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Road trip hotspots for the Holy Week

Published March 23, 2015 6:57pm

This coming Holy Week, many from Manila will be raring to leave the city for a few days of rest, relaxation, and reflection.

Some of you may not know where to go, but don’t lose heart. We’ve got some road trip destinations that should cover the interest of nature lovers, hardcore hikers, or those who simply want to chill out on the beach, or go on a food trip.

For some of the best road trip destinations in Luzon, read on.

For nature lovers: Naga City, Camarines Sur

What to see: Naga City is famous for historical landmarks and delicious food, as well as being the jump-off point to the island paradise Caramoan. The city is a haven for nature lovers. Here’s why:

Mount Isarog National Park – This forested, inactive volcano is home to a variety of flora and fauna, like wild boar, monkeys, deer, and the Mount Isarog Shrew Mouse – which can only be found in that area. Exotic orchids and flowers dot the park – a sure delight to budding botanists.

If you’re up for a hike, climbing the mountain peak will give you superb vistas of Camarines Sur. Entrance are P50 for locals, but P100 for foreigners.

Malabsay Falls – Within Mount Isarog National Park are the Malabsay Falls, which can be reached via an all-terrain vehicle ride or a 30-minute hike after taking a jeepney. The cool waters of the falls are perfect to soothe the hot summer days after a ride or a trek.

Naga City Ecology Park – This eco-tourism project features topiary mazes, flower gardens, and a mini-forest.

Once you’re done enjoying such natural wonders, you can return to the city proper for a food trip any of the many restaurants in the area. You can also check out the historic churches dating back to the Spanish colonial times.

How to get there – Naga is around 380 kilometers south of Manila. You can get there by land via the South Luzon Expressway and the Pan-Philippine Highway. Don’t forget to pack water and snacks for a long road trip as the drive may take 8 to 9 hours.

Where to stay – For travelers with plenty of cash to spare, check out the Avenue Plaza Hotel. Rooms start at P2,500 a night. If you’re on a budget, rooms at CBD Plaza Hotel start at P600 per night.

For a two-night stay, you’ll spend approximately P4,000.

For hikers: Mt. Pinatubo

What to see: The beauty of the Pinatubo caldera belies the destruction it caused when it erupted in 1991. These days, it’s a popular hiking destination, and the vistas at the peak make it worth the 3-hour trek.

You’ll find the Pinatubo Crater Lake where the volcano’s summit used to be before its eruption. While you can’t swim in the pristine, blue-green waters of the lake due to the sulfur content, you can still chill out by the beach and enjoy the scenery. The caldera makes for a dramatic view, and the mirror-like surface of the water is a must see.

How to get there – The start-off point in the Capas, Tarlac is 126 kilometers north of Manila. It takes around 2 hours to get there via the North Luzon Expressway and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.

Where to stay – You can do this as a day trip to save on accommodation expense. But if you want to stay longer, Alvin’s Mt Pinatubo Guesthouse and Tours offers rooms as well as package tours.

You’ll spend approximately P3,000 for a two-night stay.

For surfers: Liw-Liwa, Zambales

What to see: La Union and Baler may be the more popular spots in Luzon. For those looking for a bit more solitude while riding the waves, try this hidden gem in San Felipe, Zambales. It'll likely take 2 hours by car as it's a lot closer to Manila. The swell is best at Liw-Liwa from October to March, so Holy Week is your last chance to catch 6-foot waves here. If you’re a total newbie to surfing, the friendly local instructors will give you lessons.

How to get there – Only 166 kilometers from Metro Manila, it should take you just under 3 hours to get there via NLEX and SCTEX.

Where to stay – The Circle Hostel is a surfer- and backpacker-friendly hostel, with rates from P250 to P500 a night. You can save more by choosing to sleep in a hammock rather than a bunk bed. There are a lot of cheap food places nearby. Ask nicely they’ll even deliver your food on the beach.

You’ll spend approximately P1,500 for a two-night stay.

For food trippers: Angeles City, Pampanga

What’s there: Some of the best dishes in the country originate from Pampanga. Sisig, that pulutan favorite, was invented right in Angeles City! The strong culinary tradition of this city continues to this day. Visit the birthplace of sisig at Aling Lucing Sisig, try authentic Kapampangan food at Binulo Restaurant, or enjoy Filipino classic cuisine with a modern twist at the retro Downtown 1956 Cafe. Angeles City also boasts of good international cuisine with C’ Italian Dining, Purple Pad Thai.

How to get there – Just 84 kilometers north of Manila, you could drive to Angeles City in less than 2 hours via NLEX and SCTEX.

Where to stay: Make it a day trip and save yourself the extra expense on accommodations. But if you want to stay for a couple of nights, Tune Hotel is a good pick, with rooms starting at P1,000 a night per head.

How much you’ll spend for a day trip? Depending on where you eat, you can spend as little as P1,000.

For Visita Iglesia: Rizal Province

What’s there: For those adhering to tradition, there’s no place like Rizal to do your Visita Iglesia pilgrimage. If you’re the type that completes the traditional seven churches, here are our picks that combine history and religion:

Cainta Church – Completed in 1716, this church was burned down during the Filipino-American war in 1899. Also called the Our Lady of Light Parish Church, it was restored in the late 60’s and is an important historical destination today.

Baras Church – Also called St. Joseph Church, this church was completed in 1686, making it one of the oldest still standing in the region. The architecture is typical of Franciscan mission churches – dark stones and a mixture of fortress features in Baroque architecture.

Morong Church – Completed in 1620, this church of Franciscan origin is one of the most popular in Rizal. Its greatest feature is the elaborate Baroque Revival facade, completed in 1853.

Tanay Church – Another Baroque church, this was declared a National Cultural Treasure in 2001, having been completed in 1783 and still serving as one of the region’s most prominent churches.

St. Mary Magdalene Parish Church – Completed in the 1670s, its adobe facade may look simple, but inside this church in Pililla is an array of colorful tiles and an impressive altar and sacristy.

Taytay Church – The Philippines’s second saint, St. Pedro Calungsod, was an altar boy in this church, which was completed in 1630. Reduced to ruins after the Second World War, it was reconstructed and expanded in the 1970s.

Binangonan Church – Completed in 1830, this may be the youngest of all the churches on this list. Also called the Sta. Ursula Parish Church, it serves as an historical landmark to indicate the spread of churches in the region.

How to get there – Rizal province is a mere 16 kilometers east of Manila via Ortigas Avenue. If you beat the traffic, you could make it in half an hour.

Where to stay – You’re better off making this a day tour, since it’s so close to Manila.

You’ll spend approximately P1,000 for a day trip.

So, what are you waiting for? Gather your friends, get in the car and hit the road! You’ll surely find a destination to love with our suggestions. Godspeed, bon voyage, and drive carefully!

Save money on your road trip with a gas credit card. Find the one for you here.

Looking for more travel tips? Read our travel posts on how to travel on a budget!

Road trip hotspots for the Holy Week first appeared in slightly different form on iMoney.ph.

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