DiscoverBalete
Discover the natural beauty, culture and heritage of Balete.
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Top 10 Reasons to Visit Balete
Reason 01
A Sneak Peak into Balete
- Holidays to Balete suppose you enter a small town bordering a lake which borders the south east of the great Taal lake and in which every breath of air is fresh and every scene is a breath-taking view of the volcano which dominates the horizon.
- Imagine you are coming to this city after trying to get into it due to a tedious city rush and land into a warm and welcoming community which is happy to see you with slow smiles and local hospitality which is like home.
- It means imagining walking down the sandy beach, listening to the sweet splash of the water against the dock, and observing the sunrise painting the sky with blush and gold before the first coffee is made.
- Imagine spending peaceful evenings at a resort on the lakeside where the only sound which disturbs your sleep is the rustling of the palm fronds and soft breeze in the distance which smells of fresh pine.
- Imagine that you are spending your days visiting cultural sights, trying local delicacies and knowing whether it is better to stay quiet or celebrate a procession at every moment.
- Experience the relief at escaping the noise and light and substituting it with stillness of water, trees, and gentle radiance of lanterns in the darkness.
- Capital (of the province): Batangas City
- International airport: No international airport in Balete
- Nearest commonly used: Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Metro Manila); also Manila Domestic Airport for local flights
- Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP)
- Time zone: UTC+8 (Philippine Standard Time)
- Driving side: Right-hand side
- Main electricity: 220 volts, 60 Hz
- Official / local languages: Tagalog (Batangueño), Filipino, English
- Major religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic
Reason 02
Highlights
- It is the most great scenes to view as the sweeping views of Taal Volcano through the numerous lakeside resorts where the silhouette of the mountain includes the water in a dramatic tableau.
- A pilgrimage at Marian Orchard provides a European style garden, a chapel and a panoramic view, which allows one to contemplate life amid soft fragrant flowers.
- The Lago de Oro Cable Ski Park & Resort expects both families and thrill-seekers to sail on the water of the lake, enjoying the fresh air and a constant observation of the mountain by the shore.
- The sun coming up over the water, the mist coming off the lake, and the peak of the volcano glittering in the distance, may be seen at the Taal Lake View Decks above Palsara and Sampalukan.
- Holidays to Balete Eco-Park & Lakefront invites the adventurers to go kayaking, fishing, or just sit and relax as the cool breeze of the lake cools down the overheated muscle and the cool splash of the waves soothes the mind.
- The Batangueños living here make every place they visit friendly, give us handcrafted artworks, and even sample the famous food in the area that is as comforting as a hug.
Reason 03
Seasons to Travel
- The dry season, extending between November and May, is sunny and ideal for doing some water sports, relaxing at the resorts, and having a walk through the open fields.
- The cool season in the months of December to February is very mild and the season is good to do picnic breakfasts on the shore, landscape photography and taking long walks.
- The holidays to Balete fiesta season, which is a period between January and once more between April and May, injects the town with music, colourful processions and group feasting which show local pride and piety.
- You may not want to face the crowds, when you want to be alone, early mornings early in the winter, or late in the spring give you beaches to yourself, soft light to shoot, and the feeling that you are discovering a new place.
- The time of the year between June and August, late summer, may be humid, but there is the lush green landscape, and the possibility of hearing the chorus of the birds in the trees around the area that makes it worth the effort for the adventurous.
- Booking flights at World Pinoy will guarantee you an easy time travelling so that you will arrive to the lakeside town without the hustle and bustle.
Reason 04
Worth A Visit
Marian Orchard
- The chapel within the orchard serves as a silent worshipping place and visitors may stop and get a sense of tranquility which the beautiful environment brings.
- The garden near the chapel is paved with colourful flowerbeds that develop colours according to the season and provide living tapestry for the photographers and other nature enthusiasts.
- On the hill of the orchard one can view the volcano and the Taal Lake, and the volcano, like a sleeping giant, is rising against the sky.
- The curvy paths within the orchard encourage people to take their time and walk along them as each new step presents them with a fresh view of the lake and the mountain in the distance.
- There are also concerts on weekends, in which local musicians play acoustic music which blends in with the sounds of the water and wind.
- The serene environment of the orchard promotes meditation and thus the orchard is a preferred destination among people who need to have spiritual replenishment without the bustles of urban life.
Lago de Oro Cable Ski Park and Resort
- The wakeboarding lanes at the resort will be in such a way that each rider will have safe fun regardless of their age.
- A special family bay gives the opportunity for toddlers to splash in a shallow area and the parents can seat in shaded cabanas.
- The cafe of the resort offers fresh pastries and local coffee, which will provide the visitors with the flavour of the region before going back into the world of water sports.
