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

Related link -

http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/calaguas-island.html

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! =)

Enjoying Baler

Diguisit Beach, Baler, Aurora

December 21, 2012. The world was supposed to end this day. But it did not happen..

INSTEAD, I ended up waiting six hours for my trip to Baler, Aurora in Cubao.

Early morning, I paid all my credit card and phone bills and then afterwards, I went to Valenzuela City to meet someone very special.

Around 5pm, I arrived in Cubao and went to Genesis Bus Station which is near the Baliwag Station. I made the reservation and got # 45 for the third trip which was scheduled to leave at around 12 midnight. The security guard on duty told me to arrive around 11 pm and I might be given the benefit of being a chance passenger. I took that as a good sign. But wait, it's only 5:30 pm. I had to kill my waiting time. Then, I thought of watching a movie to augment the waiting hours. And so I watched the movie "The Hobbit." 

After 3 hours, I was able to finish the movie. I enjoyed the movie!!! I am a great fan of the LOTR series!

I immediately went to the Genesis bus station and the first trip was just boarding. There were four bus trips slated that evening. 

The reserved seats were being called by the barker and luck was on my side, there were plenty of seats available after he was finished and I asked the conductor if I could be a chance passenger and he nodded. I boarded!

Ordinarily, the travel from Cubao to Baler is 6 hours but it took us 7 hours that night thanks to a stone-throwing incident which happened in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija. Our bus was crippled since the bus could not travel fast; otherwise, the whole glass window which was hit by the stone would have fallen off. Anyway, we reached Baler around 6 am and I made the necessary inquiry for my Baler tour and I knew then that it was going to be a long day. 

I went to Joy Bus (also of Genesis) station and booked a 4:30 am trip back to Manila. Then,  I hired the guy named "Bobby" (0930-110-7294)to be my driver/guide in Baler. We agreed to go to 4 destinations and the first stop was Ditumabo Falls.

Rent of tricycle for half-day -P500 / whole day - P800

It was raining that morning and we were cruising against the wind and the rain.

After 45 minutes we reached our first destination.

Guide fee - P100
Parking - P10
Cottage - P200/day

The jump-off point looked enticing even though it was raining.

I was a bit worried that the rain might get stronger and my backpack would really get wet. 

I was told that the ascent and trek was good for 30-40 minutes.

We had to cross this bamboo bridge first to get to the other side and start our trail.

We had to cross the river for five times before reaching the spot.

The road was not only slippery but it was also muddy.

The rocks along the river provided provided the extra adventure. I had to walk carefully; otherwise, I would lose my balance and all my things would get wet.

I enjoyed the trail to the falls because of the river.

What a sight to behold!

After twenty minutes of walking, we reached a small falls along the way. And it was still raining.

The small falls =)

After ten minutes, I could hear already the sound of the falls, we were getting nearer to the falls.

The Ditumabo Falls or the Mother Falls

The force of the water going down from the top of the falls was so strong  that it created a showering effect as if it it was raining. 

Due to the rain and mist created by the falls, I was not given the chance to use my nikon dslr. It's a good thing I have my olympus underwater camera.

After making my video documentary, we started to go back to the jump-off point. 

This time it took us only twenty minutes, the descent was fast.

We started heading to the next destination.

From Baler, we headed to another town.
It took us more than an hour just to reach the next destination.

The 300 year old Balete tree in Maria Aurora.

The tree was huge but the Balete tree in Canloan, Negros Oriental (400 years old) was older and bigger.

What caught my attention was the attraction in the Balete tree. Tourists are allowed to climb the tree and experience the climb.

Since it was raining, I told myself - "No Spiderman stuff today!"

And after fifteen minutes, we were off to the next spot.

We headed towards the bay and it was still raining.

It took us an hour to reach the next spot.

The Amphere Beach

In Surigao City, they have a similar beach called "Pebble Beach while in Batanes, they have the "Valugan Boulder Beach."

After fifteen minutes, we went back to Baler for the two remaining destinations.



I fell asleep while we were going to the next destination. After an hour of travel we reached Sitio Cemento, Brgy. Zabali, Baler, Aurora.

The name of the resort is Dela Torre Beach Resorts (0999-674-8217)

Entrance fee -P20.00/pax
Cottage - P150
Overnight - P400

The rain got tired and it stopped for several minutes.

Cemento Beach

I tried to use my dslr but there were intermittent rains. And so, I used my underwater camera anew.








Then we drove to the next destination for ten minutes.

Diguisit Beach

Entrance Fee - P10/pax
Cottage - P500


God allowed me to use my dslr for a couple of minutes. And afterwards, it rained again. And we went back to the town, I asked my guide to bring me to one of best hotels in Baler.

Aliya's Surf Resort & Restaurant

I checked in and paid P1,800 (with free breakfast) for the room.

Van for Hire
Sherwin - 0908-755-5888
Rudy and Lily - 0999-667-8002
Gibo - 0948-371-4771

Triple Sharing - P1,800 (3 pax)
Quadruple - P2,400 (4 pax)
Quadruple Deluxe - P3,800 (4 pax)
Family - P3,200 (6 pax)
Family Deluxe - P3,800 (6 pax)

Contact Nos - 0939-939-0929 / 0939-939-0844 

Wifi is excellent!

I strolled in the beach and so many people were enjoying.

And this is what Baler is known for - Surfing!

Surfing boards abound!

I rested my back for thirty minutes. It was already 2 pm and I took my late lunch and afterwards, I went to town.

I went to the Pasalubong Center to buy some souvenir items.

Museo de Baler

The historical Baler Church

Dona Aurora's Residence (mother of Pres. Manuel Quezon) 












It was already 5 pm when I finished my tour in the town of Baler and I went back to the hotel.

The following morning, I woke up 3 am, fixed myself and boarded my Joy Bus ride back to Manila.

Joy Bus Reservation - (02)-709-0545 / (02)-709-0544

It's More Fun in Baler! =)










Tricycles -http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/12/designs-of-tricylesmotorcyles-in.html
Land transport - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/12/different-modes-of-land-transportation.html

Related article -
Tricycles - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/12/different-modes-of-land-transportation.html

Beach

Boracay - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/boracay.html

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

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

Camiguin - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/mesmerized-in-camiguin.html
Guimaras -  http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/guimaras-paradise.html

Adventure

Trekking - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-neophyte-trekker.html

Spelunking - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/caves-in-philippines-spelunkers-dream.html

Skywalk/Edge Coaster - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/adventures-in-cebu-city.html

Trekking - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/two-mountains-in-one-day-mt-maculot-and.html

Mt. Pinatubo - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/mt-pinatubo-trek-capas-tarlac-trail.html

Top ten adventures - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/12-of-my-best-adventures-in-philippines.html

River Rafting - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/white-river-rafting-in-davao.html

Sagada - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/my-adventures-in-sagada-plus-itinerary.html

Mt. Makiling - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/mt-makiling-trek-and-itinerary.html

Pagsanjan - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-thrill-of-rapids-in-pagsanjan-and.html