Laguna

Laguna is a province in the Calbarzon region of the island of Luzon in the Philippines. It is one of the most progressive, historical and cultural provinces in the Philippines.

Regions

For travel purposes, we divide Laguna into three travel regions, all having one major hub to the other locations and distinctive flavors and geography.

Regions of Laguna

Eastern Laguna (Cavinti, Famy, Kalayaan, Luisiana, Lumban, Mabitac, Magdalena, Majayjay, Paete, Pagsanjan, Pakil, Pangil, Santa Cruz, Santa Maria, Siniloan) Rainy region at the western side of Sierra Madre; major tourist draws are the Pagsanjan Falls, Lake Caliraya, and the wood sculptures of Paete.

Northwest Laguna (Bay, Biñan, Cabuyao, Calamba, Los Baños San Pedro) Urban sprawl with a mix of modern communities and crowded communities; major draws are the hot springs and the Rizal mansion, Enchanted Kingdom in Santa Rosa, and lovely downtowns with Spanish-era churches.

Southern Laguna (Alaminos, Calauan, Liliw, Nagcarlan, Rizal, San Pablo, Victoria) Forested and mountainous area, with scattered towns and the hub city of San Pablo. Attractions in this area are the Seven Lakes of San Pablo, the Underground Cemetery of Nagcarlan, and the wooden slippers (bakya) of Liliw.

Cities

• 🌍 Biñan - residential and industrial city
• 🌍 Calamba - Home of Jose Rizal and hot springs
• 🌍 Cabuyao
• 🌍 San Pablo - A city home to seven lakes, which are its major tourist attractions.
• Santa Rosa - A growing residential suburb, with a booming economy driven by industry, retail, and real estate development, and a gateway to Tagaytay.
• 🌍 San Pedro - A growing residential and industrial suburb not far from Metro Manila. Home of the Sampaguita Festival and the Shrine of the Holy Sepulchre.

Municipalities

• 🌍 Alaminos
• Bay
• Calauan
• Cavinti - resort town, home to the Caliraya Lake
• Famy
• Kalayaan
• Liliw - A small municipality overlooking Mount Banahaw. Known for its slippers.
• 🌍 Los Baños - Suburb of Calamba. Home of hot springs, Mount Makiling, University of the Philippines Los Baños and the International Rice Research Institute
• Luisiana
• Lumban
• Mabitac
• Magdalena
• Majayjay
• Nagcarlan
• 🌍 Paete
• 🌍 Pagsanjan - Home to Pagsanjan Falls
• Pakil
• Pangil
• Pila
• Rizal -
• Santa Cruz - Provincial capital.
• Santa Maria
• Siniloan
• Victoria

Other destinations

• Mount Makiling

Understand

Laguna also has its share of its historical contributions, such as the Laguna Copperplate Inscription dated back to 700 CE and the birthplace of Philippines' national hero, Jose Rizal. Most of the settlements in Laguna dates back to the Spanish era, and provides a glance on its colonial past.

Laguna is also another frequented tourist destination not far from Metro Manila. Los Baños is abundant on hot spring resorts, and Calamba is another important location as Jose Rizal's hometown and also has its share of resorts. Pagsanjan, just east of the provincial capital in Santa Cruz, is home to the frequented Pagsanjan Falls.

The economy of Laguna is centered on the Laguna de Bay (also called Laguna Lake) and its rice paddies, but there have been shifts to an industrial and commercial economy. Biñan and Santa Rosa have become important industrial centers, but they remain bedroom communities near Metro Manila. With a number of motor vehicle factories, Laguna is nicknamed the "Detroit of the Philippines". The rest of the province relies on agriculture and tourism.

The local climate is generally characterized by frequent rain showers throughout the year, except for the northwestern corner, where there are dry and wet seasons. It is important to take account the frequent changes in the weather when visiting most of Laguna.

Talk

Tagalog and English are the languages used in Laguna Province. Speaking Tagalog is essential in more rural areas. Laguna uses the Batangas Tagalog dialect. But generally, it uses terms often used in the Cavite Tagalog (Caviteño) dialect.

Get in

Laguna is accessible by the South Luzon Expressway. There are many exits that connect to the various cities of Laguna, including the Santa Rosa or Calamba Exit.

Get around

Travel around the cities and towns using the jeepneys. Fares are cheap, but they can be very crowded. In inland areas, service can be scarce. Bus service is limited to the major locations.

In rural areas, use the tricycle, but it's sometimes tight, especially for foreigners. Beware of deceptive tricycle drivers who charge above the official or agreed fare.

Bringing a car can be another way to explore Laguna and avoiding hassles with local transport, but expect traffic jams, dangerous road conditions, and aggressive drivers. While Laguna has wide highways like the South Luzon Expressway and two major national roads, expect two-lane roads frequented by tricycles, motorcycles and pedestrians elsewhere.

See

Do

Eat

Drink

Sleep

• El Cielito Inn, Sta. Rosa Tagaytay Road, Sta. Rosa, ☎ [phone]. The El Cielito Inn, a member of the respected family of Philippine low-cost, high-quality inns, is conveniently located near the Convention Center and SM City. From US$40. 
• Rockpoint Hotsprings Resort-Hotel and Spa, 119 Alamat Road, Maria Makiling Hot Springs Village, Pansol, Calamba City,, ☎ [phone], [phone]. This beautiful resort is located in the hot spring province of the Philippines. You can treat your body to its natural hot spring swimming pools, an outdoor Jacuzzi, and spa treatments all in just one resort. If you wish to stay, you can check-in to their private air conditioned guestrooms. From ₱1550. 

Stay safe

Petty crime is a major issue in the cities, but elsewhere, it is generally safe. Crime is not a problem in the tourist attractions when you use common sense. Beware of touts though, especially in tourist hotspots like Pagsanjan or Los Baños.

Severe weather is also an issue in Laguna. While the northwestern part of the province have wet and dry seasons, the rest remains rainy throughout the year, so, bring an umbrella whenever possible. Floods can be a problem when Laguna de Bay or any of the rivers that empty into it overflows. Typhoons are also another major risk.

Go next

Go to Tagaytay next. It is accessible by many routes from Laguna. If you are from Calamba, take the Tagaytay-Calamba Road using jeepneys. Tagaytay can be reached by car or jeepney from Santa Rosa.

Another option is Batangas, there are many resorts there! especially in Nasugbu, Lian and Bauan. It is accessible by STAR Tollway.