Ahhh... Calatagan. You always find a way to creep into my yearly getaways. This year, I got to experience Calatagan once again through Aquaria Beach Resort.


One of the friends found a promo deal online cutting the entrance rate to almost half so we went for it.

Reception

The friend coordinating with the staff

Us, while waiting to be admitted

The resort is impressive! There were a lot of pools to choose from.

Pools

Pools, everywhere.

One for them kids

All were clean. And the condition of the pools are excellent. No broken tiles or whatever.

There is access to the beach, of course.



If you're familiar with beaches in Calatagan, then you know you aren't suppose to expect a lot :) Their beach is cleaner than the others though. No seaweeds in sight.
Their restaurant is located by the beachfront so it felt really good to just eat, talk with the friends, and just relax while enjoying the view.

or update your social media accounts

The food BTW, is way better than I expected. Usually, in my experience, resort restaurants always offered overpriced food that would fill a belly of a kitten. Not Aquaria. Their food is reasonably priced. The portion is enough for a human being. And it even tastes good!

Our binalot makes us happy!

Mais con hielo for dessert

Pancit bihon for meryenda

Here's their menu

The cottage is not exactly a cottage at all. It looks more a like a lounge.

It was very open too

There are yellow cushions in the bench and there is a small cabinet that you could put your things in while you're away. There is no lock but considering how there was an abundant supply of security guards all around, it was no big deal. Also, the cottages were by the poolside so you don't have to walk so far to enjoy swimming right away.

But what impressed me the most about Aquaria are the toilets and shower rooms.

Upon entering

Feast your eyes on the beauty that is Aquaria's bath house

My photos don't do it justice. Their bathhouse is very spacey and very clean! I never would have thought that I'd be able to experience a resort's shower room as beautiful as this. The cubicles are spacey too and I didn't have to figure out where to put or hang my stuff because they have the small benches in it to put your things on!

Yes, it is a big deal for me. Or for anyone who had to deal with crappy shower rooms for years

One thing that bothered me though is the fact that you can't stay overnight considering how far this resort is. The three hours of travelling to the resort would be worth it if we could spend more time in it. We got there around 11:30am and had to leave by 6pm. 6pm is too just too early of a time to leave in my standards.

The verdict

Good: Resort is beautiful. Bathhouse is excellent. Restaurant is very good.
Bad: Location is not so good considering you can't stay overnight.

Will I go back? Yes. When the heavens decide to bestow upon me a private vehicle. Or when one of my friends finally buy one. :))

How to get there w/o private vehicle:

1. From Pala-pala, ride a van to Calatagan (php130/pax). The ride took us three hours! It should have been two but our driver seemed to be taking his own sweet time. My bladder almost died. He also dropped us by the municipal office (i think?) which baffled us because last year, our driver dropped us at the public market. If you got down at the municipal office, you'll have to ride a tricycle to the public market (php12/pax).
2. From public market, ride a tricyle to Aquaria or Playa, Calatagan (php150/trike). You'll arrive after 15 minutes.

How to get back 

Talk with your van and tricycle driver about arrangements. My getting-home from Calatagan always varied from trip to trip.

The place was unfortunately crowded when we went.

This is what it looks like during low tide.

The friends and I drinking and talking

we rode a van from Pala-pala to Calatagan

It was okay. Except maybe for the fact that we couldn't get some sleep because of our neighbors who decided to sing their hearts out until 6 in the morning. Most of us wanted to ride home in the middle of the night.