Calatagan South Beach or CaSoBē for short is the hottest beach destination near Manila during the pandemic. Their Crusoe Cabins were designed with privacy and social distancing in mind to enjoy nature and the beach safely with friends and family.
This is the first time we were able to bring Momsy & Popsy with their apos, finally an escape from their home confinement to enjoy the beach with the family!
Here are some tips for those going to Casobe with their loved ones.
ABOUT CASOBE
Nestled on the sands of Calatagan, Batangas is the 15-hectare CaSoBē (Calatagan South Beach). CaSoBē offers a more laidback resort lifestyle in an intimate setting and complements the rich heritage of its location by providing relaxation and entertainment attractions that are already operational or soon to be operational to serve the residents and the tourist market.
Crusoe Cabins @ CaSoBē – Millennial Resorts
Calatagan South Beach, Brgy. Sta. Ana, Calatagan
Manila Telephone: +63 2 8836 5055
Manila Mobile: +63 919 866 0581
Resort Mobile: +63 919 672 6215
Email: reservations.casobe@millennial-resorts.com
Facebook: Crusoe Cabins
Instagram: @crusoecabins @casobeofficial
Official Website: https://crusoecabins.millennial-resorts.com/
DAY TRIP
Casobe is located in Sta Ana, Calatagan, Batangas about 3.5 hours away from Manila by car. It’s located in Aquaria Water Park within Playa Calatagan, which also boasts 525 meters of fine sandy beach.
I would recommend to leave the house as early as 5:00am so that you’ll arrive there before 9am. Make sure to have a full tank of gas and to load your AutoSweep RFID for SLEX and your EasyTrip RFID for CALAX.
Please make sure to bring:
✅ Resort booking confirmation.
✅ Valid government-issued ID.
✅ For guest aged 0-11 years old, a copy of birth certificate.
✅ For guest aged 12-18 years old, if not fully vaccinated a negative RT-PCR (swab or saliva) test result 72 hours before check-in OR negative Antigen test result 24 hours before check-in.
✅ A vaccination card for tourists aged 18 years and above. Otherwise, an Antigen or RT-PCR Negative Test result shall be required (valid within 72 hours).
✅ S-PASS registration to be used to apply for Travel Pass-through Permits. For more information, kindly visit https://s-pass.ph/.
✅ A face mask to be worn by all guests in all public areas as required.
Our sons are not fully vaccinated yet so they had to get negative antigen test results, certified by a DOH accredited test center, 24 hours before check-in.
We had to pass by Nasugbu to get our two teenagers tested for ₱950/each and they emailed the results in 30 minutes just before we arrived in Casobe.
STATEN DIAGNOSTIC CENTER
J P Laurel St, Daang Kawad, Nasugbu, Batangas
Contact Number: +63 931 823 3183
Expect slower check-in service because they have to check all the requirements and collect your payment. If you are not checking-in, you’ll have to pay the day trip rate.
Adult Entrance Fee (₱340 for members, ₱400 for non-members)
INCLUSIONS:
Entrance fee with access to swimming pools and beach area
Free use of Wi‐Fi
Free parking space
Additional Fees:
+ ₱30.00/person Ecological Fee
+ ₱200net/person Corkage fee for Cooked Food
Bringing of food and all kinds of beverages at the resort is not allowed; otherwise, corkage fees shall be applied accordingly. Light snacks such as chips, chocolates, soda, and bottled water are free of charge. There will be a corkage fee for cooked food, and they do not allow cooking equipment.
Note:
• Strict implementation of proper swimming attire.
• Strictly NO PETS allowed.
• In case of concerns at the checkpoint, please directly reach Front Desk at the resort, +63 919 6726 215.
AQUARIA WATERPARK (Daytrip Experience)
The boys couldn’t wait to jump into the pool to enjoy their beach escape.
The Acquaria pools are designed to be separate pockets of pools where you can enjoy your own corner and avoid over crowding.
The kids loved bringing the inflatable tub up and sliding all day.
The signature feature of the beach is the iconic swing on the beach.
(Note: The water is shallow during high tide so it is totally safe for the kids)
Make sure to reserve one of the Beach Cabanas (₱1,250) for your day trip.
There are a total of 5 cabanas but only 3 are used for social distancing. Advantage of the beach cabanas is that you can lay down and sleep.
For our trip, we stayed at one of the Boardwalk cabanas (₱1,850?), which are better for bigger families.
There are a total of 19 cabanas along a 400-meter long promenade with a a regatta walkway and support service amenities which include outdoor showers and lifeguard towers.
We loved grilling our own food and eating on the benches, which anyone can use for beach picnics.
(Note: Only thing though there were big bangaws or flies that swarm around your food. Bring cover, candles and protection from the big flies.)
Priceless shot! First time Momsy & Popsy were able to get out of the house and go to the beach since the start of the pandemic last March 2020!
There was a good selection of Filipino & Western food with cafe/bar options:
✅ The Sands – A Filipino-themed seaside restaurant featuring freshly-prepared cuisines that can be enjoyed along the beach of Calatagan.
The Sands Filipino Cuisine Main Menu | Back Menu
✅ Swing Bar – An iconic statement piece, surrounded by swings as its seats, serving cocktails and hard drinks.
The Swing Bar Menu | The Rib Shack Menu
✅ The Coffee Shack – A coffee shop at their Calatagan resort that showcases the many brews of the infamous Kapeng Barako!
We tried the Bilao Fiesta for the family. Better to lower your expectations and just be thankful because it’s amazing to have this kind of food options in a remote beach location such as Calatagan.
