Baler, Aurora | Weekend Adventure | DIY Travel Guide
On my previous Baler blog, I’ve shared Baler, Aurora on a rainy setting. This time, let me show more of what Baler has to offer.
Me and my friends decided to have a little adventure one weekend. Since we only have two days, we picked Baler, Aurora as our destination because of 2 things: 1. Baler is known as a surfing destination near Manila. 2. Baler is a place filled with adventure or destinations worth discovering.
We took a direct trip to Baler via JoyBus. The bus arrived in Baler around 6am. Hired a trike from Baler Town Proper and went straight to our accommodation.
S.M.A.R.T. Beach House. A bed and breakfast accommodation in Sabang Beach. This is a budget trip so we availed of the Family room. Luckily, they allowed early check-in.
Before anything else, Coffee! So we went to Hungry Surfer at Bay’s Inn. It’s just around 3 minutes’ walk from our accommodation.
Then we walked to the tricycle terminal and started our Baler Land tour. Our first stop was Ermita Hill. In this place, you can see the town of Baler.
More than a vantage point, Ermita Hill plays an important part in the history of Baler. This is where the survivors fled for safety when a tsunami engulfed the whole town of Baler long time ago.
After the history lesson, we went and visit Diguisit Beach. A rocky shore with massive boulders scattered all over the place. Those boulders break the power of the Pacific waves.
A few meters from the beach across the highway is a small entry point to Diguisit Falls. With a little bit of trekking and climbing, we reached the falls. Immediately decided to take an ice cold shower in a little basin surrounded by trees.
We then hopped on our trike and travelled for an hour on the opposite direction. From the drop-off point, we followed the river upstream. Lush vegetation surrounding the trail, boulders of different sizes scattered everywhere, crossed several wooden planks until we reached the one they call Mother Falls (Ditumabo Falls).
Water plunges 100ft to the rocky basin. The impact creates a continuous rumbling sound and a mist-filled air. Spellbound by its beauty, I wasn’t able to resist the urge to go to the impact zone. As I slowly move towards the falls, the pressure of the wind and water gets stronger. As if she is pushing me away. Accepted the fact that I can only swim and watch the beauty of Mother Falls from a distance.
Then we went back to our Smart Beach House to rest and have a late lunch. Just beside our accommodation is small local restaurant – open-air with a view of the beach. I ordered a whole pizza and a mango shake.
A Baler trip wouldn’t be complete without Surfing. So we spent the rest of the day catching waves.
This is our adventure weekend in Baler, Aurora.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT BALER
The best time to visit Baler is during surf season. This is from September to March. What I recommend is visit during December to February. This is the cold season in Philippines. It will make your exploration more pleasant than during summer when temperature can reach up to 34°C.
WHAT ARE THE THINGS TO PACK TO BALER
Summer / Beach Outfit
Swimwear
Sandals / Slippers
Camera / Action Cam
Extra Batteries / Memory Card
Powerbank
Tumbler
Dry bag
Beach mat
HOW TO GET TO BALER FROM MANILA
If you will go to Baler without a car, the best option is a bus ride via JoyBus. Genesis Bus Station is located in Cubao. Travel time is around 5 hours. Joy bus has 5 trips from 11PM to 5:30AM daily. It is important to book in advance. Then from Baler bus station, ride a trike to your accommodation.
A cheaper option is the regular bus from the same company. It goes every hour from 12MN to 8AM but may vary depending on the number of passengers.
If you can only travel after 8AM, then the other option is to ride a bus at Five Star Bus Station in Cubao to Cabanatuan. Then transfer to a van in Cabanatuan Bus Station going to Baler. Travel time plus waiting time for this option will take almost a day.
BALER BUDGET AND ITINERARY
The estimated budget for an overnight Baler trip via a bus to Cabanatuan is around Php3,500.00 per person. This is assuming that there is an additional 4 meals with Php200.00 budget per meal per person. Expected costs is shown below:
JoyBus = Php650.00 to Php750.00
Five Star Bus (Cubao to Cabanatuan) – Php213.00/pax
Van to Baler – Php220.00/pax
S.M.A.R.T. Beach House – Contact accommodation for availability
Affordable
Breakfast included
Surf Lesson – Php350.00/hour
Tricycle tour – Php500.00/half day
Regular Tricycle Ride – Php10-20.00/pax
NOTE: Rates indicated above may change.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN VISITING BALER
Surf Season is September to March.
Travel time is 5-6 hours via direct route.
If you will travel via Cabanatuan, allocate the whole day.
3 hours to Cabanatuan
3 hours to Baler
Plus waiting time and stopovers
Tricycle is the mode of transportation going around Baler. Regular rate is around Php10.00-20.00.
There are several options to choose from but in general food in Baler is affordable.
Buffet is a thing in Baler so you should try one in the Town Proper.
Charlie Does FB Page @Charlie.Does
Hungry Surfer by Bay’s Inn FB Page @hungrysurferbaler
Most accommodations accepts credit cards but do bring cash.
Check the weather if you plan to go to Mother Falls / Ditumabo Falls.
There are plenty of ATMs in the town proper.
Signal is not a problem in the area.
Going back to Manila? There is a Genesis Bus station in town proper with a regular bus schedule daily.
BALER TRAVEL TIPS
If you travel via Cabanatuan, van will leave once all seats are taken. This may affect your schedule. Aside from passengers and their bags, they might fill it up with packages/padala. This means it will be an uncomfortable 3-4 hours ride. What I recommend is to pay for the whole row if you have spare cash.
If you plan to visit Ditomabo Falls (Mother Falls), avoid rainy season.
Bring cash in tour.
Bring a dry bag,
Use GoPro for the water activities but never use a GoPro and a head mount while surfing. I almost lost one in La Union.
Do not leave trash behind.
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WHAT’S IN MY BAG?
If you want to know more about the cameras, gadgets and travel essentials I use, check out “MY GEAR”
See you on my next adventure…. Peace!
This is a DIY travel guide to Baler, Aurora via Joybus. Did a Baler Land Tour for a day. Went to Ermita Hill, Diguisit Beach, Diguisit Falls, Mother Falls. Also, surfed in Sabang Beach.