Cabangan is without doubt one of the 13 cities that make up the province of Zambales. It sits proper in the course of the province, bordered by means of the cities of Botolan at the north and San Felipe at the south. Its western aspect immediately opens to the West Philippine Sea. It’s about 200 kilometers from Manila, which might take round 4 to 6 hours go back and forth time.
It was once as soon as a laid-back the town with only a handful of inns and vacationers, with citizens most commonly farmers and fisher other folks. Throughout the closing couple of years, inns have began to mushroom far and wide its beachfront and tourism began to pick out up, due almost definitely to the booming browsing scene on the neighboring the town of Liwliwa.
Even with this, Cabangan remains to be lovely laid-back. Should you’re searching for a seashore getaway with no longer a lot vacationers, Cabangan would possibly simply be the weekend getaway for you.
HOW TO GET TO CABANGAN
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| A VICTORY LINER BUS PASSING THROUGH CABANGAN |
Handiest Victory Liner ply the Manila-Cabangan path. From Manila, you’ll take buses with Iba and Sta. Cruz signal forums. Those are to be had at Caloocan, Cubao, Sampaloc, and Pasay stations. Trip time is round 5 to 6 hours. Fare is at round ₱370.00, give or take.
Saulog Transit additionally passes by means of Cabangan, however its path is restricted from Olongapo to Iba most effective.
Riding to Cabangan is simple sufficient. From Manila, take the NLEX (North Luzon Categorical Method), then connect with SCTEx (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Parkway) going to Subic. From there, take the Olongapo-Bugallon Freeway till you succeed in Cabangan. Pressure time is round 4 hours.
UNDERSTAND CABANGAN
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| AN ANCESTRAL HOUSE IN CABANGAN |
Geographically, Cabangan is basically divided into two land spaces by means of the Olongapo-Bugallon Freeway. West aspect for the seashore phase, east aspect for the mountain and river spaces. In the course of those two is the city middle the place the Municipal Corridor, the marketplace, banks, ATMs, meals puts, church buildings, groceries, and comfort retail outlets are.
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| MOUNTAIN LAYERS IN CABANGAN |
Language-wise, the city is more or less divided into two portions by way of the Tangway River. The northern space speaks Zambal whilst the southern part, Ilocano. However, everybody can perceive and talk Filipino or Tagalog fluently. And prefer in all places else within the Philippines, maximum can perceive English—even though no longer everybody can talk it fluently.
SAFETY IN CABANGAN
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| A CARABAO IN CABANGAN |
It is extremely secure in Cabangan. Being a small group, illegal activity is fairly low and nearly non-existent. The one factor to be careful for are the a lot of stray canines alongside the streets (and almost definitely a couple of cows and carabaos, will have to you wander throughout farmlands, lol), which will get lovely labored up upon unfamiliar vacationers.
STAYING CONNECTED IN CABANGAN
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| CABANGAN’S MOUNTAINOUS EAST SIDE |
Globe, Good (additionally Solar), and DITO networks have very robust indicators all over Cabangan. Web connectivity may be superb. For my part, I will say that the Web velocity in Cabangan even exceeds the ones in Manila—almost definitely because of the low inhabitants of customers within the space.
GETTING AROUND CABANGAN
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| AN OLD TRUCK IN CABANGAN |
There are 3 modes of public transportation in Cabangan; tricycles, jeeps, mini-buses, and common buses.
To get from one barangay to the following the use of the primary freeway, locals use both the jeeps, mini-buses, and common buses that ply the freeway. And to get from the freeway to the barangay interiors, they use tricycles—that have explicit terminals consistent with barangay. Minimal fare for tricycles is ready at ₱20.00 consistent with particular person.
Word that it’s fairly simple to get a tricycle whilst you’re alongside the city middle, however as soon as you want one whilst throughout the internal barangays, it’s possible you’ll in finding it tough to search out one. My tip, get the cell selection of the primary tricycle driving force you’ll experience on.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN CABANGAN
Cabangan Seashores
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| SURFER IN CABANGAN BEACH |
The primary reason why other people talk over with Cabangan is the ocean. Cabangan Seaside is split into 8 barangays and those are simply obtainable by way of automotive or public shipping. The waves listed here are in point of fact no longer for everybody, it’s robust maximum instances of the 12 months. It does get calm all over the summer season months, particularly all over the early mornings. It’s if truth be told because of those robust waves that surfers began to flock Cabangan.
Watersports & ATV
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| BANANA BOAT RIDE & ATV AND BUGGY RENTAL IN CABANGAN BEACH |
Watersports actions like banana boat rides, dragon boats, and ATV rides has additionally just lately invaded the as soon as quiet seashore of Cabangan. Banana boat experience costs get started at ₱250.00.
