution. Jaywalking is illegal in Batangas City, but a number can be still seen crossing practically anywhere; the common refrain is that the nearest crossing or overpass is too far. Many roads lack sidewalks, but in some spots where there are, they are blocked by illegally parked vehicles. Crossing must be taken with caution in marked places because some drivers, especially motorcyclists, will just zip through without stopping.
Communist rebels under the New People's Army continue to hide in the forests in the mountainous areas to the southeast, and some minor encounters may occur. There may be chances that rebels form checkpoints in remote roads. Gun ownership is high in areas where communist rebels are present, but the chance to be shot is low, as locals use guns for defense.
Emergencies
- 1 Batangas City Police, Gusaling Pangkalikasan at Pangkapayapaan, P. Burgos (beside City Planning and Development Office), ☏ +63-43-723-2030.
Stay healthy
Even after a concession agreement has been signed with the privately-owned Prime Water, tap water supplied by the city-owned Batangas City Water District, while potable, can still taste like cough syrup in many places, and water supply interruptions remain a problem. Locals, however, enjoy drinking tap water no matter how it tastes like. Also, better avoid buying ice chopped from blocks, as their cleanliness is often questionable. Better buy bottled water from convenience stores, or boil your water before drinking.
The city also has lots of stray or feral cats and dogs, rather common on other Philippine cities of similar size. Dengue is a health concern every summer and wet season, so bring mosquito repellant, and cover the arms and legs, whenever possible.
Hospitals
- 2 Batangas Medical Center, Ebora Road, Kumintang Ibaba (served by jeepneys bound for SM City Batangas).
- 3 United Doctors of St. Camillus de Lellis Hospital, Diversion Road, Bolbok.
- 4 Saint Patrick's Hospital, P. Panganiban Street (near the corner with P. Mendoza Street). Open 24 hours. Offers all-day emergency service.
Pharmacies
- 10 BP Generic Express, P. Burgos Street (beside Metrobank). Local pharmacy chain with numerous branches in Batangas City
- 11 Cantos Pharmacy, National Road, Kumintang Ibaba (near Jollibee). Another local pharmacy chain with 2 branches.
- 12 Farmacia ni Dok, A. Evangelista Street (near Unitop and Novo).
- 13 Generika, Rizal Avenue (near 7-Eleven, just before the traffic lights D. Silang). 9AM-10PM. Part of nationwide chain with numerous branches in Batangas City and nearby municipalities. Provides low-cost medicines and blood pressure check.
- 14 South Star Drug, A. Evangelista Street (on the intersection near Lumang Palengke). 9PM-10PM. Most of this nationwide chain's locations are rebranded Chavez Pharmacy branches.
Cope
- 5 Bureau of Immigration Batangas, Diversion Road, Bolbok (quite hidden from view, but is found beside the north end of the flyover leading to Batangas Port).
- 6 PHLPost post office, Batangas City Hall complex, P. Burgos (behind Gusaling Pangkalikasan at Pangkapayapaan).
Plastics
Batangas City passed an ordinance that banned the use of single-use plastics and Styrofoam from 2011, and businesses are required to use reusable material for packaging. In restaurants, containers for food takeaways are required to be recyclable, but utensils (spoons, forks, and straws) remain exempt. Supermarkets use paper bags for packaging, and may offer reusable cloth bags for a fee.
Smoking
Batangas City enforces ordinances that ban smoking in public places. Smoking is banned in public transport, and many public places, like parks, churches, shopping malls, public markets, and government offices. Smoking is prohibited in most restaurants, though some may offer smoking outside for those who cannot resist the craving for nicotine.
For vapers, components and juice can be bought at convenience stores (e.g. 7-Eleven), but here is a local vape shop:
- 15 Vape Xtreme, Hilltop Road, Kumintang Ibaba (a walk away from the jeepney stop at National Highway). Vaporizers, spare parts, and juice.
Newspapers
Newspapers published in Metro Manila are also sold in Batangas City, but the city also has its two local newspapers: Sun Star Daily Courier (in English) and Balikas (in Tagalog).
Radio
Radio in Batangas City is usually broadcast in Tagalog, and DJs will be generally speaking in English and Tagalog, usually in Taglish. The city is the center of the Batangas radio market, with the majority of radio stations based here.
FM
- AL FM Radyo Totoo (95.9 MHz): Owned by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lipa, but based in Lipa, it primarily airs religious programs and Christian music. It also broadcasts Catholic prayers in English like the Angelus during 6AM, 12 noon and 6PM, and the Rosary between 5-6AM.
- Spirit FM (99.1 MHz): Also owned by the Archdiocese of Lipa, it plays popular modern music, Filipino and Western, including latest hits, but also airs religious programs and Catholic prayers. Every Sunday, it airs slow rock, oldies music, and 1990s retro music, as well as live Mass broadcasts from Lipa, especially in the morning after signing in.
- Brigada News FM (104.7 MHz): Broadcasts news and public affairs shows in Tagalog, but also plays slow music in various hours in the day.
Connect
You can top up (load) your SIM cards almost everywhere, from sari-sari stores to convenience stores. There are not many internet cafés anymore because of increased cell phone ownership, but you can find pisonet Internet cafés if you're lucky. Free Wi-Fi is available at malls, on Plaza Mabini, and most hotels.
Go next
Most travellers use Batangas City as a stopover to visit the other destinations in the province, such as the diving spots in Mabini, or as a stop en route to the white sand beaches in Puerto Galera in Mindoro, half hour away by boat.
| Routes through Batangas City |
| Lipa ← Ibaan ← | N   S |
→ END |
| Lipa ← San Jose ← | N  S |
→ END |
| END ← | W  E |
→ Ibaan → Rosario (Jct  →) |
| Taal ← Santa Teresita ← | W  E |
→ END |
Merges with .svg){kind=small} ← |
W  E |
→ Taysan → Lobo |