Planning a camping trip with your barkada can be a challenge — not everyone is up for roughing it. But who says you have to sacrifice comfort (and style) to enjoy the great outdoors? These glamping sites in the Philippines are great options for your next trip with friends!
Also read: 7 Tips for Easier Group Trip Planning
1. The Birdhouse El Nido, Palawan
This luxurious island getaway takes camping to a whole new level. Situated just metres from Maremegmeg Beach in El Nido, The Birdhouse’s glampsite consists of three luxury tents they call ‘nests’. Each nest can house up to four people, and comes with an adjacent outdoor lounging area, and a private bathroom. Your stay comes with complimentary breakfasts, too! From here, you can enjoy views of Bacuit Bay, Cadlao Island, and Helicopter Island. In addition, this glamping site is a great point from which you can explore El Nido’s many (45!) beautiful islands.
Maximum number of guests: 4
For more information, click here
How to get to The Birdhouse from Manila: Fly directly to El Nido, or fly to Puerto Princesa then take a van or shuttle bus to El Nido. When you get to El Nido, take a tricycle to Maremegmeg Beach. From there, it’s a 5-10 minute walk to The Birdhouse.
2. Thelma and Toby’s Island Camping Adventure, Palawan
This tropical glampsite in San Vicente, Palawan is a gem for travellers who wish to live the island life! Thelma and Toby’s Island Camping Adventure has a total of nine tents, each covered by a nipa roof and mosquito nets on all sides. In each tent, you’ll find one double bed, with extra space for mattresses should you wish to share a tent with a few more people. While you won’t get any Wi-Fi or cellular reception here, you definitely won’t run out of things to do. The food is great, the beach is right at your doorstep, and there are so many island activities to enjoy!
Maximum number of guests: 4
For more information, click here
How to get to Thelma and Toby’s from Manila: Fly to San Vicente. From the airport, it’s a 15-minute tricycle ride to Port Barton. Then, it’s a 20-minute boat ride to Thelma and Toby’s.
3. Bluewater Sumilon, Cebu
Bluewater Sumilon’s glampsite is located on the lagoon beach side of the island. A stay at one of their five air-conditioned tents includes an in-tent minibar, and a full range of daily meals, and an introduction to bushcrafting. (Yes, you read that right!) This glamping site not only provides you with a different outdoor experience — it’s also a great training ground for a true blue camping experience. In addition to the bushcrafting class, you can even choose to sharpen your outdoor skills and enjoy activities like primitive cooking, knife care, and fire making!
Maximum number of guests: 3
For more information, click here
How to get to Bluewater Sumilon from Manila: Fly to Cebu City. From there, it’s a three-hour bus ride to Oslob. When you get to Barangay Boncogan, you can take a 15-minute private jetty ride to Sumilon Island.
4. Crystal Beach Resort, Zambales
This one’s a great pick for groups of friends looking for a glamping site near Manila — and for those who love to surf! A not-so-touristy spot in San Narciso, Zambales, this glamping site provides a quiet and laid back escape from the city. A stay at one of Crystal Beach’s tents includes two single beds with a complete set of bedding, towels and toiletries, and a complimentary breakfast. While they have a restaurant in the vicinity, meals are admittedly pricey! As a result, you might want to use their cooking facilities if you’re on a budget.
Maximum number of guests: 3
For more information, click here
How to get to Crystal Beach Resort from Manila: From Cubao, Pasay, Caloocan, or Sampaloc, take the Victory Liner bus bound for Iba, Zambales. Have yourself dropped off near San Sebastian Church at San Narciso. Take a trike to Crystal Beach Resort.
5. The Glamp, Zambales
Another glamping site near Manila, the Glamp Zambales is specifically located in Liw-Liwa, San Felipe. They aim to provide the premier glamping experience, and their stellar reviews show that they’re doing it right. In addition to their comfy air-conditioned tents, their common bathroom areas are clean and well-maintained (plus, their toilets come with bidets!). What truly sets The Glamp apart is how their packages include a s’mores kit to enjoy at their fire pit, and complimentary foot massage services! Their friendly and accommodating staff will make you feel right at home, too.
Maximum number of guests: 8
For more information, click here
How to get to The Glamp from Manila: From Cubao, Pasay, Caloocan, or Sampaloc, take the Victory Liner bus bound for Iba, Zambales. Have yourself dropped off at the tricycle station at San Felipe (nearby landmarks include a 7-Eleven and the town market). Take a tricycle to The Glamp. (A tip: Let the tricycle driver know it’s located behind an establishment called Mommy Phoebe.)
