Discovering Bataan and Corregidor at a Friendly Cost

Dec 3, 2016
4 min read

Amongst the list of Philippines' most historic places, both Bataan and Corregidor offer an alluring must see sights to people who crave for our rich history and quaint view.

Situated in Central Luzon Region, a regular Day Tour for Bataan and Corregidor will cost you around 2,000php - 2,500php each.

But as a budgeted traveler, we only got it for 2,000php for 2 days, 1 night DIY itinerary.

My close friend Frances organized this tour for us, with a group of 14 people. We were able to maximize the value of our money with this trip. We rented a round trip van from Manila to Bataan, which actually made our travel really convenient, we have our own phase in each of the places we wanted to visit and we were able to take as many photos as we wanted.

Here's our Bataan Day Tour Itinerary

Meet-up at McDonald's Shaw Blvd cor Shaw - 5AM

ETD From McDonald's Shaw Blvd cor Shaw - 6AM

ETA Mariveles, Bataan - 9:30AM

Bataan Tour Proper 10AM - 4PM

ETD From Mariveles to Corregidor Island - 4:30PM

ETA Corregidor Island - 5:45PM

WHAT TO SEE IN BATAAN

1. KM 00 - Death March Marker

The first thing you needed to do when you are in Bataan should be to visit the "Death March Marker". Starting from KM 00, the marker will remind us of the lives we lost during the war. According to history, more than 75,000 American and Filipino soldiers were forced to be Prisoners of war. They were ordered to travel 65 miles distance with limited rest, food and water supplies. The said march took at least 10,000 lives.

2. Sisiman View Deck

A surreal moment for this magnificent view of San Miguel Rock and the bay of Sisiman in this view deck. It is one of the most breath taking over looking I have seen by far.

3. Sisiman Pebble Beach and Lighthouse

Not commonly tagged as a known Tourist spot in Bataan, Sisiman Bay offers a relaxing place for those people who just want a clear view of the beauty of Bataan sea. We enjoyed playing skipping pebbles and the incredible sight of a working lighthouse, towering at least 700ft above sea level.

4. Overlooking the Bataan Shore

If you are looking for a picturesque sight and of course the "FRIENDSHIP GOALS" picture, this overlooking place rarely visited by tourists is surely a treat.

5. Hawla Beach

Located 15 minutes away from the City proper of Mariveles, Hawla Beach is a small beach with only a few people visiting it. With a 35php as an entrance fee, you can sure rest for as long as you wanted.

6. Mt Samat Cross

Mt Samat is not only home to the National Shrine of our fallen Filipino and American Soldiers during World War II. From its majestic overlooking scenery of Bataan City, to its iconic cross. It offers a lot of small but alluring things as well.

And that concludes our Day tour in Bataan. Our next stop Corregidor

CORREGIDOR Island is said to be one of the last military bastion in our country. The island is indeed rich not only with the history itself, but with all of spectacular views the it could offer. Normally people will get a tour package of 2,000 - 2,500php inclusive of a boat ride from Manila Bay to Corregidor Island and a Buffet Lunch. But since we wanted to enjoy the Island we decided to stay longer. The management did not charge us for an overnight fee since we stayed at their camp area with our own tents and hammocks. We were the only group who stayed that night, it was pretty safe.

Here's our Corregidor Overnight/Day Tour Itinerary

ETD From Mariveles to Corregidor Island - 4:30PM

ETA Corregidor Island - 5:15PM Dinner/Overnight Preparation/Free Time - 5:30PM - 12AM Ghost Hunting - 12AM-1AM

Lights out - 1AM

Wake-up Call - 5:30AM Swimming at the Beach - 6AM

Breakfast - 7AM Tour Proper - 8AM - 11AM

ETD from Corregidor to Marivels - 11AM ETA Marivels, Bataan - 12PM

ETD from Mariveles to Manila - 12PM ETA Manila - 4PM

WHAT TO SEE IN CORREGIDOR

1. Sunrise in Corregidor

Undeniably, this Island offers an exquisite sunrise view. Having to witness it will surely make you understand that sunrise is so underrated, it is equally beautiful like the sunset.

2. Malinta Tunnel

Initially used as for storage for ammunition, food, supplies and bomb-proof bunker, the Malinta Tunnel was later used as an hospital with 1,000 bed-capacity to cater to all wounded soldiers.

3. Filipino Heroes Memorial

Dedicated to the Filipino who knows how to die for love of freedom and liberty. This tourist attraction is among the most visited landmarks in the island.

4. Military Barracks Ruins

One of the main attractions in Corregidor Island would be the building ruins. It offers a shuddering history on how our military people used to live and how it used to be one of the most advanced civilization back in the days. The middle-side barracks and the mile-long barracks is something that you should not miss.

5. Battery Grubbs

An amazing innovation at the time of the war. The two giant disappearing guns are really something that you don't get to see everyday. It was initially destroyed by the Japanese Imperial Military but was later renovated by the Japanese people themselves but they did not finished the reconstruction of the weapon when the American forces reclaimed the island.

5. Four Guns at Battery Way

Four revolving guns which were operated by a lot of soldiers since this is indeed an heavy artillery.

6. Cinema Corregidor

Also known as Cine Corregidor, it is one of the leisure facilities that Corregidor Island used to have before the war started. The last movie that was played in this cinema house was the movie "GUN WITH THE WIND" (1939).

7. Dome at Pacific War Memorial

According to Wikipedia, This place was completed around 1968, the Pacific war memorial was built by the United States Government as a recognition for all the Filipino and American Soldiers who fought during the Pacific War.