An alternative to La Union, Baler is one of the best places you should visit if you love surfing. Located just 5 hours away from Manila, Baler could be your perfect getaway for short time holidays or over the weekend.
Personally, two nights of staying in this not so urbanized town would already be satisfying, but of course that could always depend on your liking (and time availability). It can be perceive that Baler is strengthening its tourism with the different constructions of roads and resorts in the place, which could really help make the transportation easier and accommodation better!
Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora
Though, there aren’t a lot of things to see in Baler (that I could say really wowed me) but its history and story to tell is something that one could really dwell into.
If ever you would want to do other things in Baler aside from Surfing these are my 5 highly suggested things you should do.
5 Other Things to do in Baler aside from Surfing
Walk around the Town
Hire a trike to bring you at Quezon Memorial Park, here you can get know more of Baler through Museo de Baler. A few meters away you’ll find Aurora Quezon Ancestral House. The Baler Municipal Tourism Office, which was the old Baler Municipal Hall is also located in this area. You can spend an hour here to get to know more of the town.
Climb Diguisit Water Falls
The nearest waterfalls and probably the easiest one to hike is called Diguisit Water Falls. The two level of cascading waterfalls is just adjacent the main road, so we can probably say it would be the easiest to trek. But don’t be fooled with it easily for the rock could be a bit slippery still so proper precaution on going up is still highly needed.
Explore Aniao Islet
Just a few meters away from Diguisit Falls you’ll find Diguisit Beach, also known as Diguisit Bay. This bay got a unique beauty with the huge rock formations scattered around place called as the Aniao Islet. You’ll be captivated with its beauty especially if you’ll visit during sunrise. Pay only 20 pesos and you’ll be able to enjoy the view, the beach as well as the manmade pool created nearby that is perfect for kids and family who prefer it over the rocky seawater.
Cross Baler Hanging bridge
If you’ve crossed a lot of hanging bridge already, the Baler hanging bridge could be skipped in your itinerary but if you weren’t braving to pass it could look like an adventure. The Baler hanging bridge is made from iron and wood and stretches over the over Tibag-Sabang River. Being at the center will truly give one a nice scenic view of the river flowing from the ocean. There are also souvenir shops that you can enjoy located on both sides of the bridge.
Trek Ermita Hill
If you enjoy trekking, visiting Ermita Hill should definitely be part of your itinerary. But if you are a laid back traveller, renting a trike could make you skip the trek. Ermita hill is the highest point in the town and can give you a picturesque view of the whole place on top of the hill. It plays an important part in Baler’s history that at the lower part of the hill you will find “Tromba Marina”, which were human sculptures picturing the families who climbed up the hill and survived the catastrophic tsunami that happened in 1735. Base on the story the surviving families only include; the Angara, Bihasa, Bitong, Carrasco, Lumasac and Poblete.
BEST WAY TO GO AROUND BALER
There are other places that you could also visit nearby Baler, which includes the Century Old Balete Tree located in the town of Maria Aurora or Ditumabo falls located in San Luis. To make things easier, just hire a local trike to bring you to all those places. Certified drivers got a menu already posted on their vehicles so you would not need to worry on mapping all the places. The trike tour prices vary depending on the places you would be visiting and the duration of the activity. Expect to pay Php 50 (US$1) per head for a one-way trip going to the town or around Php 500-800 (US$10 to 15) for a whole day tour.
