Tutubi checked in to a "beach resort in Pampanga" inside a sprawling export processing zone and found a sport where you can play beach volleyball on white sand. Can you guess where this is?

More details to follow




coconut trees, white sand beach and a lake


beach volleyball, anyone?

As of this time, Tutubi is still in transition phase. He's been very busy these past two years at work and just recently transferred from Makati to Pasig City to cut his travel time in half.

He'll post more as his backlog is quite long already!

he'll also celebrate nine years of travel blogging (he's been blogging for more than ten years now actually)

Labels: Beaches, Central Luzon, Hotels and Resorts, Pampanga

"Buwis buhay" aptly describes this Pangasinan trip straight from Zambales where almost all ingredients of Murphy's Law were present: unplanned trip, wrong turn due to unreliable information provided by a local, twenty kilometers of very rough road, vehicle was trapped on the sand of the beach and had to be helped by three locals who helped Tutubi push Scarlett back on the road then an almost empty gas tank with the nearest gas station many miles away, it's getting dark where 24/7 gas stations may not be present.

Osmena Beach and Tambobong White Beach are the hidden gems of Dasol, Pangasinan, unreachable by the usual tourists and where you can find only one beach resort (you can pitch a tent on the beach though if you're adventurous enough as a small community of fishermen lives around the area)

The unplanned adventure road trip to Osmena Beach and Tambobong White Beach in Dasol, Pangasinan in pictures:

after twenty kilometers which took more than one hour from the main highway, Tutubi and Scarlett reached this road fronting Tambobong Beach. It's past 6pm and the sun's about to set

Scarlett got trapped on the sand of the beach. Backing up didn't get it. Luckily, three locals in two motorcycles passed by and helped pushed her back to the road.

Osmena, Dasol, Pangasinan written near the bow of the banca. Notice the fine white sand?

one end of nice secluded beach with coral stones and small caves, pointed out by some locals as the location shoot of several teleserye like GMA7's Dyesebel starring Marian Rivera

it took Tutubi more than an hour to get there but he stayed for just about fifteen minutes to take pictures. This sunset though is priceless!

Coming Up:
How to Get to Dasol, pangasinan,
Beach Resorts in Tambobong
Travel tips et al

Notes:
Tutubi truly knows Scarlett well. He can go running empty from his office in Makati to Quezon City endure heavy EDSA traffic and gas up at his favorite gas station offering EuroDiesel 4.

The wrong turn was due to right direction but very bad information by a local. Tutubi should have driven to the next town where the road is so much better even if longer.

The beach is open to the public, no entrance fee, you can actually pitch a tent there to camp overnight.

Labels: Beaches, Ilocos Region, Pangasinan

Cavite is really home to nice, cheap beach resorts near Manila for less than two hours via Cavitex. Tutubi's doing research on Cavite beach resorts, beyond Lido Beach Resort he visited a few years back besides Puerto Azul Beach Club, the first true beach resort he visited from way back in 1998.

Herewith is his compiled list of Beach Resorts in Cavite (with or without swimming pool), with official websites, telephone numbers, email address/contact details, current room rates/entrance fee, swimming pool (or infinity pool if available)
and other facilities.

UPDATED: January 2016

Bacoor Beach Resorts

no white beaches here, too dirty. expect vendors/fishermen of talaba and tahong

Kawit Beach Resorts

Cavite City Beach Resorts

Noveleta Beach Resorts

Cavite beaches are all inside Manila Bay except those in Naic and Ternate where you can see fine white sand beaches with clear water and trash-free

Lido Beach Resort
Telephone Number: +63.947.150.0298

Villamar Beach Resort
Entrance fee: PhP30.00, shower stalls at only PhP15.00/person.
Picnic tables rental prices: PHP100.00, PhP250.00
Overnight Accommodations (Room rates): PhP1,000/2 persons (ordinary fan room, extra person PhP100.00), PhP3,000.00 for 2 persons aircon room, PhP200.00 extra person)
Contact Numbers for reservations/inquiries:Baby +63.929.8905763; Lolit +63.920.408.4444

Rosario Beach Resorts

La Isla Bonita De Salinas
Entrance Fee/Admission: PhP20.00 (free for Rosario residents)

Mount Sea Resort and Hotel
Room Rates: PhP2998.00 (budget package), PhP5,500.00 (superior)
Telephone Number: +63.46.438.3888
Remarks: nice facilities

Tanza Beach Resorts

La Playa Resort
Address: Halayhay Rd, Tanza
Telephone Number: +63.46.686.9069

Starfish Beach Resort

Tanza Oasis Hotel and Resort
Room Rates: PhP2,500.00 to PhP5,000.00
Telephone Numbers: +63.2.524.3876;+63.2.708.0704;+63.2.516.5432

Villa Excellance Beach Resort in Tanza
Here is the list of the rates and entrance fees of Villa Excellance Beach Resort in Tanza, Cavite.
Beach Entrance Fee: PhP40.00 (weekday), PhP50.00 Weekends and holidays
Swimming Pool rates: PhP60.00 adults (PhP70.00 overnight)

Villa Buenaflor Resort
Address: Brgy. Calibuyo Tanza Cavite
Telephone Number: +63.46.886.1014

Villa Christina Resort

Villa Excellance Beach Resort
Address: Brgy. Sahud Ulan, Postema, Tanza 4108
Telephone Numbers: +63.46.885.2220


Naic Beach Resorts

Aroma Beach Resort,
Naic Cavite
Phone Number: +63.939.407.1304

Ternate Beach Resorts:

* the best beaches in Cavite can really be found in the southernmost town of Ternate due to its distance
from Manila, meaning it's already clean, unlike filth you see on the beach of Noveleta (sorry, Tutubi is an honest blogger)

Boracay de Cavite Beach Resort (Marine Base)
Entrance fee: PhP100.00, PhP200.00 overnight
Parking Fee: PhP50.00 jeep/cars
Remarks: the beach has a checkpoint as it's inside a General Lim Marine barracks.

