Taal Volcano is the most visited volcano in the Philippines, one of the smallest in the world yet the most active. It is indeed small but incredibly terrible. I would say a dream come true for me to set foot in Taal Island and visited this famous site. Although coming here wasn't really expected but we had planned to hike that day.
We supposed to climb Mt. Pamitinan in Rizal, a twin day hike with Mt. Binacayan and a side trip to Wawa Dam. Apparently, there was a storm and continuous rain. But still I was pretty excited to go climb since I have been quiet for months. So to speak, the climb was cancelled right at the moment when I was at the meeting place. *It hurts!
I don't want to waste the day and the mindset was at rambling so I decided right at that moment to visit Taal Volcano. I've been dreaming visiting this place. And I guess that was the perfect day! I still invited them if they wish to come with me since the initial plan is already cancelled.
And when I arrived at the crater, Lo and Behold! The place is really amazing. There is a small island at the crater so somehow you call it "an island within a lake in an island within a lake in an island" or you can simply say an "islandception".
Taal Volcano is only a few hours from Manila. It is situated in Talisay Batangas and the featured landscape when in Tagaytay. Therefore you have two options how to get here:
● Take Bus from Manila bound to Tagaytay, then ride tricycle going to jeep terminal bound to Talisay. Then at Talisay you can ride tricycle that will bring you to boat rentals.
● Take Bus from Manila bound to Tanauan City (bus terminals at Buendia), then from Tanauan City take tricycle that will bring you to jeep terminal bound to Talisay. Then at Talisay take tricycle that will bring you to boat rentals. *We chose this one.
EXPENSES AND TIPS:
● Bus fare bound to Tanauan is 98 PHP. Tricycle is 15 PHP. Jeep bound to Talisay is 26 PHP and another tricycle to boat rentals at 50 PHP/tricycle.
● Boat Rental is 1,500 PHP roundtrip up to 6 persons. If you are coming more than 6 then you will have to hire another boat.
● At Taal Volcano you will have to pay 50 PHP as entrance fee or environmental fee or whatever they call it. Then you have the option to hire a guide if you wish to hike up to the crater at 500 PHP. Or you can do horseback riding at 450 PHP per person.
● You also have to pay additional 50 PHP for that tiny bench that you can step in and off the boat to avoid getting wet but not really necessary but somehow required.
● We only paid the entrance fee, we opted not to get a guide or horseback riding. As I mentioned I want some physical activity so we chose to go hiking without a guide. Getting up there would only take 30 minutes depending on your pace.
● While most of the locals are helpful and jolly, they will ask you to buy things that you don't really need so learn to say no and thank you!
● Whenever at the crater, you usually heard "sikwenta", for some reason everything you buy is at 50 PHP. Even the restroom is 20 PHP (jingle) at 50 PHP (poop).
● Red Lava has an entrance of 50 PHP, though you might want to ask why you need to pay. Well, it's mandatory so we ended up paying, but I'm telling you should get to this section for a picture perfect.
Here are the photos of our epic adventure in the middle of rainfall warnings. These are taken with an SJCAM4000 sports camera. I decided not to edit them to give you an idea (for SJCAM users) the quality of the photos.
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