BALER TRAVEL GUIDE 2023: DIY Itinerary, Budget, How to Get There and More

2023 Budget Travel Guide to Baler, Aurora

Baler, Aurora, Philippines — Despite being a small town, Baler is an incredibly popular tourist destination, even for non-surfers. It’s located on the beautiful east coast of Luzon, in Aurora Province, and has one of the top surf destinations in the country at Sabang Beach.

In this Baler Aurora Travel Guide, We will show you why this town is not just a Surfer’s Paradise; it’s also an ideal summer holiday destination for family and a group of friends.

There’s nothing modern or spectacular metropolis to see in Baler. Still, it’s a great way to get away from it all and enjoy some of the best things about the Philippines: great food, friendly people, comfortable yet affordable lifestyle, and of course, the beach.

In this Budget Travel Guide to Baler, we listed some helpful tips, which include how to get there, a sample itinerary, things to do and see, places to eat, recommended hotels, and more.

Where is Baler?

Baler is a second-class municipality in the province of Aurora, Philippines. It is the provincial capital of Aurora, and it is located some 230 kilometers (143 miles) northeast of Manila via a mountain pass accessible by bus and private vehicle.

Aurora used to be a sub-province of Quezon in 1951 and finally attained provincehood on August 13, 1979, during the presidency of Ferdinand E. Marcos.

Best time to visit Baler

If you are looking for the perfect waves for surfing, the local surfing schools in Baler highly recommend September to March.

January-February: This is the coldest (but not freezing) season in Baler. The temperatures range between 66ºF and 90ºF, making it the perfect climate to explore the best tourist spots in Baler.

March-April: Considered the hottest months in PH, temperatures sway between 70ºF to 95ºF. The perfect season for those who are aiming for a summer tan!

May-December: Typical rainy season in PH, and it may not be an excellent time to visit Baler, but July to August is recommended if you don’t like a crowded beach, as this is considered the lean season.

How to get to Baler

Getting to Baler is relatively simple.

From Manila

• Baler is roughly 5-6 hours from the Cubao Bus terminal in Manila. Our recommended Bus company is Genesis Transportation, which has relatively good buses that take the sealed road over the mountains. For inquiries and bus ticket reservations, you may call Genesis at (02) 709-0545 / (02) 709-0544 / (02) 441-6834 or visit their website GenesisTransport.com.ph.
• If you’re more interested in something less curvy, you can take a bus to Cabanatuan and get a van to Baler from there. From Baler, there’s also one bus a day that heads to Dilasag along the Aurora coast.

• Luxury Bus – If you want a shorter and more comfortable ride, Genesis Transport Service also offers Joy Bus an executive coach. For a higher fare, you can travel to Baler with no Stopovers. The Joy Bus has a comfort room, free snacks, free wifi, a blanket & pillow, and a good morning kit. For bookings and inquiries, you can call Genesis at (02) 709-0545 / (02) 709-0544 / (02) 441-6834 or visit their website Genesistransport.com.ph.
• Joy Bus Terminal to Baler is located along the Northbound lane of Edsa near Cubao. Visit this link for detailed info on How to Get to Baler from Manila.

Joy Bus Cubao to Baler Daily Trip Schedules and Fares

• 12:30AM Deluxe Bus Php730.00
• 1:00AM Semi Deluxe Bus Php650.00
• 1:30AM Deluxe Bus Php730.00
• 2:30AM Deluxe Bus Php730.00
• 5:30AM Semi Deluxe Bus Php650.00

Genesis Regular Aircon Bus Transport from Cubao to Baler: Daily Trip Schedules and Fares

Schedule: Leaves every 2 hours
First trip: 10:00pm
Last trip: 7:00am 
Fare: P488

From Cabanatuan City

Alternatively, one can take a bus to Cabanatuan City from the northern part of the Philippines. Buses, jeepneys, and private vans stationed in Cabanatuan Central Terminal in Nueva Ecija. It takes about two hours to reach the southernmost town of Dingalan and four hours to reach the provincial capital Baler.

Getting Around Baler

To experience a perfect Baler road trip, you can rent a Tricycle and ask the driver to take you to some of the adventure spots, heritage sites, and other tourist attractions listed below. To ensure a much more enjoyable tour, hire a Tourism Accredited Tricycle Driver that will also serve as your tour guide. Tourism Accredited drivers have IDs displayed in front of the tricycle.

