After virtually two years of being caught at dwelling and using solely to close by areas due to the pandemic, we determined to go on a bike highway journey proper earlier than Christmas final December 2021. Social gatherings had been nonetheless restricted, checkpoints in some areas had been nonetheless strict, and borders to pick locations had been simply easing up. On the time, Dingalan in Aurora was one of many few locations accepting vacationers from different provinces and Metro Manila with out a whole lot of necessities.
Whereas we beforehand rode to Dingalan in 2019 and stayed in a single day earlier than heading to Baler, on our second journey we took it straightforward and stayed two nights to discover lesser-visited spots. In comparison with Baler, Dingalan remains to be a bit off the vacationer radar. In case you’re planning to journey to Dingalan for the primary time (whether or not by motorbike, automotive, or bicycles), listed below are some suggestions that can assist you out.
Dingalan is a coastal city surrounded by mountains positioned about 183 kilometers north-east of Manila. It’s bounded on the north by San Luis, on the west by Gabaldon and Common Tinio in Nueva Ecija and Donia Remedios Trinidad in Bulacan, and on the south by Common Nakar in Quezon. Dingalan instantly faces the Dingalan Bay and Philippine Sea on the east.
There’s at present just one cemented highway passing Nueva Ecija to get to this city. From the principle city correct of Paltic, branching alleys result in different barangays within the south, together with Aplaya, Butas na Bato, Matawe, Ibona, Dikapanikian and Umiray. Vacationers with restricted time normally go to right here on day journeys or joiner’s excursions with non-public vans to go to the principle sights.
Dingalan is a straightforward and laid-back coastal city which you can attain inside a 4-5 hour drive from Metro Manila. It’s vacation spot for many who dwell within the north of the metro within the temper for a protracted journey and get away from the town for the weekend as an alternative choice to Actual and Infanta in Quezon.
The mountain roads and surroundings alongside the way in which are a pleasure for motorbike riders and highway trippers to journey by way of. For cyclists, the rolling terrain, zigzagging roads and uphill ascents going to the city present difficult terrain to check your mettle. Whereas the primary half of the journey is flat, it will get extra enjoyable when you flip proper to Palayan from Cabanatuan.
By non-public transport
Like our earlier highway journeys, we simply adopted the route prompt by GoogleMaps. For this journey, we deliberate to remain in Gina’s Visitor Home, in order that was our waypoint. It’s roughly 182 kilometers from Quezon Metropolis. Relying on the visitors circumstances, your route, velocity, and variety of stops, getting right here will take roughly about 3.5 to five hours by non-public car. For cyclists, it might take about 12 hours (or extra) of saddle time.
Driving to Dingalan is fairly simple simply following the Pan-Philippine Hwy/AH26. For those who’re driving a small displacement bike that may’t cross tollways, anticipate some visitors within the service roads and main cities alongside the freeway to Cabanatuan, significantly the intersections.
The journey will get higher when you flip proper to Palayan Metropolis or on the bypass highway in Santa Rosa to Fort Magsayasay (higher route). You’ll take one other proper going to Gabaldon and onwards to Dingalan.
The final stretch of the route will take you thru lovely mountain views, bridges, and riverside areas in Nueva Ecija. We made a few stops at viewpoints and bridges earlier than heading all the way down to the Dingalan city correct and our chosen inn.
By public transport
It’s additionally attainable to get to Dingalan by public transport. Bikers who need to skip the extra congested areas can board their bicycles on the bus and begin biking in Nueva Ecija or Dingalan itself.
- Experience a bus from Metro Manila to Cabanatuan Metropolis, Nueva Ecija. Buses like 5 Star Bus and Baliwag Transit depart from Cubao and Caloocan. Journey time on the bus roughly 2-3 hours relying on the visitors.
- On the Cabanatuan Central Terminal, switch to a van going to Dingalan (1.5 to 2 hours) or board a bus headed for Umiray and get down at Dingalan.
- As soon as in Dingalan, switch to a tricycle to get to your chosen inn or pension home.
- UPDATE: Efficient March 2023, a brand new bus route from Baliwag Transit goes instantly from Cubao to Dingalan by way of Cabanatuan with out the necessity to switch.
4:20 AM Dingalan to Caloocan- 3:30 PM Caloocan to Dingalan
- 4:00 AM Cubao to Dingalan
- 3:00 PM Dingalan to Cubao
Dingalan is a vacation spot for nature lovers and adventurers. For those who’re in search of luxurious resorts, numerous eating places, and nightlife, this isn’t the place to go. However it’s a good spot to go for a digital detox and revel in easy joys like nature views, coastal roads, the seaside, and nice seafood that you just don’t get in busy cities.
Take a hike to the mountain view deck
Need to stretch your legs after a protracted journey? The most effective views in Dingalan can solely reached by foot. You may journey a ship from the Feeder Port to the White Seashore or simply stroll to the seaside from city and hike as much as attain the well-known mountain viewpoint. The view of the mountains and the rugged coast right here has drawn comparisons to Batanes. The trek takes about half-hour to an hour relying in your tempo.
Cross the Umiray Bridge
The 2 cities of Dingalan in Aurora and Umiray in Common Nakar, Quezon are linked by Umiray Bridge, a 358 meter-long bridge that goes over the Umiray River which separates the cities.
