SAN JUAN BATANGAS TOURIST SPOTS + THINGS TO DO (2024)

Detailed travel blog about San Juan Batangas Tourist spots and things to do and San Juan Batangas itinerary.

Imagine being conveyed to a different place at the same time, the town of San Juan, Batangas will leave you in awe with its raw appeal and sundry topography.  It is blissfully located at the Southeastern tip of Batangas province. Surprisingly, it remains out of the radar of most tourists except for Laiya.  Delve into this municipality and at the end of your trip you’ll realize that it’s not only lapped by powdery white sand beaches of Laiya, but it is also lavished with natural resources, packed with adventures and water activities, oozing with history, and delicious food.

THINGS TO DO IN SAN JUAN BATANGAS

Here’s my handpicked list of things to do in San Juan Batangas to help you plan your trip.

1.ISLAND HOPPING IN LAIYA (SAN JUAN, BATANGAS) + SNORKELING

Why is it one of the top things to do in San Juan Batangas?

Jagged, meandering, and studded with tropical beaches and craggy coves – San Juan, Batangas is an ideal escape for the weary urbanites.  Its dramatic coastline, especially around Laiya, is shaped by the incessant waves crashing against coral reef deposits.

Laiya has long been a tourist magnet because of its sun-kissed azure water. But did you know you can also go beach-hopping here or what the locals sell as Laiya Island Hopping? So, pack your swimwear, aqua shoes, snorkeling mask, dry bag, and sunscreen, and head to San Juan, Batangas.

Frolic in the sand and swim in the turquoise waters of a picturesque beach called Lamesang Bato by the locals.  On Google Maps, it is marked as Locoloco Point. It’s not an island, but a beach attached to the mainland. But it is only accessible by boat since the sprawling, arid lands behind it are private properties.

Interestingly, the shape and look of the beaches and coves in Laiya changes drastically depending on the current. I revisited Lamesang Bato a week later and it looked quite different!  I find it more appealing when the tide is high because the aquamarine water highlights the rock formations.

Lamesang Bato is dappled with a few coves, so, there’s a good chance that the boatman might take you to another cove if the first cove is already packed with boats. That is why it’s best to do the San Juan, Batangas Island Hopping early in the morning, around 8:00 AM, especially during the weekend to avoid the throngs of tourists.

Lamesang Bato in Laiya, San Juan Batangas 

Our next stop for the Laiya, San Juan, Batangas Island Hopping Tour is nicknamed Bato na  Gulagod by the locals, but I found it on Google Maps as Alegre, proudly sitting on the other side of the popular Laiya White Beach. It exudes the vibe of an isolated enclave frozen in time, where you’ll be dwarfed by the sheer-sided cliff embracing its coast.  And what makes Bato na Gulagod beach unique is, it is dappled with natural coral deposit basins where the cerulean seawater gushes in.  I reckon if it’s high tide, visitors can swim in these pools that occur naturally.  Bato na Gulagod may not be as mesmeric as the tropical palm-fringed beach cliches, but if you’re seeking a secluded seaside escape in Batangas, away from the madding crowd, you landed in the right place.

Bato na Gulagod

After Laiya beach-hopping, the last stop of island hopping is snorkeling.  Plunge into the cobalt sea wearing your snorkeling gear and discover the iridescent marine life of San Juan, Batangas.  The natural coral reefs near the coast have been classified as protected sanctuary by DENR.

Snorkeling in San Juan, Batangas

LAIYA ISLAND HOPPING RATE: ₱300 ($5) per person minimum of 10 pax per boat or just rent an island-hopping boat for ₱3,000 ($53) good for 10 persons, extra persons will be charged is ₱300 ($5). The boat’s maximum capacity is 20 pax.

