My friends were leaning towards the idea of of surfing over the weekend in San Juan, La Union. But I suggested to try out other place that's worth staying without having to spend too much time in transit. Getting to La Union would require us at least 5 hour bus ride. I would probably say yes had we had a private car (taray!).
And so the weekend getaway to Zambales was conceived through the ever awesomeness blog of Biyaherong Barat (idol!).
Getting There
Crystal Beach Resort is situated in San Narciso, Zambales. We took the first trip going to Iba via Victory Liner Bus in Cubao terminal. We paid P277 each. Bus left at 6:15am. We told manong kundoktor to take us to San Narciso where Crystal Beach resort is located. (Tip: Tell Victory ticket booth that your destination is San Narciso. They will charge you with Iba fee which is higher than Narciso's).
From San Narciso municipal hall which is just along the main road, we took a 10 minute tricycle ride going to resort proper. Paid 15 each.
Accommodation
The receptionists were kind enough to allow us for early check-in. We settled our accommodation bill in full and proceeded to our room.
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| Timothy Tree house |
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| common toilet |
Timothy tree house is aironditioned, good for 4 people at P1,990. Since there were 5 of us, we requested for additional beddings charged at P450. Both costs were free of breakfast. No private CR.
Timothy Treehouse is built with low ceiling. I would not recommend this to tall people :D
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| Daniel Dorm |
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| King Solomon's Hall |
King Solomon serves as the major food hub in CB. They serve sumptuous lutong bahay and meryendas which I enjoyed a lot. Serving per dish is usually pegged for 2-3 persons at a very reasonable price.
Our accommodation fee is inclusive of free breakfast. But I didn't anticipate that it's going to be a buffet treat! For P1,990 plus breakfast buffet? Jackpot!
CB has also a mini store where you can buy chips, drinks and other stuffs. San Miguel light costs 40pesos. Not bad!
Our plan was to surf. But unfortunately, tide was not on our side. Waves were not enough for surfing and so we just enjoyed the resort's facilities :)
We left the resort approximately 2:30pm. We took a tricycle and waited at the jump off point (municipal hall) for bus going Cubao.
I was quite anxious at that time because I wasn't able to check bus schedule going back to Manila from Iba. Thank heavens last trip was 2:20pm direct to Cubao. Or else we had to take a ride to Olongapo and then catch bus there going to Cubao.
Crystal Beach overall is a good place to stay for a weekend getaway. Even kids will surely enjoy the resort.
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| no waves! |
Here's our itinerary:
Day 1
05:30 am- Meet up
06:15 am - Departure Victory Bus Liner Cubao terminal
11:00 am- Arrival San Narciso, Zambales
11:10 am - Arrival Crystal Beach; early check in
12:00 pm - Lunch
01:00 pm- Rest, settle
04:00 pm- Swim
07:00 pm - dinner
10:00 - lights out
Day 2
07:30 am - bfast buffet
09:30 am- 11:30 pm - swim
12:00 pm - check out; eat lunch in solomon
03:45 pm - depart san narciso
08:00 pm - arrival cubao
08:30 pm- home sweet home
Crystal Beach Resort
Barangay La Paz, San Narciso, Zambales
www.crystalbeach.com.ph
Thanks for the money-saving tip about asking for a San Narciso ticket, and not for an Iba ticket.
ReplyDeleteWelcome :)
ReplyDeleteHi Veronica, you were not able to surf because the tides are low, by what month did you get there?
ReplyDeleteHi Joseph. We were there in June last year.
ReplyDeleteHi! Did you make reservation before arriving in the resort? Or is it okay to just "walk-in"? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Angel. Did reservation. Walk-in is okay.
ReplyDeleteThanks. hoping to catch some this May though... great blog btw. :)
ReplyDeleteHi, do they allow campers as well? I mean use a tent and pay whatever fees applicable and not get a room for accomodation? thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Joseph. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi Blue Rider, yes! You can set up your own tent as well. There's a fee but minimal lang. When we pitch tent sa ibang province, usually naka-peg siya sa Php150.00 per tent.
ReplyDeleteIll be going this weeken and got more excited after reading your blog :) was wondering--is it normal to sunbathe there? And would you know if there are any "must try" restaurants in the area? Thanks, and great review :)
ReplyDeleteHi, we tried looking for a restaurant but we didn't find one at that time.
ReplyDeleteSunbathe? Why not! It's a beach! Everyone can sunbathe :)
Have fun at Crystal Beach! :)
Hi Veronica, were you guys able to have bonfire during your stay there?
ReplyDeleteActually, we didn't attempt. But we saw a group who did.
ReplyDeleteHi clean ba yung beach and yung water?
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting & promoting our beautiful place!!! I LOVE LA PAZ SNZ!
ReplyDeleteHi, just wanna ask what's the price range of food there. And bawal po ba tlg kahit chips?
ReplyDeletehi! How was the globe coverage in crystal beach?
ReplyDeleteI have 3D/2N Crystal Beach Resort GC. It's good for 4 people.
ReplyDeleteKindly see the details in this link > https://www.facebook.com/groups/Dakilabuyandsell/permalink/982627961810221/
Ang ganda ng place. Perfect sa mga nature lover na katulad ko. Ask ko lang kung yung Pampanga malapit lang sa Zambales? Thanks in advance! :)
ReplyDeletehi.. ok lang ba travel sa gabi ng saturday?? open p kaya ung beach dun??
ReplyDeletethanks
Open pa ang crystal beach.nagmahal lang yung rate ng bahagya.
DeleteOpen pa ang crystal beach.nagmahal lang yung rate ng bahagya.
Deletema'am tnong ko lang po sna ung camping fee and entrance gawa ng meron po kasi kaming dalang tent..maraming salamat po
ReplyDeleteP750 with P250 consumables on food if without own tent. P550 with P250 consumables on food if with tent.
DeleteHi just wanna ask upon going home from crystal beach ano pong sinakyan nyong bus? or may dumadaan na po ba dun?
ReplyDeleteGudevening, pano po kung may tent na kaming dala tapos 3nights po? May dagdag na bayad? Salamat po.
ReplyDeletemeron sa tabi ng crystal beach resort cotage lang babyaran nyo..kahit ilan kayo pwede..last saturday andun kami 20 person for 1500 large kubo with 2 long table pa sa labas ad pwde magtent anywhere di pa crowded.Ngayon seaseo po ang magnda magsurf halos di kami nkaligo dahil salaki ng mga alon..
ReplyDeletehi ano pong beach ito ?
Deletegoodafternoon po..ask ko lang mgkano po entrance?hiwalay paba un sa bayad kung ung kukunin nmn eh ung tree house..salamat
ReplyDeletewe didn't pay any entrance fee. 'yung accommodation lang.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi just want to ask if you have any contact number for reserving at timothy's tree house? thanks po
ReplyDeleteMaganda dito, yun lang medyo crowded na nung huling punta namin pero okay pa din :)
ReplyDeleteNice blog!
Thank you visiting my blog :)
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