Baler is the birthplace of surfing in the Philippines. Once a laid-back coastal town on the eastern side of Central Luzon in the Philippines, surfing has since pinned it on the tourist map, bringing in tourists, quirky restaurants, and posh hotels on its shore. Besides surfing, this small town in the Province of Aurora also boasts of a few historic sites—being the birthplace of Manuel L. Quezon—a spread of beaches, interesting rock formations, waterfalls and lighthouses.

While the town of Baler is but a small spot in the whole of Aurora, it has since become the starting point and base of operations for touring the region. From here, visitors can check the nearby municipalities of Maria Aurora, Dipaculao, and San Luis, all the way up to the farther reaches of Dingalan, Dinalungan, Casiguran, and Dilasag. For the purpose of this travel guide, I would be limiting the scope to those areas readily accessible from Baler.

 

 

► HOW TO GET TO BALER

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Baler is the capital of Aurora Province. It is 231 kilometers away from Manila, but getting there is easy enough (although options are a bit limited). As of this writing, there are only two bus companies plying the Manila-Baler route, both coming from Cubao in Quezon City. The ride takes about six hours, so it’s most convenient and economical, time-wise, to take the midnight ride going to Baler, which would have you there by six in the morning.

Another option in going to Baler is by taking a bus to Cabanatuan City, which are more plentiful, and then from the Cabanatuan Central Bus Terminal, take another bus or van ride going to Baler.

○ MANILA TO BALER BY BUS ○ 6-7 HOURS TRAVEL TIME
● GENESIS - Cubao| +63 (2) 853-3115, +63 (2) 709-0803, +63 (2) 421-1422 | Starts at 3:00 AM daily | Fare PHP550.00
● JOY BUS - Cubao | +63 (2) 709-0803 | Trip starts at 12:00 MN daily | Fare PHP750.00

○ CABANATUAN TO BALER BY BUS OR VAN ○ FROM CABANATUAN BUS TERMINAL  ○ 3-4 HOURS TRAVEL TIME

● ABC TRANS – +63 (928) 245-3572
● AURORA BUS LINE – Aircon
● D’ LINER – Non-Aircon | +63 (919) 622-1649
● MARIA AURORA EXPRESS – +63 (920) 578-2769
● VAN – 24 hours daily | Fare PHP150.00


○ BAGUIO TO BALER BY BUS ○ 8 HOURS TRAVEL TIME ○ PHP300.00 +/-

● D LINER BUS – Gov. Pack Road Terminal | +63 (919) 622-1649 | Non-Aircon
● LIZARDO TRANS – Slaughterhouse Terminal | Non-Aircon
● VICTORY LINER  - Gov. Pack Road Terminal | Non-Aircon

 

 

► SPEAK BALER

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Most people in Aurora Province speak Tagalog or Filipino, with a few of the populace fluent in Ilocano. Locals can understand and speak—although not fluently—English. Here’s a few phrases to get you by.

Thank You – Salamat
Good Morning – Magandang Umaga
Good Afternoon – Magandang Hapon
Good Evening – Magandang Gabi
How Much? – Magkano
Where is… – Saan Ang…

 

 

► HOW TO GET AROUND IN BALER

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Tricycles and single motorbikes called habal-habal are the most common mode of transportation in Baler. Basic fare is at PHP10.00, with prices increasing the farther you go. Another good option to get around town is through rentable bicycles or motorcycles; the former can be rented for PHP300.00 while the latter at PHP500.00 to PHP800.00 per day.
PHOTO FROM BLISSFULGURO.COM 

 

 

► TOURS IN BALER

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The easiest way to tour around is via Baler’s Tricycle Tour. It would take you around the popular tourist spots in Baler for the whole day for PHP800.00, and PHP500.00 for half a day. This is already good for three people, so I suggest you band with other travelers if you’re traveling on your own.

