Summer may be over, but with the diversity of tourist activities that await you in Region V, any time of the year is as good a time to head over to this adventure-filled wonderland.
Making for the perfect backdrop is the Bicol Region, with a fresh, exciting array of tourist activities that will not only give you a closer look at Albay , Camarines Norte , Camarines Sur , Catanduanes , Masbate , and Sorsogon , but will also get you on an adrenaline rush and a cultural learning spree, with activities ranging from trekking to snorkeling to firefly watching to culinary tasting.
The Triple C Island Adventure. The first part of the circuit is in Camarines Norte—a choice between the Calaguas Group of Islands and the Mercedes Group of Islands or Siete Picados. The second part is the Camarines Sur leg, featuring Caramoan where tourists can marvel at the beauty of its islands and islets of white and pink sand beaches, rock formations, colorful coral reefs, lagoons, and waterfalls. The visit to the Happy Island and Carorian Island of Catanduanes completes this tour package. Activities in this circuit include sea sailing, island hopping, trekking, sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling.
Located in the Municipality of Vinzons in the Province of Camarines Norte, the Calaguas Group of Islands is known for its powdery white sand beaches. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism.
The DOT has also tapped the potential of rivers to stimulate livelihood and income opportunities for local communities. The program is called ILOG Tourism, or Inclusive Local Growth through River Tourism. This is recommended for tourists who want to go river cruising, sailing, and/or kayaking.
Located in the lower eastern part of Camarines Sur, Caramoan Island offers a rich and diverse marine life for the tourists to experience. It is a great spot for ocean adventures like kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism.
The DonPiCaSo River Experience. In Sorsogon, visitors will get to rediscover Mother Nature with the DonPiCaSo River Experience as they explore the Ogod River in Donsol where they can do firefly watching while river cruising, the Malbog River in Pilar, the Pili-Dulangan River in Castilla, and the Buhatan River in Sorsogon City. The DOT is also developing more river experiences in the region: the Talisay Mangrove and River Cruise in Masbate and the Manito Mangrove River Experience in Albay. While these are already existing, the DOT is continuously enhancing these circuits, and exploring more activities along the river banks and opportunities for livelihood involving the local communities.
The Buhatan River, located in Sorsogon City, is famous for its leisurely cruise on a bamboo raft while enjoying the sight of fireflies sparkling in the night. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism.
The Dive and Drive Tourism Corridor. This experience may be one of the most exhilarating of them all! It brings together the major dive destinations of the South Luzon Cluster, specifically connecting the dive spots of Anilao in Batangas, Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro, and Ticao Island in Masbate. Ticao Island offers the best diving area in the Bicol Region and among the most interesting spots in the country for divers. It has a spectacular coral garden and is home to rare mantas, hammerhead sharks, thresher sharks, tiger sharks, and white fin sharks, to name a few.
The captivating marine life of Ticao Island, Masbate offers a warm and welcoming underwater adventure. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism.
The Mountain and Seaside Ride. Enjoy the stunning sights of the region as you traverse routes that include the Pili-Ocampo-Tigaon route in Camarines Norte, and the newly-built bike trail of the Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex. In Albay, you can go on the Mayon 360 route, which surrounds the majestic Mayon Volcano, and the scenic route to Mt. Masaraga; it also includes a seaside ride connecting Albay and Camarines Sur through the Joroan-Sangay Seaside route. In Masbate, riders will enjoy the spectacular view of the ranches and rolling hills along Milagros and Balud.
A scenic seaside ride connecting Albay and Camarines Sur through the Joroan-Sangay Seaside route.Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism.
Tri-Experiential Interprovincial Tour. Feast on the culinary, religious, and agri-tourism gems of the provinces of Camarines Sur, Albay, and Sorsogon! Dubbed as Center of F.U.N (Farm, Faith, Food Under the New Normal), this tour will highlight the cultural heritage sites of Naga City, Historical Walk and visit at Cagsawa Ruins Park, Jovellar Underground River, Daraga Church, popular farm tourism sites such as Mikeliz Integrated Farm of Calabanga and Sonrisa Farm of Magarao in Camarines Sur; Aguas Farm of Sto. Domingo, Mirisbiris Garden and Nature Center of Sto. Domingo, Farm Plate of Daraga, and El Miro De Shei Farm of Camalig in Albay; and Balay Buhay sa Uma of Bulusan in Sorsogon.
Since Bicol is also known for its cuisine, the region is developing the Bicol Culinary Journey that will not only offer the best food in the region, but would also include cooking demonstrations of its famous dishes like Bicol Express and Pinangat. It will also offer visitors the delectable flavors of Bicol in every stop, featuring the Sinantolan, Tinilmok, Dinuguan, Pansit Bato, Chili-flavored Ice Cream, Kinalas, and Pili delicacies.
Tinilmok is a signature dish from Bicol due to the abundance of crab and coconut in the region. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism.
Most of the Bicol Region is open to domestic tourists from MGCQ and GCQ areas, subject to travel requirements and protocol, great for family bonding or barkada outings.
For the complete list of open destinations and travel requirements per province and area, please visit https://bicoltourism.ph/safe-ph/ . Travelers may also visit https://philippines.travel for other updates, travel restrictions, and entry requirements and protocol.
