In our previous getaway, we were invited to Porto Laiya, a private residential and beach resort community located in Barangay Laiya Ibabao, San Juan, Batangas City. The beach resort in this exclusive estate is known to many as the Tamarind Cove. If you plan a visit, here is a guide on the rates, attractions, activities, directions, and other related information that may be useful for you!
The Tamarind Cove Beach Resort is essentially exclusive for the residents of Porto Laiya. Recently the resort community opened its doors to non-residents who want to invest in the property. Prospective clients can attend the scheduled open house, look into the vast estate, and spend a day by the beach.
Rates
For Porto Laiya residents
With a pay-per-use basis, guests need to pay the following rates:
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| Tamarind Cove Beach Resort Rates |
For non-residents
Since the resort is exclusive, non-residents who are not planning to buy a lot in Porto Laiya have two possible options to enjoy Tamarind Cove:
1) Have an endorsement from a resident and avail of a day pass – For security reasons, Tamarind Cove will only accept reservation from guests endorsed by a Porto Laiya homeowner.
2) Rent on a commercial property in Porto Laiya – you can rent a house in Porto Laiya for about PHP25,000 to PHP 30,000 per night. The number of people to be accommodated would be around 10 – 15.
Once approved for reservation, you can expect to spend roughly Php 1000 for a day in Tamarind Cove (including the fare, entrance fees, rental fees, food etc).
Here is a breakdown: Php 200 for entrance fee, Php 300 for the use of the infinity pool, Php 200 for the fare, Php 200 for food and Php 100 for a shared expense such as snorkeling or Nipa hut rental.
Attractions
Well, some of us live to document our getaways right? And some might be eagerly concerned about the “instagram worthiness” of this place. You’d be happy to know that the attractions at Tamarind Cove are “instagrammable”.
While you can expect to enjoy playing in the pool or the beach area, you can also enjoy taking loads of photos in the lounge area, wood pavilions and cabanas, on the interesting rocks and mangroves, on the banca or bamboo raft, under the stands of coconuts and tamarind trees, even in the changing room. You can use your cameras pretty much every where…
MORE PHOTOS HERE
Among my favorite attractions is the infinity pool. It’s stretched long enough to challenge my breast stroke, and designed wide enough for five of us to swim in circle for a decent aerial shot.
I figured it has different sections, each with its own purpose.
One is for small children. I noticed that the son of my blogger friend enjoyed walking back and forth, dipping and playing in this part of the pool. The greater area is for those who are serious about swimming (or those serious about taking drone shots). The sections on either sides are for sipping and dipping.
Sipping and dipping…
I really wished I had a drink on my hand while I dipping in the pool. It was rejuvenating to be sun-kissed and at the same time dipped in the cold waters, looking to view of the Sigayan Bay and the mountainous boundaries of Lobo…
If you get tired of swimming, you can recline in the lounge chairs and have a good read or opt to hang out at the pavilion. These wooden shelters are situated right next to a garden of familiar plants I am not sure of the names.
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| Some trees in Tamarind Cove I admire most |
You can also take a leisure walk into a plantation of coconuts or the tamarind trees above… A few minutes around these trees restored my sanity, so to speak.
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| Who wants some coconut? |
The changing room is air-conditioned. It is well-maintained as it should be and designed in a contemporary style that is “elegant and functional”.
The shower room has rain-head showers and a section where you can conveniently place your stuff without having to worry if they’d get soaked as you clean up.
Other available devices/ necessities: power outlet, whole body mirror, sink, hand dryer, trash bins, hand soap, tissue.
Pro-tip: Bring your own towel and toiletries
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| I’d love to hang out in these Nipa huts |
The Nipa Huts for rent are surrounded by coconut trees. Generally speaking, here is the place you are allowed to eat (whatever you want). This is strictly implemented for the convenience of everyone. I particularly appreciate this policy because I myself don’t want to get inconvenienced by dining guests or be put off by the sight of left overs or improperly disposed food.
There are rock formations in some parts of the beach. There is also a mangrove from a distance. You can take photos in these places but let me just warn you, the rocks are sharp and might hurt your soles.
I did these “tiis ganda” poses though:
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| these rocks surprised me in some ways (not easy on the feet but a great platform for camwhoring and beach-ing) |
You can use a “banca” for a boat trip around Sigayan Bay. I am not sure of you can go fishing though.
Snorkeling is a popular activity at Tamarind Cove. Basically, this activity is free of charge but you have to ride on a “balsa” or a bamboo raft to get to the snorkeling site. The bamboo raft rental fee is PHP 500 per hour and is good for sharing. In our case, we were 11 people on the raft, nine guests plus the two “bangkeros”(?).
At the snorkeling site, we enjoyed dipping, (more) photographing, and surely snorkeling (but) just around the “balsa”. The water currents are strong but didn’t stop us from having fun.
The coral reefs in Tamarind Cove are not so colorful but you’d be impressed they are well-preserved! Owe it to the property’s exclusivity, snorkeling here is a pleasure.
Having experienced it myself, I highly recommend snorkeling at Tamarind Cove for your fresh eyes to see! Well, with a snorkeling mask for that matter! In case you forget your snorkeling mask, you can rent for Php 100.
Other activities to enjoy
If you happen to have watersports vehicles, this is the place where you can bring and enjoy them! While snorkeling is a main activity here, the fun is not limited and you can bring your own kind of fun, maybe a jetski or your own paddle board. You can use these babies at no additional cost. But of course, you need to inform the management that you intend to bring any of them.
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| Preparing to raft through the snorkeling site! |
Food
There is no corkage fee.
You can bring your own food and beverage inside Tamarind Cove. There are guidelines to follow though specifically on areas where you dine and regarding proper waste disposal.
Cooking is not allowed onsite but you can order grilled fish from the restaurant or other slowcooked meals available.
If the restaurant is unavailable, you can bring precooked meals. No alcoholic beverage in the premise but caffeine is very much welcome!
Pro-tip: Bring a pre-cooked meal, ice container, snacks, and beverage
Swimming Guidelines
Guest are expected to be in proper swimming attire: swimsuit for ladies and swimming trunks for men.
All users must shower before entering the swimming pool.
Where to stay
If you want to stay overnight, you can make use of some commercial properties within the subdivision. The overnight rental fees for such properties vary. There is one for Php25,000 for 10-15 pax and another for Php 30,000. (I am not so sure about this, but will update this post once i confirm)
Other important things to remember
As per the copy in the consolidated guidelines for the use of the facilities and beach area of Tamarind Cove, here are other important things guests should remember:
- No pets allowed in the area
- Guests are expected to observe proper waste disposal
- Any loss or damage to the facility shall be charged to the person who made the reservation
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| male bloggers’ LAIYA tableau |
Payment and reservation
The fees must be paid prior to the time of reservations. Guests can pay at the ARDC collection office in Makati City.
Again, to make a reservation, you need to have an endorsement from any Porto Laiya homeowner. If you don’t know anyone, sadly you cannot go.
How to get to Tamarind Cove
You can check how to get to this place here: Getting to Porto Laiya
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| posing under the sun with blogger friends |
Parting words
You don’t need to travel far to enjoy the refreshing beach waters and white sand this summer. If you know a resident from Porto Laiya or if you are a resident of this exclusive community, you can head to Tamarind Cove and make a memorable getaway with family or friends. Just don’t forget the guidelines above before your beach getaway!