• INCLUSION: Life vest. Snorkeling mask rental is ₱100 ($2)
• DOCKING FEE: ₱100 ($2) per boat
• DURATION: 3 hours
• TOURIST ATTRACTIONS: Lamesang Bato (Locoloco Point), 1-2 beach coves and snorkeling area. If you want to include Bato na Gulagod (Alegre) in your island-hopping tour, you can pay an extra ₱1,000 ($18) per boat.
• ACCESS:
• By car/private vehicle
• From San Juan, Batangas, you can drive to one of the beach resorts in Laiya, like Sigayan Bay Resort or Kabayan Resort where you can rent a boat for island hopping. Travel time is roughly 30 minutes.
• By commute:
• At San Juan, Batangas, ride a jeep to Laiya (Sigayan Bay Resort or Kabayan Resort) and get off at 7-11. It is a few meters away from the maroon St. Joseph Marello Church. Fare is roughly ₱50 ($1), and travel time is about 30 minutes.
• Alternatively, you can charter a tricycle from downtown San Juan, Batangas to Laiya.

TRAVEL TIPS:

• The beaches here are speckled with coral reef deposits that could hurt your feet. Be extra careful, wear sturdy aqua shoes or Crocs. If you’re traveling with seniors/elderly, and kids, assist them.
• There are no restaurants on the islands, only make-shift stores that sell halo-halo, chips, and soft drinks. If you plan to picnic or have lunch on one of the beach coves in Laiya, bring a packed lunch. Please include the boatman and assistant on your packed meal.
• Bring your own water flask to keep yourself hydrated.
• We rented a boat for island hopping at Sigayan Bay Resort.  I recommend it as a jumping-off point for island hopping in Laiya.   The boatmen there are helpful, and their boats are just right enough to carry 10 persons. They accept walk-ins or you can contact them in advance through the following numbers:
• Jhopet: 0968 622 6279
• Leboy: 0928 576 6512
• Start your San Juan, Batangas island-hopping tour as early as 8:00 AM to avoid the crowd, especially if you’re going there on a weekend. The sea is also calmer in the morning, and the lighting is better for photos and drone videos, not too harsh.

With Team DMCI Homes (Renzy, Jules, Joshua, and Kuya Mer) and Paelo, the people behind this trip. Insert Butch and Belle here and the Solmera Coast staff. Thank you so much for your hard work! 🙂

2. TRY THE WATER ACTIVITIES IN LAIYA BEACH, SAN JUAN, BATANGAS

Why is it one of top San Juan, Batangas things to do?

You’ll never run out of things to do in San Juan, Batangas. Even off the coast of Laiya’s long stretch of powdery sand beach, water activities abound.  You can rent a kayak and paddle for an hour or more. Or if you’re adventurous enough, try the flying fish, and banana boat.  Jet skis and speedboats are also available for rent here. See the Laiya watersports rates below.

3.RESORT STAYCATION

Why is it one of the top San Juan Batangas things to do?

Early morning in Solmera Coast San Juan Batangas

Most tourists heading to San Juan, Batangas go to Laiya to bask in its cerulean beach.  Others just want to R & R and lounge in beach resorts that strive to satisfy their every wish and whim.

During our recent trip to San Juan, Batangas, we stayed at Solmera Coast in Brgy. Subukin and Brgy. Calubcub II. It is blissfully sandwiched between San Juan town and Laiya, about 13 minutes away, thus providing ample opportunity for road tripping. Solmera Coast is a nature-inspired beachfront condotel development by DMCI Homes Leisure Residences that is soon to rise in this thriving municipality.

Biking around Solmera Coast 

By the time we arrived at Solmera Coast, it was sweltering hot since it’s summer. Thankfully, we were soothed by the warm greetings of the staff at the front desk as they gestured to us to take a comfy seat and handed us fresh wet towels and welcome drinks.

The sprawling Solmera Coast is tranquil  and secluded and fringed by soaring palm trees and  beautifully manicured lawns and tropical gardens. I stayed in one of their spacious Asian-inspired breezy villas set by the sea.

It is decorated with modest and soothing white walls and warm wood  and spruced up with covetable furniture.  A modern minimalist room is what I dig these days. There’s nothing like getting away from a mess to calm an anxious mind.

But perhaps my favorite experience here is waking up to a mesmeric sunrise view over the pink sky, which I can watch directly from my room with floor to ceiling glass windows.  It’s a dreamy escape.

Waking up to this sunrise view

Solmera Coast’s tempting, aquamarine-tiled infinity pool’s focal point is a powdery sand beach with a view of tawny mountains on the side.  They can also provide bikes and kayaks to get you occupied.

