If there is one place in the Philippines where you can truly experience it all, Camarines Sur will not disappoint. Home to the world re-known CamSur Water Sports Complex, Camarines Sur is quickly becoming the new Borocay and the province has the statistics to prove it. It was ranked the number one tourist destination in the country by the department of tourism in the first half of 2009. Not only can you experience every water sport imaginable in one world class facility, but “CamSur” is also home to numerous eco-tourism adventures and the beauty and tranquility of the spectacular Caramoan Islands. The Caramoan Islands were made famous as the filming location of the hit reality television series, “Survivor.”

Believe it or not, despite the CamSur tourist’s typical affinity with water, there is plenty to see in-land as well. The city of Naga plays host to numerous festivals, historic cathedrals and for a little retail therapy, SM City Naga. But perhaps Camarines Sur’s best kept secret lies in a place where the unsuspecting tourist would least expect. Imagine a place where you can relax in the natural wonders of the country while immersing yourself in the spirit of the Bicolano people. Imagine a place where people bring to life century old traditions that will reconnect you with traditional Filipino culture. Imagine a place where you could come as a visitor but leave as family.

I let my imagination run wild and my dream became a reality when I discovered two Gawad Kalinga villages located in different areas of Camarines Sur. (Gawad Kalinga is a community development model and social movement founded in the Philippines.) One site was located right in the heart of the countryside of Libmanan while the other was located in Iriga boasting spectacular views of Mt. Iriga. Each village features a world-class bed and breakfast facility. These units serve as a means of livelihood for the community. What I love about this concept is that while touring for my own pleasure, I can contribute in a positive way to benefit the local community. Each location was an excellent base to enjoy the local and surrounding area. The Gawad Kalinga villages offer a unique opportunity for potential guests to have an intimate encounter with the locals and culture. At each village I was greeted with a warm smile and a welcome drink.

Set deep in the Bicol countryside is the Gawad Kalinga Pona village in Libmanan. A 20 pesos van ride will have you there in only 45 minutes from Naga. As you live in community with the people of the village, you are exposed to daily life in a way that no hotel can offer. Numerous activities offer enough variety to suit any taste from learning how to cook traditional Bicolano dishes, to participating in traditional farming. Some visitors may simply enjoy interacting with the children. You might also enjoy learning how to make hand made flowers or hand bags out of recycled materials. My personal favourite was fishing in the village’s tilapia pond where your catch will be cooked to your preference – grilled or fried. For those wishing total relaxation and pampering, the locals in Libmanan are even trained to provide hair cuts, massages, or manicures. I enjoyed relaxing on my private deck breathing in the fresh country air – a stark contrast for those who live in metro Manila. Don’t think for one second that when the lights go down that the action stops. That’s when nature comes alive in the country and visitors to Libmanan are treated to the natural wonder of fireflies lighting up the night sky. Once you’ve had your fill of country life, try a change of scenery in Iriga.

Sitting high atop a peak overlooking Mount Iriga, you will find the bed and breakfast suites at the Gawad Kalinga Character village. There is nothing more refreshing than waking up to an awe inspiring view as you sip your morning cup of coffee. All meals are special in this village not just because they come with a view but because they are prepared table side. Like Libmanan, there are plenty of opportunities to experience the Phillipines in a way that most traditional establishments cannot provide. The village is perched on a slope and beautifully landscaped offering one of a kind photo opportunities. You could try learning some of the local Bicolano dialect or just enjoying the view with the locals. The site is ideal for a mountain retreat getaway for couples or as a base to explore the surrounding area. Camarines Sur offers numerous eco-tourism activities including bird watching, natural hot springs, waterfalls, and mountain trekking. On the other side of Mt. Iriga near the Gawad Kalinga village is Lake Buhi. The lake is home to the world’s smallest edible fish, the sinarapan. The village is a van ride away from Naga and won’t cost more than 60 pesos.