Cabangan Rivers & Falls
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| TWO KIDS AT DAPYA RIVER IN CABANGAN |
The opposite points of interest in Cabangan will also be discovered alongside its mountainous space alongside its japanese aspect. Right here, you’ll talk over with Dapya River and Agbobotilya. Those are if truth be told explicit spaces of the Maporac River. The previous is just right for a laid-back picnic whilst the latter is healthier for the extra adventurous guests because it comes to just a little of a hike and a few cliff leaping actions.
Every other river vacation spot is the Namnel Watershed. Getting there comes to passing via non-public roads marked with No Trespassing indicators even though, so I’m no longer certain if it’s in point of fact felony to head there.
For the ones short of just a little of a hike, there’s additionally the Matag-Ay Lanum Falls in Barangay San Juan.
For those actions, I strongly advise that you simply touch the Cabangan Tourism Workplace: Fb |(0929) 816-5103 | [email protected]
Bangan Pier
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| RIDING A BALSA DURING SUNSET AT CABANGAN’S BANGAN |
Every other picnic position we common is the Bangan Pier river cottages. Bangan actually interprets to an estuary—a frame of water the place the river meets the ocean. The water right here may be very heat, shallow, and brackish. Small rentable huts have sprouted alongside its banks and springs with limitless balsa or raft rides.
But even so the seashore, these kinds of vacationer spots—that are picnic puts—if truth be told require a complete day or, on the maximum, part day revel in. Those are particularly stress-free for giant teams.
Cabangan Mountain Hikes
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| MT. MARIGLEM IN ZAMBALES ~ PHOTO BY JRICK0601 |
Cabangan has just lately opened Mt. Mariglem Zambales for Cabangan vacationers. The mountain is positioned at the western aspect of Cabangan, at Barangay New San Juan, simply after Agbobotilya River. It has an elevation of 573 MASL (meters above imply sea stage) and has a 4/9 problem stage. The hike will also be executed as fast as two hours, however most commonly take part an afternoon. The latter a part of the hike features a cross via 3 rivers, Agbobotilya, Maligha, and Nilumabangan Rivers, the place lunch will also be purchased.
A DIY hike at Mt. Mariglem will also be organized on the Cabangan Tourism Workplace. As of this writing, Mt. Mariglem is most effective open all over Tuesdays to Sundays (3:00AM to six:00PM, in a single day tenting no longer allowed on summit, allowed at the river space) with most effective 150 climbers allowed get entry to consistent with day. Will have to Mondays fall on a vacation, Mt. Mariglem is open and closure is moved the following running day. Stroll-ins are allowed all over Tuesdays to Fridays, with weekends strictly for reservation most effective.
Mt. Mariglem reservation will also be made on the Cabangan Tourism Workplace: Fb | Touch Quantity: (0929) 816-5103
Mt. Mariglem Zambales Climb Charges:
Front Rate: ₱50.00 consistent with particular person
Native Information: ₱700.00 (Excellent for as much as 5pax)
Kolong-Kolong Tricycle Trip to Leap Off: ₱550.00 consistent with experience (As much as 5pax)
Fowl Looking at In Cabangan
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| A YELLOW VENTED BULBUL IN CABANGAN |
Cabangan may be a just right position for birding fans. I’m no avian skilled, however I do see numerous chicken sorts each and every time we keep there together with kingfishers, crows, bulbuls, nice egrets, Brahminy kite eagles, to call a couple of—or if truth be told, the ones are the one ones I will determine.
Holy Week Actions
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| BANCATHON BOAT RACE IN CABANGAN DURING HOLY WEEK |
Each vacationers and locals flock the seashores of Cabangan all over the Holy Week. Vacationers opt for the most obvious reason why that it’s a countrywide vacation and paintings is suspended. Locals move because of the custom of tenting out on the seashore from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday. There also are some actions hosted by means of LGUs all over those instances, like a carabao race, boat race—which they dub as bancathon—and a seashore live performance that includes native artists.
Annual Christmas Lighting fixtures Show
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| CHRISTMAS AT THE CABANGAN MUNICIPAL HALL |
Should you talk over with all over Christmas season, head over to the Cabangan Municipal Corridor all over the evenings to peer the annual Cabangan Christmas lighting fixtures show. The entire development is wearing Christmas lighting fixtures, with a thirty-foot Christmas tree punctuating the night time sky. It’s additionally a just right position for a meals go back and forth as a lot of boulevard meals carts also are parked proper by means of the curb. Folks from far and wide Zambales flock the city for this.
