Rizal Travel Guide

Longing to go on a different kind of adventure? Why not go on an Art-venture exploring the hidden gems and vibrant art scene in our featured destination for November, Rizal. If you want to experience the outdoors, or indulge in good Filipino food, or feed your soul with some art, Rizal is the perfect place to be.

Outdoor Adventures

Mt. Daraitan and Tinipak River

Mount Daraitan and the Tinipak river is located in Barangay Daraitan in Tanay, Rizal. Climbing to the summit of Daraitan can take about 3-4 hours. Going down, you will pass through the Tinipak River. Although you can go straight to the Tinipak river if you do not want to do a full-day hike.

To go to Tinipak river, you will have to leave your car in the parking slot before Daraitan river. You can either walk through the hanging bridge to cross to the other side or ride a bamboo balsa to cross the river. After crossing the river, you will have to ride a tricycle to the Barangay Hall where you have to register and get a tour guide. Tour guides are required for the hike and it costs PHP500.00. From the Barangay Hall, you can start the hike to Daraitan, or the walk to Tinipak River. You can also hire a tricycle to Tinipak river.

For those who are planning to stay overnight. There are quaint cottages that you can rent at the other side of the river at a reasonable cost.

The best months to visit Mt. Daraitan and the Tinipak river is during the summer months so the climb won’t be muddy and so you can get to see the vibrant hue of the water against the marbled rocks. We recommend starting the hike a little after midnight so you can watch the sunrise at the summit then cool off at Tinipak River on your way down.

The Tinipak and Daraitan river are located at Barangay Daraitan, Tanay, Rizal

Daranak and Batlag Falls

Daranak Falls is one of the famous waterfalls in Rizal. The 14-meter high waterfalls is a popular weekend getaway place for the people in Rizal and even people from the Metro.

It is the perfect sight seeing destination or you can also opt to swim in the crystal blue water in the catch basin or in the river below.

But hidden near the more popular Daranak Falls is Batlag Falls. It is just a 10-minute walk from Daranak. To access the area, you would have to pay an additional PHP100.00. But believe us, the view and the exclusivity is worth it.

Daranak and Batlag Falls are located at Daranak Falls Access Road, Tanay, Rizal

Art & Food

Rizal is known for its art, but Rizal’s citizens’ creativity doesn’t stop there, most of their art museums are also spots for good food. Here are a list of some of it.

Pinto Art Museum

Pinto Art Museum sits on 1.3 hectares of land and is owned by Dr. Joven Cuanang. The artworks on display are also from his massive collections. Pinto Art Museum has a total of six galleries with different themes that showcases various art forms from sculptures to paintings made by local artists.

The name museum’s name was derived from the Tagalog word “pinto” that means “door” in English that represents the doors in the museum that opens to different galleries.

Housed in Pinto is Rizal Cafe that showcases good food and coffee as good as the art.

Pinto  Art Museum is located at 1 Sierra Madre St.,, Grand Heights Rd, Antipolo, Rizal.

Balaw Balaw Restaurant and Art Gallery

Located in Angono, Rizal, Balaw Balaw is a specialty restaurant which is known for serving authentic Filipino cuisine and exotic food offerings such as horse meat, ants, cow balls, carabao meat, and earthworms.

Balaw Balaw is not only a restaurant that serves specialty cuisine, it is also an art gallery that displays works by Perdigon Vocalan. The restaurant started as a painting gallery in 1983 but was later turned into a restaurant by the Vocalan family.

The restaurant is decorated to look like a bahay kubo or the native nipa hut famous in the Philippines.

Try their best seller called Minaluto which is a combination of all their best selling food served in a family-sized bilao good for sharing. But if you’re in an adventurous mood, try their selection of exotic food ranging from Soup No. 5 to Rose Petal Tempura.

Balaw Balaw Restaurant is located at Doña Justa Street, Angono, Rizal.

Crescent Moon Café

Crescent Moon Cafe is a pottery studio turned homey restaurant owned by master potter, Lanelle Abueva-Fernando’s daughters Majalya and Celine. It specializes in Southeast Asian cuisine. An a la carte menu is available on weekdays and a lunch buffet is served on weekends. They also host creative workshops at the store.

The adjacent pottery studio is where all the ceramics displayed inside the restaurant are made.

Hertz Insider Tip: You can buy one-of-a-kind plates by the kilo at the storage room of Crescent Moon Cafe. These plates are overruns from orders placed by some of the most famous restaurants, cafes and hotels in the Philippines.

Crescent Moon Cafe is located at L. Sumulong Memorial Circle, Sitio Parugan, Dalig, Antipolo, Rizal.

Tahanan Bistro

Hidden in a village near in Antipolo is Tahanan Bistro. Tahanan Bistro – a casual fine dining restaurant located in artist Benji Reyes’ beautiful residence in Antipolo, Rizal.

The restaurant was conceptualized by his daughter Keesha Reyes together with her partner Chef Kevin Tuason. Tahanan Bistro offers set menus that features Filipino cuisine with an elegant twist. During our visit, we tried everything: the Tindalo, Supa, and Yakal set menus. Each set menu serves a five-course meal that consists of a soup, appetizer, main dish, fruit, and dessert.

These are the appetizers featured on each menu: the Kinilaw, Afritada, and Pinakbet.

These are the main dishes featured on each menu: the Sinigang, Tinola, andBarbecue. Our favorite was the Tinola which is part of the Tindalo set menu.

To cleanse the palette, Tahanan Bistro serves beautiful dessert as a part of their set menus. These are the desserts on each menu: the Buko Pandan, Mais, and Ube.

Benji Reyes is a Filipino furniture artist who has an international following because of his customized chair creations. You’ll notice that the dining area of Tahanan Bistro is littered with his works from the tables, to the chairs, to the sculptures. Ask one of the restaurant staff to tour you in his mini showroom right below the dining area to see some of his creations.

Tahanan Bistro is located at  22 Loresville Drive, Lores Farm Subdivision, Antipolo, Rizal.

Relaxation

Luljetta’s Hanging Gardens and Spa

After exploring Rizal, head over the Luljetta’s Hanging Gardens and Spa for some well-deserved rest and relaxation.

Luljetta’s is the first and only hanging gardens and spa in the Philippines and offers an amazing panoramic view of the Laguna De Bay and the Manila skyline.

Stay at one of their spacious suites overnight and avail of their Hanging Gardens Getaway spa package for your total relaxation and enjoyment. Make sure to reserve ahead of time as Luljetta’s does not accept walk in guests.

Luljetta’s Hanging Gardens and Spa is located at Loreland Farm Resort, San Roque, Antipolo, Rizal, Antipolo, 1870 Rizal.

Hertz Recommended Vehicle

For this trip, we recommend taking a Mid-size SUV or and SUV because the road can be rough in some areas in Rizal. To make sure that you’ll have a comfortable journey, always research ahead and know the proper car to bring.

Are you ready to go on that fun art-venture to Rizal? Go to hertzphilippines.com and use the promo code ARTVENTURE for PHP500.00 discount on any rental. For more adventures and tours in the Philippines checkout bookmundi.com. #JourneyToYourDreams #RizalTravelGuide

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This post was written by pau-two