Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Mount Mariveles
Take a tricycle from Mariveles to the barangay of Alasasin (P100), where you need to register at the barangay hall (P20) and ask
for a guide
From Mariveles you can strike out for the ridge of dormant volcano,
Mount Mariveles
(1130m), a tricky overnight climb or a very long day for fit hikers. Apart from food
and water, you'll need a good tent or bivouac, a sleeping bag and warm jacket - it can
be surprisingly chilly when night falls. The caldera of Mariveles is huge; the ridge runs
for 22km and includes several peaks - Tarak Ridge (the most accessible, from Alasasin),
Banayan Peak and Mariveles Ridge.
2
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
BATAAN
By bus
Bataan Transit (
W
bataantransit.com) runs
frequent a/c services from Manila, originating both at
Five Star Terminal, Cubao (to Balanga every 15min
1am-11pm; 2-3hr; to Mariveles every 20min midnight-
9.30pm; 3-4hr), and from Avenida Terminal (to Balanga
every 20min 2am-9.30pm; to Mariveles every 30min
3.30am-8pm). Genesis Transport (
W
genesistransport
.com.ph) runs a similar service from Pasay to Balanga
(every 20min 4am-9pm) and Mariveles (every 20min
1am-7.30pm), and between Mariveles and Baguio
(every 2hr 2am-1pm). Victory Liner (
W
victoryliner.com)
connects Balanga with Olongapo for Subic Bay (hourly; 1hr
15min). Cabog-bound jeepneys (6am-8pm; P18) ply the
mountain highway between Balanga and Bagac when full.
By boat
From Manila, Baatan is a convenient 1hr zip
across the bay - if the ferries are running. Various
companies have operated ferries to Mariveles and Orion
(near Balanga) in the past, but at the time of writing
there was no service. Check with the Manila tourist o
ce
(see p.84).
ACCOMMODATION
Montemar Beach Club
Brgy Pasinay, Bagac
T
047 888
4719,
W
montemar.com.ph.
This large, well-established
hotel is the best of a number of resorts along Bataan's
southwest coast used mostly by Filipinos for weekend
breaks. It's located on a 500m stretch of clean sandy beach,
and has watersports facilities and a swimming pool. The
rooms have a/c and a pri
vate b
alcony overlooking either
the beach or the gardens.
P6100
Subic Bay
Since the closure of US Naval Base Subic Bay in 1992,
SUBIC BAY
has been reinvented
as a gate-guarded playground for the rich, with golf courses, a yacht club, a casino and
plush hotels. For most foreign travellers, the main appeal is the wide range of
watersports, diving and tranquil beaches on offer.
The Subic Bay area is vast, and is best thought of as several distinct areas. Most of it
lies in Zambales province, one hour southwest of Clark via the SCTEX highway, and
some 110km northwest of Manila. The old base itself is now the
Subic Bay Freeport
Zone
(a tax- and duty-free zone), accessed by “gates” manned by security guards, and
comprising two parts: most of the banks, restaurants, shops and hotels are located on a
SUBIC BAY BEACHES
All Hands Beach
San Bernardino Rd
T
047
250 2270,
W
allhandsbeach.com. On the north
side of the airport and closest to the CBD, this
is a tranquil stretch of sand and beach huts
shaded by trees. Though it's being developed
as a resort, during most weekdays you'll have
it to yourself. P150, children under 3ft tall
P100; beach package including use of huts
P350. Daily 24hr (swimming till midnight).
Camayan Beach
Ilanin Rd (off Corregidor
Rd)
T
047 252 8000,
W
camayanbeachresort
.com. South of All Hands, the best beach in
the Freeport Zone is Camayan Beach
(formerly Miracle Beach). It's now part of the
Camayan Beach Resort
, offering diving
(P1750), snorkelling (P250/2hr), kayaking
(P300/1hr) and swimming; day visitors
can access the beach for a fee. Day visitors
P300 (children under 12, P250). Daily
7.30am-8pm.
Baloy Long Beach
After Barrio Barretto's
scrappy beach, this is one of the better strips
of sand in Luzon; locals charge a nominal
entry fee (P30). Daily 24hr.
