Baler Aurora is just 6 hours away from Manila. As a province nestled within the Sierra Madre Mountain ranges, Aurora is gifted with rugged terrains and mountainous landscape, making it a haven for nature lovers. With the birth of surfing and other adventurous activities in the province, it is also considered a favorite playground for adventure and thrill seekers wanting an adrenalin pumping experience. Aurora is very rich in natural resources and offers a wide array of adventurous activities. You'll definitely never run out of things to do and to explore.
So, if you have 3 days and 2 nights in Baler, how would you spend it? Let me help you plan your itinerary.
THINGS TO DO, TOURIST SPOTS AND ATTRACTIONS
Historical Walking Tour Around Baler Town
Visit the different historical landmarks within the town proper. Start at Quezon Park to see the statue of President Manuel Luis Quezon. Then proceed to Museo de Baler to see the province's priceless artifacts and momorabilias that showcase the province's rich history and culture. A few steps away from the park is the old Baler Municipal Hall, with the statues of Rizal and Quezon greeting you at the entrance. Then continue the walking tour with a visit to the Church of Baler. It is rich in history as it is the site of the "Siege of Baler" during the Philippine revolution from 1898 to 1899. Lastly, visit the replica of Aurora Quezon's Ancestral house. Doña Aurora Aragon Quezon is the wife of former President Quezon. She was born in Baler, and the province was named after her.
Explore Diguisit's Beach, Rock Formations and Waterfalls
From your accommodation, rent a tricycle that will bring you to Diguisit Beach in Brgy. Zabali, just about 15 minutes away from the town proper. An awesome view of Baler Bay will welcome you, as you enter Brgy. Zabali. Enjoy the stunning rock formations battered by crashing waves. These eye-catching rock formations will make you in admiration for a long time. You may choose to hop from one rock formation to another and take photos with the Aniao Islets as a breath-taking back drop. Take a stop at Diguisit waterfalls. It can be hiked on one side of the road. You wouldn't miss it as the water trickles down to the road. It would also be the best spot to freshen up.
Climb Ermita Hill
Considered as the highest point in Baler overlooking the bay. At the foot of the hill is a shrine called "Tromba Marina", dedicated to commemorate the families who climbed up the hill and survived the catastrophic tsunami that happened in 1735. On top of the hill, enjoy the picturesque view of the town of Baler, Sabang Beach, Cemento and Dimadimalangat islet.
Learn how to Surf
As it is considered as the "birthplace of surfing in the Philippines", a trip to Baler, would not be complete without giving surfing a try. Sabang Beach as a prime surfing site in the Philippines has become Baler’s source of pride alongside its rich history and natural wonders. It's a popular surfing destination among surfers and non-surfers because of its distinct long stretch of gray sandy shoreline with crashing waves coming from the Pacific Ocean. You can get surfing lessons from any of the surfing schools by the beach. A 1 hour lesson would cost about 350 pesos with the instructor helping you out. This is a must-do activity when visiting Baler.
Trek to Ditumabo Mother Falls
Located in Brgy. Ditumabo in the town of San Luis, it's one of the major attractions of the province. According to some locals, it is the biggest waterfalls in the province so it gets the name mother falls. Going there is easy. From Baler, hire a tricycle to Brgy. Ditumabo and alight at the national road. Another option is to drive a motorcycle which could navigate from the national road all the way to the hydroelectric power plant. It will cut the trekking time to almost half. This magnificent waterfalls has a height of 140 feet. When you get to it, you’ll feel like it’s raining around the area because of the strong current of water rushing from the top. The wide basin and the huge imposing cliffs on both sides are superb work of nature. Truly, nature at it's best!
After a day of nature and adventure-packed activities, you could go back to your accommodation to enjoy some booze, watch the sunset and chill by the beach.
