Baler

Overview

Baler sits on the Pacific coast of Aurora, where open-ocean swell made it the birthplace of Philippine surfing and still draws beginners and long-stayers to Sabang Beach. Behind the break, the town holds the church that withstood a long siege in the closing days of the Philippine Revolution, and nearby trails lead to Ditumabo Falls, a tall cascade in the forests of San Luis. Between surf sessions, the Millennium Balete Tree and the white-sand cove of Dicasalarin round out a spread-out set of day trips.

Standout experiences

• 01 Surfing Sabang Beach

  A forgiving sandy-bottomed break with instructors and board rentals on the spot, liveliest when the northeast monsoon swell arrives.

• 02 Ditumabo (Mother) Falls

  A tall forest waterfall in San Luis reached by a short trek and a river crossing.

• 03 Baler historic town

  The siege church, the town museum, and Ermita Hill, which trace the town's Spanish and revolutionary past.

• 04 Millennium Balete Tree

  An enormous old balete in neighboring Maria Aurora that visitors can step inside.

• 05 Dicasalarin Cove

  A white-sand cove and lighthouse beyond Sabang, reached by a rough climb for travelers with their own transport.

Getting there

Baler's own airport, Dr. Juan C. Angara Airport (BQA), has no regular scheduled airline service. The usual route is a direct Genesis or JoyBus ride from Metro Manila, about six hours. The provincial government also lists Cauayan Airport (CYZ) in Isabela as the air option, about one hour by plane plus four to five hours by land; by car, Clark (CRK) is three to four hours away.

When to go

Baler faces the Pacific, and its surf season runs from October to February. The dry season lasts November to May and the rainy season June to October, when the town is exposed to typhoons. The months from October through February are the most reliable window for surfing; outside that period the waves are smaller and the weather less predictable.