Caylabne Bay Resort
Website: http://www.caylabne.com.ph/‎
Contact Number: +63.2.813.8520

Little Boracay Ternate (also known as Marine Base Ternate Beach)
Entrance fee: PhP100 per head
Cottage is P350
Overnight stay room rate PhP500.00

Marine Base Katungkulan Beach Resort
Entrance fee: PhP100.00, PhP200.00 overnight
Remarks: the beach has a checkpoint as it's inside a General Lim Marine barracks.

Puerto Azul Golf and Country Club
Day tour rates:
PhP 650/person with buffet lunch (subject to minimum guests), PhP 450/person with plated lunch,
PhP 300/person – just entrance fee , no meals
Remarks: Tutubi visited this place in 1998 but current pictures in the Internet seems nothing much changed :(
this used to be an exclusive, invitation-only resort then. Puerto Azul website not visible now
Contact Numbers: +63.932.863.6070; +63.919.533.5391

Ternate Beach Resort
Entrance Fee: PhP75.00 day tour, PhP150.00 overnight
Telephone Numbers:
Ms. Beth +63.932.211.2725; +63.908.862.7785
+63.46.515.0662
Website: http://ternatebeachresort.weebly.com/contacts.html

RanRich Beach Resort
Address: San Jose 4, Ternate, Cavite
Entrance Fee: day swimming rates at PhP100.00
Room Rates start at PhP1000.00 including big groups, Cottage rentals at PhP500 and up
Contact Number: +63.908.876.5696
Remarks: with big swimming pool, you can also pitch a tent on the beach (PhP150.00) but bring your own tent at the campsite.
You can bring your own food and drinks at no corkage fee

Beach resorts in Cavite with swimming pool

Coming up:

How to Get to Cavite: Map, Bus and Jeepney routes

Labels: Beaches, Calabarzon, Cavite, Cavite Resorts, Southern Tagalog

Magalawa Island, an island lined with white sand beach can be found in Palauig, Zambales. It's mostly divided into three parts, the first is settled by a small community of fishermen, the second is owned by a politician who owns Ruiz Resort and the third is by the Armada family who owns Armada Resort Magalawa Island (who claims to own the whole island which is disputed in court against the owners of Ruiz Resort).

the white sand beach of Magalawa Island Armada Resort

Magalawa Island Resort Entrance Fee/Daytour rate:

PhP700.00/head, free for children/babies, inclusive of parking fee, round-trip boat transfers, lunch, and use of resort facilities (including rooms if available) from 8am to 5pm
Overnight accommodations are available, latest rates posted on their official website. Snorkeling is included in the Magalawa Island itinerary and rates, including free use of snorkels, masks and even underwater pictures by the boatmen.

How to Get to Magalawa Island:

Online map of Magalawa Island can be found here via OpenStreetMap. You can use Garmin GPS Navigators or iOS and Android apps (e.g. OSMAnd) to easily find the place.

How to Commute to Magalawa Island (Public transportation, the backpacking way):

1. Take a Victory Liner bus bound to Sta. Cruz, Zambales at Victory Liner Caloocan just near LRT Monumento station. Bus Fare is around PhP650.00
2. Request the bus driver to drop you off in Barangay Pangolingan, Palauig Zambales (near Radio Veritas Road), expect total travel time of around six hours where you will pass by
San Fernando, Bacolor, Guagua, Lubao in Pampanga, Dinalupihan (Bataan), Olongapo City, and the Zambales towns of Subic, San Marcelino, San Antonio, San Narciso, San Felipe, Cabangan, Botolan, Iba (the capital of Zambales), Palauig town proper.
3. Take a tricycle to take you to Armada Fish dealer compound in Brgy. Luan where you can find a small pier (Fare is PhP150.00/trip, negotiable)
4. Ride the boat to Magalawa Island (this is included in the package of PhP700.00/person day tour rate). Boat ride is around 10-15 minutes

Driving Directions to Magalawa Island:

1. Follow one of these two routes:
1.1 NLEX -SCTEX - Tipo Exit to reach Olongapo City or Subic Bay Freeport
1.2 NLEX - left San Fernando Exit and follow Jose Abad Santos Avenue to pass by Bacolor, Guagua, Lubao (where Double Happiness Restaurant is, the stop-over of Victory Liner buses), Dinalupihan (turn right here, if you missed this you'll find yourself on Bataan Provincial Highway going to Balanga), pass by Olongapo city proper (Rizal Avenue) then turn right when you see the Ulo ng Apo monument, a rotonda (roundabout, with landmarks Victory Liner Olongapo and Jollibee)

2. After Olongapo City, you'll pass by town of Subic, Zambales, San Marcelino (the hometown of Ramon Magsaysay and where you can find vendors selling singkamas), San Narciso (you won't pass by San Antonio, where you can find Pundaquit, the gateway to Camara Island, Capones Island, Capones Lighthouse, Anawangin Cove and Nagsasa Cove) San Felipe, Cabangan, Botolan, Iba (the capital of Zambales), and Palauig.

3. After passing by the intersection of the highway and the road leading to Palauig town proper, you will pass by a zigzag road (twisties) then turn left to a corner. This road (mostly rough road) leads to the jump off point to Magalawa Island. Travel time here is around thirty minutes.

4. Enter the Armada Resort compound and park there, board the boat to Magalawa Island.

Enjoy!

Other notable islands in Zambales with white sand beaches:
Capones Island in San Antonio
Potipot Island in Candelaria
Hermana Mayor Island in Sta. Cruz
Hermana Menor Island in Sta. Cruz
Balaki Island in Infanta
San Salvador Island in San Salvador
Matalvis Island in Masinloc
Agat Island
Pilapir Island

lots of islands indeed to explore in Zambales!