 

 

► WHERE TO STAY IN BALER

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You won’t run out of overnight options in Baler. It has everything from cheap camping grounds where you can bring your own tent, to funky surf-themed hostels, full houses turned into rentable abodes, midrange dorm rooms, and sprawling posh resorts that can rival the best of what the Philippines has to offer. The best area to stay on, is of course, right by the sea which is at Sabang Beach.

BAYWALK TENT CITY
►► RATES FROM PHP100.00
Address: 70 Labasin St., Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora
Contact Number: +63 (928) 874-1906
GPS Coordinates: 15.760334, 121.568745
PHOTO FROM THEIR FB PAGE 

HOTEL MOTEL CHARLIE DOES INN
►► RATES FROM PHP1,500.00 FOR TWO
Address: Buton St., Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora
Contact Number: +63 (939) 830-1913
GPS Coordinates: 15.761566, 121.567652
PHOTO FROM THEIR FB PAGE

ELAINE MM LODGE INN
►► RATES FROM PHP500.00 FOR TWO PERSONS
Address: Buton St., Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora
Contact Number: +63 (919) 537-9405
GPS Coordinates: 15.763159, 121.567113
PHOTO FROM BLISSFULGURO.COM

GO SURFARI HOUSE
►► CHECK ROOM RATES & AVAILABILITY
Address: T. Molina Street, Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora
Contact Number: +63 (905) 499-1982
GPS Coordinates: 15.759569, 121.565013
PHOTO FROM THEIR FB PAGE

AURA MARINA SANDS BEACH RESORT
►► CHECK ROOM RATES & AVAILABILITY
Address: Barangay Zabali, Diguisit Beach ,Baler, Aurora
Contact Number: +63 (977) 219-5934
GPS Coordinates: 15.755525, 121.623216
PHOTO FROM THEIR FB PAGE

NALU SURF CAMP
►► CHECK ROOM RATES & AVAILABILITY
Address: 57A Labasin St., Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora
Contact Number: +63 (917) 817-2606 | +63 (917) 505-9604
GPS Coordinates: 15.760218, 121.569211

LUXUS RESIDENCIA DE BALER
►► CHECK ROOM RATES & AVAILABILITY
Address: Burgos Ext., Brgy. Suklayin, Baler, Aurora
Contact Number: +63 (42) 724-0154
GPS Coordinates: 15.755463, 121.552850
PHOTO FROM THEIR FB PAGE

PLAYA AZUL BALER
►► CHECK ROOM RATES & AVAILABILITY
Address: Buton St., Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora
Contact Number: +63 (977) 845-8301
GPS Coordinates: 15.768995, 121.563519
PHOTO FROM THEIR FB PAGE

ALIYA SURF CAMP RESORT
►► RATES FROM PHP4,500.00 FOR FOUR PERSONS
Address: Buton St., Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora
Contact Number: +63 (939) 939-0929
GPS Coordinates: 15.764873, 121.565802
PHOTO FROM THEIR FB PAGE

CASA HERMINIA
►► CHECK ROOM RATES & AVAILABILITY
Address: 101 Suclayin, San Isdir, Baler, Aurora
Contact Number: +63 (927) 660-8705
GPS Coordinates: 15.751418, 121.536663
PHOTO FROM THEIR FB PAGE

COSTA PACIFICA RESORT
►► CHECK ROOM RATES & AVAILABILITY
Address: 80 Buton St., Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora
Contact Number: +63 (2) 519-4249
GPS Coordinates: 15.761608, 121.568188
PHOTO FROM THEIR FB PAGE

 

 

 

► WHERE TO EAT IN BALER

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You won’t get hungry in Baler. Food choices range from regular carinderia stalls along the park, extremely cheap buffet spread, beach-side grill houses (one even grills from the trunk of a Volkswagon beetle), numerous cafes, and of course, beachfront restaurants. What’s surprising is that even on high-end restaurants, servings are generally very affordable. Take this advantage to have your meals with a view of the sea. 
   