Gawad Kalinga Luzon

What I loved about staying in these villages beyond the intimate encounters was the tremendous value offered. One night in your own private unit including breakfast in the morning starts at just 750 pesos for two people and many of the activities are included as well. It’s almost like being at an all inclusive resort. The bonus is the people. Only in Gawad Kalinga villages can you expect to be randomly invited into people’s homes. This is where the cultural exchange and story telling occurs. I was so touched and humbled when I was invited into a family’s home for the first time. Although they had so little of their own, they insisted on offering me refreshments and treating me like a prince. That’s an experience that even Shangri-la can’t match!

Most vacations are full of transactional encounters, but this vacation transformed my life forever. Whether your interests are dolphin watching, historic cathedrals of Naga or wake boarding at the CamSur Watersports Complex, the Gawad Kalinga villages make an excellent home for your stay in Camarines Sur. Where else can you arrive as a visitor but leave as family? It’s often said that people don’t remember the places they visit, but they always remember the people they meet. I will always remember the people that I encountered at the Gawad Kalinga villages. At one site, the people of the village dropped what they were doing and walked me to the highway to join me as I waited for a van to Naga. As I looked back at their smiling faces waving to me as I departed, I realized that this is the true spirit of mabuhay and the Filipino culture at its best.

Guest Writer: Darryl Wilson has a passion for travel and other cultures of the world having visited numerous countries including England, Scotland, Iceland, Greece, Spain, Italy, Malaysia, Thailand, India, and the Philippines among others. As a half-Filipino, the Philippines holds a special place in Darryl`s heart. He is committed to helping the Philippines rise out of poverty through tourism development. Darryl is currently in the process of setting up a non-profit organization in Canada to support work in the Philippines.

Caramoan Peninsula National Park

Caramoan Peninsula National Park Travel Guide

• Why Not Go
• Why Go
• Best Time to Visit
• Where to Stay
• Where & What to Eat
• Nightlife
• To Do List
• Stay Away From
• Getting There

Insane-looking limestone karsts formations, deep gorges, snaking rivers, white sandy beaches and clandestine coves characterize the remote Caramoan Peninsula National Park, a beautiful reminder that indeed, the Philippines is a nation of incomparable natural wonders in just about every nook and cranny of this archipelagic country.

Caramoan Peninsula National Park is located in the town of Caramoan, a sleepy and remote town of Camarines Sur. The peninsula barely received any attention outside of Camarines Sur until it was used as a setting for an edition of Survivor France, a franchise of that wildly popular reality TV show Survivor based in the United States. Since then, Survivor Israel, Bulgaria and Serbia followed suit and used the same location for their own Survivor franchises. The media then turned their sights on this erstwhile forgotten corner of Bicol and coupled with an aggressive tourism marketing campaign by the provincial government of Camarines Sur – Caramoan Peninsula is now high on many Filipino travelers’ lists of must go destinations.

Caramoan Peninsula National Park
Photo by YTK23

In 1867, Franciscan Missionary Fray Francisco dela Cruz y Oropesa penetrated the dense forests of Caramoan Peninsula and probably liked what he saw there as he founded a Christian settlement in a place called Balwarte. This settlement was turned over to the Sagrada Mitra in 1696 for administration and a chapel was built out of nipa, bamboos and wood. The settlement grew into a bigger community which is now called as Caramoan which was apparently derived from a sea turtle abounding in the area at the time and which the local inhabitants called “Carahan.”

The chapel underwent several repairs and renovations and after almost 200 years, a permanent building was finally constructed made out of adobe, local stones and clay. The church was basically constructed out of slave labor under the direction of well-known artisans and masons. The current building withstood the ravages of time, as well as natural calamities such as typhoons and earthquakes as well as the challenges of the last World War.

