CARAMOAN 2013 ESCAPADE

Hope this post is just in time for your summer getaway!

If you are looking for a  review for CARAMOAN (what to expect) and decided to go as backpackers with a tight budget, you came to the right blog. I’ll be sharing my experience with my friends as well tips if you’re planning to go to Caramoan.

Travel date: February 14-February 16, 2013

I was assigned to have a inspection in Naga for my Urban Planning subject in school. City of Naga is a part of Camarines Sur, Bicol Region. As we all know, CamSur is becoming a hot spot when it comes to tourism and adventure! When my friends from college knew about my trip they volunteered themselves to accompany in my journey to southern part of Luzon. Before planning, we first searched various adventures we could do aside from touring the Naga City. We found a lot of good reviews about Caramoan, a place where Survivors Game Shows shoot scenes. Upon knowing those facts we immediately decided to have a trip there since Caramoan excited us with its divine place and cheap-but-worth-it treats.

CARAMOAN HAVEN was our Travel Agency. Sight and Sands Inn sheltered us in Caramoan. It’s cheap but very nice place to stay. Good transaction, good service, good food, nice ambiance, good facilities, and most of all, very friendly tour guide… good photographer too!

You will be spending 4,000 php/person all in all. That includes food, transportation, and souvenirs. (2 days 1 night)

Caramoan Survivors: Jean Cenon, Francis Cinco, Nichole Semana and Nico Ella

PREPARE TO GET TIRED ON YOUR WAY TO NAGA. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A DECENT REST AND SLEEP, SOUND MIND AND BODY AND A LOT OF PATIENCE BEFORE PROCEEDING TO YOUR TRIP!

EVERYTHING WILL BE WORTH IT WHEN YOU GET TO ENJOY THE CARAMOAN ISLANDS. 

STEP 1. MANILA-TO-NAGA

TAKE A BUS OR A PLANE

The fun part of the whole escapade is the joyride! We took a Penafrancia (which according to the internet is the best bus line to Naga) Bus. The terminal is located at the back of the Ali Mall in Cubao Center. My friend reserved 8:30pm trip. We got student discounts, so Php600 for a one-way ticket. We had two stopovers along the way. It was said to have 8-hr trip but we arrived there 7am. We are 2 hrs behind our schedule.

NOTE

If I were you, always have allowance of 1-2hrs on your desired time of arrival or else you would be like us:

-our bus left the terminal 90 mins late because there was a ticket/receipt missing and teller couldn’t let us go because that stupid ticket was necessary for inventory

-our bus stopped for about 30 mins because the a/c shut down and they had to troubleshoot it but still failed to do so. We had to deal with the fresh air from the emergency roof escape of the bus.

PS The terminal in Cubao is the main bus terminal for all the buslines servicing Manila to Naga; Manila to Sabang etc. It’s best to reserve slots via phone so you won’t experience long lines or/and be chance passengers most especially during peak seasons.

STEP 2. NAGA-TO-SABANG

TAKE A VAN OR JEEPNEY

We were in a hurry since we didn’t want to waste any time. We asked around to where the vans are parked but they told us that all the vans left already since there were a lot of tourists arrived earlier heading to Sabang port. Some guy offered us to just take the jeepney that was about to leave that time in order to catch the boat to Guijalo port, the next destination. We passed thru a lot of agricultural fields, you will get that probinsya feel along the way, and since jeeps have no a/c, you will only get fresh air and tangled hair at the end of the ride. It was a 2-hr trip, 600km travel, plus a lot of stops because the jeepney we thought that would just service us alone was a pampasahero one. We arrived in Sabang port 9:30am.

..but the boat leaves at 9am. We missed it. Next trip is scheduled 11am.

(above photo is from Francis Cinco)

NOTE

What caused us to be late is the bus that made a lot of delays.

-van ride costs, 100php. Arrive early or miss it. Make sure to find the VAN TERMINAL across SM Naga before talking to any jeepney people. I don’t know if they just told us that there were no available vans or they just wanted to get some money from us. Estimated travel time: 1:15-1:45

-jeepney ride costs 100 php. It’s up to you how will you negotiate a good deal with the driver. Estimated travel time: 2-2:30.

STEP 3. SABANG-TO-GUIJALO

RIDE A BOAT

We missed the boat. I called my travel agent and he advised us just wait for 11am to avoid high charges if we rent a boat. Time was running out and we couldn’t afford more hours of waiting. Good thing our charms worked and had a great deal with a boatman. We finally rented a small boat. We left Sabang port at 10am.

NOTE

What caused us to be late is the bus that made a lot of delays.

-the boat ride costs 120 php. Schedule: 7am 9am and 11am only

-the small boat we rented cost 2,300 Php. All in but without the tip to the boatman.

-PREPARE FOR A VERY NOISY RIDE (motor) and VERY HOT WEATHER (small boat) but you will definitely enjoy the view around you. It’s heavenly.

-Don’t forget to eat upon arrival in Naga terminal because we were all starving when we were on our way to Guijalo.

Estimated Travel time: 1:30-2:00

STEP 4. GUIJALO-TO-HOTEL

This one depends on which hotel/travel agency/contact you have reserved. In my case, upon arrival in Guijalo port, our tour guide was already waiting for us there, with my name written on a bond paper. We rode tricycle on our way to the inn.

HOTEL

Our room was already prepared when we arrived. They welcomed us and our tour guide told us a brief plan of what would happen on that day. We took our very tasty lunch and quickly changed for our most-awaited island hopping.

(above photo is from Francis Cinco)

Here are some photos of our Island hopping (I already forgot the name of the islands but every island we went to was uniquely beautiful and divine on its own ways.

THE MOST EXCITING PART OF THE TRIP: ISLAND HOPPING

(above photo is from Francis Cinco)

NOTE

-get a tour guide if it’s not included in your package, you definitely need one. As much as possible, get a young one, which is more adventurous and lively!

-wear comfortable footgear, preferably hiking sandals

-don’t forget your camera

-enjoy every minute and try everything

 -make sure to have time to go to souvenir shops! We really had a hard time looking for good Caramoan souvenirs in Naga City.

STEP 5. GUIJALO-TO-SABANG

This time, we promised ourselves not to be late for anything. So we told our tourist guide to bring us early in the port so we wouldn’t miss the boat.

NOTE:

-the golden rule, don’t leave your things unattended

-look where the sun is so you won’t have a burnt skin

-relax and get some sleep

STEP 5. SABANG-TO-NAGA

It’s best to take a van. Leave the boat as early as you can so you will have a slot in the van.

NOTE:

-if you can carry all your bags, then do so.

-the port will be crowded as soon as the boat arrives so watch out.

Finally, we were just in time for our Naga Adventure… which will be posted after this!

A side trip became the main trip! Caramoan 2013 is so far, the most adventurous trip with some of the best people I met in college! I can’t wait for our next escapade.