East Coast Expedition: Your Best Five Days in Aurora

The Province of Aurora has long been recognized by its capital, Baler, the Birthplace of Philippine Surfing. Still, only a favored few know of the province’s hidden, off-the-beaten-path wonders: secluded coves, cool dive spots, enchanting waterfalls, and rolling hills. Cradled by the Sierra Madre Mountain Range to the west and the vast Pacific Ocean to the east, this ridge-to-reef sanctuary invites those seeking adventure and tranquility alike to bask in the raw beauty of nature and yearn for more.

Aurora is the gift that keeps on giving. Here’s how to spend the perfect five days exploring seven of the province’s eight quaint towns:

Day 1

Arrive just before lunchtime to savor the first of your many beachside meals in the province at The Boardwalk Restaurant in Bay’s Inn Resort. Scout the stretch of Sabang Beach and grab a drink or a sweet treat before checking in at Costa Pacifica in Baler. Spend the afternoon until sundown playing padel at Costa Pacifica’s court, swimming, or surfing along Sabang Beach. You can also opt to visit popular tourist attractions such as the Museo de Baler and Doña Aurora Aragon-Quezon House. Dinner is casual—street food at the food park near the Baler Marker, or at Yellowfin Bar and Grill.

Day 2

Sunrise is a serious affair in Aurora. Facing the east, each day is a chance to wake up to a fiery pink sunrise. Start your day with a grounding, mindful yoga session facing the morning sun at Costa Pacifica.

Prepare for a winding 1.5-hour drive to Maria Aurora, where the Villa Aurora EcoTourism Area (VAETA) will greet you like a warm hug. Between April and May, you might even spot Rafflesias in full bloom.

Villa Aurora EcoTourism Area, Maria Aurora, Aurora

Ready your legs for a 20-minute walk up flights upon flights of stairs that lead to the otherworldly Ubot Falls, which only reveals itself after you reach the top. Take a dip in its refreshing waters and don’t forget to look up—watch the sunrays peek through the crevices of the canyon-like waterfalls.

Dry off, snack on locally harvested pineapples, and grab lunch in a carinderia along the way before driving to the Ditumabo or Mother Falls in San Luis. It features an easy 30-minute hike through lush forests, with stunning views of the local flora and fauna while crossing mesmerizing streams and bamboo bridges along the way. You know you’re near when a straight concrete road comes into view. Follow the walk upstream to the gorgeous Mother Falls. Relax by its lagoon with a majestic view of its 140-foot drop or feel the rush while wading in the gush of the falls.

Back in Baler, gather for a hearty boodle fight dinner at Costa Pacifica and swap stories about the day’s adventures before calling it a night.

Day 3

Have breakfast before check-out and set off for the rocky coast of Amper Beach in Dipaculao for a short photo stop at its iconic rock formations.

Make your way to the Dibutunan Marine Protected Area for freediving and snorkeling. The area is teeming with life, coral reefs, and underground caves. Swim alongside schools of fish and get the chance to see the taklobo (giant clam). Guides for freediving and life vests for snorkeling are required for these activities. For the best experience, get in touch with the Provincial Tourism Office of Aurora. They can help arrange everything you need. And yes, that includes taking your underwater videos!

Dibutunan Marine Protected Area, Dipaculao, Aurora

Along the way to the next stop, you’ll find the Dinadiawan Public Market to be a great venue for a home-cooked lunch, souvenir shopping, and mingling with the locals.

Can’t get enough of the people? Visit the indigenous Agta community in Casiguran, who will welcome you with open arms and showcase their culture. They’ll share with you everything from their traditional garb and accessories to their local cuisine. Their rice coffee is a must-try.

Don’t miss the mangrove garden in Lual, Casiguran where you can spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying water activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, and water biking around lush mangroves or bakawan. You can also take a bamboo raft to their floating cottages, where crystalline waters reveal the vibrant corals underneath.

Spend the night and enjoy an open-air dinner at Dianao Beach Club and Resort in Dilasag, where you can also cap off the day beneath a blanket of stars.

Day 4

Wake up at dawn to chase the sunrise in the sprawling Parang Hills. Layers of mountains sit like paintings in the distance. The terracotta-colored dirt draws a striking contrast against the expansive grass-covered slopes and dramatic rocky coastlines. Soak in the first light and the fresh sea breeze with a panoramic view of the serene Dilasag, Aurora’s northernmost town.

Spend your entire morning at the pristine white sands and sparkling turquoise waters of the quiet, secluded Casapsapan Beach. It’s a swimmable coast with its cool, clear waters bringing gentle waves and a broad, flat beach beneath your feet. Resorts along the shore have lunch offerings. Fuel up before going back to the hotel to freshen up and check out.

On the way back to Baler, take a detour to the Coconut Plantation in Dinalungan. Serpentine roads are lined with towering coconut trees. Whether you’re driving through them or running, it’s the ideal spot for a candid barkada photo that totally sums up your trip.

Head back to Costa Pacifica in Sabang Beach to check in if you want hassle-free accommodation, or stay in a quaint surf camp closer to Cemento Beach if you’re on the hunt for feistier waves.

In the afternoon, shake things up a bit with thrilling challenges. You can try tamilok (shipworm), locally known as katid, a mollusk that eats through rotting mangrove wood and is said to taste like oysters. It’s a delicacy there, eaten raw and dipped only in vinegar and chili. But we’ll be the first to warn you—it’s not for the faint-hearted or the weak-stomached. Get yours from reputable sources and try at your own risk.

You can also check out Baler Moto Park, which offers high-adrenaline off-road experiences aboard an ATV or motocross bike. Its track is accentuated by small but frequent rises that make the ride a little scarier but much more fun.

End the day with an exclusive reservations-only dinner curated by Chef Tim Alegre at Balerfornia.

Balerfornia Private Dining, Baler, Aurora

Chef Tim and his team source their ingredients locally from the province and curate the multi-course dinner menu based on what’s in season. Their setup is intimate, and the experience is earnest. This dinner is guaranteed to stay with you for life.

Balerfornia Private Dining, Baler, Aurora — alternative photo

Day 5

Chase the sunrise one last time at the Aurora Lighthouse in Poblacion.

Used to the surf already? The famed Cobra Reef in Cemento Beach boasts daunting surf breaks and powerful barrels above a rocky bottom, better suited for intermediate to advanced surfers.

Trikes can take you to the Baler Public Market early in the morning, where you can try their famous suman for breakfast or, if your accommodation allows it, bring fresh seafood and produce back to cook yourself.

Take in the view, the company, and the feeling one last time before checking out. Drop by Alley Cat or Solt Café for a last boardwalk coffee run before heading back home. Take your time because we know you’ll miss the feeling.

But between us two? Aurora will always be waiting for you.

by Mel Cortez PH

Cental Luzon