When anxious, uneasy and bad thoughts come,
I go to the sea, and the sea drowns them out with its great wide sounds,
cleanses me with its noise and imposes a rhythm upon everything in me
that is bewildered and confused.
- Rainer Maria Rilke
If you are itching for some fun under the sun and is the type who can "rough it up", Burot Beach is the place to go.
Located in the Calatagan Peninsula of the province of Batangas, this small piece of paradise is a must-visit for every beach camping enthusiast. I say this because according to some sources, Burot Beach has been purchased and that there are plans to close it to the public to develop it (maybe into a private resort).
Burot Beach is 3 to 4 hours away from Manila (depending on the traffic and your mode of transportation). If you plan to take a vehicle there, make sure that it can take rough roads because there is a short stretch of it before reaching the beach proper.
HOW TO GET THERE
OUR ROUTE
RED - Bus ride from the Bus Terminal near MRT Taft to Lian, Batangas
GREEN - 2nd Bus ride from Lian to Calatagan Public Market
BLUE - Tricycle ride from Calatagan Public Market to Burot Beach
1. Bus to Lian
Go to the Bus Terminal near McDonald’s Taft in front of Metroplitan Mall, MRT Taft station. Look for the BSC Bus with the sign board Tagaytay - Lian. Ask the driver and conductor to let you off in front of 7-Eleven in Lian.
Travel Time: 2 - 3 hours (depending on how heavy the traffic is) Bus Fare: Php 152.00
Note: - According to my online research before our trip, the BSC Bus travels directly to Calatagan and stops at its public market. However, when we arrived at the terminal, we learned there isn't a bus that travels directly to the Calatagan Public Market anymore (I discussed this in Burot Beach: Sunset, Sandbars and Shooting Stars). - For enrolled students, bring you ID's as well as your registration forms. Take advantage of student discounts!
2. Bus to Calatagan Public Market
Ride an ordinary bus to Calatagan Public Market.
Travel Time: 30 - 45 minutes Bus Fare: Php 30.00
Note: - There are also PUJ's that can take you to Calatagan. - Additional shopping can be done in the Clatagan Public Market. Meat, veggies, ingredients, fruits, chips, snacks and other food and cooking supplies are available but can be pricey. - There are also eateries (Php 40.00 - Php 50.00 per meal) and bakeries in the market where you can fuel up upon arrival.
3. Tricycle to Burot Beach
Travel Time: 15-20 minutes Tricycle Fare: Php 120.00 - Php 200.00 (Php 50.00 per person, up to 4 persons per tricycle)
Note: - Haggle with your tricycle driver over the cost. However, try to be considerate, especially if you brought a lot of things with you because the road to the beach is really rough and hard to navigate. - You also need to get your driver's mobile number so that you can call or send an SMS message for the time when you want to be picked up for your return trip. You can also ask them if they can arrange your reservations for your transportation back to Manila (by bus or van). - If you don't have a tent, try asking your tricycle driver if he can rent you one or if he knows someone who rents them out, you might get a better price like we did.
- ADVERTISEMENT - TRICYCLE FOR HIRE MERVIN - 0948.731.7268 friendly | accommodating | funny
He was our tricycle driver during our stay in Burot Beach and I promised him that I will advertise his contact info on my blog and here it is. He was a big help during our trip. He got us a more affordable tent-for-rent (only Php 200.00 for a dome-type that can house 3-4 people), took us to a house where we bought half a block of ice (Php 50.00) and even arranged our reservation for our trip back to Manila via a commuter van that will stop near the bus terminal in Pasay (MRT Taft).
ACCOMMODATIONS, AMENITIES & ACTIVITIES
our campsite (beneath the tree with a bamboo raft), it came with two swings,
the raft as sitting and lounging area and the tree's canopy for shade
(photo by Israel)
ENTRANCE FEE Day Trip: Php 60.00 (per person) Overnight Stay: Php 130.00 (per person)
There are no accommodations in Burot Beach. I strongly recommend that you bring your own tent. However, if you don't own or can't borrow one, you can contact Mang Ramon, the caretaker, and ask if you can rent one from them and how much it would cost (when I inquired via SMS, he said that the rental fee is Php 300.00). His mobile number is 0915.602.8907. Send him an SMS message to get an up-to-date list of fees.
