► BEST OF BICOLANDIA TRAVEL

IF YOU are planning to go somewhere this summer, GO for BICOL. Either you are coming in directly from abroad or from Manila, here are some tips to guide you on how to get to Bicol easily and economically. With me as your virtual guide, I'll make sure your minimal budget will suffice. And, rest assured you'll get nothing but the best deals- from cheap good food, rewarding local trips, safe and economical hotel accommodation, and most importantly- polite tour guides who will happily take you and your companions around Bicol for only Php500-fee a day($11). However, to get the best out of the $11 that you are paying them, make sure you do not starve these tour guide/s. Okey? The secret is to book your flights as early as NOW to avoid missing the summer fun! So, let's keep the ball rolling! Call your travel agencies and book your flights to the Philippines and to Legazpi City. Or, sit down, surf the net and start browsing for cheap package deals. Early reservation cost much lesser than those that are made just weeks before your intended dates of departure. For you to ENJOY the beaches in Bicol to the max with a bonus of not missing the sighting experience of the "Butandings" (friendly whale sharks) in Donsol Sorsogon, visit Bicol between March~June. Hotels in Bicol are mostly the same. Clean, safe, and employs only trustworthy and accommodating staff. Still, it will not cost you anything if you take extra care of your belongings. Note: Make sure that you arrange everything from Hotel bookings to licensed tour guides who will take you around when you get there - prior to leaving for Legazpi City.

There are 2 airports in Bicol. One is in Pili, Camarines Sur (for small aircrafts only) and the other is in Legazpi City. Take Legazpi bound flights. From Manila, there are 2 flights bound for Legazpi City daily. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. There is also one flight coming in from Cebu, and that is via Cebu Pacific. All Legazpi bound aircrafts are Airbus 300s and occasionally, bigger ones land there too..

FROM THE AIRPORT, you can hire local taxi cabs to take you to your Hotels or make sure to ask your booking agents if there will be shuttle buses or transport service cabs waiting at the airport to take you to your hotels and vice versa?


FOR MORE TRAVEL INFO AND FACTS ABOUT BICOL, PLEASE VISIT TOURINGBICOL BLOG BY SHANAH

BEFORE YOUR TRIP TO BICOL

There are many hotels in Legazpi City for future visitors to choose from. Just search the net containing Hotel accommodation guides for those planning to visit the place but remember that for you to fully enjoy your trip to Bicol, the best time to visit is from February to June as rainy season starts from July to November.

Now after you are through with your flights and hotel bookings, your next step would be to start planning where you want to go. Starting with places you would REALLY love to visit when you get to Legazpi City.

And, I am here as AS YOUR BEST GUIDE EVER!

ARE YOU READY? Well, I am sure you are! But before we take off I want to check again if you've packed the ff:

─ CAMERA
─ SWIMSUITS
─ SUMMER WEAR
─ SUNGLASSES
─ HATS
─ UV LOTION
─ COMFY SHOES/SANDALS
─ LIGHT MULTI-PURPOSE BAG/or BACK PACK
─ PESO BILLS in small denominations
─ YOUR ENTHUSIASM and good HEALTH ( most important)

I STRONGLY ADVISE you guys not to bring your valuable belongings such as: jewelry, expensive watch, or important documents as you won''t be needing those in the Philippines. Just bring with you a good pair or two of your best evening dresses and elegant but comfy shoes, which you will only need in Manila if you plan to go fine dining in those world-class restaurants found either in Hotels or in any of those many social venues there. Otherwise, better not add extra weight to your luggage.

FOR MORE TRAVEL INFO AND FACTS ABOUT BICOL, PLEASE VISIT TOURINGBICOL BLOG BY SHANAH

CARAMOAN ISLAND OF BICOL

CARAMOAN ISLAND

HOW TO GET THERE:

From Legazpi City (Albay), go to Naga City (Camarines Sur). From Naga City, hit the road going to Sabang. Once you reach Sabang, take a boat ride going to Caramoan. This would cost $ 2.50 per passenger- one way. Most of these boats from Sabang are bound for Guialo Port. From Guailo Port you can either go to Paniman or
Bikal. Don't worry- regardless if you choose Paniman or Bikal, the activities you'll be doing when you get there would still be the same, only the accommodation differs. Paniman offers better though a little bit more costly.

Activities that await anyone who visits this place would be- Island hopping, swimming, snorkeling, diving, trekking and exploring the islands.

There are a number of islands to visit when you get there. The famous of which is Gota Island- being the favorite destination of many adventurous foreigners. Maybe it is because of this island's breathtaking beauty that magnetizes many sea lovers to flock to this island.

Best Islands to visit are: GOTA, MATUKAD, VITA LAYA, and LAHOY. Then comes- LAHOS, UNUNGAN, BAGING, and BOGTONG.

I need not say fancy words to describe this place. Let the pictures talk....

FOR MORE TRAVEL INFO AND FACTS ABOUT BICOL, PLEASE VISIT TOURINGBICOL BLOG BY SHANAH

► CARAMOAN ISLAND

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► CAMARINES SUR WATERSPORTS COMPLEX (CSWC) - WAKE BOARDING

CAMARINES SUR WATERSPORTS COMPLEX (CSWC) in Pili Camarines Sur: Is just 40 minutes away from Legazpi City. There is also an airport in Pili, Camarines Sur but only small aircrafts land here. This is one of the places in the Philippines that caters to tourist who are into water sports. A man made lake has been artfully created and turned into a paradise for this type of people. Many foreign players in the world of wake boarding come here to play and some even stay for as long as one month. Evey now and then international wake boarding competitions happen here. In fact most of those who have visited and played in this complex did actually come back and some have become regular visitors of CSWC. Other activities that sports minded people get to enjoy here are: kayaking, swimming and after a long day of strenuous wake boarding, guests also get to enjoy interacting with fellow wake boarding enthusiasts. CSWC offers package deals every now and then. They have very affordable rental cottages. CSWC also presents a wide variety of very good food for their guests to enjoy . They also have supplies store & souvenirs shop within the premises.For more info just visit their websites.


FOR MORE TRAVEL INFO AND FACTS ABOUT BICOL, PLEASE VISIT TOURINGBICOL BLOG BY SHANAH

► CAMARINES SUR WATERSPORTS COMPLEX (CSWC)