I visited Tali Beach for the first time last Wednesday when we went on a typical Filipino family outing. That meant dad, mom, brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces all went out together for some rest and recreation.

I had not been to Nasugbu in decades. If memory serves me right, my last visit to the place was in the early 1990′s, when we went to Pico de Loro with my friends from the UP Outdoor Recreation Group. SM Development Corporation was not yet in the picture at the time. We had taken a bus from Manila to Nasugbu town proper, before a jeepney ride brought us to a small pier where we boarded a boat that finally took us to Pico de Loro cove. I will never forget how excited I was seeing the pico de loro (parrot’s beak) and being in awe of the constantly changing mountain scenery around us as our motorized banca sliced through the emerald waters. That trip is forever etched in my memory not only because of the beauty of the surrounding mountains and the sea but also because it was the first time I saw a cove full of sea urchins, one of which pierced my left foot, leaving three broken spines embedded in my flesh. (Ouch!!!)

Driving along the long road of Nasugbu brought back all those memories of when I was young and carefree and preoccupied with only my selfish interests, my love for the outdoors and discovering what the world had to offer me.

Fast forward to almost 20 years hence. Here I was, married to my high-school batch president, a stay-at-home mother of two, on the way to Nasugbu to take my children to the beach for the first time.

I have always wondered what was so special about Tali Beach. I have heard friends and officemates talk about it as if it were some secret paradise of sorts. The only thing I knew about it was that it is an exclusive subdivision by the sea where the rich families have built vacation homes.

When we finally got there, I saw big houses. Some were new, some were old but they were large vacation homes nevertheless. The entrance to Tali Beach is simple and down-to-earth, a stark contrast to the lifestyles of the people occupying the homes therein.

We visited three of the seven beaches there: Main Beach, Marina Beach and Sunset Beach. To keep expectations realistic and avoid major disappointments, one should keep in mind that this is Batangas and not Boracay.

Main beach is the best spot for swimming. The sand has been cleaned of stones and prickly dead corals. There is a volleyball court, too. The shady tree on the beach allows one to take a dip even at high noon without burning one’s skin. The disadvantage is, people flock to this place, which is not very spacious to begin with.

What I like most about Marina Beach is the ample space and privacy that it affords the vacationer. A plus, too, is the convenience of being able to drive one’s car down the beach area. It is however not as well-kept as the Main Beach. The shore has a mix of sand and small pieces of broken corals. If you do not mind this kind of thing, then this beach is worth checking out.

Sunset Beach is aptly named as it is the best spot to watch the sunset. It is not ideal for swimming, though. From here you could get a good look at Tali Cliff, which is another popular spot in Tali Beach. The house above Tali Cliff has also been the subject of much talk. Depending on which caretaker in the area you speak with, the house is either owned by Atty. Villaraza or by former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos. The one I spoke with confirmed that it is owned by President Ramos…

At the end of our trip which my family enjoyed immensely, I would say that the mystique of Tali Beach lies in the fact that this enclave was once only strictly accessible to the country’s affluent class. Now that some homes are being rented out, the opportunity to take a peek into the lives of the country’s economic elite is something that no other beach destination will be able to provide. The idea that one gets to experience, even for a while, a slice of the privileged life is something that mere mortals like us will find hard to resist.

And that, I think, is what sets Tali Beach apart from other beach destinations.

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To get to Tali Beach from Manila, take South Luzon Expressway. Take Santa Rosa exit and follow the road. Turn right at the end of the Santa Rosa-Silang Road. This leads to Tagaytay City. Upon reaching Tagaytay City, follow the Aguinaldo Highway until you reach Nasugbu, Batangas. Upon reaching an interchange (Likuan), make a right in the direction of Nasugbu. Upon reaching a Shell gas station, make a right turn. You will go past the Nasugbu town proper and reach Bgy. Wawa. When you reach a fork, make a right and follow the road. You will be passing Canyon Cove, Kawayan Cove, Terrazas de Punta Fuego and Munting Buhangin. After this, you will see a white guardhouse which is the entrance to Tali Beach.

 

 

For accommodations at Tali Beach, you may contact:

Joseph Ibe – 0920 951 6048 (Tali Beach houses for rent)

talibeachhouse.multiply.com

rineydoo.multiply.com/photos/album/58

www.tali-beach.com

bmirealty.tripod.com/id32.html

www.losbalconesph.com

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Tags: nasugbu batangas, tali beach, tali beach accommodations, tali beach house for rent, tali beach nasugbu, tali main beach, tali marina beach, tali sunset beach