Caramoan Church
Photo by Dave Ryan

Fast forward to present day Caramoan reveals a town still trying to adjust to the sudden deluge of tourists and travelers to the area trying to get to the much-vaunted islands off the coast. There are two main island groups off the Peninsula. The south islands (nearer to the province of Catanduanes) are composed, amongst others, of the most popular Matukad Island (with the islet lake on top with a rumored huge fish living in its waters), Lajos/Lahus Island, Hunungan Island, Gota Island (different from Gota Beach which is across it), and of course further away is Tinago (a cove with three small white sand beaches) and whose topography is strongly reminiscent of Coron Island in Palawan. The triangular shaped cream-colored sandy beach of Sabitang Laya Island (and the coral beach of Tagas Island) meanwhile, is just about a third of the way to another set islands in the north which include Cotivas, Lahuy, Pitogo, and Minalahos Islands amongst others. However, some of these islands are closed off to the public whenever there is ongoing filming of any of the Survivor franchises. We were lucky to have met some of the eliminated contestants of the Survivor Serbia edition and even had the chance to share a few bites of a Serbian dish made by one of the contestants.

Rock Formations at Sabitang Laya Island
Photo by Dave Ryan

Sea kayaking, island hopping, rock-climbing, trekking, spelunking, snorkeling and camping are some of the most popular activities in the peninsula. However, challenges remain for the traveler and the local community as well. When we went there, Caramoan town had the feel of a shell-shocked town and whilst they were extremely helpful and friendly, you can definitely sense a reluctant vibe with the sudden rush of tourists to this peninsula. And we can fully understand why, mass tourism is an ugly and destructive form of tourism with travel agencies trying to cash in with this sudden interest in the area by sending heaps of tourists to Caramoan.

Having said that, tourism infrastructure in Caramoan is minimal to almost nonexistent. The roads are mostly dirt and gravel with some areas paved. Houses were hastily turned into inns and there seems to be no close coordination with the provincial government and the local government of Caramoan in anticipating the massive influx of tourists in the peninsula. From our sources in Bicol, the people of Caramoan were not too happy with this tourism phenomenon, considering it as a threat to their culture and laid back lifestyle as well as the local environment. Already we were seeing the reality of these threats – we saw vandalism on the surface of what would have been beautiful rock formations on Matukad Island, and we saw broken glass and pieces of garbage at Hunungan and Sabitang Laya. While what we found was largely manageable, we noticed that there were no sentries guarding or maintaining the national park. This problem should be addressed as soon as possible while it is still small and manageable.

You can also go spelunking at the national park in Omang Cave, Manipis Cave and Culapnitan Cave.

At Tinago
Photo by Dave Ryan

One of the quirky looking formations in Caramoan
Photo by Dave Ryan

Why Not Go

Skip Caramoan Peninsula when there is another Survivor filming as some of the islands will be closed off to the public. We heard from locals that the Survivor has a four year franchise set to end around next year at the earliest with Survivor USA apparently filming there..

One of the boats used in the challenges for the reality show Survivor
Photo by Dave Ryan

Why Go

Caramoan Peninsula does give island hopping a new meaning and coming there gives a feeling of being away from it all. This beautiful National Park offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and its many islands seem to duplicate the equally gorgeous Calamianes in Northern Palawan (although we do think that Coron is still more beautiful).

Best Time to Visit

Head out to Caramoan Peninsula during weekdays. Never ever go there during long weekends or holidays as in some popular islands – there are a lot of people trying to do that annoying and kitschy travel photography fad called the group jump shot.

Where to Stay

Save up to 75% on hotels in Philippines

Gota Village Resort (http://caramoanislands.com) is the only beachfront resort/hotel that has passable international standards and offers most of the other activities in the peninsula but of course it comes with two downsides – rooms are very pricy, and it is totally closed off to the public when there is Survivor filming. Check their advisories on their website to be sure.

