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Shoutout to Solo Travelers, Here Are 5 Tourist Spots in Central Luzon You Can Go To For a “Me” Time
Where to go in Central Luzon if you’re on for a “me” time?
By: Antonette Louise Guiao | January 01, 2023
Treat yourself fully by going to places alone!
Image: @archievergara31
Anyone who has experienced traveling alone says almost the same thing: solo travel is an excellent way of self-indulgence. Solo travel may sound lonely and terrifying, but it has many benefits. You will have complete control of your time and money and can also go anywhere. Before this year ends, you must add to your travel bucket list to visit these tourist spots in Central Luzon. As a solo traveler, you can’t just see the beautiful sights, but you can also get to meet more locals, make new friends, and find your own rhythm, all while exploring different places around you.
If you still don’t know where to go in Central Luzon, there are some best spots in Subic and Zambales that consist of many tourist spots ranging from beaches to historical sites to keep you occupied. If you’re considering going solo post-quarantine, look at this list of some of the best tourist spots in Central Luzon for a “me” time!
1. Spanish Gate
Location: Sampson Rd, Subic Bay Freeport Zone
The well-known gate was built back in 1885.
Image: @paolosuarez11
Besides the beautiful beaches and entertaining attractions of other tourist spots in Central Luzon, Subic offers historical sites and landmarks, one of these being the Spanish Gate. If you’re a kind of a solo traveler that loves history, you must add this to your must-visit places in Subic. The gate was built after King Alfonso II of Spain issued a royal decree that declared Subic Bay as a naval port in 1884. Now a historical landmark, the gate is a marker of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines for what was once the Subic Bay Naval Station. No fee is required at the Spanish Gate, so you can visit anytime.
2. Pamulaklakin Forest Trail
Location: Binictican Drive, SBMA, Subic Bay Freeport Zone
Rates:
Tour Rates - PhP250 per head for 2 hours
Overnight Tour – PhP500 per head
Picnic – PhP100
Here’s where you can experience Mother Nature alone.
Images: Pamulaklakin Forest Trail Facebook page
If you’re a solo traveler and still don’t know where to go in Central Luzon, you can visit this Pamulaklakin Forest Trail, named after the Pamulaklakin vine that grows in abundance in the place. Seen as one of the most amazing places in Subic and one of the must-visit tourist spots in Central Luzon, the forest trail houses a large community of Aeta communities. It is preserved and conserved by the local government for the true natives of the Binictican Hills. Exciting activities in this place for a solo traveler include a mini jungle tour, an ecology tour, and an overnight jungle tour, and sightseeing can be done here. You can also learn jungle survival tips, like how to properly use bamboo shoots for preparing food and self-defense, from the locals themselves! If you feel like trekking, expect to be welcomed in this tourist spot in Central Luzon by honeybees and butterflies along the way.
3. Nagsasa Cove
Location: San Antonio, Zambales
Fees:
Entrance fee – PhP100 per head
Environmental fee – PhP20 per head
Have you ever seen a view so picturesque as Nagsasa Cove?
Image: @renzgeffrey
Nagsasa Cove, one of the most amazing tourist spots in Central Luzon, Zambales, traces its origins to a catastrophe: Mt. Pinatubo’s eruption in 1991. The cove was a plain rocky coast surrounded by a lush rainforest until Pinatubo spewed ashes, transforming it into a beach. The cove is as peaceful as it is stunning, making it the perfect place for anyone who needs to escape the Metro Manila jungle. If you’re an adventurous solo traveler, you can also go swimming, cliff-diving, island hopping, and waterfall trekking! You can enjoy mist-filled mountains, crystal clear waters, and green agoho trees here.
4. Capones Island
Location: San Antonio, Zambales
You don’t have to pay to spend a day on the island’s warm sand!
Image: @esmillol
The moment you step foot on Capones Island’s light cream sand, it’d be impossible not to channel your inner Moana. The bone-shaped island is also one of the tourist spots in Central Luzon, home to warm sand suitable for camping and picnic and turquoise waters rich in marine life and coral reefs, making it perfect for snorkeling. While no commercial establishment can be found on the island, a Spanish lighthouse known as Faro de Punta Capones can be seen here. Note that it is not guaranteed to enter the lighthouse due to its rustic structure, but for a solo traveler who loves to see breathtaking views, you can always enjoy the lovely view of the island from that point.
5. Talisayin Cove
Location: San Antonio, Zambales
Rates:
Entrance fee – PhP50
Camping fee – PhP100
Tents (suitable for 2) – PhP400 to PhP500
Boat to Talisayin Cove – PhP1,500
Give your weary soul a break and rest in this isolated cove.
Image: @rosheldpc
Tucked in the outskirts of Zambales is a tourist spot in Central Luzon, the Talisayin Cove: a peaceful and quiet area between Anawangin and Nagsasa Cove. Tourists who have been to the place notice one common thing: its tranquil environment. If you’re a solo traveler who wants to take a break from the busy streets, this makes it the best place for a solitary moment. The serenity of the cove hits differently at night, especially when you witness the sunset before dark. Fun recreational evening activities like stargazing and bonfire lighting are some of the best things to do at the place.
Traveling alone doesn’t have to be far and frightening. What’s important is that you trust yourself and you have confidence. Going on trips alone occasionally can be eye-opening and rewarding, so give it a shot while you can!
Visit Yoorekka Magazine to find more beautiful spots in Central Luzon you can explore alone!
Stay safe as you travel! Make sure to follow social distancing protocols and observe health precautions. For now, keep safe!
This article was initially published in Yoorekka on July 21, 2020.
Rates may change without prior notice.
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About Antonette Louise Guiao
Antonette is a writer, a night owl, an extrovert, and a BTS ARMY. Her spare time is consumed by drawing digital vector art, sleeping, binge-watching Netflix series, and learning how to cook. An adventurer by heart, she aspires to travel the world with her family, try extreme outdoor activities, and taste all sorts of food in different countries.
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Disclaimer: All articles in the Consumers Magazine of Yoorekka are
for general information and entertainment purposes only. Although
careful research has been made in writing them, Yoorekka does not
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information presented in our articles. Our content is not intended
to be used in place of legal, medical, or any professional advice.
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