The islands of Caramoan in Camarines Sur, Bicol rose to fame in 2008 when it became a favorite shooting venue by the international reality TV series "Survivor". The list of the countries that filmed in this exotic strings of beach are: India, France, Israel, Serbia, Bulgaria, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium and in 2013 is the USA.
When we went there last week of April, the locals informed us that by May two European countries are also set to film there own Survivor series: Holland and Polland. They said we are lucky that we visited Caramoan ahead of their shooting schedule because some of the islands are closed to the public by that time. While we are lucky that we get to check out all these beautiful islands, I would also love to have a glimpse of any of the current Survivor's crew and cast.
We also offer a 3 day and 2 night Caramoan tour package if you don't have time to prepare your own trip. We suggest you to join our regular tour which includes a roundtrip van to save on cost. The departure is every Thursday 9PM then back to Manila 12mn of Sunday. For more details like itinerary and rates please click here.
For more information please contact 09420074134 or email mariaronab@gmail.com anytime.
How to go to Caramoan from Manila
1. From Cubao station, you can take a bus like Penafrancia or Raymond bus lines. The ideal time of departure is around 7PM. It is much better to find a transportation that will take you directly to Sabang Port, San Jose, Camarines Sur. The bus rates differ if you will get an airconditioned or the ordinary so please prepare a budget of P600 - P1000 one - way fare.
2. From Sabang Port, take a boat ride that is 1-2 hours long to Guijalo Port of Caramoan. The rate is P120.
3. From Guijalo Port, take a tricycle ride for only P10 to reach their town where the accommodations, market and the Centro is found. It takes around 20 minutes to get there.
What to do in Caramoan
1. Island hopping: It only takes 2 days to complete all your island - hopping adventure there!
1st day: Matukad, Lahos, Minalahos and Kagbanilad - these are smaller islands and nearer from the port area. It costs P1, 500 for a whole day island hopping per a group of 6 persons.
2nd day: Manlawi, Kutibas, Sabitang Laya and Bugtong - these are the bigger islands and quite farther from the port area. It costs P2, 500 for a whole day island hopping per a group of 6 persons.
You can bring a packed lunch or have the boatmen cook one for your group. Also in some island there are locals who sell a fresh buko juice inside the nut itself for P25 only. We also saw big and still alive lobsters that are sold for P800 per kilo! Included in the rate is they will grill it and serve it cooed already.
My best pick is the Manlawi island where I finally got to see a sand bar! Just that we did not have much of photos there because we spent our time swimming. How can we resist? We are surrounded by the crystal - clear water! When we finally decided to have our pictures taken, the high time has come! The Kutibas' sands is very fine. Really super fine!
2. Ride an ATV for a Caramoan Island trail.
You can contact Jerome Avenue at 09305570655 / 09176426147
3. Visit the St Michael the Archangel Parish Church - T his is a decades old church. Be amazed of the color of the facade. It is made entirely of red bricks!
4. Climb the 524 steps to reach the Shrine of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. Make sure to bring a bottle of water because I am sure you will sweat! When you reach the top you will be rewarded by the panoramic view of the beaches of Caramoan.
Where to stay
If you are a budget - conscious, I recommend the River View Inn. Not only it is affordable, you get the best view of the river beside it. You will see kids bathing, carabaos drinking and women washing clothes. Just a tip, it is better if you buy food outside than buy from your accommodation. The meal costs P150 if you order it inside. That amount is equivalent of 2 or 3 meals already if you know how to budget your food allowance right outside!
Ready to go there, now what's next?
We also offer a 3 day and 2 night Caramoan tour package if you don't have time to prepare your own trip. We suggest you to join our regular tour which includes a roundtrip van to save on cost. The departure is every Thursday 9PM then back to Manila 12mn of Sunday.
For more information please contact 0998-989-3921 or email mariaronab@gmail.com anytime.
Should you want to do to commute then find someone who can arrange everything for you, you can contact Kuya Jerry Llamas, he is the tricycle driver I met there. He can arrange your tricycle pickup / drop off from the port, accommodation and island - hopping for a small fee. You can contact him via mobile 0907 954 0238.
UPDATE As of Apr 12, an announcement from Camarines Sur Provincial Government has been released putting off limits to certain Caramoan tourist spots for the Survivor tv show.