Solmera Coast

• Solmera Coast Batangas
• Address: Brgy. Subukin and Brgy. Calubcub II, San Juan, Batangas
• Facebook: @dmcihomesleisureresidences

The Ferdz Decena getting ready to bike around Solmera Coast.

4. CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE AT LAIYA ADVENTURE PARK

Tucked in a dense, tropical jungle, Laiya Adventure Park is oozing with outdoor adventures to test your stamina, you can try wall climbing, aerial walk, zipline, the giant swing, etc.

Getting ready for ATV Ride at Laiya Adventure Park 

I like doing adventure activities, but when opportunities present themselves, sometimes I cower.  Like when I tried the free fall here, which turned out to be manageable, because the string attached to my back somehow pulls me back. I guess to stop me from falling hard onto the cemented floor.

I did enjoy the ATV ride. A bit intimidating at first, but it was fun once you get used to the trail.

The zipline was a breeze and since we did it late in the afternoon, I could feel the fresh wind blowing on my face without the harsh sunbeams.  There were also kingfishers sitting quietly on the zipline enjoying the mountain scenery draped by dense forest or perhaps waiting to catch a fish from a nearby river.

Laiya Adventure Park Zipline 

Best to visit Laiya Adventure Park late in the afternoon so you can avoid the extreme heat of the sun and enjoy the activities without the crowd.  We had the park all to ourselves when we visited.  The staff told us, most tourists go there in the morning.

• Package A: ₱650 ($12)
• Package B: ₱520 ($9)
• Package C: ₱300 ($5)
• ATV Ride: ₱500 ($9)
• Shoes Rental: ₱50 ($1)
• Entrance Fee: ₱50 ($1)

Wall climbing and zipline at Laiya Adventure Park 

Laiya Adventure Park ATV ride 

TRAVEL TIP:

• Rubber shoes are required for all activities. You can rent at the park for ₱50 ($1) per pair of shoes, which come with free socks.
• If you use Package A above, you can use the pool. But only those with proper swimming attire (bathing suit, swimming trunks, board shorts, rash guard) will be allowed to use the pool.
• All packages allow 1 time use only of the attractions included in each set.

• LAIYA ADVENTURE PARK
• Address: Sitio Lumbangan, Brgy. Laiya La Playa, San Juan, Batangas
• Open Hours: Daily 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Access:
• By car/private vehicle
• If you’re driving along San Juan-Laiya Road. The intersection going to the park is right after the maroon St. Joseph Marello Church.  Just follow Google Maps. The Mahogany-fringed Road should lead you to a secluded jungle-clad hill.
• By commute
• At San Juan, Batangas, ride a jeep to Laiya (Sigayan Bay Resort or Kabayan Resort) and get off at the maroon St. Joseph Marello Church. Jeepney fare is roughly ₱50 ($1), and travel time is about 30 minutes.  Walk to Laiya Adventure Park for about 26 minutes.
• Alternatively, you can charter a tricycle from downtown San Juan, Batangas to Laiya Adventure Park. Travel time is approximately 30 minutes.

5. WANDER THE HERITAGE HOUSES IN SAN JUAN, BATANGAS

Why is it one of the top tourist spots in San Juan Batangas?

San Juan, Batangas may not often grace the pages of history books, but the rich cultural heritage of this sprawling town will undoubtedly seduce travelers thirsty for history.  Its town center is dappled with well-preserved ancestral houses.  Tourists can wander the stately age-old houses here since most of these structures are condensed around the St. Juan Nepomuceno Church.  Visitors can go inside some age-old houses if you inform them of your visit in advance. See the contact details below.

Here’s some of the significant ancestral house and heritage structures in San Juan, Batangas:

• Benito Marasigan Ruins and Museum
• Casa Louella
• Casa Soledad
• White House San Juan (Aguedo Mercado Mansion)
• Leon Mercado House (Pink House)
• Bautista House in Pinagbayanan

• BENITO MARASIGAN RUINS AND MUSEUM

Benito Marasigan Ruins and Museum

The 3-storey ancestral house of Don Benito and Soledad Marasigan of the prominent Marasigan Family, in Classical Revival architectural style, was built sometime in the 1930’s to represent the boom of the coconut industry.

