Tourists flock to Liwliwa Beach in Zambales this Holy Week

Several tourists flocked to Liwliwa Beach in San Felipe, Zambales, to relax and reflect during Holy Week.

According to Ian Cruz’s report on “24 Oras” on Friday, the popular beach destination is experiencing a surge of tourists this Holy Week, with most accommodations already fully booked as early as Holy Wednesday, per the local Resorts Association. 

By Good Friday, nearly all of the estimated 150 resorts and hotels in the beach area were fully occupied, leaving some walk-in guests unable to secure rooms. Many of them were forced to look for accommodations in other parts of San Felipe.

“May mga reports din po kami na fully booked na,” said Dwain Doctana, municipal tourism officer of San Felipe, Zambales.

Aside from swimming, guests can also try water activities such as the dragon boat ride, which now costs around P200 per person due to rising fuel prices for the boats used in the activity.

Doctana also said pricing for activities has been standardized through an executive order issued by the Office of the Mayor. 

“Executive order din po coming from the Office of the Mayor ‘yung naging way para ma-i-implement po nila 'yung standardized pricing nila. So okay naman din po sa side ni LGU na ginawa nila 'yun para makahabol din po sila doon sa magiging kakulangan if ever para matuloy nila 'yung operations,” he said.

Other activities, such as ATV rides, are also popular among visitors, with rates reaching around P500 for 30 minutes.

Liwliwa Beach continues to attract a younger crowd, particularly millennials and Gen Z travelers, drawn by its scenic views lined with Agoho trees, as well as its abundance of social media-friendly cafes and restaurants.

“Compared to other places, more of mga pocket resorts lang kami. Maliliit na resorts, maliliit na community, and karamihan dito mga surfers. Mura rin 'yung mga accommodations namin. Mura din dito 'yung food,” said Carlo Roxas, president of the Resorts Association Liwliwa Beach. 

Just a two- to four-hour drive from Metro Manila, Liwliwa Beach offers an accessible getaway for travelers. For those who cannot afford overnight accommodations, the destination also provides day tour options, allowing visitors to enjoy the beach without booking a hotel stay.

With the continued influx of visitors, the San Felipe Municipal Tourism Office expects the crowd to persist through Easter Sunday.

—Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA News