Sa Burot Beach - Calatagan, Batangas

   While planning for an overnight out-of-town trip, a friend of ours suggested a beach in Batangas called Burot Beach. I've been to several beaches in Batangas (one example is the Calayo Beach) but I've never heard of Burot Beach before so I did some research about it.

   As I googled Burot Beach, I read a lot about the said paradise. Once owned by the Elizalde clan, the beach was bought by SMDC a couple of years ago. No fancy rooms, no electricity and no restaurants available at the area, just a sari-sari store and a number of not-so-comfy comfort rooms and shower areas. The beach is pretty much undeveloped so tents are necessary for overnight stays.

   The photos from the Internet are very stunning. The white sand along the blue calm water, the beautiful sunset on an amber colored sky, its trademark trees planted on a breakwater-like line of rocks, how come I've never heard of this place before?!

   After seeing those info's and photos, we didn't search for any other options. So the planning is done and the packing has begun.

 

Burot Beach

   Going to Burot Beach from Manila is not that difficult. At that time, we rode a bus going to Nasugbu and Lian from a bus terminal behind Sogo Hotel EDSA Rotonda. (I'm not sure if the bus terminal is still there after the provincial bus ban in EDSA is implemented and the Southwest Integrated Bus Terminal in Coastal Mall is fully operational) It took us 4 hours to reach Lian Batangas.

   From Lian, we rode a jeepney going to Calatagan. The smooth 45 minute ride will pass through the famous Matabungkay in Lian then through the town of Balayan.

   We were dropped off to the new Calatagan Public Market. While waiting for our friends coming from Calamba, we asked some locals where can  we have our late breakfast. They said "at the restaurant" pointing to a small canteen inside the market.

   As soon as we finished our meal, we head on to the market to buy our food and drinks. Some of us also enjoyed buying stuff in an ukay-ukay nearby. Our friends arrived not long after we finished buying everything we need at the market. Then we rode a tricycle going to the beach.

Along the way

   It is a 20 minute ride from the public market to the beach. The tricycle will pass through a cemetery. And as we go on, the road gets bumpy and bumpy. We passed a gate, the security guard just asked us if we were to stay overnight as he started a head count. After a short while, we continued our trip passing through rough and muddy roads. Mangroves can be seen on both sides of the road.

   Upon arriving at the beach, we paid our entrance fees to the security guard. We paid 130 pesos each for overnight stay and an additional 200 pesos for a table. The entrance fee is 60 pesos if you're not staying overnight. Cottages are also available with prices ranges from 500 to 800 pesos depending on its size.

   I immediately placed my bag on the table then ran towards the beach as I was welcomed by cute and friendly dogs.

The calm water of the beach

   At that time, the tide is getting low. The calm water of the sea reflected the cloudy skies above. What I am seeing on that moment is much better than those on the photos.

The three trees

   The tricycle driver said visitors at this time of the year is very seldom specially during weekdays. Luckily at that time, there were no other visitors but us. It's like we have rented the whole place! We set up our tent under a tree beside the table that we have rented. Rain pours from time to time as we prepared our lunch.

At the camp

   As time goes by, the rain got heavier and heavier so we transferred our tent under a bigger tree and we put our other things in a table with a roof. We paid additional 300 pesos for that because the covered table costs 500 pesos. And that is where we ate our lunch.

   After the delicious feast of ensalada and chicken inasal, some of us went swimming while others enjoyed taking pictures of the scenery. A full stomach plus the cold breeze put me to sleep. Two hours passed when I woke up, All of us prepared the juice, brandy and other snacks as we started our inuman by the seashore.

By the sand

   Lots of stories were told, jokes pop out from time to time, rain stops and starts again, our inuman by the seashore continues as we saw a beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky above us.

The rainbow after the rain

   We also went to the left part of the beach where amazing rock formations are abundant. Those rocks looked like cheese because of the tiny holes all over it. I enjoyed walking on a carpet of sea weeds. I've been extra careful though because sea urchins are also everywhere. We even saw a sea snake passed by our way.

   As we gaze upon the shore, we saw school of fish jumping over from time to time. Sadly, the sky is very cloudy at that time so we did not witness the magnificent sunset the beach was known for.

The cloudy sunset

   After the sunset, we continued our inuman sessions. The night sky got clearer and clearer as time pass by. Fireflies can also be seen from time to time. Along the bonfire, we spent the whole night eating, drinking, singing and stargazing. We were all alone and I felt like the beach is ours at that time. I actually didn't remember how the night ended.

Our bonfire

   The next morning, after our breakfast we went swimming. The tide is high and the water is cold at that time. From afar, it seems like the three trees were floating at the sea.

The trees during high tide

   We went back to the left part of the beach where we went the day before to take pictures and to have one last look before leaving where we were accompanied by a friendly guide, a dog we named "Summer".

 

   We bid goodbye to the beloved beach after lunch. It was a great experience all in all. The security guard is nice and polite. Better shower rooms and restrooms should be a priority on improvement. Even though the cleanliness of the beach is well observed, I still encourage visitors to keep the place clean.

   As we went back to the city, I wonder what is in store for that beach. Will it be a high class beach resort? A private vacation house? Or will it still be the same virgin paradise that we've been to?

Killed Bills

152.00 - Bus fare from Pasay to Lian
38.00 - Jeepney fare from Lian to Calatagan
50.00 - Breakfast at Calatagan
50.00 - Tricycle fare from Calatagan town proper to Burot Beach
130.00 - Burot Beach Entrance (overnight)
280.00 - Food budget per head
50.00 - Inuman budget per head
50.00 - Cottage fee (500 for 10 persons)
12.00 - 2 Mineral water (5 gallons each, 120 for 10 persons)
20.00 - Bonfire (200 for 10 persons)
50.00 - Tricycle fare from Burot Beach to Calatagan town proper
160.00 - Van fare from Calatagan to Dasmariñas Cavite

Php 1042.00 - TOTAL