Travel Guide to Baler, Aurora / Budget Itinerary (2018)

Where to Stay in Baler

Costa Pacifica

Sabang Beach

Sabang Beach is the best spot to stay. It is accessible to almost everything you need for a tour visit .There are lodging, home stay & hotels to choose for a cheap or expensive rates. Food places are also around the area, just take a walk and find a place that will suite your taste. Sabang Beach is also a swimming and surfing spot in Baler. It is also ideal to learn surfing here. 

How to start tour

If you have your own car its easy to explore Baler. But if you are not sure about your destination, you can hire a guide to give you directions and show you some insights about each place. Guide fee is P 500 for a whole day.

Here's an option:

- Van Rental good for 10 pax. Whole day tour. P2,500 

- Tryke Rental whole day tour  for 3 pax P 800 half day P 300

* Entrance and Parking fees are not included.

Places to visit

Ermita Hills

History says that Baler was wiped out by Tsunami on the night of December 27, 1735. where the only survivors of that holocaust fled for safety to Ermita Hill. The place is now a tourist destination with amazing view of Baler bay and the coast of Casiguran Bay.

Dimadimalangat Islet

Another tourist spot that offers magnificent view of an Islet located in Barangay Cemento, where one could walk from the reef shore to this rock formation.

Lukso lukso Islet 

Just a few meters from the shoreline an eye catching Big Rock formation. Nice spot for photo ops and best for sunrise and sunset view.

Diguisit Waterfalls

This waterfalls is sitting near the main road. Its an easy climb but some stones are slippery, so extra careful is needed when climbing and going down.

Añiao Islet

This unspoiled Islet is also a point of interest in Baler. This Islet is surrounded by rocks and waves are hitting these huge rock. The sound of the waves is so relaxing and soothing. Nice spot for photo ops too.

Hanging Bridge

The bridge connects the two sides which are the Brgy Tibang and Brgy Sabang. The bridge is actually built for locals not intended for tourist attraction.

Banjo Spring

Banjo Spring is located at Barangay Bannawag, Maria Aurora. Going here is a bumpy ride. Some locals don't know where the place is, so if you want to visit this place make sure that your service or guide knows where to take you. What you will see inside the area are bunch of plants and flowers. They also have monkeys and a talking bird. There are also pool to swim. Water in the pool is neither hot nor cold, its just normal. The view looks great. Entrance fee is P30 for adult.  

                

 

Balete tree

This millennium Balete tree is really huge!!! It's more than 200 ft.. high and it is said that the tree is 600 years old. Its easy to climb as there are bunch of vines and branches to step on. Inside the tree you can play hide & seek! If you want to have a nice photo, just hire a photographer for only P50. There is a parking fee  worth P10. Entrance fee for adult is P15 and P10 for kids. Souvenir is also available in the area.

Ditumabo Falls

Ditumabo falls is located in the town of San Luiz, it is known as Mother falls by locals.It is one of the main attraction in Baler. Along the trail you will see mini falls. It takes 30 to 45 minutes trek to see the beauty of Mother falls. The water is clear and cool enough to refresh yourself. There were too many crowd when we got there. Some guides took advantage of the situation, we were charged P200 considering that the trail is easy.

Dicasalarin Cove

Dicasalarin Cove is situated in Baler, Aurora. This secret paradise is privately owned by Angara Family. The road going there is too narrow and steep, but it was a spectacular ride. We're lucky that our driver is confident enough to give us a safe (habal habal) ride, so enjoying the view was my focus. By the way he was also our tour guide and Photographer. Entrance Fee is pricey (P300). But the view is breathtaking. When you're at the light house you will be amazed at the stunning view of the ocean. There is a small cave at the other side of the light house. The path to the cave is rocky so be careful.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1:

 3:00 AM - Wake up Call

 3:45 AM - Assembly /Meet up @ bus station

 4:00 AM - ETD from Manila or Olongapo (Same travel time from Cubao)

 8:45 AM - ETA to Cabanatuan City Bus Station

 9:00 AM - ETD Cabanatuan

11:00 AM - Stop over

01:00 AM - Lunch in Baler/ Hired Tryke for our tour (half day tour)

02:00 PM - Check in lodge

02:15 PM - Start tour

02:35 PM - Ermita Hill

03:00 PM - Dimadimalangat Islet 

03:30 PM - Daguisit Falls

04:00 PM - Aniao Islet

04:20 PM - Fish port

04:35 PM - Hanging Bridge

04:45 PM - Souvenir shop

05:25 PM - Public Market ( buy some foods)

06:30 PM - Back to Lodge

07:30 PM - Food trip around Sabang Beach

08:30 PM - Back to Lodge

09:00 PM - Lights off

Day 2:

05:00 AM - Wake up call

05:50 AM - Breakfast

06:30 AM - Start Tour

07:15 AM - Bonjo Spring (Photo ops, explored the area)

09:15 AM - Balete Tree (Photo ops)

10:00 AM - Ditumabo Falls

12:00 NN - Lunch

01:00 PM - Souvenir Shop near museum

03:00 PM - Decasalarin Cove

05:50 PM - Snack near Market

06:30 PM - Back to Lodge

07:30 PM - Food trip around Sabang

09:00 PM - Back to Lodge 

10:00 PM - Lights off

Day 3

06:00 AM - Breakfast

07:00 AM - Explore Sabang beach (photo ops)

08:00 AM - Surf in Sabang Beach

09:15 AM - Wash up

10:00 AM - Check out

10:30 AM - Buy Pasalubong

11:00 AM - ETD Baler

01:00 PM - Stop over Lunch

03:00 PM - Cabanatuan City

08:00 PM - Olongapo City

Expenses:

Day 1:

Fare to Olongapo to Cabanatuan       P 200

Tryke to Terminal                                      30

Cabanatuan to Baler                              247

Lunch @ grill food house                       100

Lodge                                                     300

Ermita Hills Entrance                                15

Park                                                          30

Dimadimalangat Islet Entrance                20

Snack                                                     100

Dinner at Sabang                                   100

Total                                                 P1,142 

Day 2: 

Bonjo Spring  entrance                        P 30 

Balete Tree                                              15

Photographer                                           50

Ditumabo Falls  entrance                         30

Tour guide                                              100

Lunch                                                       50

Souvenir                                                 165

Dicasalarin entrance                              300

Snack & Dinner                                      160

Room                                                     300

Tour for 1 and half days         P1,000/2=500

Total                                                P 1,700     

Day 3:

Surf Lesson for 1 hour                        P 250

Tryke to Bus Terminal                              15

Pasalubong                                            200

Lunch                                                       50

Fare to Cabanatuan                               230

Fare to Olongapo                                   200

Total                                                   P 945           Total amount   P3,787

Note:

Habal habal to Dicasalarin is P200 per head

Surfboard rental + instructor fee: P350 per hour
Surfboard rental only: P200 per hour or P800 per day

Contact person:
Tryke Driver/ Tour guide & Photographer
Kuya Gary - 0929-423-7459