The 2026 Undas long weekend runs from Saturday, October 31 to Monday, November 2, and three days is the right length for Baler. Take an early JoyBus on Saturday, slow down in Cemento for two nights, visit the falls and Ermita Hill, and head home Monday afternoon rested instead of rushed. Here is how we would plan it from Kahana.
Quick Facts: Undas 2026 in Baler
- Dates: Saturday, October 31 to Monday, November 2, 2026. All Saints’ Day (Nov 1) and All Souls’ Day (Nov 2) are both special non-working days this year.
- Getting here: JoyBus leaves Cubao at 12:30 AM, 2:00 AM and 4:30 AM daily, plus 2:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Expect holiday traffic and book seats early.
- Heading home Monday: JoyBus leaves Baler at 5:30 AM, 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM daily, with an extra 3:30 PM trip on long-weekend Mondays.
- Season: late October is shoulder season, with swell building toward the November to February surf window. It is also still typhoon season, so check PAGASA before you leave.
- Where to stay: Kahana in Cemento, Barangay Zabali, about 8 km from the Sabang strip. Breakfast is included, and the check-in is 2 PM (early check-in is ₱100 an hour).
- Eco-tourism fee: Baler charges ₱50 per visitor.
Why Spend Undas in Baler?
Undas is a family weekend first. Many people spend November 1 at the cemetery with relatives, and that comes before any trip. But this year the holiday lands on a Sunday and a Monday, which turns it into one of the few three-day weekends left in 2026, and a lot of families are folding a short getaway around the visit.
Baler suits that kind of weekend. It is far enough from Manila to feel like a proper change of air, and close enough that you can leave after midnight and be having coffee by the sea at breakfast. If you are staying in Cemento rather than Sabang, the weekend also stays quiet. The holiday crowd tends to gather along the main beach in town, while our side of Baler keeps its slow pace.
How Do You Get to Baler on the Undas Weekend?
The bus is still the easiest way in. JoyBus and Genesis both run from the Genesis terminal in Cubao, and the trip takes five to six hours on a normal day. On a long weekend, plan for longer. Book JoyBus seats as soon as they open, because holiday trips fill fast. Our JoyBus schedule guide has every departure and return trip, and the full Manila to Baler guide covers vans and driving.
If you are driving, leave Manila before dawn on Saturday. The roads out of the city get heavy on the Friday night and Saturday morning of Undas, and the last stretch through the Sierra Madre is much nicer in daylight anyway.
Day 1, Saturday: How Should You Spend Your First Day?
Take the 12:30 AM or 2:00 AM JoyBus and you will roll into Baler around sunrise. Standard check-in at Kahana is 2 PM, so if you want your room straight away, ask for early check-in when you book. It costs ₱100 an hour, and after a night on the bus it is usually worth it.
Then do very little. Have breakfast at The Shala Grounds, our cafe by the pool, which serves specialty coffee, matcha and proper food. Nap. Swim. Late in the afternoon, walk down to the shoreline across the road from Kahana and watch the light change over the water. If you want to see local life, the Baler Municipal Fish Port is close by in Cemento.
For dinner, our guide to eating and drinking in Baler lists the places we actually send guests to. If you fancy a drink nearby afterwards, Ariyonda Bar is walking distance in Cemento. It keeps irregular hours, so check its Instagram before you head over.
Day 2, Sunday (All Saints’ Day): What Can You Do Around the Holiday?
Start early. If you surf at an intermediate or advanced level, this is your morning for Cobra Reef, our home break. The reef sits beyond the mangroves across the road, and the way in is an unmarked trail through them. It is muddy and depends on the tide, so wear slippers or crocs you don’t mind getting wet. Tell us the night before and someone who knows the trail, the tides and how the break is working that day will take you. Our Cobra Reef guide explains more.
New to surfing? Sabang Beach is about 15 minutes away and much gentler, and we can arrange a lesson for you at reception. If you would rather move on land, the yoga deck is open for self-practice, and private sessions with Camille can be requested ahead of time.
Many families will be at the cemetery for part of the day, and some of you may be too. Keep the afternoon loose. When you’re ready, Ditumabo Mother Falls makes a good half-day trip inland, with a forest trail and a few river crossings before a swimmable pool. For something shorter, stop at Diguisit Falls on the coastal road. End the day at Ermita Hill, where the old ruins and the lighthouse look over Baler Bay at sunset. Our guide to Baler beyond the beach has the details for each.
Day 3, Monday (All Souls’ Day): How Do You Leave Without Rushing?
Monday is the reason a three-day weekend feels different from a two-day one. Have a slow breakfast. If you are a morning person, fit in one more surf or a yoga session before check-out at 11 AM.
With a little time before the bus, visit Museo de Baler in town for the story of the 1898 Siege of Baler, or the new National Museum Baler, which opened in July 2026 a bit further along the coast in Reserva. Then catch the 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM or long-weekend 3:30 PM JoyBus back to Cubao. Expect the drive home to be slow, since half of Luzon is heading back on the same night.
Which Room Fits Your Undas Group?
All rates are per night with breakfast included, and the booking page always has the current price.
- A couple: the Mini Suite (₱2,800) or the Premier (₱4,000).
- Three friends or a small family: the Junior (₱4,000) or the Deluxe Suite for 3 (₱5,000).
- Four to six people: the Deluxe Loft (₱5,800 for 4 up to ₱7,800 for 6) or the Group Suite (₱5,600 for 4 up to ₱7,200 for 6).
- Bringing the dog: one pet per room is welcome. Bring its own bed or kennel.
Rooms go quickly on long weekends, so book ahead rather than hoping for a walk-in on Saturday morning.
よくあるご質問
Is November 2, 2026 a holiday?
Yes. All Souls’ Day on Monday, November 2 is a special non-working day in 2026, alongside All Saints’ Day on Sunday, November 1. That makes October 31 to November 2 a three-day weekend for most people.
How long is the bus from Manila to Baler during Undas?
Usually five to six hours from Cubao, but holiday traffic can add more. Take an after-midnight JoyBus to arrive around sunrise, and book your seats as soon as they open.
Are there waves in Baler at the end of October?
Late October is shoulder season, with swell building toward the main November to February season. Some days are good, others are flat or stormy, so check the forecast and PAGASA before you travel.
Can I check in early if I arrive on the overnight bus?
Yes. Check-in at Kahana is 2 PM, and early check-in is ₱100 per hour. Mention your arrival time when you book so we can have the room ready.
Three days, two nights, and no alarm on Monday. If that sounds like the Undas you need, check room availability at Kahana in Cemento.
