Tagaytay is the nearest and most accessible weekend getaway from Metro Manila. Located in the province of Cavite, a Tagaytay daytrip from Manila is very popular with tourists. And even with its proximity, it hosts a number of scenic spots, delectable food places, and fun activities suited for couples, families, barkada, and even the solitary traveler. It is, arguably, one of the most famous and loved tourist spots in the Philippines.
The city provides a cool and breezy holiday—the so called Tagaytay weather—to soothe frayed nerves and bestow a renewed sense of vitality to city-worn souls. Much has been written about this place, but for those new to the city, this Tagaytay travel guide (with a sample itinerary and a budget guide) is an invaluable resource for a trip to literally one of the coolest places this side of the Philippines.
WHAT’S THE BEST TIME TO GO TO TAGAYTAY
If you really want to enjoy the cold Tagaytay weather, then the best time to go to Tagaytay is during the cooler months of the year, that is, from November to February. It may seem like a good idea to go during the summer months of March to June, but the temperature is really almost the same as that in Metro Manila—hot and humid. It’s actually better to go during the rainy months of June to October, as it does get really cool in Tagaytay during those months and the chances of encountering a poetically foggy Tagaytay is also high. The only drawback, of course, is you’d have to be toting an umbrella with you all the time.
ESSENTIAL INFO FOR TRAVELERS
● Currency is in Philippine Peso. USD 1.00 is about PHP 55.00.
● ATM machines (more than twenty) are readily available along Tagaytay’s main highway.
● Filipino or Tagalog is main language spoken in Tagaytay, English coming in second.
● Type A (two flat vertical pins) is the electrical outlet used in Tagaytay
● A light jacket is usually enough for a tour of Tagaytay during the cold months. Bring a thicker one if you plan on staying overnight. If you’re going during summer months, a shirt is more than enough as it really doesn’t get that cold.
● It is generally safe in Tagaytay. Crime rate is pretty low. You may encounter touts on a couple of tourist places offering Taal boat tours before the volcano eruption, but they’re really not that persistent.
● In cases of emergency, there are a lot of hospitals and clinics in Tagaytay.
HOW TO GET TO TAGAYTAY
Tagaytay City is located fifty-five kilometers south of Metro Manila—one of the reasons why so many tourists do a Tagaytay daytrip from Manila. It is easily accessible by air-conditioned public transportations via buses and vans from city terminals around Metro Manila. Driving to Tagaytay City by car is also quite easy.
○ MANILA TO TAGAYTAY BY BUS ○ TWO TO THREE HOURS TRAVEL TIME ○ FARE FROM PHP87.00 +/-
There are buses from the San Agustin EDSA Rotunda terminal and the Nasugbu DLTB Terminal in LRT Buendia that goes straight to Tagaytay. The main hub of buses that go to Tagaytay is located at the PITX or the Paranaque Integrated Terminal at the old Uniwide Coastal Mall in Pasay City.
● DLTB BUS CO. – Buendia | (02) 843 0246, (0995) 708-7169, (0949) 520-5582 | Trip starts at 4:00 AM
● LORNA EXPRESS – PITX | (0975) 372-5886
● SAN AGUSTIN – EDSA Rotunda | (02) 8872-8497 | 3:00 AM to 11:00 PM
● ERJOHN ALMARK TRANSIT- PITX | (0943) 702-3724, (0906) 510-4385, (046) 686-8214
● BSC (BATMAN STAREXPRESS CORP.) – PITX, EDSA Rotunda | (02) 283-6424
○ MANILA TO TAGAYTAY BY VAN ○ 1.5 TO TWO HOURS TRAVEL TIME ○ FARE FROM PHP180.00 +/-
Taking a van or FX is another alternative in going to Tagaytay. Although it is much more expensive than a bus, travel time is faster since it goes through SLEX and bypasses the traffic-ridden roads of Cavite. Its terminals are located at the EGI Mall near the LRT Gil Puyat Station (Taft Avenue cor. Buendia, 6:00am to 8:00pm), StarMall Mandaluyong (EDSA cor. Shaw Blvd.), Metropoint Mall at Edsa Rotunda, and at the back of McDonald’s at the Edsa-Taft MRT Station.
