Photo by Sundowners Zambales

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Zambales is a province in the Philippines’ Central Luzon region that makes an excellent travel destination if you’re looking for gorgeous beaches near Manila.

Zambales lies on Luzon Island’s western coastline that borders the West Philippine Sea. Aside from being blessed with a rugged shoreline, Zambales is also surrounded by mountains to the east.

The province attracts outdoor lovers with its coves, mountains, farms, and other recreational outdoor facilities. Its proximity to Manila (about 250 kilometers) makes it a top weekend getaway choice for city dwellers.

There are plenty of things to do and places to visit while in Zambales. Some of the captivating Zambales tourist spots include the nearby Mt. Pinatubo, Capones Island, Nagsasa Cove, Anawangin Cove, and the Ramon Magsaysay Museum.

The province’s collection of splendid beach resorts is another main reason this should be on your travel list. These resorts will not only give you a comfortable bed to sleep in; they will also maximize your Zambales beach experience by offering quality service, good food, and exciting recreational activities.

Here are the 10 best Zambales resorts to stay in:

10. Arirang Beach Resort

Photo by Arirang Beach Resort

Arirang Beach Resort is located in Barangay San Miguel, San Antonio,Pundaquit. The resort sits right at the beach and faces the Old Pamatawan River estuary.

Arirang Beach Resort has a rustic feel and intends to be close to nature. However, it still provides comfort to holidaymakers by having standard room amenities like a private bathroom, air conditioner, and a flat-screen TV.

Compared to smaller resorts, Arirang is complete with standard facilities like a coffee shop, a restaurant, a garden, and a bar. While here, you can enjoy a massage, arrange a barbecue, rent a karaoke machine, and use the laundry service.

Offering both beach and mountain views, Arirang describes itself as an ideal spot for nature lovers and those who are looking to get away from the city crowd. Some of the outdoor activities available here include kayaking, surfboarding, boat riding, hiking, and swimming in the lagoon or beach.

Arirang is conveniently located within 3 kilometers of the NETDC Golf Course in San Miguel. The famous Pundaquit Falls is only 7.8 kilometers away. The resort is also an ideal jumping point for island tours that explore well-known sites like Camara Island, Capones Island, and Anawangin Cove.

9. All Blue Nature Resort

Photo by All Blue Nature Resort

Tucked in Zambales’ Nagsasa Cove, Barangay San Antonio, All Blue Nature Resort is a relatively new resort, established in 2017.

All Blue attach the word “nature” to their name as they aim to operate as a sustainable resort, providing recreation services while conserving the natural environment. To remain true to its mission, the resort uses indigenous materials and solar panels to generate electricity.

Staying at All Blue Nature Resort brings you as close to nature as you possibly can. This is a camping resort where you can book a tent accommodation or stay at a “kubo,” a traditional Filipino house made of nipa. Most guests bring their camping gear for their stay.

You won’t get a strong phone signal while at All Blue, but what you do get are magnificent panoramic views of Nagsasa Cove, with hills and mountains at the eastern end. You will not be able to play video games here, but you will have the chance to hike hills, trek waterfalls, cliff dive, snorkel, stargaze, and enjoy seaside bonfires.

Another good news is that you may bring furry friends along as All Blue Nature Resort is a pet-friendly resort. All Blue accommodation packages can also include boat trips to nearby islands from Nagsasa Cove.

8. Sambali Beach Farm

Photo by Sambali Beach Farm

Sambali Beach Farm distinguishes itself from other Zambales resorts as it offers both beach and farming experiences to its guests. Sambali is located in the fishing village of Danacbunga, Botolan. ]

Chin Camara founded this 8 - hectare property in 2000 and transformed it into a successful organic and sustainable farm. Today, Sambali grows a wide variety of vegetables as well as livestock.

Camara does not want Sambali to become a commercial resort. It is meant to be a place where guests can enjoy the beach and nature and learn about natural farming methods. Here, you can get fresh air, clean food, and enjoy a relaxing environment.

Sambali offers a huge two-story house for rental. The house is made of old wood and woven bamboo mats called sawali. It provides panoramas of the West Philippine Sea and has a separate gazebo where you can enjoy the breeze coming from the sea. Inside sits four rooms, which can accommodate a maximum of 25 people. The property also has extra rooms at the Dambana Hermitage, just a kilometer (three-minute walk) from the main house.

