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8 Fun River Adventures in the Country for an Exciting Summer
You’ll surely revere these rivers!
By: Patricia Marie Prado | March 23, 2018
Summer is here, and what better way to fight off the heat than to spend a day in a pool or beach? But before you head out to your go-to beach destination, have you considered going on a river adventure? Rivers may not be our default summer getaway place, but this raging body of fresh water might just be the newest escape you never knew you needed! Read on and see some spots in the country where you can experience a river adventure.
1. San Rafael River Adventure
Address: Brgy. Talacsan San Rafael, Bulacan
Price range: Glamping, PhP2,000 to PhP4,000; Glass Houses, PhP5,000 to PhP25,000
Swim or just lounge along the river of San Rafael for a lazy afternoon.
Image: San Rafael River Adventure Facebook Page
Bulacan might be a surprising destination for a summer getaway given its lack of beaches, but San Rafael River Adventure in Barangay Talacasan offers a quaint and refreshing escape from the city.The recreation center became popular for its glass houses that can accommodate small groups of people to groups as big as 20. The place is surrounded by lush greenery, and guests can try the establishment’s glamping (glamorous camping) accommodations and sleep by the river.
Adrenaline junkies can try the various water activities that San Rafael River Adventure offers. You can hop on one of their jet skis, go on a kayak ride, or even challenge yourself to an afternoon of wakeboarding!
2. Easy Adventure
Address: Charlie’s Point, Baler, Aurora
Price range: PhP3,190 to PhP14,000 (including full board meals)
Let go of your surf board for a bit and try a new adventure in Baler.
Image: Easy Adventure Facebook Page
Baler, Aurora has always been a favorite summer destination as a surfers’ haven, but if you want to stray from the popular surfing spots, head on to Easy Adventure. Easy Adventure is an eco-luxe resort in Baler that runs completely on solar and renewable energy and offers glamping accommodations. By glamping we mean staying in tents decked out with a queen-sized bed and a table and comfy chairs to give you a truly luxurious vacation.
Easy Adventure is close to the beachfront so you can still have your usual beach time, but they also have a river within their property where you can spend a relaxing afternoon kayaking or paddle boarding.
3. ATV Adventures Rizal
Address: Sapinit Road, Antipolo, Rizal
Price range: PPhP1,500 to PhP6,500
ATV Adventures Rizal will make you cross various trails and even rivers!
Image: ATV Adventures Rizal Facebook Page
If you prefer a summer destination near Metro Manila, you can also enjoy a fun weekend at ATV Adventures Rizal in Antipolo. The ATV ride will pass through various terrains and trails that will surely give you and your friends a challenging afternoon.
ATV Adventures offers various trails but their most famous one is the Marikina River Trail (PhP4,500). The ride lasts for around three to four hours and includes a ride in a forest trail composed of uphill and downhill slopes and muddy roads. The ride ends at Marikina River, which serves as a sweet reward after the grueling adventure. You can take a dip or even swim before going back to the starting point.
Check out our list of travel agencies in Antipolo that you can contact for an adventure or browse the Travel & Transportation category of the ShoppersGuide Directory.
4. Kagay Whitewater Rafting
Address: Corrales Avenue, Corner Rivera St., Cagayan de Oro City
Price range: PhP1,200 to PhP2,000
A real-life Rio Grande ride awaits you in Cagayan de Oro
Image: Kagay Whitewater Rafting Facebook Page
If you want a more exciting river adventure, a visit to Cagayan de Oro is worth the trip. The province is known for its whitewater rafting adventure that runs through the Cagayan De Oro River. One way to experience this adrenaline-pumping activity is through Kagay Whitewater Rafting.
The rafting adventure ranges from the Lower to Upper section. Each section goes through a number of rapids, and the latter is the most challenging one of all the routes. Aside from the raging waters, there are also portions of the trip where you will be welcomed with calm waters, so you can get off the boat and go for a swim.
5. Magdalena White River Rafting
Address: Majayjay, Laguna
Price range: PhP900++ (interested parties may inquire to the establishment for the exact price of their packages)
Laguna offers a river rafting adventure closer to Manila.
Image: Magdalena White River Rafting Facebook Page
“Whitewater rafting adventure” might be synonymous to Cagayan De Oro, but the thrilling activity can also be done in Laguna. Magdalena White River Rafting in Majayjay has been attracting tourists for years because of the river adventure combined with cliff diving and tubing that it offers.
The Magdalena White River Rafting activity is a 3-kilometer adventure at Balanac River that lasts for around two to three hours. After coursing through the many rocks and raging waters of the river, the trip will end in a water dam slide for a thrilling finish.
6. Balingasay River Cruise at Bolinao Sungayan Grill
Address: Balingasay, Bolinao, Pangasinan
Price range of menu*: PhP130 to PhP600
* river cruise is already inclusive when you order food
Eat and chill while coursing through Balingasay River’s calm waters.
Image: Bolinao Sungayan Grill Facebook Page
Unlike the other entries on this list, the Balingasay River Cruise at Bolinao Sungayan Grill is not physically demanding. Here, all you need to do is eat and enjoy the relaxing ride along the river of Balingasay!
Bolinao Sungayan Grill became famous for its dish featuring sungayan or unicorn fish, a fish which has a horn on its head reminiscent of the mythical creature. While enjoying Sungayan Grill’s food, guests will also be able to enjoy the view from the dining area, as they will ride a huge floating restaurant pulled by a small boat across Balingasay during the meal. The trip lasts for over an hour and will fill not only your tummy, but also your eyes with the river’s amazing views.
7. Minalungao National Park
Address: General Tinio, Nueva Ecija
Price range: Starts at PhP500
Minalungao River offers a more subdued kind of rafting adventure.
Image: Minalungao National Park Facebook Page
Another relaxing river adventure can be found in Nueva Ecija at Minalungao National Park, also known as Penaranda River. The area is a protected land which centers along Minalungao River—a famed body of water popular for its picturesque blue-green water.
The river is surrounded by towering limestone rock formations and is best enjoyed by rafting its tranquil waters. After a relaxing ride along the Minalungao River, you can also explore the nearby caves, swim in the water, or try the zipline that runs across the river.
8. Tignoan River Rafting
Address: Brgy. Tanaoan, Real, Quezon
Price range: Starts at PhP300 per person
A day at Tignoan River will awaken your summer.
Image: @maikka_g
Real, Quezon is known by many as a sleepy town, but over the years more and more tourists discovered that this place is more than meets the eye. Aside from being a growing spot for surfing, it is also a great place for a river adventure.
The river adventure runs along Tignoan River. It offers a calming ride during the summer months and a more thrilling activity during the rainy days. Some parts of the river are shallow while some are rocky, but you’ll be seated in a single-file boat and squeezed between two guides so you’re sure to be safe during the ride.
Summer is here and it’s not just the beach who’s calling! Let us know in the comments section which of these rivers you are going to visit first.
About Patricia Marie Prado
Patricia came from the field of business and accounting but is now pursuing her dreams of being a writer. She is a self-confessed introvert and is passionate about reading, travelling, writing, movies, coffee and God. When she's not writing, she loves discovering new coffee shops/cafe and doing TV-series marathons.
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