Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Travel Guide to BALER! BALER! BALER!

Haler Baler, Baler Haler!


Dicasalarin Cove
Repeating the world Baler is very catchy. Anyway, I am sharing you my itinerary for a 48 Hour Trip to Baler. How I and my group managed to do most of the things to do and see in Baler like a piece of cake! You too can follow my itinerary or if you have further question feel free to do so! Just post a comment and I will be glad to answer it.

a not-so-perfect weather for first time surfer

Here is our itinerary for 48 Hour trip to Baler.

Baler is the Capital of Aurora Province. It is now one of the famous emerging tourist spots in the Philippines. It's flagship tourism is Surfing! Everyone who goes here must surf. The waves are strong and perfect for surfing whether you are a beginner or not. 

Well, if you are not into surfing, Baler has many to offer. Their famous Dicasalarin Cove and Ditumabo Falls are worth visiting! You must never miss the top 3 destination in Baler. SABANG BEACH, DICASALARIN COVE and DITUMABO FALLS! 



For your information we were a group of 14 including the driver. We opted to hire a van for convenience and it is much cheaper than commuting. Here is our expenses for the whole trip courtesy of Ms. +Claire Mansit, our sexy financer! haha. She is in-charge of all our budgets. 



 

 

HOW TO GET THERE:

via Private Car
 
Cabanatuan City is your drop-off point going to Baler. Cabanatuan is just a 2 - 3 hour drive from Manila.You can either pass through the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and/or Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). 
  • NLEX-Bulacan-Nueva Ecija Route. Go to NLEX. Take the Sta. Rita exit. Take the road passing through Plaridel, Baliuag, San Ildefonso, San Miguel, Gapan, Sta. Rosa to Cabanatuan.This is the Maharlika Highway.
  • NLEX-SCTEX-Tarlac-Sta.Rosa Route. NLEX up to Clark Logistics Interchange. Enter SCTEX going to Tarlac. Exit at Amucao, Tarlac (End of SCTEX). Turn right to La Paz up to Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija. Turn left going to Cabanatuan when you see a stop light right after crossing a big bridge.
From Cabanatuan City there are two routes going to Baler. First is the Baler - Bongabon Road and the other is Canili-Pantabangan Road. I highly recommend that you take the Canili-Pantabangan Road because the road is smoother and less dangerous than Baler - Bongabon. 
  • Canili - Pantabangan Road
    • From Cabanatuan take the Maharlika Highway going to Pinagpanaan, Talavera, Nueva Ecija. Turn right to the road going to Rizal, Nueva Ecija then turn right going to Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija (landmark: both have a Y-road with a small park/waiting shed in the middle). The road will take you to Canili, Maria Aurora, Aurora. The road will pass through the Sierra Madre until you reach the Poblacion of Maria Aurora. From Maria, Aurora you can then go straight to Baler.
  • Baler-Bongabon Route 
    • From Cabanatuan take the Maharlika Hiway and turn right to the Nueva Ecija – Aurora Road (landmark: crossing with Shell Gas Station and NE Restaurant). The road will pass through Palayan City and Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. From Bongabon turn right to the road going to the Sierra Madre mountains. After two or three hours of winding road you will reach the municipality of San Luis and then Baler.
I got these info through batangbaler.net. We took the longest way but the safest way going to Baler which is the  NLEX-SCTEX-Tarlac-Sta.Rosa Routo to Canili - Pantabangan Road. It took us 6 hours going to Baler from Manila.


 TRAVEL TIPS:

He said I should take a photo of him! HAHA
  1. It is better to travel with groups when you're going to Baler. My group hired a Van. You can contact them with this number 0923-862-9922 and look for Kuya Efren. It can save you a lot of time and money going to places and avoid hiring tricycles from time to time. The tricycle drivers/tour guide do not have a fix or standard rate. It varies from one to another. They say you can hire one tricycle for only 800 per day of tour.
  2. It is better to just buy your food or bring your own rather than buying in the market and cook your food there. I know it is overrated but yea, try the Gerry Shan Restaurant and Rolling Store near the Museum. When time is of the essence, cooking your food there is not an option. There are times that there are not enough seafood in the public market. Ooohh! You must try their famous Pako (stress on the last syllable). I don't know what it is but I think it is a baby fern. 
  3. There are lots of Surfing instructors in the area, or you can ask your lodge or hotel if they can provide you one. The average amount for surfing is 300 - 350 per hour, surf boards and rash guards included. We tried the Happy Feet! Kuya Amang is my instructor, he is just so funny and kind. He patiently dragged me back and forth to the waves. Imagine that battling all the waves just to teach me how to surf. HAHA.
    Haggardness after Surfing
  4. It would be best if you visit Ditumabo Falls early in the morning because there are fewer people and you can get a cottage to rest. It is forbidden to bring food. O, there are lots of donation in this place! Ahh, the water is so cold as in chilling cold!  
    Look up! We are near the Falls! :) Was not able to take photos because my camera got moist. :(

  5. The road going to Dicasalarin Cove is hard! The way is under construction and very steep! You need a professional driver going there or be a very cautious. It is steeper that the trail going to Benguet. They only allow one car traveling at a time to prevent any collision. After the unending winding road to Dicasalarin the view is worth all the risk! I swear! You're gonna love it there. 
    Can you see how narrow the road is?!