You may also check in with Rex Tourist Inn (Centro), and BC Hometel (Tawog) for cheap air-conditioned accommodations. We tried BC Hometel (+63.921.8357454) and save for some bugs (ants and an occasional bee) in the room and the air-conditioner leaking into the room – it was alright. A/C room for two is PhP500. The lodging places usually accept payments through Smart Money transactions so you may have to pay a deposit or the full amount in advance through Smart Money (you have to go to a Smart Telecom Office to remit money).

Cruising through the Mangrove Forest
Photo by Dave Ryan

Where & What to Eat

There are not many of decent eating places in Caramoan. For travelers, there are probably two obvious choices – Lutong Bahay which makes uninspired mainstream Filipino dishes or the Kamalig which has a better ambience, pricier and fortunately has better menu choices. Bicol Express (pork in coconut milk and chilies) and Laing (taro leaves in coconut milk and chilies) are passable and their own version of fish soup (Tanguige Kusido) was quite interesting. The menu says that there is a maximum of 2-3 beers per person. Of course no one really follows that rule.

Nightlife

Caramoan town by itself is a very sleepy town with not much going day or night save for some karaoke joints. While stopping over at Bikal, we heard a guy screaming his guts out over a karaoke song. Horrible. Other than that, quiet dinners or just lazing by the beach with a drink in Gota is the best way to celebrate a night in Caramoan.

My to do List

1. Take a bottle of beer or two and go island hopping!**
2. Check out the lake on Matukad Island.*
3. Explore Tinago.*
4. Take photos! And if you have the money for it, take a plane and view the dramatic karst formations from above.*
5. Visit the centuries old church of Caramoan town.*
6. Do a river cruise along the dense mangroves.*
7. Rent a kayak and go sea kayaking.**
8. Camp! (Head out to the Municipal Hall first for this and mostly you have to bring your own gear.)
*- Highly Recommended
**- Recommended by Locals

Tanguige Kusido at Kamalig
Photo by Dave Ryan

Stay Away From

1. Mosquitoes! – just bring bug repellent to be sure
2. Stray animals: monkeys – rabies is prevalent all over the Philippines.
3. Getting wet, take Ziplocs with you for your gadgets and valuables.
4. Protect yourself from UV rays by putting on a sunblock.
5. Wear your flip-flops just to protect yourself from broken glass.

Getting There

From Naga City in Camarines Sur, it takes about 1.5 hours by van (PhP 90 last time we went there in August 2009) from the CBT (Central Bus Terminal) to the “port” of Sabang. This is not a real port but a beach where passengers sit on the backs/shoulders of porters who carry them over to the boat for PhP20.00- nothing more than that. From Sabang to Guijalo port, it is a 2 hour journey on a boat which seemed to be filled to the rafters with people (we did not sign any passenger manifest in Sabang) and with the life vests at the far end of the boat. Fee is about PhP 120-130 per person. From Guijalo to Caramoan Town is about 20 minutes (fee is about PhP100 for two people- same amount you pay from Caramoan town to Bikal port- the jump off point for the island hop) on mostly bad roads. The island hop costs about PhP 1,800 for the day for either but not both island groups.

Van to Sabang from Naga City CBT
Photo by Dave Ryan

You can also drive to Caramoan from Naga, but from Sabang to Caramoan – the roads are notoriously bad and the trip could take 6 hours in a four-wheel drive.

Camarines Sur (through the Naga Airport in Pili) can be accessed via plane (45 minutes ride). Zest Air, Philippine Airlnes and Cebu Pacific from Manila and vice-versa. Buses also ply the Manila-Naga route – Isarog, Peñafrancia, RSL, ECSI and Philtranco buses serve this route. There are also mini-vans and buses servicing Naga to other points of Bicol through it’s Central Bus Terminal. A more comfy ride through the Philippine National Railways is set to commence at the end of 2009 as well (+63.2.2549772) but can be a very, very slow way to reach Camarines Sur. If you are driving, make sure that you pick up a map and follow the scenic but sometimes hair-raising Pan-Philippine Highway.

