Cavite & Batangas Provinces
MATABUNGKAY BEACH
A resort village near Lian/Nasugbu; BLTB buses heading for Nasugbu up to Lian, then jeepney to Matabungkay; Matabungkay beach is popular with Filipinos as well as foreign visitors even though its 5km (3mi) brown sand beach cannot be compared with beaches such as those on Boracay; however Matabungkay can conveniently reached from Manila by those who own their own vehicle, or by those who go their on chartered busses; actually, during the Easter holidays it is certainly not recommended to visit this beach as it's absolutely overcrowded by onedayvacationers from Manila. Then, rafts are rented at staggering prices (several hundred pesos a day, enough to cover the costs of making such rafts), and Filipinos have their parties on these rafts. Excursions are offered by local boatmen Fortune Island, an uninhabited idle off the coast.
Towards the North of Matabungkay stretches the barrio of Ligtasin; it's a separate administrative unit but visitors usually just see it as part of Matabungkay. While the actual Matabungkay is mainly frequented by short time vacationers, Ligtasin is rather a residential area. The Philippine Vice President Salvador Laurel has a large beach house there, and so do many Manila celebrities; there are also a number of foreigners staying rather permanently at Matabungkay, such as the German architect Helmut Pechtl who is much sought after as consultant by foreigners who settle in the Philippines and build there own houses.
Accommodation
Matabungkay Beach Club room 320 (ac,tb); swimming pool, tennis court; a beach resort stretching over a large area; thee beach there isn't the best what Matabungkay has to offer, and the standard at which the resort has been maintained has varied through the last few years.
Coral Beach Club very nice cottage 300400; along a quiet section of the beach in what is actually Ligtasin; very popular among some well to do foreign Manila residents who visit over the weekends; good restaurant
Seaview Hotel room 120180, owned by the Swiss Fritz Blocher; a popular place before Coral Beach Club opened; as far as just the quality of the sand beach is concerned one of the best locations in Matabungkay; however, the area is terribly crowded, and there have been frequent quarrels of the hotel management with the neighbors a fact that has not contributed to the atmosphere of staying there; furthermore, the beach is very crowded especially over the weekends.
OTHER RESORTS IN BATANGAS PROVINCE
Maya Maya Reef Club near Nasugbu
cottage 500 up; luxury beach resort; swimming pool aquatic sports
Mla Off: 2nd fl Pioneer Stationers Bldg, Urban Ave, Makati, Tel 8106865, 8159289, 8154842, 8169289; Fax 8159288
BATANGAS
MayaMaya Reef Club
Located on the northwest coast of Batangas province north of the town of Nasugbu, MayaMaya Reef Club is Manila's closest clear water resort (about a 90 min drive or bus ride) with snorkeling and scuba diving, hobbie cats, yacht charters, paddle boards, wind surfing, speed boats and other aquatic amusements. A beautifully set swimming pool is a focal point in the resort which is a favorite destination for many of the rich and famous in Manila and from abroad.
In its modern diving classroom facilities are the latest audiovisual aids, a resuscitation dummy and a sea water training tank. In addition to basic diving courses they have deep, night, and wreck diving as well as search and salvage training. ProSub and Mares equipment are available for rent or purchase at reasonable prices.
There are 22 nipa styled bungalows as well as eight other rooms, all with hot water, to accommodate guests. Both Western and Filipino cuisines are served but of course the specialty is local, fresh seafood. Regular coastal and sunset cruises are made and overnight and daytrips to nearby islands are available.
Reservations can be made at the MayaMaya Reef Club office, 2nd Fl, Pioneer Stationers Bldg, Urban Ave, Makati, Tel 8106865, 8108118, 8159289, 8154842 or 8161065.
White Sands Beach Resort Nasugbu
Mla Off: 12 Telemart Bldg, Magallanes
Commercial Center, Makati, Tel 871920
White Sands Beach Resort Nasugbu
Mla Off: 12 Telemart Bldg, Magallanes Commercial Center, Makati, Tel 871920
Punta Baluarte Beach Resort near Calatagan; rooms 500 pp; luxury recreation village with all kinds of sports and entertainment facilities; shuttle service from the Intercontinental Hotel, Makati, Manila
Mla Off: Intercontinental Hotel, Makati
Tel 8517911
Punta Baluarte
Another fine resort close to the capital, in Calatagan, Batangas, is only a 2 1/2hour ride away. Its nipa bungalows and cabanas are spread over hillsides overlooking the sea, linked together by winding stone paths. A championship golf course, tennis, horseback riding, fresh and seawater pools, and a variety of watersports ensure you a pleasurable stay. There is a shuttle service from the Intercontinental Hotel, Makati, Manila. Tel 8517911
More on Cavite and Batangas:
This page: http://www.cockatoo.com/english/philippines/philippines_islands_cavite_batangas6.htm
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