○ MANILA TO TAGAYTAY BY PRIVATE CAR ○ ONE TO 1.5 HOURS TRAVEL TIME
Driving to Tagaytay City via private car is easy enough. Drive through SLEX and take the Sta. Rosa Exit. From there, it’s a straight drive to Tagaytay City. As you arrive at the Olivarez Rotunda, turn right to go to the restaurants in Magallanes Square and turn left if you want to visit People’s Park and Picnic Grove.
HOW TO GET AROUND IN TAGAYTAY
The main mode of transportation in Tagaytay is the jeepney, it’s main terminal located at Olivarez. Minimum fare is at PHP12.00 but since tourist spots in Tagaytay are quite a distance away from each other, do ask the driver how much the fare is to your destination.
There are no taxis, Grab, or Angkas in Tagaytay City. The closest thing they have to a taxi are the tricycles. They used to be relegated to the side streets that connect to the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, but you can now hire them to take you to almost anywhere you want to go to in Tagaytay City.
Taxis are now available in Tagaytay. Metro Comet has launched taxi services within the city up to any point in the region of CALABARZON. Rates are the same as with Metro Manila taxis—₱40.00 flagdown rate, and ₱13.50 every kilometer traveled. As of the moment, they have fifteen units available, but will soon upgrade to a hundred vehicles. These local Tagaytay taxis are available from 5:00AM to 12:00AM, but they’re planning to put them up for 24 hours in the future. Besides flagging them down on the road, you can also go to their main terminal at Fora Tagaytay in Olivarez. Taxi riders can also book a Tagaytay taxi on their Facebook Page and soon, on a booking app.
To orient yourselves, make the Olivarez Rotunda as your guiding point. Coming from Manila, turning left will send you to Picnic Grove and People’s Park; heading straight, to Taal Lake; and turning right, to the main tourist areas of Tagaytay City–including the tourist spots in Nasugbu, Batangas.
WHERE TO STAY IN TAGAYTAY
Tagaytay City is replete with numerous high-end hotels and inns that can accommodate the A, B, and C crowds—yes, a Tagaytay budget staycation is entirely possible. They have huge five-star and boutique hotels for those with deep pockets, they have beautiful bed and breakfasts for mid-level tourists, and inns and hostels for thrifty backpackers. Below are some of the places me and my friends have actually stayed on in Tagaytay.
OUR MELTING POT TAGAYTAY HOSTEL 
Address: No.75 Smokey Hill, Maharlika Subdivision, Tagaytay City, Cavite
Contact Number: (0915) 105-9459
GPS Coordinates: 14.103667, 120.948472 
MI-JO PENSION HOUSE
Address: 200 Isabella St., Ronquillo Comp., Maharlika East
Contact Number: (02) 359-8829 | (046) 483-0878
GPS Coordinates: 14.103531, 120.950969
PHOTO FROM MIJO WEBSITE 
MOON GARDEN TAGAYTAY
Room Rates: From PHP 3,100.00 upwards
Address: SVD Road, Brgy San Jose, Tagaytay City, Cavite
Contact Number: (0917) 502-3118
GPS Coordinates: 14.127461, 120.966975 
PUZZLE HOUSE MANSION
Room Rates: From PHP 4,000.00 upwards
Address: Purok 4, Cuadra St., Brgy. Asisan, Tagaytay City
Contact Number: (02) 661-0019 | (0905) 225-0229
GPS Coordinates: 14.099867, 120.901789
PHOTO FROM JUANDERFULPINOY 
CROSSWINDS TAGAYTAY
Address: Tagaytay-Calamba Road, Brgy. Iruhin, Tagaytay City, Cavite
Contact Number: (02) 856-9601 | (0917) 571-4284
GPS Coordinates: 14.136201, 121.011045 
ESTANCIA RESORT HOTEL TAGAYTAY
Address: Zone II Brgy. San Jose, Tagaytay City, Cavite
Contact Number: (046) 4131133 to 35 | (0939) 237-9813 | (0915) 134-9426
GPS Coordinates: 14.124468, 120.970052 
TAAL VISTA HOTEL
Address: KM60, Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City
Contact Number: (046) 413-1000 | (02) 917-8225 | (0917) 809-1254
GPS Coordinates: 14.096225, 120.934053 
THE BOUTIQUE BED & BREAKFAST HOTEL
Address: 45 Aguinaldo Hi-way Silang Crossing East, Tagaytay City
Contact Number: (046) 413-1795 | (046) 413-1885
GPS Coordinates: 14.113853, 120.960839 
THE COFFEE FARMHOUSE
Room Rates: From Php 2,450.00 upwards
Address: 23 Palumlum-Matagbak Road Brgy. Palumlum, Alfonso, Cavite
Contact Number: (0928) 555-5856
GPS Coordinates: 14.099669, 120.855686
WHERE TO EAT IN TAGAYTAY
Tourists wouldn’t run out of places to eat while in the city. Tagaytay’s main specialty is bulalo, a hot bowl of soup filled with veggies, chunks of beef meat, and an actual bone—for the marrow. It fits the area’s cool weather quite well. If you want to avoid the cholesterol levels of this dish however, the place is also replete with all sorts of restaurants serving all kinds of cuisines, be it Filipino, American, Chinese, etc. For those on a budget, carinderia stalls, gotohan, and eateries also abound along the city’s Nasugbu-Tagaytay Highway.