WHERE TO EAT IN CABANGAN
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| CRISPY PATA AT LC’S STOP & CHOW CABANGAN |
But even so the standard carinderias and boulevard meals stalls discovered alongside the primary avenue of Cabangan, there are a couple of notable eating places you’ll talk over with on the town. There are the vintage go-to eating places like LC’s Prevent & Chow and TCT Emily’s which serves conventional Filipino and Western fares. Then there are the brand new ones like twenty first Bean (a resto café serving fraps and pastas), 1st Streat (just right for picnic take-outs), Casa Baraca (Filipino & Western), and Arya’s Kick back & Grill (Heart Jap dishes).
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| LUGAW AND MAMI AT MAMI MADZ CABANGAN |
Getting meals whilst at the seashore is a little more difficult since there are hardly ever any puts to consume within the space with the exception of for lots of the inns’ in-house eating places. One position we common after going to San Isidro Seaside is a straightforward mami and goto position, Mami Madz.
WHERE TO STAY IN CABANGAN
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| CABANGAN BEACH |
As of closing rely, there are a minimum of 150 inns dotting Cabangan Seaside. Those vary from in point of fact dear seashore homes and inns, to DIY pitch-your-tent roughly puts. Value vary from not up to ₱1,000.00 consistent with night time to ₱10,000.00 plus consistent with night time.
For essentially the most fascinating lodgings, take a look at my Easiest Cabangan Seaside Inns article.
For inexpensive lodging, I recommend testing Google Maps, since maximum inns in Cabangan don’t have Agoda listings.
WHAT TO BUY IN CABANGAN
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| SUMAN AT CABANGAN’S PUBLIC MARKET |
The one vacationer similar memento I purchased in Cabangan is a San Isidro Seaside blouse from Mami Madz, but even so that, there’s about 0 memento pieces on the town.
Put out of your mind about your Cabangan keychains and ref magnets even though, what you’ll deliver house as a substitute are native foodstuff you’ll ranking on the public marketplace—panutsa (cannon-sized candy sugar cane balls), pilipiting (dried anchovies), alimagmag (dried tiny shrimps), and rice cake treats like suman, patupat, and cascaron. And don’t put out of your mind the mangoes—Zambales is known for his or her candy dinamulag mangoes that they even devote an entire pageant for it, the Dinamulag Pageant.
When you’ve got a cooler with you, you’ll additionally deliver house contemporary barillete fishes, those are skipjack tunas that are like smaller variations of yellow-fin tunas.
The very best time to talk over with the Cabangan Public Marketplace is all over Tuesdays and Fridays, the city’s marketplace days.
CABANGAN TOURIST SPOTS MAP
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| CABANGAN TOURIST SPOTS |
CABANGAN SAMPLE ITINERARY
Not like different seashore puts in Zambales, visiting the city of Cabangan isn’t in point of fact have compatibility for a two-day weekend. Neatly, you’ll indubitably do it, for those who simply zip during the points of interest and easily relax on the seashore. Or you’ll take away the Day 3 of the itinerary, however you’d need to sacrifice your time on the seashore.
Should you in point of fact wish to maximize your time on the town, 3 days will have to do it. Why that lengthy? It’s as a result of maximum locations in Cabangan are picnic puts, they require a minimum of part an afternoon for complete enjoyment. Cabangan is a sluggish go back and forth kinda position.
All vacationer puts in Cabangan are reachable by way of public shipping, however it may be a problem. Having a personal car is indubitably a bonus. Be warned, some spaces in Cabangan require rough-road using, so make certain your automobiles are have compatibility for some grime avenue actions.
And once more, touch the Cabangan Tourism Workplace for steering and a real bodily information if you wish to move talk over with Mt. Mariglem, Matag-Ay Lanum Falls, Agbobotilya, and Dapya. Should you’re availing of the Mt. Mariglem hike, it passes via Agbobotilya, Maligha, and Nilumabangan River after the ascent, so it’s a great way to talk over with those river spaces with out spending extra for transportation. However for those who’re no longer into mountain climbing, I additionally added an alternative Day Two Cabangan itinerary that gained’t contain a hike to Mt. Mariglem, however nonetheless come with a talk over with to Agbobotilya River and Dapya River.
