Tagaytay is a no-brainer choice for a quick escape from Metro Manila. It is easily accessible, has a relatively cooler temperature, is never short of restaurants and hotels, and boasts a breathtaking view of the Taal Lake and Volcano.
This is one of our team’s go-to destinations to unwind because it’s conveniently located close to us. But too much familiarity can blindside us from important details we never knew we needed. Despite frequenting Tagaytay, some of us still unknowingly commit booboos. We thought of sharing some of these, so you won’t make the same mistakes.
HELLO! We just want to clarify that this post is by no means made by experts, but rather, made from our experience as frequent travelers to Tagaytay. If you want to add anything or have any opinions on the items we’ve included in this list of travel mistakes to avoid in Tagaytay, feel free to use our comment section!
WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE?
Tagaytay Travel Mistakes
Expecting it to be cold all day, all year
Tagaytay has an average temperature of 25°C. While it’s true that Tagaytay has a relatively cooler temperature and lower humidity compared to Manila and other lowland areas, there are still times when the temperature gets hot, reaching around 30°C during the summer months of March, April, and May. The coolest months are December, January, and February.
Not checking the weather
Most tourists, if not all, head over to Tagaytay to enjoy the fetching view of the Taal Lake and the Taal Volcano. But because of Tagaytay’s high elevation, it can get misty and foggy sometimes, especially during rainy days and cooler months, robbing you of the well-known spectacle. The period which records the high chance of rainfall in Tagaytay is from May to October. If you are aiming for the view, check the weather first before traveling.
Assuming that all attractions are easily accessible
Not all attractions are conspicuously positioned along the main roads. Some are situated further into the interior of barangays and smaller streets branching from the major thoroughfares. Some examples are Pink Sisters’ Convent and Chapel, Nurture Wellness Village, and Puzzle Mansion.
The best solution is to research the exact location of the attractions while plotting your itinerary. You can also use a couple of articles we created if you are looking for more attractions and things to do in and near Tagaytay:
If you want to forgo the hassle of building a satisfying itinerary, you can join a group tour from Manila to Tagaytay (and back to Manila). This day tour package covers roundtrip transportation, fuel, toll, and parking fees, but does not include admission tickets to attractions. The usual meeting point for this tour is at SM Mall of Asia (SM MOA). Here’s the itinerary:
- Tagaytay Picnic Grove
- Sonya’s Garden
- Palace in the Sky
- Mahogany Market
- Gingerbread House
- Sky Ranch
- Good Shepherd
- Caleruega Church
Underestimating traffic
It may be one of the tourist destinations near Manila, but we sometimes underestimate the traffic situation en route AND in Tagaytay. During weekends and holidays, it can get so heavily congested that we’ll find ourselves spending hours on the road, taking precious hours that should have been spent exploring. Take note also of the peak seasons — summer months, Christmas, New Year, Holy Week, and Valentine’s Day.
Although there have been road widening projects along Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Road, there are still narrow roads or bottleneck areas. If you are bringing your car, avoid Santa Rosa traffic (or at least the busy intersections) by taking CALAX. Just make sure you already have the EasyTrip RFID and have enough load for the toll fee.
Not knowing where to alight
Tagaytay forms a long horizontal stretch of land perched along the edge of the Tagaytay Ridge on the northern tip of the Taal Lake. Tourists often condense Tagaytay into particular areas that they usually frequent. The most visited areas are the Mahogany Market area, the Sky Ranch area, and the Picnic Grove area.
The city has three main roads: Santa Rosa – Tagaytay Road, Calamba – Tagaytay Road, and Nasugbu-Tagaytay Road. Plus, a portion of Emilio Aguinaldo Highway. For commuting tourists, this might be a bit confusing. Depending on the route, some public transportation vehicles might not traverse the road where you need to alight. Again, it’s best to research the destination for its exact location and any landmarks.
Being unaware of the “Mahogany fork”
This is related to the previous item. Some travelers often assume that after passing by Tagaytay Rotonda, there is only one straight road to get to popular destinations such as Mahogany Market and Sky Ranch.
However, this is not the case. THERE IS A FORK — the Mahogany Avenue (leading to Mahogany Market) and the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Road (leading to Sky Ranch, Taal Vista Hotel, and others). The fork is located right after The Lake Hotel Tagaytay. Another landmark is the Petron gasoline station at the junction.
Most buses don’t take the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Road; they turn right to Mahogany Avenue going to the public market, NBI Cavite District Office, Tagaytay Hall of Justice, and others. If you are going to Sky Ranch, you should alight at the gas station. From there, you can either take a tricycle or walk.
Missing out on the food
The city is dotted with popular restaurants and fast food chains, which we can also find in Manila. It’s fine if you want to indulge in your favorite drinks and grubs, but don’t miss out on the local gastronomic offerings!
