Baler, Aurora, is becoming one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines. It is known for being one of the famous surfing spots in Luzon. But aside from surfing, there are more things that you can do in Baler. Earlier this year, I went there with a friend, and I had a chance to explore Baler, Aurora for 2 days. I fell in love with its beautiful place that has a friendly vibe and vibrant culture. Here’s a list of what we were able to do in Baler, Aurora in 2 days.
Visit the 600-year-old Balete Tree
The first thing that we did in Baler is we visited an old century Balete tree standing 600 years. It is located in Balete Park at Maria Aurora, Aurora, and it is said to be the largest of its kind in Asia where tourists can enter inside the tree for just 10 PHP. The tree is also called as “Millennium tree” of the country because of its age.
Climb at Ermita Hill
Ermita Hill serves as a beautiful park to those who seek a great outdoor activity at the hill. Just like the Mother Falls, you have to trek for approximately 15 minutes to get here. The place is filled with unusual plants and flowers, and you can observe the birds in their natural habitat, which you will surely love if you are a nature lover. It also features a viewing deck where you can see a panoramic view of the main town of Baler.
Surf at Sabang Beach
Sabang beach is prized as a surfing spot in Baler. It is a perfect place for those who want to start their surfing career. When we were there, a lot of people were learning how to surf. There are surfing schools that offer surfing lessons that range from 250 PHP to 500 PHP for 1 hour. They will teach you the basics and coach you when you are already on the beach. If you don’t need surfing lessons, you can just rent a surfboard for only 250 PHP per hour.
Relieve the History at Baler Museum
Another fun thing that you can do in Baler is to visit Baler Museum (Museo de Baler) and know the rich history and culture of the place. This is a must-visit place in Baler with beautiful paintings, artifacts, photos, and beautiful structures.
Make a Splash in Mother Falls
A trip to Baler wouldn’t be completed without going to Mother Falls or also known as Dimatubo falls. You must trek a rocky terrain and river trails from the starting point to get to the Mother Falls. Being one of the sites of the hydroelectric project in Aurora, the waterfalls is still one of the attractions to see and worth visiting. The water was really cold, and there are lots of tourists when we went there because it’s a holiday. It is the biggest waterfall in Aurora, and the water’s drop is strong that it almost blew us away when we were in the water.
There is no doubt that the province of Baler is considered as one of the best tourist destinations in the Philippines. It’s one of those places that has everything! Aside from the things that were mentioned above, there are lots of other tourist spots that you can visit, like San Luis Obispo Church and Quezon House. For beach people like me, you might as well visit other beaches in Baler like Ampere Beach in Dipaculao, Cemento Beach, Diguisit Beach, and Dicasalarin Cove. You can also shop for local goods at the town Plaza (souvenir shop are everywhere!) and satisfy your hunger with excellent and affordable food from local restaurants in Baler.
Aww. I miss Baler. Went to all the places you mentioned except for Ermita Hill. Have you been to the lighthouse?
Oooh, what a beautiful way to connect with nature. I dream of taking my kids to see waterfalls, pero hindi ba delikado if you have to pass through a river? I have fear of those because friends died of a sudden river rage a couple of years ago.
Ugh, Baler is one of the places I've always wanted to go to with my friends, but we neved made it. Huhu. Surfing there seems to be cheaper than la union and those othwr places you've listed sounds fun. Hope i can visit some time next year! Haha
Baler is my favorite surf spot in Luzon! The waves are more consistent than in La Union and Zambales. Cant wait to go back to Baler after this pandemic