The sun, the sea and the Laiya sand

Summer is always a welcome treat for those who love the outdoors, for this is the time of the year when families and friends get together for outings and gatherings. And if you speak of hot summer sun, the most refreshing getaway would be to head for the waters and beat the sand or dip into pools and slides.

One place that is now gaining popularity as a summer destination is Laiya in San Juan, Batangas. It is about 3 hours drive south of Manila with a number of beach resorts along its shore. During summer season and Holy week, locals and foreigners flock to its beaches to enjoy the sun, sea and sand.

With its close-to-white sand shore and the scenic backdrop of a nature, this could well be a good place to enjoy the company of friends, families and even company outings, not to mention a good and reasonable price. Also, just a few hundred meters from the shore is a dive site where you can snorkel and enjoy its wide variety of marine ecosystem.

In the three occasions that I have set foot into the waters of Laiya, I have so far visited 2 of its beach resorts: Pahiyas Beach Resort and Laiya Coco Grove.

Pahiyas Beach Resort

In the two occasions that I have been into this resort, nothing much has changed from 2006 to 2009. The facilities are well maintained and cleanliness is a management priority. However, the shores are well becoming too polluted, or maybe because on the two occasions that I have been there, the shore was too crowded with people.

The only drawback that I would consider is the availability of water in the rest rooms. Prepare to fall in line while waiting for a chance to get your after-the-sea and before-I-go-home shower. While the sea is a bounty of it, unfortunately the showers are not.

Cottages and nipa huts are available for day tour and overnight stay. While private cottages can hold up to 10 people, open cottages can accommodate more. A private cottage has its own restroom while communal restrooms are available for day tourists.

The tour prices are well regulated for most of the beaches in Laiya. Entrance fees are charged for individual tourists and separate fees are for other amenities like cottages, beach volleyball facilities. Life guards are also within the beach premises so you’ll feel safe while in the waters and being extra careful comes at no cost.

For Pahiyas Beach resort, visitors are allowed to bring food and additional fees may be charged for use of appliances like rice cookers and corkage fees. Hard drinks and other alcoholic beverages are only available in the beach store and selling is as well regulated.

Pahiyas Beach resort is a good option for tourists under limited budget. But then, its always best to bring some extra cash, for the trip would not be complete without the .....snorkeling.

Laiya Coco Grove

This resort has 2 beaches, the white sand beach and the main beach. For day tour company functions, the white sand beach is a great option to consider. It has a pavilion that could hold buffet dining while beach tents and umbrellas are available along its shores. The main beach is for travelers wanting a room to take naps and spend overnights.

Click here to view pictures of the white sand beach

After a day’s fun in the white sand beach, you can opt to relax and spend the night in the main beach. The landscape with its cottages and tree houses is poetry in itself.

I came across Laiya Coco Grove from of a company outing. And what made it more fun and memorable is that, I together with a team had the rare chance to enjoy the beach and an overnight stay for free in one of its tree houses. Truly hard work and good luck can bring you good memories and great bonding time.

As the afternoon fades into dusk, you get a dramatic view of the sunset.

And when you wake up, the cool morning sea breeze will certainly leave you mystified and will make you keep a promise to come back for more.

Along with great amenities, air-conditioned tree houses and yes, as the name implies, quite a number of coconut trees, you will certainly get the value of your money by spending more. A budget of $80-$100 will be worthless as compared to the value and experience you get. Also, just a 10 minute boat ride is the dive site which one should never miss.

I kept a promise that one day, I will take my wife in this resort for this has been one of the most romantic, peaceful and scenic place I have seen so far.