BALER SURFER GRILL
Type: Beachside Grillhouse
Address: Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora
Contact Number: +63 (927) 272-7813
GPS Coordinates: 15.762957, 121.567488
PHOTO FROM THEIR FB PAGE

CARLITO’S EAT ALL YOU CAN
Type: Buffet ~ Filipino, Western
Address: Burgos St., Barangay Suclayin Baler, Aurora
Contact Number: (0908) 872-0816
GPS Coordinates: 15.754662, 121.550045
PHOTO FROM THEIR FB PAGE

HUNGRY SURFER RESTAURANT
Type: Restaurant ~ Rice Meals, Filipino, International
Address: Buton St., Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora
Contact Number: +63 (917) 578-7595
GPS Coordinates: 15.762039, 121.568040
PHOTO FROM THEIR FB PAGE

GERRY SHAN’S BUFFET
Type: Buffet ~ Chinese, Filipino
Address: Quezon St., Poblacion, Baler, Aurora
Contact Number: +63 (918) 591-5743
GPS Coordinates: 15.758997, 121.559924
PHOTO FROM MARXTERMIND.COM

THE ROLLING STORE
Type: Carinderia ~ Filipino
Address: San Luis St., Poblacion, Baler, Aurora
Contact Number: N/A
GPS Coordinates: 15.760309, 121.561852
PHOTO FROM MARXTERMIND.COM

YOLLY’S IHAW-IHAW
Type: Grillhouse, Carinderia ~ Filipino, Seafood
Address: Quezon St., Poblacion, Baler, Aurora
Contact Number: +63 (920) 650-8655
GPS Coordinates: 15.759028, 121.559995
PHOTO FROM THEIR FB PAGE

 

 

► WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN BALER

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Baler and its nearby towns have almost everything covered in terms of tourist spots. Besides surfing, which it is well-known for, you can also go hike to waterfalls, admire rock formations, visit historical places, viewing decks, lighthouses, a hanging bridge, climb and enter the insides of a hundred-year old balete tree, snorkel on fish sanctuaries, and lounge along its numerous beaches.

 

ANIAO ISLETS AT DIGISIT BAY
Address: T. Molina St., Baler, Aurora
Opening Hours: N/A
Entrance Fee: None
GPS Coordinates: 15.757108,121.620584

AURORA ARAGON QUEZON HOUSE
Address: Rizal Street, Poblacion, Baler, Aurora
Entrance Fee: PHP30.00
GPS Coordinates: 15.758592, 121.562502
PHOTO FROM BLISSFULGURO.COM

BALER CHURCH
Address: Rizal Street, Poblacion, Baler, Aurora
Entrance Fee: None
GPS Coordinates: 15.759160, 121.562245
PHOTO FROM BLISSFULGURO.COM

BALER LIGHTHOUSE
Address: Brgy. Zabali, Baler, Aurora
Opening Hours: 8:00AM to 6:00PM
Entrance Fee: PHP10.00
GPS Coordinates: 15.752946, 121.630510
PHOTO FROM TUPANGGALA.COM  

CEMENTO BEACH
Address: Brgy. Zabali, Baler, Aurora
Entrance Fee: None
GPS Coordinates: 15.753488, 121.586083

DICASALARIN COVE
Address: T. Molina St., Zabali, Baler, Aurora
Entrance Fee: PHP100.00 to PHP300.00
GPS Coordinates: 15.739046, 121.634102
PHOTO FROM THEMEMETDIARIES.COM

DICASALARIN LIGHTHOUSE
Address: Brgy. Zabali, Baler, Aurora
Entrance Fee: PHP100.00 to PHP300.00
GPS Coordinates: 15.738871, 121.636868
PHOTO FROM THEMEMETDIARIES.COM  

DIGUISIT FALLS
Address: Sitio Diguisit, Brgy. Zabali, Baler, Aurora
Entrance Fee: None
GPS Coordinates: 15.759857, 121.600092

