DiscoverLaurel
Discover the natural beauty, culture and heritage of Laurel.
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Top 10 Reasons to Visit Laurel
Reason 01
A Sneak Peak into Laurel
- Just imagine a small town, on the western side of a great volcanic lake, where the river of the lake is always gilded with golden rays in every sunrise, and where the holidays to Laurel atmosphere is as cool as a morning breeze on a mountain ridge.
- Think of walking along crystal-clear water, with gorgeous pine trees rustling gently in the breeze, with a distant figure of a vigorous volcano standing over the community in a benignant watchfulness.
- Imagine being welcomed warmly and with smiling faces by locals who tell you about generations of people who lived, worked and fished the same lake and how their simple and happy existence captures the peaceful beat of the town.
- Imagine the soft mumbling life of the country, of a farmer working the rice paddies, of fishermen setting off early in the morning in their boats, of children roaming hide-and-seek among the great palms, lining the beach.
- Imagine you will be hiking over hills that are nearby, hiking trails, waterfalls sparkling with crystal water, and coves that beckon you to spend a quiet moment of contemplation or spontaneously swim.
- Sense the call to get away from the bustle of urban living to take in intensified air, to breathe in nature, to explore how this coastal municipality presents a rare mixture of thrill and tranquility to anyone who goes there.
- Province capital: Batangas City
- International airport: No international airport in Laurel
- Nearest commonly used airport: Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila) or Clark International Airport
- 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, Filipino, English
- Major religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic
Reason 02
Highlights
- The most holidays to Laurel noticeable view is the limitless size of the lake per se, which is a mirror of the sky and the adjoining volcanic peak, which forms a living reef that is changing according to the weather conditions.
- The peaceful, rural nature of the place where the town is situated makes visitors feel like reclining, taking long strolls and listening to the soft sounds created by the nature which surrounds the mornings and evenings.
- The agricultural and fishing background of the local people is a source of pride and you can observe rice terraces, small farmlands and fish markets which are still in the traditional mode.
- The location is strategic and enables easy day trips wherein the municipality is a good gateway to other destinations that are easily accessible to the nearby areas (Tagaytay, Tanauan and other attractions in the province).
- The region is fertile in terms of eco-tourism and it is possible to have resorts that are friendly to the environment, adventure parks that provide safe touring, and activities that are sustainable and would not destroy the natural beauty.
- The combination of the picturesque scenery, cultural experience, and a chance to avoid the crowd of people attracts visitors to this town, which is a hidden treasure and at the same time exotic and friendly.
Reason 03
Seasons to Travel
- The dry season, which occurs between December and May, is the best time to look for holidays to Laurel around the place since the weather is clear and the entire volcanic profile and the smooth waters of the lake can be clearly seen.
- The air is not too cold in December and January, and hence the days are comfortable with spectacular sunrise views which give the water a pink and orange hue.
- June to October are the rainy months that turn the landscape into green but local weather reports should be consulted by the travelers to avoid encountering sudden downpours when planning the lakeside trip.
- The month of spring particularly in February provides a balance between the warm weather and flowers in blossom along the shore line; this offers a beautiful setting to those who enjoy photography.
- Summer, though hotter, is still an opportunity of early mornings boat rides and late afternoon beach picnics with the cool lake water acting as a relief to the heat.
- Although colder, winter also offers the opportunity to experience misty mornings over the lake, which makes the landscape magical and almost ethereal, which could not be observed in other seasons.
Reason 04
Worth A Visit
Taal Lake Shoreline
- The lake has a panoramic shoreline that is full of turquoise water that reflects the sky and the volcanic peak in a calm and almost mirror-like surface.
- Tourists are able to travel in simple wooden boats that move softly over the water and it ensures people have a tranquil escape as they hear the call of the native birds that are distantly distant.
- The fishing villages that border the shoreline with people casting their nets in the dawn reveal smiling faces that greet the visitors into their daily life.
- During the evening hours, the background is colored with the shades of amber and crimson by the sunset, which sets a spectacular scene of evening walks along the waterline.
- The park is ideal for family picnics as the parents could lay down blankets and children can create their sand castles or get wet in shallow water.
- To people wishing to have adventure, the coastline also has a range of small kayak rentals, where the travelers can discover the hidden coves, as well as small islets themselves.
Ambon-Ambon Falls
- A small car ride takes one to a forest path, which passes through a thick green cover where the rushing water sounds like a natural soundtrack to your walk.
- The falls themselves tumble through a succession of rocks, making a cool fragrance that cools the air in the air and makes a good place of an unexpected splash.
- The woods around are swarming with birds and butterflies and a monkey here and there to make the otherwise calm landscape a cheery one.
- A little, properly built wooden dock will give the visitor the opportunity to safely jump into the clear, cool water to get a quick swim or have a moment of meditation.