- The boat rental service in the resort allows the clients to have a chance to explore the hidden coves in lake and find serene areas where they can make picnics.
- The water is also lit up by evening lights, which gives the place a romantic atmosphere for couples and a secure area to do night swims.
- The pleasant staff members of the resort most of them are fluent in both the English language and the Filipino language, guide the newcomers in navigating the equipment as well as in planning day long excursions.
Taal Lake View Decks (Palsara & Sampalukan)
- The deck at Palsara is wide and flat, enabling the visitors to lay their blankets, play lawn games or just lie on their backs and observe the clouds drifting by.
- The deck perspective at Sampalukan is more elevated and it is a favourite for photographers who want to capture the ideal image of the sunrise above the volcano.
- The decks are furnished with strong benches and shade canopies so that one can really comfort themselves even on sunny days.
- Local vendors establish their stalls around the decks and sell fresh fruit, grilled fish, and handmade crafts that contribute to the beauty of the area.
- During the evenings, string lights are lit to provide a warm atmosphere making the deck a close place where families and friends can get together.
- The panorama of these decks arouses a feeling of amazement every time you peep down to the turquoise waters of the lake as though the water breathes.
Balete Eco-Park & Lakefront
- Kayaks can easily be rented, and the guests can trace any of the hidden banks and make their way silently across the lake.
- Fishing destinations in the park are also renowned with numerous species of freshwater fish and have attracted both experienced anglers and most interested beginners.
- There is a paved path passing through a dense forest, which provides a walking path to hikers and they are likely to see native birds and butterflies and a squirrel or two passing through the trees.
- There is a little pavilion in the park where one can rest, have a homemade snack or simply read and hear the birds sing.
- The management of the eco-park can also arrange clean-up initiatives to facilitate the greening of the environment and community participation.
- In the afternoons towards the end of the day, the open spaces in the park are transformed into a place where people play some friendly games of frisbee or soccer, which in turn brings the spirit of fun in the park.
Reason 05
Discover More
Nuestra Señora del Pilar Parish Church
- The stone front of the church portrays the local worship, and the windows of the church, which are stained with glass, regulate the flow of light into a rainbow of colours.
- The altar has an interior statue of Virgin Mary made of wood, which has turned into the centre of prayer and silent contemplation.
- The small walk that can be taken by the visitors to the church is the bell tower which provides a panoramic view of the hills that surround the area and the lake beneath.
- The church has small procession on Sundays which unites the community as they move through the streets of the town together.
- The trees in the churchyard seem to have been old and thus they offer shade to the people waiting to attend the mass or just enjoy the tranquility of the environment.
- It is a plaza where children are playing under the supervision of their parents and there are cafes nearby where one can have hot coffee and the pastries of the town.
Local Farms & Flower Gardens
- Tourists may also visit vegetable farms where the farmers cultivate fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and leafy vegetables that are subsequently consumed at the local markets.
- The flower gardens display a variety of flowers both bright in colour such as marigolds and delicate like orchids all in a pattern that pleases the eye.
- The farms also conduct frequent markets where the travellers are able to taste the freshly cut fruits and buy home made preserves.
- Informal workshops train the visitors on how to cultivate the herbs at home with an emphasis on sustainable practices that do not harm the environment.
- The open fields of the farms are ideal to go on a leisure stroll and the guests can experience the buzzing of bees as they hover over the flowers.
- Evenings are also used to have small groups of people in some of the farms and the locals can share stories about the land and this makes them feel like they belong to a community.
Batangas Lakehouses & Private Villas
- These rooms are crafted to provide a rustic ambiance, which includes wooden beams, stone walls and huge windows, which offer panoramic views of the lake.
- All the lakehouses have their own deck where the guests will enjoy watching the sunrise over the Taal Lake enjoying their local coffee.
- Most of the villas have their own mini kitchen which facilitates the traveller to make simple meals using the fresh produce available in the farms around the villa.
- Most villas contain outdoor fire pits which families or couples can sit around after a day of exploring.
- The location of the properties gives one direct access to the lake, which means that an immediate kayaking or paddle-boarding adventure can be done.
- Their owners are famous in terms of their hospitality as they provide insider services with suggestions on a secret trail, local restaurants and when to observe sunrise.
Sunrise Spots at Alitagtag-Balete Road
- Among the most frequented places is a small elevation that commands the water, and on which the first rays of daylight are rested on the water in gold.
- The other perspective is at the turn of the road where there is a small opening that gives one a clear view of the peak of the volcano glittering in the morning sun.
- An elevated seat close by the roadside invites the early risers to sit down here, stretch, and listen to the soft murmur of the lake, before the town rises.
- The approach to these locations is also paved with native trees that create a natural canopy that makes the walk cool even in hot morning breeze.
