Famous for being an ideal place for beach camping, Manuel Uy Beach Resort offers an excellent place for those who want to rough it out.
Located in the humble town of Calatagan, Batangas, Manuel Uy is a small paradise for the weekend.
Manuel Uy Beach Resort DIY Camping Guide
Upon reaching the Manuel Uy Beach Resort, we passed by a bamboo bridge to go to the beach.
The beach resort doesn’t have any cottages or kubos; the only accommodation is camping. You can bring your own tents or rent one for 500 pesos suitable for 4 to 5 persons.
READ: Where to Beach Camp in Batangas for Less Than 400 Pesos
The beach’s sand is not white, but it is somewhat mocha in color. Too bad we went there during Habagat Season. There were a lot of seaweeds, but caretakers clean these up. As I was told, the beach is clean during the Amihan Season.
The water isn’t crystal clear. The beach’s water is only up until chest level during high tide and can be as dry as a desert during low tide.
READ: Seven Reasons Why You Should Try Camping
How To Get There
- From Manila, ride a van or a Celyrosa bus in Pasay going to Calatagan. Van costs 180 while the bus costs 160 pesos. Travel time is 2 to 3 hours. The last stop will be in Calatagan Market.
- From here, hail a tricycle going to the Manuel Uy Beach Resort for 200 pesos. This is good for 4 to 5 persons. Travel time is around 15 minutes.
- The ride to the beach offers a breathtaking view of ranches, mango trees, and lots of cows. The last trip back to Manila from Calatagan is at 4 PM.
Activities
Camping
As what I have mentioned a while ago, tent pitching is the only way to go about Manuel Uy beach resort. Camp on the beach and wake up to the most glorious sunrise.
Swimming
Snorkeling
Rent a boat for 1000 per hour and snorkeling gear if you don’t have one for 50 pesos per person. There are two snorkeling locations. First is near the Manuel Uy Beach Resort but we couldn’t go because the water was murky. The other location is near the Calatagan lighthouse. If you were to choose this site, back and forth is more than an hour, so you would have to pay for two hours.
Island Hopping
Island Hopping includes Starfish Island & Sandbar, but because of the strong waves, we were only able to go to the Sandbar. Going to the sandbar requires renting a boat for 200 pesos per hour. Despite not being able to go to the starfish island, there was a lot of starfish in the sandbar. Also, there were crabs, urchins, and seashells.
Beach Volleyball
Play beach volleyball. I’m not sure if there is a ball for rent, but we brought our own ball when we went to the beach.
READ: Cheap Camping Essentials for Budget Campers at Decathlon
Build Sand Cakes
Be it sand cakes, sand dragons or sand castles, build them. It was tons of fun creating our friends’ birthday sand cake. Since there were three birthday celebrants in the group, we made a massive cake for them. Those surrounding the cake are supposed to be cupcakes.
Bury a Friend
Bury your friend/friends at the beach. Be creative. Turn them into sand monsters.
Beach Bumming
Laze around the beach. Get that tan. Enjoy and relax.
Photo Ops
Take the pic. Change your profile pic.
Check Out Stilts
Check out the nearby resort, Stilts Calatagan and take a selfie by the floating cottages.
READ: Why You Should Date A Camper
Fees and Rates
Entrance Fees:
- Day Tour – P150 (adult), P105 (senior citizen)
- Overnight – P250 (adult), P175 (senior citizen)
Note: Children below six years old are free
Parking Fees
- Motorcycle – P20
- Car – P100
- Van – P100
- Bus – P300
Other Fees:
- Tent Pitching – P50/ Tent
- Phone Charging – P20
- Island Hopping – P200/hour
- Snorkeling – P1000/hr
- Snorkeling Gear Rent – P50/person
- Electric Stove – P50
- Grills – Free
- Restroom and Shower – Free
- Tarpaulin for Rent – P100
- Table for Rent – P300
- Tent Rental (good for 3 persons) – P500
Sample Itinerary
Day One
- 4:00 ETD Manila
- 7:00 ETA Calatagan Market
- 7:30 ETA Manuel Uy Beach Resort / Set up Camp
- 8:00 Breakfast
- 9:00 Swimming
- 11:00 Prepare Lunch
- 12:00 Lunch
- 13:00 Snorkeling/ Island Hopping
- 15:00 Back to Camp
- *If you’re only on a day tour, prepare, pack up and ride the tricycle back to the bus terminal. Afterwards, travel back to Manila. For overnight, keep reading.
