Biyaheng Mabini and Burgos, Pangasinan

This March 11-12, 2017, I have decided to join the Weekend Byaheros in Mabini and Burgos, Pangasinan. It is actually my first beach travel in the province of Pangasinan and my first spelunking(caving) experience. From Metro Manila, it will take you four (4) hours going to Alaminos City, Pangasinan if you travel using the old road (MacArthur Highway and Romulo Highway). We had our breakfast there after a long travel and before going to the town of Mabini.

While in Alaminos City, you can visit the St. Joseph Cathedral. The diocese of Alaminos City was created and erected in 1985 from the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan with the bishop's see at Alaminos City, Pangasinan.

St. Joseph Cathedral of Alaminos City, Pangasinan.

Alaminos City design for fiesta that can be found in front of the City Hall.

From Alaminos City, it will took us one (1) hour going to the town of Mabini. The Municipality of Mabini, Pangasinan is very well known for its Cacupangan Cave System. It is a three (3) hours spelunking experience where you need to crawl and swim inside the cave. The Cave was also used as the cave/house of "Dugong” in Marina"(Sea creature in a TELESERYE) of ABS-CBN. The name Cacupangan came from the tree called "Cupang". Cacupangan in Pangasinan means "many Cupang trees" They derived the name to the presence of the Cupang trees that are planted along the way to the entrance of the cave.

Cacupangan Cave Sytem

Cacupangan Cave System's Jump Off Point.

For the tour guides, you should contact tourism office before hand for their assistance since they are limitng the number of tourist doing spelunking. From Mabini town proper, it took us 20 minutes going to Cacupangan Cave System riding a vehicle. Preferably 4 x 4 vehicles, because of the undeveloped road giving you a rough ride. If you want to change clothes before entering, there are comfort rooms near the cave.You can also change clothes in some local's houses, and you can safely leave your things there as well. Before entering the cave, tour guides will orient you on the "do's and don'ts" and what to expect inside. There is also a standard outfit in the spelunking. All must wear leggings and shoes (expect edgy rocks and slippery mud). Tour guides will provide the headlights and gloves. Upon entering the cave, expect that the water inside is cold. You will find different rock formations (like stalagmites and stalactites). There are part of the cave where you need to swim a deep of 10-15 feet will sure blow your adrenaline.

Exit point of Cacupangan Cave System.

After we reached the end of the cave, we traversed in the woods back to the jump off point. This took us 30 - 40 minutes. After our experience, we had our lunch in some carenderias in the town's market. It will be a good time to buy foods and other things you need before going to Burgos, Pangasinan (for those who are going to the beach--CABONGAOAN).  

Traverse to the Jump off Point of Cacupangan Cave System.

On the other hand, Municipality of Burgos, Pangasinan is very well know for its beautiful Cabongaoan Beach and the wonderful Tidal Pool, others call it "Death Pool". From Mabini, it took us an hour and a half ride going there. Expect a bumpy ride as well. The roads are under construction as of the moment (March 2017). There are a lot of resort to choose from. You can rent a room/villa, cottage, or do camping (you could bring your own tent). It depends on your budget. You can have a day trip or overnight. There are sari-sari stores near the beach that had a very limited stocks and they could only sell liquors/beers until 9:00 PM only due to their barangay ordinance. In the morning, there are fishermen on the beach selling delicious lobsters ranging from Php. 600-800.00 per kilo, fishes, squids and other sea foods to choose from. If you can't find the fishermen, feel free to ask the owner of your resort. In cooking your food, you can bring your gas and stove or you can let the staff of the resort cook for you then pay it for Php. 200.00/dish.

Cabongaoan Beach, Brgy. Ilio-Ilio, Burgos, Pangasinan

Powdery Sand of Cabongaoan Beach, Brgy. Ilio-Ilio, Burgos, Pangasinan

Seaside of Cabongaoan Beach, Brgy. Ilio-Ilio, Burgos, Pangasinan

Campsite at Puerto del Bajer, Cabongaoan Beach.

One thing that you need to see is the stunning sunset. It's very beautiful and relaxing watching it while lying or sitting in the sand. Currently, the beach is not that crowded. And not highly commercialized. If you really what to enjoy your vacation with the nature in a less crowded place, this is the beach that you’re looking for!

Watching the sunset while lying in the sand of Cabongaoan Beach.

The morning sun at Cabongaoan Beach

One of the best spots of the Cabongaoan Beach is the Tidal Pool a.k.a Death Pool. You need to hike with the rocky part of the beach for about 20-30 minutes just to get there.

Rocky Part of the Cabongaoan Beach

The Death Pool of Cabongaoan is the reason why many tourists go there. They want to experience dipping and swimming in the pool. "Swim at your own risk" in the pool because there are no tourist guide there. One safety reminder is not to swim there if the waves are big because there is a hole beneath the pool that is connected to the sea giving you the tendency to be pull down on the hole as the waves. 

Me at the Tidal Pool a.k.a Death Pool

Tidal Pool of Cabangaoan Beach

How to get there.....

Cacupangan Cave System - Mabini, Pangasinan

From Metro Manila, you can take a Victory Liner, Five Star, Solid North bus in Cubao bound to Alaminos City or any bus that will pass in Alaminos City. From Alaminos City, take again a bus or jeepney bound to Mabini town proper. From there, you can walk going to the Cacupangan Cave System. (DONT FORGET TO CANTACT THE TOURISM OFFICE FOR PROPER ASSISTANCE)

Cabongaoan Beach - Burgos, Pangasinan

From Mabini, ride a bus bound to Burgos town proper. From there, you can look for a tricycle driver in the market that will drop you in Cabongaoan Beach. You can also ask the tricycle driver to pick you up on the next day.

Now it's your turn to personally discover the wonders of Mabini and Burgos, Pangasinan. "It's really more fun in the Philippines." 

Should you have other questions, feel free to contact me and let's talk. Thank you.