One of the Caramoan rides
Photo by Dave Ryan

Camarines Sur

Camarines Sur Travel Guide

• Why Not Go
• Why Go
• Best Time to Visit
• Where to Stay
• Where & What to Eat
• Nightlife
• To Do List
• Stay Away From
• Getting There

From the deeply religious Bicol region, Camarines Sur is the Philippines’ newest and fast rising tourism star with coasts and islands that greet the traveler with gorgeous limestone formations, secluded white sand beaches as well as a throbbing adventure sports scene that makes the rest of Asia stand up and take notice.

About 10-12 hours bus ride (or a 45 minute plane ride) away from Manila is the province of Camarines Sur, formerly known as Tierra de Camarines – a Spanish-founded settlement. The name was derived from camaronchones or camarines, Spanish for a warehouse/barn which referred to the small nipa/bamboo huts used by the locals of the area. Spanish Governor General Guideo de Lavezares called Camarines Sur as Los Camarines after finding a great number of camarins or rice granaries all over the area.

Wakeboarding at CamSur Watersports Complex, Pili, Camarines Sur
Photo from Flickr

The Bicol region was subjugated by the Spaniards into two portions – the southern portion (Partido de Ibalon) comprises everything south of the town of Camalig (in Albay), Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate and present-day Partido (an area around the Caramoan Peninsula) and the northern portion (Partido de Camarines) includes Camalig town and the rest of the towns of Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte. In 1829, Partido de Camarines was divided into Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur (and like a lot of the provinces and regions in the Philippines underwent annexations, more partitions, fusions and re-partitions until the two Camarines provinces (then called Ambos Camarines)) had their present boundaries finally outlined in March 19, 1919 by a decree of the First Philippine legislature.

As with the rest of the country – it experienced several upheavals and figured in several prominent national and international conflicts – the Philippine revolution, the American invasion, and the Japanese occupation during the last World War.

While Pili has been the provincial capital since June 6, 1955 – the city of Naga is more known. Naga was the former capital of the province and was founded in 1573. It was then called Nueva Caceres- named after one of the provinces of Spain and Naga was considered as one of the five royal cities of the colony.

Before the recent frenzy of tourism in the province – Naga was known as the seat of Bicol’s most famous, revered and supposedly miraculous religious icon – Our Lady of Peñafrancia. As the story goes, a lot of miracles were received by Father Miguel de Cobarrubias (originally from San Martin de Castañar in Spain) who strived to bring this faith to the people. As the image was sculpted and finished – blood was used to color the statue (as was the customs of that time) and also served as a preservative – a dog was caught, killed and blood was used as paint- and the dog’s body was thrown into a river nearby. Seeing this, Father Cobarrubias apparently remarked that the Virgin would work her first miracle in Nueva Caceres, and instantly the dog was said to have started swimming and upon reaching the river banks ran fast to the house of its owner. News of the miracle spread like wildfire and instantly the patroness was famous.

The image was no less than controversial in recent times – because of its age and story – it was deemed so highly valuable that on August 15, 1981 it was stolen from the Peñafrancia Church. A massive search ensured and finally the image was rightfully returned to its rightful place a little over a year later. The image can now be found at the Basilica Minore at Calle Balatas in Naga City and remains to be the regions Ina (Mother).

Our Lady of Peñafrancia
Photo by Dave Ryan

Whilst Camarines Sur was traditionally known for the Our Lady of Peñafrancia (celebrated every third Sunday of September) – it is also known for other religious devotions – in Barangay Sta. Salud in Calabanga town – thousands of pilgrims do the “pagsongko” or a promise of walking a twelve-kilometer road (if the devotee is from Naga) during late night Maundy Thursday or the early morning of Good Friday to visit another miraculous image of Jesus in repose in his tomb known as Amang Hinulid.

