2022 Baler Travel Requirements

Baler is now open to tourists, and the travel requirements are easy breezy. This is perfect since the surf season is here. Generally, surfing is best in the Philippines from August through November and lasts until March, with bigger swells and perfect wind for surfing.  But if you’re not into surfing and you just want to relax on weekend or your day off, Baler won’t disappoint.  This once sleepy town has a surplus of tourist attractions perfect for barkada getaway, family outing, and solo traveler trip.

If you’re planning to visit Baler and Aurora province soon, for your reference, here’s a list of travel requirements:

BALER FULLY VACCINATED TOURISTS

1.Valid ID

2.Vaccination Card or Vaccination Certificate (from vaxcert.doh.gov.ph)

*Fully vaccinated means you’ve received the last dose of Covid-19 vaccine at least 2 weeks prior to your arrival in Baler.

*S-Pass and travel pass are no longer required.

BALER CHILDREN TOURIST BELOW 11 YEARS OLD

1.Medical Certificate for children 5-11 years old.

BALER NON-VACCINATED OR PARTIALLY VACINATED TOURISTS

1.Negative RT-PCR Test or antigen test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival in Baler

2.Valid ID

BALER TRAVEL GUIDE (DIY BALER)

HOW TO GET TO BALER:

• Metro Manila (Cubao,Quezon City)  to Baler, Aurora

1.Take a bus bound for Baler. Genesis and Joy Bus in Cubao, Quezon City have daily routes to and from Baler.  You can book online (iwantseats.com) or walk-in at their bus terminal in Cubao. See Baler bus fare and Baler bus schedule below.

How to get to Genesis Bus Station and Joy Bus Terminal in Cubao, Quezon City:

• Via Bus: Take a bus bound to Cubao, or any bus that will pass by Cubao (Ibabaw). Get off at Cubao Station. Walk to Genesis or Joy Bus Terminal for about 7 minutes.
• Via MRT: Take MRT Line 3 towards Taft Avenue and Alight at Araneta Center Cubao. Walk to the bus station for about 7 minutes.
• Via LRT: Take LRT Line 2 and alight at Araneta-Cubao Station. Walk to the bus station for about 5 minutes.

2.Alight at Baler.

3.Take a tricycle to your accommodation.

 BALER BUS FARE 

BALER BUS FARE (GENESIS BUS)

₱590 ($11)  – regular fare

₱572  ($10) – discounted fare (Senior Citizen, PWD)

• Genesis Bus Terminal
• J2FX + 89F EDSA Cubao corner New York Street
• Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila

BALER BUS FARE  (JOY BUS)

₱850 ($15) – regular fare

₱680 ($12) – discounted fare (Senior Citizen, PWD)

• Joy Bus Terminal
• 704 EDSA Cubao corner New York St., Quezon City

BALER BUS SCHEDULE 2022

Here’s the bus schedule for Baler & Cubao. You can book online at iwantseats.com (at least 2 days prior to your trip) or just go directly to their bus terminal.  Genesis Bus is the regular airconditioned bus (cheaper), while Joy Bus is the luxury bus with CR (more expensive), point to point bus.

GENESIS BUS SCHEDULE FOR BALER AND CUBAO

JOYBUS BUS SCHEDULE FOR BALER AND CUBAO

*Trip schedule and fare may change without prior notice. Please contact the bus company for up-to-date details.

Where to Stay in Baler

Baler is speckled with accommodations; most have basic facilities. Most visitors stay in the town center or  near Sabang Beach.  Book ahead online as some of the top hotels and resorts can get fully booked over the weekend or during holidays. If you’ll book online, I recommend choosing any DOT accredited accommodations below as some hotels/resorts/homestays have closed temporarily or permanently because of the pandemic.

DOT-Accredited Baler Accommodations:

BRGY.SABANG (BALER)

If you want to stay near Sabang beach in Baler, then book a hotel in or near Brgy.Sabang. It is conveniently located near restaurants, surf shops, and souvenir shops.

• Backdoor Villa
• BOOK HERE or CHECK RATES HERE

• Isaguirre’s Pension
• BOOK HERE or CHECK RATES HERE

• Blue Coco Baler
• BOOK HERE or CHECK RATES HERE

• Hotel ni Pepe
• BOOK HERE

• Pleasant Valley Guesthouse
• Location: Sabang, Baler
• BOOK HERE

Also check out my Baler Accommodations blog below for a full list of DOT-accredited Baler accommodations.

2022 BALER ACCOMMODATIONS (DOT-ACCREDITED)

BALER FEES

All tourists in Baler are required to pay the ₱100 ($2) SEDF (Sustainable Tourism Development Fee) per person. There’s a 20% discount for Senior Citizens and PWD.

The entrance fee in Museum Baler + Dona Aurora House is integrated in the SEDF.

Exempted:

• Children 7 y.o below
• Aurora province residents. Provide valid ID, sedula, Voter’s ID, or any gov’t issued ID.
• Government officials who visit to perform official function
• Visitors who arrive for the purpose of scientific/academic research, with prior consent and authority from LGU Baler and upon presentation of letter of endorsement or mission signed by his/her agency head.

*Those who misrepresent their identity and residency will be penalized ₱500 ($10) each.

*Tour operators, tourist handlers, tours guides, and accommodations that will not collect the SEDF will be penalized ₱2,500 ($4) for first offense, and ₱2,500 ($4) and cancellation of business permit and accreditation for the second offense.

ALSO READ: BALER TOURIST SPOTS + HOW TO GET THERE

DIY BALER ITINERARY

 Here’s a sample Baler DIY Tour, perfect for your weekend getaway. To get around Baler, you can hire a DOT-accredited tour guide/tricycle for day tour for about  1,200 ($21), good for 3 persons. Entrance fees are shouldered by tourists. Bring water to keep yourself hydrated during the tour.

For a more detailed Baler itinerary with expenses. You can read my travel guide below.

ALSO READ: BALER ITINERARY + EXPENSES