Labels: Beaches, Central Luzon, Islands, Travel Guides, Zambales

What would you do with three hours to spare in a place where you have to leave and probably not re-visit again in the near future?

Well, maximize the stay, go out and explore, of course! This was what Tutubi did when he visited Bato, Leyte, having heard of the Cuatro Islas, part of the towns of Inopacan and Hindang, north of Bato town, one late afternoon.

Tutubi asked around Inopacan Barangay Poblacion where people let him to the barangay hall where friendly locals assisted him and pointed him fishermen who rented out their boats for PhP1,500.00 to do the island hopping tour of Cuatro Islas, literally meaning four islands consisting of Apid Island, Mahaba Island, Digyo Island and Himokilan Island touted as Leyte's "Hidden Gem" or Secret Hideaway.

Is there any truth to the claim?

Boat launching bayanihan-style on the beach of Inopacan, Leyte

Images of Cuatro Islas, Inopacan, Leyte:
(pictures taken early dusk at low light thus you can't see how white is white here like the sand)

Digyo Island "beach resort": you can pitch a tent to camp overnight here if you're looking for a place to stay

The most popular due to the most picturesque among the four islands is Digyo Island. It's also the smallest, you can actually circle the island on foot for about 30 minutes. It has a long beach tail that looks like a sandbar during low tide, with white sand a bit coarse but still something very good as it's not
developed (there's no entrance fee/environmental fee to be paid on the island (or the collectors were no longer around when Tutubi got there as it's already late)

the white sand of Digyo Island is a bit coarse (shown here is Tutubi's hand, rare appearance)

Late afternoon on Digyo Island white sand beach, no other people as it's getting dark

Mahaba island features a long beach and island form, thus the name which means long in Tagalog (Tagalog visitors named the island). There you can see white sand beaches fringed by limestone cliffs while under the water live colorful corals and fishes worthy good for snorkeling, and diving

Boats docked on the beach of Mahaba Island where several families live

Himokilan Island, is the fourth and last island visited, the nearest of the four to Inopacan town but is politically part of Hindang town. Quite a number of families live on the island, mostly fishermen. The beach here is surrounded with images of saints, perched on poles, and sort of take the role of guardians of the fishing village on the island.

Himokilan Island, part of Hindang town, has images of saints guarding the beach

Tutubi would love to re-visit these islands in the future, should the waves or the wind take him to that part of the world again. But next time, he wants to explore the underwater citizens around the islands

------------------

Notes:

there are numerous dive sites near Cuatro Islas that can be explored by divers/snorkelers. No beach resorts but you can try asking local fishermen for homestays or you can pitch your tents for overnight camping. For hotels, there are some in Inopacan town, Hindang, Hilongos or Bato

The following day, Tutubi visited Canigao Island for lunch before going back to Tacloban to catch his flight back to Manila. He was also told about Calanggaman Island (Kalanggaman) further north in but it's too far to be visited, someday maybe, someday.

Boat rental rates start at PhP1,500.00 up depending on the size of the boat, how many you are in the group and, of course, how good your haggling skills are.

These islands are sometimes spelled as Quatro Islas, Digyo Island as Digjo Island.

Apid Island is not featured on pictures here as Tutubi didn't realy land there, farthest from the four and there's just no time left before the sunset. Pictures were blurry due to the shaky boat and low light conditions.


How to Get to Cuatro Islas, Inopacan, Leyte:

map of Cuatro Islas in the Camotes Sea between the islands of Cebu and Leyte (map via OpenStreetMap)

It's basically a flight to Tacloban Airport, or ferry to the Port of Tacloban, then a jeepney to Tacloban Transport Terminal, followed by a van/jeepney/bus to Inopacan (Duptours and Van Van comes to mind).

From Araneta Center Bus Terminal in Cubao, Quezon City, there are also overnight RORO bus to Leyte (CUL Transport, Ultrabus, Eagle Star etc.) if you don't have the moolah but lots of time and your butt can endure long bus trips. (Fare is around PhP1,200.00 travel time about 24 hours)

You can also take the overnight ferry from Cebu to Bato Leyte then board a jeepney to Inopacan or alternatively take the fast craft from Cebu to Ormoc, Leyte then take a jeepney to Baybay City followed by another jeepney to Inopacan town.

Labels: Beaches, Eastern Visayas, Islands, Leyte

One of the more expensive beach resorts in Laiya Beach in San Juan, Batangas, Estrellas de Mendoza playa Resort has probably the most number of hotel rooms in the area that can accommodate big company summer outings and even conventions, more than the more expensive Acuatico Beach Resort who also has its own infinity pool.

Tutubi first visited Laiya Beach in 2005, at Laiya Cocogrove, on the other end of the long beach where La Luz is located, the rocky part of the beach yet teeming with corals and fishes good for snorkeling and newbie dive site. This second visit is at the upscale Estrellas de Mendoza Playa Resort which is inside a seaside condominium development.

(Note: there are three photos here, one's taken by Nikki (Nikon D80), another by Ipe (iPhone 4S) and the other by Flare (Cherry Mobile Flare, can you guess which picture was taken by which camera?)

