10 Places Near Manila With Breathtaking Views for P100 or Less
From view decks to flower farms.
(SPOT.ph) With Metro Manila being surrounded by the slopes of Sierra Madre in the east and the Tagaytay ridge in the south, it doesn't come as a surprise that there are plenty of nearby places with front-row seats to the most breathtaking views. These may be inspiring landscapes of rolling hills, beautiful sunsets, or other picturesque natural wonders. We round up scenic spots that you can visit for an entrance of P100 or less.
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Drive to these budget-friendly spots near Metro Manila with a view:
Cita Verde (Antipolo, Rizal)
Purok 3 Sitio Sapinit, San Juan, Antipolo City, Rizal
Entrance fee: P50
Open daily from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cita Verde, located in Barangay San Juan, Antipolo in Rizal Province, is a must-visit attraction for those seeking stunning mountain views and a sea of clouds during the sunrise. For an entrance fee of only P50, visitors can access the view deck as early as 6 a.m. But if you want to spend the rest of the day at this mountainside attraction, there are several accommodation options available, from kubos to tents. It is also perfect for photo shoots, with multiple view decks and a partner photographer available on-site.
Daang Hari Campgrounds (Liliw, Laguna)
Esmeris Farm, Liliw, Laguna
Entrance fee: P50
Open daily from 7 a.m.
If you're looking for a relaxing getaway in Laguna, you should check out Daang Hari Campgrounds at Esmeris Farm. This sprawling property features bamboo view decks where you can take in the stunning views of the hills or enjoy a peaceful picnic. You can also swing on their giant swings, lounge on the hammocks or sky beds, and even dine at their farm-to-table restaurant.
For those who want to stay overnight, they have different accommodation options available, from air-conditioned deluxe cellar suites (P8,000 for four) to glamping tents (P2,000 for two) and wagon tents (P1,500 for two). Campers can also rent a tent (P250 to P350) or pitch their own and pay the camping fee (P250) per person.
Caza Peregrine Resort and Restaurant (San Mateo, Rizal)
Purok 4, Barangay Pintong Bukawe, San Mateo, Rizal
Entrance fee: P50
Open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Caza Peregrine Resort and Restaurant in San Mateo, Rizal offers a picturesque mountainside experience that starts with a P50 entrance fee and an opportunity to take photos of the lush terrain from their tree-top view deck. You can also dine at their in-house restaurant that serves Filipino favorites such as Crispy Pata (P700) and Sizzling Pork Sisig (P200) with a last call at 7:30 p.m.
Celossian Flower Farm (Baras, Rizal)
Sitio Tamalan Pinugay Road, Baras, Rizal
Entrance fee: P50
Open daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Celossian Flower Farm is nestled among mountains, providing a scenic escape from the city. Guests can stroll around the flower beds and admire the flourishing vegetables or take beautiful photos in the stunning backdrop. Visitors are welcome to bring their picnic baskets to enjoy a serene lunch amidst nature. Picking flowers from the garden is not allowed, unless you pay a minimal fee and follow their guidelines on which ones you can pluck yourself. You may even be able to take home fruits and vegetables, such as rambutan, upo, and squash.
Tayak Adventure Nature And Wildlife (TANAW) Park (Rizal, Laguna)
Tayak Hill, Tala, Rizal, Laguna
Entrance fee: P80
Open daily from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tayak Hill has an overlooking view of the Seven Lakes of San Pablo and the slopes of Mounts Banahaw–San Cristobal Protected Landscape. It's marked by what locals call "Noah's Ark," a fenced park shaped like a boat and with a cross on top. The route starts at Rizal Elementary School, where you can either ride a tricycle along the six-kilometer stretch road for 30 minutes or walk for about two hours. The next 30-minute walk requires you to ascend stone stairs. The trek may be long, but the view's worth it especially when you catch a sea of clouds upon your ascent.
Hinulugang Taktak
Daang Bakal Road, Sitio Taktak, Barangay De La Paz, Antipolo, Rizal
Entrance fee: Free
Open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
If you've been listening to local songs in the '90s, chances are you're familiar with The Mabuhay Singers' "Tayo na sa Antipolo" and the line "Hi-hi-hinulugang Taktak." The waterfalls Hinulugang Taktak is one of the city's most popular destinations besides the Antipolo Cathedral. It was established in 1952 as a recreational area, then as a national park in 1990, and a protected landscape in 2000. After years of being neglected, it was rehabilitated with the addition of new sports facilities, including a canopy walk, wall-climbing and rappelling spot, and a swimming pool. The spider web platform gives you the best view of the curtain-like waterfalls below.
Picnic Grove (Tagaytay, Cavite)
Barangay Sungay East, Tagaytay, Cavite
Entrance fee: P75
Open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The 13-hectare Picnic Grove is another popular tourist spot in Tagaytay where you can enjoy a view of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano. The park offers various activities, including horseback riding, zip-lining, and eco-trail hiking. But there's no harm in just lounging around and admiring the stunning sunset.
Taytay Falls (Majayjay, Laguna)
Dalitiwan River, Barangay Taytay, Majayjay, Laguna
Entrance fee: P50
Open daily
Because of its proximity to Mount Banahaw, waterways in Majayjay, Laguna have cooler temperatures. This includes Taytay Falls, where you can take a dip in natural spring water for an entrance fee of only P50. It may not be an overlooking spot, but the view of the 15-meter waterfall surrounded by lush greenery is still as breathtaking.
Santi's Farmhouse (Pililla, Rizal)
Pililla, Rizal
Entrance fee: P50
Open daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
You don't need to go all the way to Ilocos Norte for a view of windmills. Santi's Farmhouse gives guests a panorama of Rizal Province, the surrounding 27 windmills, and of Laguna de Bay. There's also a coffee shop within the compound, where you can enjoy bread and pastries with prices ranging from P80 to P100 or a cup of joe from P100 to P130. Vehicle fee ranges from P150 if you're coming in with a motorcycle to P250 for four-wheel cars or vans.
People's Park in the Sky (Tagaytay, Cavite)
Tagaytay - Calamba Road, Tagaytay, Cavite
Entrance fee: P30
Open daily from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
An institution in the Tagaytay landscape, People's Park in the Sky (a.k.a. People's Park) stands from the pillars of what was supposed to be a guest house for former U.S. President Ronald Reagan during the Marcos Sr. administration. The foreign president canceled his visit, and so the construction—with scaffolding already intact—was halted. The place was later converted into an urban park, where the Shrine of Our Lady, Mother of Fair Love was installed. Its location atop Mount Sungay, the highest point in the province of Cavite, affords it a great view of Taal Lake.
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