Riverside eco-homestay · Liwliwa, ZambalesRiverback Sanctuary
A place to slow down on a little island by the river, a 5 to 10 minute walk from the Liwliwa surf beach.
4.89 · 342 Airbnb reviews · Superhost · from ₱1,500/night
Choose your cabin
Three cabins on our island, next to our home. Book direct, with no commission.
Acacia Cabin
Our best-seller riverview cabin: air-conditioned comfort for up to 4 guests.
- Direct river view
- Tropical shower
- Large cabin
- Air-con
- Private bathroom
- Up to 4 guests
See dates & bookFrom ₱3,000 / night
Agoho Cabin
Air-conditioned cabin for up to 4 guests, with its own private backyard.
- Private backyard
- Medium cabin
- Air-con
- Private bathroom
- Up to 4 guests
See dates & bookFrom ₱2,500 / night
Talisay Cabin
Our budget-friendly cabin, for solo travellers or couples.
- Budget friendly
- Long-term stay
- Small cabin
- Fan only
- Shared bathroom
- Up to 2 guests
See dates & bookFrom ₱1,500 / night
Riverback Sanctuary at a glance
Riverback Sanctuary is an eco-homestay with three cabins on a small river island in Liwliwa (Liw Liwa), San Felipe, Zambales, about 4 to 5 hours north of Manila. You reach the island by three handmade bamboo bridges, and the Liwliwa surf beach, cafés and restaurants are a 5 to 10 minute walk away.
It’s a quiet place: no parties, no karaoke, just the river and the birds. Choose Acacia for the river view, Agoho for a private backyard, or Talisay for a simple, budget-friendly stay.
- Where
- Liwliwa (Liw Liwa), San Felipe, Zambales, Philippines. 4 to 5 hours north of Manila
- Cabins
- Acacia (river view, air-con, up to 4 guests), Agoho (private backyard, air-con, up to 4), Talisay (fan, 1 or 2 guests, budget-friendly)
- Beach
- Surf beach, cafés and restaurants a 5 to 10 minute walk away
- Power
- Solar panels and a battery: no brownouts
- Internet
- WiFi around 40 Mbps on the whole island. Mobile signal is weak
- Check-in
- 2 PM to 8 PM. Check-out 11 AM
- Vibe
- Quiet stay, no parties or karaoke. Your hosts live on site
- Pets
- Case by case: message us on Messenger before booking
- Reviews
- 4.89 / 5 from 342 reviews on Airbnb, Superhost
Work remotely from Liwliwa · How we built Riverback · Best time to visit Liwliwa
What our guests say
“Literally a sanctuary. Went to Zambales for peace and quiet and that’s all i had during my stay at Sam and Bibe’s place.”
Nicole, on Airbnb “Everything stated in their accommodation description was completely accurate and honest.”
Yarrah, on Airbnb “Their dogs Mr. Chow, Balut, and Talong were super friendly and added so much charm to the place.”
Carissa, on Airbnb
Why Riverback?
A homestay on a small river island, a few minutes’ walk from Liwa’s restaurants and beach.
poweredNo brownouts
A homestay, not a resort
We live here full-time with our dogs and cats. You stay in our home, in the Riverside Liwa community of locals, surfers and artists. Simple living, not hotel service.
Solar powered, no brownouts
Solar panels and a battery keep the power on when the grid goes down. Our water comes from our own well, the cabins are built by hand with natural materials, and we grow vegetables to cook for our guests.
Nature and privacy
A small island between the river and the trees, away from the road. You hear birds and the river, not traffic.
Close to everything
Liwa’s restaurants, cafés and surf beach are a 5 to 10 minute walk away.
Meet Bibe & Sam
We’re Bibe & Sam, a Filipino-French couple, and we live here full-time with our happy family of dogs, cats and other friendly residents.
We started this project during the COVID-19 lockdown and built our home piece by piece, with our own hands and natural materials.
Read our storyA glimpse of the sanctuary
Watch our reels
A glimpse of island life: follow us on Instagram
What our sanctuary offers
Included
- Free drinking water
- WiFi ~40 Mbps on the whole island
- Beddings and bath towels
- Private terraces and hammocks
- River and beach access
- Free parking
- Solar power with battery backup
On request
- Common kitchen · ₱150 per use
- Bonfire · ₱250
- River adventure by paddle boat · ₱200
- Meals on pre-order, with vegetables from our garden
- Wood-fired brick pizza oven
- Surf lessons with a certified instructor
- Massage
- Banana boat on the beach
- Private tours: waterfalls, rivers, island hopping, ATV
- Romantic dinner set-up
Ask us on Messenger for the prices not listed here.
