Tatlong Pulo, Jordan Guimaras

After we hiked the Balaan Bukid trail, we asked the motorcycle driver if he can take us to Tatlong Pulo in Sinapsapan. At first, we told us that we may not be accommodated since we didn’t place our reservation but considering that we haven’t been to the beach in a long time and we are so eager to visit this place we (and most of our friends) haven’t been to before, we insisted that we go and try our luck.

Talong Pulo is located in Brgy. Sinapsapan in Jordan Guimaras. Since commuting can be challenging in far-flung areas, we decided to hire the motorcycle to take us there and fetch us in the afternoon after we’re done swimming. It took us around an hour to reach the drop off point from Balaan Bukid. It was a long and bumpy ride, I tell you. After passing by Guimaras Provincial Capitol, the roads became narrower and the cemented road replaced with rocky ones. The winding brown road seems to go on and on until we reached the point where it is no longer friendly for the motorcycle to continue. Our driver is supposed to just drop us there but thinking of the distance and how rough the road is, he decided to stay with us and guide us.

Trail going to Tatlong Pulo

After conquering Balaan Bukid, I thought this would be easy but boy I was wrong! There are lots of uphill and downhill and there is nothing to protect you from the burning heat of the sun. While there are plants along the trail, they are too short to provide shade. But then, it’s nothing compared to what our ancestors went through during the Bataan Death March. Perfect timing since we went there last April 9, the day Filipinos commemorate the fall of Bataan during WW II.

Sineguelas (local name: sargwelas) along the trail

I wanted to give up and find more accessible resorts instead but the thought of the crowded ones compared to this peaceful and underdeveloped one we are about to see keeps me going. We endured the rocky and steep trail for 15 minutes and all the time we were walking, all I ever think about is that “the beach should better be worth it”. We passed by a small community before reaching the shore and when we did, all the negative feelings I feel for this trip seems to have disappeared suddenly. The water is so inviting that the bf swam right away.

There are lots to see underwater so don’t forget to bring your goggles. During low tide, one can also swim to the actual Tatlong Pulo, the three islands across, where the place is named after.

Since the beach is not developed yet (and I hope it stays as is), there are no fancy cottages and other amenities. There are only two small cottages ideal for day trips, however, if you don’t mind sleeping in an open cottage, they will do just fine since the small cottages have mezzanine that could accommodate two or three persons. As for me, I may not be picky when it comes to sleeping area but I don’t think I’d want to sleep in that cottage because it is beaten up already and squeaks each time you move. I’m afraid I’d wake up already on the ground. There is also a bigger cottage ideal for big groups but not for overnight stay as well.

How to get there:

• Head to Ortiz Port and take a pumpboat to Jordan. Fare is Php 14. From Jordan Wharf, charter a tricycle to take you to Sinapsapan (Php 600 round trip) . Getting to Sinapsapan takes less than an hour. Your hike begins when the road starts to become really bumpy and impossible for the tricycle to get through. Hike to the beach is about 15 minutes.

Tips:

• Travel early so that you will be able to hike when the sun is not scorching hot yet.
• Bring sunblock, umbrella, hat and other protective clothing.
• Bring foods and drinking water. You can also contact the caretaker in advance to prepare your foods for a fee.
• Take your snorkeling apparatus and underwater camera with you. You may want to use a pair of swim shoes as well.

Numbers to Contact:

• Lyndon (tricycle driver) - 09489272661
• Jiji (caretaker) - 09292150111