• Tricycle Tour Rates: 800/ day (up to 3 passengers)

Where to Stay

ALIYA SURF & DIVE RESORT
Contact person: Roy Angara
Contact number: 09297586005
Email add: [email protected]

AMIHAN APLAYA LODGE
103 Bgy Sabang Baler, Aurora
Contact person: Lina Ferreras
Contact #: 0918-693-5904 / 0918-426-3268 / 0918-632-8566

AMCO BEACH RESORT – Book Online!
Bgy. Sabang Baler, Aurora
Contact person: Adelaida Miemban
Contact #: 0920-9190590 / 0918-238-3977 / 0909-406-8278

Azbahaen Leisure Farm and Resort – Book Now!
Brgy. Reserva, Reserva
Baler, Aurora

BAY’S INN
Bgy. Sabang Baler, Aurora
Contact Person: Rhoda / Ledda
Contact#: 0908-982-3509 / 0915-607-7391

CARLITO’S INN
P. T. Ong St., Brgy. Suklayin, Baler, Aurora
Contact Person: Aida Viron
Contact # 0908-872-0816

Costa Pacifica Resort – Book Online!
80 Buton St., Sitio Labasin,
Brgy Sabang, Sabang Beach, Baler

ISLA VIRGINIA RESORT
Brgy. Sabang, Baler, Aurora
Contact person: Vida Lungalong
Contact #:0920-755-0467
Manila Line: (02) 994-7157
Email: [email protected]

KAHEA’S LODGE
Bgy. Sabang Baler, Aurora
Contact Person: Edwin Namoro
Contact #: 0920-710-2634

LITTLE GIRL’S SURFER LODGE
Buton St., Brgy, Sabang, Baler, Aurora
Contact Person: Chona Cope
Contact #: 0918-685-9449

MM LODGE
Bgy. Sabang Baler, Aurora
Contact person: Engr. Andres Marmol
Contact #: 0919-537-9405

MORENO LODGE & RESTAURANT
Near New Public Market
Bgy. Suklayin Baler, Aurora
Contact Person: Myrna Moreno
Contact #: 0918 4514124/0928 5059354
Email: [email protected]

Aurora Polytechnic College Hostel
Barangay Buhangin, Baler, 3200, Aurora
Tel: 042-122 2994

Pedervera Beach Resort – Book Online!
Purok 6, Barangay, Buhangin
Baler, Aurora Philippines

SEA BREEZE LODGE
Brgy. Sabang Baler, Aurora
Contact Person: Liwliwa Sanchez

XTJR TRAVELLER’S INN
Near Old Public Market
Brgy. Buhangin Baler, Aurora
Contact Person: Belen Velasco
Contact#: 0919-879-7447

Also Read:

• List of Hotels and Resorts in Baler Aurora
• Some Like it S.M.A.R.T. and Hot in Baler
• The Quest for the Idyllic Beach Front Resort in Baler

Do you want to secure your hotel accommodation by booking online? See list of Hotels from Agoda.com.

Where to Eat in Baler

There are plenty of places to enjoy great Filipino food, but for my taste, you’ve got to hit a couple of spots. First, I recommend checking out Gerry’s Chinese and Seafood Restaurant. Fresh seafood on the coast? Of course.

Locals recommend it, and the prices are reasonable. If you’re looking for something up a level, check out Bahia de Baler. For something with a western flair and a good place at the beach, Bay’s Inn has good prices and a great location, too.

For other recommended restaurants in Baler: Where to Eat in Baler, Aurora

Planning your Trip to Baler

Once you’re in Baler, you’ll probably find many options that will pull you in many directions. If you’re a surfer, you’ll head to Sabang Beach. Near the beach, there are many surfboard rental places if you didn’t bring your board or want to try it out. Sabang is known to have a friendly touch for beginners.

I recommend the beach, of course, but you should also travel inland a bit and go for a freshwater swim at Culayan Falls near San Luis. Ditumabo Falls is a bit more dramatic, also near San Luis.

Local history is fascinating and dates back to 1609, so check out Baler’s Museum, Ermita Hill, and give yourself a day to wander the Baler historical trail. The Baler Catholic Church has been renovated and is a nice excellent stop.

If you want to explore the rainforest to see wildlife and the beautiful canopy, you should do the Baler Adventure tour.

Best Things to do and see in Baler

Diguisit Anyaw Islets

Said to be a different experience between low tide and high tide changes, those who may have experienced going to the place during its low tide will find themselves able to climb its rocky formations, which will have been a great experience. Otherwise, climbing can be challenging as some rocks are submerged in water. Luckily, our experience is of the former.

Diguisit Falls

Right across the Diguisit beach area, you can find a trail going to Diguisit Waterfalls. Just don’t visit it during summertime to avoid disappointment.

Balete Park in Maria Aurora

This park is famous for its 600-year-old balete tree. Currently the largest tree of its kind in Asia, it would take 60 adults, holding one another at arm’s, to encircle its gigantic trunk.

