Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Southern Luzon
Southeast of Manila, the provinces that make up Southern Luzon are home
to some of the country's most popular tourist destinations - both active and
natural. The area is blessed with some extraordinarily diverse natural
phenomena, including the region's top tourist draw, the picturesque Mount
Mayon volcano, whose cone is reputedly the most perfectly symmetrical in
the world. Southern Luzon is also one of the few places on earth where you
can swim with the world's largest fish, the gentle whale shark. It is also
blessed with underground rivers, glorious white sand beaches, limestone
cliffs, spectacular surfing waves, hot and cold springs and historic buildings
dating back to the Spanish colonial era.
The National Highway south from Manila takes you down to Quezon province , home
to Mount Banahaw, a revered dormant volcano that presents one of the most rewarding
climbs in the country. Quezon is linked by ferry to the beautiful island province of
Marinduque , still largely untouched by mass tourism and best known for its Easter
festival, the Moriones .
Beyond Quezon is the Bicol region, which encompasses the remainder of Southern
Luzon and includes the mainland provinces of Camarines Norte , Camarines Sur , Albay
and Sorsogon and the island provinces of Catanduanes and Masbate . Known
throughout the Philippines as an area of great natural beauty - and for its delicious
cuisine , characterized by the use of chillies and coconut milk - Bicol is studded with
volcanoes including Mount Bulusan and Mount Mayon , and offers superb coastline with
some great beaches and island-hopping opportunities, particularly around Legazpi and
Sorsogon City . Best of all is the Caramoan Peninsula where tourism is developing apace
but where it's still possible to find deserted hideaways. There are also attractions
offshore, and although it can't rival the Visayas for scuba diving, Bicol does have an ace
up its sleeve in the form of Donsol , home to huge whale sharks. Other water-based
activities include surfing in Daet and wakeboarding at CamSur Watersports Complex .
Two island provinces add further variety to Bicol's fabulous mix: Masbate is the
Philippines' wild east, cattle country where the biggest tourist draw is the annual rodeo
in May. Catanduanes , meanwhile, is infamous for its exposure to passing typhoons
- ironically this extreme weather is, however, what attracts surfers to its beaches.
4
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
SOUTHERN LUZON
By plane There are commercial airports in Naga, Legazpi,
Virac (Catanduanes), Boac (Marinduque) and Masbate City.
By train There is a train line between Manila and Legazpi
via Naga, but it was suspended at the time of research. The
Philippine National Railway website ( W pnr.gov.ph) will
have updates.
By bus There are plenty of buses running from Manila
down the National Highway via Naga and Legazpi, some
going as far as Sorsogon City or beyond.
By boat In addition to ferries between the Luzon
mainland and the islands of Catanduanes, Marinduque
and Masbate, there are also regular services across
Pahiyas festival p.197
Moriones festival p.201
Marinduque handicrafts p.202
Surfing and kite-boarding on Bagasbas
p.206
Climbing Mount Isarog p.213
Spicing it up in Bicol p.218
Whale sharks in Donsol p.224
Donsol outdoor activities p.225
 
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