If the upcoming long weekend has you scrambling for places to go or trips to take, don’t worry — you are not alone. It feels like everyone decided to cram their vacation plans this year because I’ve encountered so many people moaning about fully booked resorts or hurting their heads trying to think of ‘different’ things to do this break. So we came up with this list to help you brainstorm ideas for your ideal vacay!
(6 Tipid Weekend Trips for Around P1,000 with Budget Breakdown + Itineraries!)
17. Pinto Art Museum
Perfect for: Anyone who wants to spend their break basking in art and culture. Round out the rest of your day with these 7 Destinations in Antipolo that aren’t Pinto Art Museum.
How to get there: You may take a jeep or UV to Antipolo Church from LRT Line 2 Santolan Station, Cubao’s Farmers Market, SM Megamall, Robinson’s Galleria, or Park Square. Once at Antipolo Church, take a tricycle to Pinto Art Museum. There is a P200 entrance fee for adults, P180 for senior citizens/PWDs, P100 for students.
16. Masasa Beach
Perfect for: Those who want that authentic “island experience.” Not convinced? Check out these 5 reasons why Masasa Beach should be your next vacation getaway.
How to get there: You may take the bus to Batangas City from the terminals in EDSA-Kamias, Cubao, LRT-Buendia, or Taft. Once at Batangas’ Grand Terminal, take a jeepney to Talaga port or Anilao port. At the port, you can take a boat directly to Masasa Beach or one to Tingloy Port where you can take a tricycle to hike the trail to the beach.
15. Hulugan Falls
Perfect for: Waterfall-lovers that are tired of visiting the usual Laguna haunts. Read up more on Luisiana’s best kept secret here.
How to get there: You may ride a bus to Sta. Cruz, Laguna from Cubao or Taft. Once there, take a jeepney going to Lucena or Lucban and ask to get off at San Salvador. At the corner is an information desk where you will be assigned a tour guide.
14. Biak Na Bato National Park
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByioNBKlIu5/
Perfect for: History buffs interested in getting their taste of nature and adventure this break. Check out this guide to Bulacan for other activities to do while in the area.
How to get there: You may take a bus to Cabanatuan via Gapan from Cubao and get off at Barangay Kamias. Once there, take a tricycle to Sitio Madlum.
13. Mt. Binutasan & Batis Falls
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSLEdySgFF4/
Perfect for: Those itching to see the magical sea of clouds of Mt. Pulag but aren’t quite ready for the hike just yet. Definitely one of those Philippine summits which will satisfy your wanderlust.
How to get there: You may take a jeepney to Cogeo Gate 2 from Cubao then another jeepney to Sampaloc and get off at the Cuyambay junction. From there you may take a tricycle or walk to the registration area.
12. Inflatable Island
https://www.facebook.com/WhenInManila/videos/697800797367582/
Perfect for: Kids at heart who dream of giant playgrounds by the beach. Don’t discount this place if you’ve already been here, because their new attractions will make you want to take a beach trip ASAP.
How to get there: You may take a Victory Liner bus to Olongapo City from Pasay or Cubao. Once at the terminal, take a jeepney from the Blue Jeep Terminal and get off at the Halfmoon Beach.
11. Potipot Beach
Perfect for: Those seeking that “ultimate castaway experience.” Take a break from the usual polished and commercialized beaches of the Philippines and step foot in a more ~natural~ environment.
How to get there: You may take a Victory Liner bus to Sta. Cruz, Zambales from Caloocan or Pasay and get off at Barangay Uacon. Once there, take a tricycle to the port where you can hire a boat to reach Potipot Island.
10. Theme Parks
https://www.facebook.com/WhenInManila/videos/1252359514932271/
Perfect for: Thrill-seekers who are looking for options outside of the usual haunts. Take a break from Enchanted Kingdom and try a day in Batangas’ Fantasy World, Pampanga’s Aqua Planet or Dinosaur’s Island or Subic’s Tree Top Adventure instead.
How to get there:
- Fantasy World: You may take a bus to Nasugbu from Buendia or Taft and get off at Cavite-Batangas boundary. Once there, take a jeepney to Lemery and get off at Fantasy World.
- Aqua Planet: You may take a Victory Liner bus from Pasay or Cubao to the Dau-Mabalacat Bus Terminal. Once there take a taxi or grab to Aqua Planet. Or you may take a P2P from Trinoma to SM Clark. Once there, walk to Bayanihan Terminal and take a Blue Jeep to Aqua Planet.
- Dinosaur’s Island: You may take a Victory Liner bus from Pasay or Cubao to the Dau-Mabalacat Bus Terminal. Once there, take a jeepney to the Mabalacat Market then another jeepney to the Clark Freeport.