You may bring food to the resort, but cooking is not allowed in the house. Booking the house also means getting the mandatory food fee of 1,500, including three meals and two snacks, buffet-style. The property promises to serve only high-quality organic meat and vegetables.

While here, you can easily walk to the beach, just a few meters away from the house. Sambali organizes farm and local community tours and allows day visits.

7. Funtasea Beach Resort

Photo by Funtasea Beach Resort

Located on the shoreline of Iba Zambales, Funtasea Beach Resort is an affordable and family-friendly recreational place that also seeks to provide quality service. It is also the resort’s main mission to support the local community's local employment and economic growth.

Compared to the other rustic resorts along Zambales beaches, Funtasea adopts a more modern approach to hospitality. It features fully air-conditioned rooms with queen size beds, cable flat-screen TVs, hot and cold shower, electric kettle, and electronic door locks. Aside from being footsteps away from a lovely sandy beach, the resort also maintains a large infinity pool. There’s also a restaurant, a function room, and a bar all within the resort complex.

Funtasea is tucked in a cozy and quiet beachfront area, but it’s also quite close to the town of Iba. This is an added benefit for travelers who prefer easy access to modern amenities like supermarkets, banks, and fast-food restaurants like Mcdonald’s. These businesses are in Iba’s town center and are just a few kilometers from Funtasea Beach Resort.

6. The White House Zambales

Photo by The White House Zambales

The White House Zambales is a highly rated boutique resort located in Cabangan, Zambales. It caters to families and big groups who are looking for a fun beach holiday.

The property maintains four different sites, three of which feature white-colored, contemporary designed beach villas. The resort’s fourth section called Aqua Modern Cottages and Villas is a cluster of smaller beachfront cottages.

The White House villas promise comfort and secure privacy as you don’t have to share amenities with other guests. Each villa features a unique design, a private pool, a dining area, and an overall different experience for its guests. An overnight standard rate for a house includes the stay of four people.

The White House is close to the beach and the Cabanagan coastline. From here, you can access the other beautiful Zambales beaches like Liwliwa Beach (800 meters away). The White House is also less than 2 kilometers away from the Olongapo - Bugallon Rd/Zambales - Pangasinan Road, where many restaurants and other businesses are located.

5. Kwentong Dagat

Photo by Kwentong Dagat

Kwentong Dagat Beach Resort lies in the small fishing village of Sitio Liwliwa, San Felipe. The resort’s unique name (Sea Stories in English) is a homage to the stories revolving around the local community and its residents.

Kwentong Dagat does not wish to be a typical luxury beach resort. It wants to be a place where people can gather, celebrate, and feel the authentic Filipino provincial warmth.

The resort features picturesque nipa-based cabins and abaca wood rooms. These rooms are all air-conditioned and have basic amenities. Kwentong Dagat also maintains a camping area that’s equipped with shared bathrooms and an outdoor kitchen.

Kwentong Dagat advocates good health and mental wellness. It regularly organizes activities like yoga, jiu-jitsu, Muay- Thai, boxing, surfing, and skimboarding. The resort’s restaurant is also known for its healthy vegan meals.

Kwentong Dagat faces the Liwliwa shoreline and is close to attractions like Grotto Falls (6 km away) and Lubong-Nangoloan Falls / Anghalo Falls (5 kilometers away).\

4. Capones Vista Beach Resort

Photo by Capones Vista Beach Resort

Capones Vista Beach Resort is situated in Barangay Pundaquit, San Antonio. The resort lives up to its name as its setting provides breathtaking views of both the sea and mountains. Capones is also known for its beautiful sunsets, so it’s no wonder that it has become a popular wedding venue.

The resort maintains a clean beachfront and exudes a laidback peaceful vibe. Its standard rooms have air conditioners, hot and cold showers, and satellite TVs. The resort also has more spacious family rooms to accommodate larger groups.

Capones’ notable facilities include a poolside patio, a cafeteria, and two huge pools that give uninterrupted ocean views.