Buhi town (which is also famous for having the smallest fish in the world called sinarapan) is also known for its Passion Plays that date back as early as 1866 where the life, passion and death of Christ are either recited or chanted during Lenten season. Meanwhile during the month of May, the Aurora is also practiced where a small procession of about 20-30 people (including children) sing the songs of prayer and penance (alabasyon) dedicated to the Virgin Mary whilst holding lit candles and torches. A small andas or altar with the statue of Virgin Mary is bedecked with crepe paper flowers and carried along with the procession.

Another distinct cultural practice in the province is the Pantomina which is an artistic courtship dance. While a newlywed dances the Pantomina, the padrinos (godfathers), the taglalaki, the tagbabaye and other relatives throw money on the floor in front of the dancing couple. This practice of throwing money is called the bitor. A more modern version of the dance makes do without the bitor, instead money is pinned to the clothes of the married couples and in some cases, the newlyweds give their relatives and other guests wine to drink and are given gifts or money in return. This is called the tagay.

Aside from the deep religiosity and fervor of the people of Camarines Sur, the province has successfully established itself as one of the major centres of adventure sports, not only in the Philippines but within the Asia-Pacific region, with the opening of the largest wakeboarding centre in Asia – the CamSur Watersports Complex (Please check their website for rates and accommodations – http://www.camsurwatersportscomplex.com/) This sprawling wakeboarding facility is located within the Provincial Capitol Complex in Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur. CWC as it more known, also has waterskiing and wakeskating facilities and has recently hosted Ironman 70.3 – the first time the Philippines has ever hosted such an internationally recognized triathlon event.

On Sabitang Laiya Island, Caramoan Peninsula
Photo by Dave Ryan

Like many parts of the Philippines, Camarines Sur also boasts of stretches of beautiful and largely unexplored coastlines which mean miles and miles of beaches, coves and staggering rock formations, the most famous of which is the Caramoan Peninsula National Park. Caramoan Peninsula captured international attention when several editions of the reality series Survivor were filmed in the area- Survivor France, Bulgaria, Israel and Serbia filmed in the islands of Caramoan Peninsula. The peninsula is famous for its dramatic limestone karst formations, white sand beaches, coves, as well as sandbars which is pretty reminiscent of Coron in the Calamianes Islands in Northern Palawan – heavily promoted by the local government – Caramoan is still to recover from the initial shock of the growing influx of tourists in the past two years when the peninsula was suddenly plucked out of relative obscurity and thrust into the Philippine tourism limelight. Kayaking around the islets is a favorite pastime amongst visitors as well as the requisite island hop and while most islands are open, some of these are closed off to the public once there is an ongoing filming of Survivor. The local government apparently franchised the area for Survivor filming for 4 years. The more popular islands are Lahuy, Matukad, Cotivas, Lajos and Sabitang Laiya, the last one famous for its triangular shape whose two sides offer a long stretch of cream-colored sandy beach and relatively shallow waters. In Paniman, the two coves Little Gota and Big Gota are some of the main attractions, as well as the limestone islands of the Malarad Island Group.

Besides Caramoan Peninsula National Park, other attractive beaches and coastal sceneries in Camarines Sur include Animasola Island in Balatan with its funky rock formations, Atulayan Island in Sangay made famous by its rare shells and ivory-colored beach (this was also the setting of the French-Italian movie “Mutiny in the South Seas”), Daruanak Island off the coast of Poñgol and Balogo beaches in Pasacao which are home to starfishes, sea urchins, sea anemones and other marine life and Aguirangan Island in Presentacion with scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities in its waters – gorgeous coral formations that stretch over a kilometer on its eastern side.

For those who love mountains and forests, one can check out the imposing Mount Isarog (Bicol’s second highest volcano at 1966 metres)– but currently inactive) whose two big waterfalls, Tuaguiti and Bulalacao and the smaller Kawa-kawa in Tigaon make the hike more than worth it. Make sure you also check out Nabuntulan Falls and Malabsay Falls. Contact a mountaineering outfit before you embark on a hike, permits can be collected at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources at Panganiban Drive in Naga (near the City Hall Complex). Mount Isarog at Panicuason, has natural springs as well – two hot and three cold. Other waterfalls include – Nalalata Falls (Bula), Bolanogan Falls (Lagonoy), and Itbog Twin Falls (Buhi).