Unfortunately, in 2009, the massive house was burned down into ruins. The fire reportedly started on the 3^rd floor when the sun glowed directly on the glass window and reflected on the piles of papers and decaying wood creating fire. Today, only the restored ground floor serves as a museum, decorated with old photos, artworks, and intricately carved chairs and cabinets from the olden days.

• Benito Marasigan Ruins and Museum
• Address: 39, Marasigan Street Poblacion San Juan, Batangas
• Open Hours: Daily 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

• CASA LOUELLA

Our 2^nd stop for our San Juan, Batangas Heritage Tour was another classical mansion called Casa Louella. Built in 1900’s and originally owned by the Treviño-Magtibay family. It is said that 2 families live on each floor, like a separate household.  Casa Louella was eventually bought by Vicente Lecaroz, the former Mayor of San Juan. But when the Lecaroz family moved to the US, they sold the house and it was acquired by Custodio (Papay Ocus) and Guadalupe (Lola Lucing) Ona, who currently owns the restored house.

The floor, the ceiling, the pillars, and walls are still original. The current owner just decided to remodel the house, opened the bedrooms downstairs and turned them into a living room, and the entrance to the house, which used to be on the side where the dining room is now, was moved in front. All the classic-looking furniture in the house now is new. The painting of the original house is displayed in the living room. While the photos of the current owners, the Ona Family are on display on the 2^nd floor.  Today, Casa Louella is open to the public and accepts guests for accommodation, small events, weddings, prenup shoots.

• Casa Louella
• Address: Rizal St, Poblacion, San Juan, Batangas

• CASA SOLEDAD

Casa Soledad, a traditional bahay-na-bato style house initially owned by Santos Luz Lopez and Maria Mercado (Dr. Jose Rizal’s relatives) is another worth-visiting heritage house in San Juan, Batangas.  The couple had 4 children, Don Miguel Lopez (former mayor of San Juan), Arsenio Lopez, Soledad Lopez, and Leonor Lopez.  The house was inherited by Leonor since she was the youngest, but Soledad bought it from her when she got married.

Today, Casa Soledad is managed by the 4^th generation Lopez-Tioseco siblings.  Brando L. Tioseco and Anna L. Tioseco proudly toured us around the classic Bahay-na-Bato of their grandparents.  While most houses that we toured in San Juan were heavily restored or remodeled, what I like about Casa Soledad is, it still has that archaic ancestral house atmosphere.

Our first stop is the silong (basement) of the house, which is now covered in Machuca tiles.  Interestingly, the house is still supported by massive wooden pillars, which is typical of old houses back then. The furniture, art pieces, and other objects inside Casa Soledad are mostly antiques.

A carved-wooden staircase leads to the spacious living room upstairs, where antique photographs with age-old frames are hanging. A must-see in the neck-swiveling life-size foto-óleo painting of Leonor where she’s wearing a filipiniana dress adorned with real sequins.  This artform is popular in the mid-19^th to 20^th century where black and white photos are enhanced by applying oil paint to make it realistic.

Interestingly, also on display here are prehistoric burial jars and poorly fired earthenware unearthed from the archaeological site in Calubcob, Segundo.

• Casa Soledad
• Address: De Villa corner Mojica Street San Juan, Batangas

• WHITE HOUSE SAN JUAN (AGUEDO MERCADO MANSION)

This elegant white house mansion was built in 1934.  The White House San Juan was originally owned by Aguedo Mercado and Pilar Marasigan, hence the original name Aguedo Mercado House. It used to be a Japanese-era hang out place that was safe from destruction during WWII.  The 4^th generation Mercado family lived here until the current owners – Neil Marundan and family acquired it in 2021.

Almost all parts of the house are original like the machuca tiles, the wooden walls, and pillars (except for the comfort room and kitchen which looked like the kitchens used on cooking shows).  Once you step inside, you wouldn’t really feel it’s an old house, the way they restored the wooden floor, cabinets, chairs, and tables that are made of narra, balayong and mulawin wood is by stripping the natural wood color and applying lacquer to give the wood a high gloss finish. While all furniture inside the White House San Juan were refurbished, they also added some modern appliances like aircon and TV and projector to the mini-conference room, which was previously a music room.