    View of Dicasalarin, the only white sand in Baler! 

    am I in Palawan? Naaa. This is Baler! 


 I am going to post another entry to further share my experience in Baler, Baler, Baler! HAHA!

Ano, TARA GUMALA!




CIAO.
--
GABRIELA





 

40 comments:

  1. This is perfect for a weekend getaway! I like how detailed everything is. This is actually on our shortlist for this summer. Bookmarked! :D

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    Replies
    1. Yea! You should go to Baler if you are looking for an adventure weekend getaway. I can help you with the itinerary. :)

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  2. I haven't been to Baler but would want to visit the place sometime. Sana lang this vacation.

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    Replies
    1. Well you should perfect weekend getaway to. :)

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    2. Hi Gabriela! are there lots of restaurants where solo backpackers can eat?

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    3. Of course there are. Actually, there are lots of new restaurants in Baler. :)

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  3. I never visited Baler , but the way you have written about everything , i think i can manage without Guide , when I will visit i will surely check your Blog again for guide lines... It is such a nice blog with beautiful pictures...
    Thank you for a nice share.
    I hope you will also visit
    http://publicawaz.blogspot.com/2014/03/what-day-international-womens-day.html

    Thank you.

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  4. I would love to be here too especially this summer season.

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    Replies
    1. You should go there! :) Explore the not-anymore-unspoiled beauty of Baler. HAHA.

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  5. I have never been to Baler. Thanks for posting your itinerary. Gives me an idea of what we can do there. :)

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    Replies
    1. Welcome Ms. Patty. This is a perfect Getaway with your kids. They will definitely enjoy surfing there. :)

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  6. Ms. Gabriela, how's the van of kuya efren? how cold is the aircon? thank you.

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    1. His van is very versatile especially when it conquered the rough road going to Ditumabo Falls and Steep trail in Dicasalarin. The aircon is so cool, we even turned it off. Oh and you can watch movies in his van, he has small screens. :)

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  7. This post makes me want to gather my backpacker friends for a weekend getaway to Baler - that's usually our thing: chasing waterfalls and beach bumming.
    I thought it's somehow expensive going there - but thanks for giving us the details of your trip. Definitely helpful!
    Awesome blog BTW.
    Cheerio!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Yodi! Enjoy your weekend getaway in Baler. :)

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  8. Didn't know that Baler is just near my hometown! We used to live near Rizal, Nueva Ecija! Hoping to try surfing in Baler soon! Your blog is very helpful!

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    Replies
    1. Wow! I also live in Nueva Ecija, I am from Munoz. Yea, you should visit this and take the Pantabangan Road! It will only take you 2 - 3 hours of driving! :) You're welcome.

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  9. Hi guys! transient house in baler aurora where you, your family and/or friends can stay near sabang beach. lots of rooms! from 300 to 500 per pax. non aircon and air conditioned rooms are available. family rooms, king size, queen size, single or double size bed, WI-FI , dining area , cable t.v, videoke , kitchen , grill area , very spacious and safe parking area , etc .. we also have tour packages. call or text 0922-9-771-772 / 099999-07-688 / 0918-256-91-11 / 02-710-01-79 for inquiries or room reservation !

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  10. Nakakamiss ang Baler.try niyo po next time Dinadiawan.. just an hour drive from Baler. Maganda ang view papunta pa lang. Imagine your way to Baguio pero ang background Pacific Ocean naman .HEAVEN! at white din ang beach.. Anyways, yung van rate po ba ni Kuya Efren is within Baler tour lang or kasama na po hatid-sundo?

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    1. Kasama na po yung hatid sundo. Ang rate po kasi niya is per day. :)

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  11. Hi Gabriella,,Si kuya efren ba kasam na dun sa group of 14?

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  12. Hi, may i ask where did you stay in Baler? how about the driver, did you get a place for him to sleep? Thanks!

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    1. We stayed at a place near Costa Pacifica, Sorry I forgot the name, it was my boss who booked it. Anyway, yea, our driver had a place to sleep. :)

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  13. May stop over ba ang bus sa Robinsons Pampanga? Taga pampanga po kasi ako. I wasn't aware if may direct trip to baler. Cabanatuan lang nakikita ko kasi. Thanks :)

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  14. Hi po..ung 7k po ba na van rental.all in napo ba yun.?tnx

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  15. ask lang pls where did you stay there? thanks

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  16. Kakatext ko lng po dun sa Van maam. 7.5K daw po hndi pa ksama gas, tolls, food and accomodation :(

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  17. Maam pano po kaya ung accomodation neto? room or tent?

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  18. Hi gabriela.. thanks for sharing ur experience. Imma bit afraid about that "steep road" to Dicasalarin, but knowing that there's a heavenly like view up there, I think im gonna give it a try... hehehe... a self proclaimed traveler/backpacker here as well. Hehehe! (^~^)v

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  19. Is this good to bring along a 4-yr old kid? I'm planning a quick family bonding. Me, my hubby & our kid. Or we can't have the sulit trip?

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  21. Hi Gabriela, thanks for sharing your Baler experience. I have to ask, did your driver served as your tour guide too or did you hire an accredited tour guide? Thanks

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  22. Hi, ask ko lang po san niyo po nkita ung Van for rent ? tnx

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