Q106839

Understand

The town's name was derived from its old name "Monte de Tan-ay", meaning "Mountain of Tanay", which reflects the area's mountainous location within the Sierra Madre. This explains the existence of Camp Capinpin, a military camp in the highland barangay of Sampaloc where the Philippine Army trains its soldiers in jungle warfare. Tanay virtually has two town centers: the old poblacion at the floodplain of the Tanay River leading to Laguna de Bay, and Sampaloc, the commercial hub of the upland barangays that has grown thanks to the opening of the Marcos Highway, the presence of the Camp Capinpin garrison, and an influx of hikers and affluent people and property developers seeking to find a spot in the Sierra Madre to build their dream resthouse far from the stress of Metro Manila. It is home to about 146,000 people (census, 1 July 2024)

Getting there

Tanay is 46 kilometres (29 mi) away from Manila and 22 kilometres (14 mi) away from Antipolo. It is accessible via Manila East Road (for the barangays along Laguna de Bay) and Marcos Highway (for Sampaloc and other upland barangays). A two-lane inner road parallel to Manila East Road connects the town center of Tanay with those of Baras and Pililla. The Tanay-Sampaloc Road serves as a capillary between the three roads and runs from Sampaloc to the town market at Plaza Aldea. Jeepneys from the terminal in the town market are bound for Cainta, Starmall EDSA in Mandaluyong, Pililla, Jalajala and Siniloan. Jeepneys from the terminal in Sampaloc are bound for Cogeo in Antipolo. The minibus service from SM Masinag in Antipolo bound for Pililla passes through Tanay. There is an airfield in Camp Capinpin in Sampaloc, but is only used for military purposes.

Getting around

Places within the town proper are accessible by tricycle. Northernmost barangays, such as Daraitan, San Andres and Sta. Ines, are accessible by jeep from the town market via Sampaloc Road.

See

1 Regina Rica (Regina Rosarii Institute for Contemplation in Asia), San Antonio Avenue, Brgy. Sampaloc (near Marcos Highway). W-Su 8AM-5PM. Home of the giant Virgin Mary statue. (updated Aug 2025) 2 Daranak Falls, Brgy. Tandang Kutyo. 8AM-5PM. Derived from the word "dadanak", which means "to flow", describing the falls. (updated Aug 2025) 3 Calinawan Cave, Calinawan Road, Brgy. Tandang Kutyo. 7AM-5:30PM. (updated Aug 2025) 4 San Ildefonso de Toledo Parish Church (Tanay Church), M.H. del Pilar Street, Brgy. Katipunan-Bayan. A Spanish-era Baroque church that is among the 25 National Cultural Treasure Churches declared by the NCCA due to the five rococo-influenced retablos and wood-carvings depicting the stations of the cross. (updated Aug 2025) 5 Parola, P. Burgos Street, San Isidro (Dike at the end of the road.). Provides a view of the Laguna lake and Rizal's nearby towns. (updated May 2026) 6 Tinipak River and Rock Formation, Daraitan. A series of white stone rapids and boulders along the Agos River. (updated Mar 2026)

Do

There are a lot of restaurants and cafes along Marcos Highway in Cuyambay and Sampaloc that provide the overlooking views of Rizal province. An annual Tanay Rodeo is celebrated every third week of January in line with the celebration of Tanay Town Fiesta to promote the cattle and agri-eco tourism in the town.

Buy

Malls 1 Tanay Town Center. 9AM-9PM. The only mall in Tanay, with Savemore as one of its tenants. (updated Aug 2025)

Markets 2 Tanay Public Market, Market Road, Plaza Aldea. (updated Apr 2026)

Sleep

1 Pranjetto Hills Resort and Conference Center, Marcos Highway, Brgy. Sampaloc. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 12NN. A hotel, resort and activity center. (updated Aug 2025)