- The pathway is tarmac and can be taken by the tourist who has moderate strength and the level of the route is scenic so that one can admire the landscape.
- During the evenings, the falls are lit by lantern lights and that gives them a magical feeling and the best place to have a quiet walk or even a romantic date during the evenings.
Malagaslas Falls
- Famous with its crystal clear pools, the waterfall is plunging into natural basins that serve as natural swimming pools with smooth rock formations.
- The clearness of water makes the visitors wade in to feel the coolness that cuts across the heat of the tropical sun, which is instant relief.
- The space surrounding the waterfalls is filled with tiny pavilions where the locals sell cold beverages and snacks so that the tourists can have a rest and fill their stomachs.
- The vegetation around it gives some shades thus giving it an ideal place where one can spend some time and have some time out in an afternoons time listening to the trickling of water.
- The trip to the falls is a humble hike up that provides beautiful views of the lake and the far-off volcano mountain on your way up.
- The waterfall is also active even during dry season, which makes it still be called one of the most refreshing places in the province.
Lakeside Resorts and Retreats
- These resorts have incorporated the contemporary comforts with the beauty of the lake, which has rooms that lead to balconies where the water extends to the horizon.
- Visitors are able to savor the breakfast outside, which many times consists of the local specialties being served as they watch the smooth lake.
- Most resorts have in-house spas which incorporate local herbs, which offer a distinct relaxation experience that is related to heritage in the area.
- The grounds of the property typically feature walking paths, gardens as well as small recreational areas ideal with children or couples who want to have an intimate experience.
- To the adventurous there are some resorts that offer guided tours in a canoe or kayaking lessons so that one may venture into the hidden corners of the lake at a safe rate.
- During evenings, the resorts organize local music evenings during which, the travelers get to know about culture songs as they listen to the peaceful waves.
Reason 05
Discover More
Sitio Upland Viewpoints
- These viewpoints are further elevated on higher ground giving them sweeping accommodations that can capture the sparkling surface of the lake as well as the rolling hills around the lake.
- The light is really dramatic between sunset and sunrise and casts the landscape in golden shades which must be ideal to those who like photography.
- Flowering bushes and high trees that are placed along the route to the viewpoint give shades during the hot midday hours.
- Tourists can carry their picnic and park on the bench of stones and listen to birds that live in this height as they call out.
- The perspective is also a popular place to observe the harvest of the local farmers giving the travelers an insight of what the rural people live.
- During the evening, it is a quiet spot where one can sit and reflect on his or her adventures of the day as the stars start to show up.
Local Fishing Villages
- Villages are the places where modernity and tradition intertwine with each other, and families still follow the ancient fishing methods and adhere to the principles of sustainability at the same time.
- Tourists will be able to watch how tilapia and bangus are caught, how the specimen species live and the need to maintain the ecology of the lake.
- Freshly caught fish is sold at small markets, and here you can find the local taste and talk to the fishermen about how to cook.
- There are frequent local feasts and small festivals in the villages where there is music, dance and feasts that display local food.
- The houses belonging to families are constructed near the beach, and the reader can get a glimpse of the daily life of people who earn their living by the lake.
- Tourists have a chance to ride in a boat to these villages, experiencing the soft movement of the water and the prospect of an experience of cultural immersion.
Kaybiang Tunnel (Nearby Access)
- The tunnel is not a natural attraction, but in the way that it provides a dramatic experience as one goes through a mountain, the sheer size of the tunnel spurs the feeling of adventure in the travelers.
- The inside of the tunnel is covered with glow-in-the-dark signs that help the drivers navigate their way easily, which gives a small tunnel-vision effect which is exciting.
- As one leaves the building, the scene is revealed to the vast plains and the distant woods and it makes a dramatic contrast to the closed-in tunnel experience.
- The tunnel is a common highway among tourists who love to take scenic roads as the road that circles the tunnel has a number of pull-outs where tourists can take photographs.
- The exit of the tunnel forms a gorgeous silhouette in the evening background with a setting sun, hence a very popular location to shoot sunsets.
- The entrance to the tunnel is normally surrounded by local vendors who have stalls where they sell snacks and souvenirs thus bringing a cultural flavor in the traveling experience.
Small Waterfalls and Pools of Rivers
- These smaller cascades are located in wooded regions and they provide small areas where the locals and the visitors can enjoy a swim in cool water.
- The basins are created by natural rocks which make pools on which the flow of water is trapped, which makes the environment refreshing and free of commercial crowds.
- These pools are ideal when one wishes to take a quick dip at a sunny day as the surrounding vegetation will even offer shelter.
- Most of such locations can be reached through short trails, which motivates the hikers to visit the less-known areas of the province.
- The waterfalls frequently generate a cool mist which cools the atmosphere thereby forming a natural air-conditioner to the surrounding.
