PHOTOGRAPHY ....MY LIFE, MY PASSION: CARAMOAN ADVENTURE

Had another adventure with my friends in Caramoan. Some say it is like Palawan and the thought of many countries chose Caramoan to be the destination of their reality show “Survivor”. We decided to go to Naga by Train because we want to try the family sleeper. The train is clean even the restroom is fine. The aircon is so cold but train is not for you if easily get dizzy. Might as well go to Naga by bus or plane. It took us 13hrs to get to Naga because we have to stop at a certain station in Quezon for almost 2 hours because there is only one railroad track there. We have to wait for the other train from Naga to pass before we continue our long, tiring yet adventurous Harry Potter feel journey. We left Divisoria at 6pm and arrived the next day at 9am. We need to ride a tricycle to get to the shuttle station. Then a one more hour drive to Sabang Port. From Sabang port we took a boat ride for 2 hours. We were fetched by a motorcab going to the beach.

We had lunch first and saw the Survivor USA team preparing for the contestants to arrive after a month of preparation. Then off to different Islands.

The Caramoan Peninsula has gained tourism popularity in recent years. After the place has been featured in the news and local television programs, local and foreign travelers started to explore the beaches of the peninsula. Caramoan is one of the National Parks of the Philippines.

Popular tourist destinations are the Caramoan National Park, the Centro, and Gota Beach, and popular activities include diving, swimming, snorkeling and spelunking.(Wikipedia)

How to Get There

Barangay Sabang in the town of San Jose, Camarines Sur is the common jump-off point to Caramoan Islands. There are public boats that leave every hour from 6AM to 11AM from Sabang going to Guijalo, Caramoan charging P120 per passenger. However if you miss the last public boat, you can hire a private boat en route to Guijalo. Range varies depending on the size of the boat and your haggling skill. A boat that can accommodate up to 16 persons can be rented from P2500-P3000.

When it is low tide in Sabang, the boats couldn’t get near the shore, but the porters are there to carry passengers on their backs. They charge P10 per passenger.

From Manila

By Air

AirPhil Express, Cebu Pacific and Zest Air fly from Manila to Naga. From there catch a jeep, van or bus going to Sabang in Naga Central Terminal.

Occasionally though (when the weather is good), there are jeepneys from Naga going to Caramoan that charge P250 per passenger, travel time is five hours by land on a very rough road.

By Land

Peñafrancia Tours is the only bus line that goes directly to Sabang from Manila. Fare is P780.00, travel time is 9 to 10 hours.

Meanwhile, RSL Bus, Phitranco, Isarog Bus, Amihan Bus, Raymond Bus and Executive Bus have daily trips from Manila (Cubao/Pasay/Alabang) to Naga. Fare varies from P500 to P700 one-way.

From Naga

Trips direct to Caramoan from Naga are available only during good weather, and catching these trips need some luck as the trips are limited. Naga to Caramoan takes five hours by public jeepney and the fare is at P250 per passenger, while Goa to Caramoan takes four hours at P200 per passenger.

From Naga though, there are jeepneys, vans and buses going to Sabang at Naga Central Terminal, fare is around P60-P100 one-way. Travel time is two hours.

From Virac

Another alternative, which is unknown to many is to go to Virac, Catanduanes and catch a two hour boat going to Caramoan. This route is easier compared to Naga.

WHERE TO STAY

The town has a lot of hotels and inns to choose from for those tourists who prefer staying indoor. But for more adventurous type, camping in one of the islands is a cheap and fun way of experiencing Caramoan.

Here are the hotels, inns and lodges in the area:

§ Rex Tourist Inn
Mobile: +639198821879/+639193089675

§ Villa Juliana Inn
Mobile: +639212261395/+639294884928/+639076557984

§ La Casa Roa
Landline: (+6354)8113184
Email: dollyrperez@gmail.com

§ CMC Villa Caramoan
Mobile: +639064205644/+639209030226
Email: cmccaramoan@yahoo.com

§ BC Hometel Tourist Inn
Mobile: +639274027220/+639218357454
Email: danfhel@gmail.com

§ Caramoan Kayaks Inn
Mobile: +639219873157/+639204742637

§ Gota Village Resort
Landline: (+632)8170831/ (+632)7109086
Mobile: +639283083969
Email: gotavillage@gmail.com, infocamsur@gmail.com

§ Caramoan Bed and Dine
Mobile: +639204768619/+639204768577/+639158268563

§ West Peninsula Villas
Mobile: +639212642538
Email: joy_sancarlos@yahoo.com

§ River View Vacation Inn
Mobile: +639088655322/+639193955743
Email: riverviewinncaramoan@gmail.com

§ Golden Hub Tourist Inn
Mobile: +639082626173/+639088948252

§ Wow na Wow Tourist Inn
Mobile: +639195999673

§ Vista del Mar Caramoan
Mobile: +639198136766/+639202816362

§ Hunongan Cove
Mobile:+639283083969
Email: camsurtourism@gmail.com, gotavillage@gmail.com

§ Breeze & Waves Cottages
Mobile: +639198319497

§ Residencia de Salvacion Bed and Bath

§ La Playa Camp and Picnic Grounds (Puerto Merced)
Mobile: +639198136766/+639202816362/+639183420823

ACTIVITIES

§ Island and beach hopping around Caramoan Group: Sabitang Laya, Manlawig Sandbar, Cotivas, Lahuy, Gota, Lahus, Matukad, Pitogo, Minalahos, Hunongan, Tinago, Haponan, Basod

§ Swimming/Snorkeling (be careful of the jellyfish though)

§ Camping – just bring your own camping equipments, enough foods and water supply, there are a lot of islands to choose from (those that aren’t use in Survivor taping)

§ Spelunking in Culapnit Cave

§ Visit St. Michael Parish, an old red-brick church

§ Trek to Mt. Caglago with the 500-steps to the summit and see the 360 degree view of the Caramoan Islands and the gigantic statue of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Mother of Peace

§ Explore Naga, visit Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex and Penafrancia Church

§ Head south and visit the spots of Albay and Sorsogon

§ Head north and explore the islands of Mercedes Group, Calaguas Group and Maculabo or surf in Daet’s Bagasbas Beach

Tips

§ The best time to go there is during dry months (November to May)

§ If you will go camping, be sure to choose an island not being used by the Survivor

§ Survivor rented the island for 25 years starting 2008, meaning, tourists will not be able to explore the island freely up to 2033 if the contract is not extended