Sabang: Getting there and other hints.
Hi Guys,
As I generally visit Sabang on every trip to the Phils see my regular hottie, I just thought I'd share some useful updated info for the assistance of of others. If you're after an alternative to Angeles and actually have some fun in a place with a decent view surrounded by water, I'd recommend checking it out. It's pretty close to Manila and the girls don't seem to be as aggressive in their approach as they are AC and definitely not like those in Makati from experience.
Getting there:
Bus it to Batangas Port.
Yes you can hire a private van or taxi and I've done it once, but not worth the cash in my opinion, especially after you pay all the tolls along the way, or get stuck with an annoying driver.
The trick is to get a bus down there out of Manila on a weekend. You'll arrive at the port in approx two hours and you'll have a few options.
I generally get myself to the Buendia bus terminal and get the Jam Liner bus for under 500 p. Aim to get there about 830-9 am. The busses are supposed to depart on the hour, but it is The Phils, so they can take off at any time. Just get on one and it'll take off at some stage. The advantage of the Jam Liner service is they head down there all day, so if you miss one, there'll be another.
The other option is the Si-Kat Bus service. Si-Kat offers a combined tourist bus and boat service daily from Manila to Puerto Galera and back.
9:30 AM Si-KAT Bus departs at City State Tower, Mabini St. , Ermita, Manila.
11:30 AM Arrival at Batangas Pier.
1:00 PM Ferry Departure.
2:30 PM Ferry Arrival at Balatero Pier, Puerto Galera.
The advantage of this service is the whole trip is on one ticket, however the Jam Liner option works out cheaper and more flexible.
Batangas Port:
This is where your bus will pull up. They used to stop right by the terminal entrance but now offload a block up the road. There's a fairly large 7-11 on the corner where you can stock up on beer, snacks and water for the trip ahead. Just follow the crowd down past all the vendors and you'll be heading in the right direction. You'll encounter a swarm of guys trying to 'help' you with your luggage. Just tell them to fuck off in the nicest possible way. You'll go through a security check at the port entrance and be prepared to have your cigarette lighter confiscated (I still wonder where they all end up in the land of lighter confiscation).
The Batangas terminal is actually quite modern with some fairly decent food options and really clean CRs. If you've travelled by Si-Kat, you'll already have a fastcat ticket. If you've done the Jam Liner hike, you'll need to buy a ticket for your aqua trip. You'll also have to pay a port tax in a separate line which will only cost 30 p. All the ticket booths are clearly sign-posted regarding the destinations and if you can't find the right one, just ask someone. There is an option to take the slower and cheaper RORO (roll on roll off ferry) option. It's cheaper though much slower than a fastcat. On average the fastcat trip will take you about 1. 5 hours to get to to Puerto Galera.
Hint: The Puerto Galera Yacht Club has always had the most up-to-date ferry schedules listed on their website: [URL]https://www.pgyc.org/ferry-sched.php[/URL].
Puerto Galera:
Well, there's not much there but it's not a bad spot. Upon arrival you'll be hit with a modest visitor tax and then you'll be greeted by the trike mafia outside the terminal. Expect to pay about 300 p to get to Sabang by trike but it's quite a scenic ride in parts. It takes around 20 minutes and you'll be dropped right in the action of Sabang or depending where your hotel is, they might be able to drop you at the door now the new boardwalk is finished.
Sabang:
Well there's plenty of info online about the girly action, but a lot is outdated. Basically there's a long alley (you can't miss it) that comes alive at night with many established gogo bars and those that come and go. Sorry, I can't give you prices as I've never really done the barfine and LD drink option and prefer bedding non bar girls who aren't as profit driven and I prefer all my rewards go to the girls.
I visit Sabang regularly to see a girlfriend who happens to be the fuck of the century (and before you ask again, you can't have her WhatsApp details buddy. Go and find your own pussy)!
All I know, and have been told by locals is, it's cheaper than AC and Makati. Oh, and it's predominately a diving destination. It doesn't matter if you don't dive, you'll still have fun. But I've just observed that in high season, there's the old issue of Korean divers hunting in packs and cleaning the bars out of talent early in the evening. You'll generally have a better choice of talent when the place is a bit quieter.
Although there's no beach in the heart of Sabang, especially now the new boardwalk is complete, it offers a nice outlook right on the water with ships passing by and some pretty things walking by that are very pleasing to the eye. There's a really decent little supermarket right in the heart of it at the start of the alley. There's also some good food options in town. If you want a decent beach, it's a fairly short walk around to Big Laguna. You could also get a trike with your girl and take a trip to White Beach. It's relatively nice, though more geared to Pinoys making the short trip for a Manila getaway. You'll still probably get asked if you want a girl though.
Getting Back to Manila:
I've always used the Si-Kat bus / fastcat option. And once again, on a weekend if I can to avoid the heavy weekday Manila traffic. You can buy a ticket in a small store just a few minutes up the road from the supermarket. It's best to buy it at least three days before your departure in case seats are sold out (peak season). They can arrange a trike to get you back to the port as well. The trike will stop at a small ticket office prior to the port where they give you the port tax in coins as it's included in the ticket price.
Puerto Galera to Manila schedule:
11:00 AM Ferry Departure from Balatero Pier, Puerto Galera to Manila.
12:30 PM Arrival at Batangas Pier.
12:30 PM Si-KAT Bus Departure for Manila.
3:30 PM Estimated Arrival in Mabini St. , Ermita, Manila.
Once in Manila:
Prior to the bus getting to Manila, they will have one decent rest stop on the way. If you want to go to the airport, Makati or Angeles, have a word to the lady on the bus and they'll stop to drop you off at their stop before Ermita. From there you can get a Grab or a taxi to the Pasay bus station if your heading to Dau (Angeles) or a Grab or taxi to the airport or to Makati for about 300-400 p.
Well, I hope this may be of assistance. I've just found a lot of schedules and info online about travelling to Sabang is outdated or incorrect. I first went to Sabang once everything opened up post covid and have always had a great time there. I just find it a more scenic option to AC and have always lived by the water, so it suits me. It's also relatively close to Manila. Plus, I met an amazing girl there on my first visit and she never fails to disappoint.
_Phil.