Smart Backpacker

Monday, April 15, 2013

Top Beaches in Luzon (A Review)

It's Summer! And a trip to the beach is simply inevitable! Well, these are the best beaches in Luzon only. This is a simple review of the beaches that I have visited. I hope this will help you.. =)

My personal rating
1 - highest/best
5 - worst

BALER, AURORA

Travel Time from Manila - 7-8 hours (by land)
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - bus to the town, tricycle to the resort
Proximity from Manila - #2 (best reason)
Accommodation - 2,500 - 3-4 pax
Expenses - #1 (best choice)
Food - affordable
White Sand - NO (except in some isolated parts of the area)
Nightlife - none
Drinking spree - resort only
Multitude of People - #3 (average)
Adventure - Falls, trekking, surfing, kite surfing
Serenity/Paradise - #3

Primary Reason - Surfing capital in Luzon

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/12/enjoying-baler.html

CAGBALETE ISLAND, QUEZON

Travel Time from Manila - 6 hours (by land)
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - bus to Lucena, bus to Mauban, tricycle to the port, boat to the island
Proximity from Manila - #4
Accommodation - P2,000 - P3000 - 3-4 pax
Expenses - #3
Food - affordable
White Sand - YES
Nightlife - none
Drinking spree - resort only
Multitude of People - #2 (best reason)
Adventure - trekking, beach bumming, camping
Serenity/Paradise - #2

Primary Reason - Sand ripples!

Related link: http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2014/05/cagbalete-island-mauban-quezon.html

CALAGUAS ISLAND, BICOL

Mahabang Buhangin

Travel Time from Manila by land - 9-10 hours (by land)
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - bus to Daet, bus or tricycle to Paracale, pumpboat to the island
Proximity from Manila - #4
Accommodation - 1,500 -2,500 -3-4 pax
Expenses - #3
Food - #5 (you have to bring your own food)
White Sand - #1 (best reason)
Nightlife - none
Multitude of People - #3
Adventure - island hopping, snorkeling, trekking
Serenity/Paradise - #1
Drinking Spree - none
Sunset or Sunrise - sunset
Primary reason - pristine waters and best white sand

CARAMOAN, BICOL

Travel Time - 14-15 hours (by land) (you can use air travel and land in Naga City)
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - bus to Naga, tricycle to the van station in SM Naga, van to Sabang, boat to Caramoan, tricycle to the beach
Proximity from Manila - #5
Accommodation - 1,500 -2,500 -3-4 pax
Expenses - #4
Food - #3
White Sand - only at the islands (best reason)
Nightlife - resort only
Multitude of People - #5
Adventure - island hopping, snorkeling
Serenity/Paradise - #1 islands only
Drinking spree - resort only
Sunset or Sunrise - sunrise
Primary reason - Island Hopping

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/caramoan.html

CORON, PALAWAN
best choice!

Twin Lagoons

Travel Time - by air only 1 hour and 15 mins in Coron (by air)
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - plane to Coron, van to the beach
Proximity from Manila - #5
Accommodation - #1
Expenses - #4
Food - #1 (best reason)
White Sand - NO (at the islands only)
Nightlife - YES
Multitude of People - #4
Adventure - Island hopping, trekking, snorkeling, wreck diving
Serenity/Paradise - #2
Drinking spree - YES
Sunset or Sunrise - SUNSET
Primary reason - Island hopping and wreck diving

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/enchanting-coron.html

EL NIDO, PALAWAN
best choice!

Big Lagoon

Travel Time - by air (varies) either direct to El Nido or to Puerto Princesa
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - Plane to Puerto Princesa, van to El Nido (5 hours) / If you have a direct flight to El Nido - plane to El Nido, tricycle to the resort
Proximity from Manila - #5
Accommodation - #1 (best reason)
Expenses - #5 (expensive)
Food - #2 (at the beachfront)
White Sand - YES (best reason)
Nightlife - YES
Multitude of People - #5
Adventure - #1 (beats Boracay!)
Serenity/Paradise - #1
Drinking spree - yes
Sunset or Sunrise - neither (covered by the mountains)
Primary reason - BEST island hopping experience in the Philippines

