DICASALARIN COVE: THE HIDDEN PARADISE OF BALER

If you’re planning on a holiday getaway and want to experience a postcard-kind of beach and view, only land-travel from Manila with a minimal budget, I recommend Baler, Aurora specifically the Dicasalarin Cove. Travel time from Manila might take up to 7 hours, depending on the traffic.

Baler Monument for its 400 years celebration

The iconic Baler Pylons located at the town square.

Baler, Aurora is known for its strong-current waves thus the perfect spot if you’re into surfing. Sabang is the well-known spot for surfing, but it’s not the best place if you’re planning on a quiet and relaxing vacation. If you’re plan is for a relaxing, secluded, and nature oriented environment with a mesmerizing view, then Dicasalarin Cove is maybe what you’re looking for.

Dicasalarin Cove upon approach. 

The Team Baler, upon arrival at the resort. Rowell, Jessica, Jama, Keithlyn, Nica, Marian, Glenn, JC, Russell, Sherwin and Karl- my travel buddies for this trip.

Dicasalarin Place Guide Map

Dicasalarin Cove is a private resort owned by the Angara family. Everything is here, from a majestic vista, white sand beach, crystal clear water and access to Baler lighthouse. It is 45 minutes ride from Baler Town proper and you can ask the locals for the directions. On your way to Dicasalarin Cove, you will pass-by the Baler Public Market and I suggest for you to buy ready to cook foods since the foods in the cove is quite expensive and there are few options to choose from. The main entrance to the cove is almost adjacent to PAGASA Weather Station. You have to pay an entrance fee of Php 300.00, but if you’re a guest of Costa Pacifica and Bahia de Baler, you will only pay Php 100.00. You have to prepare yourself for zigzags going to the main entrance of the resort, and I suggest you better have an experienced driver since the road becomes too narrow, steep and one-way/one lane entry only.

The Ifugao House

This hand will greet you upon entry to your room.

Russell, the soon-to-be Haciendero. 

The nature of Dicasalarin.

Greeneries all over the place: it seems like you're in Bali, Indonesia.

For your accommodations, you can rent a tent which is good up to 4 persons. You can also rent an Ifugao House, inspired by Ifugao architecture with 2 bedrooms, 2 comfort rooms, 1 central dining area with 2 “silongs” underneath. This is made of Philippine hardwoods, adopting the concept of Filipino vernacular architecture. The rate for Ifugao house ranges up to Php 14,000.00 per day, and they have the best accommodations with very polite and helpful staff. This is also inclusive of breakfast meals for 8 persons.

The Cove is surrounded by mountains which makes the scenery more dramatic.

White sand beach, crystal clear water and mountains on the background. Just wow.

My senior and his partner, as well our travel coordinators for this trip. 

The boys of the Planning Department.

Someone is jealous as caught on cam.

Team Typhoon Chedeng. 

DICASALARIN BEACH

The beach is one of the best assets of the resort. I’ve been to Nagsasa Cove in Zambales and I can say we have the best beaches in Luzon. White sand, undisturbed waters, line of mountains on the background and perfect Vista- these are just some of the things you will encounter on your stay here. There are also lots of hermit crabs, or “Umang” as what I’ve known it, and other types of crabs. Surfing is not allowed here, and swimming hours is only up to 6:00 pm. Maybe one of the reasons why surfing isn’t allowed here is because of the unavailability of lifeguards unlike in Sabang.

If you’re facing the beach, behind you is the knee-depth river that terminates in the open sea. The water is really cold and clear- you can even see fishes.

Playing on a white sand. 

Playing in the beach. The moment Keithlyn's sunglasses' vanish in just a blink of an eye.

Dicasalarin River.

Chilling under a bright blue sky. Where's the sign of Typhoon Chedeng?

A little chit chat at the cold river.

A very nice weather on a luscious background. 

Meet my new friend, one of the local aetas of Baler. 

They're asking for a pic, both of them were smiling. 

Meet their basketball playmates: Jama, Sherwin, Russell and Glenn.

With Jessica, Khaye, Jama and Glenn.

