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Traveloka PH

05 Oct 2017 - 9 min read

10 Best Tourist Spots in Baler to Discover

1. Baler Catholic Church

San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Parish

(photo via Commons, @Ramon FVelasquez)

Also known as San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Parish, the most iconic tourist spot in town. The Baler Catholic Church serves to be a testament to the strength of Baler and its locals. The subject of the 2008 movie “Baler”, the church was the site of the Siege of Baler wherein 54 Spanish soldiers refused to surrender to the Americans even after the war ended. Dubbed as the “Last Spanish Garrison”, the rebels took refuge in the church for close to a year, before raising the white flag in 1899 after suffering from starvation and disease.

Type: Heritage, Religious Site
Location: Rizal Street, Poblacion
Directions: From Manila, you can take an air conditioned bus from Cubao to Baler. From the Baler Market, take a tricycle to the church.
Budget: FREE (excluding the transportation)
Operation Hours: 6am (daily mass)
Activities To Do: - View the La Campana de Baler at the bell tower of the church, believed to be from the 17th century. - Understand the significance of the church to Philippine history by reading through the markers around the church.
Don’t Miss: The church was relocated to its current space in Rizal Street in 1939. You’ll be able to spot some of its original details in the church’s interiors.
Travel Tip: Baler Catholic Church is only a few blocks away from other historical Baler tourist spots. Bets to plot your schedule for the day so you can visit all the sites.

2. Sabang Beach

Sabang Beach

(photo via Instagram, @zenmenow)

Sabang Beach is one of the most visited Baler tourist spots for its sand and waves. Known by some as the birthplace of surfing in the country, it boasts of waves reaching up to 14ft during peak surfing season. Sabang Beach runs over two-kilometers of gray sandy beach with several resorts and guesthouses offering lodging. Bars and restaurants also line the area.

Type: Beach
Location: Barangay Sabang, Baler
Directions: Commuters can take an air conditioned bus ride from Cubao straight to Baler. From Baler town proper, you can take a tricycle to the beach.
Budget: Beach access is FREE, Bus fare is around P600
Activities To Do: Surf, Windsurf
Don’t Miss: Aside from the waves, the sunset is a must-see.
Travel Tip: Swim! While the shore may not be that inviting, the waters make up for it. Sabang Beach is free to the public, so locals and tourists can freely swim. Soft sand bed the waters, making it safe for swimmers.

3. Museo de Baler

Baler Museum

(photo via Commons, @Devinceoy)

Baler is a significant part not only of Philippine history but also of the world. And at Museo de Baler you’ll learn how important this town is. Built in 2002, the museum features exhibits that showcase the over 400-year history of the Aurora municipality. Artifacts, art pieces, and documents dating back to the Spanish era are housed in the museum.

Type: Museum
Location: Quezon St, Poblacion, Baler
Directions: Museo de Baler can be reached by taking a tricycle from the town market.
Budget: starts at P30.00 (entrance fee)
Operation Hours: 8am to 5pm daily
Activities To Do: - Browse through the many exhibits that show the rich heritage and culture of Baler. - Make sure to view the restored Chrysler Airflow 1937 presidential car of the late President Manuel Quezon.
Don’t Miss: Make sure to appreciate the intricate design of the museum’s facade. Created by renowned sculptor Toym Imao, the murals depict historical events in the Baler’s history.
Travel Tips: - Best to briefly read about Baler’s history before visiting the museum to appreciate the exhibits better. - Visit nearby Dona Aurora’s house and the Baler Catholic Church after your stop at Museo de Baler.

4. Balete Park and Millennium Tree

Millenium Balete Tree

(photo via Shutterstock, @Kim David)

Balete Park is best known for the Millennium Tree -- the biggest Balete tree in Asia. With a height of 215 feet and a diameter of close to 200 feet, the tree is one of most visited Baler tourist spots for its majesty. According to reports, it requires over 60 grown men, arm-to-arm, to circle the trunk of the tree.

Type: Park
Location: Brgy Quirino, Maria Aurora
Directions: From Baler town proper, you can take a tricycle to Balete Park.
Budget: P10 (entrance fee)
Activities To Do: - Climb the Millennium tree! For a fee, locals can help you ascend the ginormous tree for a one-of-a-kind experience. - Enter the tree! Yes, you read that right -- you can enter and explore the Millennium tree’s trunk. Because of its nature, Balete trees have hollow trunks. And given the size of this one, its trunk can fit over 10 people inside.
Don’t Miss: Taking a snap with the tree is a must!
Travel Tip: Wear the appropriate clothing and footwear, especially on rainy days when the area is muddy and slippery.

5. Dicasalarin Cove

Dicasalarin Cove

(photo via Shutterstock, @Kristian Maglalang)

The white sand and blue waters are what attracts tourists to this paradise in Baler. Dicasalarin Cove is privately owned by the Angara family but is open to those who want to visit at daytime. The white sand beach, rock formations, and clear blue waters reflect the mountains that surround the area.

Type: Beach
Location: Barangay Zabali, Baler
Budget: P300 (public entrance fee), P100 (Costa Pacific guest entrance fee), P3,000 (Van Rental)
Operation Hours: 6am to 5pm daily
Activities To Do: - Climb the 170-step stairway to the Lighthouse and appreciate the overall beauty of Dicasalarin Cove. - Sunbathe on the white sand or swim in the blue waters, just be careful of the rock formations.
Don’t Miss: There’s a picnic area where you can enjoy the beauty of the place over great food. Just make sure you clean up as you go.
Travel Tip: Travel to Dicasalarin Cove could be bumpy and winding. If you or your friends get car sick easily, consider taking motion sickness medicine and bring water and candies.