DAY ONE: ARRIVAL, BEACH, BANGAN | ₱1,933.00 PER PERSON BASED ON A GROUP OF TWO
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| BANGAN PIER IN CABANGAN |
• Early Morning Arrival
• Early Test-in At Lodge (go away luggage on the foyer if no longer allowed)
₱40.00 – TRICYCLE TO RESORT FROM BAYAN, PER PERSON
₱2,000.00 – AVERAGE RESORT RATE, GOOD FOR TWO PERSONS
• Swim At Cabangan Seaside
• Picnic Lunch At Bangan Pier (deliver take out meals from Bayan)
₱40.00 – TRICYCLE TO BAYAN, PER PERSON
₱200.00 – TAKE OUT FOOD PER PERSON, APPROXIMATE
₱100.00 – TRICYCLE FROM BAYAN TO BANGAN PIER, PER PERSON, (ROUNDTRIP, GET DRIVER’S MOBILE NO.), APPROXIMATE
₱500.00 – COTTAGE RENTAL
• Swim At Bangan Till Sundown
• Dinner at twenty first Bean
₱250.00 – AVERAGE MEAL PRICE PER PERSON, APPROXIMATE
₱13.00 – JEEP FROM 21ST BEAN TO BAYAN, PER PERSON
₱40.00 – TRICYCLE TO RESORT FROM BAYAN, PER PERSON
DAY TWO: MT. MARIGLEM, RIVERS, BEACH | ₱1,870.00 PER PERSON BASED ON A GROUP OF TWO
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| MT. MARIGLEM IN CABANGAN ~ PHOTO BY ERIKA GARCIA |
• Breakfast At Lodge
₱2,000.00 – AVERAGE RESORT RATE, GOOD FOR TWO PERSONS
• Trek Mount Mariglem
₱40.00 – TRICYCLE TO TOURISM OFFICE, PER PERSON
₱550.00 – KOLONG KOLONG TRICYCLE RIDE TO MOUNT MARIGLEM JUMP OFF, GOOD FOR 5 PERSONS
₱50.00 – MT. MARIGLEM ENTRANCE FEE
₱700.00 – LOCAL GUIDE, GOOD FOR 5 PERSONS
• Talk over with Agbobotilya: Section Of Mariglem Hike
• Hike Down To Maligha River: Section Of Mariglem Hike
• Lunch At Nilumabangan River: Section Of Mariglem Hike
₱200.00 – FOOD PER PERSON, APPROXIMATE
• Move Again To Lodge For Seaside Sundown
₱40.00 – TRICYCLE TO RESORT, PER PERSON
• Dinner At Casa Baraka or on the hotel
₱40.00 – TRICYCLE FROM RESORT TO CASA BARAKA, PER PERSON
₱250.00 – AVERAGE MEAL PRICE PER PERSON, APPROXIMATE
₱40.00 – TRICYCLE FROM CASA BARAKA TO RESORT, PER PERSON
DAY TWO ALTERNATIVE: RIVERS & BEACH | ₱1,913.00 PER PERSON BASED ON A GROUP OF TWO
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| DAPYA RIVER IN CABANGAN |
• Breakfast at hotel
₱2,000.00 – AVERAGE RESORT RATE, GOOD FOR TWO PERSONS
• Talk over with and hike to Agbobotilya
₱40.00 – TRICYCLE TO BAYAN, PER PERSON
₱200.00 – TAKE OUT FOOD PER PERSON, APPROXIMATE
₱100.00 – TRICYCLE TO AGBOBOTILYA JUMP OFF POINT
₱??.00 – GUIDE FEE
• Hike right down to Dapya River
₱20.00 – ENTRANCE FEE
• Lunch at Dapya River (deliver take out meals from Bayan)
₱300.00 – COTTAGE RENTAL
• Early dinner at LC’s Prevent & Chow or on the hotel
₱100.00 – TRICYCLE FROM DAPYA RIVER TO LC’S STOP & CHOW, APPROXIMATE
₱250.00 – AVERAGE MEAL PRICE PER PERSON, APPROXIMATE
• Sundown on the seashore
₱13.00 – JEEP FROM LC’S STOP & CHOW TO BAYAN, PER PERSON
₱40.00 – TRICYCLE FROM BAYAN TO RESORT, PER PERSON
DAY THREE: BEACH | ₱330.00 PER PERSON BASED ON A GROUP OF TWO
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| SAN ISIDRO BEACH IN CABANGAN |
• Breakfast At Lodge
• Kick back At The seashore
• Test-Out Of The Lodge
₱40.00 – TRICYCLE TO PUBLIC MARKET, PER PERSON
• Purchase Pasalubong At The Public Marketplace (Easiest On Marketplace Days, Tuesdays and Fridays)
₱XX.00 – TOTALLY UP TO YOU
• Lunch / Dinner At LC’s Prevent & Chow
₱40.00 – TRICYCLE TO LC’S STOP & CHOW, PER PERSON
₱250.00 – AVERAGE MEAL PRICE PER PERSON, APPROXIMATE
• Leave Cabangan
► ₱4,133.00 to ₱4,176.00 ~ TOTAL BUDGET PER PERSON BASED ON A GROUP OF TWO
UPDATED AS OF APRIL 2024