Images of Estrellas de Mendoza Playa Resort:

The infinity pool, cabanas, beach front view from the hotel rool

Review: Estrellas de Mendoza Playa Resort

Facility/Amenities: Relatively new beach resort, nice infinity pool with ever-present lifeguards, spacious parking lot, the main hotel building has a picturesque fountain. The beachfront has brownish slightly coarse sand, the coastline extends about 50 meters during low tide. Beach is safe and shallow for kids/toddlers to play (but of course should always be guarded and have vests for safety)

the placid infinity pool early morning makes a good reflecting pool with some cabanas

Rooms: hotel room high-rise building has an elevator with glass window facing the infinity pool, beach and the sea. Includes one queen size bed and a double size bed. There's a 32" LCD TV and cable TV (note: remote control has low battery in Tutubi's room and erratic cable TV reception. it was promptly replaced. The erratic TV signal was caused by a missing antenna plug, it was "repaired" temporarily by splicing the co-axial cable. Tutubi later found this out that he used the whistle in oen fo his backpack to hold the cable to the jack thereby fixing the TV signal). The bathroom has a nice shower head, the toilet with bidet (nice, they really cater to Filipinos who uses "tabo" to wash their arse). No bathtubs in this expensive room though

the hotel room with a queen size bead and a double size one

Food: serves Filipino food (which should be) in all buffet at the restaurant. Sample menu prices are comparable to
many 5 star hotels in Manila. There are not so good dishes mostly beef. Stand-outs are roast chicken (very tasty), sinampalukang manok (chicken and tamarind sour soup, something Tutubi usually doesn't eat). There are soups, simple desserts, bottomless juice/coffee/ice tea but no salad station

Room Rates:
Superior Room (high-rise hotel, with 1 queen size bed and 1 double size bed): PhP6,000.00
Cabana (poolside, 2 rooms, each with 1 queen size bed and 1 double size bed): PhP16,000.00

Day tour rate/Entrance fee: PhP1,500.00

Watersports/other rates/prices:
Banana Boat: PhP1,500.00/five persons
Jetski rental: PhP4,500.00/hour (now this is expensive, make this cheaper so more people will try)
Bamboo raft rental: PhP300.00/hour
Boat rental (snorkeling, island-hopping): PhP1,500.00 (ten persons) this, again is expensive considering the area was very near the resort and the shore

Estrellas de Mendoza
Contact Number: +63.2.819.6050

How to get there:

Refer to this post on how to get to Laiya, for the best route for private vehicles or bus commute way. Click the following link for a list of Beach Resorts in Laiya

Tutubi is not in any way affiliated with Estrellas de Mendoza nor received freebies of any kind for this review. Please get in touch with Estrellas de Mendoza by visiting their official website or calling their telephone number for reservation, inquiries, parties (wedding debut, et al), summer outing, team building, room rates, promos, discounts.

Labels: Batangas, Batangas Resorts, Beaches, Calabarzon, Hotels and Resorts

Thinking of going to the beach of Laiya, San Juan, Batangas? Herewith is the latest information and the best way to commute by bus going there.

Tutubi re-visited this once secret beach recently and is providing the information should you wish to stay at a beach resort there from the expensive Acuatico beach Resort, Estrellas de Mendoza Playa Resort, Les Caraibes Beach Resort to a private camp site to pitch tent at One Laiya Beach Resort.

the beach front of Estrellas de Mendoza PLaya Resort and One Laiya Beach Resort (Mt. Daguldul on the background)

How to Get to Laiya, San Juan, Batangas:

Click here for an online map of Laiya via OpenStreetMap or see below the street map via StarToll, and the towns of Ibaan and Rosario (the better route than via Lipa) to San Juan

route map to Laiya Beach from Startoll (blue line) via Ibaan, Rosario then San Juan

Driving directions to Laiya, San Juan, Batangas:

Follow this route to Laiya if you have a private car/vehicle:

From Manila, head to SLEx, onwards to South Toll Road 3, to Star Toll and exit at Ibaan/San Jose you don't pass by Lipa City to avoid traffic jam)
Turn left when you see a fork on the road
Turn left again at the corner where Ibaan Municipal Hall and Park stands
Turn right on the next corner (landmarks: after passing Queen Mary Hospital and Ibaan Central School)
After seeing San Juan Municipal Hall, turn right. this road takes you straight to Laiya Beach, now completely paved and concreteunlike a few years ago when it was rough road.

If you're from Bicol or Quezon Province, there's a road in Candelaria, Quezon that connects to Maharlika Highway that is just 30 minutes away from San Juan town

How to Commute to Laiya, San Juan, Batangas:

From EDSA, Cubao or Araneta Center Bus terminal in Quezon City or Alabang, Muntinlupa, the best is via Alps the Bus as it has direct daily trip schedule to San Juan, Batangas (first trip at 3am, last trip at 530pm, 12 daily trips, Fare: PhP188.00). In San Juan, just near the town hall, take another jeep to Laiya/Barangay Hugom (first trip at 6am, last trip at 5pm)

From EDSA, Cubao, Pasay/Taft/LRT Buendia, or MRT Taft/LRT EDSA Rotonda in Pasay, take buses to Lipa, Batangas (RRCG, JAM Liner, JAC Liner, Batangas Star Express, Ceres Tours, KL CNG Bus Transport, DLTBCo.). In Lipa City, take a shuttle van or jeepney to San Juan.
In San Juan near municipal hall, take the jeep to Laiya/Hugom

Via Candelaria, Quezon:
From manila, Quezon City or Pasay, take a bus to Lucena City (JAC Liner, Lucena Lines, DLTB Co., Tritran etc) and request to get off in Candelaria (Chowking) right after Candelaria town proper. Go to the road intersection and ride a jeepney to San Juan Batangas.
In San Juan, take the jeepney to Laiya

From Metro Manila, total travel time is around 3-4 hours, best to take early morning trips going there.

If you're from Laguna (Tutubi's home province), you can go first to SM Calamba, then take a jeepney to Lipa via Tanauan. In Lipa, take the van or jeepney to San Juan then another jeepney to Laiya as described above.

