A sailing trip through Baroro River on a floating native hut loaded with freshly-caught tilapias and other local delicacies was one of the highlights of my recent visit to La Union.
Let’s be honest, when someone says “La Union”, most of us instantly think of crashing waves, black sand beaches, and surfers chasing the perfect swell. So, when a floating restaurant popped up on my NORTHBOUND itinerary, my curiosity was piqued.
This wasn’t going to be like the touristy river cruises in Bohol. At Bacnotan’s River Farm, you get a real taste of local life. You see firsthand where they catch those famous ‘golden and black tilapia’ that end up on your plate in the charming nipa hut restaurants. You even get to cruise past the fish breeding area and see how they’re raised. It’s pretty fascinating!
You’ll pass through the fish breeding area and see how they take care of these creatures. Pretty cool, right?
Cesar Ocampo, the owner and manager of the restaurant, cultures the fish using modern methods. Each catch tastes so good because he wouldn’t let the fish reach the bottom of the river. That’s why you won’t ever hear customers complain about “muddy tasting fish.”
River Farm’s tilapia is cooked in various ways (fried, grilled, and steamed). You see why it’s yummy three times?
My favorite is their grilled tilapia. But you can definitely try other versions. (I was curious how the tilapia would taste with coconut milk but I didn’t ask the owner because he was busy showing us around.)
Speaking of “showing around,” during the river cruise, we stopped by a plot of land by the river and went mango picking. Kuya Cesar owns the property so we were allowed to take as many mangoes as we wanted. Perfect dessert!
Wide and long, Baroro River blesses the locals with fresh catch, fruit-bearing trees, and mangroves.
According to Food and Agriculture organization of the United Nations, mangroves play a crucial part in protecting human lives and properties. They do this by reducing or preventing soil erosion, which is critically important during storms and flooding.
Good to know that some residents of Barangay Baroro are on board. They make an effort to protect, cultivate, and rehabilitate some of the mangrove trees. You will see them as you sail by Baroro River.
During the cruise, you can’t miss the Baroro Bridge, a significant structure that connects North Luzon to Metro Manila.
It’s easy to feel a connection with nature when you climb on top of the floating restaurant and soak up the surrounding greenery and calm river. A perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of San Juan beach and the big cities. I hope you can visit this place and make fond memories with your friends and families.
Getting There: River Farm is just a 15-minute drive from San Juan, and its proximity to the Baroro Bridge is hard to miss. Call or text the contact number below for detailed driving instructions.
River Farm
Address: Km 282 Baroro, Bacnotan, La Union, 2515
Phone: 0908 998 7132
Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 9:00 PM daily
Rate: P9,000 for a buffet good for 20 people; A meal for one usually costs P190
Suggested Reads:
River Farm, a Worthwhile Pitstop in the North
Manila Bulletin: Bacnotan Offers Floating Cabanas, River Cruise