Best places to visit in Rizal

 Best places to visit in Rizal

Hi, Are you looking for some places near Metro Manila where you can have your quick unwinding session but can't pick one from the suggestions from google? Keep reading as I will give you my recommendations to the best or most recommended places we have visited in Rizal. 

First stop, of course food! One of the restaurants we have tried and give us the satisfaction that a hungry customer wants is The Chives Bistro & Market located at 1st Floor, EM Gems Building, L. Sumulong Memorial Circle, Antipolo, Lalawigan ng Rizal. You can also visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ChivesPH/?ref=page_internal where you can see their menu and dishes they can offer for dine-in, take-out and even for special events!

                     (photo grabbed from Zomato)

We must say that all of the food here which ranges from 190 pesos up to 500 pesos per dish are great. We have ordered most of their best sellers such as Poutine, House Salad, Seafood Chowder, Truffled mushroom, Frutti de Mare, Chives signature ribs, Set c(longgasisa, spring roll & rice and Southern Fried Chicken) and their celebrity cake for dessert. All of the food we ordered are highly recommended and we cannot agree more about all of it being best sellers. Couldn't wait more to dig in so we couldn't take a photo of the food so here I am grabbing photos at their FB page.

We are definitely coming back for more!!! 

Are you a fan of art? Or someone who finds peace just by looking at it? Antipolo have something you are just looking for and I am talking about, yes, you most probably heard it somewhere, the Pinto Art Museum. This museum is such a picturesque place to visit. At first I taught that it might be over-rated but hell no. The peacefulness this place gives is a must-try especially to people who traveled this far for the same purpose. Here are some photos for a much convincing take on my sentiments about this place. 

Please don't mind my boyfriend casually taking advantage of the peacefulness of this place after a long and tiring ride from the Metro.

Are you not convinced? That's where the 250 pesos(for adults) of your money's worth is going and for me that's a good deal. May I mention that they also have a restaurant inside the museum but we haven't tried it yet because we just happen to go there after we ate from the Chives.

Fond of adventures, camping and hiking? My next recommendation hits right that spot! Check out this affordable short hiking and camping experience at Lambingan Hills, Tanay Rizal. Get relaxed as you watch the nature's beauty up in this hill. You are required to have a tour guide here from which I recall for 100 pesos per group. You can also rent a tent here for 150 pesos and the place also have a karinderya where you can eat along with your friends. You can also bring your own tent and food if you're on a budget, after all, the view and memories you are creating here are the reason you will go here.

Got hungry after the short walking, strolling and hiking? Go book your reservation at this fancy restaurant because you shouldn't miss going here without a reservation. 

Tahanan Bistro

(photo grabbed from rappler)

This restaurant will serve you a full-course Filipino dishes with a twist worth 300-1700 pesos and while preparing your food you can enjoy the place's rustic feels and love it's mini art gallery where you can take pictures while you are waiting to dig in your food. 

Want more of the hiking adventures? Yes we will give you more with this beginner friendly hiking at Mount Purro Nature Reserve. This is a hidden gem located at Barangay Calawis, Antipolo Rizal. What made us hook at this place is the story behind it. The hard-work behind this place has to offer. If you want to go de-stress you can book a day-tour here where they can offer a tour and hiking and enjoy the view up there. You can check out their rates at their website https://www.mountpurronaturereserve.com/booking. This place is very peaceful as you are surrounded by the nature and has courteous staffs. The place offers, hiking, trekking, playing, interacting with the Dumagats, bon-fire and massage service. Can we just say that their massage is the best massage we have tried! 

Loli's Kitchen 

(Photo grabbed from their official website, kindly visit for more detailed information)

Casita

(Photo grabbed from their official website, kindly visit for more detailed information)

Pre-scheduled activities*:

• Forest Hike:
  5:30am, 8:00am, 10:00am, 2:00pm; 4:00pm

• River Walk:

     8:00am, 10:30am, 1:00pm, 3:30pm

• Bonfire: DAILY 8:00pm–9:30pm

Access to facilities:

• Swimming pool 

• Nature Playscape 

• Game room 

• Cabanas and gazebos 

• Shower facilities

What are you waiting for? Go check-out their official website, explore what this amazing place can offer and book your reservation. We highly recommend if you have flexible time, book on weekdays and non-holiday so you can surely enjoy the quietness, calmness and peacefulness this place can offer.

And for the last nature-loving place we would like to recommend is the Luljetta's Hanging Garden and Spa. We have booked for an overnight here but ended up going home early for an emergency but the place offers accommodation, events, spa & massage services, and more swimming pools surrounded by nature. You can check them out at https://luljettas.com/ for more info about what this place can offer.

(Photos grabbed from Luljetta's facebook page)

For now, this might ended but will continue adding up on this post for more recommendation as we go back in Rizal because we are surely coming back for more breath-taking places and outstanding food that this place can offer.

As a friendly reminder for people who are taking their budget into consideration, please do check-out places before going in there, plan and select the places that fits right on your budget and then proceed with a personal itinerary for you to maximize your time visiting Rizal. Please do take note that I have indicated the complete name of the places, their official websites and where you can actually see what more these places can offer so you can plan ahead and make sure every minute will be worthwhile. Prices indicated in this blog will be subject to change so please re-check it before actually going if it is one of your concerns in traveling. 

Quick re-cap of the places:

• The Chives Bistro & Market (190-500 pesos per dish) 
• The Pinto Art Museum (100-250 pesos per person)
• Lambingan Hills (100-500 pesos per group)
• Tahanan Bistro (300-2000 per meal)
• Mount Purro Nature Reserve (550-10,000 depending on your choice of activities and accommodations)
• Luljetta's Garden and Spa (1,000-10,000 depending on your choice of activities and accommodations)

All prices can be customized according to your plan and needs. 

Nevertheless, enjoy your travel and please do leave  a comment on this post if you have tried one of these, will surely be fond reading your insights too. God bless and have a safe trip to everyone.