The perfect weekend retreat, Subic Bay offers a wonderful ambience for travelers seeking for a place where they can unwind and enjoy the beauty of nature. If you have been spending your week working really heard amidst a very busy city, Subic Bay would be a great place for you to relax and spend time with loved ones.
Subic Bay is part of Central Luzon, specifically in the province of Zambales. It is a 3-hour drive from Manila, taking the North Luzon Expressway; and it is about 30 minutes away from Clark, where the US Air Base is located. If you are somewhere in the area, you should definitely stop by Subic Bay and be charmed by its simplicity and loveliness.
Why Not Go
If you are a person who would like to frolic on the beach, Subic Bay may not be what you are looking for. It is a place surrounded by nature’s trees and mountains, and though it does have so many beautiful features, exotic white sand beaches is not one of them.
Why Go
Subic Bay has always been a haven for weary people who would like to invigorate themselves on a weekend getaway. The air smells so fresh and the streets are really clean. People are always very hospitable, always greeting you with friendly smiles. You can find so many places to go in Subic Bay; from a zoo, to theme parks, camping areas, farms and even a place where you can be awed by some amazing sea creatures. Regardless if you are young or young at heart, there is definitely something waiting for you in Subic Bay.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Subic Bay would be during the summer months in the Philippines which are from March to May. Sunny seasons would allow visitors to be able to go out and do everything they have listed in their itinerary. Most of the sights to see in Subic Bay have outdoor locations so when it rains, it will be difficult to explore and experience the area.
Where to Stay
For those under a budget, you can stay at Johan’s Beach Resort. It is located right beside the Subic Bay beach with accommodations ranging from dormitory kind of sleeping quarters to large family rooms. The room rates start at 1,000 pesos or roughly $20. You can also stay in more luxurious hotels such as the Legenda Hotel which boasts of very luxurious rooms situated at the center of lush gardens. This 5-star hotel can provide you with a grand relaxation abode at 4,500 pesos per night, or about $93. Both of these hotels are found right in the heart of Subic Bay Freeport Zone so you will really not have any trouble locating them.
Where & What to Eat
If you are in Subic Bay, one of the restaurants you should not miss is Gerry’s Grill where you can find native Filipino dishes and efficient services from friendly staff. It is situated along Waterfront Road. If you are craving for some fresh sea food, you can go to Mangos Seaside Grill and Restaurant where you can find a wide array of choices on the menu, and one of their specialties is the Grilled Prawns which is amazingly delicious. This restaurant is located in Barrio Barretto. You should also not miss out on Meat Plus Cafe, right along Sampson Road, where you can taste their New York steak and of course, their heavenly banana fritters topped with vanilla ice cream.
Nightlife
The life of Subic Bay is at the Boardwalk. Located along the Waterfront Road, it is a strip of restaurants, bars and clubs where people often gather to spend a fun night. You can also try your luck at the Subic Bay Resort Casino and who knows, it might just be your lucky day. On the other hand, if you want to spend a more quiet evening with family or friends, you can go to Xtremely Xpresso Café along Dewey Avenue and have a cup of any of their delicious espresso beverages.
My to do List
- The first thing you should do when you get to Subic is to see its renowned Ocean Adventure Park where you can see dolphins and killer whales in action. You will also be able to witness Sea Lions impressing the audience with their tricks. They have souvenir items for sale so you might want to buy some stuff to bring to people back home.
- Next, you should go to Zoobic Safari where you will find the only African Tiger Safari in the country. Ocean Adventure and Zoobic are about half an hour away from the Freeport Zone.
- Then if you love to dive, you must not miss the opportunity to experience one of the best wreck-diving in the Asia Pacific region which is located in Subic Bay.
- If you like horse-back riding, Subic Bay also has the El Kabayo Equestrian Center where they raise imported horses, and have allotted a wide area where you can freely ride the horses.
- And of course, if you are at Subic Bay, you should not leave without experiencing the sunset cruise. It offers a magnificent view of the sunset that you and your loved ones can enjoy, cruising in one of the yachts at the Lighthouse Marina Resort.
Stay Away From
Well, if you are afraid of monkeys, you should be wary when travelling in Subic Bay because they abound with these little creatures. Other than that, there isn’t really any danger in Subic Bay because it is such a small, friendly and secure environment.
Getting There
From Manila, you can take a bus ride to Clark which would cost you around $6. You can take one of the PhilTranco buses because they have air-conditioning, and from Clark you can take another bus ride to Subic Bay which will take about half an hour. Bus schedules are regular but you might want to take an early morning trip to be sure. On the other hand, you can also opt to rent a taxi and for about $50, you can get to Subic Bay in 3 hours. Additionally, you can travel by plane from Manila to Clark, but you should do this only if you really are in a hurry. It is always best to take the leisure route to Subic Bay.