Good to know
- Quiet stay: no parties, no loud music or karaoke, just nature sounds
- Three handmade bamboo bridges lead to the island: pack light
- Water comes from our own deep well. Drinking water is provided
- Dogs, cats and other friendly animals live here
- BBQ grill: bring your own charcoal
Frequently asked questions
How do I pay, and when is my booking confirmed?
Pick your dates, choose the number of guests and fill in the form. Your dates are then held for 3 hours while you pay by GCash or bank transfer. Upload your receipt on your booking page and we confirm by email, usually within 2 hours (8 AM to 9 PM).
Where are you located?
Our little island is in Liwliwa (Liw Liwa), San Felipe, Zambales, about 4 to 5 hours north of Manila. From the Riverside signage you cross a few bamboo bridges to reach Riverside first, then our island just behind it (about a 5-minute walk).
How far is the beach?
The beach is about a 5–10 minute walk. The main street of Liwa, with restaurants, shops and bars, is around a 5-minute walk away.
How much does a night cost?
Base rates for one guest are ₱1,500 per night for Talisay, ₱2,500 for Agoho and ₱3,000 for Acacia; each extra guest adds ₱500 per night. Seasonal rates and discounts apply, so pick your dates on the booking page to see the exact total. Booking direct has no commission.
Which cabins have air-conditioning?
Acacia and Agoho are air-conditioned, sleep up to 4 guests each and have a private bathroom. Talisay is fan-cooled, for 1 or 2 guests, with a shared bathroom.
Is it quiet? Are parties allowed?
Riverback Sanctuary is a quiet stay: no parties, no loud music or karaoke, and quiet hours after 10 PM. You hear the river and the birds, not traffic, while Liwliwa’s cafés and beach are a 5 to 10 minute walk away.
Is Riverback Sanctuary good for remote work?
Yes. WiFi covers the whole island at around 40 Mbps, and our solar panels and battery keep the power and the WiFi on during brownouts. Mobile signal (Globe, Smart) is very weak in Liwliwa, so plan to work on our WiFi. Every cabin has a table and chairs, and Acacia and Agoho are air-conditioned. For stays of a week or more, message us.
How do I get there?
By public transport: from Manila or Olongapo, take a Victory Liner bus to IBA/Santa Cruz, get off at San Felipe Market, then a tricycle to Riverside Liwa (near Hide In/Out Resorts). We’ll meet you in front of our bridges. From there it’s a 5-minute walk to the kubo. By car: search “Riverback Sanctuary” on Google Maps, or “Riverside Liwa” / “Hide Out Resort”.
How far is Liwliwa from Manila?
About 4 to 5 hours by car or bus. Victory Liner buses from Cubao or Pasay go to San Felipe, then a tricycle takes you to Riverside Liwa, where we meet you in front of our bridge.
Is there parking?
Yes, free parking in front of our bridges or along the roadside.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is between 2 PM and 8 PM (no check-in after 8 PM) and check-out is at 11 AM. Early check-in or late check-out costs ₱150 per hour.
Do you accept pets?
Case by case. Message us on Messenger before you book and tell us about your pet. Keep in mind that our own dogs and cats live on the island.
Is Riverback Sanctuary good for families with kids?
Families are welcome: kids enjoy the trees, the animals and the river. The island is reached by three handmade bamboo bridges, so children should be supervised on the bridges and near the water.
Do you have internet / WiFi?
Yes, WiFi covers the whole island, at around 40 Mbps.
Is there phone signal (Globe / Smart)?
Phone signal is very weak in Liwa, so don’t count on mobile data. Use our WiFi to stay connected.
What happens during a brownout?
Nothing changes for you. Our solar panels and battery take over when the grid goes down, so the lights, fans, AC and WiFi keep running.
Can I swim in the river?
Yes, most of the year! In summer the water flows less and water lilies grow, so swimming can be less enjoyable during that season.
When is the best time to surf in Liwliwa?
December to March is the best season, with clean, consistent waves that suit beginners. June to November brings bigger swells for experienced surfers, with calmer days between storms. We can book surf lessons with a certified instructor for you.
Are you a resort?
No, we’re a homestay in a riverside community. Please respect our place and community, and come with realistic expectations.
Is my stay refundable?
Yes, if you cancel up to 1 week (7 days) before your stay: you’re refunded minus a ₱500 admin fee. Within 1 week of check-in, bookings are non-refundable. You can cancel from your booking page (the link is in your emails).
Can I change my dates?
Yes, once for free, up to 7 days before check-in. Ask for new dates or a different number of guests from your booking page and we confirm by email. If the new stay costs more, you pay the difference before your stay; if it costs less, we refund the difference. After that, please contact us directly.
Can I cook, or are meals available?
Meals are available on pre-order (just ask for the menu). You can also use our common kitchen for ₱150 each time you cook.
Ready to slow down?
See which cabin is available on your dates and book direct, with no commission.
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