For the avid spelunker, one should not miss the Kalupnitan Caves in Ilibmanan with their numerous stalactite and stalagmite formations. The Kalupnitan Caves are also home to thousands of bats. In San Jose, a series of caverns and a 300 meter canopy that goes all the way into the Calinigan Mountains is Adiangan Caves’ attraction. The caves also have stalactites, stalagmites and huge pillars and a ceiling with dripstone that looked like suspended waterfalls. If you wanna be close to nature but do not have time to leave Naga, you may visit the Naga City Ecology Park (http://nagaecopark.com), a 4.4 hectare park which features several theme gardens and a maze.

Curious stuff to check out is the Boa-boahan Festival in Nabua every May 2 where a reenactment of the 13th century pagan ritual of offering chains of coconut embryos called boa to deities to ensure a prosperous year ahead. If Pisa has a leaning tower so does the town of Bombon. On the other hand, Lake Buhi churns out the sinarapan- the world’s smallest fish which are about 3-4 millimeters long. 1 spoonful of these minute fish contains literally a thousand of them- so much that a famous dish called Thousand Fish Omelet was made of these tiny fish.

Why Not Go

With the recent boom in local tourism, Camarines Sur is grappling with an overwhelming number of tourists, more than what its existing infrastructure can handle. This is now being addressed slowly by the local stakeholders as more roads are being built or rehabilitated and proper facilities are being built to address this huge influx of tourists and travelers coming to the province.

Why Go

One of the islands near the Caramoan Peninsula, the outline of the world’s most beautiful volcano, Mount Mayon in the background
Photo by lizza22

For the avid aquatic sportsman, the beach bum, the travelling gourmand or the pilgrim, Camarines Sur is a tightly packed travel destination with exciting opportunities and a largely unexplored province.

Best Time to Visit

Skip the CWC and even Caramoan Peninsula or even most areas during long weekends. The hordes of eager wakeboard enthusiasts means that there is a long waitlist before you can get in the water. The more popular islands also get a lot of visitors during long weekends in the Caramoan Peninsula. Best time to go is when you take time off from work and visit the parks during the week or on weekends that don’t have any holidays nearby. While the summer months of March-May are the best time to go, this is also the worst time to visit with so many people going to Camarines Sur.

Where to Stay

Save up to 75% on hotels in Philippines

For some people, Naga City is just a mere stopover for sojourns to other parts of the province. The best-value accommodations that one can find, however, would be at the CWC (http://www.camsurwatersportscomplex.com/) itself- with its wide range of accommodations at reasonable prices and facilities. The area is also pretty close to the airport as well- and the sports complex also offers shuttle services. For other accommodations, you may check out – Camarines Sur Government website- http://www.camarinessur.gov.ph/?page=3&pid=1.

For the Caramoan Peninsula, most accommodations (mostly local residences converted into hostels/hotels) are at Centro and Tawog while the pricier Gota Village Resort is on the beach itself (and usually closed every time there is another reality show filming in the area.

Where & What to Eat

Bicol fare is characterized by a heavy use of coconut cream and a copious amount of chilies – a culinary tradition that sets the region apart from the rest of the country but has a strangely similar affinity with the Malay culinary traditions. Try Langkang Palusag which is made of langka (breadfruit), bangut, garlic and onions in coconut milk, boiled, and simmered. Or the ever popular, Bicol Express named after the Philippine National Railway that goes through the Bicol heartland. Bicol Express is made of balaw (small shrimps) with a bit of ground pork and the notoriously spicy – siling labuyo- probably the spiciest chillies in the world. Diced lobster meat mixed with young coconut meat, taro leaves, lemongrass, ground garlic and diced onions in coconut milk makes the dish called Pinangat. Ginuygoy, meanwhile, is made of taro leaves, flavored with dinaelan and seasoned with lemon juice. If you are in the area, also try Inon-on – saltwater fish cooked in vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, onions and oil; Ginaring – roast skewered fish called talusog; and of course Gulay na Natong or commonly called Laing- taro leaves with chillies, and sometimes ground pork.