- Usually, these hidden beauties are guided by the local guides who are known to provide their knowledge on the local ecology and also to make sure that these natural beauties are preserved.
Reason 06
Culture Traditions
- Hospitality is an integral part of the community, and all guests are treated as family members with the elderly telling their stories that bridge the gap between the past and the present.
- Religion is at the heart of things, and there are churches and shrines all over the town, and a procession every day, in which the chants and prayers are heard and remind the spiritual connections.
- Family relations are also good and you will mostly find neighbors holding hands to help one another in the case of festivals, harvests and even in doing a normal day activity.
- The age old use of farming techniques like tilapia and bangus farming is passed down through generations keeping the methods of honoring the bounty of the lake.
- The local dialect, with its distinctive words, provides the speech with a melodic flow, which shows the history of the area and its cultural plurality.
- The family parties, in particular, the feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist, are characterized by lively dances, colorful costumes, and happy parties that beckon outsiders to take part.
Reason 07
Food Fun Fashion
Food
- Fresh tilapia and bangus with local herbs are the typical meal offered in open cafes where the smell of food cooking passes through the lake.
- Popular Batangas delicacies like lomi, rich noodles soup and sinaing na tulingan, grilled fish with a spicy sauce are some of the local delicacies that must be tried.
- Conventional kakanin, such as suman, bibingka, and tamales, are sweet, sticky and good to counter the savory lake fare.
- Most homes also brew kapeng barako, a heavy warm-smelling coffee made of local beans, that is commonly served to visitors every night.
- Grilled food is also affected by the Tagaytay cuisine, which has a smoky taste, which is complements fresh fruit salads and local rice.
- Food stalls are present in the streets with fast foods such as battered fish, fresh coconut water and pastries so that they can enjoy a plethora of tastes at once.
Fun
- Outings to lakeside are the rave and families pit their tents and have a home-cooked meal as the water is lapping.
- Paddle-boating, fishing and small boat rides are other boating activities that enable guests to venture through the numerous coves in the lake and how locals make their way.
- The river pools and the waterfalls offer the best places to swim with cool water that is clear, hence an immediate relief of the sun.
- One can walk upland trails, including those around the viewpoint, to get a nature walk, inhale fresh air, and see wildlife in the wild.
- One of the most popular activities is resort hopping where customers can go through various lakeside villas that have different facilities and spectacular views.
- A day trip to Tagaytay, Tanauan, and Nasugbu are also short and fun and offer the chance to explore even more of the beauty.
Fashion
- Good outdoor apparel like breathable cotton shirts and light pants keep the traveler cool as he or she enjoys the hills and lake.
- Due to the warm tropical climate, particularly in the dry season, light and airy clothes are necessary because the heat is sometimes overwhelming.
- Casual provincial style may involve heavyweight sandals, caps and simple jewelry that does not offend the natural environment.
- Traditional costumes accompanied by barong, Filipiniana and Batangkeño-inspired designs are also being used during festivals, which also bring color and cultural significance to the festivals.
- Waterproof jackets and durable hiking boots are advised to individuals who intend to pay a visit to waterfalls or spend many hours on long paths.
- To spend the evenings by the lake, one will need a simple dress, or a nice shirt with comfortable shoes to have a casual but respectful appearance and to suit the atmosphere of the local people.
Reason 08
Nature Safari
- The surface of the lake is the best place to watch birds, and there are numerous types of birds that nest in the reeds and reeds, and they provide birds with the opportunity to listen to natural music without distractions.
- The hills and forests around also offer a sufficient hiking path that can offer trekkers with magnificent outlooks of the volcano peak and the gleaming water.
- Freshwater rivers flow into transparent pools where one can put their feet in or even swim in the secure conditions.
- Upland paths with large trees shading them are a cool retreat to the hiker, and little streams further enhance the peaceful scene.
- Local farms demonstrate local agricultural practices, which gives the traveler an opportunity to taste fresh products and understand how the locals have a sustainable connection to nature.
- There are various holidays to Laurel eco-tourism activities like guided nature walks, kayaking lessons, and clean-up drives, and visitors can participate in the preservation of the landscape by them.
Reason 09
Events Fiestas
- Holidays to Laurel Town Fiesta is a magnificent event that includes parades, floats, and dances on the streets to demonstrate the talents of their local community and pride in the town.
- The bounty of the lake and the fields is celebrated by harvest festivals, which include booths selling fresh fish, rice, and local crafts.
- Religious parades are also used, particularly at the feast of St. Mark the Evangelist, where candlelit processions unify the town in religious belief.
- Fishing contests and beach clean-ups are community gatherings that attract the involvement of locals and visitors and lead to unity.
- The sports events such as friendly match of soccer and local tournaments are done in open fields, where people gather and have a vibrant environment.
- There are minor celebrations of all the seasons of the year in other villages close to this one and they provide a close up of the local way of doing things, dances.