RAV Transportation Services

Van for Hire

Derick Villegas

0998-545-0016

0917-504-0770

(043) 778-4657

(043) 703-0435

Email: rav_services@yahoo.com

Facebook: RAV Electronic Services

Address: 938 Brgy. Darasa, Tanauan City, Batangas 4232

Transportation / Tour services to any point of Luzon

Brand New Foton Traveller vehicles available

Equipped with GPS, wifi, videoke, RFID, Sky TV

Satisfaction Guaranteed! =)

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/el-nido-adventure-of-lifetime.html

JOMALIG ISLAND, QUEZON
- camper's choice

Travel Time - by land only; so many options; best way is van or bus in Legarda, Manila to Infanta (3 hours), then boat to Jomalig

Proximity from Manila - #2
Accommodation - #5 (tent only)
Expenses - #1 (best reason)
Food - #5 (worst)
White Sand - YES (best reason)
Nightlife - NONE
Multitude of People - #1
Adventure - #2
Serenity/Paradise - #1
Drinking spree - NONE
Sunset or Sunrise - Sunset only!
Primary reason - Island itself is a paradise

Related link -

http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-jomalig-island-experience.html

PAGUDPUD, ILOCOS NORTE

from www.wilstop.info

Travel Time - by land 12-13 hours
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - bus to Laoag City, van to the resort (you can opt air travel and land in Vigan)
Proximity from Manila - #4
Accommodation - #3
Expenses - #2
Food - #2
White Sand - YES
Nightlife - none
Multitude of People - #3
Adventure - limited
Serenity/Paradise - #2
Drinking spree - no
Sunset or Sunrise - no idea
Primary reason - Boracay of the North

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/01/ilocos-sur-experience.html

PALAUI ISLAND

from www.colors.ph

Travel Time - 12-13 hours by land (if by air, you will land at Tuguegarao airport)
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - Bus to Tuguegarao, van to the resort
Proximity from Manila - #4
Accommodation - NO IDEA
Expenses - NO IDEA
Food - NO IDEA
White Sand - YES
Nightlife - its an island
Multitude of People - #3
Adventure - island hopping, trekking
Serenity/Paradise - #2
Primary reason - farthest beach in Luzon, the thrill of the adventure

PUERTO GALERA, ORIENTAL MINDORO

from wwwlakwatseradeprimera.com

Travel Time - 2 hours and 45 minutes by land and sea
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - bus to Batangas pier, pumpboat to Puerto Galera
Proximity from Manila - #1 (nearest to Manila) (best reason)
Accommodation - #1
Expenses - #1
Food - #2
White Sand - YES
Nightlife - YES
Multitude of People - #5
Adventure - varies
Serenity/Paradise - #3
Drinking spree - yes
Sunset or Sunrise - sunset
Primary reason - proximity and affordability

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/puerto-galera-with-friends.html

PUTING BUHANGIN, PADRE BURGOS, QUEZON

Travel Time - by land only; bus to Lucena, then bus to Padre Garcia, then boat to Puting Buhangin
Proximity from Manila - #4
Accommodation - #3 (there are resorts)
Expenses - #3
Food - #5 (bring your own)
White Sand - YES (best reason)
Nightlife - NONE
Multitude of People - #2
Adventure - #3
Serenity/Paradise - #2
Drinking spree - NONE
Sunset or Sunrise - BOTH
Primary reason - SEAFOOD

Related link -

http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2014/05/island-hopping-tour-in-padre-burgos.html

TABLAS, ROMBLON

Gishelle Beach Resort

Travel Time - 8-9 hours (by land and sea)
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - bus to Batangas pier, ferry to Odiongan, van to the resort (you can use air travel and land in Tablas, Romblon)
Proximity from Manila - #4
Accommodation - #1 (best reason)
Expenses - #3
Food - affordable
White Sand - YES
Nightlife - NONE
Multitude of People - #1
Adventure - trekking, kayak, island hopping
Serenity/Paradise - #1
Primary reason - undiscovered paradise

Related Link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/04/tablas-romblon-undiscovered-paradise.html