From Labo, Batangas, Tutubi saw jeepneys going to Laiya/Hugom, San Juan but the schedule is not regular and people sitting on the top load of the jeepney

a boat that came from...Laiya? near the mangrove forest (bakawan)

Fares/Fees/Rates:

EDSA, Cubao to San Juan bus fare: (Alps the Bus only): PhP188.00
Cubao to Lipa bus fare: PhP132.00
Buendia to Lipa bus fare: PhP124.00
Bus fare from Cubao to Lipa City: Php132.00
Lipa to San Juan van fare: PhP70.00
Lipa to San Juan jeepney fare: PhP45.00

San Juan to Laiya jeepney fare: PhP35.00
San Juan to Laiya tricycle fare: PhP60.00
(note: the return trip Laiya to San Juan town proper last trip is around 12nn, confirm this when you're there)

bamboo raft rental: PhP300.00/hour
banana boat ride: PhP1,500.00

List of Beach Resorts in Laiya Batangas:

Acuatico Beach Resort
Balai Laiya Resort
Blue Coral Beach Resort
Casa Dolores Beach Resort
Estrellas de Mendoza Playa Resort
Kabayan Beach Resort
La Frondosa Beach Resort
La Luz Resort
Laiya Austria Beach Resort
Laiya Cocogrove Beach Resort
Les Caraibes Beach Resort
Marulai Beach Resort
One Laiya Beach Resort
Palm Beach Resort
Playa del Sol Resort
Playa Taramindu Beach Garden Inn
Sabangan Beach Resort
Sigayan Bay Resort
Tivona Beach Resort
Triple-G Resort
Virgin Beach Resort
White Cove Beach Resort

information on review of resort, room rates, contact number and day tour/entrance fee/swimming pool/infinity pool to be published soon...

Labels: Batangas, Beaches, Calabarzon, Travel Guides

Canigao Island is a small island with fish sanctuary, surrounded by white sand beach and beach resort run by the local government of Matalom, Leyte. The island was visited by Tutubi as a sidetrip, where his friends from nearby town of Bato took him just to have lunch.

The island can be reached from the town of Bato by short southbound jeepney ride from Bato transport terminal then a short boat ride to the island.

The "welcome arch" and lifeguard station on Canigao Island where you can also see the resort telephone numbers

the main beach with Matalom locals, facing the seashore of Matalom Town of Leyte Island

The small island, surrounded by white sand beach (with a small segment rocky coral stones), can be circled on foot for about fifteen minutes. there's also a nearby fish sanctuary where you can snorkel, freedive, if not SCUBA dive at the site

Canigao Island Review:

The island is worth the visit by backpackers for a cheap place to stay, meet locals and eat seafood at low prices. The beach has fine white sand (though not as fine as you other famous beaches) it's actually good enough to stay a day or camp out overnight. There is barangay tanod (security) at the place, the beachfront is clean, even crystal clear water without any sign of pollution.

From Canigao Island, you can also do some sort of Leyte Island-Hopping by visiting Calanggaman Island in Palompon or the Quatro Islas (four islands) of Inopacan town: Digyo Island, Apid Island, Mahaba Island, and Himokilan Island


Canigao Island Resort:
Contact Number: +63.949.913.7893; +63.908.682.5781
Telephone Number: +63.53.569.9077
For reservation: +63.919.495.8961

The are no private rooms on Canigao Island, you can only find a camp site and a tent rental facility if you want an overnight camping stay. There's a small canteen serving snacks and softdrinks, water, juices but most of your food like fresh seafood, fishes can be ordered at the nearby pier (like the fish locally called mulmul and balyong sea shell, and bolinao fish)

Canigao Island Rates:

Canigao Island Resort rates/entrance fee/price for cottage/overnight, chair/table rental, camping tent posted This is also where you pay your entrance fee

How to get to Canigao Island, Matalom, Leyte:

For a map of Canigao Island via OpenStreetMap, please click here (map was updated by Tutubi when he visited the place, do help out in updating the best online map of the Philippines)

1. Book a flight to Tacloban (either ZestAir, Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines/PAL Express) or a ferry (2Go Travel) or an overnight ferry to Bato, Leyte (from Cebu or Ubay Bohol)
2. At Tacbloban Airport, ride the San Jose jeepney to Tacloban Transport terminal
3. At the terminal, take the shuttle/van/fx to Bato
4. at Bato terminal, ride the jeepney that goes to Matalom town and request the driver to drop you off to the road of Canigao Island (fare: minimum), travel time is about fifteen minutes
5. Walk to the pier or take a tricycle (minimum fare)
6. Take the short banca ride to Can Island

Labels: Beaches, Eastern Visayas, Islands, Leyte, Leyte Resorts

Is there any thing to see and do in Lobo, Batangas besides a short visit to Faro de Punta Malabrigo (Malabrigo Lighthouse)? An officemate of Tutubi is from Lobo and swears there's white sand beach there, in a place unknown to Metro Manila denizens for a fun beach place.

Lobo's shoreline is actually rocky and/or pebble beaches except that part occupied by Gerthel Beach Resort. You can actually see Isla verde from a distance from here so it's actually a good jump-off point for SCUBA diving as it's very near the Verde Island passage, said to be the center of the center of marine triangle where you can find the best dive spots in the world.


After a short visit to Malabrigo Lighthouse, Tutubi's tummy started grumbling and asked around at nearby beach resorts for a place to eat (if they have restaurants) but it's tough luck. An inquiry at Andrea Beach and Diving Resort turned out nil and he just took a few pictures and sped back to Lobo town proper and ate at the first eatery (turo-turo) he found.


Should you find yourself drifting in Lobo like Tutubi, you may find this list of Beach Resorts in Lobo, Batangas useful:

Almalin Beach Resort:
Contact number: +63.922.861.6108; +63.2.421.6238

Andrea Beach and Diving Resort:
in Soloc with rocky beach picture above.
Contact Numbers: +63.43.487.0422; +63.928.505.7671

Butterfly Beach House

Gerthel Beach Resort: boasts of white sand beach about a kilometer long

Honey Beach Resort

Lily’s Beach Resort

Punta Malabrigo Beach Resort

Submarine Garden Resort

If you know of any Lobo Beach Resorts in Batangas not included here, please leave a comment. You may call the resorts published telephone number or visit their official website to inquire about resort entrance fee, swimming pool rates, dive rates, boat rentals, snorkeling, SCUBA diving lessons, room rates, discounts, promos, events (debut, wedding) and team building venue.