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 102:00 AM - Departure (Manila - Baler)
07:00 AM - Breakfast (Bus Stop @ Nueva Ecija)
09:00 AM - Arrive in Baler / Check-in
10:00 AM - Tour around Baler Town
12:00 NN - Lunch
02:00 PM - Explore Diguisit rock formations and waterfalls
03:30 PM - Hike Ermita hill
05:00 PM - Sunset viewing by the beach, swimming, chill out
07:00 PM - Dinner
08:00 PM - Booze, Party, Acoustic night by the beach
11:00 PM - Sleep
DAY 3
08:00 AM - Wake-up / prepare
09:00 AM - Breakfast
10:00 AM - Surfing in Sabang Beach
12:00 NN - Lunch
02:00 PM - Siesta by the beach
04:00 PM - Swimming
07:00 PM - Dinner
08:00 PM - Booze, Party, Acoustic night by the beach
11:00 PM - Sleep
DAY 3
06:00 AM - Daparture from Baler to San Luis
07:00 AM - Arrive at San Luis, start trek to Ditumabo Falls
07:30 AM - Rest, breakfast at the cottages
08:30 AM - Resume trek
09:00 AM - Arrive at the falls
10:00 AM - Start decent
11:00 AM - Back at the high-way
12:00 AM - Arrival in Baler, Lunch
01:00 PM - Back at the hostel, freshen up and check out
03:00 PM - Departure (Baler - Manila)
10:00 PM - Arrival in Manila
MUST-READ: 10 Best Things to Do in Baler, Aurora
Note: If you will be staying for more than 3 days in Aurora, you might want to visit other tourist spots such as Dicasalarin Cove and PAG-ASA Weather Station in Baler; Ampere Beach in Dipaculao; Dibut Bay and NIA watershed in San Luis; Casapsapan and Motiong Beaches in Casiguran; Bulawan waterfalls in Dinalungan; and Balete Park and Dimasalang waterfalls in Maria Aurora.
HOW TO GET THERE
How to get to Baler from ManilaOption #1 : Genesis Transport, Inc. provides direct trips to Baler, Aurora from Cubao. The first trip is at 2:00 AM with subsequent trips at one hour intervals, last trip leaves Cubao at 7:30 AM. From Baler to Pasay, the first bus leaves at 4:30 AM, also with subsequent trips every hour. The last trip is at 3:00 PM. Travel time is approximately 6-7 hours. For more information, visit www.genesistransport.com.ph or you may call +(632)709-0803/+(632)421-1425.
Option #2 : Take any bus from Metro Manila bound for Cabanatuan, Nueva Ejica. Then take a Baler bound bus or van in the central terminal.
For a more detailed direction, CLICK HERE.
RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATION/WHERE TO STAY IN BALER AURORA
There are a number of accommodations to choose from at Sabang beach in Baler. But if you are on a tight budget you can try Jam Jen's Lodge.Jam and Jen's Lodge
Address: Brgy. Sabang, Baler Aurora
Room Rates: starts at 600 pesos per night for a fan room good for 2-3 persons (as of June 2011)
Contact Details: 09215983588 / 09162001731 look for Ate Marivic or Kuya Marlon
Notes: Their facility is somewhat a home stay facility as the owners' home is just beside the rooms. As of this writing, they have 3 rooms, of which 1 is air-conditioned. I took the non-aircon room which costs 600 pesos per night and was able to haggle with the price and made it 500 pesos. Clean room and bathroom, I highly recommend this lodge when you stay in Baler.
Baler Casa de Viajeros Transient House
Address: San Luis St., Baler Aurora (near Viyosh School)
Contact Numbers: 0922-9-771-772 / 099999-07-688 / 0918-256-91-11 / 02-710-01-79 / 02-710-09-25
Facebook: www.facebook.com/balercasaviajeros
Notes: Baler Casa de Viajeros is one of the newest addition to the growing selection of accommodations in Baler, Aurora. Located along San Luis St., it is just a short tricycle ride to Sabang Beach where the surfing site is. It is also near the poblacion where some of the tourist spots and attractions can be found and also just a short walk away from restaurants and other commercial establishments. For a more detailed post, CLICK HERE.