Other Notable Beaches in Luzon
Misimis Bay, Cagraray Island, Bacacay, Albay
Patar White Beach, Bolinao, Pangasinan
Nakbawang Beach, Sabtang, Batanes
Anawangin Cove, Zambales
White Beach, Marinduque

RAV Transportation Services

Van for Hire

Derick Villegas

0998-545-0016

0917-504-0770

(043) 778-4657

(043) 703-0435

Email: rav_services@yahoo.com

Facebook: RAV Electronic Services

Address: 938 Brgy. Darasa, Tanauan City, Batangas 4232

Transportation / Tour services to any point of Luzon

Brand New Foton Traveller vehicles available

Equipped with GPS, wifi, videoke, RFID, Sky TV

Satisfaction Guaranteed! =)

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Ro-Ro Travel from Allen to Matnog Port (and vice-versa)

Matnog Port, Sorsogon

If you will be traveling by land in the Bicol Region and Region 8, it is a must that you will cross via Ro-Ro the Matnog and Allen ports. The distance between the 2 ports is 25 kms.

There are 2 ports in Allen, Samar and there is only one in Matnog, Sorsogon.

The two ports in Allen are -

1. Dapdap, Kinabranan (there are 4 ships)
Montenegro - Contact no. 0935-844-5111

2. Balwharteco, Looc (there are 8 ships)
168 and Star Ferry - Contact No. 0917-591-7718
Sta. Clara - Contact Nos. 0920-894-4458/ 0917-580-1524

Better choice is the Looc since it has more ships.
From my experience, even during Holy Week, the shipping lines still service the route provided there are passengers and cargoes. It was Holy Thursday when I traveled in Allen. The only thing that prevents the Ro-Ro trip is a typhoon.

Travel from time Allen to Matnog using a Ro-Ro and vice-versa is 1 hour.

Traveling in Cebu

It pays to know how to travel in Cebu.

BY LAND

There are 2 major terminals in Cebu, namely - the Southbound Terminal and the Northbound Terminal.

There are three major bus companies, namely - Ceres, RoughRider, and AutoBus.

Best Option is Ceres Bus (the yellow bus)!

SOUTH BUS TERMINAL
If you are going to Moalboal, the other choice would be the Librando Bus Terminal near EMall (just a few meters away from the Southbound bus terminal). Travel time to Moalboal is 3 hours or 99 kms.

If you are going to Oslob, take the Ceres ride to Bato via Oslob. Travel time is 3.5 hours or 117 kms.

NORTH BUS TERMINAL
If you are going to Malapascua Island, take the bus with the Maya signage (either Ceres or Roughrider). Travel time is 4 hours or 147 kms. Fare from Cebu City to Maya using Ceres is P163 for non-aircon and P170 for aircon.

The first pumpboat to Malapascua from Maya port leaves 7:30 am and the last is 6 pm.
From Malapascua to Maya port, the first pumpboat leaves 6 am and the last is 3 pm. Fare is P80.00 and the total cost of the boat (in case you want to charter it) is P1,200.

Chartering the boat from Malapascua Island to Bantayan cost P2,500.

If you are going to Bantayan Island, take the bus with the signage Hagnaya. Travel time is 4 hours or 111 kms. From Hagnaya port, take the Ro-Ro to Bantayan Island. Travel time is 45 minutes. Ro-Ro service is from 6 am to 6pm. There are 2 shipping lines servicing the route.

If you are going to Camotes Island, take the bus ride with signage of either Hagnaya or Maya and alight at the Danao Port. Travel time is 1 hour. Fare is P60.00. From Danao port, take the Ro-Ro to Consuelo port in Camotes Island. There is only one shipping company servicing the route - Jomalia Shipping. Fare is P180 for non-aircon and P200 for aircon.

Schedule of trips
Danao port to Consuelo port - 5:30am; 8:30am; 10:00am; 12:00nn; 5:30pm; 9:30pm
Consuelo to Danao - 4:00am; 5:30am; 9:00am; 12:00nn; 2:00pm; 4:00pm

Contact persons -
Danao - Meme 0906-364-0873
Consuelo - Jomari 0923-338-7566

BY AIR
There is 1 airport in Cebu which is situated in Mactan Island.