The situation itself makes it a focal point for a joyride and good vantage level to observe the dawn.
Take a dip at Umiray River
Umiray River is a tributary of the Pacific Ocean. From the bridge, we seemed for a spot to drive all the way down to the riverside. You may wade, take a dip, or get pleasure from easy picnics right here. Simply convey your individual snacks and take your trash again with you, as there’s not a whole lot of locations to purchase meals close to the river.
Benefit from the waves at Matawe Seashore
The seashores dealing with Dingalan Bay have grey sand and the waves might be robust throughout the amihan season and if there are typhoons. To be secure, keep near the shore as there aren’t any lifeguards at this seaside.
Some areas like Matawe Seashore have rock formations whereas different seaside areas supply cottages you may hire. Simply drive round and yow will discover spots to calm down alongside the seaside.
Climb up Zen Tierras view deck
Zen Tierras Farm, one of many mountain farm resorts in Dingalan, has a nature path to a view deck the place you may get an important view of the coast surrounded by all of the timber. For those who’re eating at their restaurant, you may take a stroll as much as this scenic relaxation cease earlier than or after your meal.
Feast on finances seafood meals
The most effective issues to do in Dingalan is to feast on budget-friendly seafood. There are easy eateries on the market like Arlyn’s Seafood Paluto the place you should purchase recent seafood from fish stalls and have them cooked on the spot.
Market distributors right here promote recent lobsters, crabs, salmon, squid, shrimps, fish, and shellfish at a fraction of the price of seafood eating places within the metropolis. Pair your meals with greens like like pako (native fern) and beer or smooth drinks for an important meal.
Most inns and resorts focus on seafood.
When you’ve got extra time, you can additionally go to different factors of curiosity in Dingalan equivalent to:
- Dingalan Lighthouse
- White Seashore
- Lamao Caves
- Tanawan Falls
- Intertidal Zone
- Tabi Falls
- Makibato Falls
Gina’s Guesthouse
Ginas Guesthouse is a lodging home close to the city correct of Dingalan that provides an important view of the coast. Rooms are clear and fashionable. They’ve an in-house grill and restaurant with an overlooking view of the ocean.
Additionally they have a swimming pool and in-house restaurant. We arrived on a Thursday and had been the one friends checked in, so it felt very peaceable and we acquired to benefit from the place to ourselves.
Households and teams began arriving on Friday night and Saturday morning (as we had been leaving).
Room charges begin at P2,500/night time for poolside views and P3,500/night time for ocean views & household suites. Guide rooms at Gina’s Guesthouse instantly from their FB web page.
Zen Tierras Farm by Cocotel
Zen Tierras Farm by Cocotel is a peaceable retreat hidden within the middle of the mountains. The farm provides an expertise that highlights the great thing about nature, the calm of the mountains, and the significance of sustainable dwelling.
The farm has easy rooms, pure swimming pools, a mountaineering path to a viewing deck, and a restaurant that serves good and fantastically offered meals. I beloved their binakol, fried garlic shrimps, and recent buko juice that used straws constructed from leaves.
Whereas the place is a bit distant and includes a tough (however quick) journey to get to the parking space from the principle highway, it’s the sort of place that overseas vacationers and nature lovers will need to seek out for a meal and hike or keep in a single day to get away from all of it. It’s very peaceable right here and ensures you might be away from the karaoke crowd in the event you occur to go on a weekend.
Room charges begin at P1,450/night time on Agoda. Guide rooms at Zen Tierras by Cocotel right here.
Cave Seashore Resort
Cave Seashore Resort close to the port in Brgy. Aplaya can be possibility due to its central location and facilities. Air-conditioned rooms are clear and first rate, with cold and hot showers, TVs and free WiFi.
With 10 rooms, this place provides a pleasant, non-public and quiet getaway for {couples}, solo riders, households or small teams. Every room has a storage space for parking. Cave Seashore Resort has a backyard, swimming pool, picnic huts dealing with the seaside, and some desk video games like a Foosball desk and billiards for checked-in friends.
For worldwide vacationers touring by public transport who need to journey as soon as they get there, the resort additionally has a few bikes accessible for hire. The resort can organize excursions if tour guides can be found. Room charges begin at P3,200/night time on Agoda. Guide rooms at Cave Seashore resort right here.
This journey kicked was our first lengthy motorbike journey throughout the pandemic period. I forgot to maintain observe of the whole variety of kilometers traveled and gasoline consumed, however the Umiray Bridge is about 201 kilometers from Quezon Metropolis, so the entire journey was over 400 kilometers backwards and forwards.
After waking as much as the view of the ocean and mountains and driving round traffic-free roads, I dreaded going again to the town. We left mid-morning and had been making good time.
The climate had been honest, cloudy, and windy for many if our journey going there and again, however as luck would have it, there was a heavy downpour as soon as we reached Caloocan. Kung kelan malapit na makauwi.
I miss lengthy motorbike rides like this. We’ve been doing much more biking because the pandemic hit, however hopefully this yr, I can get again into using to new locations, even when it’s simply easy breakfast or espresso rides. There are nonetheless so many locations I’d like to discover on two wheels. Any ideas for our subsequent motorbike vacation spot this yr?