From Apr 15 - July 22 2016 the Gota Village Resort, islands of Sabitang Laya, Lahos, Matukad, Catanhawan, Pitogo Bay, Tupan Lagoon, Inayun-ayunan, Tayak, Mantapayas and certain aread of Lahuy (Hinbuyan, Kalaw, Matalahod, Nagkalay and Dau), parts of Paniman ricefield as well as Sohoton River can't be visited by public to accommodate the filming production. Signed by Miguel Luis R. Villafuerte, the Governor. For more information please click here
When we went there last week of April, the locals informed us that by May two European countries are also set to film there own Survivor series: Holland and Polland. They said we are lucky that we visited Caramoan ahead of their shooting schedule because some of the islands are closed to the public by that time. While we are lucky that we get to check out all these beautiful islands, I would also love to have a glimpse of any of the current Survivor's crew and cast.
We also offer a 3 day and 2 night Caramoan tour package if you don't have time to prepare your own trip. We suggest you to join our regular tour which includes a roundtrip van to save on cost. The departure is every Thursday 9PM then back to Manila 12mn of Sunday. For more details like itinerary and rates please click here.
For more information please contact 09420074134 or email mariaronab@gmail.com anytime.
1. From Cubao station, you can take a bus like Penafrancia or Raymond bus lines. The ideal time of departure is around 7PM. It is much better to find a transportation that will take you directly to Sabang Port, San Jose, Camarines Sur. The bus rates differ if you will get an airconditioned or the ordinary so please prepare a budget of P600 - P1000 one - way fare.
2. From Sabang Port, take a boat ride that is 1-2 hours long to Guijalo Port of Caramoan. The rate is P120.
3. From Guijalo Port, take a tricycle ride for only P10 to reach their town where the accommodations, market and the Centro is found. It takes around 20 minutes to get there.
What to do in Caramoan
1. Island hopping: It only takes 2 days to complete all your island - hopping adventure there!
1st day: Matukad, Lahos, Minalahos and Kagbanilad - these are smaller islands and nearer from the port area. It costs P1, 500 for a whole day island hopping per a group of 6 persons.
2nd day: Manlawi, Kutibas, Sabitang Laya and Bugtong - these are the bigger islands and quite farther from the port area. It costs P2, 500 for a whole day island hopping per a group of 6 persons.
You can bring a packed lunch or have the boatmen cook one for your group. Also in some island there are locals who sell a fresh buko juice inside the nut itself for P25 only. We also saw big and still alive lobsters that are sold for P800 per kilo! Included in the rate is they will grill it and serve it cooed already.
My best pick is the Manlawi island where I finally got to see a sand bar! Just that we did not have much of photos there because we spent our time swimming. How can we resist? We are surrounded by the crystal - clear water! When we finally decided to have our pictures taken, the high time has come! The Kutibas' sands is very fine. Really super fine!
2. Ride an ATV for a Caramoan Island trail.
You can contact Jerome Avenue at 09305570655 / 09176426147
3. Visit the St Michael the Archangel Parish Church - T his is a decades old church. Be amazed of the color of the facade. It is made entirely of red bricks!
4. Climb the 524 steps to reach the Shrine of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. Make sure to bring a bottle of water because I am sure you will sweat! When you reach the top you will be rewarded by the panoramic view of the beaches of Caramoan.
Where to stay
If you are a budget - conscious, I recommend the River View Inn. Not only it is affordable, you get the best view of the river beside it. You will see kids bathing, carabaos drinking and women washing clothes. Just a tip, it is better if you buy food outside than buy from your accommodation. The meal costs P150 if you order it inside. That amount is equivalent of 2 or 3 meals already if you know how to budget your food allowance right outside!
Ready to go there, now what's next?
We also offer a 3 day and 2 night Caramoan tour package if you don't have time to prepare your own trip. We suggest you to join our regular tour which includes a roundtrip van to save on cost. The departure is every Thursday 9PM then back to Manila 12mn of Sunday.
For more information please contact 0998-989-3921 or email mariaronab@gmail.com anytime.
Should you want to do to commute then find someone who can arrange everything for you, you can contact Kuya Jerry Llamas, he is the tricycle driver I met there. He can arrange your tricycle pickup / drop off from the port, accommodation and island - hopping for a small fee. You can contact him via mobile 0907 954 0238.
UPDATE As of Apr 12, an announcement from Camarines Sur Provincial Government has been released putting off limits to certain Caramoan tourist spots for the Survivor tv show.
From Apr 15 - July 22 2016 the Gota Village Resort, islands of Sabitang Laya, Lahos, Matukad, Catanhawan, Pitogo Bay, Tupan Lagoon, Inayun-ayunan, Tayak, Mantapayas and certain aread of Lahuy (Hinbuyan, Kalaw, Matalahod, Nagkalay and Dau), parts of Paniman ricefield as well as Sohoton River can't be visited by public to accommodate the filming production. Signed by Miguel Luis R. Villafuerte, the Governor. For more information please click here
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