If you are coming from Asia, it is better to go straight to Cebu rather than pass the Manila airport. Note that the airport is actually on Mactan Island, 15 kms east of Cebu City.

The following are the domestic airlines servicing Cebu, namely - AirPhil (now, PAL Express), Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines (PAL), South East Asian Airlines (SeaAir), and ZestAir. The flight from Manila to Cebu is more or less one hour.

BY SEA

There are so many piers (1-7) in Cebu. It is better to be sure to check your pier, destination, time of departure and the shipping lines. I got lost several times at the piers of Cebu.

The bigger passenger-ferry lines are 2Go and Weesam.

Tickets can be bought in Robinzon's Plaza, Ayala Center and SM City.

Otherwise you can book your ticket directly at the shipping company's booking office, which in many cases will be at the port, usually at the pier from which its boat departs.

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Tablas, Romblon: Undiscovered Paradise

I did not expect that I will be having the time of my life in Tablas, Romblon.

I just wanted to visit and see Romblon. It was a one-day tour only. No expectations have been made nor any idea of the tourist spots in Romblon.

From Caticlan Port in Aklan, I boarded a pumpboat going to Romblon.

There are only 2 trips to Romblon from Boracay slated everyday. The first one leaves 8:15 am and the other one 8:45 am.

The fare going to Looc, Tablas, Romblon is P300 and the trip is 3 hours using the pumpboat.

There were so many foreigners going to Romblon that day.

Looc Port

After 3 hours, we reached the Looc Port and from the port to Odiongan (main and biggest town in Tablas, Romblon) the trip is 55 minutes (23 kilometers) using the tricycle. There are two routes going to Odiongan but I decided to take the longer one.

Other than going to Odiongan, my mind was set to visiting some of the tourist spots conveyed by my co-passengers while we were onboard the boat. According to them the tourist spots are: Tablas Fun Travel, Gishelle's Beach Resort, Aglicay Beach, and Paksi Beach.

First thing I did was to hire a habal-habal (motorcycle ride) to Odiongan. But it also involved the tour to the tourist spots in Tablas.

I hired the tour/trip for P500.00.

First stop is in Looc, Tablas, Romblon was the -
Tablas Fun Resort

The resort offers snorkeling, jet skiing, scuba diving, 4 x 4 ride, atv ride and so many other adventures.

Contact nos. (to follow)

Tabla Fun Resort

Currently, Tablas Fun Resort has no accommodations to stay for the night. But the owner told me that they will have it in the near future. But you can stay at the next resort which is just a stone's throw away from Tablas Fun Resort.

Second stop was the -

Gishelle's Beach Haus

Room rates - P800 - 1,500

Contact nos (to follow)

Room rates -

Contact nos -

The two resorts are connected by a boardwalk.

After seeing the two resorts, we went to our last stop for the day in Binukot.

Binukot Beach

For me, the best resort to stay and enjoy is in Binukot!

It has plenty of resorts to choose from compared to Looc, Tablas.

Among the several resorts in Binukot, I highly recommend
Binukot Sunset Cove.

Room rates -
P1,500 for the moment

Contact persons -
Micahela and Willy (owners)
Contact Nos -
0929-787-5486/0999-423-1040

Room rate P1,500

Fan room only

Good for 4-8 pax

Free use of swimming pool, kayak and boat

interior of the large hut

The price of the room is P1,500 for the meantime, the owner plans to raise it to P2,500.

Current price is P1,500/ (owner plans to increas it to P2,000/day)

Fan room only

Good for 2 pax only

Best for honeymoon!

Interior of the room

You'll love this room! =)

How to get there

Accessible by Air - Tablas Airport

Accessible by Sea -

1. From Manila, go to Batangas Pier (1.5-2 hours/P130.00)

2. From the pier to Odiongan, ride either 2Go Travel (P750/8 hours), Super Shuttle Ferry or Montengero (P900/10 hours)

3. From Odiongan to the beach, van ride for 45 minutes

It's Really More Fun in Tablas, Romblon!

Friday, April 5, 2013

Catanduanes

From Paniman, Caramoan, I rented a boat to Catanduanes.

Initially, going to Catanduanes was not part of the plan. But the local folks told me that Catanduanes is just 2 hours by boat. Prior to this trip, I had never seen or had been in Catanduanes. Opportunity was knocking on my door and I opened the door.

