Aguas Azules

A Unique Summer Destination 

I was surprised to know that not very many people know about this resort. A few days before the Holy Week, I was looking for a place where me and my kids can go for the Easter. I am not in the peak of health (having just undergone heart procedures a few days back) and I am not allowed yet to travel far, so we cannot go to distant hideaways, lest, I might be taking a pricey risk. So, we were left with few options and restrictions which include close enough place (that means it should be within the Rizal area). I browsed the net and bumped into this resort. I am very familiar since it is our shortcut route to Antipolo whenever we need to bring our daughter to her school along Sumulong highway or when we feel like attending the Sunday Mass at the Transfiguration Chapel. But, never had we gotten the chance to catch a glimpse of this resort. I begun to wonder then, where is this place hiding all along? So, last Easter Sunday, we packed lunch, don in our swimming attire, and excitedly drove up to Thunderbird Resort (the nearest landmark given on the blogs I've read). It was like an adventure for us as we struggled to decide on which streets to turn after we passed the guard house. 

The instruction was to turn right on the third street after the guard house but it did not mention whether it was the guard house right after you negotiated the upward climb or the main guard house before Thunderbird Resort. Well, we found out it was the latter. Once you turned right, you got to go straight ahead and look for the basketball court and the white structure which seems to look like an events place to me. This is Aguas Azules, neatly tucked inside like an abandoned subdivision. The place is so unassuming, unpretentious but definitely relaxing.

It has four swimming pools, two for the kids and two for adults. It has giant slide which can add up to the excitement. The view is so overwhelming that you can just find your own spot somewhere and think of nothing while gazing at the horizon. We live in Rizal, just a few kilometers away from this place, but we never thought that there is a place like this where we can just have the best "bonding" times without hurting our pockets. 

They have cabanas for rent where you can leave your things, and where you can eat with your friends, loved ones and families. You can rent them out for 700 pesos (you can haggle with the guard at the entrance to give it to you for 500).

This part of the pool is the deepest (about 7 feet deep), so please warn the smaller kids and those who cannot swim well to just stay in the areas which has more shallow waters (there's actually a lot!).

Another amazing part of the resort is this bar. They even have stools built under the water so you can sit down here and grab some drinks without leaving the pool. But you got to prepare your own drinks and have it ready there as there are no restaurants (much less waiters) to serve you in this place. Bring your own foods and drinks is the rule.

Entrance fee is 200 pesos per head for adults and 100 pesos for kids. Not bad for such a big resort with great overlooking views.  Other resorts in Antipolo charges the same rate or even higher but not with this kind of sweeping vista of the mountains and the lake.

Please be reminded though that they are only open during daytime (from 9:00 in the morning until 6:00 in the evening). No one is allowed to stay behind after the said hours since there are no electricity in the resort. Well, for me and my family, last Sunday has been another day marked on our calendar as an unforgettable moment to remember. Thank you Aguas Azules! We will be back soon. 

How to reach Aguas Azules: From Ortigas Extension, just go straight towards East. Head towards the direction of Angono in the town of Rizal. Once you reached Angono, look for the Scrapyard restaurant on the right side (7-11 convenience store on the left side). This is he road called Guido Street. Turn left then go straight ahead. This is an upward climb going to Thunderbird Resort (yeah, the casino!). Once you reached the main gate, turn right on the third street on the right the just go straight ahead until you see the basketball court and the white structure behind it. That is the parking lot of Aguas Azules Resort.