Location: Maria Aurora
Entrance Fee: P10 per person

Tibag–Sabang Hanging Bridge in Brgy. Zabali

Located at Barangay Zabali in Baler, the Tibag–Sabang hanging bridge is now gaining popularity among tourists who loves a little bit of adventure.

Church of Baler

The San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Church is the Catholic Church of Baler and was recently renovated. It looks crisp and clean on the outside, painted a soft minty green, and is nicely painted and decorated on the inside with an elaborate altar.

Dona Aurora Aragon Quezon House

If you’ve read my blog before, you know I’m into the heritage houses of past famous families of the Philippines. The drama surrounding the assassination of Dona Aurora and her daughter is well known in the Philippines, which is why the province is named after her. Located right in front of the Church of Baler, the Dona Aurora Aragon Quezon House is a rebuilt replica at the corner of San Luis St and Rizal St.

Baler 400 Years Monument

Built in 2011, the 400 years monument was created to celebrate the 400 years that Baler has existed. The actual anniversary was in 2009, but the memorial was unveiled two years later. It’s a 40-foot tall monument. It is made of four pillars, representing the four hundred years of Baler Township.

The Museo de Baler

Quezon Park is a nice place and home to a few other sights, but the Museo de Baler is definitely a central destination. A historical tale of the town is represented with photographs of provincial leaders, President Quezon and his family, and photos from the Japanese, Spanish, and American periods of Baler’s history.

Location: Quezon Street, Baler, Aurora
Entrance Fee: P30 per person
Open Daily from 8AM to 5PM

Ermita Hill

Ermita Hill is especially wonderful for the view you can see from the park. Ermita Hill is actually on a kind of small peninsula, a quiet place that juts out above the gorgeous waters below. Views of Baler Bay and Sabang Beach are picturesque from the view decks.

Visit Ditumabo or Mother Falls

In the town of San Luis, the hidden beauty of Aurora is the grandest of all waterfalls in the province: the Ditumabo Falls, commonly known as Mother Falls. The waterfalls are some 15-meter high, dropping to a small reservoir, creating a green-colored natural swimming pool that can accommodate over 100 persons.

Location: San Luis, Aurora
Entrance Fee: P30 per person / Guide Fee P200 good for 10 pax

Other Activities and Tourist Attractions in Baler

• Learn how to surf at Sabang Beach (details soon on Baler Travel Guide)
• Do the Baler Heritage Walk
• Do the Baler Adventure Tour
• Scuba Diving in Baler
• Dicasalarin Beach
• Ampere Beach
• Buluwan Falls
• Paltic Falls
• Cunayan Falls
• Canawer Beach

Pasalubong Shopping in Baler

• Buy Suman from locals
• Buy Homemade Peanut Butter and Coco Jam from Nanay Pacing
• Buy Buco Tarts from Aurora Polytechnic College Hostel
• Buy items from Pasalubong Center at the Baler bus terminal

LIKHANG AURORA ARTS & CRAFTS 
Address: Brgy. Mucdol, Dipaculao, Aurora
Phone: 0908.732.0658/0919.452.4611
Products: Coco-shells and bamboo novelty items, chandelier, lampshade, paintings

AURORA HATS AND CRAFTS 
Address: Brgy. 02, San Luis, Aurora
Phone: 0949.473.7456
Products: Hats, Bags, Placemats, Novelty Items

More Baler Travel Tips

• Bring enough cash; only 2 ATM Machines are available in the Town Center.
• Mobile Phone Signals are available in most parts of the town (SMART is the strongest)
• Always bring sunblock
• The best time to surf is from September to March

Baler Travel Budget and Expenses

• Joy Bus (Php730 one way): Php1,460
• Tricycle Tour: Php800
• Habal-Habal: Php75.00
• Museo de Baler Entrance Fee: P30.00
• Entrance Fee Ditumabo Falls: Php30.00
• Parking Fee Ditumabo Falls: Php10.00
• Surfing Lessons Fee: P350 per hour

DIY Travel Tips

Like many places, Baler has a lot to offer that you won’t necessarily be able to plan for. I like to go to Baler because it’s always got a surprise waiting for me. Sometimes the surprise is a visit to a beach I’d never seen before – like Amper, Borlongan, or Cemento – and other times, it’s finding a place to eat recommended by someone else staying in town. There are a lot of great day trips, so it’s easy to plan things to be full, but resist the temptation and leave some of your time wide open.

Baler Tourism Contact Info

Aurora Provincial Tourism Office
Capitol Cpd., Brgy. Suklayin, Baler, Aurora 3200
Contact: Michael Palispis – Provincial Tourism Officer
Mobile Number: 0921-3207015
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.aurora.gov.ph

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Also Read:

• Top 10 Best Beach Resorts In Baler, Aurora
• Best Things To Do In Baler, Aurora