Southern Luzon - The Rough Guide to the Philippines - page 211

can see the beautiful white sandbar of Manlawe covered in a thin layer of crystal clear
water. There are floating cottages (P200) where you can have a snack, although make
sure to bring your own food.

Bag'eing and Sabitang Laya beaches
Located on a triangular shaped island of the Lucsuhin group of islands, the lovely
Bag'eing and Sabitang Laya beaches are among the filming locations of the Survivor
series. Both have coral-yellow sand dotted with rock formations and shallow emerald
green waters that are perfect for swimming and snorkelling.

Paniman Beach
Paniman Beach is one of the jumping-off points for island-hopping tours. The black
sand is nothing to write home about, but there are a few accommodation options,
so if you don't want to head inland to Caramoan town, you may want to consider
overnighting here.

The Shrine of Our Lady The Most Holy Rosary
From the main road in the barangay of Tabgon, 9.5km northwest of Caramoan town,
you can climb 524 steps to the top of Caglago Mountain to reach the Shrine of Our
Lady The Most Holy Rosary , a white concrete statue of the Virgin Mary spreading her
arms in benediction; from the 213m summit, you will be rewarded with wonderful
views over the peninsula and the surrounding islands. It's a great spot to watch the sun
rise over the bay.

4

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE CARAMOAN PENINSULA

By plane The closest airport is in Virac, Catanduanes (see
p.233), from where you can catch a tricycle to Codon port
(1hr; P500), and then hire a private bangka to Guijalo
(“Gee-ahlo”) port (45min; P1500).
By bangka The easiest way to reach the peninsula is by
taking a bangka to Guijalo (daily 5.30am, 7am, 8.30am,
11am; 2hr; P120) from the small port of Sabang, east of
Naga by van (hourly; 2hr; P100). If you miss the last bangka
at 11am, you can hire a boat for P4000 (for six people).
From Guijalo it's a 15-20min hop by tricycle (P150) to
Caramoan town.

By ferry From Nato port, connected by bus to Naga
(leaving Naga daily 4.30am, returning to Naga 1pm; 2hr),
there are ferries to Guijalo (daily 6.30am, returning from
Guijalo to Nato port 10.30am; 3hr 30min; P150).
By bus Visitors coming direct from Manila can take a
Raymond Transport bus from Cubao to Sabang (daily noon,
2pm, 3.30pm & 7pm; 12hr) or to Caramoan town (daily
4pm; 18hr). Both buses pick up passengers in Naga. The
road, however, is poor - until it is eventually upgraded, on
the whole the sea route is a better option.

INFORMATION AND ACTIVITIES
Tourist information The tourist o ce is in the Municipal
Compound in Caramoan town (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; T 0928
407 9960, E [e-mail]).
Banks and exchange There is a UCPB bank with ATM
on Real St in Caramoan town, although it only accepts
MasterCard (not Visa), and it's probably unwise to rely upon
it - make sure to bring enough pesos.
Internet access Central Dogma on Alvarez St, Brgy
Binanuahan (Mon-Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 1-9pm; P15/hr;
T 0919 631 0005).

Activities Island-hopping tours can be arranged through
most accommodation or tour operators; Solmairena Travel
Services at 28 Valencia St, Brgy Binanuahan, are recom-
mended ( T 0908 163 7726, E [e-mail]).
Alternatively you can hire a bangka direct from Bikal Wharf
or from Paniman Beach, both around 5km north of Caramoan
town, at around P1500-2500 for a full day depending on
the distance covered. Bicol Adventures ( T 0917 642 6147,
W bicoladventureatv.com) offers a range of ATV trips starting
at P699 for 1hr 30min.

ACCOMMODATION
The two jumping-off points for island-hopping tours, Paniman Beach and Bikal Wharf , make good bases if you
have limited time in the area. It's possible to camp on some of the islands, including Matukad, Lahuy and Bag'eing
Beach; the inhabited Lahuy Island is probably the most recommendable as, at the time of research, the government
was building a water source.