Note: If you don't own a tent, consider buying one rather than renting. There are affordable tents sold in department stores. You can buy a dome-type tent that can hourse 3-4 for less than Php 1,500.00 (got my dear old Wenzel for only Php 999.99 a few years back). This is way better than renting and it's a good investment, especially if you often go on beach camping trips.
There is a small store in Burot Beach but expect pricier goods and limited options. They also rent out tiki torches after nightfall (Php 70.00). There are also some vendors that roam the beach selling puto and ice drops.
Burot Beach offers very limited bathing and changing facilities. There are only a couple of them, one for each gender, which are just makeshift comfort rooms constructed into the two old and dilapidated buildings at the back of the camping area. If the beach has a lot of guests, you don't have any choice but to wait for your turn if there's a line. Also, please remember to knock before entering as the doors' lock are not that reliable or secure. Water is available day and night.
Unfortunately, Burot Beach is not well tended. Trash is all over the place, even in the water. This was quite disappointing and considering that they collected entrance fees, there should have been some maintenance and proper trash disposal. Having said this, try to be responsible and not throw your trash haphazardly or if possible, bring your trash home with you.
ACTIVITIES
Day and Night Swimming * Snorkeling * Sun Bathing * Sunset and Scenery Pictorials
Volleyball and other beach games * Stargazing * Relax and chill Island hopping (a boater may approach and offer this to you)
WARNING & REMINDERS! - There are many sea urchins in Burot Beach that are carried in and out by the tide. Be very careful while swimming and roaming the beach.
- I also saw some broken glass bottles carelessly discarded in some areas along the beach, so watch where you step.
- If you are bringing some speakers for your music, try to be considerate and turn the volume low, especially when your fellow campers are already asleep. This also applies while you are having your socials as well as when having conversations with your companions (yes, we know you are having fun but do you have to shout it out at around 2:00 in the morning?).
- As far as I know, there hasn't been any reports of theft in Burot Beach but remember to secure your valuables at all times.
- Mosquitoes will come out come nightfall, so bring an insect repellent or buy some citronella patches (effective!).
where's the cow?
DO NOT FORGET TO BRING flashlights and lamps * sunblock * towel / sarong / malong * food * water * snacks and booze
trash bags * portable stove and fuel * charcoal for grilling * ice chest * camera
goggles and snorkeling gear * shades * hat or sports cap * soap and shampoo
your basic meds (eg. allergy and asthma medication) * first aid kit * cooking and eating utensils
(photo by Aaron)
HOW TO GET HOME
Here are your options:
To Calatagan, Batangas
1. By Tricycle
- Text or call your tricycle driver to discuss your time for pick up (same rates should apply). Again, use your haggling skills.
- ADVERTISEMENT - TRICYCLE FOR HIRE MERVIN - 0948.731.7268
2. By Boat
- A local boater may approach you and offer to take you to the port where you can take a bus back to Manila.
Note: - This was offered to us by the same local boater who took us "island hopping" (read about it here). This should not cost more than Php 50.00. I've said it before and I will say it again, haggle! - I am not so certain if the boater meant the Calatagan Port when he offered us the ride since we declined and asked Mervin, our tricycle driver, to take us back to the Calatagan Public Market, so ask this question and other particulars if you are considering this option.
To Manila
1. By Bus
- Ride an air-conditioned bus to EDSA Taft from the Calatagan Public Market.
Bus Fare: Php 190.00 + Last Trip: 4:00 pm
Note:
- There are also Ordinary / Non-AC Buses that travels to Manila from the Calatagan Public Market.
2. By Commuter Van
- Ride a van to EDSA Taft from the Calatagan Public Market.
Van Fare: Php 180.00
Note:
- You may want to take the bus if you have a lot of stuff with you because the van will be pretty cramped and you may need to put your bags on your lap during the trip home. - You may encounter some traffic as you pass Tagaytay City.
Enjoy you trip to Burot Beach and share your experience with me! If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch by leaving a comment or by sending me an email at [email protected].
DEVIENS CE QUE TU ES