• White House San Juan (Batangas)
• Address: Marasigan Street Corner Kalayaan Street, Poblacion San Juan, Batangas
• Entrance Fee: ₱150 ($3) includes food (merienda), book at least 2 days in advance.
• Open Hours: Daily 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

• CASA LEON (THE PINK HOUSE)

Why is it one of the top tourist spots in San Juan Batangas?

This isn’t part of our San Juan, Batangas Heritage Tour, because the house isn’t available for public viewing. This well-preserved “Pink House” is known as Casa Leon, the house of Leon Quizon Mercado, also  known as “Kapitan Leon,” a Katipunero from San Juan, Batangas and relative of Dr. Jose Rizal, our National Hero.

Based on anecdotes,  at age 17, he joined the revolution and also joined the Philippine-American War. After the war, Leon became a prominent farmer  who invested in coconut plantations in Naga City and was nicknamed the “Coconut King of Batangas”. 

You can easily find the Leon Mercado House around 2 blocks away from the St. Nepomuceno Church, at the corner of Burgos Street and Castillo Street.

• Casa Leon (Mercado House)
• Address: Corner Burgos Street and Castillo Street Poblacion, San Juan, Batangas

6. VISIT THE SAN JUAN NEPOMUCENO CHURCH AND MUSEUM 

Why is it one of the top San Juan Batangas places to see?

Towering over Poblacion San Juan is the San Juan Nepomuceno Church named after the town’s patron saint – St. John Nepomuceno, the patron saint of Czechoslovakia and “martyr of the confessional”. His feast is celebrated every May 16th.   He was nicknamed such, because it is believed that St. John refused to reveal to King Wenceslau IV the queen’s dying confession.

The church was originally built in San Juan de Bolboc, present day Brgy. Pinagbayanan, from nipa, bamboo, and palm trees. Eventually, the church’s structure was overhauled with stone under Father Damaso Mojica. Still, a devastating flood in 1883 destroyed the church.  So, Fray Celestino Yoldi, moved the settlement from Brgy. Pinagbayan to Calitcalit, present day San Juan.

The church was then moved to its Calicalit (present site) in 1894, and the modern belfry tower was added somewhere between 1928 – 1935, that is why it doesn’t seem to match the Baroques-architectural style of the church’s façade. The massive belfry donated by Don Francisco Marasigan which was used before is now on display in front of the church. San Juan Nepomuceno Church underwent a major renovation in 1995 which led to the San Juan Nepomuceno Church we see today.

Interestingly, beside the church is an old parish convent built in 1894 by Augustinian Recollects priest Celestino Yoldi. This extensive convent houses St. John Nepomuceno Museum where a collection of ancient church artifacts, altar utensils such as chalices, censer and boat, and candle sticks, and ecclesiastical vestments are on display.

• San Juan Nepomuceno Church and Museum

• Address: Burgos Street, Poblacion, San Juan, Batangas

7. CHECK OUT THE OLD SAN JUAN CHURCH RUINS

Why is it one of the top  attractions in San Juan Batangas?

San Juan, Batangas is oozing with history and many archaeological excavations have been conducted here.  The original town was a coastal village known as San Juan de Bocboc located in the present-day Brgy.Pinagbayanan.

From 2008-2012, archaeological excavation in Brgy.Pinagbayanan by the University of the Philippines Archaeological Studies Program (UP-ASP) in the lot of Edgardo de Villa Salud uncovered the remains of the old San Juan Church and two stone houses dating back to the 1800’s.  Interestingly, these stone ruins were the first bahay-na-bato houses to be archaeologically investigated in the Philippines since most excavations focused on churches and fortresses. 

Today, tourists can visit the Old San Juan Church Ruins in Brgy.Pinagbayanan.  Nearby, is another well-preserved bahay kubo called Bautista House, which was constructed in 1924.

8. FOOD TRIP IN SAN JUAN, BATANGAS

Why is it one of the top San Juan Batangas things to do?

Bonete

After an exciting tour of the heritage houses of San Juan, Batangas, swimming and snorkelling in the beaches of Laiya, and testing your endurance in Laiya Adventure Park, you must try the thriving food scene in Batangas.  Here’s a list of San Juan culinary delights:

• Bonete – Our favorite food in Batangas is none other than Bonete or Pan de Bonete. This hot bonnet shaped Pinoy style dinner roll is best eaten hot and can be dipped on hot tsokolate or kapeng barako. You can buy this in local bakeries downtown. We bought it from the bakery fronting Alps Bus Terminal in Poblacion San Juan, and it was so finger-licking good!

