Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort, Batangas

a view of the stilts cottages

Located in Calatagan, Batangas and 3 hours drive from Manila, the resort offers a peaceful and relaxing vacation.  Its name was derived from the cottages that were built above water. 

We were able to visit this place twice in 2010, during the summer and rainy days.  What's the difference?  We experienced the high tide during summer and low tide during rainy days.

at high tide

and during low tide..you can go below and walk around

The resort offers 5 large cottages (up to 25-30 guests), 1 medium cottage (up to 20 guests) and 2 small cottages (up to 15 guests).  Aside from the stilts, it also offers 4 beach houses, located across the beach.  We booked for the small cottage - Boracay (1st visit) and Caliraya (2nd visit).  Boracay cottage has a better location than the latter.  All of the cottages and beach houses are named after famous tourist spots in the Philippines - Bohol, Boracay, etc.

our small cottage on our first visit

the beach house (beach front)

This small cottage costs P7,000.00 for 3 persons (with breakfast).  Additional person costs Php1,050.00 (with breakfast).  Children six years old and below are free of charge.  Bringing of food and drinks is being discouraged as there is a corkage fee for these.  However, bringing of water, breads, sandwiches, chips and knick knacks is not prohibited.  For a group of 15 persons, you will spend at least P2,000.00 per person for an overnight stay, including food.

The small cottage consists of a veranda (with hammock), a bedroom with 2 beds, a bathroom, a dining area, kitchen, an attic and a living room.  Amenities include free use of swimming pool, a water kettle, hot and cold shower, pillow and mattress for every person, and bath towels.  You can enjoy a lot of water  and beach activities as well - kayaking, snorkeling, beach volleyball, boating, water polo, etc.

the spacious veranda with a hammock

the living room..the sofa can be used as an extra bed

the bedroom..at least 8-10 people can sleep here

the dining area with ref and electric kettle, no cooking gadgets here

the CR

the shower area..(i love the concept of having live plants!)

the attic...6-8 people can sleep here

the bamboo towel rack

Yup! there is no television set or radio provided.  Any mobile phone signal is also weak.  This is a "total vacation".  Without electronics, here are what you can do while staying in this resort:

1. Swimming - During daytime, go for the beach.  It covers a long stretch of shore line.  The water is quite clear.  Beware of jelly fishes though.  The advantage of getting a cottage is you can swim below it. There is a ladder where you can go down and swim.  However, if you still want to swim during the night, go to the pool.  The pool closes at 10:00PM.  

enjoying the beach..our cottage is quite far from it

just below our cottage, during high tide

the joint pools...lower pool is the deeper pool

me and my bunso

2.  Snorkeling - I'm quite amazed that this sea is still rich of different sea creatures. We saw sword fishes, clown fishes, variety of star fishes and a lot of jelly fishes.

sea water is still clear

3. Kayaking - They also offer kayaks for rent, around P250.00 per hour.  We didn't let this activity pass. We didn't mind the mighty sun and getting burned.

kayaks for rent..in different yummy colors

kayaking with the family

just beneath the cottages

4. Read, Chit chat and sleep - If you are already tired from the straineous activities, you can just stay at the cottage and enjoy a book or chat.

sisterly talk

5. Bird watching and fish feeding - If you are too lazy to leave the cottage, just sit back and relax.  You can watch the birds come by.  During high tide, you can feed the fishes below. A lot of fishes swam around the cottages as well as star fishes.

ibong pipit???

another ibong pipit?

6. Walk around, enjoy the view and daydream - If you are not afraid of the mighty sun, bask under it.  Or you can just find your spot and day dream.  With nature around you, you can be inspired to write or have random thoughts.  It's a great way to kill time.

the long stretch of shore line

walk along the  bamboo pathway..it's a good exercise

it's not the destination, but the journey

seriousness!!!!...having random thoughts

when the sun is down, you can just sit here and let the time pass by

the tall tree

yes it does...

7.  Sand castle building - Let your imagination work. Build your dream castle.  You have the whole beach for that.

julian building his castle

8.  Chase the fishes - During low tide, you can go down the cottage and chase some fishes.  Fishes are usually trapped inside their plant homes.  You can roam around the cottages area.  A whole day is not enough to cover its entire perimeter.

going down

9.  Boating - Still not satisfied with all the activities that the resort can offer?  You can rent a boat for P1,500.00 to check the neighboring beach resorts and other parts of the sea.  Along the way, you can see a lot of sea creatures, men fishing and private resorts.  We went to another part of the sea to swim.  Its water is clearer and sand whiter.

blue star fish

10.  Watch the sunset - Practice your photography skills as the sunset is stunning in this part of Batangas.

And the food?  Let's just say that the price is not worth its taste and servings.  But we had no choice since bringing of food is not allowed here.

our dinner

If only this place is so affordable, it is so great to stay at least 2 nights here.  I would highly recommend this resort for a total weekend get-away.  Company outings are also being held here.

time to say farewell...