You can enjoy the following beach activities: volleyball, kayak, banana boat, jetski, pedal boat, and bandwagon (for additional fee).
With all that’s happening in this pandemic and just staying at home, we just enjoyed hanging out at the beach with the kids and soaking up as much sun as possible for Vitamin D and stronger immune system.
Ahh this is life! Can’t beat having the pool all to ourselves on a weekday.
Beach all day, swing all day until the sun set with Calatagan’s famous golden sunsets!
CRUSOE CABINS (Overnight Experience)
The best experience is to stay overnight on a beachfront cabin and enjoy in the comforts of your cabin.
Be ready for the campfire session with your hotdogs on your long skewers with marshmallows for the kids.
It’s low tide in the morning and there’s no exciting beach activities.
BEACHFRONT BARKADA (CABIN #8)
There are only 8 beachfront cabins so best to secure one ASAP.
Best Available Rate: ₱13,040
Birthday Staycation Deal: ₱9,124 with Special Birthday Set-up
INCLUSIONS:
• Overnight accommodation for two (2) persons
• Access to Aquaria Water Park
• Complimentary Wi-Fi access
• Complimentary parking
AMENITIES:
• Fully air-conditioned rooms
• Private toilet and bath
• Minibar
• Flat-screen TV
• Veranda
• Kitchen countertop
• Safety deposit box
BED CONFIGURATION:
• 1 queen bed and 1 double-deck bed or 2 double-deck beds
The container-vans-turned-cabins are designed with the living and dining areas in the middle.
The beach cabins have decent furniture, kitchen, and TV features but look older in terms of design.
The boys loved the bunk bed setup overlooking the sea.
There was hot and cold shower, clean toilet, and good water pressure.
Sometimes we had to wait for the hot water to activate but overall the toilets were good.
My favorite work-from-the-beach spot—the bunk bed as I was lying down while watching my son attend his online school session with an actual background of the beach.
(Note: Internet is intermittent in the beach cabin areas.)
SEAVIEW BARKADA (CABIN #17)
We also loved Cabin #17 with a view of the sea but set behind the promenade.
Best Available Rate: ₱10,960
Birthday Staycation Deal: ₱7,876
INCLUSIONS:
• Overnight accommodation for two (2) persons
• Access to Aquaria Water Park
• Complimentary Wi-Fi access
• Complimentary parking
AMENITIES:
• Fully air-conditioned rooms
• Private toilet and bath
• Minibar
• Flat-screen TV
• Veranda
• Kitchen countertop
• Safety deposit box
BED CONFIGURATION:
• 1 queen bed and 1 double-deck bed or 2 double-deck beds
It has modern furniture for hanging out during the sunset and for your family selfies.
This was the direct view from our cabin where the campfires are lit at night.
The dining tables and chairs are better and the kitchen is organized well. We enjoyed dining here with the family.
The shower has glass enclosure and a better finish. The toilet was a hit with the kids because of the lighted mirror. 🙂
The bunk beds are made from wood and not the squeaky ones with better second level beds.
The little one attending his online class in the morning. Wi-Fi was a lot better in this area, and this is the ultimate criteria for the boys.
FINAL THOUGHTS
We loved our Casobe experience because we felt safe, the cabins were cool, the beach was safe for the kids, and Aquaria was fun.
What we loved:
✅ Safety protocols and social distancing were enforced so it was totally safe to bring your parents and kids to enjoy the beach and nature. It was all al fresco and the service staff were always wearing masks.
✅ Aquaria slide was the best. Just a simple pool activity to enjoy with your little ones. Also, I liked that you can pick your corner in the pool and enjoy it safely.
✅ The Crusoe Cabins were awesome—both the Beachfront Cabins because you it was like literally sleeping on the beach and the Seaview Cabins because of the modern furniture and designs.
What can be improved:
✅ Service was slow. Check-in was inefficient, and we had to call a golf cart service several times to get one. Best to expect this and keep your patience.
✅ Food was just OK. Lower your expectations on the food because sourcing in this remote area is challenging.
✅ The big bangaws just ruin your picnic ambiance. They need to implement better ways to get rid or lessen the flies. Expect them and bring your own protection against these elements.
Thank you to the Landco and Millennial Resorts team for creating an awesome experience at Calatagan South Beach!
Ang galing! Thank you to all the service staff for taking care of our family during our awesome stay. 🙂 Keep up the good work guys!
Crusoe Cabins @ CaSoBē – Millennial Resorts
Relax, refresh, rejuvenate. This is the absolute mantra in gorgeous CaSoBē. With equal parts classic and sustainable, it is the place where you’re enabled to find your perfect balance of wealth, health, and beauty. Pair CaSoBē’s Zen lifestyle with Calatagan’s serene beauty and travelers will find themselves going with the flow without a worry in the world.
Calatagan South Beach, Brgy. Sta. Ana, Calatagan
Manila Telephone: +63 2 8836 5055
Manila Mobile: +63 919 866 0581
Resort Mobile: +63 919 672 6215
Email: reservations.casobe@millennial-resorts.com
Facebook: Crusoe Cabins
Instagram: @crusoecabins
Official Website: https://crusoecabins.millennial-resorts.com/
Live an Awesome Life with Christ,
Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: We got discounted rates from our friends from Landco during our stay. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. There are Cocoon accommodation options if you want a cooler camping vibe.
You can reserve a cluster of cocoons for your family.
A cocoon has one bed just like the capsule hostels in Japan.
Only thing is that there is only one common restroom and shower for a cocoon cluster.
