Summer is almost over, but it’s never too late to hop on a bus and make a quick beach getaway on a weekend. That’s what I did a few days back together with my friends as we went to Barangay Liwliwa in San Felipe Zambales.
Going to San Felipe is easy. Just go to the Cubao bus station of Victory Liner and buy a ticket bound for Iba, Zambales. Ask the conductor to drop you off Barangay Liwliwa in San Felipe. Make sure that you don’t make the mistake of buying the ticket for Olongapo since San Felipe is about 30-40 minutes away from that city. We made that mistake and had to wait as chance passengers for the bus bound for Iba. Luckily there wasn’t that huge of a crowd of passengers that day. We just had to pay the extra fare.
We left Quezon City at around 10am and got to San Felipe at 2pm. Once there, we rode a tricycle to our hostel. It was so hot and we were all hungry. Good thing that two eateries are just a few steps away, one of them was right in front of where we were staying.
The Circle Hostel was our home for two days. You can choose from hammocks, tents, or double decks. Our bunk beds cost us P350 each. Not bad, I guess. Once there, you pay and register, and then they’d give you pillows and bed sheets. It’s better to get there early so you can choose your own bed. What I love about the beds are the curtains so you can still have you little privacy, and also not leave your things out in the open for everyone to see. But if you’re a bit paranoid, you can also rent a locker for P20/day (locks are provided for).
At this time of the year there are really no waves so we didn’t expect to surf. However we still rented surf boards for paddling and of course, photo ops.
Take note that the beach is a good 10-minute walk from the hostels, so if you plan to carry a surf board under the scorching sun, prepare to sweat and breathe heavily. Majority of our activities included watching skim boarders and swimming. This is a perfect beach for beginners (surfers and skim boarders) since the surface is pure sand.
In the evening we stayed at The Circle’s common room and met other guests. We met dentists, seafarers, IT practitioners, and a filmmaker/professional online basher/philosopher/etc. Over beers, we hung out and talked about any topic we could think of.
Well-spent weekend!
Punta Dito, Punta Dun 
I must say – your pictures are vivid and inviting!
Thank you, Jean. 🙂
Awesome hostel!
Happy to see you have created a new blog entry. :))
We would love to post the picture of you guys with the surf boards and and short version of your text at toemail if you do not mind? http://toemail.wordpress.com
Hi, sorry about the late reply. Yes, I guess it’s okay. If you still want to 🙂 Good day.
I just saw ur blog & Im interested to go to Li Liwa Zambales What if we can bring our own tent do they a camping ground to pitch tent? how about tent rental how much is it? Can we also pitch a tent near the beach? Can we also pitch a tent at night near the beach? Please I need a help… How about cooking near the beach? thanks
Hi cha! Tent pitching is welcome there. There are tents for rent as well just ask around. P250 rental yata but I’m not that sure. 🙂 You can cook by the beach just avoid na lang siguro yung kalat. Have fun!