Caramoan, Camarines Sur, Philippines - The pristine white and beige sands along the islands' shores, the azure ocean, and the Pacific's rolling waves converge in Caramoan, Camarines Sur, Philippines. Modern technology has not visibly harmed the natural landscape, as its tranquil and untouched beauty remains unspoiled and unexploited.
Note:
I suggest exploring Caramoan to uncover its hidden gems, unique vacation experiences, and excitement that many are unaware of. However, consider all the details I've shared in this article to manage your expectations about what the place offers and the services available to the locals.
If development plans and programs are carried out without harming the environment and safeguarding ecological biodiversity, Caramoan could become the Pacific tropical paradise of the Central Eastern Philippines.
While other destinations are bustling with tourists and vacationers, Caramoan remains a haven for those who love castaway experiences, island adventures, and nature escapades. Although established commercial tourism and hospitality businesses exist, the natural landscape is preserved, particularly in areas without resorts, and is still accessible to visitors. This arrangement allows island and nature enthusiasts to connect with nature in a semi-secluded environment while still being close to essential utilities.
Caramoan is an excellent option if you want to visit a place that's unusual. While it may not be as spectacular as the famous destinations in and outside the Philippines, you're guaranteed to enjoy unique adventures and thrills here.
In the 1980s, Caramoan was a remote destination that was difficult to access. The town's only means of transportation was by sea from the port of Sabang, San Jose, as land travel was not feasible.
In the time of the late Governor Luis R. Villafuerte, he envisioned Caramoan and the whole province of Camarines Sur turning into a Pacific garden. Thanks to its strategic position in the central Philippines along the western Pacific coast, I recall this man and his visions, as he was the one who placed Camarines Sur on the Philippine tourism map.
Caramoan was heavily promoted and widely exposed through various media channels, both print, and broadcast and by hosting a sports event, the "Tour of Caramoan," a cycling competition.
The initiatives were successful as they motivated other local officials and leaders to promote Caramoan and the neighboring areas and towns of the Partido Area in Camarines Sur.
Following thirty years of initiatives to advance its tourism development strategies and projects, the outcome is now clear to all, thanks to the unified efforts of the province's leaders and officials.
At times, disputes arose regarding who should act and make decisions to gain recognition, influenced by political affiliation differences. However, the results are now positive and beneficial.
Caramoan is easily reachable at any time of the day. Having a car allows you to visit whenever you wish. Camarines Sur province strives to make Caramoan and other towns in the Partido District popular among travelers and vacationers. While Caramoan is on many people's bucket lists, it still lags behind the leading destinations in the Philippines and globally.
The last time I visited Caramoan was in 2008. We took a sea route from San Jose. Back then, traveling by land was a secondary choice, available only if you were using a private vehicle, and it was feasible solely during the summer.
In 2022, I eagerly returned to experiment with a new travel approach: a direct trip from Naga City via land transport. This advancement took place during my absence from the town.
Activities You Can Do
Island Hopping, the typical activities
Swimming
Camping
Mountain adventure
Scuba Diving – I did not try this during my visit. I have not even connected with any diving school offering a diving package. But please try this link: https://www.facebook.com/caramoanscubadivingservices/
Activities like parasailing, jet skiing, water recreation, and adventure are still unavailable here.
Islands & Places To Visit
The well-known islands in Caramoan and most visited are:
Matukad Island
Lahos Island
Minalahos Island
Sabitang Laya
Cagbalinad
In my case, I always go and do different ways, so I visited the island other than the five mentioned above. Now, here are my recommended different islands to visit:
1. Lahuy Island
Manlawi Floating Cottages (please see below the additional information)
Isla Soledad Resort
Sitio Nipa
2. Cotivas Island
Cotivas Sandbar
3. Basot Island
Guinahoan Lighthouse
Liwan Beach Areas
Other islands you may consider visiting on your way to Basot and Lahuy are:
Basul Island
Batibagan Island
Bageing Island
Hapunan Island
Mainland
Tabgon Mother of Peace Grotto. Please click the below link: https://www.underratedadventures.com/post/tabgon-caramoan-camarines-sur-philippines
How To Start The Island Hopping
If you are traveling in a group, you may request the hotel staff to connect you to the Caramoan Tourism Office to facilitate your trip with a guide. A professional fee for the tour guide may be required in addition to the boat rental fee.
