Where to stay, what to eat

An overview of Sabang beach. about Baler and its famous son can head fanatics, a giant “Baler” signage stands in

Visitors can also head to the nearby towns of Maria Aurora to visit the centuries old Balete tree and San Luis for a challenging 30-minute trek to Ditumabo Falls. Baler offers a wide range of accommodations, from the basic to the luxurious.

For those who wish to splurge, there’s hotel has all the amenities of a modern hotel including outdoor pool, gym, and kids’ playground.

But if you a taking a big family, better go for a homestay. During my last visit, we found a house near Sabang Beach with three air-conditioned bedrooms and a complete kitchen for P6,000 a day. This helped us save for the cost of eating out because we cooked most of our meals.

But if you wish to dine out, there’s plenty of restaurants to choose in Baler. For a unique experience, there’s Baler Surfer Grille where their chicken

is grilled inside the hood of a Volkswagen Beetle. Beach House, Costa

(sausage). The nearby Bay’s Inn has buffets on weekends.

For cheap eats, head straight to the row of carinderias (small local eateries) in front of the hospital where one can get a full meal for P60 or less. Or go to the market to buy favorite Filipino snacks like banana cue and turon for less than P10. It is also here where one can buy Suman de Baler or sweetened purple sticky rice wrapped in coconut leaf for P100 for a 20 piece-pack.

For those who can wake up early, go to Sabang Beach to watch the beautiful

The good food, relaxing stay, and exciting adventures make Baler one of the favorite family road trip destinations on my list.