Laguna Hotels

Whether you’re here to shoot the rapids or not, you couldn’t leave without seeing the Rafsanjani Falls and Devil’s Cave. Nowhere else on the planet can give you an experience like this. Or if you’re after culture, hop around from church to church, join in with the locals on Laguna Day, or simply sit back and sample the famous cottage cheese.

You won’t know where the time went, but your trip is guaranteed to end before you want it to!

Laguna’s Top 10

Laguna History

• Rizal Shrine – The home where Dr Jose P Rizal was born makes it an important Laguna historical site.
• Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery – The cemetery was built in the 1700s by Franciscan missionaries.
• Shrine of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe – This shrine was founded in the 17th century.
• Yamashita Shrine Los Baños – This shrine was built in Laguna to honour those killed during the war occupation.
• Japanese Garden – This Laguna historical site was built to honour the Japanese soldiers who were killed there in WWII.

Laguna Art & Culture

• National Arts Centre – The centre reveals the cultural development of the area.
• Paete – People flock to this town for the unique woodcarving and paper-mache artwork.
• Entomology Museum – This Laguna museum features some of the most interesting varieties of insects in the world.
• Museum of the Wildlife Collections of Dr Dioscoro Rabor – A museum that houses some of mammals and birds collected by the famous scientist.
• Luisiana Day – Celebrated on April 3, this Laguna holiday marks the independence of the town of Luisiana.

Laguna Shopping

• E & R Art Shop – A shop famous for its handmade woodcarvings.
• Robinson’s Los Banos – This chain mall in Laguna is a great place to buy designer clothing.
• Pavilion Mall – This upscale mall in Laguna is a favourite among those looking for clothing and accessories.
• Puregold – If you are shopping for gold jewellery on Laguna, start here.
• Walter Mart – This discount shopping mart offers just about everything.

Gay & Lesbian Laguna

• Resto Bar – A great place to meet new people and have a smart cocktail.
• 88 Hotspring Resort -- Gay friendly and known for its beautiful and relaxing hot springs.
• The Library – Not far from Laguna, this restaurant and bar features karaoke and nightly sing-alongs.
• UPLB Babaylan – This pro-gay and lesbian group aims to educate the public about gay issues and rights.
• Laguna Nights – Small gay and lesbian bar in Laguna offers a quiet place to relax and enjoy privacy.

Laguna Events

The annual Anilag Festival comes around in March and showcases the best of each town in Laguna province. Each town’s festivities coincide with a theme and depict a distinct feature of the region.

Every year, Laguna celebrates Laguna Day on 10 March. This coincides with the Anilag Festival and celebrates the culture of the locals.

During Lent, Filipino families celebrate Visita Inglesia. It’s a great time to visit if you’re interested in understanding more about local history and culture.

When To Go

• November to April sees pretty dry weather and is probably the best time to visit the province.
• The rest of the year can be quite wet. If you’re looking to shoot the rapids (and we hope you are!), they can be closed off if it is very rainy, so check the forecast when you’re planning your trip!

Getting Around

• There’s not much in the way of public transport around Laguna. To and from the airport there are plenty of buses, but not so much in the centre.
• Hire a car or take a guided tour – it’s up to you!
• Many popular sites are within walking distance, so if you’re church hopping you can always do it on foot. The real traveller’s way to see it!

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