You may ask the assistance of the hotel staff to refer a person they know operating a small boat that you can rent alone.
Once they give you the name, connect with him and arrange the rental and itinerary.
Ride the motorbike for hire riders to Bikal, Paniman, or Tabgon Port (depending on where the boat operator docks his boat)
If you need the name of a motorbike rider for hire, please continue reading, and at the end of this article, you will find his name. He was my guide and the guy I hired to bring me to different places of interest on the mainland. I gave him a short briefing on being a rider for hire and, simultaneously, as a guide. Even in the pricing of his services charge, I told him never to take advantage at the expense of the visitors and his guests simultaneously.
Bikal Port is your starting point for visiting these islands. If your accommodation is in Paniman or Tabgon, they are alternative departure points.
The Islands/Sites
Manlawi
The most fascinating aspect of the Manlawi sandbar is its nature as a tidal island, appearing during low tides and disappearing beneath the water during high tides. This distinctive feature sets the sandbar apart from all other islands and shoals in this peninsular town of Camarines Sur, piquing visitors' interest. Floating cottages are available for rent here.
If you want to dive into the water straight from the cottage, relish the gentle sway of the waves, and feel the ocean breeze while surrounded by the sea, Manlawi Sandbar is the ideal spot on Lahuy Island. You can rent floating cottages here. Manlawi Sandbar is located in Barangay Daraga.
Isla Soledad
Isla Soledad is a resort island featuring two distinct ocean wave conditions: tranquil waters on one side and lively to rough waves on the other side of the resort.
Visitors can select the sea conditions they prefer to dive into at this location. On the eastern side, thrilling waves arrive during calm weather, becoming more intense during windy periods or when bad weather is approaching. Meanwhile, the western side offers clear, tranquil seawater, providing a view of the ocean floor through its transparent waters.
Cotivas Island
The island's stunning beauty is evident from a distance, with its lush green forests and delicate beige sands shimmering in the sunlight. This is why it attracts thousands of visitors daily despite lacking support facilities and utilities. It offers only an enjoyable experience and breathtaking views.
Find out more: COTIVAS ISLAND, PHILIPPINES (underratedadventures.com)
Basot Island
The lush green mountains and the shimmering white and beige, sugar-fine sands along its shores and beaches are some of the unique topographic features that set the island apart. Basot Island holds significant potential in the tourism industry within the municipality or province and throughout the Philippines.
The eastern paradise, located in the Province of Camarines Sur, is on the West Pacific coast. It is one of Caramoan's outer islands, positioned east of the mainland and southeast of Lahuy Island. It is part of the barangay Daraga in Lahuy.
Find out more: BASOT ISLAND, PHILIPPINES (underratedadventures.com)
Boat Rental Cost
For the island hopping boat rental, the price for the whole day is P2500.00
The boat's maximum Capacity is 12 passengers
- But, following the municipal tourism rules for safety, each boat is limited to 8 passengers, excluding the crew.
- For more than eight passengers, you need to rent two boats.
- Passengers should all be provided with a life vest by the boat operators
- You can rent the boat at the Bikal port/boat terminal.
Road Networks in Lahuy Island
The road networks in Caramoan from the town proper to the different take-off points are excellent and accessible, especially by motorcycle bike.
Utility Services
Each island has no potable water supply source.
The drinking water supplies are from the mainland; hence, you must bring your drinking water.
Most islands do not have stores where you can buy food, so bring adequate water and food packs for your day's adventure.
Communication Access
There are areas with excellent mobile phone and internet signal
But there are areas with poor signal or dead spots.
What To Expect During Island Hopping
The sea trip may go well during high tide, but expect a slower run because of the strong current and waves the boat must deal with along the way.
During low tide, the trip may go faster. Still, the skippers would take extra precautions to ensure that the boat would not skid to the ocean floors because there are plenty of shallow areas.