Bulalo is everywhere! The second level of the Mahogany Beef Market is lined with eateries offering affordable bulalo. Some favorite homegrown restaurants among locals and tourists are Bag of Beans, Mushroomburger, and Antonio’s Group of Restaurants. Other popular dining spots that are near and accessible from Tagaytay are Farmer’s Table, Sonya’s Garden, Marcia Adams, and Lime and Basil Thai Restaurant.
For pasalubong, especially sweets and pastries, you can buy from Good Shepherd Bahay Pastulan Store, Rowena’s Pasalubong and Restaurant, Cecilia’s Buco Pie and Pasalubong, Amira’s Buco Tart Haus, Carmela’s Banana Cakes, and Colette’s Buko Pie and Pasalubong.
Buying tawilis during closed fishing season
Tawilis, the world’s only freshwater sardine, is endemic to the Philippines and can only be found in Taal Lake. It’s no wonder it has become one of the most valued culinary delicacies in the country. It can be served fried, dried, smoked, and salted. Many, if not all, restaurants and eateries in Tagaytay (and neighboring towns in Cavite and Batangas) have it in their menu.
But as we know, anything in excess is bad. In 2018, it was declared an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). To conserve and manage the tawilis population in Taal Lake, the Department of Agriculture’s National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) conducted studies and research to determine the spawning season and grounds of tawilis. This resulted in enforcing a closed fishing season from March 1 to April 30 as mandated by TVPL-PAMB Resolution Nos. 49 (2018) and 63 (s.2019). During this period, catching, selling, and trading tawilis are prohibited.
Let’s also do our part in helping preserve the species by knowing when to buy or consume them. Again, the closed fishing season for tawilis is from March 1 to April 30.
Sources:
[1] Annual Tawilis Closed Season Campaign (https://nfrdi.da.gov.ph/2024/03/03/multiple-agencies-unite-efforts-for-annual-tawilis-closed-season-campaign/)[2] Conserving Sardinella Tawilis in Taal Lake (https://nfrdi.da.gov.ph/2024/07/23/feature-from-science-to-policy-conserving-sardinella-tawilis-in-taal-lake/)
Not booking in advance
There are plenty of accommodations in Tagaytay. However, they can easily get fully booked, especially during the weekend or peak season. Deciding to do walk-ins during peak season is a risky move. We highly advise you to book in advance to avoid being left with no choice but to settle for accommodation that is below your expectations. This is crucial to those booking a hotel for the view.
By the way, you’ll find some hotels and establishments that offer great views of Taal Lake and Volcano without requiring you to check in. Hotel 8 and Taal Vista Hotel are just two of the several businesses that allow non-guests to access their cafés and restaurants. But of course, it’s still a different experience booking a room and making the most of the view and the amenities.
Booking properties far from target attractions
Because of its popularity, Tagaytay is widely used as a marketing tool by businesses and properties that are outside the city. Even those located too far already are being tagged and marketed as part of Tagaytay.
Most of these properties are found in neighboring Cavite towns, such as Alfonso, Silang, and Mendez. Some are even located in Laurel, Batangas! This is not really a problem as long as the location is still convenient for you to get to the places you plan to visit. As always, check the exact location on the map before booking your lodging.
Where to Stay in Tagaytay
As one of the choice weekend destinations near Manila, Tagaytay is never short of accommodation options, from budget to luxury. You’ll find hotels with a view of Taal Lake, unique concept hotels, spa and wellness resorts, and the classics. If you are spending your weekend here and are still looking for a place to stay, here are some of the top-rated hotels in Tagaytay according to online users.
Top Hotels on Agoda
- ESCALA TAGAYTAY
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - TAAL VISTA HOTEL
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - SUMMIT RIDGE TAGAYTAY
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - THE LAKE HOTEL TAGAYTAY
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - THE CARMELENCE VIEW VILLA
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here!
Top Hotels on Booking.com
- QUEST HOTEL TAGAYTAY
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - ROYALE PARC HOTEL TAGAYTAY
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - ANYA RESORT TAGAYTAY
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - VIA APPIA TAGAYTAY
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - HOTEL MONTICELLO TAGAYTAY
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here!
You can also check out these posts for more hotel suggestions in and near Tagaytay:
- Top 10 Hotels in Tagaytay with Taal Lake Views
- Top 10 Hotels & Resorts in Tagaytay
- Top 10 Hotels Near Tagaytay
Find more Tagaytay Hotels!
Watch Related Videos on YouTube
You can watch our Top 10 NEW Tourist Spots in Tagaytay video below. You can also find other related videos on our YouTube channel.
Updates Log
2024.11.08 – First uploaded
Related Article: Tagaytay Travel Guide
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