where to go in batangas – Jellybeans in the City

The summer heat will soon beset the metro. With it comes to usual traffic jams and stress of city living. Isn’t it high time the family hies off to somewhere cool and relaxing?

A beach vacation would be just the thing, wouldn’t it? The calming rhythm of the waves on the shore and feel of the sun’s warmth can do wonders in melting the stress away.

Plus, all the exciting activities that bring fun in the sun are new opportunities for family bonding and treasured memories.

So why not go on a family beach vacay at Pico de Loro Cove?

This shoreside haven is the maiden community of Hamilo Coast, a master-planned development carefully integrating residential, resort, leisure, commercial and institutional land uses and communities centered around beach living.

It is a fantastic destination for families looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy some quality time together in nature. The cove offers a range of fun-filled activities that are perfect for all ages. Here are some of the summer activities that families can do at Pico de Loro Cove:

Beach Day

The cove is home to 1.5 kilometers of beautiful white sand beach that is perfect for swimming, building sandcastles, and soaking up the sun. Families can bring some beach toys and spend the day relaxing and enjoying the sea breeze.

Adventures in the Water

Venture out into the waves to experience various activities that take you beyond the shore:

Kayaking: Rent a kayak and paddle around to discover hidden coves, snorkel spots, and rock formations.
Snorkeling: Explore the vibrant marine life that calls Pico de Loro Cove home such as colorful fish, sea turtles, and even some small sharks.
Scuba Diving: Dive deeper into the water to get up close and personal with giant clams, soft corals and clown fishes.

Exciting explorations

Pico de Loro Cove’s location affords vacationers with opportunities to stretch their legs and explore the wonders of nature.

Hiking: Hike up the trails that lead to some stunning views of the cove and the surrounding mountains.
Bird Watching: Take a stroll along the cove’s nature trail and observe the beautiful birds in their natural habitat.

Hanging out at the Club

The Pico de Loro Country Club offers a range of amenities such as swimming pools, a gym, a bowling and billiards hall, a kid’s play area and a spa. The club also has several restaurants and bars where families can enjoy some delicious food and drinks.

Family Time

With its abundance of open spaces, gardens, and play areas where families can spend quality time together, Pico de Loro Cove is definitely the place for family time and togetherness.

Daydreaming about your family’s beach vacation at Pico de Loro Cove already? Then book your stay now!

Pico de Loro Cove has several accommodation options, from cozy condominiums to luxurious hotel rooms. Choose the accommodation that best suits your family’s needs and budget.

The use of Pico de Loro Cove’s facilities, such as the use of Pico Beach, country club swimming pool, gym and shuttle service around the vicinity, requires guest fees separate from the cost of accommodations. Guest fees vary from season to season:

Season	Adult	Child*
Lean (all weekdays of January, February and July to November)	₱900	₱400
Peak (all weekends of January, February and July to November, all weekdays of March to June and December)	₱1,300	₱500
High (all weekends of March to June and December)	₱1,400	₱600
Holy Week (April) and Year End (December 26-31)	₱1,550	₱650

*Children 4-12 years old. Kids 3 years old and younger are FREE

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, guests should follow the guidelines set by the cove’s management, such as wearing appropriate clothing, bringing sunscreen and insect repellent, and avoiding littering.

Pico de Loro Cove is a fantastic destination for families looking to enjoy the great outdoors and create unforgettable memories together. With its beautiful beach, range of activities, and excellent amenities, it is a summer destination that the whole family can enjoy.

Pico de Loro Cove is located at Hamilo Coast, Barangay Papaya, Nasugbu, Batangas. For more information, visit its website.

Book your stay at Pico Sands Hotel or at beach condominiums in the area via Klook. Use my code JELLYBEANS to score discounts (5% for new users, 3% for existing users).

If you’ve been scouring celebrity wedding announcements recently, you might have come across a popular wedding venue situated a few minutes’ drive from Tagaytay called the Caleruega Church.

