Batangas Travel Tips

Banks: 09:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 09:00 to 21:00, daily
Museums: 09:00 to 17:00, Tuesday to Sunday
Business Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday

In general, Batangas province is a peaceful and safe region to travel around. The Batangas Provincial police do a good job of providing security at the airport and in the cities. Their police stations and checkpoints can be found in strategic locations throughout the province. There is little threat of roadside banditry in this part of the Philippines, so travelling between destinations should cause no concern for foreigners.

Visitors should exercise greater caution in the larger cities like Batangas City and Tanauan. Like all major urban centres, there is an element of crime, though it is rarely violent. The main problem is petty theft, which usually occurs if you leave bags unattended or wander around the wrong parts of town after dark. Keeping a close eye on valuables is the best strategy to avoid becoming the victim of petty theft. Main tourist destinations along the coast and in Taal are also hotspots for theft, so be careful while touring these areas.

Police: 43 725 3008

Electricity: 220V AC, 60Hz (110V is available in many hotels). Flat and round two and three-pin plugs are in use.

Inoculations are not required to visit the Philippines, but it is highly suggested that you are protected against diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, tetanus and typhoid. These diseases make regular appearances in the more remote parts of Batangas, so precaution is a wise idea. Malaria is also present in parts of Batangas, though it isn’t a major concern. The best protection against malaria is to wear socks and cover up your skin at dawn and dusk, as this is when mosquitoes are most prevalent.

The most common health ailment travellers suffer from in Batangas is diarrhea. Visitors shouldn’t assume the tap water is safe to drink anywhere in Batangas province, including drinking water at all but the nicest restaurants and hotels. Bottled water is readily available throughout the province and should be used for everything.

Food can also be a source of trouble if you are eating at a roadside stall. By making sure that the meat and fish has been thoroughly cooked, vegetables cooked and fruit peeled, you can avoid most of the potential for trouble. The milk in Batangas is unpasteurised, and should be avoided.

Should you get sick while travelling through Batangas, the local pharmacies are adequately equipped to deal with any minor illness. Around 75 per cent of the hospitals and clinics in Batangas are private, so having traveller’s insurance is highly recommended in case of any medical emergencies. The healthcare in the larger cities should be up to international standards, but in remote towns healthcare facilities are sometimes basic at best. 

St Patrick’s Hospital (Batangas City): +63 43 723 8388

The residents of Batangas are bilingual, speaking both English and their native Tagalog language. Nearly everyone in the province can communicate in English, so visitors should have no trouble speaking with locals while travelling around.

The currency used in the Philippines is the Philippine peso (Php). There are 100 centavos in one peso. Banknotes come in denominations of Php1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins come in denominations of Php10, 5, 2 and 1, as well as 50, 25, 10 and 5 centavos.

Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks, hotels and even some shops in the larger cities in Batangas. Outside of the larger towns, you may have trouble exchanging money or using a credit card, so be sure and bring enough pesos to cover your expenses. US dollars and pounds sterling are the preferred foreign currencies, and the easiest to exchange. Exchange rates become worse the farther you are from a big city.

In places such as Batangas City, Lipa and Tanauan, you should be able to use a credit card such as Visa, MasterCard or American Express without much trouble. ATMs can also be readily found in these cities, especially at bank branches. Traveller’s cheques are also widely accepted throughout Batangas at established businesses, hotels and restaurants. As with all money matters in Batangas, the farther you go from urban hubs, the fewer facilities exist to withdraw cash or use plastic.

All visitors to the Philippines can import 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco and 2 litres of alcohol without incurring a customs duty. Anyone carrying more than US$3,000 must declare this at the customs counter upon arrival, and departing visitors can only take Php1,000 out of the country. Pornography, subversive materials, narcotics and gambling articles are prohibited in the country.

When meeting someone from Batangas, the initial greeting is formal. The eldest person in the room should be greeted first. Handshakes are the normal mode of greeting someone, including women. It’s common to use someone’s professional or honorific title when addressing them until you are invited to use their first name or nickname.

If you are lucky enough to be invited into someone’s home for a visit, be sure to bring a small gift of flowers or sweets for the host. Wrapping the gift nicely is an important gesture, but don’t expect the gift to be opened when it is received.

The family is the most important social structure in the country, and extends to close friends. A lot of business and other social interaction is conducted with family members, so expect this to be a main priority for most people you meet in Batangas.

There is a real sense of the concept of shame in Batangas culture. It is known as hiya and is a motivating factor behind people’s behaviour. You’ll notice that the locals are orderly when queuing up and always polite. It’s best to reciprocate this politeness, as they will quickly notice your efforts and be appreciative. Public criticism is a major loss of face for both the individual and the entire family, so try and be kind to everyone you deal with.

The population in Batangas is about 90 per cent Roman Catholic, with Muslims, Christians and other sects making up the rest. Casual dress is acceptable everywhere, though at Muslim sites things are more conservative. Long pants and nice shirts are considered a sign of respectability, so consider your dress when heading out into public.

If you are invited to eat at a Filipino’s home, there are a few social rules to consider. Try and arrive about 20 minutes later than expected, as this is normal. Dress well, as what you wear is judged heavily in this culture, and always compliment the host on the house. It is customary to bring a small gift of flowers or something sweet to the dinner party. When it is time to eat, wait until the host tells you where to sit, as there is probably a seating plan. Never start to eat before you are invited to by the host, and be prepared to serve yourself as most families eat buffet-style.

There is no set rule about cleaning your plate. As a sign of hospitality, expect to be fed more than they would normally eat. Visitors should try everything they are offered. Bataguenos love sweet food, thanks to a dearth of sugar in the region.

Citizens of most countries can enter the Philippines on a 21-day tourist visa. Visas are issued upon arrival, but cannot be extended without applying for a special travel visa ahead of time. Citizens from a number of countries are must apply for a tourist visa before arrival at the local embassy. If you hail from a small nation, it’s best to check with your travel agent or nearest Philippines embassy to see if you need to apply for a visa in advance of travel.

There is a central tourism office at the Batangas Museum in Batangas City which can help visitors with any travel questions.

Batangas Tourism Office
Batangas Museum and Provincial Library Building
Batangas City 4200
Phone: +63 43 723 0130