Sleazy Afternoon at Burot Beach

Burot Beach is a humble, secluded but nonetheless famous (at least to backpackers) beach in Calatagan, Batangas. How I got there - and more importantly - how I got started with traveling [and this blog!] - I think, is also worth mentioning. To cut the long story shot, I was a grad student sealed in the room (aka prison cell) I was renting in Katipunan. The prison cell opens only when I have to go to class or get some food to eat. It took me two years to realize that I wasn't supposed to be living life this way, wasting the prime years of my life as a young adult as a sedentary hermit. I joined a group in facebook called Pinoy Travel Addicts, and posted a comment on one of the invitations to Burot Beach. The rest is history.
Four people showed up - Ron, Dae, Mae and Me. Ron and Daes restless travelers who almost never run out of weekend getaways be it a beach or mountain.

We took a van for Calatagan, Batangas, bought my adobo lunch and hired a trike for the beach. Word has it that the beach has been bought by Henry Sy's SM conglomerate. We're lucky that this private property is still open to the public for a small entrance fee (P60). When we arrived, sandbags were everywhere. One of the locals said that the sand were collected as flood walls. Too bad nobody bothered to tidy the shore up and put the sandbags somewhere else.

The beach boasts of grainy white sand (as opposed to powdery in some beaches). It was around 9:30 AM when we got there, and even as we walked for some distance from the shore the water was only knee-deep. As with any beach, there's really not much to do but swim, walk along the shoreline and bum around. We also hired a pump boat which took us to the farther portion of the sea where there are only a few sea urchins - and plenty of starfishes.

Rock formations.

On a motorized banca.

Picnic mode!

Pretending to swim on a very low tide.

Posing near a sea urchin colony.

Interesting! Sea urchins have metallic blue spots.

A dead starfish by the shore. It sucks to be a starfish.

I've never been to Boracay, but I certainly have some idea of the frenetic atmosphere there, which I am not a fan of. Burot, is, in so many ways, my ideal weekend getaway. Clean, cheap, lazy and quiet.

ITINERAY AND EXPENSES
10:00 AM Took a van P180 at Pasay (in an alley beside Kabayan Hotel). Just tell the driver that you are off to Burot Beach, and he'll drop you at the right spot. You can also take an hourly bus for Calatagan at the bus station near Sogo Hotel.
11:00 AM Arrival at Calatagan, Batangas. Bought adobo at a carinderya for lunch (P50) and some drinks (P50), took a trike (P300/4) for Burot.
11:30 AM Reached Burot Beach, paid reg fee (P60)
Same way out.

TIPS
1. You might want to bring some first aid for sea urchin sting.
2. Island hopping is an option (we did not have enough budget for it).
3. There's a portion where the seawater is noticeably darker. It's actually a deep hole - non-swimmers should be extra careful.
4. Last trip for Manila is at 4 PM.

Photocredits: Ron Hubsch and Mae.