Happy Steps travel blog

Punta Bulata Beach Resort information and tips – Part 2

Continued from Punta Bulata Beach Resort information and tips – Part 1

5. If you’re staying at Ayu Spa, the resort hotel, and have kids with you, choose their Japanese-styled rooms in the ground floor. The bed can be separated as two mattresses on the floor as what the staff suggested. Very child-friendly and safe indeed, baby C and little R-jed had fun playing on the bed.

6. Breakfast for two is included in all accommodations (Beach Cabanas, Beach Family Suite, Hillside Cabana, Aircon Tent, Turtle Van, and Ayu Spa hotel rooms) except for the Aircon
Bus, Beach Casita and Hillside Casita.

7. The resort does not allow food and drinks to be brought in except for the Beach Casita and Hillside Casita guests. They’re strict about this. They have a restaurant serving snacks and meals and offers open air dining which has a nice ambiance during evenings. Meals start at Php100++.

8. If you intend to cook or have some food preferences, then your accommodation should be in any of these two casitas which are best for a group of 6 or less and those who want to save on food expenses. These two accommodations are located farther from the main resort accommodations which was what we liked since it gave us more privacy.

9. The Beach Casita and Hillside Casita units have a simple kitchen with stove and sink, except for a refrigerator. What we did was bring marinated pork and grilled it for lunch the day we arrived. Our meals then were mostly canned goods, fruits and food that didn’t require being put inside a refrigerator such as eggs or noodles. We also bought with us dining and kitchen essentials such as plates, spoons, forks, knife, can opener, dishwashing soap, etc.

10. Just in case, bring extra cash for additional expenses such as dining, spa services or kayaking and other beach activities.

11. The resort accepts major credit cards and cash payments should be in Philippine Pesos.

Initially we planned on booking rooms at the hotel for all of us, but since we were advised that we cannot bring in food except at Beach Casita, we decided to have two hotel rooms plus the Beach Casita instead. This is what the staff suggested. So those who stayed at the hotel just go to Beach Casita for snacks and meals. With this setup we saved much on dining expenses.

Pros:

Privacy. You have the beach all to yourself especially at the shoreline fronting Beach Casita. Maybe because there were not much resort guests during our stay.

Spa services. Two thumbs up from Mom for their full body massage. They also have Finnish sauna and other spa services.

Different types of accommodations to choose from. They have the hotel rooms and many types of beach cabanas, take your pick.

Long walk along the shoreline. This was what we enjoyed during our latest stay. It was low tide so we had fun walking along the beach until we reached the edge of the shoreline where it’s full of rocks and blocked by a high cliff.

One, two, three… JUMP! Stopping by for a pose during our walk by the shoreline.

Finally we reached the rocky end of the resort. We were happy to have walked this far.

Cons:

Some rooms and units needed to be upgraded and maintained.

Guests are not allowed to bring food (even chips and snack foods) except for Beach Casita and Hillside Casita accommodations.

Gate entrance is not so welcoming to guests. You’re greeted with a closed solid gate and walk-in visitors who want to just take a look at the place are still required to pay the Php100 entrance fee even if they decide not to stay.

Rough secluded road about 1 km before you reach the resort. This could be intimidating or discouraging for first time visitors.

A group pose by the entrance before leaving the resort.

More information and photos on resort accommodations and pricing can be browsed here. For reservations and additional queries, you can contact Punta Bulata or visit its booking office in Lacson, Bacolod City.

Punta Bulata White Beach Resort & Spa
Address: Cauayan, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Bacolod Booking Office: +66 34 433 5160 (landline) / +66 920 9003558 (mobile)
Email: info@puntabulata.com

Website: www.puntabulata.com
Distance from Bacolod City: 152 kms.

Photo credits: Aileen of dviewfinder.com

Punta Bulata Beach Resort information and tips – Part 1

After an afternoon at Mambukal Resort, we headed off to Punta Bulata Beach Resort in the municipality of Cauayan the next day.