Officially named as the Transfiguration Chapel, it is a beautiful and iconic religious landmark located in Nasugbu, Batangas.

Fancy a visit to this picturesque location? Here are five interesting tidbits of information to take with you:

1. Beginnings

Caleruega Church got its name from the Spanish town of Caleruega, the birthplace of St. Dominic de Guzman who founded the Dominican order. It was built in 1994 as a venue for prayer and meditation, a place where people can speak to and for the Creator.

2. Location, location, location

Caleruega Church is situated at the top of a hill in the town of Batulao in Nasugbu, Batangas. It occupies an eight-hectare property owned by the Dominicans which also houses other scenic attractions and serene areas for meditation, as well as accommodations for retreat goers.

Its location provides visitors a stunning view of Mount Batulao and nearby areas.

3. Design

It was designed by Architect Yolanda Reyes and Father Ed Nante, incorporating elements of Spanish, Moorish and Filipino architecture as well as local artistry.

As the church is dedicated to the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ, the event is depicted in the stunning stained glass window located above the altar.

Surrounding the church is a beautiful garden filled with a variety of flowering plants and trees. A water fountain is situated on the driveway, commemorating the star that St. Dominic’s mother – Joanna of Aza – saw on her son’s forehead, foretelling of his destiny to spread light to the world through Christian ministry.

The sun and star motif will figure prominently in other elements of the church‘s design such as the windows made with capiz and interiors of the cottages serving as retreat centers.

The design of the church and its surrounding areas evoke a sense of serenity and oneness with nature, in keeping with the church’s goal of bringing its pilgrims close to nature and closer to God.

4. Things to do

While the church compound is mainly a place for prayer and reflection, there are other things to do to occupy your time while at Caleruega:

Attend mass. Public mass is offered every Sunday at 10.30am.
Enjoy the outdoors. Take a stroll around. Calaruega’s picturesque garden filled with a variety of flowering plants and trees.
Take in the scenery. Caleruega provides the perfect vantage point to view Mount Batulao and its surrounding areas.
Attend a spiritual retreat or seminar. For instance, Caleruega is holding a Family Retreat 2023 from April 6 (Maundy Thursday) to 9 (Easter Sunday). To register, call +63 921 2709890 or email caleruega_philippines@yahoo.com.
Take pictures. Given such charming and quaint architecture and scenery to be seen in Caleruega, it makes sense to document the experience by taking lots of pictures. Check out the many IG-worthy spots around the compound for your shots.

5. Gearing up

To make the most of your visit to Caleruega, it would be best to bring the following things:

Face mask. While most of quarantine restrictions may have been lifted, wearing of face masks is still required.
Water container and crackers. Walking around the compound will work up a thirst so be sure to hydrate often by drinking water. Nibble on some crackers if you feel hungry.
Cool clothes and comfortable shoes. Be ready for walking around so wearing cool clothes and shoes you can walk around in.
Sunscreen and hat. You will be spending quite a lot of time outdoors so be sure put on some sunscreen and bring something to protect you from the sun such as a hat or umbrella.
Camera, action cam or mobile phone cams to capture the scenery and take your selfies.

With its stunning architecture, picturesque grounds and amazing views of surrounding areas, Caleruega is a worthwhile destination for any traveler. For the religious pilgrim, on the other hand, it serves as a venue to experience solemnity and silence to pray and reflect.

Caleruega Church is located at 4231 Calruega Road, Barangay Caylaway, Nasugbu, Batangas, open daily from 6am to 5.30pm. Visitors are charged an entrance fee of Php30/person and a parking fee of Php40/car.

You can also join a Tagaytay Day tour that includes a visit to Calaruega. Book your tour via Klook and use my code JELLYBEANS to score discounts (5% for new users and 3% for existing users).

To stay updated on its news and activities, follow Calaruega Church on Facebook.

Tag: where to go in batangas

Family-friendly summer adventures at Pico de Loro Cove