Burot Beach in Calatagan, Batangas - Weekend Warrior Mode

UPDATE: Burot Beach is still open to the public as of August 5, 2015

Here's an EASY do-it-yourself travel itinerary to Burot Beach. Surprisingly, It's close to the highly busy metro so a weekend getaway is really possible. You can go any day with the absence of harsh sea conditions for a boat travel and delayed or cancelled flight worries. Well, there's still traffic. Nuff said :)

Expenses? Cost? Well, you'll be surprised as to how budget friendly this trip is going to be. I suggest you... Read!

Burot Beach has become a favorite beach destination for those who seek quick getaways and for weekend travelers. Aside from its proximity, it has really calm waters and you get to see some rock formations in it's stretch. Do expect the beach to get crowded on weekends.

Burot Beach crowd on a weekend

As mentioned in my previous Burot post, it is private property but still open to the public. Day visit fee is at ₱65.00 and an Overnight stay's at ₱130.00.

Things to see and expect (and perhaps "feel" :p)

• Crowded on weekends
• Roughly 4 hours travel from Manila 

  

  Bored? Then do the Bus group selfie :p

• Semi-fine cream to golden sand beach  
  
• Road going to the beach from the public market is rough, bumpy and dusty. Expect to be all greasy and sandy. Bring face masks or something to cover your nose. 

  

  The heat. The bumpy road. The dust

  
• Mangroves are a constant sight towards your trike ride to the beach 
  
• No fancy/posh/classy (anything synonymous) hotels and restrooms. Basic shower and toilet area. (water may be a little warm and sometimes hot... bring cup noodles. hahaha)
• Shower and Restrooms - if the beach is crowded expect a line and wait for your turn. Very basic as these toilets are something backpackers and mountaineers are mostly accustomed for 
  
• a FEW Cottages and Tents for rent or you can just bring your own tent 

  

  via BurotBeachTravel

  

  via BurotBeachTravel

• NO outlets to charge gadgets (you can just ask your guide/trike driver to take you somewhere you can plug). In short, NO electricity. Bring all your lighting gears and powerbanks should you stay for the night 

  

  Weekend crowd

  

  I guarantee you a perfect tan!

  

  Don't mind the mess. This is the rental tent which for me is only good for 2 people. Just saying :)

• Bring comfortable and breathable footwear/beachwear (aquashoes, swimwear)
• I think I saw 2 mini-stores for essentials (food, water, ice blocks, toiletries etc.) I would highly suggest to buy your stuff at the Calatagan public market before heading to Burot. Buy WATER and bring an ice box. Things melt and heat rapidly here.

  

  Stores at the public market

  

  

  Hoarding!!!

  
• Temperatures could rise... to an unbearable point. Your only shade there would be small trees, your tent or if you're lucky, the roof of your reserved cottage. And make sure to apply sunblock 30 mins before you go beach-ing 

  

  Boys of Burot LOL

• You may see STINGLESS tiny blue and black jellyfish. I had encounters with them but I'd rather stay away from those jellies. Don't want to risk it, might end up getting "PEE ON MY STING WASH". Yaiks, that didn't sound right, anyway!!! In rare occasions, nasty urchin sightings. Those stingers! 
• Free to roam both sides of the beach. Less crowded and has a better view (east side for those rock formations and farther off you'll see secluded beaches)  
  

  

  via BurotBeachTravel

• Last Bus trip back to Manila is at 4pm. But if you missed the bus, you can just take a shuttle/van from Calatagan to Tagaytay. Then Tagaytay to Manila. Ask your trike driver to take you to the terminal. 

  

  Obviously... we missed the bus. Off to Tagaytay then! 

• Don't forget your moisturizers, creams and insect repellents. Right, I'm vain like that. :)
• Umbrella. It's a must. I don't really mind the sun and heat that much, but it's so much different here. 
• Lovely Sunset. Yes, if you of course stay overnight. 

  

  Photo credit: LakwatserongTsinelas

• Bonfire setup is available. For a fee
• Music, smoking and drinking is allowed as long as you don't bother your neighbors or any cause trouble. Be nice and considerate
• Make friends and have FUN! 
  
