We’re pretty sure you’ve heard of Caramoan! It’s the recent talk-of-the-town, touted as one of the rising stars in tourism. After all, the Philippines isn’t just all about Boracay and Palawan. Because it was made known to the world by a hit TV show, Survivor Philippines, Caramoan is now one of the most coveted tourist spots in the country.
If you want to get an exclusive taste of this beautiful haven, here’s what you need to know:
HOW TO GET THERE
Camarines Sur is the jump-off point to get to Caramoan. To get to CamSur, you can take a bus ride from Manila to Naga City through bus terminals in Cubao, Pasay City, Quezon City, and EDSA. The trip usually takes around 9 hours and the fare is P800.
If you’re not keen on sitting idly for extended hours, a plane ride from Manila to Naga city only takes 40 minutes. From the city airport, you can take a bus or a passenger van to take you to Sabang which is in San Jose, Camarines Sur. Once you’re in Sabang Port, you can pay P120 for a ferry ride to Guijalo, Caramoan.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU GET THERE
Eat, of course!
There are simple local diners that offer authentic Pinoy cuisine that’s deliciously Bicolano. Even if you’re not keen on their spicy signature palate, you can still enjoy scrumptious dishes that are simply mouthwatering. Don’t miss out on freshly-chopped bukos too!
Beach hopping
Because Caramoan is a peninsular town made up of many beautiful islets, it’s definitely a must for you and your travel group to go island/beach hopping. Experiment with your negotiation skills and charter a local boat so you can visit the nearby islands of Matukad, Hunongan, Lahus, and Gota beach. This will only cost around P1500 for 8 people, but the experience and enjoyment will more than make up for the expense.
Caving
Indulge in a daring adventure and explore the limestone formations and cave sections of Caramoan. There’s the Omang Cave between Paniman and Ilawod and the Manipis Cave at Pandanan. The latter is even said to be the hiding place of General Yamashita’s treasure. So go treasure hunting! You may just find the pot of gold at the end of this… adventure!
Climbing and trekking
It’s definitely a big challenge for travelers to climb the rocky mountains of Matukad Island. But once you get to the top, you’ll see views that are beyond breathtaking. You’ll even see a rumored enchanted lagoon touted to be magical.
Sight-seeing
For a little religious trek, head over to Caglago Mountain at Barangay Tabgon to visit the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It’s the largest Marian statue in the country and will take 524 stair steps for you to get to her base. Yes, it is that massive! Plus, you’ll see panoramic views of the surrounding islands when you get to the top, so what more can you ask for?
Another religious destination you should go to is the parish church of St. Michael the Archangel. It’s a stunning architectural masterpiece and is a beautiful incarnation of ancient rustic culture. The vivid red bricks of the façade have stood the test of time just for you.
Camping
If you’ve grown immune to hotel rooms and pension houses, bring a tent with you and just camp out in one of the secluded beaches of Caramoan. You can snorkel by day, lounge by the beach, get some tan, or do a little romantic star gazing at night.
Caramoan is definitely a tropical paradise you shouldn’t miss! Don’t worry about the money because getting to and from there won’t take more than P5,000. And don’t worry about your travel itinerary because there are endless number of ways you can enjoy your trip to this beautiful destination.
What are you waiting for?