MALABRIGO LOBO BATANGAS: A Nearby Solitary and Budget-friendly Destination



The requirements for this adventure was specific - quiet, uncrowded, nearby, budget-friendly and crystal clear water beach destination. Given that this family getaway was on a Black Saturday  it was a bit of a challenge. Gladly, we achieved all of the above in a town nestled in the outskirts of Batangas called Lobo. 

 How it became budget-friendly was because we travelled as a troop consisting of 14 adults and 6 kids squeezed in a 16-seater Toyota Grandia van we rented for the cheapest price because the driver was a kumpare of one of my cousins. (P6000 including fuel and driver)

How to get there

To get there by private vehicle, we literally just used google maps. I looked up the address of our hotel from Facebook and searched the directions in Google Maps. Take the SLEX and Star Tollway route, toll fee totals to P150 one-way. Exit Ibaan then instead of turning left at the 2nd fork going to Laiya, we turned right and followed the Google Map directions onwards.

 We left Cavite at 4am to get away with traffic and we arrived at the resort at around 7:30am. That includes stop overs to gas station to use the toilet and to the market to buy pandesal and some supplies.



I find the commute  pretty complicated as there are too many transfers:
  • Ride a bus from LRT Buendia that is off to Batangasa City Pier
  • From the grand terminal take a jeepney off t o Libjo
  • Take another jeepney from Libjo to SM Batangas
  • Take another jeepney from SM Batangas to Lobo bayan
  • Then a tricycle from Lobo Bayan to your chosen resort

Where we stayed

We booked 2 rooms at Holidays Beach Resort thru the phone number on their Facebook page. 1 room can accommodate 8 persons (P4500) and the other for 6 persons (P3500) including the extra beds. 

 The kids were charged 100php per head to cover the cost of water. The owner of the resort is accommodating, considerate and hospitable. We were originally booked on the 2nd floor however we requested to transfer to a room on the 1st floor because we have an old companion who was having difficulty going upstairs to the 2nd floor, and our request was granted upon check-out of the previous guest. Indeed, LOBO is not a crowded beach spot.

We paid P200 for the use of gasul and ref in the kitchen including mineral water. The resort has it's own parking which is free and the only con was, we were not allowed to take a bath inside the room to prevent clogging due to sands or small pebbles from the beach. There are common shower rooms outside the rooms.






Grilling Area

Activities

Swimming

The beach was stream-like; extremely clear, in fact it was so unique. You will not find sands but pebbles and so it was a different experience for the kids.

The shades near the beach costs P300

Boating

After breakfast, which were all prepared the night before, we immediately took a dip and waited for our boatman who will take us to our next activity -  boating and snorkeling. (P100 each for this activity for an hour time and another P100 for the rent of snorkeling mask)





Snorkeling

Our boatman firstly toured us via boat to the shorelines of Malabrigo, highlighting the house of Christopher de Leon and Amy Austria. Then he stopped the boat to the spot where we went snorkeling. The water is so clear and the corals are alive and really glowing.



 


Malabrigo Lighthouse

After witnessing the magnificent view of Malabrigo's marine sanctuary, we then headed to Malabrigo Lighthouse from the boat then we headed back to the resort. We went to the lighthouse up close in the afternoon via the beach access. It was a 15 minute walk from the resort we are staying. From the beach we ascended a very steep stair with railings so this route is not advisable if you are with an elderly. There is another easier route where you can get there thru a walk or vehicle.




There is no fee to visit and take pictures outside of the lighthouse but there was someone tracking the # of visitors coming. 

Corcolon  Lomi House

And finally, the next day, after check-out, we thought it would be worthwhile to stop by Batangas province's famous Lomi house. In time for our lunch heading back to Cavite, we stopped by Corcolon Lomi House.

 I highly recommend the Sisig rice and the Lomi with double toppings. 1 bowl of Lomi has big serving  so we ended up taking the left-overs out. There is also a pasalubong store inside the restaurant that sells Bulacan pasalubongs as well as pork spring roll and dynamite.


Sisig Rice
Liempo Rice
Different Variants of Lomi
The estimated budget for this trip per person (14pax) is P1500 including food, transportation, accomodation, boat ride and lomi.

Some Tips


  • Since this is just an overnight trip try to prepare some of your foods at home like adobo, boiled eggs, sandwiches so that when you arrive at your destination, you will save time cooking
  • Make a checklist of all the things you need to bring, this is 1 lesson learned for us because only when we arrived at the resort that we realized we forgot some of our foods like the eggs, hotdogs, condiments like salt, vinegar etc.
  • Try to bring foods that can be grilled like fish, liempo, eggplant, there is usually no fee to grill at resorts
  • Research about the place so that you are prepared with things needed like for example since this beach is pebbled you may need to bring aqua shoes
  • If you will visit a restaurant, call to ensure they are open. We got nervous that Corcolon may be closed because it was Easter Sunday but luckily they are open
Location: Malabrigo, Bayan ng Lobo, Batangas, Philippines

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