How to get to Lobo, Batangas:

if you have a GPS or a GPS app in your iOS/Android devices, set it to these coordinates 13° 35.922N 121° 15.604E and you will it on the hilly portion of Malabrigo road connecting Lobo town to Laiya, San Juan Batangas. A map of Lobo is available here

commute to Lobo, Batangas: take a bus to Batangas pier (choose from RRCG transport, Ceres Transport, Batangas Express, Alps the Bus), Fare to Batangas is PhP175.00 from Cubao.

In Batangas, just right after the end of Startoll, transfer to a jeepney going to Lobo town.
In Lobo town, you may take a tricycle or a jeepney going to Laiya (infrequent trips, best is the trike)

Driving directions to Lobo, Batangas

Best to have a car to get there, it's just SLEx, Startoll then left at the end of Startoll, follow the zigzag road going to Lobo.

Labels: Batangas Resorts, Beaches, Calabarzon

So many inquiries in the past on the nearest beach resort to Manila and suggested beach resorts for company summer outing or team building activities but as always, Tutubi does not recommend specific beach resorts as he has no favorites nor even hidden affiliations. You can opt not to do the usual company outing ocular inspection to check beach quality, food tasting, amenities, and overnight room accommodations, just take note of these tips and suggestions.

UPDATED: March 2014

Herewith is only a general recommendation per area though there may be pockets of beaches that don't fit per Tutubi's description with estimated travel time out of Metro Manila and only land travel is considered i.e. no islands nor boat/ferry rides much more airplane rides (for those rich and generous companies)
Beach resorts in Cavite: travel time around 2 hours (even less due to Cavitex)

Tutubi visited Lido Beach Resort in Noveleta, Cavite without much expectation and he's right. The beach there is dirty as it's part of Manila Bay, you can even fish garbage out of the water. The sand is black and usually turns-off most city dwellers looking for a white beach in Cavite. The best beaches in Cavite are those at the southernmost tip of Cavite province with several high-end resorts like Puerto Azul (visited by Tutubi sometime in 1998), Caylabne Bay Resort, Boracay de Cavite

Beach Resorts in Bulacan: Travel Time: around 2-3 hours

not much is known about beach resorts in Bulacan due to it's also part of Manila Bay so if you can find them, expect them to be dirty and unfit for swimming. Bulacan though boasts of several nice resorts with wave pools.

Bataan Beach Resorts: travel time around 3 hours via NLEX

The beaches of Morong Bataan is inside Manila Bay, not that dirty as quite far already from Manila but the sand is fine gray. Reason why it's not that famous. The beaches of Bagac town (where Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar the resort of old houses is located), on the other side of Bataan Peninsula has white sand and good enough for human activities.

Batangas Beach Resorts: travel time varies from 3 hours to 5 hours

In Batangas province you have so many choices from Nasugbu (the nearest to Metro Manila via Tagaytay) but doesn't have real nice beaches and shoreline for swimming.

The much hyped Laiya Beach in San Juan is quite nice but not quite as raved by other people. On one end of the beach is fine sand bit murky and on the other end is the so-called La Luz point, a rocky part where it's nice to snorkel. In between the two is a short strip of fine white sand. Tutubi visited this in 2005 when the popular and pricey Acuatico Beach Resort with it's nice infinity pool is not yet built.

the nice part of the white beach of Laiya, San Juan, Batangas

Lobo Beach resorts, visited by Tutubi in summer of 2012 (unposted yet) does not offer very good beach too as the beach is full of pebbles (but not the same as those in Luna, La Union). They offer great diving experience though as you can see Isla verde from a distance, said to be one of the best dive sites in the country. Calatagan has also has nice beaches while Anilao town has mostly dive resorts catering to scuba divers.

The once famous Matabungkay beach in town deteriorated with too many balsa (bamboo rafts) parked on the shore that make swimming difficult and sometimes dangerous

munting buhangin beach with munting visitors

Nasugbu beaches hold promise with fine sand of Munting Buhangin Beach and nearby beaches where you can see Munting Buhangin Beach Resort, Punta Fuego, Canyon Cove and others.

Quezon Beach Resorts: travel time 4-5 hours

Parts of the beaches of Quezon Tutubi has visited include Sariaya (his first beach experience in "19forgotten" has dark gray sand but the area is good for swimming. Same in Atimonan town but the waves may be a bit dangerous. Up north in the towns of Real and Infanta, the beaches are gray sand, sometimes rocky, and with huge waves as they're facing the Pacific Ocean. The town of Pagbilao has nice white sand beaches though but there may not be enough beach resorts rooms and overnight accommodations for large companies.

Quezon has many islands too with fine white sand beaches that many bloggers hype to be like Boracay (usually exaggerated accounts) and also the southern towns are unexplored by Tutubi.

Zambales Beach Resorts: 3 to 5 hours travel time via NLEX-SCTEx

not so crowded and tourist-infested, the beach of Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales

Here you have lots of choices though may be quite far already for some companies. Subic Bay has nice resorts including the once popular White Rock and the pricey Marina Lighthouse Resort. Most of Zambales shoreline has black sand or fine gray sand like those in Pundaquit, San Antonio (where you can have nice yet pricey resorts like Punta de Uian)Pundaquit is the gateway to Anawangin Cove and Capones Island.