The resort is an ideal jump-off point to boat tours that visit famous Zambales attractions like Talisayan Cove, Camara Island, Capones Island, and Tabones Island. Like other Zambales beaches, the beach in front of the resort generates big waves from October to February. This makes Capones a strategic spot to stay in if you would like to surf during those months.

3. Sundowners Zambales

Photo by Sundowners Zambales

Located in Barangay Danacbunga, Botolan Zambales, Sundowners is a beachfront resort that spans two hectares. The resort vibe and whitewashed villas take inspiration from the famous Greek town of Santorini. It aims to give guests a great private beach house experience at a reasonable rate.

Sundowners Resort owns spacious beach villas which can have one to six bedrooms. The resort’s biggest villa comes with a furnished kitchen, living room, barbecue arena, and a private infinity pool. It can accommodate up to 18 guests. The one-bedroom villa comes with a private toilet and bath and a kitchen with standard appliances.

The resort maintains a restaurant, a bar, and two infinity pools. While here, you can enjoy various activities like Hobie Cat riding, paddleboarding, kayaking, and surfing. A visit here is not complete without going on an island-hopping trip, which usually visits at least four islands.

Sundowners’ location gives convenient access to a 100-meter beach. You can ask the resort management to arrange visits to notable Botolan sites like the Tukal Tukal Falls and Mount Pinatubo. They can also set up other group activities like ATV rides, ziplining, and paintball.

2. Zambawood

Photo by Zambawood

Located in La Paz, San Narciso, Zambawood brands itself as a luxury beach resort that’s filled with warmth and serves a special purpose. In the beginning, the owners (Harrison family) developed the property for their son Julyan, a boy born with special needs. Zambawood then became a place where Julyan can farm and enjoy a tranquil life close to nature. Eventually, the family decided to share the beauty and peace of Zambawood with the public.

The resort is a gated compound that covers 26 hectares. It is surrounded by lush landscapes, consisting of the mountains to the east and the sea to the west. The property’s main beach house is the one available for booking.

The 500-square meter beach house has 5 bedrooms. Each bedroom is air-conditioned and has dedicated bath and shower rooms. The house is also equipped with a spacious game room, fully-equipped kitchen, outdoor dining deck, and swimming pool.

During your stay, housekeepers will be available to provide service, and a resident chef will prepare your meals. You can also tour the estate’s Pine Beach Farm, enjoy a massage at the lounging area, go swimming or surfing. Zambawood is just about a kilometer walk from the main stretch of La Paz Beach, one of the most famous Zambales beaches for surfing.

1. Crystal Beach Resort

Photo by Crystal Beach Resort

If you like the idea of bonfires, beach parties, and surfing, then Crystal Beach Resort is a perfect choice. This premium resort is located in the town of San Narciso and is within easy reach to San Narciso Health Center (2 kilometers away) and La Paz Park (650 meters away).

This 8-hectare resort complex has a total of 34 rooms, some of which are air-conditioned. It is also equipped with conference halls, a children’s playground, a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk, and a car park. If you wish to rough it out and sleep under the stars, you can choose to stay at one of Crystal’s camping sites.

Crystal Beach Resort’s coastline brings in huge swells, so many adventure-seeking tourists come here to learn surfing. The resort runs an established surfing school that offers surfing lessons that includes equipment rental. Aside from surfing, the other sports and activities available at the resort are kayaking, beach volleyball, basketball, table tennis, and billiards.

Crystal is a pet-friendly resort. It is committed to sustainability, so management does not allow single-use plastic products like straws, plastic cups, and styrofoam containers.

For city dwellers seeking beaches near Manila, Zambales is a perfect spot for a quick weekend getaway. To get here, you can self-drive, arrange a private car with a drive, or take one of the regular buses that leave the metropolis.

Plan Your Trip to These Zambales Resorts

The province is arguably still an underrated travel destination, but it’s very much capable of giving you the ultimate beach adventure you’re looking for.

The best Zambales resorts remind you of how beautiful and relaxing nature can be. These resorts will not only show you the province’s natural beauty but will also teach you to value and appreciate it.

Stunning beaches, beautiful waterfalls, mountain backdrops, and fun outdoor activities are just some of the things to look forward to during your stay. So consider staying at these resorts to experience the best of what Zambales has to offer.

Source: https://guidetothephilippines.ph/articles/ultimate-guides/best-resorts-zambales