Batangas Escapade: Ivory Beach Resort

Beach: Ivory Beach Resort

Location: Brgy. Sta. Ana, Calatagan, Batangas

February 23-24, 2019

Ivory Beach Resort is the most underrated one among the beaches in Calatagan. From its camping site to its sand bar, Ivory Beach Resort is a very instagrammable place and a perfect escape for budgetarian travellers.

Day One

Going to Calatagan

We had a late start going to Calatagan to be honest. Jay and I met with Maine and Kent at Cubao Bus Terminal near Alimall thinking that there were buses directly going to Calatagan or to Lian, Batangas. But to our dismay, the buses there only go to Batangas Port. So we researched first what buses will directly go to Calatagan. (Many of you would comment why we did not do our research in advance, we did. But apparently, there were no clear and updated directions on how to get to Calatagan thru bus.) So we just went to DLTB Bus Terminal in Taft only to discover that only their terminal in Buendia has a route going to Calatagan. But the guard directed us that San Agustin/BCC Bus near McDo Taft goes to Lian and Nasugbu. Around 12:00n.n, we were on our way to Lian, Batangas.

Upon arriving at Lian around 4:00p.m., we walked a little bit where the jeepneys going to Calatagan were. The ride took 45 minutes to an hour. We alight at the public market where we bought things we needed. But we dropped off at the first market and took a wrong ride of tricycle. So the driver took us to the real public market where tricycles going to different beach resorts were located.

Underrated Beauty of Ivory Beach Resort

After almost 30 minutes of ride, we finally reached Ivory Beach Resort. It was 6:00p.m. when we arrived and luckily we still had a glimpsed of the sunset.

A sight to behold!

There was nothing to do at night except to relax and chill under the stars. We were really lucky to have a clear sky full of stars that night.

Day Two

We woke up around 6:00a.m. and were surprised by how low the tide was because the water was already high the night before. After eating breakfast, we walked towards the beach. The part where we decided to explore was rocky and with extraordinary creatures and plants we did not know what were. Haha. But we still walked through and saw corals near the end where the water suddenly became deep.

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While we were going back to the campsite, Maine and I noticed that the ‘plants’ we were walking on has a lot of baby starfishes so we run fast as we can in order to minimize the number of starfish we stepped on. They were really not like the starfish we were used to see because theirs looked like tentacles. Haha. Just imagine it.

When we got at the campsite, we just eat and talk about everything under the sun. Then we noticed that the water was gradually increasing so we decided to get into the water again but this time it was on the part of the sandbar which was on the right side. And the reason why there were a lot of people on that side was because it was really where we should be in the first place. The sand was fine and it’s just simply amazing although we were being toasted by the sun.

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I did not expect so much from Ivory Beach Resort which was a good thing I guess because it exceeded my expectation. This is really a place for family and the whole barkada who just love to chill. The place is open 24 hours I think because even at the wee hours of the night, people are still coming. There are no check in and check out time just make sure to inform the caretakers.

Leaving Calatagan

Before you leave Calatagan, make sure to eat at the restaurant in front of the public market. I forgot to get its name but the food was really delicious in a very cheap price!

Busolve!

How to get there:

From Taft (near McDo):

• Ride a bus going to Lian or Nasugbu. (San Agustin/BCC bus)  – P152.00/head
• Drop off at Lian then ride a jeepney going to Calatagan Public Market. – P40.00/head
• At public market, ride a tricycle going to Ivory Beach Resort. – P50.00/head or P200.00/special trip

From Taft (near Kabayan Hotel):

• Ride a van going to Calatagan. Ask the driver to drop you off at the public market. – (P180.00-P200.00)
• At public market, ride a tricycle going to Ivory Beach Resort. – P50.00/head or P200.00/special trip

From Buendia:

• Ride a bus going directly to Calatagan. (DLTB bus) –P196.00/head
• At public market, ride a tricycle going to Ivory Beach Resort. – P50.00/head or P200.00/special trip

Other Expenses:

Entrance Fee

• P100.00/head day tour
• P200.00/head overnight

Environmental Fee

• P30.00/head

Pitching Fee

• P100.00/tent

Tent Rentals

• Good for 2 – P300.00
• Good for 3-4 – P400.00
• Good for 5-6 – P500.00
• Good for 7-8 – P700.00

Food & Other Stuffs

• P1,000 good for four

Note:

• There is only several grillers at the resort and no other kitchen utensils, etc. so make sure to bring your own including coolers and kalan.
• The person responsible for cooking rice may not be available most of the time so I suggest not depending on them too much.
• DLTB buses are the only bus line going directly to and from Calatagan. Another mode of transportation can be a van which is located near Kabayan Hotel in Taft.
• Remember to get the number of your tricycle driver so he can fetch you the next day. Here’s the number of our driver: Mang Totoy – 09085284296
• For more questions and inquiries you may contact Ivory Beach Resort at their Facebook page or thru these numbers and look for Ate Lizel or Kuya Wilbert: 09203721661 / 09165018618 / 09179959464

Until next trip!