Major city · Philippines
San Antonio, ZambalesSan Antonio
Go for 2 nights if you want the coves: base in Pundaquit, take a boat to Anawangin or Nagsasa, and skip the town centre itself.
San Antonio is a west-coast Zambales town on the Subic Peninsula whose draw is a chain of coves reached only by boat or on foot: Anawangin, Nagsasa, Talisayen, Silanguin, plus Capones and Camara islands offshore. The town centre is a market-and-tricycle place; almost everything a visitor wants sits in Pundaquit, the port barangay, or on a camping beach with no road access. Two nights is the working minimum for one cove plus one island; three if you want two coves or a hike up Mount Pundaquit.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PHP
- Best months
- Dec–May (dry season; calm sea for boat crossings)
- avoid Jul–Sep (southwest monsoon: rough crossings, boats cancelled), Holy Week and weekends (coves crowded with Manila campers)
- Airports
- CRK · MNL
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Philippines ↗Complete the free eTravel registration on the official government site within 72 hours before arrival; ignore lookalike sites that charge.
- Philippines ↗Typhoon season runs roughly June to November: flights and boats are cancelled at short notice; buy flexible tickets and keep a spare day.
- Philippines ↗Carry pesos in small notes; many stalls, jeepneys and taxis are cash-only.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for San Antonio, Zambales911 ▾
- National emergency911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about San Antonio, Zambales, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Philippine pesos (₱) in small notes for jeepneys, market stalls, tips and taxis; malls and hotels take cards.Philippines-wide
- SIM or eSIMGlobe and Smart sell SIMs at airports; SIM registration with passport is required by law.Philippines-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations cheap.Philippines-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% if no service charge.Philippines-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Philippines-wide
- SafetyThe town itself is calm; the real risks are at sea and on the coves.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsCalled 'CR' (comfort room); bring tissue; many lack toilet seats.Philippines-wide
- Emergency numbers911 National emergency
- Sundays & holidaysHoly Week shuts much; malls open daily; banks closed weekends.Philippines-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCRK Clark International (About 2.5–3 h by road via Olongapo; the usual arrival for fly-in visitors).
- Getting aroundTricycles link the barangays and the town centre; agree the fare before you board.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or bottled water₱30–80 (≈ US$1–2)
- Museum or sight ticketCasa San Miguel entry₱125 (≈ US$3) adults, ₱75 (≈ US$2) minors
- Budget bedCove camping fee (own tent), a night, per person₱200 (≈ US$4)
- Mid-range bedAir-conditioned double room, a night, per room₱2,800 (≈ US$50)
- High-end bedAir-conditioned double room, a night, per room₱5,500 (≈ US$100)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₱1,200 (≈ US$25) · Mid ₱2,200 (≈ US$40) · High ₱4,000 (≈ US$75)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CRK Clark International (About 2.5–3 h by road via Olongapo; the usual arrival for fly-in visitors) · MNL Ninoy Aquino International (Manila) (About 4–5 h by road; Victory Liner buses run from Manila to Iba and Santa Cruz past the town)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Dec–May. Avoid: Jul–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Aug (23 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
San Antonio, Zambales: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
22 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
23 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
20 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Tricycles link the barangays and the town centre; agree the fare before you board. There are no roads to the coves, so the last leg is a boat from Pundaquit port or a hike over the ridge. Boats are hired per trip, not per seat, and the price depends on the cove and the number of passengers.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Capones Island
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Boat from Pundaquit port, about 30–45 min
White-sand beach and a lighthouse on the hill; landings depend on swell.
Camara Island
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Boat from Pundaquit, about 20–30 min
Often paired with Capones on the same boat hire.
Nagsasa Cove
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h
Boat from Pundaquit, about 1–1.5 h
Quieter than Anawangin, with a creek and a small waterfall; camping only.
Olongapo and Subic
goDoor to door: About 1.5–2 h
Bus or van south on the Olongapo–Bugallon road
Use it as the transport hub and for supplies; see /olongapo and /subic.
Iba (provincial capital)
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus north on the highway
Administrative town; only worth it if you are heading further up the coast.
Magalawa Island
overnightDoor to door: About 2–2.5 h
Road north to Palauig, then a short boat
A different island base; too far for a comfortable return day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Pundaquit
The port barangay: resorts, hostels and the boat launch for the coves. Stay here unless you are camping.
San Miguel / San Nicolas (Poblacion)
Town-side resorts near the market and Casa San Miguel; cheaper, but a tricycle ride from the boats.
Anawangin and Nagsasa coves
Camping only, no roads, no mains power; bring water, food and cash.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₱1,200–2,000 (≈ US$25–40) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₱2,000–3,500 (≈ US$40–65) excl. bed
- High
- ₱3,500 (≈ US$65)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Air-conditioned double room1 × 2 nights × ₱2,800 | ₱5,600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ₱2,200 | ₱8,800 |
| Boat hire, Pundaquit to Anawangin and back (whole boat)1 × ₱3,000 · check | ₱3,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₱500 | ₱1,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₱1,840 |
| Trip total≈ ₱5,060 per person per day, bed included | ₱20,240≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in pesos; long-distance buses and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or bottled water | ₱30–80 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Filipino rice meal in town | ₱120–250 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Halo-halocheck | ₱100–180 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Casa San Miguel entry | ₱125 (≈ US$3) adults, ₱75 (≈ US$2) minors |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Boat crossings to the farther coves are weather-dependent: the coast guard can suspend trips when the sea is rough.
- Coves are camping-only with no shops, no reliable phone signal and no ATMs: carry cash and water from Pundaquit.
- Weekend and holiday boat demand spikes; book a boat the day before, not the morning of.
- Bring out everything you bring in: rubbish disposal on the coves is limited.
Emergency numbers
- National emergency
- 911
Pocket card
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San Antonio, ZambalesSan Antonio
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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Dito po, pakihatidTo this address, please
Emergency
- National emergency911
Embassy
No embassies in San Antonio; the US and most others keep embassies in Manila and a consulate in Olongapo (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Boat, Pundaquit → Anawangin Cove: ₱2,000–4,000 (≈ US$40–75) per boat return, about 30–45 min (check)
- Bus, San Antonio → Olongapo: ₱100–180 (≈ US$2–4), about 1.5 h (check)
Say or show
- Salamat — Thank you (sa-LA-mat)
- Magkano? — How much is it? (mag-KA-no)
- Nasaan ang bangka papuntang cove? — Where is the boat to the cove? (na-sa-AN ang BANG-ka pa-pun-TANG kov)
- Gusto kong umarkila ng bangka — I want to rent a boat (gus-TO kong u-mar-KI-la nang BANG-ka)
- Ang mahal naman — It is too expensive (ang ma-HAL na-man)
- Tulong! — Help! (tu-LONG)
Boat fares are negotiated per trip, not per seat: agree the total and the return pickup time before you leave Pundaquit.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for San Antonio, Zambales. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–May (dry season; calm sea for boat crossings) · avoid Jul–Sep (southwest monsoon: rough crossings, boats cancelled), Holy Week and weekends (coves crowded with Manila campers) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for CRK and MNL with last-bus cutoffs and a Manila overnight rung.
- Pundaquit walking cluster with boat-operator anchors and a weather-cancellation fixture.
- Cove pages with verified boat fares, camping fees and no-signal warnings.
- Monsoon and hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.