6. Nayomi Sanctuary Resort
Another glamping site near Manila, Nayomi Sanctuary provides an experience ideal for both families and big groups of friends. The spacious site has a total of 10 tents that each have their own bathrooms and decks for outdoor lounging. At these tents, you’ll find comfy double beds, towels, and industrial electric fans. A stay here will also get you complimentary breakfast and access to Nayomi Sanctuary’s restaurant, bar, and pool. And most noteworthy, you can also enjoy a nighttime bonfire and an outdoor movie!
Maximum number of guests: 9
For more information, click here
How to get to Nayomi Sanctuary from Manila: From Cubao or LRT Buendia, take a JAM Liner to Lipa. Get dropped off at Jollibee along President P. Laurel Highway. Cross the street and take a jeep to Robinson’s or SM. Go down at Starbucks near Shakey’s. From the nearby terminal, take a tricycle to Nayomi Sanctuary Resort.
7. Nurture Wellness Village, Tagaytay
Escape Manila’s crazy heat and book a stay at this glamping site in Tagaytay! Nurture Wellness Village takes the glamping experience up a notch with its air-conditioned tents, BBQ dinner and Arrozcaldo breakfast, bonfire, and swimming pool. Their packages for big groups come with 24-hour butler service, while their offerings for couples include a 30-minute head and shoulder massage! Whether you travel in pairs or with a group, you can avail of their complimentary activities like their farm tour, healthy juice demo, and coffee roasting demo.
Maximum number of guests: 8
For more information, click here
How to get to Nurture Wellness Village from Manila: From the Araneta Bus Terminal in Cubao, take a bus heading to Nasugbu-Tagaytay. From Olivarez Plaza, take a cab to Nurture Wellness Village.
8. Waling-Waling EcoVillage, Calaguas
If you’re looking for the perfect place to go off the grid, then you’ve found it! Waling-Waling EcoVillage, located in Calaguas in Camarines Norte, isn’t your regular glamping spot per se. Here, instead of tents, you’ll find 16 open-air cabanas by the beachfront. Because you won’t find any mobile reception or internet connection on the island, you won’t have any choice but to unplug and unwind. Besides lazing around at a pretty private slice of the beach, you can also go island hopping and trekking nearby!
Maximum number of guests: 4
For more information, click here
How to get to Waling-Waling EcoVillage from Manila: Fly to Naga. From the Naga Van Terminal, you can hire a van to take you to Daet. From there, take a public van to Paracale. Alternatively, you can take a Superlines bus straight to Paracale from Manila (this will take around eight hours). From the fish port, take a boat to Waling-Waling in Mahabang Buhangin, Calaguas Island.
9. Glamping Siquijor
With tents that can accommodate up to 20 people each, Glamping Siquijor is perfect for the ultimate barkada experience! At this beachfront glampsite, the number one rule is to enjoy yourselves — and they provide the amenities to make sure that you do! Each tent has its own furnished deck where you can lounge and have your own private barbeque. And what’s more, this glamping site is a great springboard for exploring the famously mystical island of Siquijor.
Maximum number of guests: 20
For more information, click here
How to get to Glamping Siquijor from Manila: Fly to Dumaguete City. From the port, take an OceanJet to Larena Port, Siquijor. Or, fly to Tagbilaran City and take a ferry via Lite Ferry Vessels to Larena Port.
10. Sand and Stars, Aurora
Sand and Stars, located in Dinadiawan, Aurora, is another great option for you and your barkada. It’s just a road trip away, and with their wallet-friendly rates, you’ll surely get more bang for your buck when you’re travelling with a big group! Cosy and cute, their tents are covered with nipa roofs, keeping them cool on hot days and dry in case of rain. At this glamping site, feel free to relax on one of the hammocks, splay out on the beach, or play a few rounds of beach volleyball!
Maximum number of guests: 8
For more information, click here
How to get to Sand and Stars from Manila: From Pasay or Cubao, take the Joybus to Baler (around four to six hours depending on traffic). Upon arrival, take a tricycle to the bus terminal for Casiguran. From there, it’s a one and a half-hour ride to Dinadiawan, where you’ll find Sand and Stars.
Also read: 6 Backpacking Tips for & from a High-Maintenance Female Traveller
Are you ready to plan your barkada camping trip yet? We hope this list of glamping sites in the Philippines was a big help!
Let us know how your trip goes! Don’t forget to tag us at @tripzillaph on Instagram.
Also read: 10 Campsites Near Manila for Your Scary Campfire Stories
