Destinations

Rest and Relaxation/Fun and Recreation | Historical and Religious | Explore Natural Wonders
Museums in Laguna | Must-see Attractions

Where to shop

Where to dine

Where to stay

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Where to go

Enchanted Kingdom

Rest and Relaxation/Fun and Recreation

Hot Spring Resorts of Calamba and Los Baños – Take invigorating dips in more than 500 resorts kept healthy-warm by the fiery heart of Mt. Makiling, these resort towns also offer special treats such as water slides, jacuzzis and private pools.

Cold Spring Resorts of Majayjay – Refresh and swim in the clear and chilly gushing waters from Mt. Banahaw – a distinct contrast to Mt. Makiling’s warm waters.

City of Seven Lakes – Picturesque lakes around the city of San Pablo makes for a relaxing good time for holiday travelers.

Lake Caliraya, Lumban/Cavinti – Water sports enthusiasts can bask in the breathtaking vista of greenery and endless blue skies that surround this tranquil lake.  Situated above the mountains, this amazing locale is excellent for recreational wind surfing, para-sailing, jet skiing, swimming, kayaking and fishing.

Canlubang Golf and Country, Santa Elena Golf and the TAT Filipina golf club – Tee-off at world class courses designed for the meticulous and challenge seeking golfers in mind.

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Historical and Religious

Rizal Shrine, Calamba – Dr. Jose Rizal is the Phillipine’s National Hero and in his honor, his two-storey 19th Spanish colonial home in Calamba City was declared a national shrine highlighting his personal achievements plus memorabilla.

Pila Heritage Site – A living example of a Spanish colonial town as designed by 16th century town planners.

Church of St. Peter of Alcantara, Pakil – Built in 1767 with Corinthian and Ionic style architecture.  Comes with an antique belfry and an elaborately carved main altar.  Home of the Virgin of the Turumba.

St. James and Apostle Church, Paete – Completed in the early Spanish period, with a magnificent baroque altar, intricately carved images and 19th century murals by local artist Jose Dans.

St. Gregory Church, Majayjay – One of the oldest churches in the country built in 1575 with a giant antique bell reputed to be the oldest.  Houses antique relief saint statues made and brought from Spain.

Japanese Garden, Lake Caliraya, Cavinti – A shrine built by the Japanese government dedicated to Japanese soldiers who died at the close of World War II.

Underground Cemetery, Nagcarlan – a one-of-a-kind 18th century walled cemetery with wrought iron gates. A tiled walkway leads to an underground crypt were Filipino revolutionaries were said to have plotted against the Spanish rule.

Other Old Churches to Visit

Our Lady of the Pillar Parish, Alaminos

St. John the Baptist Church, Calamba

San Isidro Labrador Church, Calauan

San Sebastian Church, Famy

St. John the Baptist Parish Church, Liliw

Immaculate Conception Church, Los Baños

San Sebastian Parish, Lumban

Our Lady of Candelaria Parish, Mabitac

St. Mary Magdalene Church, Magdalena

St. Bartholomew Parish, Nagcarlan

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Pagsanjan

St. Peter of Alcantara Parish, Pakil

San Antonio de Padua Parish Church, Pila

San Pablo Cathedral, San Pablo

Immaculate Conception Parish Church, Sta Cruz

Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Sta. Maria

Sta. Rosa de Lima Parish, Sta. Rosa

St. Peter and Paul Parish Church, Siniloan

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Explore Natural Wonders

Mt. Makiling – An idyllic mountain forest reserve for hiking, camping, trekking, mountain biking and bird watching.  This 1,109 m high legendary inactive volcano also offers other interesting sites such as the steaming sulfuric mud springs, flat rocks and a curious hill that pulls vehicles up its slopes – the magnetic hill.

Pagsanjan Falls, Pagsanjan – “Shooting the rapids”- take a thrilling and scenic boat ride at Magpadio River as seasoned boatmen expertly maneuver a narrow native wooden banca through 14 adrenaline-stirring twisted rapids down to the falls.

Other Must-see Places at Los Baños/ Mt. Makiling

University of the Philippines, Los Baños – One of the country’s leading learning institutions, occupying 5,000 hectares of which 4,000 hectares are pristine forest reserves.  Also hosts various centers for agricultural, botanical and zoological sciences and the arts-among them the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Dairy Technology Research Institute, Institute of Biotechnology, and many more.

Makiling Botanic Gardens – A serene natural garden occupying 300 hectares of forest land divided into: the Arboretum which features a diorama of local wildlife; the Nursery for different plant species; and a relaxing picnic and recreational area with creeks, mini waterfalls, nature trails and a man-made and a natural swimming pool.

Center for Philippine Raptors – Located inside the Makiling Botanic Gardens, this center is a rescue and rehabilitation site as well as a captive breeding facility for local birds of prey, especially for the Philippine eagle.

UPLB Museum of Natural History – Houses and displays more than 200,000 specimens of Philippine plants, animals and insects which include the famous wildlife collections of Dr. Dioscoro Rabor.

IRRI Riceworld Museum and Learning Center – On display, the largest collection of traditional rice-farming artifacts and implements of the rice-growing nations of the world.  Riceworld is a rice knowledge hub for the appreciation of rice science, rice farming, and rice’s influence on different Asian and African rice culture and art.

National Arts Center and Philippine High School for the Arts – A unique boarding school for artistically gifted Filipino youths in the fields of dance, music, theater, voice and the visual arts that is located halfway up Mt. Makiling.  Also offers a spectacular panoramic view of Laguna de Bay, Talim Island, Crocodile Lake, IRRI and the surrounding towns of Laguna.

Boy Scouts Jamboree – Site of the 1959 World Jamboree.  The Jamboree is a favorite picnic, camping and swimming destination for the holidays.

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Museums in Laguna

Rizal Shrine, Calamba

IRRI Riceworld Museum, UP Los Baños

Museum of Natural History, UP Los Baños

Monterola Museum, Nagcarlan

Bahay Laguna, Magdalena

Baldemor and Valencia Museum, Paete

Danilo Dalena’s House of Paintings, Pakil

Pila Museum, Pila

AERA Museum, Villa Escudero, San Pablo City

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Must-see Attractions

Barong Embroidery at Lumban – A bucolic town that has kept the time-honored tradition of creating intricate and detailed embroidery on native textiles to fashion out the barong- the Philippines’ national costume.

Wood carving and paper mache at Paete and Pakil – Communities and artisans demonstrate wood working artistry and skills practiced since the Spanish times where high quality carved wood structures, religious images, as well as paper mache décor items are always treasure finds.

Liliw – An appealing town active with a wealth of cottage industry producing excellent shoes, slippers, bags, leather goods, local rice wine, uraro biscuits, sweets and candies.

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