Ever since that Anne Curtis-Jericho Rosales movie in 2009, the quaint town of Baler has become popular among the adrenaline and travel junkies. Baler is notably known for its surfing but aside from that is because of its untouched and abundance of natural attractions. Lush greenery of the mountainside, pristine beaches, historical sites and scenic waterfalls are just some of the attractions one cannot missed. For starters here are the things to do when visiting Baler.
1. Get Stoked!
If there’s one thing that one must do when in Baler , it would definitely be surfing. The most popular surfing point is located in Sabang Beach, a long stretch of gray sand beach where beginners can ride the waves. Cemento Beach on the other hand is more for the advance surfers.
Caunayan Falls
2. Go chasing waterfalls
For the thrill seeker and nature lover, visiting at least one of the several waterfalls in San Luis is a must. Trek to Ditumabo Falls is approximately 3-4km from the main road passing by river streams and rough terrain. Bring a nice pair of sandals or trekking shoes for this activity. For those uninitiated trekker an alternative falls to visit is the Caunayan Falls which is easier to reach also located in San Luis.
Baler Church
3. Walk in the historical trail of Baler
Start the walk in Aurora Aragon’s house, a reconstructed ancestral house of the late president Manuel Quezon’s wife. Across the house is the famous Baler Church, which played a pivotal role during the Siege of Baler. The Spanish forces were besieged by Filipino insurgents and converted the church into garrison.
Not far from the church is the Quezon Park which was constructed as a landmark of Baler, being the site of the birthplace of then President Quezon. Finally make sure to drop by Museo de Baler, showcasing history of Baler.
Bay's Inn
4. Drink the night in Bays Inn
Bays inn is a popular place in Baler, expect to see lots of visitors in this area. As part of our trip package we stayed in this little old and run down room which was just right for us in my standard. Having been here, I’d recommend Bay’s Inn for its home cooked comfort food dishes and good serving. The only problem is it’ll take around 30-45 minutes for the food to be serve. Other than that you’ll have pleasure from the scenery of the ocean with great view of the surfers in action.
Ermita Hill
5. Chill in Ermita Hill
If you'd like to see the visually pleasing view of Sabang beach, this is the best place to go to. At the bottom of the hill you will see the statues that served as a reminder of those have survived the tsunami that struck the town of Baler way back 1735. Upon reaching the top you’ll see wide open spaces lined up with picnic cottages and view deck.
6. Visit Dicasalarin Cove
Dicasalarin Cove is the secret beach of Baler because not too many people visit this place. It’s a perfect place to laze around and soak in the sun. Make sure to make arrangement before going here since this is a private property.
7. Be a treehugger in the Old Balete Tree Located in the town of Maria Aurora, this 600 year-old balete tree was designated as the official Millennium Tree of The Philippines. Be amaze with its lush canopy, crown of about half a hectare and gigantic trunk.
Gerry Shan's Place
8. Eat in Gerry Shan's Place
Gerry Shan’s place is a clean air-conditioned restaurant known for its reasonably priced and delicious food. Locals and tourist troop this place for its eat and drink all you can for 150 pesos. If you want food choices, value for money, this is your restaurant to go to in Baler .
Halo-halo
9. Rolling on a Budget
When traveling, they say that the best way to experience a place is through interaction with the locals and visit its public market. Just like any other market in provinces across the country you will save a lot of money when buying things needed be it food or drinks. Drop by the Baler Pasalubong Center to buy local products like shirts, peanut butter, bags and fridge magnet.
10. Long Exposure of Lukso Lukso Islets
Situated in Barangay Zabali, this stretch of rock formations are known as Lukso-Lukso islets. This place is a photographer's haven for it’s a interesting subject – imagine the stunning rock formations, crashing waves, crushed corals at the beach and the impending sunset.
Two days is definitely not enough to cover Baler and other municipalities of Aurora and I have a feeling it won’t be long until I visit this place again.