Loming Batangas at Lomihan sa Pulang Bato

• Loming Batangas – Batangas is known for its mouth-watering noodle dish called Batangas Lomi. Its origin is traced to To Kim Eng, who is believed to have first served the lomi to his mahjong buddies back in 1968. Loming Batangas has thick, rich soup loaded with a variety of toppings such as egg, chicharon, fishball, belly strips, pork heart, liver, Chinese kikiam, etc. The best lomihan in San Juan is the Lomihan sa Pulang Bato.

• Gotong Batangas – Batangas has its own version of goto, and it’s different from the typical goto (rice porridge) that we Pinoys are used to because it doesn’t use rice. Batangas goto originated in Lipa and is more like a soup dish.  It is composed of beef and cow innards such as beef tripe (honeycomb and blanket tripe), beef heart, bouillon, tendon, and intestines.

Gotong Batangas at Kuya Oliver’s Gotohan

• In San Juan, we tried the Gotong Batangas overload at the Kuya Oliver’s Gotohan, a famous gotohan by Oliver Marasigan.  It was okay, since the beef was really boiled well, it was soft.  The soup is tasty, but I prefer thick soup. To complement the dish, they also provide kalamansi, deep fried garlic with chili. I haven’t tasted the Gotong Batangas in Lipa, so for a first timer, this is good for me, but nothing special.  But my cousins loved it for its price. You can also try Gotong Batangas at Marimar Restaurant. I was told they’re the original restaurant that serves this soup. See more details on the Where to Eat Section.

• Champeni (Chempeni, sampeni, or sampeni)  – This is a Batangas dish composed of goat or beef innards. It tastes like kalderetang kambing and is usually eaten on pulutan or as a dish. We had it at Novicz Eatery along San Juan – Laiya Road.

Champeni / Chempeni ng Batangas at Novicz Eatery 

• Batangas Seafood – San Juan, Batangas has one of the longest shorelines in the Philippines. The area from Brgy. Baraulte down to Brgy. Catmon are suitable for aquaculture. Hence, the abundance of seafood in town.

• Everyone wants to eat a good seafood, and no one does seafood better in San Juan, Batangas than Four Corners Seafood and Sizzling Restaurant along San Juan – Laiya Road. See more details under Where to Eat Section below.

Seafood Fiesta at Four Corners Seafood and Sizzling Restaurant

• Four Corners Seafood and Sizzling Restaurant seafood dishes are made from freshest products. They stand out because they don’t use preservatives. We ordered their bestseller – the Seafood Fiesta Dish, a mix of different kinds of seafood like crab, squid, fish, shrimps, and clams cooked in butter and secret spices from the Middle East and Israel, truly a feast fit for a queen! They’re tempting and enticing; you’ll surely drool just by looking at it! The sauce is thick and tremendously flavorsome, you’ll come out with a full stomach and grinning with pleasure.
• Another personal favorite is their seafood hotpot boiling in a pot full of vegetables, fish, mussels, clams, and prawns. It’s a perfect comfort food and hangover food.
• Cap off your seafood meal with their creamy and mouthwatering leche flan!

Suman tamales at Old San Juan Restaurant

• Suman Tamales   –  Like a regular rice cake made of glutinous rice wrapped in banana leaf but with shredded chicken or meat, peanuts, and slices of boiled sliced egg or salted egg. We had this at Old San Juan Restaurant.

Ben’s halo-halo

• Halo Halo –  If you’re craving a rich, creamy halo-halo, after being soaked in the sun for hours, head to Ben’s Halo-Halo. This originated in Laguna, so it’s not actually a Batangas food.  I’m not a halo-halo fan, but this is good for me. Ben’s halo-halo uses shaved gelato ice, making it deliciously thick and creamy.  Needs a bit more toppings, but definitely one of the best I’ve tried!

9.MANGROVE TOUR IN SAN JUAN, BATANGAS

Why is it one of the top  things to do in San Juan Batangas?