The boat ride was good for more than 2 hours. I rented a small boat (good for 3-4 pax only) for P1,500. The bigger boat (good for 10-15 pax) costs 2,500 - 3,000. With only my backpack and camera bag, I decided to go to Catanduanes.

My boatman's name is Mang Roy Razon.

It was not the usual island hopping experience.

Caramoan islands

It was a little bit extreme considering that I was not given a lifejacket and there were two of us only onboard the boat. So imagine if the boatman gets a heart attack in the middle of the seas, I would be there in the middle of vast expanse of water not knowing what to do! Anyway, that was part of the adventure!

Along the way, we passed several islands which are covered by the island hopping tour provided in Caramoan. But one island that I would never forget is the Catanauan Island because according to my boatman that was the island where the Survivor TV program was shot.

After 2 hours, we reached the Port of Codon, San Andres, Catanduanes.

The trip did not stop there since I miss the Ro-Ro trip to Tabaco and I've wanted to go to Virac, Catanduanes. And so I hired a tricyle ride to Virac amounting to P500. The trip was 50 minutes.

The Ro-Ro boat trip in Virac was scheduled to leave 1 pm and we left San Andres past 11 am. Time is of the essence!

Virac Church

After almost an hour, we reached Virac. And the first tourist spot that I saw then was the Virac church (which we passed while going to the Virac Port.

We went straight to the port and bought the ticket to Tabaco.

Fare in Penafrancia
P240 - ordinary
P310 - aircon

The Ro-Ro trip was good for 3.5 - 4 hours.
First trip in Tabaco to Virac leaves 6:30 am.
And the trip back to Tabaco from Virac leaves 1pm.

On the other hand, the Ro-Ro trip in San Andres from Tabaco leaves 7 am (if seasonal 5 am) and back to Tabaco 12 pm.

While cruising back to Tabaco, Bicol, we passed the Twin Rocks Resort. One of the best, if not the best resort in Catanduanes.

After 4 hours, we reached the Port of Tabaco.

Tip - Never use the bus parked inside the pier.

Go to the Tabaco City Central Terminal.

There are plenty of choices to choose from ranging from vans, aircon and non-aircon buses.

You have to ride a tricycle or a trisikad to go to the terminal.

Here you can find buses/vans plying Naga, Daet, Cubao or Alabang.

So how many hours did I stay in Catanduanes?

Two hours only! But the adventure lasted a lifetime!

RAV Transportation Services

Van for Hire

Derick Villegas

0998-545-0016

0917-504-0770

(043) 778-4657

(043) 703-0435

Email: rav_services@yahoo.com

Facebook: RAV Electronic Services

Address: 938 Brgy. Darasa, Tanauan City, Batangas 4232

Transportation / Tour services to any point of Luzon

Brand New Foton Traveller vehicles available

Equipped with GPS, wifi, videoke, RFID, Sky TV

Satisfaction Guaranteed! =)

Dumaguete City Tour

I have visited Dumaguete City twice already. But the beauty of the city still captures my attention whenever I go to this city.

Among the tourist spots in the city are:

Silliman University

The university was founded in 1901 and was named after its founder, Dr. Horace B. Silliman.

It is the first Protestant university in the Philippines.

Dumaguete City Cathedral

It is the oldest stone church in Negros. Originally built in 1754 and reconstructed n 1885.

Beside the church is the Dumaguete Belfry which was erected in 1811 which served also as the watchtower against invading pirates or marauders.

Restored in 1985, the belfry has become the city's most popular architectural landmark.

Freedom Park

The two important ports are -

Dumaguete Port

For those going to Mindanao and Siquijor

Sibulan Port

For those going to Cebu

Dapitan City Tour

Rizal Shrine

History tells us that Dapitan City was the place of exile of our national hero - Dr. Jose P. Rizal.But other than being the place of exile of Rizal, Dapitan City offers a variety of tourist spots in the area.

Dakak Beach

The most popular destination in Dapitan City is the Dakak Beach. It is known for its shaped cove and powdery white sand beach.

Rizal Shrine

Casa Cuadrada