  
  

  

  The more the merrier

• Bring your own garbage bag. CLAYGO (clean as you go)
• A quick visit to Cape Santiago Lighthouse (via pinoyadventurista) 
• Lastly, You will have to move out of your comfort zone. Be willing to feel awkward, iffy and uncomfortable when you visit a destination for the first time. This is an adventure worth exploring. Enjoy every bit. Try roughing it at least once. :) 

₱ ₱ ₱ Estimated Expenses/Budget:

• San Agustin Bus or DLTB Bus (Nasugbu/Lian route) from Manila - 170-180 php/person
• OPTION 1: Jeep from Lian to Calatagan Public Market - 30-35 php/person 
• OPTION 2: Tricycle from Lian to Calatagan Public Market - 150 php for 3 persons 
• Public Market to Burot Beach - 150 php for 3 persons
• Food, Drinks, Toiletries and other essentials (depends how much you'll be consuming) - 150-200 php (group of 5 total - 600)
• Day trip - 65 php/person, Overnight - 130 php/person
• Tent Fee (if you brought your own) - 20 php
• Tent Rental - 300 php/tent good for 2-4 people
• Nipa/Cottage Rental - 500-800 php
• Boat Rent - Sandbar, Starfish Island, Coral garden - 100 php/person, 300 php/1-2 persons minimum
• Bonfire setup - 200 php/wood bundle
• Torch rental - 70 php

Total Est. Budget: ₱900

Please be advised that the prices may have changed. This is the estimate during our travel in the last quarter of 2014. Bullets 6-10 are still the rates as of February 2015.

How to Get there: Easy

by Car or Private Transport:

• From Manila, take Coastal Road or SLEX (South Luzon Express Way). Drive all the way to Nasugbu, Batangas until you reach a junction or rotonda. At the junction, take the right turn going to Lian; a Caltex Gasoline Station will serve as your landmark.
• Drive straight ahead. After passing the CADP (Central Azucarera Don Pedro) Sugar Refinery, take a left at the intersection (Landmarks: Shell and I-Gas Gasoline Stations). Once you see Sto. Domingo Church, turn right
• You'll pass through a small public market (Talipapa), then a cemetery. From there, you'll see signs going to Burot Beach. 

by Public Transport:

You can either take a bus or a van to Calatagan.

By Van - There are vans available going to Calatagan near the Kabayan Hotel Taft Station. Fare is Php180.00/person. Travel time is approximately 3 to 4 hours. At Calatagan Market, hire a tricycle for Ph150.00 or Php60.00 per person. First trip is 3:30am and last trip to Calatagn is at 7:00pm

By Bus - Terminal is located at the Coastal Mall grand terminal. Fare is Php180.00. Travel time is approximately 3 to 4 hours. Calatagan-bound buses are available daily, first trip is 4:00 AM. Ask the conductor to drop you off at Calatagan Market. At Calatagan Market, hire a tricycle for Php150.00 or Php60.00 per person.

By Bus (Option 2) - As early as 4:00am you may go to the terminal located in Pasay Rotonda EDSA near MRT Taft station near Mcdonald's and Sogo Hotel just right across Metropoint Mall. You can either go for the Celyrosa Bus and asked to be dropped off at the Calatagan Public Market and take the trike from there or you may also opt for other bus lines like San Agustin Bus or DLTB Bus (Nasugbu/Lian route) which passes Tagaytay and straight to the Nasugbu Road. Asked to be dropped off at Lian market where jeepneys/buses/trikes take passengers to Calatagan Public market, then of course, take the trike from there to Burot beach.

Burot Tricycle/Guide Contacts:
Mervin: 09215891719 or 09367074495 updated
JP: 09287300714 New
Jordan: 09085301147 New
Clarence: 09073959639
Kuya Romy: 09266452950
Kuya Rodel: 09497411982 or 09993651026

Note:

• Jeepney/Tricycle ride will be around 45 minutes to an hour from Lian market to Calatagan Market
• Tricycle ride from Calatagan Market to Burot beach will be around 20-30 mins
• About Celyrosa Bus - just not so sure if they're still in operation coz when we asked for this bus, the response we got from the other drivers and conductors and some vendors was "There's no bus that go directly to Calatagan". So this info is added here just for reference/archive. Who knows, you might be one of the lucky passengers to get the ride.

Burot Beach was previously called Elizalde Beach (owned by the Elizaldes, an affluent family in the Philippines), but was recently bought by SM. Now, Burot Beach is a private property of SM Group of Companies; good news, it is still open for the public until further notice. So, if you're planning to visit Burot, make it soon!

But if worst comes to worst... I challenge the trike drivers and guides to introduce visitors to a new beach within the area for Burot beach "refugees". I'm pretty sure there are beaches nearby yet to be discovered. Happy Travels!!! 

And to cap this post here's a video made by our good friend Shiela Anne Fabular

Burot escape from shiela anne fabular on Vimeo.

Burot escape from shiela anne fabular on Vimeo.