- Subic Tree Top Adventure: You may take a Victory Liner bus to Olongapo City from Pasay or Cubao. Once there, take the yellow jeepney to SM City and get off at the Central Terminal where a shuttle can take you to Subic Tree Top Adventure.
9. Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
(Feel That Dalagang Pilipina Vibes When You Visit This 19th Century-themed Getaway Place)
Perfect for: Nostalgic travelers who just want to take a step back in time to witness the Philippines in its colonial age. The renovated and restored mansions-turned-into-resort will truly make you feel like part of an older era.
How to get there: You may take a bus to Balanga, Bataan from Cubao. Once there, take a jeepney to Bagac then a tricycle to at the junction going to the resort.
8. Laiya
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2LtcimH-I8/
Perfect for: Beachgoers whose idea of a good time is convenient rest and relaxation. You won’t run out of resorts to pick and choose from in Laiya.
How to get there: You may take the ALPS Bus to San Juan from EDSA Nepa Q-Matt, Araneta Center Cubao, or Alabang Grand Terminal. Once there, take a jeepney to Laiya or Hugom. Or you may take a bus to Lipa from Buendia, EDSA Kamuning, or Araneta Center Cubao. Once there, take a jeepney to San Juan then another to Laiya.
7. Masungi Georeserve
Perfect for: Active daytrippers who are more into hikes than hammocks by the beach. Here are 6 things to expect from the Masungi Georeserve Discovery Trail.
How to get there: You may ride a jeepney or UV to Padilla/Cogeo Gate 2 from Araneta Center Cubao. Once there, take a jeepney to Sampaloc via Marcos Highway and get off at Kilometer 47 Masungi entrance.
6. Daranak Falls
Perfect for: Those craving the cool and refreshing spray of the tumbling falls. It’s ideal for those seeking a quick weekend getaway.
How to get there: Check this guide for a complete list of commute options.
5. Fortune Island
Perfect for: Vacationers looking for that IG-worthy shot to include in their feed. The abandoned resort construction definitely gives the island flavor, with it even being a popular location for professional photoshoots. People definitely consider it an abandoned island resort worth visiting.
How to get there: You may take a bus to Nasugbu from Taft or Cubao. Once there, take a tricycle to Fortune Island Resort.
4. Mt. Batulao
Perfect for: Adventure-seekers on a schedule. Mt. Batulao is a good hike option for anyone who either only has a few hours to spare or is a first-timer. Read up here on what exactly it takes to conquer this mountain.
How to get there: Check this guide from a complete list of commute options.
3. Naked Islands and Beaches
https://www.facebook.com/WhenInManila/videos/816104615412568/
(10 Beautiful Naked Islands and Beaches to Visit in the Philippines)
Perfect for: Those always on the lookout for “underrated” vacation spots. Anawangin Cove in Zambales and Cagbalete Island in Quezon are the beaches accessible by less than a day’s ride from Manila.
How to get there:
- Anawangin Cove, Zambales: You may take a Victory Liner bus to Iba or Santa Cruz, Zambales from Cubao or Pasay and get off at San Antonio Public Market. Once there, take a tricycle to Pundaquit then a boat to Anawangin.
- Cagbalete Island, Quezon: You may take a bus to Lucena from Kamias, Cubao, Alabang or Buendia. Once there, take a bus or UV to Mauban. From Mauban you may walk to the port and take a boat to Cagbalete Island.
2. Anilao
Perfect for: Divers who can’t wait to marvel at the beauty of what lays beneath the waters. It’s also thought to be perfect for family getaways!
How to get there: You may take a bus to Batangas City from Buendia, Cubao, or Alabang. Once there, take a jeepney to Mabini and get off at the Anilao port and take a tricycle to your chosen resort.
1. Surfing Spots
https://www.facebook.com/WhenInManila/videos/413904272508741/
Perfect for: Surfers looking to ride the waves, obviously. Some spots which are only a few hours away from Manila include Real in Quezon, Pundaquit in Zambales, Baler in Aurora, and San Juan in La Union.
How to get there:
- Real, Quezon: You may take a bus to Infanta, Quezon from Legarda, Manila and get off at Real, Quezon.
- Pundaquit, Zambales: You may take a Victory Liner bus to Iba or Santa Cruz, Zambales from Cubao or Pasay and get off at San Antonio Public Market. Once there, take a tricycle to Pundaquit.
- Baler, Aurora: You may take a direct bus to Baler from the Genesis Transport Terminal in Cubao.
- San Juan, La Union: You may take a bus to San Fernando, La Union from Cubao or Pasay. Once there, take a jeepney to San Juan.
Share your own recommendations with us in the comments!
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