Tagaytay Picnic Grove | A Comprehensive Guide

Not to be confused with People’s Park in the Sky, the TAGAYTAY PICNIC GROVE is still one of the best places to visit when you’re in Tagaytay.

I have been to TAGAYTAY PICNIC GROVE a couple times already in the past.  I went there last Thursday to check it out again and was surprised to see the many changes that happened to the place from the last time that I visited it.  My first visit to Tagaytay Picnic Grove was in the early 90’s and believe me when I say that it has completely transformed itself from being just an ordinary picnic site to a leisure park.  Some of the old landmarks and markers are still there, a few disappointing degradation, a lot of additional attractions but it still has the same cozy, family-friendly and welcoming feel.

What makes TAGAYTAY PICNIC GROVE a very special place is not its facilities but its wonderful view of the Taal Lake and the Taal Volcano.

If you’re coming from Manila whether via the Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road or Silang-Aguinaldo Hiway, Tagaytay Picnic Grove is located on the left side of the Tagaytay-Calamba Road.  There are also lots of Tricycles that can take you there and the fare ranges from 50 to 60 Pesos a ride.  Tricycle and Jeepney terminals are located near the Olivarez Plaza (Tagaytay Rotonda).  This is also where the Buses going to and from Manila stops.

Upon reaching TAGAYTAY PICNIC GROVE, you may choose to pay at the Payment Area or the Ticket Booth located at the entrance.

Walk-in visitors prefers paying at the ticket booth while those with vehicles goes straight to the Payment Area.  Here are the schedule of fees inside the Tagaytay Picnic Grove to help you budget your visit there.

Entrance Fee

50 Pesos/Head

Parking Fees

35 Pesos (Car/Van)

50 Pesos (Jeepney)

100 Pesos (Bus)

Cottage Rentals

100 Pesos to 500 Pesos

It’s easy to spot the Payment Area, aside from the huge sign, it is also where the comfort rooms are located, where most of the vehicles are parked and there’s these two huge pineapples located in the front of the building.  It’s impossible to miss.  By the way, there are no fees for using the comfort rooms.  Thank God for that!

Inside the picnic area, the first thing you’ll probably notice are dozens of souvenir shops, pasalubong shops and snack shops lined-up going down to the Eco-Trail.  You can buy a Tagaytay souvenir shirt for as low as 120 Pesos (adult size) just like what I am wearing.  Colored shirts are of course more costly.  There are also other souvenir items like keychains, pens, etc.

The TAGAYTAY PICNIC GROVE Eco-Trail will lead you first down to the cottage areas facing Taal Lake and the majestic Taal Volcano.  The trail will then pull you up to the boardwalk and bridges surrounded by wonderful trees and the fresh cool breeze of the highlands of Tagaytay.

Along the way you’ll see the ZipLine and Cable Car area, which is one of the newest attraction of the place.  I wasn’t able to ride the Zip Line and Cable Car, there are just too many people at the waiting line so its a pass for me.  Anyway, I was there more for the sights that’s why I wasn’t that disappointed.

ZIP LINE and CABLE CAR Rates

One-Way

200 Pesos (Weekdays)

300 Pesos (Weekends)

Two-Way

300 Pesos (Weekdays)

400 Pesos (Weekends)

*all rides includes a souvenir photo

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There are a few more mini attractions inside the TAGAYTAY PICNIC GROVE like Horse Back-Riding (2oo Pesos for an hour ride) and the Fish Spa.  They also have these miniature horses that you can rent for a souvenir picture.  That’s right have a SELFIE moment with a mini horse.

The Eco-Trail ends at the View Deck.  This is where visitors have their pictures taken with the beautiful Taal Lake as a background.

So that’s it!  A relaxing eco-adventure inside the Picnic Grove.  The good thing about the trail is that you can take all the  time that you want, take it slow and just lose all your worries away as you gaze  upon one of the Philippines’ most awesome views – but don’t lose your parking and entrance tickets cause that might bring the worrying back.

If you really want to make it a real spiritual experience (communing with nature type of thing), I suggest that you visit the place during its off peak season and on weekdays so that there will be less people inside the grove.  You won’t get enough time for a picture-picture opportunity when there are a lot of people around.

Going through the Tagaytay Picnic Grove Eco-Trail can also build you an appetite but don’t fret because aside from the snack shops inside, there is also this restaurant right across the main entrance called KOORAH-KOORAH  that serves special Bulalo, Kare-Kare and many other dishes for prices that are very affordable.

I ordered the Lechon Kawali meal priced at only 95 Pesos.  It comes  with a rice, the Lechon Kawali, a bulalo soup and one hard-boiled egg.

If you’re planning to stay in the area  a little longer, I recommend you stay at the Tagaytay VIEW PARK HOTEL.  The hotel is located just across TAGAYTAY PICNIC GROVE – talk about perfect and convenient locations.  The hotel has 35 air-conditioned hotel rooms you can choose from (11 Standard Rooms, 14 Premiere Rooms, 6 Deluxe Rooms, 3 Family Rooms, a Family Suite and an Executive Suite).  All equipped with TV, DVD and free WiFi access.

VIEW PARK HOTEL also has its very own restaurant (RED LEMON GRILL) and Cafe (ADAM’S CAFE).

If you still have time, you might want to go and visit also the OUR LADY OF MANAOAG Prayer Site.  It is just within walking distance from the Tagaytay Picnic Grove.  Pilgrims and devotees flock this prayer site all year round to make a WISH.  But the word WISH in the Our Lady of Manaoag is an acronym for:

• WORSHIP God the Father.. seek the powerful intercession of the,
• IMMACULATE Heart of Mary… implore the mercy and love of the,
• SACRED Heart of Jesus… invoke the power of the,
• HOLY Spirit

And that’s how you make a WISH at the Our Lady of Manaoag.  Here’s a visual tour of the place:

Tagaytay is indeed a fantastic place to visit.  I’ll never grow tired of going to that place.  I am already planning my next trip there because there are still a lot of places (well-known and hidden) in the City of Tagaytay that I’ve got to CHECK.

Check out also my post about the OUR LADY OF LOURDES PARISH IN TAGAYTAY