Villa Zenaida Resort Travel Guide

Villa Zenaida Seaside Camp Resort is a newly opened beach resort in Calatagan, Batangas. When we went there last Feb 24, 2018, the place was literally bare. No any amenities yet, not even a toilet. There were a couple of people uprooting weeds and cleaning the area. No non-biodegradable thrashes yet as there were no excursionists on the site.

Just two months after the opening however, they’re influx of tourists. The charges were doubled, and the once secluded place became a shoreline of chaos.

The place reminded me of Manuel Uy Beach Resort – from a laid-back retreat to a busy, noisy place with a sea of crowd. The Villa Zenaida Seaside Camp is actually better as there are no settlers within the resort area. At least none yet for now. Let’s see several more months after.

HOW TO GET TO VILLA ZENAIDA RESORT VIA PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION (COMMUTE)

1. From Pasay City near MRT EDSA Taft station, take a bus bound for Calatagan, Batangas (Crow Bus or Celyrosa Bus). First trip to Calatagan is at 4:00AM and last trip is at 4:30PM. You can opt to take a commuter van if you fancy. They’re parked at the basement of Metropoint Mall in Taft Pasay. There are also buses going to Calatagan from Manuela Metropolis Alabang (Metropolis Mall) if you’re coming from the South. Rate is P150 – P180.
2. Travel time from Manila is about 3 hours via Aguinaldo Highway – Tagaytay – Nasugbu.
3. Alight at the bus terminal in Calatagan town proper. Charter a tricycle and tell the driver you are heading to Villa Zenaida Seaside Camp Resort in Brgy. Calambuyan. Rate is P300 good for 4 persons; if you’re alone, you have to pay the full amount.  Be ready for a bumpy ride.

The last trip back to Manila from Calatagan is at 4:00PM so make sure to leave the resort earlier. Ask the tricycle driver to pick you up from the resort since there are no public vehicles available in the area.

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HOW TO GET TO VILLA ZENAIDA RESORT VIA PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION

1. If you are going to Calatagan via a private car, just take SLEX and exit at Sta Rosa.
2. Drive towards Tagaytay.
3. Follow the directions to Nasugbu, Batangas and go straight all the way to the junction of Palico.
4. From Palico junction, you will pass by Lian, before entering the town of Calatagan.
5. Ask around when you reach Calatagan town proper. Locals are very helpful. Villa Zenaida is father than Manuel Uy Beach. It’s also a rough uphill drive to get to the site. Just keep watch of the resort’s signages.

VILLA ZENAIDA RESORT RATES

TRAVEL TIPS

• Bring your own food, there are limited to no food/commodity supply in the area.
• Bring your own tent. If you have a car, bring ice cooler, mat, pillows, blanket, etc. to achieve comfort without having to spend more.
• Bring enough water. Gallons of water for cooking and drinking. No fresh water in the area. Even the one you will use for shower is salty.
• Bring a cookset. Having a hot coffee anytime you need is a luxury.
• If swimming is your primary goal, stay away from Villa Zenaida Resort during Amihan season and transition periods (Amihan to Easterlies) as the sea becomes dirty with lots of seaweeds and debris. Habagat season is the best time to visit the place and go swimming according to locals. 
• Be part of Love. Eat. Wander. Facebook community page for more travel tips, guides, and updates.
• For tour packages and other travel services, you may contact our travel partner, Sole Adventours. 
• BRING OUT ALL THAT YOU BRING IN. UTANG NA LOOB!

OUR PLATE OF UNSOLICITED ADVICE

To the administration of Villa Zenaida Resort,

Please keep your resort clean. The charges you make are pretty outrageous. Personally, we think the Php250 per person charge for overnight stay is a rip-off. You do not have to follow the steps of Manuel Uy, eh? But anyway, we pray to all gods that you will use those loots in keeping and developing your natural wealth. A lot of these tourists think they can leave their trashes behind as someone will clean after them (part of their fees), teach them some lessons. Those you will catch throwing their rubbish to improper places must be punished – a community service will do.

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