I've been planning my first solo travel/workation this year and I can't decide where to go this August. La Union, Zambales, or Baler?
La Union is at the top of my list but since it's a workation and as an introvert, I won't be into parties and large crowds. I want a more peaceful vibe. I wonder which among those three is better for digital nomading?
@coffeewithbren I don't know what's the situation in Baler today, but back in 2017/8, Internet connection there is slow and intermittent. You have to go outside and find the nearest cell tower to get a decent connection (but still intermittent).
That's a few years back, so it might be far better today. (Oh, back then, Globe had better coverage than Smart. Not sure now.)
However, since the heat is generally coming from the Pacific Ocean, blowing through the Philippine Sea, then inland, it is probably hotter in Aurora province. Then again, you're planning an August trip, if things get better by then, Baler will be a good option.
La Union. Last I went there was in the 90s. The last time I passed by the area was in 2019. Too crowded with establishments and tourists. It is no longer the La Union that I loved. From a friend, Internet in the area is very good and stable. Actually, the entire Ilocos Region (Region I) has a very good Internet infrastructure. It just that, if you like to stay away from crowds, it will be hard to do so unless you enter residential areas and go outside the usual tourist spots, literally go local.
Zambales. Nope. No info to share. Last time I went there was in the mid 90s.
You might want to consider Bataan, especially if you want to reconnect with nature and history. Internet's good. Though the closer you get to the mountainous areas, the more challenging it will become. Trees + mountains are not a good combination for mobile signals. Maybe they improved the infrastructure, but, quiet environment, Bataan is a good place to consider.
@jikodesu@youronlyone mukha nga. Hopefully they have reliable wifi and mobile data signal. I'm also interested in doing coffee crawl. So hopefully there are great options there. Thanks!
Yep. I'm hoping things improved in Baler. It's a good place to live and work remotely, they don't need to urbanise, just get their Internet infrastructure better. I like how they don't have fastfood chains there, for one. (Although last time we went there, they had “Chowking coming soon” everywhere.) The locals are very friendly too!
Oh, I don't know how are things there as far as flooding. At least historically, they were devastated because of a surge. But I hope they're ready for it, and have installed measures to minimize the impact if it happens again (especially now that typhoons are getting stronger).
Otherwise, the perfect getaway in the Philippines. It's isolated yet accessible by land. So, if you need something that is not available there, it's just a bus ride away (or if you have a 4x4, adventure!). And I like the view of the Philippine Sea than the West Philippine Sea. When I'm looking over, it gives the sense of “what's out there? Just Pacific Ocean.” But if looking at WPS my mind works a lot, “from this vantage point, that's South Vietnam; over there is North Vietnam; maybe there are mainland Chinese patrol boats too”. ^_^;;
I've been to Baler a few years ago too. But I haven't heard of it as a popular remote work destination though.
I've been to Zambales also but that was more than a decade ago. So remote work wasn't a thing yet.
I'm interested in doing coffee crawl. But I'm not sure if there's a vibrant coffee scene in Baler and Zambales? Elyu seems to have more options, but I could be wrong.
I haven't considered Bataan tbh. But interesting. Thanks for the idea!