Pangasinan Beach Resorts: travel time 4 to 6 hours via NLEX, SCTEx

the backpacker-friendly Patar beach in Bolinao, Pangasinan

Pangasinan is a large province. there are many towns with pockets of nice white sand beaches sandwiched between those with gray sand. Western Pangasinan boasts of nice beaches of Anda, and Bolinao and Tambobong White Beach in Dasol town. In Bolinao beaches you can choose Ilog Malino for safe beach for family outings and the backpacker-friendly Patar beach has fine slightly brownish red sand. Pangasinan also has historic beaches in Mangaldan and Lingayen (where resorts like El Puerto Marina can be found) which played silent witness during the liberation of World War II. The Hundred Islands in Alaminos boasts of several beach resorts for overnight accommodations, some with cheap room rates, even dormitory-type rooms for the budget conscious (but usually without official websites nor any published telephone contact numbers)

Lingayen beach is typical Pangasinan and Zambales: fine gray sand with waves suitable for surfing school

La Union Beach Resorts: Travel time of 5 hours or more via NLEX, SCTEx (but expect this to shorten once TPLEx is completed)

La Union boasts of nice white sand beaches but they're actually popular for one thing: surfing. You can find beach resorts in the towns of Bauan and San Fernando (where the expensive Thunderbird Poro Point is located)

Further up north, lies Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte (where Pagudpud resorts await) that are too far away for most Manila-based companies to consider for summer outing. Not much nice white sand beaches in Ilocos Sur except Sabangan Beach in Santiago, Ilocos Sur (as Tutubi was able to scour most of seaside towns of Ilocos Sur) and probably other towns north of Vigan (unexplored by Tutubi)

Santiago Cove: a hidden treasure of Ilocos Sur, a white sand beach without the crowds

Lastly, if our company summer outing came too late for summer and into the rainy season, you can check out Pansol hotspring resorts in Calamba, Laguna where you can swim to your hearts content without getting out of the hot water due to freezing cold when out of it. :)

This is not a definitive list as Tutubi has yet to fully explore all of them. He may have left out some nice places or gave comments that don't agree with your own.

Labels: Bataan, Batangas, Beaches, Bulacan, Hotels and Resorts, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Luzon, Quezon, Zambales

Tutubi gathered this list from the Internet with most beach resorts in Pagudpud now have official websites, unlike the time when Tutubi went there in 2002, there were only three beach resorts including Saud Beach Resort on Saud White Beach.

At least Tutubi was able to visit Pagudpud back when it was still serene and not as popular like today, when the only restaurants on Saud beach were the one inside Saud Beach resort and another turo-turo eatery cooking fresh seafood on order (paluto style). herewith is the list of Saud Beach Resorts in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte:

The white sand beach of Saud, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte (Picture courtesy of a friend who went there just recently

Arinaya White Beach Resort
http://arinayawhitebeach.pagudpodshore.com/

Pannzian Beach & Mountain Resort
Villa Del Mar Ivory Beach Resort

Apo Idon Beach Hotel
Polaris Beach Resort

Evangeline Beach Resort
http://www.evangelinebeachresort.net

Hannah Beach Resort and Convention Center
Official Website: http://www.hannahsbeachresort.com/
Telephone Number:
Room Rates: PhP4000.00 (peak period room rates)
Entrance fee for swimming (day tour rate): PhP50.00/person

Jun & Carol Beach Cottages
http://juncarolbeachresort.com/

Kapuluan Vista Resort
http://www.kapuluanvista.com/
Telephone Number: +63.920.952.2528; +63.920.928.5273
Email address: kapuluan_vista_resort@yahoo.com
Location: Sitio Baniaran, Barangay Balaoi, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Polaris Beach House
http://polarisbeachhouse.wordpress.com/

Punta Garvida Beach Resort
http://puntagarvidabeach.pagudpodshore.com/

Saud Beach Resort & Hotel
http://www.saudbeachresort.com/

Terra Rika Beach and Dive Resort
http://www.terrarika.com
Remarks: online booking using credit cards, BDO, and Paypal available

Villa Del Mar Ivory Beach Resort
http://www.villadelmarpagudpud.com/

Blue Lagoon Resorts

Punta Azul
http://www.punta-azul-pagudpud.com/

Note:

if you're looking for the cheapest accommodations in pagudpud, homestays are your best options with fan beds and communal shower rooms and toilets for PhP250.00/person

ATV Rental rates in pagudpud is PhP250.00
Kitesurding rates: PhP2,300.00 1 hour kiteboard/kitesurf

Tutubi is not in any way affiliated with any of these resorts, please contact each resort via their published contact numbers, official websites for room reservations, inquiries, room rates, surfing rates, swimming pool, infinity pool, facilities, promos and discounts even sample menu on their restaurants. no information too on which resort accept online bookings or credit card payments.

Related Posts:
How to get to Pagudpud
Pagudpud Travel Guide

you may also be looking for saud beach resorts, blue lagoon beach resorts
pagudpud beach resorts, ilocos beaches, white sand beach, beachfront resort pagudpud
cheap beach resorts in ilocos norte for company summer outing, where to stay in pagudpud accommodations

Labels: Beaches, Hotels and Resorts, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Region

An unexpected Calaguas Island redux, and reluctantly too!

Tutubi was able to visit again his favorite backpacker beach during his trip to Paracale, Camarines Norte. Due to his friends insistence to have lunch on Maculabo Island by hiring a boat at Paracale port


These are what Tutubi saw on Tinaga Island the second time around:

the big boat that ferried Tutubi to calaguas island for the 2nd time (PhP3,500.00 rate)



Tutubi's companion didn't really intend to swim but quickly dove into the water when he saw the awesome beach that Tutubi avers was really very good



sand so fine and not hot to the feet

the owner of the large part of Mahabang Buhangin is experimentin in growing bermuda grass on the island plus the use of solar power to charge car battery


Changes to Calaguas Island:

there's a confirmed mobile phone signal from Smart at a certain location on the beach marked by bamboo "totem" poles. You can bring solar power chargers to charge your cellphones due to the presence of cellphone signal on Calaguas Island

You can find battery charger using solar energy owned by the Patents holder of much of Mahabang Buhangin Beach Resort

Beach property is for sale, a few hectares of this paradise is for sale by a whopping PhP3.5M, no title yet but a Patent owned by Lolo whom Tutubi personally met.

