On the outskirts of Santa Cruz, beyond barangay Ipil, the privately owned Bathala Caves are terrific, especially if you visit when it’s quiet. If you’re prepared to clamber a bit, you can explore two or three of the five main caves in a couple of hours. There are thousands of bats and swifts, and several enormous rock pythons are likely to be sleeping off their last meal in the shelter of the caves. Cool off afterwards in the natural pool behind the caretaker’s house.
