Aurora is a province located in the eastern part of Central Luzon, Philippines. It is known for its natural beauty, including lush mountains, pristine beaches, waterfalls, and a rugged Pacific coastline. It’s a prime spot for surfing, trekking, and eco-tourism.

Geography & Location

• Capital: Baler
• Region: Central Luzon (Region III)
• Borders: It is bordered on the north by the provinces of Isabela and Qurino, on the northwest  by Nueva Vizcaya, on the west by Nueva Ecija, on the southwest by Bulacan, on the South by Quezon, and on the east by the Philippine Sea which connects to the Pacific Ocean.
• Part of the Sierra Madre mountain range runs through Aurora, making much of its terrain forested and mountainous.

History

• Named after: Aurora Aragon Quezon, the wife of President Manuel L. Quezon.
• Originally part of Quezon Province, Aurora became a separate province in 1979.
• It has a rich history tied to early Spanish colonization and Filipino resistance movements.

Tourism & Attractions

Aurora is a growing ecotourism and surfing destination, with highlights including:

• Baler: A historic town and the province’s capital, famous for its role in the Siege of Baler during the Philippine Revolution and for being the birthplace of President Manuel L. Quezon.
• Sabang Beach: Popular surfing destination, especially from October to February.
• Ditumabo Mother Falls: A stunning waterfall in San Luis.
• Dicasalarin Cove: A secluded beach with dramatic scenery, accessible from Baler.
• Ermita Hill: A historic site where survivors of a tsunami in 1735 fled to safety.
• Millennium Tree (Balete Tree): Reputed to be the largest Balete tree in Asia, over 600 years old, located in Barangay Quirino.
• Casapsapan Beach: Fine, cream sandy beach stretching for several kilometers
• Dingalan Mountain View: A hiking destination accessible from the main road. Ascend to Mt. Mingan to witness dramatic views of high cliffs, lush hills and the deep ocean.
• Dinadiawan Beach: A tranquil escape with light powdery sand and clear water
• Benham/Philippine Rise – Although technically not a part of Aurora Province, Dilasag town serves as the jump off point to explore this famous 13 million hectare underwater plateau

 Environment & Biodiversity

• Aurora is home to Aurora Memorial National Park, a protected area with rich flora and fauna.
• It is part of the Sierra Madre Biodiversity Corridor, one of the most important ecological zones in the Philippines.

 People & Culture

• The province can be accessed from Manila via two routes, the Canili-Pantabangan Road and the Baler-Bongabon Road. The former leads into the town of Maria Aurora. The latter route goes through Aurora Memorial National Park located on the Sierra Madre mountain range which leads to Villa Aurora, one of the upland barangays of Maria Aurora town and coasts down to the town of San Luis which then connects to Baler and the northern towns. Both routes offer paved cement roads with winding and steep curves as it passes through the mountains. 
• Currently, Dingalan town is separate from the rest of Aurora province. Access to Dingalan is via a different route. The most direct route is through the Palayan-Gabaldon-Dingalan Road which passes through various towns in Nueva Ecija and crosses the Pampanga River.
• Infrastructure projects abound all over the province, especially as tourism grows. Local government officials are working closely with the Department of Public Works and Highways to improve access to coastal towns and local attractions. Likewise, many infrastructure projects are underway at the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) to improve water supply, health services, logistics and tourism facilities that benefit tourists, locators and the local community.