AHY FOODHOUSE RELOCATED
Type: Carinderia; Tapsihan
Address: Magallanes Square, Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, Tagaytay City
Contact Number: (0917) 551-0314 | (0922) 8874971
GPS Coordinates: 14.103561, 120.951844 
BAG OF BEANS ORIGINAL
Type: Cafe; Coffee, Pasta, Pastries, Rice Meals
Address: 115 Aguinaldo Highway, Mendez Crossing West
Contact Number: (0922) 881-8265 | (046) 413-4356
Opening Hours: 6:30AM to 10:00PM
GPS Coordinates: 14.094836, 120.915061 
CAFE VOI LA
Type: Asian Restaurant, Cafe
Address: Tagaytay-Calamba Road, Brgy. Iruhin, Tagaytay
Contact Number: (0905) 331-4457
Opening Hours: 8:00AM to 8:30PM
GPS Coordinates: 14.136373, 121.010840 
JAYTEE’S FILIPINO CUISINE
Type: Restaurant; Filipino Dishes
Address: Tagaytay-Calamba Rd, Magallanes, Maharlika East
Contact Number: (0929) 613-0678
Opening Hours: 8:00AM to 2:00AM
GPS Coordinates: 14.102285, 120.952237 
LESLIE’S RESTAURANT
Type: Restaurant; Filipino Dishes
Address: Aguinaldo Highway, Silang Crossing West
Contact Number: (046) 483-4271
Opening Hours: 10:00AM to 12:00AM
GPS Coordinates: 14.102561, 120.951300 
MAHOGANY MARKET BULALOHAN
Type: Carinderia; Bulalo, Gotong Batangas, Tawilis
Address: Mahogany Market, Mahogany Ave., Brgy. Kaybagal South, Tagaytay
Contact Number: (0921) 460-0097
Opening Hours: 5:00AM to 11:00PM
GPS Coordinates: 14.105361, 120.933056 
MERIENDA NI NANAY
Type: Lugawan, Tapsi
Address: Tagaytay-Calamba Road, Magallanes, Maharlika East, Tagaytay City, Cavite
Contact Number: (046) 483-5298
GPS Coordinates: 14.102480, 120.950463 
MUSHROOMBURGER
Type: Burger House; Snacks, Meals
Address: Km. 60, Brgy. Kaybagal, Tagaytay City
Contact Number: (046) 483-1330 | (046) 483-1330
Opening Hours: 8:00AM to 10:00PM
GPS Coordinates: 14.096731, 120.932203 
STARBUCKS COFFEE TAGAYTAY ORIGINAL
Type: Cafe; Coffee, Pastries
Address: Aguinaldo Highway, Silang Crossing West
Contact Number: (046) 413-0725
Opening Hours: 8:00AM to 1:00AM
GPS Coordinates: 14.102636, 120.951808 
STARBUCKS COFFEE TAGAYTAY DOWNHILL
Type: Cafe; Coffee, Pastries
Address: Purok 162, Tagaytay-Calamba Rd, Tolentino West
Contact Number: (046) 512-0124
Opening Hours: 8:00AM to 1:00AM
GPS Coordinates: 14.125374, 120.970781 
TAALEÑA
Type: Restaurant; Filipino Dishes
Address: Casa Taal, Silang Crossing Km. 54, West, Tagaytay
Contact Number: (046) 413-2519
Opening Hours: 10:00AM to 10:00PM
GPS Coordinates: 14.108633, 120.956242 
TAZA FRESH TABLE
Type: Restaurant; International Dishes
Address: KM60, Aguinaldo Highway, Brgy. Kaybagal South
Contact Number: +63 (46) 413-1000
Opening Hours: 7:00AM to 3:00PM | 5:00PM to 9:00PM
GPS Coordinates: 14.095389, 120.934293
WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN TAGAYTAY
The city and its surrounding towns offer a lot of fun activities and places to visit for the perfect Tagaytay weekend getaway. There are picnic grounds, tree-covered parks, hidden gardens, biking and horse-riding grounds, and a host of other activities fit for both young and old alike.
