People often travel by group. This is especially true for Filipinos, who go on trips with the whole family or their large group of friends to somewhere new for fun.

Traveling solo, however, can be just as enjoyable. Not only will you gain new experiences, you will also appreciate alone time, make new friends, and get to know yourself better.

For quick and accessible solo trips, Batangas is the place to be as the province has tourist destinations where you can enjoy the perks of traveling alone. Check them out here.

Aquaria Water Park
Playa Calatagan Residences, Calatagan

Developed and managed by the same group who built the nearby Club Punta Fuego, this water park is located within Playa Calatagan Residences. Aquaria has six pools sufficiently spread out, including a three-level high slide.

Experience the thrill of a three-level high slide. Photo by SinoPinas courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

Despite the excitement these water attractions present, it’s easy to find some alone time here. You can lounge by the pools, or you can head out to the 525-meter stretch of fine beach, which looks out to the Calatagan Peninsula. Cabanas are also available, where many guests have taken to nesting with a cooler of beer on hand.

You can also sit on one of these picnic tables if you want to take a break from the sun. Photo by SinoPinas courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

You can even book a room at the Crusoe Cabins, the resort’s ocean-facing accommodation, sit on the sea bed, order steak and beer from the nearby Sands Restaurant, and consume everything while chest-deep in water.

Download the MILLI app so you can complete all your transactions with the resort for minimal contact with the staff.

Book your stay directly, through the app, or through third-party booking sites. For the ultimate isolation, stay at Cocoons, drainage pipes transformed into cozy rooms and with colorful painted designs. Each cocoon features a light show that follows the beat of your playlist.

A day pass for adults cost Php 370-Php 790, while accommodations start at Php 6,484.

Arthur’s Place Dive Resort, Anilao
Sitio Balagbag, Barangay Bagalangit, Mabini

The Municipality of Mabini also has a nice and quiet spot for the solo traveler hidden away. Arthur’s Place Dive Resort is a family-run resort frequented by locals and foreigners alike for its unimposing size and the lack of bothersome crowds.

Kayaking is ideal for first timers because it’s relatively easy compared to other water activities. Photo by SinoPinas courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

During the ‘70s, it was where the Abrigonda family welcomed their friends from abroad. Lita Abrigonda, the resort’s owner, recalled how foreigners love diving there. These friends later encouraged the family to make it into a resort.

Named after Arturo Abrigonda, the late husband of the resort’s owner Lita, it was built in the 1980s and was one of the first dive resorts in Anilao. He designed the first two rooms to have that cozy, countryside feel to make the resort a literal home away from home. Since then, the resort has grown to a modest 12 rooms—a number that discourages large groups.

The hammock gives you a full view of the resort while maintaining your distance from the crowd. Photo by SinoPinas courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

Anilao’s waters are a popular dive site because of its abundant biodiversity and home, as of last count, to more than 300 coral species. Apart from diving, the resort can also hook you up with other water activities such as kayaking and snorkeling.

Day tours for adults cost Php 200, while children 12 years old and below can enter for free. Accommodation rates are available upon request.

Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian
C.M. Recto Ave., Lipa

More commonly known as the Lipa Cathedral, the Romanesque structure would be good for the solo traveler interested in a trip steeped in faith and history. This renaissance church, which was established in the 1700s, serves as the seat of the Archdiocese of Lipa.

You can still drop by the Metropolitan Church of San Sebastian despite pandemic restrictions. Photo by SinoPinas courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

The early 20th century saw intense competition among Taal, Lipa, Batangas, Bauan, and Tanuan for the seat of the Southern Tagalog Diocese. This led to the construction of big churches that, at the time, would have towered over the people. Sadly, the Cathedral suffered irreparable damage during World War 2.

Having been built, renovated, and reconstructed many times, Monsignor Ruben Dimaculangan shared that nothing but a slab of concrete remained of the Cathedral after World War 2. The restoration efforts and expansions since then were a reflection of the influences of the different Monsignors and parish priests who spearheaded the initiatives.

Although they retained the Romanesque structure, the Cathedral’s interior design could have been purely by chance. Msgr. said that there’s no particular reason why such design was chosen, only that it was the preference of the monsignor at the time.

Its ceiling is painted with images of various religious figures in history. Photo by SinoPinas courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

Aside from its historical and architectural significance, the Cathedral also houses religious relics holy and significant to the Roman Catholic faith. It houses parts of the bones of Saint Sebastian, the Diocese’s patron saint, and Saint Irene, the one who rescued and healed the former after surviving arrows to his body.

The church is open to the public for free, and visitors are expected to abide by the City’s minimum health standards and protocols.

Punta Verde Resort, Lobo
Lobo – Malabrigo – Laiya Rd, Lobo

An hour-long drive from Lipa, farther down south of Batangas, brings you to Lobo. Located here is arguably the municipality’s most intriguing destination and best-kept secret is the Punta Verde Resort.

Take time for yourself and unwind by the beach. Photo by SinoPinas courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

“It’s worth the trip,” the resort promises to anyone willing to travel 30 minutes of unpaved, steep, and bumpy roads to get to the site. Cellular and mobile data are also unstable at the resort, allowing you to disconnect from your urban life and re-engage with nature.

Founded by Nick and Linda Jimeno, the resort was originally meant for their own family. But over time, the place started to attract guests from all walks of life, looking to enjoy its views, quiet surroundings, and privacy.

Nick Jimeno, the owner who loves to take a stroll, designed the walkways to be an adventure in itself. Photo by SinoPinas courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

Although the owners have expanded the resort farther from the shore, Punta Verde never lost that  essence which attracted people to it at the beginning. The accommodations are separated by steep walkways. Being surrounded by trees, it might almost feel like you’re on a never-ending trail.

The solo traveler might be interested in staying at its indoor accommodations, but many guests have chosen to rest at a nearby campsite. Here, you can appreciate nature even more under a starry night. If glamping isn’t your thing, though, you might want to lounge around Punta Verde’s two infinity pools.

Like other resorts within Batangas, beach activities such as boating and kayaking are also on the table. You can also choose to explore a nearby hidden cove and nature trail. Punta Verde also houses a museum containing Filipino antiques, Colonial-era paintings, and even balisong, Batangas’s famous butterfly knife.

Day tours cost Php 1,000, while accommodation rates range from Php 4,250-Php 19,125.

Acuaverde Beach Resort, Laiya
Lobo – Malabrigo – Laiya Rd, San Juan

About a three-hour drive from Metro Manila, this resort occupies one of the widest coastlines in Laiya. This might be attractive to the solo traveler looking for a wider range of water activities or just a good stroll along the beach.

Even the beachfront sun loungers are socially-distanced so you can enjoy the view of the ocean in peace. Photo by SinoPinas courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

They have 31 rooms in total, whose architecture mixes local materials with more contemporary amenities. One of the room options, Casa Brisa, offers a view from a private veranda that directly faces the beach.

The resort also offers a selection of classic Filipino dishes like Batangas lomi, gising-gising, and chicken inasal as well as a beach bar great for mixing views of the sea and Happy Hour. We suggest trying out their one-of-a-kind tamarind juice.

Day tours cost Php 1,500, while accommodations start at Php 6,500.

Travel safely!

All tourist destinations in Batangas have health and safety protocols in place to protect locals and visitors alike. Everyone is expected to comply by wearing face masks, regularly washing their hands, and practicing physical distancing.

To check out up-to-date information regarding local destinations that are open and the safety protocols and requirements needed for each location, you may visit www.philippines.travel/safetrip or download the Travel Philippines app at app.philippines.travel or the Google Playstore.

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