Bicol Region: Exploring the beauty of Bicolandia

Details

Category: Destination

Published on Sunday, 22 January 2012 09:54

Albay • Camarines Sur • Camarines Norte • Catanduanes • Masbate • Sorsogon

About the region

The Bicol region is at the southeastern part of Luzon and is composed of the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon. The region offers a wide array of activities for tourists like mountaineering, scuba diving, spelunking and surfing. It also boasts of beautiful white sand beaches, hot springs, caves, mountains and waterfalls. 

How to get there and go around

By Air. There are 5 airports in the region – Legazpi, Naga, Daet, Masbate and Virac airports. Major domestic airlines like Air Philippines, Cebu Pacific and ZestAir service Bicol. Travel time is approximately 45 minutes to one hour.

By Rail. The Manila to Naga connection of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) was recently revived. The estimated travel time of Bicol Express Train from Tutuban Station in Manila to Naga City is 10 hours. There are 16 stopovers where other passengers can ride the train.

To learn more, see: PNR Tel. No.: (+632) 319-0041 local 101 or check out this site.

By Land. Plenty of air-conditioned and non air conditioned buses ply the Manila – Bicol route daily. Buses are available at the Araneta Center Bus Terminal in Cubao. Major bus lines are Philtranco, Peñafrancia, Isarog, Goldline, Executive Carriers and DLTB Co.

To learn more, see: www.philtranco.com.ph | www.penafranciatours.com

Bus, vans, and jeepneys are the usual transportation options in the region. On the other hand, fast crafts and ferries are used for inter-island travel. Cabs are available in the bigger cities of Naga and Legazpi. Tricycles and pedicabs (bicycles with sidecars) can be used for short distances.

Where to stay

Travellers in the region have a variety of accommodations to choose from – hotels, resorts, inns, pension houses and homestays.

To learn more, click the following links:
Accommodations in Caramoan | Accommodations in Donsol
Accommodations in Naga City | Accommodations in Legazpi City
Accommodations in Iriga City | Accommodations in Daet
Accommodations in Sorsogon

What to eat

Travelers will enjoy the gastronomic delights that the region has to offer. Bicol is known for dishes using coconut milk and chili peppers. The visitor to Bicol should not miss these local dishes:

• Gulay na Natong/Laing. This is a famous Bicol delicacy made of shredded taro leaves cooked in coconut milk flavored with small shrimps and native chilis.

• Bicol Express. This dish is made of chilis cooked in coconut milk and flavored with small shrimps and pork.

• Pili Nuts. The region has an abundance of pili nuts, and locals sell them roasted, or as tarts or candies.

What to buy

Native products and handicrafts like home décor items, decorative boxes, hand-woven bags made from abaca are plentiful and cheap in Bicol. Tourists can also buy native food delicacies like candied pili nuts and cassava chips.

What to see and do

Mayon Volcano

Bicol is famous for the perfectly cone shaped Mayon Volcano found in Albay. There are guided tours going to the volcano that provide tourists an amazing view of the crater. The Cagsawa Ruins, a village which was completely engulfed by lava during the eruption of Mayon Volcano in 1814, also should not be missed.

Donsol

Donsol is known for its gentle butanding or whalesharks, which are seen all year round. There are guided tours that allow adventurous travelers to swim with the sharks. Firefly watching is another attraction that tourists must try in Donsol. Tourists can marvel at the beauty of nature as they take a boat ride along the Ogor river whose banks are rich with mangroves and local trees.

Caramoan Island

Caramoan is a newly discovered paradise in the region. The adventurous tourist can choose from activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, rock climbing, trekking and spelunking. It boasts of long white sand beaches, crystal clear water, beautiful limestone cliffs and interesting rock formations.

To learn more, see: caramoanislands.com

Relevant Contacts and Online Resources

PH Department of Tourism Region V

Department of Tourism
Regional Center Site
Rawis, Legazpi City
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Telephone Numbers: +63 52 4820715/ +63 52 4350085
Fax Number: +63 52 4820712

ALBAY

Provincial Tourism & Cultural Affairs Office, Albay
Tourism Bldg., F. Aquende Drive, Legazpi City
Tel. No: (+6352) 481-0250/ 435-4241
Fax Number: (+6352) 480-3444
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: tourism.albay.gov.ph/

CAMARINES NORTE

Provincial Tourism Office, Provincial Capitol
Daet, Camarines Norte
Tel. No.: (+6352) 7213087; Fax Number: (+6352) 440-2013
Mobile Number: +639172570408
Email Address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CAMARINES SUR

Provincial Tourism, Culture and Sports Office
Capitol Complex, Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur
Tel. Nos.: +(6354) 477-3347 / (+6354) 477-3344 / 477-3349
Website: www.camarinessur.gov.ph

CATANDUANES

Provincial Tourism Office, Provincial Capitol
Virac, Catanduanes
Mobile Number: +639089499198
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.catanduanes.gov.ph

MASBATE

Provincial Tourism Office, Provincial Capitol, Masbate City
Mobile Number: +6390894995198
Email Address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

SORSOGON

Provincial Tourism Office
Provincial Capitol, Sorsogon City
Tel. No: (+6352) 211-3990; Mobile Number: +639217335593
Website: www.sorsogontourism.com

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