Baler is known as a surfer’s haven. People usually flock here during the months of November to April to ride the gigantic waves at Sabang beach. While the waves may not be as humongous as the ones in Siargao, people seem to still enjoy surfing at the black beach. But more than surfing, Baler has a million of things to offer. During our stay at the newly-opened Costa Pacifica Raintree in Sabang, we had the chance to discover the beauty of the once sleepy town of Baler. We started our quest within the resort, so have a look at the myriad of things you can do while at Costa Pacifica Raintree. Believe, no dull moment here.
1. Lounge at the Beach House
If you want to just laze around and have some refreshing drinks or cocktails, choose a table by the poolside. The sound of the swaying trees and the sea will definitely lure you to sleep. Plus, there is complimentary WiFi there, so you surf the net, update your FB status and Instagram all you want while enjoying the stunning view.
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| The poolside |
2. Drown on anything buko (coconut)
Coconut is abundant in Baler, so at the Beach House, do not be surprised if you see a jug of fresh coconut water at the breakfast buffet. Enjoy different buko concoctions like buko lychee smoothie and fresh buko juice complete with its shell. At lunch or dinner, enjoy a warm bowl of chicken binakol — a native chicken soup made of coconut water, of course.
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| Buko lychee smoothie |
3. Have a dip
It tends to get really hot at noon time in Baler, and what other way to beat the heat but to have a dip at the infinity pool. The pool is huge and has varying depth. Kids can enjoy here, too!
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| The infinity pool |
And if you got tired of swimming, why not grab a book and lounge at the poolside. Sun bathe if you wish, or grab a complimentary glass of lemon-infused water.
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| Beach beds by the poolside |
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| A smaller pool at the other side |
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| Yours truly at the poolside |
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| A refreshing concoction by the poolside |
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| Colorful outdoor chairs |
4. Try a variety of pako (fern) dishes
Other than buko, Baler is also abundant in pako (fern). Randy, the resort manager said that it is cheaper than other common vegetables like kang-kong and camote tops because there are lots of supply from local farms. So, at Costa Pacifica Raintree, they made different dishes out of this local ingredient. They have pako salad to start with, pako spring rolls, pako pizza, and the list goes on. So vegans and non-vegans alike, make sure to sample these dishes when you’re in Baler.
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| Pako salad |
5. Beach bum
While the sand at Sabang beach is totally black, it is without a doubt the finest black sand I’ve ever seen. I could walk barefoot there without hurting my feet. I am not a big fan of black beaches I must admit, but this one is an exemption. Think of the fineness of the sand in Boracay, and turn it into dark gray. That’s how it is. You can just stroll along the boardwalk that connects the entire strip or just sit on the sand and watch surfers playing around. The waves are not too strong when we went there so it is conducive for swimming.
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| The boardwalk that connects the resorts at Sabang beach |
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| Sabang Beach |
6. Indulge in sinful bagnet (crispy pork belly)
Who said you need to go to Ilocos to eat bagnet? At Costa Pacifica Raintree, bagnet is one of their many specialties. I died for a second when I first tried this at the Beach House. It’s skin is perfectly crisp and the meat is crisp on the outside and uber succulent on the inside. One bite and you’re in seventh heaven. Add to that, the spicy rock salt that gives it a devilish twist. Before going to Baler, better make sure your cholesterol levels are all normal. =)
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| Sinful, devilish bagnet |
7. Surf’s up
Hey, you’re in Baler, so better try surfing! No need to worry if you’re a first-timer. There are guides who’ll be patient enough to take care of you. There are lots of people who go here just to try out surfing even if they don’t have any idea about the sport. They call it “lifestyle surfing.” Rates here are cheaper. But pros are also welcome (hello, Jericho Rosales is a regular guest here). Lesson rates starts at Php 300.
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| Surfing instructors abound |
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| A guy trying to balance his way to the shore |
Do you want to see how many people are trying to learn how to surf in Sabang? Here, take a look! Oh, by the way, it’s off peak season.
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| “Lifestyle” surfers in Sabang |
8. Eat Suman de Baler dipped in coco jam and peanut butter
If you love dipping your suman in sugar or chocolate sauce, I am sure you will love it in Nanay Pacing’s peanut butter and coco jam. It’s heavenly. The peanut butter is not too oily yet still tastes like local peanut butter (for the record, I am not keen of imported peanut butters. I find it dry and too artificial). The coco jam is divine as it is not too sweet. I can eat it alone. Goodbye cookie butter! Oh, and make sure you bring home a bottle. It’s worth it.
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| Delectable suman with peanut butter and coco jam |
9. Watch the sunrise from your room or garden
Whether from inside your room or in your own garden, make sure you get up at around 5:00 am to catch the beautiful sunrise at Costa Pacifica Raintree. The best spot to see it is at the guard’s post, where you can also see Diguisit beach from afar.
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| Lush lanai in front of our suite |
10. Shop for local finds
If you don’t have time to go out of the resort to buy some souvenirs, the resort has its own boutique where you can buy shirts, sabutan bags, mats and hats, as well as some wooden ladles. Sabutan is a kind of weave that comes from a pandan-like plant that grows in the forests of Baler. If you love Bicol’s abaca, you’ll definitely adore sabutan products.
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| The boutique at Costa Pacifica Raintree |
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| Souvenir shirts |
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| Sabutan bags |
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| Sabutan hats in vivid colors |
These are just some of the things that you can do at Costa Pacifica Raintree. You can also have a massage at your room should you wish. On my next post, I’ll share what we had discovered around Baler and the nearby towns of San Luis and Maria Aurora, so stay tuned!
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Costa Pacifica Raintree
80 Buton St, Sitio Labasin,
Barangay Sabang, Baler, Aurora, Philippines
Manila Office:
4/F Universale Building,
106 Paseo de Roxas cor. Perea Street, Makati
caguilar@costapacificaraintree.com
tel (632) 576.4555 | fax (632) 893.2561
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Special thanks to Mr. Randy Salvador,
Ms. Mela Sison, Mr. Sherwin Cruz,
and Ms. Pettina Mae Cruz for making
our stay memorable.
Travelogues by Matet Garcia-Reyes 