While it is sure fun to travel abroad and enjoy new travel experiences, for me nothing beats to what local Philippine beaches can offer. And I’d always come back, maybe I’ve lost count on how many times I’ve been to Puerto Galera, Boracay, and La Union. The waves, the sunsets maybe the same, but the nightlife, the energy – they are always spectacular!

April 2023 – San Juan, La Union

If Boracay and Puerto Galera can boast on their cool nightlife, booze until midnight, hype clubs and live bands on every corner, well La Union can definitely compete. Unlike Boracay, Siargao, or Coron, if you’re coming from Metro Manila, you don’t have to book a flight or ride a ferry, give it like five hours of land travel thru expressways, and you’ll reach La Union. Accommodations can come easy as there are transient houses and cheap hotels available. Grill houses, cafés, and coffee shops are everywhere too, you won’t get hungry here. During Fridays and Saturdays, nightlife starts early, reserve a table while you can and expect full house on Hara, Florsam and Jetsam, Tavern By The Sea, and at Kabsat Restaurant.

October 2023 – Boracay

I was invited by a good friend Sasha and booked this trip like six months ahead for cheaper flights of course. And since it’s a DIY, I opted for convenient van/ferry transfers thru Klook app. Sasha arranged the accommodations with our first two nights at Ferra Hotel and Garden Suites by the Bolabog Beach, and the next two nights at Henann Regency by White Beach. We get to party and drink like we’re 23 and spend like 40 like I mean, I almost got killed by an Amaretto Sour drink, eat at superb food hubs, club hop, swim and drink by the pool, and some chill convos. Sunset by the beach is still incomparable, I’m glad it’s not rainy nor cloudy. One of the best experience here is to be able to watch a three-part drag show at Rainbow Bar and Lounge with five multi-talented queens lipsyncing and perfoming Whitney, Rihanna, Dua Lipa, to name a few.

December 2023 – White Beach, Puerto Galera

Puerto Galera has always been the place to be, the closest from home and has become easy with it’s travel management over the past couple of years. Similar to Boracay, accommodations should be done prior the trip and thru online but ferry transfers can be booked as soon as you reach Batangas Pier to and from. Hostels are still cheap and they can arrange van/hostel pick-up transfers too. Food and nightlife is still affordable, the Mindoro Sling, a mix of rhum and four season juice, still remain the go-to poison here. There are lots of water activities to try but the island hopping and snorkeling is a must-try, the Mindoro coral reef is one of the best in the Philippines with its clear waters and a thriving underwater sight. While they are all white beaches, each beach island – Bayanan Beach, Heart Beach, and Haligi Beach has a magnificent and captivating beach view.

***

Love what you read? Check out my social media accounts:

Facebook: TheStyleRandomGuy

Tiktok: @rowelltresvalles

Instagram and Twitter: @rowellrifrif