Botolan is a town of the province of Zambales in the Philippines. Situated at the foot of the Mount Pinatubo massif, it combines cultural heritage and natural wonders within its territory, despite challenges brought by the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991.
Understand
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Botolan was established by the Spanish in 1572. Its original inhabitants where the dark-skinned Aetas, who continue to farm in the slopes of the Zambales Mountains and Mount Pinatubo.
In 1991, the town was devastated by ashfall caused by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, part of which lies within Botolan. Pinatubo further inflicted misery on the town as it filled the Bucao River with lahar, burying villages under volcanic mud and repeatedly cutting the only bridge linking it to Metro Manila during the rainy season. Despite this, Botolan recovered as displaced residents were resettled in planned communities, while tourists tired of congested and partially-urbanized trails in neighboring Pampanga began showing up in town for its longer and more challenging trails to the crater lake of Mount Pinatubo before coming down to its beaches later in the day.
Get in
[edit]Botolan lies along the Olongapo-Bugallon Road, the main thoroughfare in Zambales. It is accessible by bus from Metro Manila, with Victory Liner passing by the town as part of their infrequent daily trips to the provincial capital, Iba, immediately to the north, or to Santa Cruz. An alternative option is to switch to jeepneys or passenger vans in Olongapo.
Get around
[edit]Tricycles are the main mode of transportation between barangays.
See
[edit]- 1 Mount Pinatubo. Inevitably associated with the town, the volcano is the biggest draw in the area, particularly its crater lake and the lunar landscapes created along its gullies following the 1991 eruptions. In comparison to the trails in Pampanga and Tarlac, the trails from the Botolan side involve longer distances through the lunar landscapes of the Bucao River, and lesser amenities.
- 2 Saint Monica Parish Church (Botolan Church), Santa Monica Street, Tampo. Botolan's main Roman Catholic church, built during the Spanish era in 1736 with a triangular facade.
- 3 Tukal-Tukal Falls (Hagdan-Hagdanan Falls), Malomboy. A waterfall on the slopes of Mount Mangkirat.
- 4 Bancal Ecopark, Bancal. An ecotourism park along the Bancal River featuring kayaking trips and tours of the mangroves at the nearby estuary.
- 5 Capayawan Beach, Capayawan. A stretch of beach used more often by local residents and tourists seeking budget-friendly options.
- 6 Ina Poonbato Shrine, Loob Bunga. A shrine dedicated to the venerated Marian image of Ina Poonbato (Mother Lord of the Rocks), a sculpture of the Virgin May discovered on a rock by Aeta villagers in the 1600s and relocated following the Pinatubo eruption in 1991. Its religious importance increased when the statue was found undamaged by lahar flows amid the ruins of its original location in the barangay of Poonbato.
Do
[edit]Hike Mount Pinatubo and descend to the beaches in one day.
- 1 Camp Kainomayan, San Juan. The base camp for expeditions leading to Pinatubo. It also features recreational amenities such as a swimming pool, a zip line and wall climbing spots, in addition to a tourist information center from where packages to Pinatubo and related attractions can be negotiated.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Botolan Public Market, Olongapo-Bugallon Road, Batonlapoc.
Eat
[edit]Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Sundowners Beach Villas, Baba Panayunan Road, Purok 5, Danacbunga, ☏ +63 917 133 3007, +63 968 723 0003, [email protected]. A resort overlooking a gray sand beach with an infinity pool and individual swimming pools for some rooms.
- 2 Kalinto Resort, Danacbunga, ☏ +63 962 618 8098, +63 945 564 9569, [email protected].
- 3 C&J Sunset View Resort, Olongapo-Bugallon Road, Binoclutan.
- 4 Haya Nature Resort, Panan.
- 5 Ambay Botolan Beach Resort, Binoclutan.
- 6 Inner Circles Inn, Santiago.
- 7 Balihay Resort, Binoclutan.
- 8 Haven Beach Resort, Purok 4, Binoclutan.
- 9 Rama International Beach Resort, Binoclutan.
- 10 Pantamnan Resort, Baba Panayunan Road, Purok 5, Danacbunga.
Stay safe
[edit]Climbing Mount Pinatubo is not for the faint hearted. Permits are required to undertake the hike, and will only be given to those with climbing experience. It is best to arrange such trips with a reputable tour operator.
Botolan's beaches, with their strong currents and waves facing the South China Sea, are more ideal for surfing than for long-distance swimming.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]| Routes through Botolan |
| Bolinao ← Iba ← | N  S
|
→ Cabangan → Olongapo |