Traveling at a low tide would allow you to see the ocean floors with corals and seaweeds and the sudden drop in the water depth of the underwater escarpment.
During high tide, waves may be big and strong and could give you thrills and rock your nerves, but you will not be traveling at a distance far from each of the islands.
Click the arrow tab to see the other images of Caramoan:
HOW TO GET TO CARAMOAN
Book a trip to Naga City from Manila or anywhere in the Philippines
It would help if you were in Naga City for at least a day or a night before your trip to Caramoan. If you arrive a day before, you can also have the chance to roam around the city and pay homage to Our Lady of Penafrancia Basilica (for Catholic travelers). So, I recommend booking a hotel in Naga City for one night.
On arrival, proceed to SM Naga City and look for the vans traveling to Caramoan. (I cannot give you as of writing because they have no permanent parking location there. But they are standing by in SM Naga.) Upon knowing the site, you can proceed with your brief city tour.
Once you find the location, discuss your trip with the driver for the next day. They can help you connect with a possible driver to drive the journey. They can even pick you up at the hotel where you are staying.
If you arrive in Naga City in the evening, proceed immediately early in the morning to SM Naga to look for the vans plying to Caramoan.
It is much better if you book a hotel close to SM Naga. There are three hotels nearby that are within walking distance only. Please check in Google.
Tell the driver to drop you at the hotel you reserved for your trip on your trip. They will be pleased to do it for you. You can even arrange to pick yourself up at the hotel for your journey back to Naga City.
The Aircon van trip will take only 3 hours of travel. Please bring with you something
to eat and drink during the journey.
Author's Impression To Caramoan
The Excitement
Places of Interest
Charming beaches with sugary-fine sands.
Fascinating islands and rock formations
Scenic sights
Uncrowded resorts and places of attraction—Visitors could experience being cast away for a day, alone or away from the noisy beachgoers.
Unspoiled forest and green mountains – Biodiversity in the ecosystem remains as manifested by the dense forest areas and the presence of wild animals.
Be ready for the loud sound of cicadas hissing inside the forest. It may be deafening, but I find it incredible.
Tourist-friendly residents
Transportation
The availability of transport services going to the different places of the peninsular mainland (motorbike riders for hire) is never a problem. There are riders for hire who are ready and willing to bring you.
Availability of motorboats for hire going to the different islands for the island hopping adventure.
Land transport is now possible for a direct trip from Naga City to Caramoan. It has become the primary option of the transportation system.
There are buses and aircon vans for hire plying the route.
Accommodation
Hotels, tourist inns, and lodging houses are available on the beach side or inside the mainland. (standard class only, no 5-star rated)
Eateries to dine in are available but do not expect a classy type.
Communication
Mobile phone and internet signals are available in most parts of the town. However, there are areas with low to no signals.
Disappointment
Transportation
The overcrowded ordinary bus trip from Naga City to Caramoan
A typical bus takes 4-6 hours from Naga City to Caramoan.
I don't recommend traveling to Caramoan via ordinary bus because it involves all the inconveniences you can imagine when taking a long trip to remote places. In my experience, the journey from Naga City to Caramoan took us 6 hours.
From Naga City to Goa – It was perfect.
The journey from Goa to Caramoan was horrible. I paid for two seats to have a space for my backpack beside me. I eventually gave it to one passenger because the bus was overcrowded. It is unsafe for a passenger vehicle to cruise steep climbs, sharp curves with ravines, and a road rolling down the hill.
I recommend traveling via an air-conditioned van. It is convenient and safer than the ordinary bus.
Accommodation
Hotel rates are higher than those in Manila, but the facilities and amenities are lower than those in Manila's standard hotels.
I am describing this based on my personal experience. I booked a standard room in one of the tourist inns with a room rate of P1,500.00 plus taxes per night. But to my disappointment:
The room size was just half the floor area of the standard hotel in Manila, and the rate was the same, P1,500.00.
The small bathroom is triangular and has no mirror (like a monastery, no mirror available).
No chair is available inside.
No locker for your clothes and stuff.