The problem with finding authentic Bicolano fare in Camarines Sur, and specifically in Naga- is that you really have to look hard for it. Most restaurants in Camarines Sur serve mainstream Filipino dishes which can be a bit disappointing. Your best bet is to find a local, unassuming eatery to find a more authentic version of these dishes. In the more touristy areas, a more watered down version of course is available. If in doubt, ask a local or your hotel concierge to point you in the direction of the best restaurant to eat traditional Bicolano dishes. We tried to do that in Naga and we just failed to find a good place to eat these dishes.

Should we forget Pili Nuts? Of course not. It is a sacrilege to skip out these deliciously addicting nuts that Camarines Sur is known for.

Pili Nuts :We forgot to take a photo of a full container of Pili Nuts – they were just so yummy we couldn’t resist munching on them before we took a photo
Photo by Dave Ryan

Our culinary adventures of course were not altogether a total failure. We had the chance to try Bicol’s take on the common Pizza at CWC- it was named, well, Bicolano Pizza (about PhP250 if we can remember it correctly). It is a thin crust pizza topped with Bicol Express, and Laing. I was very apprehensive at first, but it was love at first bite. The taste was just right, quirky yet familiar, with the flavors of Bicol effectively captured in that warm plate of ultimate yummy goodness. This is definitely a must-try for anyone visiting Camarines Sur.

Nightlife

The province’s epicenter, when it comes to local nightlife, is the city of Naga with its different cafes and bars spread throughout the city. Getting around is a problem, however, if you do not own a car. The city is too spread out and lacks an obvious city centre and mostly tricycles ply the routes. Alternatively, most visitors will probably congregate at the CWC – whose restaurant and bar are fairly well-stocked and capable of handling a significant amount of guests.

My to do List

1. Wakeboard at CamSur Watersports Complex.**
2. Try the Bicolano Pizza.*
3. Munch on a bag of candied Pili Nuts.*
4. Island Hop in the Caramoan Peninsula.**
5. Feel the Bicolano religiosity at the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Shrine. **
6. Get lost in the maze at the Naga Ecology Park.*
7. Soak in the hot-springs on Mount Isarog.*
8. Feel the island vibe at Pasacao, Camarines Sur’s answer to Brazil’s Copacabana.**
9. Marvel at the numerous stalagmites and stalactites in Kalupnitan and Adiangan Caves.
*- Highly Recommended
**- Recommended by Locals

Bicolano Pizza
Photo by Dave Ryan

Stay Away From

1. Mosquitoes! – just bring bug repellent to be sure
2. Drowning, wear your life-vests at all times during island hopping.
3. Rip tides.
4. UV Rays, wear proper sun protection to avoid UV rays.

Getting There

If you are not coming with a tour group, Camarines Sur (through the Naga Airport in Pili) can be accessed via plane (45 minutes ride). Zest Air, Philippine Airlnes and Cebu Pacific from Manila and vice-versa. Buses also ply the Manila-Naga route – Isarog, Peñafrancia, RSL, ECSI and Philtranco buses serve this route. There are also mini-vans and buses servicing Naga to other points of Bicol though it’s Central Bus Terminal. A more comfy ride through the Philippine National Railways is set to commence at the end of 2009 as well (+63.2.2549772) but can be a very, very slow way to reach Camarines Sur. If you are driving, make sure that you pick up a map and follow the scenic but sometimes hair-raising Pan-Philippine Highway.

Sabang “Port”. Passengers are carried to the boat going to Guijalo
Photo by Dave Ryan