COSTA PACIFICA RESORT [ BOOK HERE! ]
Address: 080 Buton St., Sitio Labasin, Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora, PhilippinesContact Number: +63917 853 6040
Email: inquiry@costapacificabaler.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CostaPacificaBaler
Twitter and Instagram: @costapacificabaler
Website: www.costapacificabaler.com
FULL RESORT REVIEW: Costa Pacifica Resort, "New and Modern Beach Style Accommodation in Baler!”.
GETTING AROUND / TRANSPORTATION
The most common mode of transportation in going around Baler is with a tricycle. Minimum fare is at 12 pesos. You can also take a bus if you want to go to the other towns.COMMON EXPENSES
Deluxe Bus Fare (Cubao-Baler) - PHP 500Tricycle Rental to and from Diguisit - PHP 250
Accommodations - from PHP 500 - 2000 per night
Meals - from PHP 80 - 200
Surf Boarding Lesson (1 hour) - PHP 350
Regular Air-conditioned Bus Fare (Baler - Pasay) - PHP 429
CONTACT DETAILS
For more travel information, please contact:PROVINCIAL TOURISM OFFICE
Provincial Capitol Compound
Brgy. Suklayin Baler, Aurora 3200
Mobile : 0921-3207015
Email : tourism_aurora@yahoo.com
Facebook : Tourism Aurora
Website: www.aurora.gov.ph
Visiting Baler? Here's a detailed TRAVEL GUIDE on Baler Aurora.
This is my entry to the Pinoy Travel Bloggers’ Blog Carnival for January 2012 with the theme "The 3 Days/2 Nights Challenge" hosted by Eileen Campos of Possibly Pinay.How about you? How would you spend your 3 days and 2 nights in Baler?
My 4-day "love affair" with Aurora happened last June 11-14, 2011. Here's a series of posts on what transpired during my stay in a province that I quickly have fallen in love with. This is my 4th solo trip and 27th province on my list. | |
 Map By: Wikipedia |
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FOLLOW MY ADVENTURES ON YOUTUBE @PinoyAdventurista
Thank You For Sharing!
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ang sarap balikan ng Baler!!! Surf na!!!
ReplyDeletehello! I just wanna know how much is the budget for maybe a weekend trip in Baler? I'm organizing a trip kasi for HS friends haha :)
Deletenga 2.5 k cguro... all-in... enjoy Baler!
Deletewoohoo! Kala ko puro surf lang sa Baler, dami pala activities dito. I'll explore more next time.
ReplyDeletesarap jan sa baler!!! i'll definitly go back.
ReplyDeletethanks for this mervs!
ReplyDeletewill be my guide when i get there during my 100 days challenge.
im still looking for a place where i can set up my hammock
thanks Mervs sa pagsali sa akin mini blog carnival. baler really is one of my faves to go to and hindi ako makaporma ng balik dito -- haha, for sure this year, meron yan at least one time na makakapagrefresh ako sa baler!
ReplyDeleteIf I will be at this place, guide ko to. Ganda ng line up ng itinerary. A must try..
ReplyDeletewow you seems to have fun there..nice photos and sharing! how i wish im in pinas right now..
ReplyDeleteRuby's Travel Snapshots
i so love baler especially the diguisit rock formations. the rock in ampere beach reminded me of a scene in harry potter :)
ReplyDelete@SoleSisters - yup! dami pa po mapupuntahan sa Baler... actually dami ko pa din di napuntahan, kulang na kc sa time... thanks po... :)
ReplyDelete@Rome - nice! kelan ka balik? enjoy!
@journeyingjames - glad it could somehow help you plan for your Baler leg of the challenge... thanks James!
@Eileen - thanks din po for hosting the blog carnival... i 'luv et!!! oh yes! sarap talaga balik-balikan ng Baler... Thanks Eileen! :)
ReplyDelete@Mitch - salamat po... hope makatulong sa planning mo... thanks Mitch! ^_^
@Redruby - travel lang po ng travel... hope maka-ikot ka d2 sa Pinas pag uwi mo... Salamat Ruby! :)
@vin - super nag enjoy din ako sa Digisit.. ganda ng rock formations... :)
ReplyDeletemakakapag surk din ako dito.. hahaha!!
