🛏️Playa Amara
About this place
On Maniwaya Island, Santa Cruz, Playa Amara Beach Resort is one of Maniwaya's most established names — a beach resort offering a relaxing getaway with beach access, a hospitable team, and the kind of food that gets called out in reviews. Like many of the older island-resort listings, the experience here can vary by visit, but the overall track record is enough to keep it on most Maniwaya shortlists.
What Visitors Highlight
Reviews consistently mention:
- Hospitable staff — a warm welcome that anchors the stay - Good food — solid Filipino fare on-site - Beach access — the property's core draw
That said, honest reviews also flag past issues with room quality and certain facilities. Travelers planning a stay here should set expectations accordingly: this is a real Maniwaya beach resort, not a polished international chain. The trade-off is access to the island's white sand and clear water at a more accessible price point.
The Branding Question
A note worth knowing: there appear to be multiple related entities under the Amara name:
- Playa Amara Beach Resort — the original Maniwaya listing - AMARA Sands Maniwaya Island — a possibly rebranded or sister property - Amara Resort and Villas — separately referenced in some YouTube content
Whether these are the same operation under different names, or distinct properties, isn't fully resolved in public sources. Booking directly through the contacts below is the safest way to confirm what you're actually reserving.
Booking and Contact
- Phones: +63 946 081 1422 / +63 928 507 0362 / +63 920 555 6256 / +63 922 867 1755 - Email: playa_amara@yahoo.com.ph - Facebook: Playa Amara Beach Resort | AMARA Sands - Instagram: Playa Amara location - TikTok features: @pinkytobiano, @alex_siena - TripAdvisor: Playa Amara Beach Resort Reviews
Why to Consider It
Playa Amara remains one of Maniwaya's most-Googled, most-reviewed resort names. For travelers who want a stay at a property that's been running long enough to have an established TripAdvisor footprint, this is one of the names that matches that profile. Adjust expectations to "real island resort, not luxury hotel," confirm details before booking, and the stay tends to deliver on what visitors come to Maniwaya for: beach, sunset, slow days.
Best Time to Visit
Book in advance during Moriones Festival (Holy Week).
What to Bring
How to Get Here
From Boac (capital): Take a jeepney or tricycle heading toward Santa Cruz. Tell the driver "Playa Amara" — most locals know it.
Address: Maniwaya Island, Santa Cruz, Marinduque
Open in Google MapsContact & Links
From Google
Google- 8 years ago
Maniwaya island is a good place to relax and stay out of work/stress. Get to enjoy the beach, jetski, banana boat, Palad sand bar and Gungal rock! Also, consider staying at Playa Amara as they have nice rooms and toilets (shared Cr) plus they also allow other guests to pitch their own tent at the front of their resort (fee at around ₱300)
- 2 years ago
IT'S A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN ESCAPE FROM THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF EVERYDAY LIFE AND IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF SURROUNDINGS CONNECT WITH NATURE AND CREATE CHERISHED MEMORIES