CALERUEGA RETREAT GROUNDS
Address: Brgy. Kaylaway, Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas
Contact Number: (043) 706-0348
Opening Hours: 8:00AM to 5:00PM
Entrance Fee: PHP 30.00
GPS Coordinates: 14.071947, 120.835464 
FANTASY WORLD
Address: Diokno Highway, Lemery, Batangas
Contact Number: (0905) 666-9488
Opening Hours: 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Entrance Fee: PHP 100.00
GPS Coordinates: 14.015876, 120.872766
PHOTO FROM KLOOK 
MUSEO ORLINA
Address: Hollywood Sbdv. Road, Brgy. Tolentino East
Contact Number: (046) 413-2581
Opening Hours: 10:00AM to 6:OOPM, Closed on Mondays
Entrance Fee: PHP 130.00
GPS Coordinates: 14.125138, 120.980434
PHOTO FROM MUSEO ORLINA FB PAGE 
PARADIZOO THEME FARM AND ZOO
Address: Mendez, Cavite
Contact Number: (02) 895-7142 | (0917) 835-1111
Opening Hours: 8:00AM to 5:00PM
Entrance Fee: PHP 199.00 Adult | PHP 149.00 Children
GPS Coordinates: 14.113811, 120.896253 
PEOPLE’S PARK IN THE SKY
Address: Mt. Sungay, Brgy. Dapdap East, Tagaytay City
Opening Hours: 8:00AM to 6:00PM
Entrance Fee: PHP 30.00
GPS Coordinates: 14.141847, 121.022011 
PICNIC GROVE
Address: Tagaytay-Calamba Road, Tagaytay City, Cavite
Contact Number: (046) 413-4206
Opening Hours: 7:00AM to 7:00PM
Entrance Fee: PHP 50.00
GPS Coordinates: 14.130667, 121.003925 
PINK SISTERS MONASTERY
Address: Brent Road, Emilio Aguinaldo Highway, Rotonda
Contact Number: (046) 413-1211
Opening Hours: 6:00AM to 6:00PM
Entrance Fee: Donation Only
GPS Coordinates: 14.125692, 120.962453
PUZZLE HOUSE MANSION
Address: Purok 4, Cuadra St., Brgy. Asisan, Tagaytay City
Contact Number: (02) 661-0019 | (0905) 225-0229
Opening Hours: 7:00AM to 7:00PM
Entrance Fee: PHP 100.00
GPS Coordinates: 14.099867, 120.901789
PHOTO FROM FB PAGE 
SONYA’S GARDEN
Address: Barangay Buck Estate, Alfonso, Cavite
Contact Number: (0917) 532-9097 | (0917) 533-5140
Opening Hours: 8:00AM to 6:00PM
Entrance Fee: Free
GPS Coordinates: 14.087214, 120.850122 
SKY RANCH TAGAYTAY
Address: KM60, Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City
Contact Number: (046) 862-7701 | (046) 862-7704
Opening Hours: 8:00AM to 10:00PM
Entrance Fee: PHP 100.00
GPS Coordinates: 14.095164, 120.935406 
TAAL VOLCANO HIKE
Address: Taal Volcano, Talisay, Batangas
Contact Number: (0919) 728-0514 – Angelo
Opening Hours: Temporarily Closed
GPS Coordinates: 14.002533, 121.015164 
TIERRA DE MARIA
Address: 333 Tagaytay – Calamba Rd, Brgy. Sungay South
Contact Number: (046) 860-1942 | (0917) 328-6279
Opening Hours: 8:00AM to 5:00PM
Entrance Fee: Free / Donation
GPS Coordinates: 14.124871, 120.995061
PHOTO FROM TIERRA DE MARIA FB PAGE 
TWIN LAKES
Address: Nasugbu Highway, Laurel, Tagaytay
Contact Number: (0917) 530-5200
Opening Hours: 8:30AM to 5:30PM
Entrance Fee: Free
GPS Coordinates: 14.068846, 120.856974