- 15:30 Wandering Around / Photo Ops
- 17:00 Prepare Dinner
- 18:00 Dinner
- 18:30 Socials
Day Two
- 5:30 Wake Up /Watch the Sunrise
- 7:00 Breakfast
- 8:00 Swimming
- 10:00 Prepare and Pack Up
- 11:00 Ride the Tricycle Back to Calatagan Market
- 11:30 Ride a bus back to Manila
Budget Breakdown
- Manila to Calatagan P180
- Calatagan to Manuel Uy Beach Resort Tricycle P200/4 = P50
- Environmental Fee P30
- Overnight Fee P100
- Tent Pitching P150/ 8 = P18.75
- Island Hopping P200
- Ihawan P30
- Phone Charging P20
- Bath P10
- Food P200
- Manuel Uy Beach Resort to Calatagan Market P200/4 = P50
- Calatagan to Manila P180
Total: P969
Tips and Reminders
- Bring your trash with you. Help keep the beach clean. Don’t litter.
- You can bring a rice cooker for easier cooking. Bring the equipment to the charging station. Pay the 50 pesos fee.
- There are only specific areas with lights. Pitch your tent near these areas, so you don’t have to worry about the lack of light during night-time.
- Swimming is only from 6 am to 6 pm.
- I highly recommend you to visit the place during Amihan season to avoid the seaweeds scattered around the beach.
- Bonfire is not allowed.
Calatagan Accommodations
If you just want to enjoy the sea but want to sleep in a more comfortable room with airconditioning. Here are some that you can book.
- Crusoe Cabins – Check Price and Availability
- Spring Beach Front House – Check Price and Availability
- Lago de Oro – Check Price and Availability
- Villa Patria – Check Price and Availability
- Wonderfarm Villa – Check Price and Availability
- Sunrise Cove – Check Price and Availability
- Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort – Check Price and Availability
There are also a lot of Calatagan accommodations that you can find on Airbnb. If you’re planning on booking via Airbnb, here’s a P2,200 ($44) discount on your first booking.
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- Masasa Beach DIY Budget Travel Guide (Tingloy, Batangas)
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- Casa Antonio Vacations: Playa Calatagan Beach Glamping Travel Guide
- Binukbok View Point Resort: Snorkeling Paradise in Batangas
- Weekend Getaways Near Manila : 28 Affordable Places To Visit
Iba dn..
Hey Moi 😀 Nice of you to drop by.
Hi,if you have your own transpo, a small car, you can just drive to the beach?or is it only accessible by tricycle?
Hi. Yes, you can drive to the beach. There’s a parking lot there.
Hi, how much po rent ng tricycle papunta sa beach?
Hi. Nung pumunta po kami sa beach from Calatagan market is 200 pesos 🙂 Good for 4 persons na.
Im planning to visit your resort ask ko lang paano ang security niyo lalo na sa mga nag oovernight. May mga nagroroaving ba pag gabi? paano kung may nanggugulo na at mga lasing na.nagchecheck ba ku ng mga gamit papasok sa resort niyo? paano po pag may baril o ammunition na naipasok ang isang guest sa resort niyo at gusto magprovoke ng gulo maka counter act niyo ba ang mga ganitong situation?
san pwd mag inquire,,sino pwd makausap
Do we need covid 19 test results to go there