ERMITA HILL
Address: Poblacion, Baler, Aurora
Entrance fee: None
GPS Coordinates: 15.754453, 121.580886

MUSEO DE BALER
Address: Quezon St., Poblacion, Baler, Aurora
Entrance Fee: PHP10.00
Contact Number: +63 (917) 844-8371
Opening Hours: 8:00AM to 5:00PM, Monday to Friday
GPS Coordinates: 15.760122, 121.561790

SABANG BEACH
Address: Brgy Sabang, Baler, Aurora
Entrance Fee: None
GPS Coordinates: 15.763240, 121.567831

SURFING AT SABANG BEACH
Address: Brgy Sabang, Baler, Aurora
Surfing Lessons Fee: From PHP350.00
Board Rental Fee: From PHP200.00
GPS Coordinates: 15.763240, 121.567831

TIBAG-SABANG HANGING BRIDGE
Address: Brgy. Zabali, Baler, Aurora
Entrance Fee: None
GPS Coordinates: 15.750009, 121.569460

BALER BALETE TREE
Address: Purok Bagong Sikat 1, Barangay Quirino Maria Aurora, Aurora
Entrance Fee: PHP10.00
GPS Coordinates: 15.769729, 121.477041

AMPERE BEACH AND ROCK FORMATIONS
Address: Baler-Casiguran Road, Dipaculao, Aurora
Entrance Fee: None
GPS Coordinates: 15.901688, 121.558918

DIBUTUNAN MARINE FISH SANCTUARY
Address: Baler-Casiguran Road, Brgy. Dibutunan, Dipaculao, Aurora
GPS Coordinates: 15.946852, 121.606477

DIBUTUNAN TWIN CAVE
Address: Baler-Casiguran Road, Brgy. Dibutunan, Dipaculao, Aurora
GPS Coordinates: 15.946852, 121.606477
PHOTO FROM PLACESMAP.NET 

DINADIAWAN BEACH
Address: Baler-Casiguran Road, Dipaculao, Aurora
Entrance Fee: None
GPS Coordinates: 16.075202, 121.755546
PHOTO BY KORYNILEDAN.BLOGSPOT.COM

DITUMABO FALLS ~ MOTHER FALLS
Address: Brgy. Ditumabo, San Luis, Aurora
Opening Hours: 7:00AM to 5:00AM
Entrance Fee: PHP30.00
GPS Coordinates: 15.680625, 121.476502

CAUNAYAN FALLS
Address: Brgy. L. Pimentel, San Luis, Aurora
Entrance Fee: PHP20.00
Contact Number: +63 (908) 578-2739 | +63 (930) 649-7000
GPS Coordinates: 15.680439, 121.495329

 

 

► WHAT TO BUY IN BALER

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For pasalubong to bring back home, be sure to buy a bottle or two of Nanay Pacing’s peanut butter and a few kilos of Baler’s garlic longganisa—it is one of the best in the Philippines. Along the beach, you can also get bundles of suman de baler (no need for sugar!), pakumbo, and crabs from passing vendors.

BALER LONGGANISA
Address: Baler Public Market, Poblacion, Baler, Aurora
Contact Number: N/A
GPS Coordinates: 15.753320, 121.558718
PHOTO FROM PINASMUNA.COM

PAKUMBO
Address: Sabang Beach / Baler Pasalubong Center / Public Market
Contact Number: +63 (950) 138-0033 
GPS Coordinates: N/A

SUMAN DE BALER
Address: Sabang Beach / Baler Pasalubong Center / Public Market
Contact Number: N/A
GPS Coordinates: N/A

NANAY PACING’S HOMEMADE PEANUT BUTTER
Address: Recto Extension, Barangay Pingit, Baler, Aurora
Contact Number: +63 (947) 579-6270
GPS Coordinates: 15.753956, 121.559985
PHOTO FROM THEIR FB PAGE

 

 

► BALER & AURORA TOURIST SPOT MAP

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► SAMPLE BALER ITINERARY & TRAVEL BUDGET GUIDE

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A two-day weekend tour of Baler is entirely possible. With it, you can visit almost all the nearby tourist spots, and even get to surf at Sabang Beach. But if you’re planning to see the rock formations and beach further north on Dipaculao, you might have to file a leave of absence or wait for a long weekend—you’d need to add one more day to your Baler itinerary.