PHOTO FROM TWIN LAKES FB PAGE
FESTIVALS IN TAGAYTAY
TAGAYTAY ART BEAT FESTIVAL
Venue: Museo Orlina, Tagaytay
Festival Dates: Every February
PHOTO FROM MUSEO ORLINA FB
PILIPINYAHAN FESTIVAL TAGAYTAY
Venue: Streets of Tagaytay City
Festival Dates: Every first week of May
WHAT TO BUY IN TAGAYTAY
Tagaytay City is known for two things, affordable beef meat and buko pies. But dig some more and you’d find other noteworthy pasalubong from this misty city like honey bee products, tarts, jams, pinipig, knives made from its neighboring province of Batangas, and the usual keychains and souvenir shirts.
CECILIA’S BUKO PIE
Address: Magallanes Drive, Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, Tagaytay City
Contact Number: (0931) 905-3203
Opening Hours: 24 Hours
GPS Coordinates: 14.102700, 120.952113 
COLLETTE’S BUKO PIE
Address: Emilio Aguinaldo Highway, Barangay Maitim, Tagaytay City
Contact Number: (0917) 560-6300
Opening Hours: 6:00AM to 7:00PM
GPS Coordinates: 14.123778, 120.958472 
GOOD SHEPHERD UBE JAM
Address: Maryridge, Tagaytay-Calamba Road, Tagaytay City
Contact Number: (046) 4833-590
Opening Hours: 7:30AM to 7:00PM
GPS Coordinates: 14.128108, 121.002408 
ILOG MARIA HONEYBEE PRODUCTS
Address: km. 47 Aguinaldo Highway, Lalaan 1 Silang, Cavite
Contact Number: (0917) 503-9156
Opening Hours: 8:00AM to 5:30PM
GPS Coordinates: 14.189167, 120.967667 
MAHOGANY MARKET
Address: Mahogany Market, Mahogany Ave., Brgy. Kaybagal South, Tagaytay
Contact Number: (0921) 460-0097
Opening Hours: 6:00AM to 7:00PM
GPS Coordinates: 14.105361, 120.933056 
ROWENA’S PASALUBONG
Address: Silang Crossing, Nasugbu-Tagaytay Highway, Tagaytay City
Contact Number: (034) 434-1788 | (034) 434-1588
Opening Hours: 8:00AM to 10:00PM
GPS Coordinates: 14.115200, 120.962103
TAGAYTAY TOURIST SPOT MAP
SAMPLE TAGAYTAY ITINERARY & TRAVEL BUDGET GUIDE
A day trip from Manila is enough to cover most of the tourist attractions in Tagaytay City, but extending overnight is definitely better as you get to experience the night life at the restaurants along the Magallanes area. Nothing beats having coffee or beer in the evening with the cool Tagaytay weather and the moonlit Taal as your backdrop.
in extending overnight, you would also have the option of visiting the Taal Volcano, which is accessible via the town of Talisay in Batangas. For this Tagaytay itinerary and travel budget guide, the majority of the second day’s expenses are from the Taal Volcano tour. And yes, It is quite expensive. So, it’s really up to you if you want to proceed with it or simply stay at Tagaytay itself, have a food trip and enjoy its cool weather—which is infinitely cheaper. Whether you decide on staying overnight or just have a day tour, it would still definitely fit your Tagaytay weekend getaway.
