6 motorcycle-friendly spots to help you beat the summer heat

With summer fast approaching, avid motorcycle riders might be thinking of getting out of the hustle and bustle of the city and into the airy and fresh climes of out-of-town destinations. 

Some will prefer to sweat it out on challenging trails with their adventure or dual-sport two-wheelers. Others, meanwhile, will want to go on long-distance cruises on scenic routes such as Halsema Highway, Kennon Road, or even the challenging but famous “Luzon Loop.” 

But what about motorcyclists who just want to chill and cool off at easy-to-reach destinations? To answer that, let’s list some motorcycle-friendly spots perfect for escaping the summer heat."

Tagaytay

While Tagaytay can be considered as played out by many experienced travellers, the said area remains a good destination for its natural beauty. Plus, it is in close proximity to Metro Manila, and it has a generous number of entry points that are friendly to most types of motorcycles. 

Apart from the picturesque sections of the Tagaytay-Talisay road and the quaint towns along the Tagaytay-Batangas highway, the province is likewise known for having relatively fresher and cooler air than Metro Manila. 

The said province is also host to many well-known restaurants that serve scrumptious food such as bulalo or the many versions of tawilis (freshwater sardines). And, of course, the area is also known for its variety of cafes, with many specializing in the strong but flavorful kapeng barako.

Samal Island

Despite being separated from the mainland by a few kilometers (km) of ocean, Samal Island is actually quite accessible to motorcyclists coming from Davao City. In fact, there are two ports in Davao with regular roll-on roll-off (RORO) craft traveling to and from Samal: Sasa Wharf and the Santa Ana Wharf. 

Loading up one’s motorcycle on RORO craft is also quite affordable at less than P100 for a two-wheeled vehicle. 

So, what’s there to do in Samal? Well, aside from exploring the fantastic views of the island’s eastern coastal road, it also has a handful of beach resorts with beautiful white sand in the town of Kaputian and prime snorkeling spots in Aundanao. 

For those who want to cool off and have their adrenaline pumped up at the same time, there are also several establishments with personal watercraft rentals, such as the Samal Watersports Center or Maxima Aquafun. 

Interestingly, Samal Island also has several motorcycle rental businesses with rates going for around P400 per day. And yes, the Island also has light trails and sites that are ideal for moto camping. 

Mabini, Batangas and Puerto Galera

Another cool chill-out destination for motorcycle riders is Mabini Batangas. Located directly south of Taal Lake, it is around 144 km away from Metro Manila. At a decent pace, travel time from the metro will be around two hours, that is, if the expressways aren’t congested by traffic. 

But even with its relatively far distance from the nation’s capital, Mabini’s coastline, especially the one fronting Marikaban Island, offers great Scuba diving and snorkeling spots. It also boasts plenty of resorts with a variety of accommodation styles. 

For some truly gorgeous white beaches, however, one can also take the time to go to Puerto Galera in Mindoro. From Batangas City, a RORO ride along with one’s motorcycle will cost around P800, and the travel time will only take around an hour. 

Of particular note is the “White Beach,” a mere 11.7 km from the RORO landing at the Sabang Ferry Terminal. Per its name, it boasts a long stretch of beach with fine white sand. Similar to Mabini, the area also has several scuba, free diving, and snorkeling resorts. 

Tanay, Rizal

Despite the online notoriety of the Marikina-Infanta Highway, Tanay in the province of Rizal remains a cool getaway for those who like to travel on two wheels. 

The road itself is surrounded by nature; as such, it is quite a highlight for people residing in the urban jungle of Metro Manila. Thanks to the route's abundance of trees, it likewise offers a cooler climate and fresher air compared to your run-of-the-mill in-city road. 

Within moderation, riding enthusiasts can also enjoy the curves of the aforementioned road. Do take care, however, to keep within the speed limit and follow other prevailing road rules. 

 The Marikina-Infanta Highway is also a gateway to several notable areas. For starters, there’s the Masungi Georeserve, Marilag Eco Park, numerous waterfalls, as well as several roadside cafes and cafeterias offering a variety of tasty treats. 

Lake Caliraya

Besides Taal Lake in Tagaytay, another awesome spot one can ride to from Metro Manila is Lake Caliraya. 

Lake Caliraya, for the unaware, is a man-made body of water situated in proximity of the municipalities of Lumban, Cavinti, and Kalayaan in the province of Laguna. But while it was practically dug by human hands back in the 1930s, the present-day shores of the said lake boast natural splendor. 

With a relatively clean water quality, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (2015 study), the shores of the lake also host a good amount of resorts. The aforementioned feature campsites, swimming areas, and even water sport activities. 

Dauin, Negros Oriental

If you’re a motorcyclist from Cebu City, one good destination for some rest and relaxation during the summer season is Dauin, Negros Oriental. 

For starters, the said municipality is quite close to Dumaguete City, which is accessible by RORO from Cebu. The typical fare for two-wheeled rides will be around P1,900 for 200-cubic-centimeter rides and below. 

The fare sounds a bit pricey, but the area offers some of the best muck Scuba diving in the country. It also boasts several government-maintained fish sanctuaries, which are great for snorkeling. And if swimming in the ocean doesn’t appeal to you, there’s also the relaxing Baslay Hot Spring and Malmag Falls. 

Final thoughts

Obviously, the list of travel destinations we’ve shared above isn’t exhaustive. Regardless, it is a well-varied list with destinations that are reachable by riders from Metro Manila, Davao City, and Cebu City. 

So, which one will you be heading to this summer? 

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