Calatagan in Batangas may not be on top of your mind when you crave about Vitamin Sea especially this summer season. And to be frank about it, neither do I.
However, since our trip was unplanned and most resorts are fully booked, we ended up with this 3-hour drive away from Manila and here’s what we love about this town in the South.
1. The best of both worlds
When I say the best of both worlds, no I’m not referring to the city and province dichotomy but rather a sweet spot that’ll allow you to witness breathtaking sunset and sunrise in front of the vast ocean.
We camped along the shores at the West and yes, it offers a very stunning sunset. The following day, we drove for a few minutes to the East side of the town that gave us the perfect sunrise which I haven’t seen for years.
If you find peace and tranquility watching the sun set or rise, then this place indeed can give you the best of both worlds.
2. Scenic Roadtrip
They said Calatagan was formerly titled as the Forbes Park of the South due to rich families owning estates. Along the way, it reminded me of Negros due to vast portion of flat land and sugarcane plantations. We even stopped at this tree-lined road along the highway full of what they call rubber trees to feel the vibe, just chill and savor the fresh air that’s very different from the city.
3. Affordable Accommodation
On our way, we saw several resorts and camping grounds and upon checking, there’s a lot of affordable accommodations in the West side of Calatagan. On our first night, we stayed in Stilts where we opted to just camp as the whole resort is fully booked. The resort is quite huge and it confused me already of its over all concept. However, their staffs are very accommodating and helpful despite the number of guests that they have.
The following day, we transferred to Sunrise Cove Resort. The rough and steep road going there suggests already what’s in store for us. This place is not as developed as the ones in the West but if you’re looking for something raw, the serenity of the place will be enough. We booked their Honeymoon House and we just spent the night in our balcony while having some drinks with the moon and ocean right in front of us.
Over-all, Calatagan for me is not the best place if you’re craving for a really fancy ambiance to relax. However, if you’re like us who can also enjoy a not so developed and unpopular spots coupled with raw beauty of nature, then this place is worthwhile.
