We had one full day to immerse ourselves in this quiet and underrated island of Marinduque. If given more days, I'd like to stay for a week just to go check out the sandbars and go on a island hopping, try the sulfur therapeutic pool at night, and explore more of its town proper (heritage houses).
For now, it's nice that we had a sneak-peek of the heart of the Philippines which made me appreciate Marinduque more and its people. Here is a list of places that we visited that you might want to include on your Marinduque travel itinerary.
Tall coconut trees when I went out of my hotel room in Balar Hotel & Spa:
1. Marl Insect and Butterfly Garden
Marl Insect and Butterfly Garden is the first butterfly garden in Marinduque. When you enter their gate, it appears like a normal residential house from the outside. Inside, you will be welcomed by a souvenir shop selling framed butterflies, butterfly pupae (that they export to other countries like New Zealand, Singapore, and even Italy!), and other butterfly themed merch like shirts and house displays.
We enjoyed a few minutes at their butterfly garden, while watching the butterflies swarm around the sweet flowers. Took lots of photos and Boomerangs too!
2. St. Joseph Church in Gasan
Built in 1609, the St. Joseph Church in Gasan is located on top of a hill--lending a splendid view of the town and the ocean to its visitors. It has intricate architecture from inside-out, including a unique fan carvings on its ceiling, the main altar adorned with white saints, and beams made of polished coconut shells. Make sure to also check the garden.
3. Gasan Freedom Park
We took a quick stop at the Gasan Freedom Park to check out the Gasan Sea View Park and cross the Gasan Municipal Hanging Bridge.
Aside from a place to chill, this is also the entry point for the popular island-hopping destingations of Marinduque namely the Gaspar, Melchor, and Baltazar, collectively known as the Tres Reyes Islands.
4. Malbog Sulfuric Resort
Japanese onsen, Korean jjimjilbang, or Budapest's Széchenyi Thermal Bath? Count me in! I am all for these hot springs and therapeutic pools--so when we visited Marinduque's Malbog Sulfuric Resort, I am partly torn and would want to stay here and take a dip!
The Malbog Sulfuric Resort collects their sulfuric waters from Mt. Malindig. I've always known that sulfur is great for the skin, but it also has health benefits including treatment to digestive problems and overall very relaxing too! They have Japanese guests who go here at night when air is cool, and the hot water feels really good on the skin.
Entrance fee is only Php 45 (adult), and Php 30 (Kids, Seniors, PWD). Must go back here soon!
5. View of Mt. Malindig & Bellarocca
Speaking of Mt. Malindig, we also caught a view of this potentially active stratovolcano and the highest peak in the island. If you are into hiking, you can conquer this mountain on your trip which will take about 5 hours. Okay na ako to see it from afar, hehehe!
Another view that caught my attention was our quick stop to see the Bellaroca or Elephant Island (because of its shape) from the main road. The Bellaroca was once a luxury resort in Marinduque, popular to the upscale and celebrities for its privacy and Santorini vibe. It is currently closed down, but hoping through the new Manila-Marinduque Cebu Pacific flights they will find interest in reopening and bringing this resort back to its former glory.
6. Poctoy White Beach in Torrijos
Imagine 1 kilometer stretch of white-sand beach minus the tourist crowd, and with a nice backdrop of a mountain while you swim its clear blue waters. That's the Poctoy White Beach for you! Willing to go back here to avail the beach more! Resorts are already being constructed in the area so you can stay by the beach area on your Marinduque trip.
7. Original Arrowroot Cookies Maker
What to take home for families and friends from your Marinduque trip? An easy pasalubong and delicious Marinduque delicacy are the arrowroot cookies (or uraro). These cookies are not too sweet and melts in your mouth--made of starch from rootstock that Marinduque is abundant of! Perfect with your afternoon coffee.
Visit Rejano Bakery in Sta. Cruz, they've been making these cookies and other pastries and sweets for over 60 years already.
8. Sunset in Luzon Datum of 1911 in Mogpog
An amazing fact about Marinduque is that it is not only called as the "Heart of the Philippines" for the island's shape, but also because you'll find here the geodetic center of the Philippines!
To get to the monumental rock marker on top of Mt. Mataas in Mogpog, we climbed around 460+ steep concrete stairs. Luzon Datum represents the 0.0 reference point in any maps done in the country. Aside from seeing this important stone marker, you'll also find here a viewing deck for Tayabas Bay, Mompong Pass, and part of Tablas Strait.
We waited till sunset, and the view was worth it!
To get to the monumental rock marker on top of Mt. Mataas in Mogpog, we climbed around 460+ steep concrete stairs. Luzon Datum represents the 0.0 reference point in any maps done in the country. Aside from seeing this important stone marker, you'll also find here a viewing deck for Tayabas Bay, Mompong Pass, and part of Tablas Strait.
We waited till sunset, and the view was worth it!
9. Dinner at Cafe Mamita
And lastly, our final stop for this trip is a dinner in Cafe Mamita, located on the ground floor of the first hotel in Marinduque called the Boac Hotel. They serve fresh Marinduqueño dishes, and have a souvenir shop for your uraro and other pasalubong shopping.
The location of the Boac Hotel / Cafe Mamita is also very central, it's the perfect accommodation for your Marinduque tours. Make sure to book in advance as they only have a few rooms and they sell out fast--especially during the holy week! They say that you can even watch the parade from your room.
Before we knew it, it was time to check out from our hotel, and leave for the Marinduque Airport. It was a short trip, but I definitely gained a lot of new friends and fresh insights about this part of our beautiful country! Someday, let's try local solo traveling noh? I might even consider starting with this peaceful town of Marinduque.
Read my first Marinduque travel blog post (Marinduque's Warm Welcome + Where We Stayed).
Special thanks to Cebu Pacific Air, Stratworks Inc, Michelle and Erika, Romeo Mataac of Marinduque News, and to the kindest Sir Nelson and Ms. Susan Nace of Dream Favor Travel and Tours!
Curious about Marinduque? Checked the price for next month's flights, and estimate cost of ROUNDTRIP tickets is about Php 4000+ base fare. Visit https://www.cebupacificair.com to check and book your flight to Marinduque every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday!
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