‘Beachin’ the summer heat

It’s that time of the year again when you have to endure scrolling through photo after photo of beaches on your social media feeds. And though the hashtags #VitaminSea and #beachin are already annoying the heck out of you (we’re getting tired of them, too) you have to admit: you can’t help but turn green with envy and pine for some sun, sand and sea. You don’t need to break the bank nor spend weeks planning that much needed trip away from the city. You can just hop on a bus for a quick beach fix.

Zambales

Just a couple of hours north of Manila, Zambales has always been popular for its mangoes. What a lot of us often forget is that it has a lot of beaches for city-weary souls, too.

Liwliwa in the town of San Felipe is fast becoming a favorite go-to place for both beach bums, skimboarders and surfers. The vibe here is very much laid-back, thanks to its being off the beaten path. No reservations? No problem. A lot of lodging options have sprouted in the area. Kila Bot Sir Ping Spot has nipa huts for rent and Sir Ping offers surf lessons and surfboard rentals as well. If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous and social, The Circle Hostel’s perfect for you. Laze the day away and spend the night in one of their hammocks or bunk with fellow tourists. If you want a bit of privacy, Circle Hostel also has tents for rent.

The Circle Hostel gives beachgoers a taste of communal living. Jun Veloira

To get there: Take a Victory Liner bus to Iba or Santa Cruz, Zambales. Tell the conductor to drop you off at the market in San Felipe. From the market, take a tricycle to Liwliwa. Easy breezy.

Aside from Liwliwa, there’s also Crystal Beach in the town of San Narciso and Pundaquit in San Antonio. If island hopping is your thing, there are boats on Pundaquit beach which can take you to Camara and Capones islands.

Baler, Aurora

On the boardwalk at Baler’s Sabang Beach Din M. Villafuerte

If you feel like going a bit far, Baler is the place for you. A six- to seven-hour drive from Manila, Baler is home to Sabang Beach, another favorite among surfers and those who find solace in the sound of waves hitting the shore.

You don’t have to worry about making reservations way ahead of time, there are a lot of accommodations to choose from. Check out Charlie Does Inn and have a feel of container home living. The rooms have their own bathrooms, can sleep 4 to 6 people and open to a private garden. Plus, pets are allowed! There are also a couple of really cozy common areas complete with bean bags and hammocks that are perfect for a get together with friends and family. The inn is less than a 3-minute walk from the beach and has a café out front where you can have your brunch or simply hang out.

You can also check out Mahdox Backdoor Villa as well as the Bay’s Inn, Bay-ler View and Aliya Surf Camp. All these resorts offer surfboard rentals as well as surfing lessons.

To get there: Take a Genesis or Joy Bus straight to Baler. Sleep through the whole trip and wake up to the sound of the ocean.

Busan, South Korea

Located on the southeastern part of South Korea is Busan, the second most populous city after Seoul. It is South Korea’s largest port city and home to Jagalchi Fish Market and Haeundae and Gwangalli beaches.

Famous throughout the country and said to be South Korea’s version of Japan’s famous Tsukiji, you can probably find every seafood imaginable in Jagalchi. Most of the vendors are middle-aged Korean women fondly referred to as Jagalchi Ajumma, “ajumma” meaning aunt or middle-aged or married woman in Korean.

You can shop for fish and seafood on the market’s ground level and have it cooked at one of the many food stalls at the upper level. Enjoy your freshly prepared seafood meal overlooking the port.

Beaches right on the city? Head to Haeundae or Gwangalli beaches. It’s the perfect spot for people-watching while munching on oden or hotteok. Make sure to be on Gwangalli beach come sunset so you’ll be there when Gwangan Bridge lights up for the night.

To get there: Watch out for seat sales! You’ll be needing a South Korean visa. The upside: applying for one is free.