BALER LIGHTHOUSE

From the beach, you can go to Baler Lighthouse, one of the iconic structures in the region. It will take you 30-45 minutes going to the lighthouse, and they have constructed a stairs for the ease of the tourists. It’s like climbing the hundred steps of grotto, steep steps going up but mind telling you, once you reached the top it is very rewarding. I suggest you visit the lighthouse at around 4:00pm, or during sunset, for a more dramatic scenery above. The view is really breath taking, being on the edge of the cliff, hundred feet above sea level with a 360 degree view vista.

We must take adventures in order to know where we truly belong. -Dicasalarin Cove

Pose!

Footprints in the sand.

We're just like hermits crabs, climbing rocks.

On our way to Baler Lighthouse.

Halfway to Baler Lighthouse. The view is really amazing!

Glenn, Nica, Jama, Jessica, Rowell, Keithlyn, Russell, Marian, Karl and Sherwin.

Karl and Marian <3

Waves as seen from above.

As seen from the other side.

The Baler Lighthouse. The view and the background. Just wow.

We're almost on the edge of the cliff from a bird's eye view. Thanks Jama!

Climbing the Lighthouse for a picture.

With Karl, Russell, Marian, Sherwin, Rowell, Khaye, Jessica, Nica and Glenn.

Meditating in the lighthouse.

Time's up! Heading down back to the cottage. 

My newfound friends from Baler: Hermit crabs!

Keithlyn, Rowell and Nica, while waiting for the dinner. 

With the night's last men standing. Karl, Khaye, Glenn, Russell, Rowell and Nica

One last pic with the Ifugao House, before we bid goodbye.

SIDE TRIPS

There are lots of side trips to include in your itinerary. You can ask the locals for other best spots in the municipality, and there are wide options to choose from. You can visit the Daguisit Falls, the Ditumabo Falls (or also known as the Mother Falls) which is located in Barangay San Luis. We didn’t have the opportunity to visit these falls because it is full-packed of tourists at the time (and we got discouraged by a local tourist due to volume of crowd in the area) so we ended up exploring the town proper of Baler. If you’re planning for a lunch with a minimal budget but served with original Pinoy foods with touch of Baler cuisine, you can eat at Thelma’s Kitchenette. Here you can enjoy variety of meals, while having a chit chat with Aling Thelma herself.

Baler Public Market.

Fruits at Bagsakan Area, Baler Public Market.

Singkamas. Perfect for pulutan.

Baler Palengke Boys.

Thelma's Kitchenette Menu. 

With the gang at Thelma's Kitchenette.

There are also ready to eat foods at Baler Town proper, from mobile Jollibee, Chowking (their halo halo is the best seller and best for the season) and many more. You can also shop for pasalubong on the town square. Also located here is the iconic BALER pylons, but you have to queue before you can take pictures.

The Vista Ladies: Marian, Jessica, Khaye and Nica.

SK mates before, Officemates now. With Keithlyn. 

Few meters from the town square is the Quezon Memorial Park. It is a cool, breezy place for a stroll. You can have a sit with President Manuel L. Quezon and took some pictures. You should also visit the Museo de Baler at Php 30.00 for the entrance fee, and you will know more about the culture, history and geography of Baler.  

The municipal Town Square.

Mobile Chwoking with its best seller: Halo Halo. 

With President Manuel Quezon. Baler is his hometown.

Museo de Baler.

We're blocking the entrance, I guess. Haha,

These we're painted by local childrens of Baler. 

We're planning for our next adventure. Where to go next? Calaguas?

Guess who's the Filipinos and Spaniards on this picture?

Baler typical vernacular house in the 1800s. 

Russell the shy. 

Re-enacting the picture with Marian and Karl. So sweet.

Galleon trade even happened in Baler. 

BALER is one of the best vacation places in Luzon. I recommend if you will rent a van rather than commuting especially if there are side trips on your itineraries. If you’re planning to stay for an overnight, much better if you pack meals since the foods are quite expensive on the resort. And of course, it’s more enjoyable if you spent vacation with friends, and don’t forget to take a break once in a while. A getaway spent with friends is a well spent one. Thanks Karl, Marian, Russell, Glenn, Sherwin, Khaye, Jama, Jessica, Nica, Rowell and JC for this memorable trip. Until our next getaway!

Until our next getaway! 

Now are you ready to say HALER TO BALER? :)