Are you planning to embark on the Philippine Loop anytime soon? The cooler and dryer months of November to May are the best months for motorcycle touring in the Philippines. Now that travel has normalized, local and international motorcycle enthusiasts can enjoy the country’s scenic routes, coastal roads, mountain passes, and cultural destinations once again.
Generally, most local motorcycle riders aren’t that picky when it comes to accommodations and pit stops. Any roadside inn or guesthouse along the route is suitable for those who just want a comfortable bed to rest and grab a bite to eat after a long ride.
But for first-time Philippine Loopers and international travelers who want to combine motorcycle touring with sightseeing and comfortable vacations, extra planning needs to be involved when plotting out routes and hotel accommodations.
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What makes a place motorcycle-friendly?
Here are a few features and services that motorcycle riders look for when it comes to picking accommodations.
Secure Parking
The number one priority for riders when picking accommodations is the parking situation. A motorcycle-friendly accommodation should provide secure and designated parking for two-wheelers and not just cars. Preferably this should include covered parking or a garage near rooms, so it’s easier to unload and pack stuff on a bike. Riders prefer to keep their bikes protected from the elements like rain and heat when parking. At the very least, there should be a secure parking area within the vicinity to ensure the safety of bikes.
Nearby services
It helps if a hotel or resort is near services like gas stations, convenience stores, repair shops, mechanics, and other essentials, that riders may need. Having basic tools and a designated area for motorcycle maintenance and repairs in a hotel or resort can be a good asset to help riders perform minor repairs or maintenance tasks if needed.
Laundry or drying area
Since riders are exposed to the elements and weather conditions can vary covering long distances, accommodations that provide drying facilities for wet gear are appreciated. This could be as simple as a clothesline in a covered area or a dedicated rack in a balcony or porch for hanging wet clothes or gear and a place to clean shoes or dry them out. Long-distance riders also find laundry facilities handy to wash clothes, as most recycle articles of clothing throughout long rides to minimize what they bring.
Comfortable and accessible rooms
As mentioned, not every rider is picky about where they sleep. However, others would prefer to sleep soundly in a comfortable and spacious room afer a day of hard riding. Long hours on the road can be exhausting. For those on group rides, having enough beds and restrooms to accommodate everyone is important. Rooms on the ground level or aren’t too far from the parking areas are preferable so there’s no need to carry heavy stuff up flights of stairs or long distances.
Wi-Fi and charging stations
Access to Wi-Fi is essential for many travelers, and having charging stations, enough sockets or extension cords for various electronic devices, including phones and GPS units, is a convenient feature. Riders only have time to go through photos and upload photos and video clips on social media during their downtime in hotels, so having fast and free WiFi is always a bonus.
Access to food
Nothing beats a warm meal and cold drinks after a long ride, so having easy access to affordable dining options is always a good add-on for hotels and inns along popular motorcycling routes. In case kitchens close early, consider offering instant noodles, instant coffee, or bread to riders who arrive late at night or need to leave at first light to maximize their time on the road.
Local riding information
For those staying longer in a place, providing maps, local guides, and information on local motorcycle routes, scenic roads, and other points of interest reachable by motorbikes can enhance the experience for motorcyclists exploring the area. It helps to have staff members who are knowledgeable about local riding conditions (like terrain) and other attractions that might interest motorcyclists, from affordable and authentic local eats to the best viewpoints.
Motorcycle-friendly policies
Generally, it’s hard for riders to book all their accommodations in advance since riding conditions and travel schedules are unpredictable. Riders usually prefer places with flexible policies regarding cancellations and early or late arrivals, and late check-outs or will just walk-in at places and hope there are rooms available. Hotels should provide a mobile phone number that riders can contact in case of changes in an itinerary, as not all places have WiFi signals.
Where to stay along the Philippine Loop
For those who are planning to do the Philippine Loop officially, there are designated stops along the basic route that serve as the markers to define the most logical route. As of 2023, these are the complete and official checkpoints and ferry points for the Philippine Loop as detailed by the committee for the Philippine Loop Adventure Tour.