Drinking water is still fetched from a fresh water well (from where Sadako climbed up)

How to get to Calaguas Island:

Board a bus to Daet, Camarines Norte via Sta. Elena (Piltranco, Amihan Express, Daet Express, fare: PhP500.00), get off at a junction called Batobalani in Jose Panganiban town, ride a tricycle to the port of Paracale (fare: PhP20.00) then look for boats going to Tinaga Island (PhP60.00 fare) or rent a boat to Calaguas Island (PhP3,500.00 boat rental rate).

You may get in touch directly with the owner of Mahabang Buhangin Beach resort for the latest "accommodations/room rates," camping/pitching of tents, water, electricity or simply boat rentals and contact numbers.

Related Posts:
Maculabo Island
Calaguas Island
Apuao Grande Island

Labels: Beaches, Bicol Region, Camarines Norte, Islands

An attempt to visit Paracale's Pulang Daga Beach, named after the red colored sand beach (daga means soil in Bicolano), did not materialized due to Tutubi's friend's insistence to have lunch in an island that's so near the "gold rush" town of Paracale.

It turned out it's on the list of Tutubi's islands he wanted to visit: Maculabo Island, just to verify claims of some people (and bloggers) that it's like this famous island teeming with tourists down south.

The trip to Maculabo Island is just a mere thirty minutes from the Paracale Port via motorized banca, an hour more, you'll find yourself in the mesmerizing Mahabang Buhangin of Tinaga Island, Calaguas Islands. Both Tinaga Island and Maculabo islands are part of the Calaguas Group of Islands though Tinaga Island is politically part of Vinzons, Camarines Norte.
.
Pictures of Maculabo Island, the white sand beach of Centro (or Sentro) as the locals call the place.





The white sand beach boasts white sand alright but it's not as white nor as fine as the sand of Mahabang Buhangin, (erroneously called Calaguas Island).

Centro of Maculabo is inhabited with a small barangay (village) where Tutubi's friend bought freshly-caught fish (talakitok and tanigue).

Maculabo Island
GPS Coordinates/Waypoints: N14 24 04.5 E122 49 04.0

Related Posts:

Calaguas Island
Apuao grande Island Resort

Labels: Beaches, Bicol Region, Camarines Norte, Islands

About 2.5 hours travel time from Tagbilaran City, Anda, Bohol is home to a long stretch of fine white sand beach that is open to the public and (backpackers who pitch tents on the beach front) and devoid of expensive and exclusive resorts (except a few including Anda White Beach Resort).

Tutubi visited this small zero-crime-rate town, located on the southeast of Bohol Island, to visit a mystical place.

Anda White Beach, Bohol:

Anda White Beach where Tutubi even found the mayor personally supervising workers clearing the beach front of rocks in preparation for the Timex Triathlon the morrow





Anda White Beach sand is indeed fine white sand, several kilometers long and backpacker-friendly, not much resorts and happenings here, just peace and quiet (Anda is a zero crime rate town where the prison is empty and police doesn't have anything to do)

A local told Tutubi the sand were quarried and hauled to neighboring Cebu and Mactan Island for use of some resorts there.

What did Tutubi do in Anda, Bohol that he actually travelled this far out?

Coming up: the Red Hematite Rock Paintings of Lamanoc Island and the ancient people of Bohol :P

---
Anda White Beach
Coordinates: N9 44 36.4 E124 34 36.1

Table Rental Rates

Big Table: PhP150.00 good for 8 persons
Small Table: PhP75.00, good for 4 persons
Chair: PhP25.00

* pay at the municipal treasurer's office nearby


Related Posts on Bohol:

Tagbilaran Aiport Guide
Bohol Tour Itinerary
Van Rental rate to Anda, Bohol

Labels: Beaches, Bohol, Central Visayas

A hidden gem of Bolinao, Pangasinan unknown to ordinary people is the presence of a long fine white sand beach in barangay Patar, less than a kilometer from Cape Bolinao Lighthouse that is a perfect spot for backpackers and travelers with a shoestring budget.

Patar Shite Beach's stretch of fine white sand, with Treasures of Bolinao Beach Resort on the background

fine white sand, clear waters, no hecklers and pesky vendors in sight unlike...it's more fun here than...

Patar Beach Resorts, hotels, accommodations and camp site:

there are really two "Patar Beach resorts" here on Patar White Beach, there's the 5 star Treasures of Bolinao Beach Resort and the bundget travel-friendly cottages for rent on the beachfront.

Cottages for rent rates are pegged at PhP200/cottage for a day. Backpackers can pitch tents on the beach but camping rates for PhP200 to be paid at barangay Patar for them to provide security and for the use of public restrooms/washroom/toilets.

Tutubi asked around for overnight accommodations, he got quotes for as low as PhP1500.00/cottage good for 15 people (backpacker or dorm type) not for the squimish but very cheap beachfront accommodations.

the public restroom near the service road to Patar White beach

open cottages for family picnics/company outings for only PhP200.00/cottage/day

Next...cheap souvenir shirts and shellcrafts

Related Posts on Bolinao, Pangasinan:

Bolinao Beach Resorts
Puerto del Sol beach Resort and Spa
Enchanted Cave Bolinao Pangasinan
Cape Bolinao Lighthouse
Bolinao Church
Binungey

Labels: Beaches, Ilocos Region, Pangasinan