And as always, I made this Tagaytay travel guide with the cheapest expenses in mind—the lodgings are the lowest priced I found on Agoda, the food are all based on having meals in carinderias, and the transportation costs would have you riding jeepneys. Indeed, if you want a Tagaytay budget staycation, then here it is. If you, however, have a bigger budget, I would definitely advise on eating on the more famous restaurants in Tagaytay I recommended below. Part of the enjoyment of going to Tagaytay is actually eating out.
► DAY ONE | PHP 1,386.00 FOR TWO PERSONS
• Early Morning Arrival (Leave bags at the hotel)
• Breakfast (Recommended: Bag of Beans or Mushroomburger)
PHP 70.00 X 2 | AVERAGE CARINDERIA MEAL COST
• Visit Sky Ranch Tagaytay
PHP 9.00 X 2 – ESTIMATED JEEPNEY FARE
PHP 100.00 X 2 – SKYRANCH ENTRANCE FEE
• Visit Sonya’s Garden
PHP 9.00 X 2 – ESTIMATED JEEPNEY FARE
PHP 20.00 X 2 – TRICYCLE FARE TWO-WAY
• Visit Caleruega
PHP 10.00 X 2 – ESTIMATED JEEPNEY FARE
PHP 50.00 X 2 – TRICYCLE FARE TWO-WAY
PHP 30.00 X 2 – CALERUEGA ENTRANCE FEE
• Lunch at Mahogany Market Bulalohan
PHP 15.00 X 2– ESTIMATED JEEPNEY FARE
PHP 350.00 – ESTIMATED BULALO LUNCH MEAL FOR TWO
• Check in at hotel FOR 2-DAY ITINERARY
PHP 10.00 X 2 – ESTIMATED JEEPNEY FARE
• Visit Picnic Grove
PHP 9.00 X 2 – JEEPNEY FARE TO OLIVAREZ TERMINAL
PHP 9.00 X 2 – JEEPNEY FARE TO PICNIC GROVE
PHP 50.00 X 2 – PICNIC GROVE ENTRANCE FEE
• Visit People’s Park in the Sky
PHP 9.00 X 2 – ESTIMATED JEEPNEY FARE
PHP 30.00 X 2 – PEOPLE’S PARK ENTRANCE FEE
• Dinner (Recommended: Leslie’s)
PHP 9.00 X 2 – JEEPNEY FARE TO OLIVAREZ TERMINAL
PHP 9.00 X 2– JEEPNEY FARE LESLIE’S
PHP 70.00 X 2– AVERAGE CARINDERIA MEAL COST
• Coffee at Starbucks
PHP 0.00 – OPTIONAL
• Evening Departure END FOR 1-DAY ITINERARY
► DAY TWO | PHP 4,209.00 FOR TWO PERSONS
• Breakfast (Recommended: Merienda ni Nanay)
PHP 70.00 X 2 | AVERAGE CARINDERIA MEAL COST
• Check out from hotel (Leave bags at the hotel)
PHP 725.00 ► CHEAPEST TAGAYTAY LODGING FOR TWO FROM AGODA
• Early Daytrip to Taal Volcano ► BOOK A TOUR ONLINE
PHP 9.00 x 2 – ESTIMATED JEEPNEY FARE TO OLIVAREZ
PHP 1,000.00 – ESTIMATED ROUNDTRIP TRICYCLE FARE TO TALISAY, GOOD FOR TWO TO THREE PERSONS
PHP 2,000.00 – BANCA FARE, TWO-WAY, GOOD UP TO SIX PERSONS
PHP 100.00 – ENTRANCE FEE
PHP 50.00 – LANDING FEE PER BANCA
• Late Lunch in Tagaytay (Recommended: Restaurants around Olivarez Rotunda)
PHP 70.00 X 2 | AVERAGE CARINDERIA MEAL COST
• Visit Pink Sisters
PHP 9.00 x 2 – ESTIMATED JEEPNEY FARE
• Buy Pasalubong (Recommended: Rowena’s, Collette’s, Good Shepherd)
PHP 9.00 x 2 – ESTIMATED JEEPNEY FARE
PHP 0.00 – OPTIONAL
• Depart END FOR 2-DAY ITINERARY
► TOTAL BUDGET | PHP 5,595.00 For Two Persons
* BASED ON TWO PERSONS TRAVELING TOGETHER FOR AN OVERNIGHT IN TAGAYTAY
UPDATED AS OF JUNE 25, 2020
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