Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
RIZAL BEACH
By bus
Several companies connect Manila to Gubat
(5 daily; 12hr).
By jeepney
Jeepneys from Gubat travel to Bulusan
(every 15min; 45min; P38) and Sorsogon City (every
10min; 30min; P25).
By tricycle
A tricycle from Gubat to Rizal Beach is
P50 (10min).
ACCOMMODATION
Lacsa Hilton Beach Resort
T
0939 260 1102,
W
lacsa
hiltonbeachresort.com.
By far the best accommodation on
this stretch, this resort offers a series of rooms from simple
huts built with native materials to larger welcoming suites
with fridge and a/c (P1800). There's also
a tiled
double room
with living area and kitchenette (P2500).
P750
Bacon and around
The small town of
BACON
(pronounced “Backon”), 9km north of Sorsogon City by
jeepney, has a grey sand beach with a handful of resorts. Just a ten-minute tricycle ride
west is the black sand
Libanon Beach
, where surf hammers dramatically against
immense, black rocks that were spewed centuries ago by Mayon. The volcano is visible
in the distance.
Paguriran
Bacon is a good base for exploring some of the
islands
in the eastern half of Albay Gulf.
The best of these is
Paguriran
, a circle of jagged rock, much like the rim of a volcano,
inside which is a seawater lagoon that's wonderful for swimming. The access point from
the mainland is
Paguriran Beach
, 20km east of Bacon, from where you can walk across
to the island at low tide; make sure to check your timings. Otherwise, you'll have to
hire a boatman to paddle you across (P150). Paguriran Beach is a wonderful spot to
while away a few hours - the water is crystal clear, and there are lovely views over the
neighbouring islands.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
4
BACON AND AROUND
By jeepney
Regular jeepneys connect Sorsogon City to
Bacon (every 10min; 30min; P17) and Paguriran Beach
(every 20min; 1hr 30min; P44).
By tricycle
A tricycle from Bacon to Paguriran Beach is
P500 (45min).
ACCOMMODATION
Fisherman's Hut
Brgy Caricaran, 1km east of Bacon
T
0909 515 8758.
Small, welcoming resort offering a
series of comfortable rooms in cute A-frame nipa huts with
private bath; four are duplexes that can sle
ep up t
o four,
while one has a kitchenette with microwave.
P2000
Paguriran Beach Resort
Paguriran Beach
T
0919 420
1764.
This simple resort on beautiful Paguriran Beach is a
nice little place to while away a day or two; there's one cosy
a/c A-framed hut with private bath, sleeping five (P3500),
as well as t
wo sma
ller a/c rooms with thatched roof and
shared bath.
P1800
Sirangan Beach Resort
Brgy Caricaran, 1km east of
Bacon
T
0919 582 2732.
Under renovation at the time of
research, this boutique hotel features spacious, tasteful
rooms using natural materials such as granite and rattan
throughout. Each has its own character; some have fabulous
sea views from their four-poster beds.
There's
a dive shop
and snorkelling out in front of the resort.
P4500
Bulusan Volcano National Park
Mount Bulusan
, in the heart of
Bulusan Volcano National Park
, is one of three active
volcanoes in the Bicol region. Trekking has resumed following a series of ash explosions
and earthquakes in November 2010, but it remains essential to check the situation
before considering an ascent. From
Lake Bulusan
a 6.3km trail (3hr) leads to Aguingay
Lake at 940m above sea level. This is where trekkers camp before setting off early to
ascend the volcano in time for sunset. At the peak is the Blackbird Crater Lake
(1565m), from where there are wonderful 360º views over Mount Mayon to the north,