- Tourists also have local guides who accompany them and narrate them on the history of the area and the legends surrounding Taal Volcano.
- The mixture of the fresh air, silence, and spectacular views renders the following sunrise locations an absolute must-see among photographers as well as dreamers.
Reason 06
Culture Traditions
- Holidays to Balete is made up of people who strongly believe in Catholicism, and who express their faith to the Virgin Mary in festivals, processions, and prayers everyday.
- The fiestas or community festivals are characterised by vibrant processions, music, dancing, and communal meals, which help in uniting the neighbours.
- Families have been taught the traditional arts of weaving, pottery and wood carving so that skills that have been living over generations are preserved.
- The caring spirit of the town, which is popularly referred to as malasakit in the town, is also seen in the manner the people assist each other during festivals or when in need.
- The local language has its own expressions which represent the merging of the native culture and the colonial culture in the everyday life.
- The educational outreach programmes in schools also educate the children on the need to retain their local heritage and adopt modernity at the same time.
Reason 07
Food Fun Fashion
Food
- A common dish is the bulalo, a beef marrow soup that will keep any traveller warm with its tasty taste and warm thick texture.
- Lomi Batangas is a dense noodle soup made of eggs, meat and vegetables, is a hearty meal after an adventure during the day.
- Sinaing na Tulingan, tuna cooked slowly in a clay pot, gives a mild citrus flavour that is exotic and familiar to the locals.
- Fresh tilapia and tawilis are obtained in Taal Lake and grilled or marinated, giving a light meal with a distinctive taste that shows the abundance of the lake.
- The local strong coffee is called Kapeng Barako and is made using traditional pots to provide the guests with a strong dose of caffeine to kickstart the day.
- There are also numerous tropical fruits at the local markets where the tourists may taste fresh mangoes, guavas and papayas which they have to enjoy with a spoonful of lime.
Fun
- Lago de Oro water sports including the wakeboarding offer adrenaline mornings to the adventure seekers.
- A peaceful lake tour allows the families to sail around the islands and shaded coves with the making of elegant memories in a calm environment.
- Riding the picturesque lakeside streets is part of a low-impact tour of the countryside, and the visitor can pay visits to flower gardens and farm terraces.
- Marian Orchard retreats and meditation experiences are offered to those who want to find the inner balance in the environment of natural beauty.
- Camping on the lake gives the guests an opportunity to listen to the insects, wind and the soft lapping of water, a lullaby before going to sleep.
- Festivals with music, dancing and street meals will give one a fulfilled experience of the spirited holidays to Balete.
Fashion
- Holidays to Balete day trips can be done using light, breathable clothes that will allow one to experience comfort in the hot and moist climate of the lake region.
- Straw hats, linen shirts, and sandals give the traveller the sun protection and also a casual touch.
- When a visitor goes to a holy place he/she wears modest clothes like long skirts or shirts having sleeves as a sign of respect towards the traditions and customs of a particular place.
- The traditional batik shirts and hand-woven bags can be used as a memorable souvenir that can be felt in the touch of local art.
- Swimwear becomes a necessity in water activities, however, a sudden change to a towel or cover-up keeps a traveller presentable in mixed environments.
- Seasonal items such as light scarves or bandanas may be useful and stylish to the visitor who loves adventure outdoors.
Reason 08
Nature Safari
- In the lake, the turquoise waters are home to numerous freshwater fish and will allow any angler with any level of competence to take a chance.
- Colourful birds that can be seen through bird-watching on the shore include the Philippine pygmy kingfisher and other brightly coloured kingfishers.
- The town is encircled by rolling farmlands with picturesque landscape of rice paddies and vegetable plots which vary according to the season.
- A soft puff of air with the smell of pine and river water can be a kind of natural aromatherapy to people who take a moment to listen.
- The hike to the viewpoint which overlooks the volcano provides a panoramic view that presents the distinctive cone of the volcano and the reflection of the volcano in the lake.
- The wild flowers are also in season and they grow in trails providing the trails with bright colour contrasting with the green background.
Reason 09
Events Fiestas
- There is a procession, fireworks and community feasting at the Feast of Nuestra Señora del Pilar in October which welcomes outsiders to share the festivities.
- The fiestas of the barangays present the local music, dances and food in the streets and gives the visitors an idea of how the community lives.
- The town is united through Lenten and Holy Week activities like outdoor stations of the cross where people gather to worship collectively.
- The town is active and friendly during events in the summer lake, especially during the months of April-May, such as family outings, gathering at the resort, and water-sport competitions.
- The cultural committee of the town will make sure that all the events are family-friendly and that the children, adults, and older tourists are provided with activities to do in the town.
- Tourists are urged to join in such celebrations where they will not only go away with memories but also with new friends.