San Pedro (Laguna)

San Pedro is a city situated just outside the limits of Metro Manila. It is in Laguna province.

Understand

The city just lies to the south of Metro Manila, and forms the major urban sprawl along the South Luzon Expressway. It is the most densely populated city in the CALABARZON region, home to over 325,809 people. The city is largely a bedroom community, serving as an important terminus for city buses toward Metro Manila, but there are also local industries. But the city does have some tourist draws, like the Sampaguita Festival, the Santo Sepulcro Parish, and the challenging KC Filipinas Golf Club.

The city is first founded as the town of San Pedro de Tunasan by the Spaniards in 1725 from friar lands. Agriculture, duck raising, fishing, and sampaguita production served as the town's source of income, until they all declined in favor of urban development. The city gained its current name in 1902. A significant portion of the hacienda in the town were given to poor farmers under president Ramon Magsaysay's administration, and since became resettlement sites under the National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration (NARRA). The city gained city status after a plebiscite in December 2013. Since then, there have been calls for San Pedro to join Metro Manila, but present plans for a merger remain uncertain.

The city gets its name from its patron saint, St. Peter the Apostle (San Pedro Apostol), which also lends its name to the major parish at its Poblacion (town center).

Get in

By bus

There are various bus services that lead to San Pedro. Various city bus operators operate service to San Pedro, including those from Buendia, Fairview (in Quezon City) and Navotas. Bus terminals are generally concentrated in Pacita Complex:

Bus companies

• BBL Trans. Operates services from Fairview, Quezon City or Buendia, Pasay. Terminal is in Pacita Complex (formerly in barangay Nueva) (updated Aug 2018)
• Cher Transport. Operates services from Navotas. Has frequent services via EDSA. Terminal is found beside Shopwise in barangay Landayan. (updated Aug 2018)
• Dela Rosa Transit. Operates services from Valenzuela via EDSA. Terminal is found beside Westlake Medical Center near Pacita Complex. (updated Aug 2018)
• South City Transport. Formerly Green Star Bus. Operates services from Park N' Ride in Manila or Buendia in Pasay. Terminal is in Pacita Complex. (updated Aug 2018)

By car

If you came from NAIA, you can use the South Luzon Expressway. San Pedro is only served by a single exit that only serves as entry and exit southbound. Other alternatives are taking Alabang or Susana Heights/MCX Exit in Muntinlupa (if from Manila) or Southwoods Exit in Biñan (if from elsewhere to the south). National Highway (N1) parallels the South Luzon Expressway, but is always packed by local traffic and jeepneys. It is ill advised to bring a car in most parts of San Pedro.

By jeepney

Jeepneys serve San Pedro very well, and there are numerous routes through the city. Most routes through San Pedro emanate from Alabang, including express service via Susana Heights Exit. Major jeepney routes to San Pedro include:

• Alabang-Biñan
• Alabang-Calamba
• Alabang-Carmona
• Alabang-GMA.

By taxi

Taxis from Metro Manila also serve San Pedro, especially if you come from the airport, but beware of common scams.

By train

Philippine National Railways provide service to San Pedro, but only in the evening and early morning. There are two stations: San Pedro (in barangay San Vicente) and Pacita MG (in barangay Pacita I)

By UV Express

UV Express vans also serve San Pedro, and possible drop-off points are in Southwoods or Pacita Complex.

Get around

The major forms of public transportation are the tricycle and the jeepney.

See

Not much to see here, but if your lucky you can witness the Sampaguita Festival where we showcase one of our main product the sampaguita flower and also the Hiyas ng San Pedro which is a local beauty pagent that chooses the fairest and the wittiest among the city's young ladies.

Do

• 🌍 KC Filipinas Golf Club (formerly Tat Filipinas Golf Club), Magsaysay Road, San Antonio (Half-hour from the airport). Golf course south of Manila, popular hangout by foreigners and locals. Hilly course with a slightly mild climate, but playing is a challenge due to terrain and occasional rain. Has a Japanese and Korean restaurant. ₱3,300 on weekdays, ₱2,300 on weekends. (updated Dec 2018)

Gambling

Buy

Sampaguita Garland which is made from Sampaguita flower that has a very nice scent.

Eat

There are several fast food restaurants you can go to, like Mcdonalds in Sibulo Village, beside Coconut Planters Bank. Jolibee has three branches one is located in Pacita, another at San Pedro Town Center and one in San pedro Poblacion beside the Catholic church. Tropical Hut, Max's Chicken, Lots a Pizza and Greenwich in Pacita Complex. Pizzahut and Chowking along national road in front of Bank of Commerce Pacita. There are also more restaurants to choose from along main road of Pacita Complex which serves different Filipino dishes that you may want to try like goto, lugaw, balbakwa, tapa, and chicken inazal.

• 🌍 Izakaya Rai Rai Ken, San Antonio Drive, San Antonio (Just meters away from San Pedro Exit). Japanese cuisine, such as sushi, sashimi, and bento. Also serves sake or soju (updated Nov 2018)
• 🌍 Pares-pares sa Kubuhan, 7 Maharlika Street, United San Pedro Subdivision, San Antonio, ☎ [phone]. 6:00-21:00. Lutong bahay dishes served in nipa cottages at a reasonable price. (updated Dec 2018)
• 🌍 Ting Qua Qua, Puregold San Pedro, Magsaysay Road, San Antonio (Near the tricycle terminal outside Puregold), ☎ [phone]. 9:30-22:00. Branch of local chain offering cheap Filipino-Chinese dining. (updated Dec 2018)
• 🌍 Kapiterya, San Antonio Drive, San Antonio (At San Pedro Exit). Another nice place to hang out and dine near San Pedro Exit. (updated Dec 2018)

Drink

There are many restaurants to choose from along National Road and Pacita Complex main road where you can enjoy local beers at affordable prices.

Sleep

There are only a few hotels around San Pedro. Rates vary from ₱200 to ₱700 for the first 3 hours and pay an overtime fee every hour. You can also take advantage of other packages if you plan to stay longer like 12-hour or 24-hour stay. It would be better if you stay at hotels in neighboring cities, like in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, to ensure security, quality service and enjoy complete amenities.

• Hotel Sogo San Pedro, San Pedro Town Center, National Highway, San Pedro. The only major hotel in town, but is part of a chain of hotels having a bad reputation as haven for extramarital affairs. Has single rooms with A/C, cable TV, bottled water, bathrooms, and free WiFi. ₱1,070. (updated Dec 2018)

Connect

Go next

There are several terminals you can go to if you are going to Manila. Terminals are found generally in Pacita Complex.

You can also take a taxi. One terminal is at 2nd street Pacita Complex or along the national road near Meralco office. If you plan to take the train there is a train station in Pacita Complex but the schedule varies from time to time.

Routes through San Pedro

Makati ← Alabang ←	N  S	→ Biñan → Calamba
Muntinlupa ←	N  S	→ Biñan → Calamba
Muntinlupa ←	N  S	→ Biñan → Santa Rosa