Burot Beach Camping Trip for only PHP935

The landmark of Burot Beach. 

Sunset of Burot Beach, Calatagan, Batanggas

A long stream of hardships and brain-wrecking school stuffs would certainly make you say "Sana bakasyon na." (I wish it's vacation already.) Having all vacation plans cancelled and postponed, we decided to push it through for the sake of our sanities and our bodies that were screaming for BEACHHHH!

So that was our story. We originally planned to go to Borawan however, our friends cancelled on us due to prior commitments. Persistent to pursue this trip, we switched to a safer, cheaper and a more convenient destination, thus- drumroll please.. BUROT BEACH!

Burot beach is a remote beach located along the shores of Calatagan, Batangas. It is a 4 to 5 hour drive from Manila.

MANILA to BUROT BEACH

Step 1: Go to EDSA LRT-MRT Station.

Step 2: Find Kabayan Hotel.

Step 3: Behind Kabayan Hotel is the terminal of public van with a fare of P180 per passenger. Ask to drop you off at the Calatagan Market. It's schedule is from 6 am to 10 pm. However, in holidays and special occasions the operate for 24 hours.

Step 4: Ride a tricycle to Burot Beach for P150.

TIPS: 

•  Now, if you have a load of camping and overnight stuffs with you, you might have to pay for an extra seat in the passenger van with the same passenger price. So I suggest cut off some load by buying fresh supplies (fish, meat, etc.) in Calatagan Market instead. Less hassle and less pricey.
• The tricycle fare would rate by P50 per head. If you are a group of more than 3, tricycle drivers may charge you more. But of course, this is subject to change upon negotiation.

When we got off the passenger van, we met Kuya Vic. He is a tricycle driver that usually brings tourist to Burot Beach. We were so lucky to have him as our service for he offered us things that we weren't prepared for. He lent us his cooler and drove us to buy ice in the cheapest household store for us to save money. Then, he offered us a shower at his brother's vacant apartment units in place of the unmaintained toilet and bathrooms in the premises of Burot Beach. He told us to text him if we need anything from the town proper. Kuya Vic is really a God sent.

TIPS:

• Burot Beach is a good 15-minute ride from the town proper. Get the number of your tricycle service so that in case of emergency, you can have him there in no time.
• Or to be more at ease, get Kuya Vic's instead. (09267457816)

BUROT BEACH to MANILA

Just follow the route you took, and make it backwards.

Step 1: Ride a tricycle to Burot Beach to Calatagan Market

Step 2: In Calatagan Market, ride a van to EDSA MRT Station. 

Step 3: EDSA LRT-MRT Station to wherever you are going to.

Camping, camping. For overnighters, there are no hotel rooms or resorts or whatsoever nearby. So prepare to get rough out here. Thanks to Kuya Zen's amazing tent, pitching is easy peasy. It wasn't the usual ones where you got to break a gallon of sweat, it was instant poppp and ta-da! The only problem we encountered was the burning hot sand and the sun's scalding glare.

TIPS:

• In camping, one should be prepared. Bring an old tarpaulin or a thick blanket for you tent to stand onto.
• Bring a thick blanket for the inside of the tent because I'm telling you, sand as it may be. It's still uncomfortable to sleep on.
• Bring another old tarpaulin or a broad dark colored plastic to block the sun's glare so you won't be like us: sauna like.
• Oh yeah, pick a place near a tree for some shade.

No restaurants. No cafes. Na-ah. But they do have a convenience store (sari-sari type). However it is super expensive because they're the only store out there. That's called monopoly people. As per previous tip, I suggest you buy fresh supplies (fish, meat, etc.) in Calatagan Market. Less hassle and less pricey. Just bring non-easily spoilable foods such as canned goods, instant noodles, etc.

As for us we brought marinated BBQ and cooked rice along with us. Next time though when we come back here, we'll just bring canned goods and a portable pan to go with it.

Burot Beach has this calm sea. If you are into surfing, you are mad to be at this place. But if like us, you're into beach bumming then, welcome to paradise! Build your own shelter. Cook your own food. And have no care about the world for just a day or two is a bliss.

What's special about this place? The sunset. I can have every money in the world, every gold in a palace, but one cannot buy this amazing grace from our Creator.

That amazing, Mr. Sun though? Speechless.

With the most amazing sunset as our witness.

Burot Beach has this landmark. This surviving, struggling and still standing tree a midst of all water that surrounds it. Wait 'til you see it in high tide. It seems like a lone island in the middle of nowhere.

If you were a sunset, I'd be your loyal everyday audience. Boom banat.

Pure Bliss.

Bonfire that costs us P250.

I know it's ridiculous to pay for wood when you're in the midst of nature. But trust me, Pula tried to be "kuripot" and went all Tarzan in the woods behind us and came back with a nail splinter in his left foot. So don't you dare. (But then he was wearing a rather thin flip flops and has only a 4-inch scissor with him. So, your call.)

Swimming? Burot beach is not much for swimming. There are many dangers here. Scary and a bit traumatizing really. There are weeds underwater. For me, it's cool and kind of nice especially if I have a GoPro or any waterproof gadget with me, which I don't (but will have!!) But for Pula, he claims it's yuck and eww in the same sentence. Haha. Poor Pula. The water is super clear. However, overcrowding amongst weekenders and holiday spenders are most likely to lessen its beauty. 

TIPS:

• No need for rash guards in here but yes for swim shoes. There are sea urchins near rocky areas so beware.

After two days and a night of plain vanilla nature, we're back to civilization and back to cravings for real food and bustling city life. We never expect to love the hardships of this trip but as we take a bite of our meals and reminisce that happenings of the previous hours in that paradise, we agreed to do it again and again until we've explored the corners of the world. 'Til our next adventure!