Liliw and Nagcarlan in Broad Strokes

The towns of Liliw and Nagcarlan are perfect weekend getaways. You can do so much for a family vacation on a Sunday: head towards Liliw or Nagcarlan Church to attend a mass, go to Arabela for a delicious lunch (or brunch), stroll down the shoes lane of Gat Tayaw Street to buy shoes and pasalubong for the family, and take a dip at the unique and peaceful Liliw resort. For some flavor of mystery or excitement, there is the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery.

For both of these towns, cost is not something to get worried about. The only things that you can splurge on are the food in Arabela and the oh-so-cheap shoes in Gat Tayaw. Liliw Resort’s entrance fee is only 50 pesos where people can swim at the very natural flowing water and cook own food for a picnic. With only 500 pesos, I was able to eat Arabela’s good food and buy all the pasalubong that I want. The rest, I just freely savoured the history, grandeur and antiquity of the centuries-old churches and houses. The best thing about this trip is on never having to worry about expenses while having the ultimate bonding experience with family or friends.

For both of these towns, cost is not something to get worried about. The only things that you can splurge on are the food in Arabela and the oh-so-cheap shoes in Gat Tayaw. Liliw Resort’s entrance fee is only 50 pesos where people can swim at the very natural flowing water and cook own food for a picnic. With only 500 pesos, I was able to eat Arabela’s good food and buy all the pasalubong that I want. The rest, I just freely savoured the history, grandeur and antiquity of the centuries-old churches and houses. The best thing about this trip is on never having to worry about expenses while having the ultimate bonding experience with family or friends.  

Here are some tips: 

1. Reserve early for a table in Arabela so that while you wait, you can go to the church or shop in Gat Tayaw Street.  

2. Bring an umbrella. This might depend on the weather, but rain or shine, the tour still takes place along the streets of Liliw and Nagcarlan.

3.Wear comfortable clothes because most of the time, you will walk. If you plan to really shop in Gat Tayaw Street, wear comfortable sandals or slippers instead of rubber shoes so that you can easily try on the shoes you want to buy.

4. If you have a car, you can park it anywhere in Gat Tayaw Street, just ask permission from the establishment. From there, you can walk around to get to Arabela and Liliw Church.

5. Don’t forget your camera. Capture memories! Just a warning, flash photography is not allowed inside the underground cemetery.