ReplyDeleteingit lang! :)
So much to do! Will put this in my list too.
ReplyDelete@Simurgh - Yeah, super nice mag surf dyan, especially for novice surfers... Thanks Francis!
ReplyDelete@Ding - dami pa talaga pwede gawin sa Baler aside from surfing... thanks Ding!
favorite ko din ang baler balikan. hehe.
ReplyDeletewow.. excited na ko pumaunta sa baler! thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeletewill it be safe to go there alone? i'm planning to spend one weekend ther before christmas. =)
ReplyDeleteyup, mababait po ang mga tao sa Baler... it's safe kahit mag isa ka lang... :)
DeleteHi, ask ko lang po kung anong restaurants masarap kainan sa Baler?
ReplyDeleteI thought Baler is all about surfing lang. Marami palang pwede ma-explore. Very informative guide as usual. I will be following this itinerary soon. :)
ReplyDeleteYes! Very helpful information...
ReplyDeleteI will include Baler in my summer destination
Can you recommend a restaurant in Baler that serves really good food for low price? I heard from a friend that she ate somewhere along the high way of Baler that's worth going to but she can't remember the name of the place and where exactly it is located. I think it's famous for travelers that my friend said a lot of people ate there that day. Thank you! Your blog is a big help, will recommend this to my friends.
ReplyDeleteCan you recommend a restaurant in Baler that serves really good food for low price? I heard from a friend that she ate somewhere along the high way of Baler that's worth going to but she can't remember the name of the place and where exactly it is located. I think it's famous for travelers that my friend said a lot of people ate there that day. Thank you! Your blog is a big help, will recommend this to my friends.
ReplyDeleteGerry Shan's Place along Quezon St..
DeleteGerry Shan's Place
DeleteThis blog is superb. This will be my guide for my next trip - Baler. Thanks for this sir. ^_^
ReplyDeleteSan po pwede mag avail ng baler tour package thanks
ReplyDeleteSan po pwede mag avail ng baler tour package thanks
ReplyDeletenice blog :D
ReplyDeletenice blog! :D
ReplyDeletenice blog! excited na ko!
ReplyDeleteHi meron po ba keo itinerary including this?
ReplyDeleteNote: If you will be staying for more than 3 days in Aurora, you might want to visit other tourist spots such as Dicasalarin Cove and PAG-ASA Weather Station in Baler; Ampere Beach in Dipaculao; Dibut Bay and NIA watershed in San Luis; Casapsapan and Motiong Beaches in Casiguran; Bulawan waterfalls in Dinalungan; and Balete Park and Dimasalang waterfalls in Maria Aurora.
...ok lng din po ba mgtravel for 2 person? safe po kaya?
Hi meron po pa keo itinerary including this -----
ReplyDeleteNote: If you will be staying for more than 3 days in Aurora, you might want to visit other tourist spots such as Dicasalarin Cove and PAG-ASA Weather Station in Baler; Ampere Beach in Dipaculao; Dibut Bay and NIA watershed in San Luis; Casapsapan and Motiong Beaches in Casiguran; Bulawan waterfalls in Dinalungan; and Balete Park and Dimasalang waterfalls in Maria Aurora.
...safe po b magtravel if we wer only 2?
Weve been there in baler last april 12!
ReplyDeleteOMG!we'll definitely go back there!heading to mother falls was very amazing!!something i can tell my children or other people a history when i grow old!!
sa mga nkapunta na sa baler...mgkano po ang bhay per night?
ReplyDeleteBaler is quite a good destination for surfers. :)
ReplyDeleteJust want to ask for a nice place to stay near the beach po? any hotels close by the beach po? Also ano pa po good means of transportation from manila to baler good for 20-25 persons?
ReplyDeleteHi, I find your blog very helpful and informative. My friends and I are planning to visit Baler this April for 3 days and I'm struggling to look for a nice affordable place that we can stay near to the beach and tourist spots. Do you have any other recommendation? Any recommendation will be greatly appreciated. Keep up doing this kind of blogs, its very helpful. :)
ReplyDelete