Hey hey hey! How y’all doing there? It’s been a month since the last time I post here on my blog. My apologies. It’s been a busy month for me so I find it hard to make time on creating a new travel guide. So, here it is.
Last April 30 – May 01, my friends and I went to Caramoan Islands to spent our much awaited vacation! Very little is known about this place, aside from the fact that the hit Survivor Show took place here in this beautiful island.
Caramoan is located in Camarines Sur. It is filled with rich marine life, clear water, white sand beaches and deep caves.
HOW TO GET THERE?
From Manila/Cubao to Caramoan Via Night Trip Bus
- Via Land/Boat
Take an 8 hour bus ride from Araneta-Cubai Terminal or Pasay Bus Terminal to Naga City. Bus fare is 650-850 depending on the bus company and bus class. Starting time is 8:30 pm-9:00pm - Bus arrives in Naga City Central Bus Terminal between 4:30-5:00am
- Take a rest or light breakfast on the canteen and wait until 6:00am
- Go to the East Bound terminal a.k.a. Van Terminal near St. Joseph School at the back of SM City Naga. Take an aircon van a.k.a Filcab to Sabang Port. (Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Fare is 150 pesos.)
- Once you are in Sabang Port, take the boat that goes to Carmoan Guijalo Port. Boat fare is 120 pesos. Travel time is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Naga City Airport to Caramoan
- Take a taxi or van from Naga City airport going to Van Terminal beside SM City Naga.
- Go to the East Bound Terminal near St. Joseph School at the back of SM City Naga. Take an aircon van a.k.a. Filcab to Sabang Port.
- Once you are in Sabang Port, take the boat that goes to Carmoan Guijalo Port. Boat fare is 120 pesos. Travel time is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Through Travel Agency
There are agencies all over the internet that offers a Caramoan Tour Package which price ranges from P3, 500.00 – P4, 000.00. As for us, we availed Travel Galore Tour package worth P3, 399.00 good for 4 pax.
TOUR INCLUSIONS
1. Round trip transfers from Manila – Caramoan – Manila
– Air-Conditioned Van
2. Hotel Accommodation
– fully air-conditioned standard room
3. Complete Caramoan Tour
– Driver, Gas and Toll fees
– Permits, Environmental & Entrance fees
4. Boat Transfers for Island Hopping
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/travelgalore07/?fref=nf
Email: travelgalore07@gmail.com
THINGS TO DO
ISLAND HOPPING
What a better way to explore Caramoan is by island hopping. There are lots of islands in this place that your one day isn’t enough to visit them.
BUSDAK ISLAND
First stop is Busdak Island. As we arrived, there are already group of people seems to flock the area that’s why it’s hard to get a perfect shot of it. It has a sharp rock formation where you can climb the rocks if you wish to get the perfect view.
It’s already high tide that time 🙂
MATUKAD ISLAND
Matukad means steep. It is best known for its lagoon hidden behind a steep rock. So you had to climb again to catch a glimpse of it. It also has fine white sands and clear water.
DAY 2
MANLAWI ISLAND
It is known for its fine white sand shore and floating cottage. Manlawi Island also has a crystal clear waters. It was low tide during our visit so it’s a perfect timing to enjoy its sweeping sands and cool water. There wasn’t a few structures here. You can enjoy building a sandcastle, sunbathe, take endless photo shoots or just walk barefoot.
GUINAHOAN ISLAND
There’s nothing special about this island aside from trekking to get into the lighthouse.
COTIVAS ISLAND
We reached another charming island which is Cotivas Island. It has clear but shallow waters and dreamy white sands. Just like Manlawi Island, our boat moored away from the shore since its low tide.
THIRD DAY
St. Michael, The Archangel Parish (17TH Century Old Church)
On the last day, our only itinerary is to visit one of the oldest church in our country which is St. Michael, The Archangel Parish. It has a beautiful structure inside and outside the church. After that, we bought out souvenirs on the market.
ACCOMMODATION
Supposedly, we’ll stay in a hotel for 3 days but it didn’t happen since it’s a long weekend and they are already fully booked. Our agency looked for an alternative option which is to stay in of the locals house. Thank God that these owners were so kind and generous that they lend their house for us. They also cooked delicious foods for us for the rest of our stay.
They also have diving services so for those who are planning to visit Caramoan and wants to go conquer the stunning paradise beneath the waves, I recommend this place. 🙂
MORE PHOTOS
TOUR ITINERARY
DAY 0: DEPARTURE FROM MANILA
6:00 PM Pick-up at McDo near SM North (Across Trinoma)
8:00 PM Pick-up at MOA – In front of SMX Convention Center
DAY 1: SHORT-TRIP ISLAND HOPPING
5:00 AM Breakfast on Pax Account
11:00 AM Early Lunch
12:00 NN Hotel Check-In
01:00 PM Start of Island Hopping
• Matukad Island
• Lajos Island
• Cagbanilad Island
• Minalajos Island
5:00 PM Return to Hotel
DAY 2: LONG-TRIP ISLAND HOPPING
7:00 AM Breakfast on Pax Account
8:00 AM Start of Island Hopping
• Cotivas Island
• Manlawi Island
• Bugtong Island
• Sabitang Laya Island
• Bag-ing Island
5:00 PM Return to Hotel
DAY 3: HISTORICAL TOUR
7:00 AM Breakfast on Pax Account
8:00 AM Hotel Check-out
8:30 AM Visit St. Michael, The Archangel Parish (17TH Century Old Church)
9:00 AM Souvenir Shopping
11:00 AM Departure to Manila
11:30 PM Estimated Arrival in Manila
Chasing Wanderlust 
This looks incredible !
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nice ❤
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Brilliant photos, it looks like such a beautiful island!
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Its a beautiful island, you should come and visit it 😊
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Thank you! I’d love to visit Caramoan (I also watch Survivor :D), and it looks absolutely beautiful. I’m definitely adding it to my travel list!
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We’re also planning to avail Travel Galore’s Caramoan Package. What’s the name of the accommodation you stayed at during your trip?
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Hi 🙂 nag stay lang kami sa bahay ng isang local sa Caramoan that time kasi sabi smen ng agency fully booked na yung mga hotels since Holiday nung pumunta kami.
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Did you avail of the joiner or exclusive tour? How was your experience with Travel Galore? Did you encounter any problems with their tour? I’ve been seeing a lot of negative reviews towards them so we’re a bit doubtful now. We already paid the reservation fee though. Any feedback would be great from you guys who have already experienced their tour.
PS. We’re also travelling on 28-30 which also falls under the long weekend.
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Hi. We also avail a joiner tour in travel galore. And we also had a bad experience with them. Expected na madaming tao that time because long weekend sya. When we got there, we were informed na fully booked na yung hotels and transients so that day din kami mismo sinabihan and naghanap ng matutuluyan. Same with our island hopping. Wala din kaming bangka masakyan non. To think na ahead of time kami nagpa reserve sa kanila.
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Hi! I heard Travel Galore gives sh*tty accommodation and such. Hindi ba kayo nakaranas ng any sort of failed planning from their side? We already booked a Caramoan tour from them but haven’t paid anything yet and this is the first time my family will have a tour na ganon kalayo kaya gusto ko sanang masulit. Is it really worth it to book it with them?
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Hi sorry for late response. We also availed their caramoan tour and it was a failure. It was last year and a long weekend as well. Late nag start yung island hopping namin kasi wala daw bangka. Yung accommodation namin is not a hotel. Sa isang local kame naki stay dahil fully booked na. Mahirap din silang tawagan that time dahil marami na kameng nagalit dahil sa service nila.
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