What to Expect in Kwebang Lampas (Itinerary + Budget)

We were standing probably 15 meters away from the restroom of Kwebang Lampas when we saw the large signage that reads (verbatim (including capitalization)):

LALAKI

IHI - 100

TAE - 200

HUWAG - ILIGO  Tubig

Sa DRUM. Pangbuhos

Lang sa C.R. YON!

Multa - P150.

I was like, “Seryoso ba! Wiwi, 100?”

Contrary to what’s written on most top search results in the Internet, Kwebang Lampas or Puting Buhangin of Pagbilao, Quezon is NO secret paradise. I was never a fan of beaches down south because I thought they all look like Batangas, only farther. I thought I knew what to expect after 4 transfers on public transpo. But no. Also, no butt coma this time because I slept a lot comfortably on the way to Quezon, yay! I’ve listed down some of the things you should expect before going to Kwebang Lampas:

Direct jeepney ride from Lucena Grand Terminal to Kwebang Lampas is Php100

If you’re in a big group, you can hire a jeep to take you to Kwebang for 100/head (we were 6 and one couple joined us). We asked the driver to stop by the market in Pagbilao where we bought our camping food. If chartered jeepney is not possible, you have to take a jeep from the terminal to Pagbilao (Php 12); Another jeep to Isla Polo (Php 40); And tricycle to the jump-off (Php 50 per person). You will not save a penny if you charter a jeepney, but hello, convenience.

Jeepney ride from Lucena to Kwebang Lampas

Expect to pay 250 pesos at the jump-off

I read online that there’s a 160 pesos entrance fee to the island - which was true. What I didn’t know was that there’s also a fee to pitch your own tent plus other fees. I may have skipped the details on the blogs coz had we known about this, we probably wouldn’t bring our tents. If you’re in a big group, renting a tent could be a better (and cheaper) option. Rent was between 200-300 pesos, no more fee to pitch.

Toilets are gross AF

I’m used to some drawbacks of travel, like leaving the comforts of home (read: clean toilets) and ensuring you have wet ones everywhere you go. Just in case, you know. Of course the locals should earn and Kwebang is probably their only source of income, but where did all my 250 pesos go? Since there’s a fee to the island, I was expecting a decent toilet at the very least. But there was none. It was bad luck too when I had to use that toilet to deploy “the bomb” (it wouldn’t go, so I had to stay longer haha!). I’m not usually sensitive to public toilets because I’ve seen worse, but the thing is, those were FREE or with a minimal fee. There’s no clean freshwater to wash whatever it is that you wanted to wash. I hated it. We can camp and have clean toilets at the same time, right? Please don’t tell me that I should just stay in a hotel.

Camping under the coconut trees!

Death by coconut

I loved that there were many coconut trees in Kwebang Lampas. (They’re instagrammable!) But gotta warn you that the coconuts didn’t have safety nets. It could be dangerous! A full grown coconut can weigh up to 2 kilos because it's full of water. If you take into account that coconut trees can grow as high as a 5-8 storey building, the force of the coconut as it hits the ground is equivalent in weight to a ton. So just in case somebody forgot to remind you, don’t pitch your tent under the coconut trees :)

Island hopping to Dampalitan and Borawan costs Php 2,500 (excluding entrance fee)

Not sure if this was a rip-off coz based on what I read online, it should just be Php 1,500. It has changed probably. We did not go to the other islands because our bangkero said that Kwebang Lampas is “the most beautiful island” of the three. Also, it’s expensive. So why waste money for islands that would probably look just the same. Alternatively, he offered us a ride to the sandbar for Php 1,500 for 8 pax. The sandbar is NOT white, just so you know. Most photos online are overexposed + filtered.

Bilaran Sandbar + rain

Basic camping necessities are expensive in this island

This is something that I expected given that the place is a bit secluded. See average cost of things we bought in the island

• 8-10 gallons of freshwater for cooking, brushing your teeth etc (I don’t think it’s safe to drink) (₱50)
• Mais con yelo with very little serving of corn and too much sugar (yup mais con yelo is a camping necessity lol!) (₱35)
• Hot 3-in-1 coffee (₱25)
• Small bag of ice tubes (₱30)
• Small bag of charcoal (₱30)
• Brandy (₱150-200)

If you were able to bring everything you needed before going to the island, then, you da man! :D

Unless you know how to cook using charcoal, bring your own stove

I know this thing is on Camping 101, but not everyone has their portable camping stove. Because there aren’t many “grill spots” in the island, it will be very convenient to have your own stove. Super thankful to the other group of campers who helped my friends setup the charcoal grill. By the way, you also have to bring your own cook set, including grillers. Not sure if there are utensils that can be borrowed from the locals. Ay dai, nagka muscle kami kakapaypay!

Mandatory boat ride before reaching Kwebang Lampas

Expect the crowd!

There will be many beach goers especially this summer. There were probably 30-40 tents pitched in the island when we went last Feb. If each tent houses 2 people, then there’s around 100 campers in such small island. Expect that drinking and jamming sessions will only end til 6am. We’re guilty!

Ang tanong, enjoy ba?!

Wag magulo! Kailangan ko ng selfie! :D

Pak Ganernn!

You should know by now that I am not used to camping, how annoying! I don’t know how to cook (or too lazy to learn). Super thankful to my friends (Seong, Lili, Joy, Joanne and Nixi) who made our survival possible. Next camping, I should try harder to take in the camping life! Or should we just try #glamping? Lol! I should also not forget to mention that our food was soooo good, because... Awesome = Joy and Joanne combined. 

And yes, you’ve read it in the Internet, Puting Buhangin Beach is BEAUTIFUL. Something I didn’t expect, to be honest. The sand was white and fine and the water was clean and clear! Loved it!

Eh, yung kweba?

I dunno. We didn’t get inside the cave coz we have to leave early for Manila. It didn’t look appealing to me though. It looks like an average cave with many people taking selfies inside. I loved the beach and camping area better!

The nearest I could get from the cave!

Kwebang Lampas Itinerary and Expenses

Day 1	Duration	Per Person
Call time: 7AM
JAC Liner Bus Buendia to Lucena Grand Terminal	4 hours	₱210
Jeepney from Grand Terminal to Capascapas Beach*	1.5 hours	₱100
Register at the jumpoff		₱252
Entrance fee includes - RT boat in Capascapas beach - Pitching for 2 tents
Boat to the island	5 min
Trek to Puting Buhangin	5-10 min
Day 2
Call time: 9AM
Sandbar tour ₱1500 / 8 pax	20 mins/way	₱187
Boat to jumpoff	5 min
Jeepney from Capascapas Beach to Grand Terminal	1.5 hours	₱100
Lucena to EDSA	4 hours	₱210
Other expenses:
Contribution for food		₱350
Water for bathing		₱50
	Grand Total	₱1,459

* If there’s no chartered jeepney available in Lucena Grand Terminal:

1. Ride a jeep to Pagbilao (₱12)

2. Ride another jeep to Isla Polo (₱40)

3. Take a tricycle to Capascapas Beach  (₱50/person)

That’s it! I hope you find this post helpful. Oh by the way, toilet fee wasn’t really 100 pesos. It was 1.00 pesos! Darn signage! Enjoy your summer vacation in Kwebang Lampas and don't forget to bring lots of beers-es!

Puting Buhangin with filter, of course!

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