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Alfonso is a municipality, an inland tourist destination at the southern part of Cavite. Long-dismissed as an extension of Tagaytay, it offers many of the same attractions with a quieter environment.
Understand
[edit | edit source]Alfonso was established in 1859 from Indang and was named after King Alfonso XII of Spain. Since the late 20th century, its southernmost barangays have undergone gradual urbanization and commercialization due to spillover from neighboring Tagaytay, with most visitors unable to distinguish between the two towns and with many establishments deliberately misbranding themselves as Tagaytay for reasons of convenience. Despite this, Alfonso retains an extensive hinterland dedicated to agriculture, and brands itself as the "Wedding Capital" of the province for hosting rural-themed settings for would-be couples.
It is home to about 61,000 people (census, 1 July 2024) 
Get in
[edit | edit source]The southern areas of Alfonso are along Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, which runs along the peaks of the Tagaytay Ridge, forms the town's boundary with Laurel in Batangas and overlooks Taal Lake. Most tourism establishments and infrastructure are concentrated along this thoroughfare. Travel time from Metro Manila is around two hours.
Reaching the interior areas of Alfonso, including its downtown, can be challenging due to its relative isolation, but it is connected to the rest of the province by well-paved, albeit narrow roads.
Buses come to and from Manila, specifically the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).
Get around
[edit | edit source]From the town center, there are tricycles to different barangays.
See
[edit | edit source]- 1 Saint John Nepomucene Parish Church (Alfonso Church), Mabini Street, Barangay II, ☏ +63 927 350 9613, saintjohnnepomuceneparish0516@gmail.com. Alfonso's main Roman Catholic church, built in a Baroque style during the Spanish era.
Do
[edit | edit source]- 1 The Gingerbread House, Palumlum, ☏ +63 917 630 3124, info@thegingerbreadhouseph.com. Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM, Sat Sun 8AM-6PM. A family and children-oriented theme park built exactly to look like a gingerbread house and other sugary contraptions. It also offers hands-on activities such as baking, candy-making and other arts and crafts. There is also an onsite cafe. ₱200, ₱160 for elderly and disabled, free for children 2 feet (0.61 m) and below.
- 2 Royale Tagaytay Golf Course, Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, Buck Estate. An extensive golf course that also has tennis courts, a spa, swimming pool and gym, as well as spaces for weddings.
- 3 Tierra Montephine, F.H. Aviñante, Matagbak 1, ☏ +63 906 820 6175. A health resort and ecotourism retreat.
- 4 Alfonso Adventure Park, Palumlum. An extensive recreational venue that offers swimming, camping, ATVs, survival and other outdoor-based activities.
Buy
[edit | edit source]- 1 Alfonso Public Market, Luksuhin-Mangas Road, Luksuhin.
Eat
[edit | edit source]Like in Tagaytay, a common feature of restaurants in Alfonso is bulalo (beef shank and bone marrow soup). Splurge options abound along Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, while cheaper dining options, including the only branch of Jollibee in town, can be found inland.
- 1 Asador Alfonso, Lot 3308, Barangay Road, Esperanza Ilaya, ☏ +63 917 150 7621, reservations@asadoralfonso.com. Thu-Sun 11:30AM–1:30PM and 5:30-8PM. A 1-star Michelin restaurant inside a 9.4 hectares (23 acres) farm estate featuring Spanish cuisine. Among the highlights are the cochinillo (roast suckling pig), lamb and cheesecake. The restaurant building itself is an attraction for its sleek modernist architecture. There is a smart casual dress code. Reservations are necessary.
- 2 Lime and Basil Thai Restaurant, 9014 J. Rizal Street, Purok 4, Sikat, ☏ +63 915 627 6393, limeandbasil33@gmail.com. Mon-Fri 10AM–9PM M-F, Sat Sun 9AM-10PM. Thai cuisine. Reservations necessary. ₱550-750.
- 3 Marcia Adams, J. Rizal Street, Sikat, ☏ +63 917 801 1456, marciasresto@gmail.com. Mon Wed Thu 11AM-9PM, Tue 10AM-9PM, Fri 11:30AM-5PM, Sun 10AM-10PM, closed Sat. Garden-themed restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine. Reservations necessary. ₱300-5000.
- 4 Girasol, Garden Hills, Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, ☏ +63 921 924 7920, +63 917 834 3469, info@girasoltagaytay.com. Daily 8AM-8PM. Garden-themed restaurant and bed and breakfast serving Filipino, Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine. Reservations necessary. Menu starts at ₱280, rooms start at ₱5200.
- 5 Verdiview, Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, Luksuhin Ilaya, toll-free: +63 46 404 6903, sales.verdiviewrestaurant@gmail.com. Daily 11AM-9PM. Filipino and international cuisine served in a lush, forested setting.
Drink
[edit | edit source]Like much of southern Cavite, Alfonso is a major coffee and cacao producing center, with plantations scattered around town.
Sleep
[edit | edit source]- 1 Alfonso Hotel, 4 Washington Avenue, Royale Tagaytay Estates, Upli, toll-free: +63 46 413 0770, +63 46 413 4077. Each accommodation is air-conditioned and has cable TV and a private toilet and shower. From ₱2575.
- 2 MC Mountain Home Apartelle, Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, Buck Estate, ☏ +63 917 803 6719, toll-free: +63 46 413 2232, mcmountainhome@gmail.com. Each room has air conditioning, a television, deck or balcony, and private toilet and bath with shower. Rates include daily breakfast. From ₱2500.
- 3 Abagatan ti Manila, Amuyong-Kaytitinga Road, Alfonso, ☏ +63 917 801 0205, +63 920 957 7351, +63 917 855 4446, reservations@abagatanhotels.com.
- 4 Hillcreek Gardens Tagaytay, 134 Tagaytay-Alfonso Road, Sikat, ☏ +63 917 324 5413, toll-free: +63 46 412 7276, reservations.hillcreek@gmail.com.
- 5 The Coffee Farmhouse, 23 Palumlum-Matagbak Road, Palumlum, ☏ +63 928 555 5856, thecoffeefarmhouse@gmail.com. Bed and breakfast with its own coffee farm.
- 6 Shalom Hotel (Camp Benjamin), Alfonso-Maragondon Road, Taywanak Ilaya, ☏ +63 927 856 8775. Accommodations and recreational space inside a 4.7 hectares (12 acres) estate.
- 7 Terraza del Mar, Matagbak-Palumlum Road, Palumlum, ☏ +63 966 811 0386, terrazadelmar.ac@gmail.com. Balinese-themed accommodation and resort with villas and private pools.
- 8 Eljoy's Forest Resort, Mangas I, ☏ +63 917 566 5494, eljoysresort@gmail.com. Forest and camping-themed accommodation that also offers outdoor-themed recreational activities and spa.
Stay safe
[edit | edit source]During periods of major activity from Taal Volcano, Alfonso may be affected by ashfall or at the very least, vog, a combination of fog and volcanic gases that may be a problem for those with sensitive lungs. This usually depends on prevailing wind conditions.
Connect
[edit | edit source]The town's postal code is 4123.
Go next
[edit | edit source]| Routes through Alfonso |
| Dasmariñas ← Tagaytay ← | N  S | → Nasugbu → Balayan |