Aurora

Day Trips

Arrive in Baler via scenic road from Manila and feel the lush mountains rising around you. Check into a cozy beachside inn with local bamboo accents. Take a leisurely walk along the shoreline, breathing in the salt-laced breeze.

Head to the local public market to sample freshly caught fish and tropical fruits. Chat with friendly vendors and learn about regional delicacies like kinilaw and suman. Stroll through the town plaza and admire Spanish colonial-era buildings and the old church.

Dine at a seaside restaurant serving succulent grilled seafood with coconut rice. Watch fishermen hauling in their nets under a pastel sunset. End the day with live acoustic music at a beachfront bar.

Begin your day with invigorating surf lessons at Sabang Beach, guided by experienced local instructors. Feel the rush as you catch your first waves against a backdrop of lush jungle. Sip warm banana hot chocolate from a beach shack between sessions.

Relax on the fine golden shore and join a beach volleyball game with other travelers. Explore tide pools where tiny crabs and colorful starfish lurk. Grab a fresh coconut and lie under swaying palm fronds.

Wander to a nearby stall for an authentic Filipino dinner of adobo and ginataang gulay. Watch the surf reflect moonlight and listen to the rhythmic ocean roar. Invite new friends to a bonfire for stories and marshmallow roasting.

Travel north to Diguisit Beach, a serene stretch of sand fringed by coconut trees. Walk the soft shoreline collecting seashells and marvel at the emerald waters. Capture photos of fisherfolk casting nets from wooden bancas.

Hop on a rented motorbike and ride to Bakas Cove through winding coastal roads. Discover an isolated inlet surrounded by dramatic rock formations. Snorkel in the clear lagoon and observe vibrant corals.

Head back to Diguisit Beach for a quiet dinner by lamplight, sampling kinulob na alimango (mud crab stew). Gaze at the Milky Way emerging overhead in the dark sky. Enjoy the gentle lullaby of waves as you unwind.

Set off on a guided trek through verdant rainforest to Ditumabo Mother Falls. Listen to the sounds of cicadas and tall trees swaying above the fern-lined trail. Pause at crystal-clear pools for a refreshing dip.

Arrive at the majestic falls and stand in awe of the 70-foot cascade surrounded by limestone walls. Swim in the cool plunge pool under a natural spray of mist. Savor a picnic lunch of local tamales and fresh fruit.

Return to Baler and indulge in a soothing coconut oil massage at a local spa. Dine on sinigang na hipon (sour shrimp soup) at a family-run eatery. Unwind on your balcony as fireflies dance in the night.

Climb Ermita Hill before dawn and witness a breathtaking sunrise over Sabang Bay. Feel the morning mist and watch as colors shift across the sky. Capture panoramic views of Agno River weaving through the valley.

Explore the Baler Museo, housed in a Spanish-era fortress, and learn about local history. Visit the old Marabut Lighthouse perched on rugged cliffs. Enjoy a leisurely lunch of grilled liempo and ensaladang talong.

Stroll along the bay promenade at twilight, sampling street food like banana cue. Drop by the local coffee shop to taste barako beans brewed Filipino style. End the evening with quiet reflection by a candlelit torched path.

Charter a small boat to Dicasalarin Cove, a hidden white-sand paradise enclosed by limestone hills. Enjoy a tranquil beach walk and admire the emerald lagoon. Spot colorful tropical fish in the shallow inlet.

Picnic on fresh sandwiches and fruit under a solitary casuarina tree. Embark on a brief hike to a vantage point for sweeping cove views. Take in the calm, crystal waters before heading back by banca.

Return to Sabang and dine on grilled tanigue (Spanish mackerel) with garlic butter. Engage in conversation with local fishermen sharing tales of the sea. Fall asleep to the distant sound of waves lapping at the shore.

Depart before dawn for Dingalan, a two-hour coastal drive dotted with waterfalls and ridges. Reach the cliffs in time to witness the sun peeking over the Pacific horizon. The dramatic rocky shoreline and restless waves create a photographer’s paradise.

Explore the hydro-power trail near the plant and splash under a hidden waterfall. Venture to nearby Aniao Islets and snorkel amid black basalt rocks. Refuel with a packed lunch of grilled squid and vegetables.

Return to Baler under a sky ablaze with sunset hues. Attend an open-air folk storytelling event in the town plaza. Sample homemade cashew wine as nighttime descends.

Drive to Dilasag and trek through the Casapsapan Forest Reserve, home to flying lemurs and hornbills. Feel the cool canopy shade and listen to the forest chorus. Spot wild orchids and giant ferns along the misty trail.

Descend to Casapsapan Beach, famed for its powdery white sand and clear blue water. Lounge under coconut palms and swim in tranquil seas. Enjoy a light lunch of tinapa flakes and tomato-onion salad.

Set up a simple beach barbecue with fresh seafood and local rice wine. Gather around a makeshift table as stars fill the sky. Share stories over gentle waves lapping the shore.

Embark on a scenic road trip northward along the Pacific coast toward San Luis. Pause at vantage points overlooking rolling hills and the ocean expanse. Satisfy hunger with roadside snacks of kiping and banana chips.

Arrive at Dipaculao’s rocky coves and take a refreshing swim in natural pools. Visit Cape San Agustin and marvel at its lighthouse ruins perched on cliffs. Sample coconut-based desserts at a local café.

Stop in San Luis town proper for a homemade dinner of grilled chicken inasal. Meander through a quiet barangay market selling handmade crafts. Return to Baler under a canopy of glimmering stars.

Spend the morning learning to cook traditional Aurora dishes with a local family in their home kitchen. Roll fresh lumpia and prepare ginataan using farm-fresh produce. Enjoy the fruits of your labor seated around a wooden dining table.

Visit a nearby handicraft workshop to watch artisans weaving baskets and mats from pandan leaves. Shop for souvenirs like hand-painted abaca fans and wood-carved ornaments. Indulge in halo-halo at a local cart.

Enjoy a farewell dinner at a beachfront restaurant serving fusion Filipino cuisine. Raise a toast to newfound friends and unforgettable memories. Pack your belongings and prepare for departure the next morning.