For the purpose of this guide, I would be outlining a DIY tour of Baler with the expenses going as low as possible by joining group tours and sharing rooms.

 

► DAY ONE | PHP 1,947.00 PER PERSON

Midnight Departure from Metro Manila
    PHP 450.00 – MANILA TO BALER BUS FARE

Breakfast
    PHP 100.00 – ESTIMATED BREAKFAST MEAL

Check In at Hotel
    PHP 470.00 ► CHEAPEST TAGAYTAY LODGING FOR ONE FROM AGODA

Whole Day Tricycle Tour
    PHP 267.00 – TRICYCLE TOUR, PER PERSON ON A GROUP OF THREE (PHP800.00)

   Ditumabo Falls
    PHP 30.00 – DITUMABO FALLS ENTRANCE FEE
   Caunayan Falls *OPTIONAL
    PHP 20.00 – CAUNAYAN FALLS ENTRANCE FEE
   Lunch at Rolling Store
    PHP 100.00 – ESTIMATED LUNCH MEAL
   Hanging Bridge
   Aniao Islet
   Diguisit Falls
   Ermita Hills
   Cemento Beach
   Baler Millennium Balete Tree
    PHP 10.00 – BALETE TREE ENTRANCE FEE

Sabang Beach Surfing & Sunset
    PHP 350.00 – SURFING LESSON WITH INSTRUCTOR

Dinner at Sabang Beach
    PHP 150.00 – ESTIMATED DINNER MEAL AT SABANG BEACH

 

► DAY TWO | PHP 1,262.00 PER PERSON

Check Out from Resort ~LEAVE YOUR BAGS AT THE LOBBY AND ASK IF YOU CAN SHOWER LATER
Tricycle Tour for Ampere & Dicasalarin
    PHP 167.00 – TRICYCLE TOUR, PER PERSON ON A GROUP OF THREE (PHP500.00)
   Sunrise at Ampere Beach / Rock Formation
   Breakfast
    PHP 100.00 – ESTIMATED MEAL PER PERSON

Dicasalarin Cove & Lighthouse
    PHP 300.00 – ENTRANCE FEE
DIY Baler Town Tour
   Baler Museum
    PHP 10.00 – BALER MUSEUM FEE
   Aurora Quezon House
    PHP 30.00 – AURORA QUEZON HOUSE FEE
   Lunch at Gerry Shan’s
    PHP 185.00 – BUFFET FEE

   Tricycle Back to Hotel then to Bus Terminal
    PHP 20.00 – ESTIMATED JEEPNEY FARE

Depart to Manila
    PHP 450.00 – BUS FARE BACK TO MANILA

 

►► TOTAL BUDGET | PHP 3,209.00 per person
* BASED ON ONE PERSON TRAVELING ALONE FOR TWO DAYS IN BALER

 

 

► EXTEND YOUR BALER TRIP

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BAGUIO CITY
Baguio Travel Blog
Hours Away: Eight hours away by direct bus
Departure Point: Baler Bus Terminal
Suggested Number of Days: Three to four days

NUEVA ECIJA
Nueva Ecija Travel Blog
Travel Time: Three to four hours away by van
Departure Point: Baler Bus Terminal
Suggested Number of Days: One to two days

BALER TRAVEL BLOG, GUIDE, EXPENSES & ITINERARY
UPDATED AS OF OCTOBER 2017