For a change of scenery, you can also go on Mangrove Tour in San, Juan Batangas.  You can rent an outrigger boat at Brgy.Poctol where you will be toured around a small mangrove river up to Tayabas Bay and return via Malaking Ilog River. The town is blessed with a sprawling mangroves area; reportedly, they have around 496 hectares of mangroves and swamp areas.  Most of these trees are predominantly finger type mangroves.

10. BIRD WATCHING IN SAN JUAN, BATANGAS

Why is it one of the top San Juan Batangas things to do?

Lavished by natural resources San Juan, Batangas is an ideal location for bird watching.  The azure sea with rich marine life, lush forest, sprawling mangroves forest, swamp areas, and placid rivers, serves as habitats of endemic, migratory, and resident birds. I was able to see a common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) sitting on the wirelines of Laiya Adventure Park, as well as a blue-tailed bee eater.  Fellow travel blogger Ferdz Decena has a more in-depth blog on bird watching in San Juan. Read the link below.

ALSO READ:  BIRD WATCHING IN SAN JUAN, BATANGAS  

11.CHECK OUT SAN JUAN BATANGAS COTTAGE INDUSTRY

Why is it one of the top places to visit in San Juan Batangas?

San Juan, Batangas also takes pride with its booming cottage industry.  I missed this during my recent visit, but it’s a good reason to return to San Juan in the future.  If you’re interested, you can check out the activities below.  My travel blogger friend Edgar also has a more detailed blog on San Juan, Batangas cottage industry.  See link below.

Panutsa

• KARITAN (FOR LAMBANOG MAKING)
• BATANGAS POTTERY
• PANUTSA MAKING
• KAPENG BARAKO
• TABLEA

ALSO READ:  SAN JUAN, BATANGAS COTTAGE INDUSTRY,  MANGROVE TOUR, AND MORE 

WHERE TO EAT IN SAN JUAN, BATANGAS

With the mind-boggling food choices and restaurants in San Juan, Batangas, let me help you narrow it down. Here’s a list of the cafes, eateries, and restaurants we’ve tried during our visit.

• FOUR CORNERS SEAFOOD AND SIZZLING RESTAURANT
• Address: San Juan – Laiya Road, San Juan, Batangas
• Contact #: 0935 268 0720 / 0920 720 9690
• Recommended Dish: Seafood Fiesta, Leche Flan

• LOMIHAN SA PULANG BATO
• Address: San Juan- Laiya Road, San Juan, Batangas
• Open Hours: Daily 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Recommended Dish:Loming Batangas

• OLD SAN JUAN RESTAURANT

• Address: Javier Street,Poblacion, San Juan, Batangas
• Open Hours: Daily 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Recommended Dish: Suman tamales, Lechon Kawali, Chicken, Fish in Coconut Milk

• CAFENO
• Address: 9 General Luna Street, Poblacion, San Juan, Batangas
• Open Hours: Daily (except Monday and Tuesday) 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Recommended Dish: Bacon strips, Affogato, Caramel Macchiato

• BEN’S HALO-HALO
• Address: Phoenix Gas Station, San Juan-Laiya Road, San Juan, Batangas
• Open Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Recommended Dish: Original Halo-halo ₱105 ($2), Salty Summer₱110 ($2), Mais con Yelo ₱100 ($2)

• KUYA OLIVER’S GOTO

• Address: Sitio 6, Brgy. Mabalanoy (Silangan), San Juan, Batangas
• Open Hours: Daily (Except Monday). Serves food at 7:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 5:00 PM
• Recommended Dish: Gotong Batangas Overload ₱150 ($3) good for 1-2 person, Gotong Batangas Regular ₱120 ($2), Gotong Batangas Superload ₱200 ($4), Butt and Balls ₱200 ($4), Spare Ribs ₱800 ($14)

• NUEVO COMEDOR

• Address: Javier St. Poblacion, San Juan, Batangas
• Open Hours: Daily 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Recommended Dish:Bulalo, Kare-kare

• NOVICZ EATERY
• Address: Phoenix Gas Station, San Juan-Laiya Road, San Juan, Batangas
• Open Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Recommended Dish: Champeni / Chempeni

