Heading Subic Bay anytime soon? Let me share with you some ideas on where to go. SBMA or Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority has been a part of me since I was a kid, and I am proud of this place because they were able to maintain the discipline in the area (though it wasn’t as disciplined as before). There are lots of tourist attractions that you can visit, so if you are planning to spend your weekend or vacation in Subic Bay, here are some places that you may consider:

1. Funtastic Park – An educational fun park that offers several indoor and outdoor activities such as Mirror Maze, Dark Room, 3D Enchanted Forest, 3D Trick Art, Optical Illusion, Garden Maze Adventure, Souvenir Shop, Cafe, and many more.

Ticket:

Kids: P220.00

Adult: P250.00

We were also able to get 1 free 3D animation movie experience pass (you may choose from rollercoaster, underwater, horror, etc). Ticket cost for this, if you want to get more passes, is 50.00 per person.

Address: Bldg. 2070 Corregidor Highway, Ilanin Forest Area, SBFZ

Operating Hours: 9:00AM – 6:00PM

Contact Number: (047) 252-3099

2. Magaul Bird Park (Jest Camp) – This is a park with different kinds of birds. Aside from the bird park, they also give basic jungle survival training (making kitchen utensils, fire, out of bamboo, etc). They also offer a lot of outdoor activities such as arial walk, giant swing, life sized angry bird, and a lot more. Unfortunately, we were not able to try these because they were undergoing maintenance to improve their service. Another unfortunate thing is that their Bird House Cafe was closed that time and I learned from the tour guide that management is now deciding if they will continue or close the operation because the cafe only has few customers.

Kawayan Kitchen is also in this place. They offer several Filipino foods cooked using bamboo. They operate only until 4:30pm so if you arrive in the afternoon, I suggest that you dine in this place first before proceeding to your tour.

Entrance Fee: P250.00 inclusive of 2 hour tour with assigned tour guide

Operating Hours: 8:00AM – 5:00PM

Address: Upper Mau, Cubi-Triboa, SBFZ

Contact Number: (047) 252-1489

3. Malawaan Park – A recreational park that is best especially for those who are on a tight budget. This park is open to public and there is no entrance fee nor hidden charges. These are the activities that you can do:

1. Picnic – Just bring and set-up your food/drinks and picnic blanket, and have fun! No picnic blanket? No problem. The park also has plenty of cottages where you can stay. Just a reminder, alcoholic beverages are not allowed.

2. Fishing – This is also for free, even if you catch a fish, but you have to bring your own fishing rod.

Malawaan Park also has mini playground for kids.

Operating Hours: 24/7

Address: Argonaut Highway, Subic Bay Freeport Zone (Beside Sea Port)

Entrance Fee: FREE

4. Zoobic Safari – Adventure park that is also known to have the first and only tiger safari in the Philippines. Zoobic Safari has different kinds of animals, mostly wild, and they also showcases the talents of indigenous people of Zambales. Just a friendly advise, go early if you want to really experience tiger safari as they cannot really guarantee that tigers will come close to you in the afternoon after being fed whole day.

Operating Hours: 8:00am – 4:00 pm

Address: Group I Ilanin Forest, Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Telephone: (047) 252-2272 / 09297072222

Rate: Php 695.00 per person

5. Bat Kingdom – You’ll be able to see bats, hanging on the trees, on your way to Ocean Adventure / Camayan Beach Resort. These bats look like leaves at first but when you look at them carefully, you’ll see colony of bats flying around the trees. Bat Kingdom is just located along the road, in front of old Fedex Office, and you do not have to pay entrance fee to enjoy the view.

How to get to Subic Bay Freeport Zone (From Manila):

1. Private Car

Option 1.

– NLEX Balintawak – P45.00

– SCTEX to SFEX/Tipo – P429.00

Total: P474.00

Option 2.

– NLEX Balintawak – P45.00

– San Fernando Exit – P169.00

– SCTEX Dinalupihan – SFEX/Tipo – P60.00

Total: P274.00

Option 3.

– NLEX Balintawak – P45.00

– San Fernando Exit – 169.00

– SFEX/Tipo Exit – P25.00

Total: P239.00

Option 4.

– NLEX Balintawak – 45.00

– San Fernando Exit – 169.00

– Service Rd from San Fernando to Olongapo – P0.00

– Olongapo to Subic Gate – P0.00

Total: P214.00

If you are traveling via private car, please do not disregard traffic rules. SBMA is very strict in implementing the stop and go / first to stop, first to go policy, so when you get to see a stop sign, make sure to stop for at least 2 seconds before crossing the intersection. Do not just follow the car in front of you unless there is a traffic light. Be mindful as well of your speed. You may not see a traffic enforcer but cars as still being monitored.

2. Public Transportation

– Victory Liner Bus to Olongapo

https://www.victoryliner.com/FareMatrix.aspx

– Yellow or Red Jeepney from Victory Liner Terminal to Magsaysay – P8.00 per person

– Walk from Magsaysay to Subic Bay Entrance Gate

Travel time from Manila to Subic, whether private or public vehicle is 3 to 4 hours. Aside from taxi, you will not find any public transportation inside Subic Bay, but some places offer free shuttle service.

(There are still a lot that you can visit. I’ll include more some other time.😊)