Strolling Around: Revisiting Sunbloom Resort, Sta. Cruz, Zambales

A friend of mine wanted to go to the beach and I needed a place to go to maximize the vacation leave that I filed. I felt like visiting a familiar place since our goal was simply to relax. Choices were either Puerto Galera or Sunbloom Resort in Zambales. We chose the latter.

It looks like Sunbloom is the nearest resort to Potipot Island. It also seems to have the most perfect view of the island.

Beach front’s very clean and well-maintained compared to the other neighboring resorts. We had a relaxing stay at Sunbloom (not to mention we were the only guests).

I enjoyed some ME time morning moment on the “second floor” of I don’t-know-how-they-call-it place (you might think it’s their restaurant). View of the entire beach, as well as the island’ great.

It’s already 7pm when we arrived at the resort. We had our dinner at Dawal Resort and went to dream land before 10pm.

Right after we had our breakfast the following morning, the entire beach was all ours. The weather was so friendly and no one’s there but us. So I grabbed a book while my friend decided to take a dip.

How to Get to Sunbloom Resort:

Taking the bus to Dawal Sta. Cruz from Caloocan Victory bus station is highly recommended. The one in Cubao doesn’t always guarantee a bus bound for Sta. Cruz, but taking the bus to Olongapo is another option. From Olongapo, you may take either another bus to Sta. Cruz or the shuttle service that goes straight to Sta. Cruz. Tell the bus conductor to drop you off at Dawal, just before entering the town of Sta. Cruz (not all of them are familiar with Sunbloom).

From the drop off point, take a tricycle to Sunbloom. Better take a tricycle if you happen to arrive in Dawal at 6pm onwards.

Travel time from Caloocan to Dawal, Sta. Cruz, Zambales is between 6-7 hours, with a couple of stopovers, provided you leave Caloocan at 8am. Our first visit to Sunbloom in the mid-2000 was a bit fast. It was a 4-hour bus ride, but we left Caloocan at 12 midnight.

Estimated budget for an overnight stay

(Additional Php for the roundtrip boat ride to Potipot Island):

Uber from our place to Caloocan Victory bus station ((per head): 100

Caloocan to Dawal Sta. Cruz, Zambales: 450

Tricycle to Sunbloom (per head): 10

Dinner at Dawal Resort: 155

Breakfast at Dawal Resort: 125

Food bought from bus vendors: 150

Sta. Cruz to Caloocan: 450

Uber from Caloocan to our place (per head): 100

Room Rate (per head, with 10% discount): 630

Total: 2,170