And since it was our second time around, we were more confident going there unlike before where we had a not so good experience with the resort directions while having an almost empty gas tank. This time, we reserved two hotel rooms and one beach house via phone the day before, and thankfully they accepted us on their guest list even without downpayment since we came back from Mambukal after office hours already. You can read about our first Punta Bulata experience on these previous posts:

The Punta Bulata experience: The different colors of sunset
The Punta Bulata experience: Sky, sea and sand
The Punta Bulata experience: Going there

Getting off the highway, we turned right on a road just before the bridge. A yellow sign read “Punta Bulata White Beach Resort – 4 km” plus contact numbers and an arrow pointing right. We went through the same route as before, passing by some rural houses, rice fields and carabaos along the way, until we reached a secluded rough road amidst thick trees that looked like it’s leading to nowhere. The first time we drove through it March of last year, we were a bit worried since there were no road signs or directions pointing to the resort. We mentioned this to the resort owner who that time entertained us before we headed home. Mom suggested that they put a sign informing incoming guests how many kilometers left before reaching the resort or which direction to take. So it was reassuring the second time we went through that road as we saw some signs, though not that prominent but their presence assured us that we’re on the right track.

Here are some information and tips I’d like to share for those who plan on going to Punta Bulata:

1. Make your reservation as early as possible. We missed having Room 1 in their hotel which has a nice view of the pool. I was late by just few hours when I called up their office and the staff informed me that a couple just reserved it. Another room with a relaxing view is Room 21 overlooking the pool with a balcony that opens to the sea.

2. Leave home early since it will be a long journey, about four hours from Bacolod (this includes stopping by the roadside for fruits and snacks).

3. Fill up your tank with enough fuel beforehand as there are no gasoline stations after Kabankalan. What we did was fill up our van at the Petron gasoline station in Kabankalan while stopping at nearby Jollibee for some burgers and drinks.

4. Bring food, drinks and toys for the trip especially if you have kids. They can easily get restless and bored along the way. Thankfully most of the kids slept during the trip and they had fun watching the local scenery – sugarcane fields, carabaos, trucks and other interesting roadside views.

To be continued: More Punta Bulata information and tips on next post

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Where’s the beach?

One of the things I miss these days is going to the beach. A weekend at one of the beaches here in Negros would do, such as Lakawon, Jomabo or Punta Bulata, but these days, most of my time is spent catching up with work. I need to work harder since the holidays are coming up soon.

Anyway, I hope to do more than just being soaked in the sea next time, maybe do some boating and going to the nearby marine sanctuary at Punta Bulata and see the colorful corals. The last time we’ve been to Punta Bulata, I was hesitant about riding a boat that would take us to the corals.

Would you ride in a boat such as this to go to a nearby island?

If only the boat wasn’t that small, I wouldn’t worry about being on it considering that the island destination is a bit farther though it can be seen from the shore. Hopefully, next time, I would be braver though.

Boracay holiday

Recently, big sis and I have been chatting about the coming holidays and their family’s trip itinerary in the Philippines. They’ll be spending few days at Boracay, a tropical paradise situated at the tip of the Panay Island and world-famous for its white sand and clear blue waters.

They already reserved a room at the Boracay Beach Club located beside the White Beach at Station 1. Browsing through their website, I am sure it will be a nice hotel for them.

Photo credits: Boracay Beach Club

San Diego beaches

Whether you’re into sunbathing, surfing, waterskiing and other water sports activities, San Diego is a good choice for the summer. The beach communities in San Diego also offer shopping, nightlife and tourist attractions. There are many accommodations available for travel bugs, such as a San Diego summer beach rental. This type of accommodation is a good choice for those who want a home-away-from-home experience to their holidays with complete amenities for kitchen, dining and entertainment.

It’s best to stay longer though and consider San Diego weekly rentals to make the most out of your vacation. There’s Mission Bay in San Diego for all sorts of water activities, and tourists can visit nearby reef breaks of La Jolla, Sunset Cliffs, Bird Rock and others. For those who would like to go on shopping spree, there are many shops and boutiques at Belmont Park, Garnet Avenue and more. Those who would like to consider living here can check out San Diego beach real estate and choose among the many properties available.

Yyteri Beach: warm sand dunes, cool blue waters and clear sunny sky

It was a sunny Sunday when we went to Yyteri beach, one of the well-known holiday resorts in Finland. Yyteri is a district in Pori and is just few minutes’ drive from my big sis’ flat in the city center. The place is not just famous for its long stretch of beach but is also a haven for campers, hikers and sports enthusiasts who would like to indulge in other outdoor activities such as surfing, cycling, horseback riding and beach volley.

