Nagcarlan

Understand

Nagcarlan is known in Philippine history as the first place where wheat was grown in the country following its introduction by the Spanish. It became a scene of major confrontations during the Philippine Revolution and the Second World War, when its underground cemetery was used as a headquarters and refuge by Filipino revolutionaries and guerrillas. It is home to about 66,000 people (census, 1 July 2024)

Orientation Nagcarlan has a similar geographical layout with Liliw, although a secondary commercial hub exists in the lowland barangay of Calumpang. Its eastern edge is bounded by the Santa Cruz River system, while its northern and western edges are bounded by hills making up the Laguna Volcanic Field and Mount Kalisungan. To the southwest, a pass between the Kalisungan hills and Mount San Cristobal leads to Rizal and San Pablo.

Getting there

Nagcarlan is a hub for jeepneys coming from San Pablo, Majayjay and Santa Cruz. However, there are few to no jeepneys operating at night. It is far more convenient to rent a car (or a van for large groups) to reach the town due to this. As a secondary hub for Nagcarlan, Barangay Calumpang has direct jeepney connections with Santa Cruz.

Getting around

Nagcarlan is a busy town and is a crossroads for those heading for Liliw, Santa Cruz, Calauan and San Pablo via Rizal. Tricycles and jeepneys are the most common form of motorized transport in town.

See

1 Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery, Rizal Avenue, Barangay Bambang, [email protected]. 9AM–4PM, closed Mondays and holidays. The only cemetery of its kind in the Philippines, it was built in the 19th century on an octagonal layout, it retains its Spanish-era chapel containing a sculpture of the dead Christ, and its underground crypt with the remains of Nagcarlan's high society still inside. Beside the entrance to the compound is a small but informative museum about the concept of death in Philippine culture. An urban legend claims that the cemetery is connected underground to the parish church, Mount Banahaw and even to Pagsanjan, 41 kilometres (25 mi) away. The cemetery was declared a national historical landmark in 1981. Free, donation optional. (updated Jan 2026) 2 San Bartolome Apostol Parish Church (Nagcarlan Church), J. Lirio corner Mabini Streets and J. Coronado corner E.A. Fernandez Streets (for pedestrians only); P. Zamora Street (for vehicles), Barangay Poblacion III (drop off at Nagcarlan Town Plaza or Municipal Market). A Spanish colonial church built in a Baroque style with Moorish-inspired crenellations, and supporting exterior pillars that seemingly wrap around the structure like a cast. Look for the ornate altar and painted wooden carving of the Final Judgement made by carvers from Paete. (updated Jan 2026) 3 Nagcarlan Municipal Hall, Nagcarlan-Rizal Road, Poblacion II. Built in 1941, it is one of the few remaining civic buildings in the Philippines to survive World War II. (updated Apr 2026) 4 Bunga Falls, Bunga. Twin waterfalls system with a drop of 10–15 metres (33–49 ft). (updated Apr 2026) 5 Mount Banahaw. An inactive volcano straddling the provinces of Laguna and Quezon. It is the highest mountain in the Calabarzon region (2,170 m a.s.l.), and a sacred monument for the Tagalog people. (updated May 2026)

Buy

1 Nagcarlan Public Market, E.A. Fernandez corner J. Coronado Street, Poblacion I. (updated Apr 2026)

Eat

1 Cion's Tapa Station, J. Conrado Street (near Plaza), ☏ +63152314158. There is a McDonald’s in the town center, just north of the municipal hall.

Drink & nightlife

1 Telang's Cafe, Nagcarlan-Rizal Road, Bambang (in front of Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery). 4PM-11PM, W-Su. A cafe with rice meals. PHP95-225. (updated Jun 2026)

Sleep

1 Casa de Banilad, Barangay Banilad, ☏ +639266325112.