Bicol Region, Philippines: Magayon Ka!
Bicol Region sounded a bit far-off to me at first and I haven’t really given much consideration to put this on top of my bucket list (along with Batanes and Palawan) not until my college buddies mentioned they wanted to see the majestic Mayon Volcano. I tagged along at first, not knowing that this could be one of those epic adventures I’ll treasure for a lifetime with my girlfriends! :)
Where is Bicol in the Philippines
Bicolandia (Region V) is located in the southern part of Luzon and is comprised of the following provinces: Camarines Norte and Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, and Masbate. We were only able to cover Albay (Legazpi City, Daraga) and Camarines Sur (Naga City, Pili) during our three-day visit because each province would need a considerable amount of travel time.
How to Get There
- by Plane - The fastest and most convenient way to reach the gateway city of Bicol (Legazpi City) is through a short plane ride. Major airlines like PAL and Cebu Pacific offersdirect flights to Legazpi City from Cebu and Manila, respectively.
- by Bus - If you’re coming from Manila and you’ve got plenty of time (and patience) for long trips (9-12 hours), then this one is for you. There are several bus companies that offer the Manila-Legazpi and vice-versa route and this website gives you comprehensive information of the schedule and terminal.
Top Things to Do in Bicol
- See the majestic Mayon Volcano from different viewpoints such as Cagsawa Ruins, Ligñon Hill, Embarcadero (Albay)
- Be a daredevil and ride an ATV towards Mount Mayon via the lava trail (Albay)
- Give thanks at the Basilica of the Nuestra Senora de Penefrancia in Naga (Camarines Sur)
- Wakeboard at Camsur Watersports Complex (Camarines Sur)
- Beach bum in the beach paradise of Caramoan Group of Islands (Camarines Norte)
- Swim by the beach made up of black sand (Sorsogon)
- Whale Shark watching in Donsol (Sorsogon)
Don’t let the laid-back, quiet, and rural scene of Bicol fool you because you’re definitely in for the greatest adventure of your life! :)
PS. Just click on the links for more info on our epic Bicol adventure.
PPS. Btw, Magayon ka actually means "You are Beautiful" in Bicol.
0 comments