6. Ermita Hill

Statues at Ermita Hil

(photo via Commons, @Ramon FVasquez)

If you want to appreciate the beauty of Aurora province, then head on up to Ermita Hill. The two-hectare area provides a scenic view of the Pacific Ocean, Casiguran Bay, Sabang Beach, Dimadimalangat Islets and the towns of Aurora. But Ermita Hill isn’t just a view deck, it also has a historical significance to the province. Back in the 18th century, a tsunami hit the town of Baler wiping out the area. Survivors of the disaster were said to have climbed the Ermita Hill, seeking refuge. A statue at the bottom of the hill commemorates this historic event.

Type: Heritage park, Viewdeck
Location: Sitio Cemento, Brgy. Zabali, Baler
Directions: You can take a tricycle ride from the town proper to Ermita Hill, about a 15-minute ride. Another 25-minute trek up to Ermita Hill’s peak for the perfect view.
Budget: FREE
Operation Hours: 6am to 7pm daily
Activities To Do: - Climb up the Ermita Hill and appreciate the panorama of the province. From the Pacific Ocean to Sabang Beach, to the islets that surround the area -- the view is breathtaking. - Picnics are perfect at the hilltop. Aside from the well-maintained grass and gazebos for guests, the beautiful background completes the ultimate picnic experience.
Don’t Miss: Visit the Tromba Marina statue at the foot of the hill, commemorating the tsunami that hit the town of Baler and the locals who survived.

7. Diguisit Falls

Diguisit Falls

(photo via Commons, @Ramon FVelasquez)

Waterfalls are always breathtaking. Moreso, if it’s a three-level cascading waterfall. The multi-level body of water is found in Baler, right beside the highway. A complete nature adventure, to get to the second and third tiers, you have to do a short trek. A mini pool can also be found on the top level of the Diguisit Falls, perfect for swimming in the cool, fresh waters.

Type: Waterfall, Nature
Location: Sitio Diguisit, Barangay Zabali, Baler
Directions: You can take a bus ride from Cubao straight to Baler. From the bus terminal, you can take a tricycle to the Baler tourist spot.
Budget: FREE
Activities To Do: - Take a shower under the cool, mountain waters of the falls. - Swim in the cool waters of the mini pool at the topmost level of the falls.
Don’t Miss: The Diguisit Beach is just a short walk from the falls. For P20, the beach features grainy brown sand and awesome views of the rock formations nearby.
Travel Tips: - After a swim at the falls, you can use the comfort and changing rooms at the Diguisit Beach. - Rocks at the falls could be slippery and muddy, please take caution when climbing the rocks.

8. Baler Town Plaza

Baler Town Plaza

(photo via Instagram, @azelponce)

The town plaza is the center of everything in Baler. Huge standees that spell out “Baler” welcome tourists to the Aurora municipality, while the 400 years monument stands in the middle as a reminder of the historic 400 years of Baler. From the center, you can see several of focal Baler tourist spots -- all within walking distance. Several monuments and statues also pay homage to heroes and historic events of the country.

Type: Community center, Heritage site
Location: Quezon Street, Poblacion, Baler
Budget: FREE
Activities To Do: - Take a selfie or group photo with the “Baler” letters standee! It’s the perfect I-went-to-Baler photo for your Instagram. - There are several monuments and historical markers around the town center worth reading. It gives a better idea of the historical background and significance of the municipality as well as the surrounding Baler tourist spots.
Don’t Miss: There are several statues of famed Filipino heroes around the city center.

9. Ditumabo Falls

Ditumabo Falls

(photo via Instagram, @ferrer_me24)

Known as the Mother Falls, Ditumabo Falls is the biggest one in Baler. It offers clear blue waters falling from a height of 140ft. The adventurous ones can dive off one of the lower cliffs straight into the cool waters.

Type: Waterfall, Nature
Location: Brgy Ditumabo, San Luis, Aurora
Budget: P30 per person (entrance fee), P300 (tour guide)
Operation Hours: 8am to 4pm
Activities To Do: Cliff diving and Swimming
Don’t Miss: Make sure to take photos of the falls. You’d want to have a souvenir of this natural treasure when all’s said and done.
Travel Tips: - Food and drinks are not allowed in the area. - You’d have to take a 3km trek to the falls, make sure you wear the appropriate footwear.

10. Dona Aurora’s House

Dona Aurora House

(photo via Commons, @Ramon FVelasquez)

Dona Aurora is a pillar in Aurora’s history, so much so that the province was named after her. The wife of late President Manuel L. Quezon has been revered by locals for her commitment to goodwill and humanitarian efforts. She was the first ever chairman of Red Cross, and as first lady, helped build learning centers. To celebrate her life, her ancestral home has been turned into a heritage site.

Type: Heritage site
Location: Rizal Street, Poblacion, Baler
Budget: P30 (including Museo de Baler)
Operation Hours: 8am to 5pm daily
Activities To Do: Browse through exhibits of old photos and timelines of Baler and the Quezon family. You’ll learn more about the town while also seeing how life was in Aurora during the 1940s.
Don’t Miss: Make sure to read through historical marker found at the front of the house. It explains the significance of Dona Aurora’s house to Baler’s history.

Enjoy a fun experience and check out other things to do, restaurants to try, and more in Baler. Discover cheap hotel deals and cheap flights from carriers like Philippine Airlines, AirAsia, and more with Traveloka!]]>

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