Summer Getaways in Nueva Ecija

Discover Nueva Ecija’s Best Summer Getaways

Are you looking for summer getaways close to Metro Manila to disappear to for a few days or a weekend away with friends and family? I have just the place for you. The Province of Nueva Ecija.

There are rivers, canyons, farms, resorts and museums just to mention some of the attractions to be found here.Nueva Ecija is just 4 hours away from Metro Manila, is easily accessible via the NLEX Expressway and has so much to offer to keep you and your family occupied for many days. There are no beaches in Nueva Ecija but the Province has a beauty all of its own.

Nueva Ecija Quick Facts

Nueva Ecija is a landlocked province in the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the city of Palayan. Nueva Ecija borders, from the south clockwise, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya and Aurora. The Province covers an area of 5.751 sq km and is made up of 27 Municipalities – Wikipedia

Summer Getaways in Nueva Ecija

To escape the summer heat we need water, and lots of it.

We can choose between a modern resort like Crystal Waves Resort with its swimming pools, wave pool, waterslides and other water based amusements, or we can get back to nature and find a safe river to swim and keep cool in, such as the Sumacbao River winding and cutting its way through limestone the cliffs of Minalungao National Park.

For those who don’t like water and would prefer a countryside adventure with lots of shade, Nueva Ecija has an Eco farm in the Municipality of General Tinio, PMP Paradise Farm.

I recently had the pleasure of experiencing these Summer Getaways in Nueva Ecija first hand as part of Lakbay Norte 6, a Media tour planned by the ( NVPB )North Philippines Visitors Bureau.

 (Cover Photo by Martin San Diego.Courtesy of NPVB)

Summer Getaways in Nueva Ecija #1

Crystal Wave Hotel and Resort was founded by Rolando San Pedro. The Resort is family-owned and managed by Rolando San Pedro’s children. It has recently been redeveloped and offers the amenities such as a Wave Pool, an Olympic size swimming pool and childrens paddling pool, so there is plenty of water around which is ideal for summer getaways from the Metro.

The water racing slide is one the longest and highest  slides in the Philippines. You can also get out of your comfort zone and test your fear of heights by having a go on the zip line, do some wall climbing and rappelling. Away from the pool areas is a grassed area where you can play giant board games like snakes and ladders or just chill on.. one or some of the huge scatter cushions lying around.

Crystal Waves Hotel and Resort in Nueva Ecija should be on your list of must-visit this summer. There are so many fun things to do like swimming in their wave pool, conquer your fear of heights on the zipline, swoosh down their giant slide, and take selfies on their landscaped garden. 
Mark Conrad Maramag of Plan Your Trip Now

Crystal Resort Contact Details

Address: Maharlika Highway, Dinarayat, Talavera, Nueva Ecija
Mobile number  0906-081-6641
Email crystalwavesresort@gmail.com
Facebook Crystal Waves Hotel and Resort
Instagram  @Crystalwaves_official

Summer Getaways in Nueva Ecija #2

Minalungao National Park in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains, takes it’s name from two local words – “Mina” meaning Mine and “Langaw” meaning Cave.So the clue is in the name. Minalungao is a place where several channelling caves are found.

There are stories that the Japanese soldiers hid their looted treasures in one of the caves during the 2nd World War when the Americans returned to Liberate the Archipelago.Minalungao with the Sumacbao River cutting through the tall limestone cliffs has become one of the Summer Getaways for the population of Metro Manila.

Besides rafting the river, visitors can enjoy the 300 metre long zipline, walk across the 80 metre Hanging Bridge and follow the path up 1000 steps to the top of the hill where a tall Glass Cross stands and enjoy the view over the surrounding countryside and even over to Mt. Arayat in Pampanga.

The first I saw Minalungao Park in photos, I knew I would want to visit it one day. The rock formations surrounding the Peñaranda river is simply amazing. Who would expect that such a natural wonder exists in the quiet Province of Nueva Ecija? You can do a number of activities in the place but what I like most is the bamboo rafting. Standing in the midst of the river while seeing those rock formations was really refreshing for someone like me surrounded by tall buildings almost everyday.
Arrianne Guzman Go Travel First

How to get to Minalungao National Park

Take a Victory Liner bus heading to Gapan/Cabanatuan. Fare is P150-P200. Estimated travel time: 2-3 hours

Then from Gapan find  a jeepney going to General Tinio. From General Tinio ride a tricycle to Minalungao Park. P50/person ****** You could also hire a tricycle from Gapan to Minalungao Park, P500-P600/tricycle. The tricycle will wait for you and return you back to Gapan. Estimated travel time: 1-1.5 hours

By Car or Van Take NLEX Northbound and Exit at Sta. Rita. Proceed right and go along the Candaba – San Miguel Road until you reach Bucana, Gapan.
*** Upon reaching Gapan, ask the locals the best route to Minalungao National Park since there are several roads leading to the park. *** Estimated travel time: 4-5 hours

Further details can be obtained from Ms. Diana Rose Cunano Municipal Tourism Officer (044) 958-2874 Local 104

Summer Getaways in Nueva Ecija #3

PMP Paradise Farm is set in 250 hectares of farmland in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains. The once barren hills has been transformed by its owner, Major Pagtalunan, into this man-made Paradise Farm with orchards, vegetable gardens and rice paddies. Farm animals roam the fields and migratory birds find a haven here to rest from their long travels.

The farm has several man-made and also natural lakes filled with Tilapia, Hito and Bulig fish. These lakes are used to irrigate the rice paddies and since there is an abundance of water, the farm is able to have three crops of rice a year.

Visitors to the farm can enjoy fishing using a traditional bamboo pole and cooking their catch on a BBQ, making traditional local delicacies such as Palitaw and Nilupak, horse riding and herding sheep.

Watch an excerpt of a video recording of our Lakbay Norte 6 PMP Paradise Farm Tour 
Video recording from Buhay Pinoy TV.

Puno’s Ice Cream, Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija