Santo Tomas (Batangas) Voyage Tips and guide

Santo Tomas is a city of about 180,000 in Batangas. It is the main gateway to Batangas from Manila, and is a growing industrial and commercial center.

Santo Tomas lies just south of Batangas's boundary with Laguna, and is a major road junction, serving the Maharlika Highway (Route 1 and Asian Highway 26) and Jose P. Laurel Highway (Route 4). The town takes its name from its patron saint, St. Thomas Aquinas, also the patron saint of Catholic schools. Santo Tomas is also the hometown of the Filipino general Miguel Malvar, who led the soldiers of the Tagalog Republic during the Philippine–American War, and also the last general to surrender to the Americans.

Santo Tomas forms part of the vast sprawl which ends at Lipa. It became a city in 2019, after a successful local plebiscite. Santo Tomas's economy is largely based on manufacturing, agriculture and real estate development. Suburbanization has resulted in most agricultural land becoming part of the sprawl.

Most provincial buses headed between Manila and Lipa, Batangas City, Quezon Province and Bicol stop at Santo Tomas. Jeepneys between Calamba and San Pablo (Laguna), Tanauan, and Lipa serve the city proper.

By car:

• From Manila and Calamba: Take the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and exit at Santo Tomas. Alternatively, take the older and congested Maharlika Highway/National (Route 1).
• From Lipa/Batangas City: Take the STAR Tollway and exit at Santo Tomas. Alternatively, you can exit at Tanauan or avoid the toll altogether and take the older and congested Jose P. Laurel Highway (Route 4)
• From Quezon Province or Bicol Follow the Maharlika Highway (Route 1/AH26)

Map of Santo Tomas (Batangas)

The town is served by jeepneys in major thoroughfares, and tricycles in all other nooks and crannies not served by jeepneys. Car travel is advisable, especially when visiting the Padre Pio Shrine, but prepare for traffic jams in feast days and at the queue for the STAR Tollway exit, particularly during rush hour. In the worst case scenario, such gridlock can extend as far as San Pablo, 17 kilometres (11 mi) away in Laguna province.

• 14.11022121.142521 General Miguel Malvar Shrine (NHCP Museo ni Miguel Malvar), Malvar Street, Barangay 1 (Near the Municipal Hall), [email protected]. 8AM–4PM; closed Mondays and holidays. Houses a statue and a museum on Miguel Malvar, Filipino general of the Tagalog Republic during the Philippine-American War. Free. Donation optional.  (updated Jan 2026)

• 14.07623121.180422 National Shrine of St. Padre Pio (Padre Pio Shrine), Gov. Antonio Carpio Avenue, San Pedro (About 2 kilometers away from Maharlika Highway). A Roman Catholic shrine and parish devoted to St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, with buildings built to local styles. Built as a small chapel along Maharlika Highway, it is now a large complex frequented by devotees around Batangas and surrounding provinces, as well as Metro Manila.  (updated May 2018)
• 14.1079121.140733 Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish, General Malvar Street. There is little known about the church's early history, but it dates back to around the 17th century, when Santo Tomas town center was established. The old church was destroyed by American artillery bombardment during World War II in 1945, and was replaced by a modernist church building and belfry. There is a memorial to the 15 Holy Spirit Sisters, mostly Germans, who died.  (updated Nov 2018)

• 14.1359121.19391 Mount Makiling. A towering inactive volcano and prime hiking destination shared with the town of Los Baños in Laguna.  (updated Jun 2026)

• 14.105994121.1502511 SM City Santo Tomas, 20 Maharlika Highway, Barangay San Bartolome. 10 AM–9 PM.  (updated Jan 2026)
• 14.108404121.1461532 Santo Tomas City Market, Maharlika Highway, Barangay II.  (updated Apr 2026)
• 14.105428121.1498973 S&R Membership Shopping Santo Tomas, Maharlika Highway, San Roque (in front of SM Santo Tomas). A members-only warehouse grocery.  (updated Jun 2026)

• 14.11083121.145481 The Lifestyle Strip, Maharlika Highway, San Antonio (Near St. Cabrini Medical Center). Strip mall with various restaurants and coffee shop.  (updated Nov 2018)
• 14.111121121.1442232 Rose & Grace, Maharlika Highway (On the corner of intersection with Malvar Street).  (updated Nov 2018)

• 14.137704121.1336221 Microtel Inn & Suites, First Philippine Industrial Park, ☏ +63 43 405-6957, fax: +63 43 405 7010. A/C rooms equipped with cable TV and radio clock. The inn has a swimming pool, meeting room and Wifi connection.  

Manila ← Calamba ←	N  S	→ Continues as
Splits into and ← Calamba ←	N  S	→ Alaminos → San Pablo
Continues north as ←	N  S	→ Tanauan → Batangas City
Merges with ←	N  S	→ Tanauan → Lipa