The Philippines, a country composed of thousands of islands, has been blessed with countless beaches. Those who wish to have fun under the sun need not travel long and far just to have a taste of the country’s pristine beaches. Burot Beach in the town of Calatagan in Batangas province, just 3 hours south of Manila, recently emerged as the perfect destination for city dwellers wanting to have a quick and affordable beach getaway.

Tourists coming from Manila can easily make a quick day trip to Calatagan to enjoy what this remote beach has to offer. A trip to Burot is all about nature and going back to basics. No electricity, no establishments, no rooms, and no wild partying. Those expecting to see and experience resort and hotel amenities should probably look elsewhere. This time, it’s just you and Mother Nature.

The beach can be accessed from the Catalagan Public Market by tricycle. Upon arriving at the beachfront, one would surely find it hard to resist not taking off his or her footwear right there and then to feel the fine white sand, jump in the crystal clear water, marvel at the quaint rock formations as well as the picturesque blue skies. Some are even flabbergasted to know that this kind of natural wonder exists very near the metropolis.

Campers spending the night at the beach can pitch their tents near the shore while those who won’t be staying for long can just take cover under the talisay trees that line the beachfront. Limited number of cottages, picnic tables, tents and camping equipment are also available for rent too. Basic needs or grocery items—from snacks to toiletries—may be purchased from sari-sari stores in the area although prices of goods are on the steep side.

Beach bums looking for other things to do in Burot may take delight in taking a boat tour of the Calatagan shoreline. The boat tour includes four stops to different sandbars nicknamed “Boracay,” which is known for its very fine white sand, and “Starfish Island,” a perfect spot to observe and pose with starfish. The tour length is negotiable. One can stay at a particular spot for as long as he or she wishes.

While many rave about the wonders of Burot Beach on social media, this no-frills beach destination may not be suited for everyone. Reviews found online (almost) always mention the lack of good facilities in the area. Many even complain about the poor state of the shower rooms and rest rooms. But at the end of the day, travelers must keep in mind that Burot Beach is considered as an “unspoiled” beach. The mere existence of shower rooms and rest rooms with clean running water—no matter how much they suck—is already a luxury.

It is highly important that travelers carefully time their visit to Burot Beach. The place can get very, very crowded during peak days or season (e.g., weekends and holidays especially Holy Week). The best time to explore this beach near Manila is on weekdays—a time when you can have the beach practically all to yourself.

Despite some negative reviews coming from other travelers, Burot Beach remains to be a good—even great to some extent—destination. It is in fact even better than its “more mainstream” beach counterparts found in Nasugbu and Laiya (still in Batangas). It is indeed a perfect destination if you’re on the look out for the perfect beach destination near Manila without having to spend a dime.

Burot Beach: What To Expect

Burot Beach: Sample Travel Budget/Expenses/Rates

Burot Beach: How To Commute

Burot Beach: Sample Day Tour Itinerary