Aquaria Beach Resort
Joyce Lamela
May 19, 2014
0
Summer fun getaway - Aquaria Beach resort, Calatagan, Batangas!
Aquaria, a condominium property located in Playa, Sta.Ana, Calatagan, Batangas, is just one of the premier resorts nearest to Metro Manila that could be visited in one day. It is a swimming pool resort rather than a beach resort. And its swimming pool facility is exceeding expectation. Ultra modern, spacious. Grand. It has a beautiful garden that adds to the relaxing atmosphere of the pool side.
Though private, the swimming pool facility is open to the public, from 9:00 in the morning to 6:00 in the evening. With an entrance fee is Php400.00 each.
Though private, the swimming pool facility is open to the public, from 9:00 in the morning to 6:00 in the evening. With an entrance fee is Php400.00 each.
I discovered Aquaria one afternoon while searching for a unique beach or swimming pool resort around Calatagan, Batangas. That time I really wanted to take a trip to Calatagan due to its famous beaches. My search narrowed down to a unique destination that's something magical, fun and modern. I landed in a site that featured Aquaria.
Equipped with an ultra-modern swimming pool facility, Aquaria has a sunken pool, cabanas, adult and kiddie pool areas, a three-story spiraled slide and a hotel-like rest rooms. There are lockers available for rent for personal belongings.
Aquaria is very far from the town of Calatagan, almost located in the middle of the wooded land of Barangay Sta. Ana, but the travel is not really exhausting because the road leading to this resort is not isolated. In fact it is wide and fully developed visitors are assured with comfort while traveling to the resort. The only down side is that there's no available public utility vehicle going to and from this area.
This place is truly amazing! It offers the best of both worlds - an elaborate swimming pool surrounded with a gorgeous landscape of plants and flowers, a beautiful winding path, spiraled slides and a beach side that has a sprawling ground for bonding and outdoor activities.
Equipped with an ultra-modern swimming pool facility, Aquaria has a sunken pool, cabanas, adult and kiddie pool areas, a three-story spiraled slide and a hotel-like rest rooms. There are lockers available for rent for personal belongings.
Aquaria is very far from the town of Calatagan, almost located in the middle of the wooded land of Barangay Sta. Ana, but the travel is not really exhausting because the road leading to this resort is not isolated. In fact it is wide and fully developed visitors are assured with comfort while traveling to the resort. The only down side is that there's no available public utility vehicle going to and from this area.
If you are a commuter, the only way to reach Aquaria is through a tricycle ride from Calatagan, travel time is around 30 minutes. In order to ensure your trip back to the town, make an arrangement with the tricycle driver to fetch you towards the end of the day.
The restaurant area is facing the beach side so the feeling is quite relaxing while dining. But visitors are allowed to bring food without corkage fee except on drinks. The beach side has a sprawling ground where ball games and other fun activities can be held. The only bad thing is that the sand along the shoreline is a bit rugged and rough.
Kiddie pool area
beautiful garden and cabanas
A three-storey spiraled slide
My overall review of the resort:
Aquaria has an ultra-modern swimming pool facility with an impression of grandeur and style. Though not a themed pool unlike other fancy waterparks that had mushroomed in the Philippines in recent years, this resort has a gorgeous surroundings. Perfect for taking pictures.
I love the garden and the intricate details of flower paths around the cabanas. It's ultra romantic! I enjoyed the wide sleek pool side, relaxing and magnificent. The beach side is just fine, if you're not into sun bathing or getting yourself tanned, don't stay along the beach side because the harsh sun rays will badly damage your skin. But I like the wide beach front, you can frolic leisurely, it's good if you want to play ball games with your friends!
Bringing food has no corkage, grilling station is also available, but if you don't feel taking food with you, there's a restaurant available in the resort. The food options are equally great! I love the seafood options and the short meals. Taste and flavors are high-end restaurant qualities.
I love the garden and the intricate details of flower paths around the cabanas. It's ultra romantic! I enjoyed the wide sleek pool side, relaxing and magnificent. The beach side is just fine, if you're not into sun bathing or getting yourself tanned, don't stay along the beach side because the harsh sun rays will badly damage your skin. But I like the wide beach front, you can frolic leisurely, it's good if you want to play ball games with your friends!
Bringing food has no corkage, grilling station is also available, but if you don't feel taking food with you, there's a restaurant available in the resort. The food options are equally great! I love the seafood options and the short meals. Taste and flavors are high-end restaurant qualities.
How to get There:
If you are coming from Metro Manila and traveling via bus: Go to Coastal Mall and look for a route going to Calatagan, Batangas, but this is very rare so take Lian route instead. Tell the driver or the conductor to drop you off at Lian, near the public market.
Then ride a tricycle going to Lian public market. Look for a jeepney bound for Calatagan. Tell the jeepney driver you're heading to Brgy. Sta. Ana so that he can drop you off near the terminal of tricycles in the town proper. Don't forget to make an arrangement with the tricycle driver to fetch you after your stay in Aquaria.
Important Reminder:
Aquaria has no overnight accommodation as it does not have cottages or villas yet, they don't allow tents also so you better plan carefully your travel. You may look for transient inns in the town of Calatagan to spend the night away or you may choose to stay at nearby beach resorts like Casa Astillejo or Calatagan Beach Resort.
Good Experience with the Resort:
Okay, so here's my little story about our trip. We know that Aquaria does not have an overnight accommodation and originally we planned to go to Casa Astillejo to spend the night, so we asked the number of the tricycle driver so that we can text him before 6:00 in the evening.
The big trouble came around 6:00 when we found out we didn't get the complete mobile number of the tricycle driver! We could no longer contact him and there was no way to look for a tricycle in the area.
We're the only people left in the resort so we asked the staff how we could possibly reach the town of Calatagan. The staff, about four of them, were extremely kind and generous with their time, they made effort to really help us, one of them contacted their friend whose father is a tricycle driver, the staff did not leave the area until we're safely secured, they assured us that the driver is a good man, in fact his son worked also in the resort.
We're the only people left in the resort so we asked the staff how we could possibly reach the town of Calatagan. The staff, about four of them, were extremely kind and generous with their time, they made effort to really help us, one of them contacted their friend whose father is a tricycle driver, the staff did not leave the area until we're safely secured, they assured us that the driver is a good man, in fact his son worked also in the resort.
Whoaa! It was truly a strange adventure! Hahaha! Thank God, we reached Calatagan safely and the tricycle driver brought us to a transient Inn, whose owner looked like his friend because they knew each other, it was just a walking distance from the bus terminal. The accommodation was just right for backpackers but not if you're particular of comfort and convenience. It was a little hot with just electric fan in the room, but at Php 400.00 rate per room for 12 hours, what do we expect? The most important thing is we're safe, never mind the discomfort.
We traveled back to Manila on the following morning, Sunday, May 18.
Here's the expenses we incurred for this weekend getaway (in Philippine Peso, amount is per person):
- Bus fare from Coastal Mall to Lian, Batangas: 149.00
- Tricycle going to public market in Lian: 10.00
- Jeepney for Calatagan, Batangas: 38.00
- Tricycle from Calatagan to Playa: 75.00
- Entrance Fee in Aquaria: 400
- Lunch: 155.00
- Tricycle back to Calatagan: 75.00
- Tip to the tricycle driver on our way to Calatagan (because it was already evening) 50
- Transient Room: 200
- Dinner: 50.00
- Van fare Calatagan to Pasay: 180.00