NIGHTLIFE IN SAN JUAN BATANGAS

Treeside Campers and Bar Cafe

• Treeside Campers and Bars Cafe
• Address: Brgy. 5047 C Magbanau Street San Juan, Batangas
• Open Hours: 4:00 PM – 12:00 PM

WHERE TO BUY SOUVENIRS IN SAN JUAN, BATANGAS

• M & L San Juan Pasalubong Center and General Merchandise
• Address: General Luna Street (near Alps Bus Terminal), San Juan, Batangas
• What to Buy: Kapeng Barako, Coco Sugar, Tablea, Panutsa, Lambanog

HOW TO GET TO SAN JUAN, BATANGAS 

Alps bus terminal in downtown San Juan

By Bus

• From Alabang and Taft/Edsa

From Alabang or Taft/EDSA, you can ride the Alps Bus directly to San Juan, Batangas. Fare is ₱247 ($4.47) from Alabang and ₱301 ($5) from Taft/EDSA. Travel time is roughly 3 hours, depending on traffic.

Alternatively, you can also ride a bus bound for Lipa, Batangas. From there, take a jeepney to San Juan, Batangas.

• From Cavite

At Pala-Pala terminal, ride a van to San Juan, Batangas.

By Private Vehicle

• From Alabang and Manila 

Take SLEX > Star > Ibaan Exit > Turn left for San Juan > Laiya. Refer to Google Maps.

Note: San Juan, Batangas collects a ₱20 ($0.36) eco-tourism fee per person

SAN JUAN, BATANGAS ITINERARY (3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS)

If you’re visiting San Juan soon. Here’s a sample San Juan Batangas Itinerary for 3 days and 2 nights. Perfect for a long weekend trip. This is an itinerary based on the itinerary created for me by Solmera Coast Batangas, a DMCI Property who arranged and sponsored our trip to San Juan, Batangas recently.

A rocky beach cove in Laiya San Juan, Batangas beach 

I’ll write a more detailed San Juan, Batangas Travel Guide with detailed itinerary and budget soon.

SAN JUAN BATANGAS TIPS AND REMINDERS

• Wear aqua shoes or sandals on beaches during the Laiya Island hopping tour as there are coral reef deposits that could hurt your feet.
• As in most beaches, sea urchins are present in snorkeling sites, so wear aqua shoes or full-foot fins when snorkeling and please do not step on corals.
• No fish feeding during snorkeling, please.
• Bring a dry bag to protect your cameras and waterproof pouch for your phone. Or much better if you just bring an underwater camera or action camera for snorkeling and other water sports.
• Bring refillable water bottle to keep yourself hydrated.
• Almost everything is on cash basis here so stack up cash. There are ATMs in downtown San Juan and at 7Eleven.
• San Juan, Batangas is tourist-friendly and generally safe for visitors. But as in all places, do not leave your things unattended during island hopping tour. Double check your things to make sure you are not leaving anything behind. I left my shades and Tommy Jeans sandals. I got the shades back from Lamesang Bato 1st stop because the locals manning the island took care of it, but the sandals I left at the 2nd stop Lamesang Bato, was already gone. Another tourist from the boat that arrived after we left  may have picked it up according to the locals manning the beach.
• Practice the LNT Principle. Leave no trace. Dispose your trash properly. Do Not collect sands and shells.

DISCLOSURE: Our trip to San Juan, Batangas was made possible by Solmera Coast. A soon-to-rise nature and Asian-inspired condotel by DMCI Homes Leisure Residences in San Juan Batangas.

ALSO READ:

BAGUIO TOURIST SPOTS + ITINERARY

BOHOL TOURIST SPOTS + ITINERARY

PUERTO GALERA TOURIST SPOTS

SAN JUAN BATANGAS TOURIST SPOTS

THINGS TO DO IN BORACAY + TOURIST SPOTS

GUIMARAS TOURIST SPOTS

BACOLOD TOURIST SPOTS

GUIMARAS TOURIST SPOTS

SAN VICENTE PALAWAN TOURIST SPOTS

LA UNION TOURIST SPOTS

STILTS CALATAGAN, BALATAGAN

LOBO, BATANGAS TRAVEL GUIDE

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TINGLOY BATANGAS TRAVEL GUIDE

MANUEL UY BEACH

STILTS CALATAGAN