In the north leg of the loop, which covers themainland Luzon, the recommended checkpoints include:
- Subic, Zambales
- Alaminos, Pangasinan
- 2nd Highest Point in Atok, Benguet
- Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
- Aparri, Cagayan
- Baler, Aurora
Whether you’re riding clockwise or counterclockwise, there are more hotel/accommodations and dining options in the major towns and cities. Depending on how many days you have and how many kilometers you plan to ride per day, you don’t have to stay in each town. Leisure riders who have more time to spare and want to combine sightseeing and other activities will probably want to just ride 100-200 kilometers a day.
Those who want to just complete the loop should aim to cover about 200-400 kilometers a day. It’s also possible to do a speed/endurance run of about 500 or more kilometers a day. However, some factors - such as traffic, road closures, landdlides, unexpected breakdowns, and ferry schedules - are beyond rider’s control, so it’s best to have backup plans for overnight stays when plotting your trips.
For this article, we’ll just list a few motorcycle-friendly accommodations in the major pit stops in the north leg of the loop and not the south leg of the Philippine Loop.
But for reference, the south leg of the Philippines loop, which covers Visayas and Mindanao also has two official land checkpoints, namely:
- San Juanico Bridge, Tacloban City, and
- General Santos City, South Cotabato
There are also at least six ferry crossings within the Visayas-Mindanao group of islands, in these points.
- Matnog Port, Sorsogon - Allen Port, Northern Samar
- Liloan Port, Southern Leyte - Surigao-Lipata Port, Surigao del Norte
- Dapitan Port, Zamboanga del Norte - Dumaguete Port, Negros Occidental
- Bacolod Bredco Port, Negros Occidental - Dumangas-Naluoyan Port, Iloilo
- Caticlan Jetty Port, Malay, Aklan - Roxas/Bulalacao Port, Oriental Mindoro
- Calapan Port, Oriental Mindoro - Batangas Pier, Batangas City
For the south loop, it’s best to plan your rest stops or overnight stays near the port areas because of the unpredictable ferry schedules.
Where to stay near the 2nd Highest Point in Atok, Benguet
The 2nd Highest Point is about 296 kilometers from Manila. Because of its distance and high elevation, chances are you’ll want to stay at least one night to rest in Atok and catch the sunrise. While there are currently no hotels in Atok, there are a few accommodation options like homestays and lodges that motorcycle riders can make use of including Northern Blossom Transient, Sunrise Cabin Travelers Inn, and Isaac Transient & Ambiance Garden.
Where to stay in Vigan, Ilocos Norte
While you could stay in any major town in Ilocos Norte like Laoag or Pagudpud, for first-time loopers who want to do some easy sightseeing at night, it’s ideal to stay in Vigan, as it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site that comes alive at night. Vigan is about 400 kilometers away from Manila, and over 190 kilometers from the 2nd Highest Point. Vigan has loads of hotels, inns, and transient homes to choose in and near Calle Crisologo catering to different budgets. If you want a place with ambiance and a secure parking area, Villa Angela Heritage House is a comfortable option. In case you arrive at odd hours or just need a place to wash up, NSCC Bath and Coffee Shop near Calle Crisologo lets customers take showers and enjoy a meal even without checking in.
Where to stay in Aparri, Cagayan
Aparri is roughly 582 kilometers (12 hours drive) from Manila via the Pan-Philippine Highway. Located on the northernmost tip of the Philippines in the province of Cagayan, the town is a popular pit stop for endurance challenges and Philippine Loop rides. And if you’re staying the night here, the best place to stay is Hotel Dian, a hotel, resort, restaurant, bar, cafe, and events hall. The hotel is known for being biker-friendly with safe and secure parking areas and vintage motorcycles on display. The hotel even awards riders a navigator’s certificate for those who manage to drive all the way to KM 582.
Where to stay in Baler, Aurora
Baler in the province of Aurora is a great last major stop on the north leg of the Philippine Loop. This laidback surfer’s town about 269 kilometers away from Manila (and 400 kilometers from Aparri) has loads of accommodation options as well, with transient rooms, inns, and hotels with secure parking areas to choose from located near Sabang Beach. Some options include Nalu Surf Camp, Aliya Surf Resort, and Pacific Waves Inn. I recommend staying in Baler at least one night to fully enjoy the beach before the long ride back to Manila through zigzagging mountain roads and back to city traffic.
Plan out your long rides for the year! In case you want specific advice on routes and accommodations in specific towns from other motorcycle riders, check out the FB page: Philippine Motorcycle Tourism.