The room is fit for single bed size. The only space remaining was a space for you to stand beside the bed.
The flooring when I walked was bouncing.
The receptionists and other hotel staff at the hotel I stayed at were friendly and accommodating. However, I was disappointed when I raised the issue; they could only apologize.
Souvenir Items
No souvenir items locally made in the town are available, except the items for sale at the hotel, usually t-shirts.
I tried looking at the town proper for a product from the town, but all I could find was the exact product sold in Naga City, except "Walis Tambo."
RECOMMENDATIONS
To The Travelers
For solo travelers, here are my suggestions for things to do before traveling to Caramoan:
Scout a hotel, tourist inn, or any lodging facility that will cater to your needs according to what you intend to do during your stay in Caramoan.
If you want beachside accommodation, you need to verify with the hotel whether they are there.
Ask the hotel to recommend a boat to rent for your island hopping and a land transport service for your tour around the mainland of Caramoan.
Naga City is the take-off point to Caramoan, so ride the aircon van vehicles. Never try riding the ordinary bus; otherwise, be ready to suffer all the inconveniences to experience beyond your imagination. An aircon van will take you a 3-hour ride from Naga City, which is convenient and enjoyable. While ordinary will end up a 6-hour ride, like what I had experienced, it would make you never feel about returning to Caramoan.
The aircon vans to Caramoan are standing by at SM Naga City.
Tell the aircon van driver to drop you at the hotel you booked as a guest. They will take you there.
On your arrival at the hotel, discuss your plans with the staff. Ask them to recommend the people they know are safe and responsible to ride with.
They can help you join another group staying in the same hotel; you can give your share for the rental if you want, and it will save you from spending the higher rental cost.
Anticipate that the accommodation rates in Caramoan make no difference and sometimes, to some extent, are higher than those in Manila (standard hotel). My rate comparison is based on the room size, facilities, and amenities. I booked a standard room in one of the tourist inns for P1500.00 per night plus taxes. But I was surprised because the room was almost half the size of a standard hotel in Manila I stay in whenever I travel to Manila and need accommodation at the same rate. A small room just enough to fit a single bed, a small bathroom, and without even a mirror and a shelf to put your stuff. Not all the hotels may be in the same terrible condition, but based on my experience in that hotel, I am noting this.
Some buses travel directly from Manila to Caramoan, but I don't recommend it. However, if you want to decide, you may inquire from them at the booking office in PITX, Pasay. Raymond Bus Company is the company that has a direct trip.
Buses from Naga to Caramoan are at the Naga City Bus Terminal.
To LGU & Other Concerned Government Agencies
Transportation Safety & Convenience
Intense Regulation of Public Transport to Caramoan. Prohibit the overcrowding and overloading of ordinary buses. The danger posed to travelers riding overloaded buses while cruising the steep curves and ravines on the mountain road.
Periodic inspection of the engine condition should not be treated as lax. It is necessary to determine whether the bus unit is still fit for carrying passengers on high-altitude mountain roads. Please do not allow it once found unfit for a passenger trip.
I got my nerve rocked while the bus was climbing in Maligaya, a point from Presentacion. The engine sounds make no difference to a person fighting for his last breath.
LGU & Tourism Stakeholders
Tourism Product
Caramoan must create, introduce, and offer more tourism products to sustain and increase the visitor influx. This way will continuously attract new visitors and encourage them to come back.
During my visit, the only products available besides swimming were island hopping and sightseeing. Sadly, I didn't know, and it was not publicly known whether other products were available.
Accommodation
Improve the accommodation facility. While the other accommodation facilities may offer at least the standard quality and class, my experience at the hotel where I stayed was a turn-off impression to the visitors from another place. I would not have wondered if the accommodation was a homestay or adopt-a-visitor type. I can stand staying in a small room and small bathroom. However, a small bathroom with no mirror in a Tourist Inn? ….. That's Ooooohsome!
Special thanks to the motor rider who was my guide and driver, Mr. Roger, aka "Bisaya." In case you need his service, you may connect with him at +63950 148 8714
Comentarios