Manila is a city of enormous energy but limited green space, and one of the best things you can do is leave it for a day. Within two or three hours by road there are volcano views, jungle waterfalls, hot springs, a plantation lunch in a stream and a historic island fortress, and most can be done with hotel pickup. Here are the best options and how to choose.
Tagaytay and Taal: the classic
About two hours south, the cool ridge city of Tagaytay looks down on Taal Lake and its volcano island, one of the most famous views in the Philippines. The best option for most first-time visitors is a small-group tour that stays on the ridge and includes viewpoints, lunch and a return to Manila. Taal is an active volcano and Volcano Island is closed, so never book a tour that promises a crater hike or an island landing, and check the latest PHIVOLCS bulletin before you go. Try bulalo, the beef-marrow soup, and buko pie. Go in the morning in the dry season for the clearest view.
Pagsanjan Falls: the adventure
In Laguna province, about three hours from Manila, a canoe trip with paddlers up a jungle gorge to the falls and back is one of the Philippines’ most memorable short adventures. It is wet and exciting, and a good fit for families with older children and active travellers. Bring a change of clothes, and expect boatmen to stop short of the main falls after heavy rain.
Corregidor Island: the history
An island fortress at the mouth of Manila Bay, Corregidor was the site of the 1942 siege and the 1945 recapture, and its Malinta Tunnel, batteries and ruined barracks make it the finest Second World War site in the country. It is a full day, usually ten hours or more including the ferry crossing, and best in the dry season, when the sea is calmer. Pair it with a visit to the Manila American Cemetery on another day.
Villa Escudero: the easy and charming one
A coconut plantation resort in Quezon province, about two to three hours south-east of Manila, is famous for its lunch served at tables in a waterfall stream, as well as carabao cart rides, bamboo rafts and a cultural show. It is easy, touristy and perfect for families and groups, and little walking is involved.
Hidden Valley Springs: the cool-off
A forest resort in Laguna with natural spring-fed pools, it is a restful swimming and lunch day, ideal for a hot afternoon when you have had enough of sightseeing. Several tours combine it with Pagsanjan Falls or Tagaytay.
Anilao: the dive
Two and a half hours south in Batangas, Anilao is the diving capital of the Manila region, famous for its small and colourful marine life. A beginner discovery dive needs no certification and makes a good day for adventurous travellers, though remember not to fly within about twelve to eighteen hours of diving.
Banaue: the epic
The Ifugao rice terraces, about 350 kilometres north of Manila, are among the great sights of the Philippines, but they are a very long way for a day trip. If you can spare two or three days, take a multi-day tour with a night in Banaue or Batad, and treat a single-day version with caution.
How to choose
For one day, choose Tagaytay if you want the classic, easy trip with a view, Pagsanjan Falls for adventure, Corregidor for history and Villa Escudero or Hidden Valley Springs for a relaxed, family-friendly day. If you have two spare days, combine a history day with a nature day, such as Corregidor and Pagsanjan. If you are short of time, a combination tour that pairs Tagaytay with Pagsanjan or Hidden Valley Springs covers a lot of ground, but it makes for a long day.
Practical tips
Start early, because traffic on the roads out of Manila builds quickly, and return trips on Sunday evenings can be slow. Most tours pick up from hotels in Ermita, Malate, Makati and Pasay, so check the pickup point when you book. Dress for the activity, bring a change of clothes for the water trips, wear sunscreen and carry water. In the typhoon months, from about June to October, expect that trips involving boats or rivers may be cancelled or shortened, so read the cancellation terms and keep a spare day in your plans.