Bringing with us picnic food and supplies, we went in two groups – mom, dad, cutie sis, baby C, and sis’ hubby in one car and big sis, the three kids, me and their family friend (who’s gracious enough to drive us there with his car) as the other group. Arriving at the parking area, I noticed the many vehicles lined up and most of them were campers. There’s a wide camping ground nearby where you can see many tents pitched.

On our way…who would have thought that there’s a beach waiting behind those thick trees?

Ahhh… I see it now… the blue waters are calling!

Still more walking… on foot on a long wooden plank through the dunes to reach the beach.

We’re finally here! 

Continue reading… »

Summer vacation rentals

It’s a cold summer here in Finland with the outside temperature dropping to as low as 12 degrees Celsius during evenings and rising up to around 23 degrees Celsius during afternoons. I checked the weather forecast for tomorrow though and it’s going to rain with the warmest temperature at only 18 degrees Celsius… Brrrr! This is why most Finns head off to warmer places during summer for their vacation. Now doesn’t this photo below make you dream of a beach escape this summer?

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Oahu, an island worth visiting

Being Hawaii’s third largest island and home to its capital Honolulu, Oahu offers many tourist attractions and things to do.

Why visit Oahu? There are many reasons why it is an island worth visiting. For one thing, it offers an interesting culture and historical background as well as white sandy beaches and beautiful landscapes. It’s a surfer’s paradise where you can take lessons as a beginner or get on your board and ride the waves as an experienced surfer at beaches such as the Sunset Beach, Ehukai Beach Park or Waikiki Beach. Other attractions are the golf courses, shopping malls, villas and resorts.
Continue reading… »

Luxurious resorts at the French Polynesia

Imagine yourself staying at a luxurious and exotic resort surrounded by the sea.

It’s just like living in paradise isn’t it? Most of the resorts in the French Polynesia especially the islands of Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora are designed and built using all-natural building materials (timber and woven pandanus roofing) which depict the beauty of the islands.
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San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua

In the south-west of Nicaragua lies San Juan del Sur, a city known for its beaches where many surfers and vacationers (especially families) go to. This coastal city is great for a Nicaraguan summer getaway. Whether you’re into sailing, fishing or surfing, the beaches at San Juan del Sur are for those looking for fun and adventure.

Doesn’t this photo make you dream of staying in a Nicaragua beach hotel and spending your days sunbathing, swimming or catching waves in the sea? Sigh. It just makes me wish I’m in the beach right now.
Continue reading… »

Tropical vacation rentals

Most travel bugs will be spending their vacation in beach resorts this summer. The allure of the sea calls them for a nice splash in the water or getting a nice tan or simply strolling barefoot along the shore.

For the water sports enthusiasts, they can go diving, snorkeling or surfing with the waves. There’s just so much to do when you’re at the beach, a day isn’t just enough. Staying for a week is the best option if you want to get the most out of your beach holiday such as opting for Kauai vacation rentals should you wish to spend your vacation in Hawaii.
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The Punta Bulata experience: Sky, sea and sand

Continued from The Punta Bulata experience: Going there

After we settled reservation matters with the resort manager, we headed to our chosen accommodation, the Beach Casita (Php4,800/day or US $180/day for 6 persons) since it has a kitchenette for cooking (too bad there’s no ref) and is situated in an isolated part of the resort which was what we really wanted. An added bonus is that the house is just few meters away from the beach. It has two air-conditioned bedrooms (though not so spacious) with two single beds provided with beddings. Beside the dining area, there are two additional beds as well.

After lunch, we lost no time exploring the resort, walking barefoot on the white sand and taking a plunge in the clear blue waters. The rough and worrisome ride on our way to the resort was worth it after all.
Continue reading… »

Happy discoveries

I was cleaning up the mess in my desk when I chanced upon a tiny strip of paper which I was about to throw but the scribble on it made me scrutinize it a bit. It was my Mom’s handwriting with this phrase: “P. Bulata 433-5160”. It’s the phone number for Punta Bulata White Beach Resort, one of my dream destinations in Negros Occidental. Aha! Another sea paradise for me to explore.

Photo credits: Punta Bulata White Beach Resort