Undeniably, the beaches and water activities of Batangas are what people flock to at this time of the year. However, I have discovered a ton of other activities while also enjoying the hinterlands. Travelers should check it out and maybe take a dip in the ocean after.
Batangas Lakelands
Before hitting the beach, an escape to this theme park and nature enclave in the south is highly recommended. Less than a two-hour drive from Manila, this active-lifestyle park offers outdoor adventure, sports, leisure, and entertainment activities that are more than enough for the whole family to enjoy for an entire day.
Sky adventure
The main attraction of the day would be the helicopter ride for guests. Onboard a Bell 505 helicopter, this extraordinary experience brings you to Taal lake and surrounding areas. We had a safety orientation first and even received a souvenir boarding pass before the flight.
Buckled in and excited, we loved the 360-degree views that are majestic and also offer a great opportunity to take aerial videos and pictures. The ride takes about 10-15 minutes and it’s easily the highlight of the day. We would do it again in a heartbeat.
More fun awaits
After the helicopter ride, guests of Batangas Lakelands can participate in even more enjoyable activities. I saw families enjoying and bringing out their competitive nature in a fun and friendly way. Children of all ages are running around just checking out all the things that interest them.
We first tried archery which is a new experience for our group. Beginners are very welcome and guests need not worry because there are people who will assist and offer their expertise on how to hold, release the arrow, and to hit the target. We did good and managed to hit the target, not necessarily the bull’s eye, after a few tries.
The next one in our curiosity list is airsoft shooting. We did a lot better here, thanks to the guidance of the crew from Batangas Lakelands. After a few minutes of shooting targets here, we decided to try the other interests on our list. The day is still young and there’s still more to explore. We rode bikes, went hiking on a trail, had a quick picnic on one of their daisy huts, and went up the hill for what everyone is willing to line up for, ziplining.
We started the day with a ride in the sky and we’re ending it with an adrenaline rush, zip-lining. Such a perfect fun-filled Saturday for folks looking to spend some time with family and friends.
Fortunately for us, part of the package is an overnight stay at a hotel in Lipa, Batangas. Time to hit the road for a short car ride to the establishment.
Lima Park Hotel
Lima Park Hotel is the first and only 4-star hotel in Batangas, cited as the 2018 TripAdvisor Travelers Choice and Top 25 Hotels for Families in the Philippines as voted by travelers worldwide. Indeed a great place to stay for families after a day of activities in Batangas Lakelands. The drive only took us about 15 minutes. There is also ample parking space for guests. And it’s only a stone’s throw away from the Lipa Outlets, which offers shopping, another kind of activity that’s close to a lot of hearts.
After checking into our deluxe rooms, we found time to rest for a little bit. As day turned into night, we found ourselves on our way to the Brew Company at the hotel’s lobby. They offer artisan coffee, cakes, pastries, pasta, and sandwiches. We had a light and flavorful dinner before heading out to the hotel’s pool area to enjoy the rest of the night.
As I enjoy the moonlit views of Lipa, I thought that this was the first time that I went to Batangas without visiting the beach or the ocean on the first day. I do miss the beach but it is nice to know that there’s more to Batangas than just spending time in the beach resorts. There’s definitely a great new way to have family fun without wearing your board shorts or bathing suit.
However, if you’re still looking to get that ocean spray experience, Batangas Lakelands also offers lakeside activities such as boat rides, kayaking, paddleboarding, and picnics by the water. It is unquestionably a total Batangas experience and then some.
The next morning, we enjoyed an appetizing buffet breakfast at Lima Park’s Plum restaurant. This breakfast venue is just a few steps from our room. We feasted on arroz ala cubana, tocino, crispy boneless dilis, scrambled eggs, and fruits. Definitely a great way to start the day.
This weekend’s activity is highly recommended for families, friends, couples, adventure seekers, and even people who are just looking to relax and do something different. Time to head to the south and partake of memorable experiences.
Image credits: Ardee P. de los Angeles