5 Perfect Day Trips from Manila

Manila’s fast pace and heavy traffic can try anybody’s patience; however, there are ways to escape the madness. Whether you prefer sea-based or land-based activities, cultural diversions or adrenaline-pumping adventures, you have plenty to choose from if you’re looking to get out of town for a day. Here are five spots that will make the chaos of the capital seem like a distant memory.

Antipolo

You don’t have to venture far out of Manila for a complete change of scenery. Set in the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountains just 20km from central Manila, Antipolo is an enclave of creativity. The town is awash in quirky galleries and innovative restaurant concepts like Burrow Café. The highlight, however, is the Pinto Art Museum, which features six spacious, semi-open-air modern-art galleries, a lovely café, and beautifully landscaped grounds dotted with contemporary sculptures. Additionally, the viewing platforms offer spectacular views of the Metro Manila skyline.

East of the museum, near the border of Antipolo and neighboring Tanay, is the brilliantly conceived Masungi Georeserve. It’s a thrilling two-hour hike and scramble through a karst-studded protected area, navigating a web-like network of rope canopies, bridges, and ladders. Outdoor lovers can also check out Mt Purro Nature Reserve, an eco-resort with hiking trails, natural playgrounds, pools, great birdwatching, and a restaurant serving organic delicacies sourced from the surrounding forest.

Mt Pinatubo

When Mt Pinatubo in central Luzon’s Zambales range erupted in 1991, the whole world felt the effects. It rained ash in Manila, which lies about 80km south of the volcano, while temperatures dropped across the globe. The unstoppable cascade of lahar (volcanic mud) rerouted rivers and inundated entire towns under newly formed lakes.

Today, the volcano holds interest both for its historical significance – the eruption accelerated the withdrawal of the long-standing American military presence in the Philippines – and its austere beauty. Touring the volcano involves a two-hour jeep ride from the village of Santa Juliana, followed by a short (15–30 minute) hike up to what is undoubtedly one of the most stunning sites in the country: a crater lake nestled amid stark gray massifs, its hue fluctuating between ice blue and emerald green according to the whims of the sun and sky.

Organized day trips to Mt Pinatubo from Manila typically depart as early as 3 am and arrive in Santa Juliana around 6 am. Be sure to call the Santa Juliana Tourism Council ahead to announce your arrival, as they do not allow groups up the mountain after 8 am.

Anilao

Located in Batangas Province about a 2.5-hour drive south of Manila, Anilao is the birthplace of scuba diving in the Philippines. The area is famed for its rich corals and macro (small) organisms – colorful nudibranchs, frogfish, cuttlefish, clownfish, and mini-shrimps. If you’re not too enthusiastic about the small creatures, larger reef inhabitants such as parrotfish, barracuda, moray eels, trevally, and sea turtles also patrol the area.

Dive resorts are strung out for 13km along a beautiful, sunset-facing stretch of coastline. Some of the best snorkeling and dive sites are right offshore; alternatively, you can hire a bangka (Philippine outrigger boat) and head out to dive sites around nearby Maricaban and Sombrero islands. For day-trippers, we recommend Arthur’s Place; it has been a staple since the advent of scuba diving in Anilao, and it offers some of the best snorkeling on the peninsula out front around ‘Arthur’s Rock.’

Tagaytay

Meandering serpent-like along the giant maw of an ancient crater, this breezy suburb provides a blissfully oxygenated escape from the steamy capital. Tagaytay is best known as a giant platform for viewing the unique Taal Volcano, which peeks out of Taal Lake several hundred meters beneath the town’s 15 km ridge road. Dozens of eateries along the ridge road are strategically positioned to optimize those million-dollar views.

At 600m above sea level, Tagaytay brims with nurseries and fruit stalls, and is known for its spas, detox centers, and delightful garden restaurants like Antonio’s. Activities such as horseback riding and ziplining will keep the kids happy. Alternatively, you can descend to Taal Lake, hop in a boat, and zip out to ‘Volcano Island’ to hike up the tiny but still quite active Taal Volcano. The climb only takes about 45 minutes, or you can opt to ride a pony. Caution: it’s a hot, dusty ascent, so it’s advisable to try later in the day when the crowds have dissipated.

Clark Freeport and Surroundings

This former US military air base two hours north of Manila is now a recreational ‘freeport’ filled with family-friendly theme parks, duty-free shops, and restaurants. For splashy fun, head to Aqua Planet, a giant water park with numerous slides and a wave pool (be advised that it gets busy on weekends). Golf, casinos, spas, and museums are also attractions in the freeport.

Beyond the freeport, the surrounding mountains of Pampanga Province offer a playground for adrenaline junkies. Driving up from Manila, it’s impossible to miss craggy-topped Mt Arayat (1026m), the centerpiece of Mt Arayat National Park, looming to the east. You can climb this extinct volcano in half a day, starting at the park office San Juan Baño, where there are also hot springs and swimming pools. Alternatively, skip the climb and visit the Angeles Flying Club, where 30-minute tandem flights in an ultralight cost about £47 GBP and soar right over Mt Arayat.

Back in the freeport, budget a few hours to try wakeboarding at the Decawake Clark. There’s a beginner’s area or you can test your mettle on the main oval. Pampanga is considered the Philippines’ food capital, so definitely indulge in an authentic Kampampangan meal at Matam-ih Restaurant before heading back to Manila.

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