DIY Itinerary + Travel Guide to Bicol: Legazpi, Naga and Caramoan

The province of Bicol is no doubt an up and coming destination.  Sure, it is not as famous as Ilocos, Cebu, Palawan, Sagada or Boracay but I believe years from now this hidden paradise will soon be a favorite destination in the country and the world. I am a true blue Bicolana by blood and  heart.  While I have been around to half of the Philippine provinces, Bicol is the one whom I haven't explored.  

I cannot wait though because this September, I am gonna go home with the siblings to celebrate the town fiesta. Crossing my fingers, I am gonna be going around Bicol and especially the elusive beaches of Sorsogon! I may not have a travel guide for Bicol in my hand but happy to have met online, Armand Arvie Tiongco Ruiz through a Facebook local travel group. He is a fellow backpacker who just visited Legazpi, Naga and Caramoan last July.

Please see below a DIY itinerary and travel guide to the province of Bicol.

What to see, things to do in Legazpi, Albay

SUMLANG LAKE 

You can take a picture of the mighty Mount Mayon everywhere but in this spot, having yours is almost Instagram perfect! Think of sitting on a furniture made of abaca inside a floating bamboo raft amid a clear body of water with the almost perfect cone shaped Mayon! You can also opt for aquabike, do kayaking and rent a floating cottage.  Nearby attractions that can be visited too are Quitinday Green Hills and Jovellar Underground River + Cave. 

BOOK YOUR SUMLANG LAKE TOUR PACKAGE HERE

CAGSAWA RUINS. In 1814, Mount Mayon erupted so bad that 2, 000 people were killed. Most of the locals sought refuge to the church because it was sturdier than their wooden houses but this calamity was so strong that it ate almost all excluding the belfry. Thus, this is the only left which is buried in the ground. 

BOOK YOUR CAGSAWA RUINS TOUR PACKAGE HERE

LIGNON HILL NATURE PARK. A panoramic view of 360 degree of Legazpi City, Daraga, Albay Gulf and of course Mount Mayon awaits anyone who has the patience to hike up the Lignon (Linyon) hill. Most recommended times to get there is early morning before sunrise and evening to see the city lights.

Aside from the view, this hill has a 320-meter zipline. Other activities to do are biking, rappeling, paintball and more. You also get a dose of World War 2 history because of the Japanese tunnel. 

         

         BOOK YOUR LIGNON HILLS TOUR PACKAGE HERE

BICOLANDIA ATV EXPERIENCE (Black Lava ATV & Helipad)
This is for those who really want an adrenaline-pumping adventure in Bicol. ATV ride is one of, if not the most popular outdoor activity in Albay. There are a lot of local tour agencies in Legazpi offering this kind of activity. The most popular trail is the Black Lava, where massive lava flow happened in 2006 eruption. It's a trail to Pawa where you can see the Black Lava Wall is composed of: the river, the residential, the sand and gravel site, the coconut plantation and the agoho tree area.

BOOK YOUR MOUNT MAYON ATV TOUR PACKAGE HERE

CASA BICOLANDIA SUITES WITH ROOFTOP OVERLOOKING MAYON VOLCANO

Just a few minutes of walking from van terminal of Daraga, Casa Bicolandia Suites is the perfect place for families, couples and even solo travelers. It is even perfect for travelers who have their furbabies with them.

    BOOK your stay at Casa Bicolandia Suites HERE

Tourist spots in the province of Naga

Wakeboarding in Camsur Watersports Complex
CWC is a world-class watersports complex consisting 6-point cable ski system. It is flocked by locals and people from around the world. Activities you can do: wakeboarding, kneeboarding, waterskiing 7 wakeskating  

Sili Ice Cream in SM Naga
Don't worry, it is going to be spicy. It's an ice cream with a twist!

Islands to visit in Caramoan

No doubt, it is the island hopping in Caramoan is the prime adventure. These are the Lahos Island, Matukad Island, Kagbalinad Island and Cave and Minalahos Island. 

BOOK YOUR CARAMOAN ISLAND HOPPING TOUR PACKAGE HERE

Suggested 4D3N DIY Bicol Itinerary

Day 1  

9PM - 6AM  Bus travel from Cubao to Naga

6AM - 815AM  Van travel from Naga to Sumlang Lake

815AM - 930AM  PhotoOp at Sumlang Lake

930AM - 935AM  Jeep travel from Sumlang lake to Cagsawa Ruins

935AM - 1045AM   PhotoOp at Cagsawa Ruins

1045AM - 1115AM   Tricycle travel from Cagsawa Ruins to Ligñon hill

1115AM - 1245PM   Ligñon hill (Zipbike experience)

1245PM - 1PM   Free Service Travel From Ligñon hill to Bicolandia ATV

1PM - 315PM   Bicolandia ATV Experience (Black Lava ATV and Helipad)

315PM - 345PM   Free Service Travel From Bicolandia ATV to Hotel

345PM   Oriental Legazpi Hotel Checkin

345PM onwards   Leisure time

Day 2 

6AM to 7AM - Buffet Breakfast

7AM to 11AM - Leisure time

11AM - Checkout

11AM to 1130AM - Travel to Legazpi Van Terminal

1130AM to 12NN - Waiting time

12NN to 330PM - Van travel from Legazpi to Naga

330PM to 430PM - Merienda

430PM - Hotel Checkin at Matt's Tourist Inn

430PM to 445PM - Taxi from SM Naga to CWC

445PM to 7PM - Wakeboarding at CWC

7PM to 730Pm - Free service from CWC to Naga

730PM - Dinner

Day 3

5AM - wakeup

530AM - Checkout

530AM to 545AM - Tricycle ride from hotel to Central Terminal

615 AM - Bus Departure

615 AM to 1015AM - Bus ride from Naga to Paniman, Caramoan

1015 AM to 1045AM - Habal habal ride from Paniman waiting shed to Daniel's Place 

1045AM to 1145AM - Preparation

1145AM to 430PM - Island hopping (Lahos, Matukad, Kagbalinad island and cave, Minalahos)

430PM - Leisure time

Day 4 

430AM - Wakeup time

500AM - Checkout

5AM to 530AM - Tricycle from Daniel's Place to Central Terminal

530AM - breakfast

6AM - Bus Ride from Caramoan Bus Terminal to CWC

1020AM - CWC

7PM - ETD in CWC

9PM - ETD in Naga

Expenses per Day

Day 1 

Naga Bus Terminal to Van Terminal via tricycle - Php 20

Naga to Legazpi via van - Php 180

Sumlang Lake entrance fee - Php 20

Sumlang Lake boat fee - Php 45

Jeep - Php 7

Fruit shake - Php 60

Lunch - Php 95

2 magnets - Php 150

Tricycle - Php 50

Black Lava ATV ride - Php 1, 350

Habal - Php 20

Lignon Hill  zipbike - Php 450

Tour guide tip: Php 75

Taxi to Bob Marlin restaurant - Php 75

Bob Marlin dinner - Php 250

Total: Php 2, 847  

Day 2  
Van from Legazpi to Naga -  Php 180  

Lunch/Dinner - Donut - Php 164 

Hotel Checkin fee - Php 315

Taxi from SM Naga to CWC - Php 150

 One hour wakeboarding - Php 150

Dinner - Php 700  

Total: Php 1,659  

Day 3  

Breakfast - Php 120 

Bus from Naga to Caramoan - Php 220   

Tricycle from Paniman to Daniel's - Php 10

Island hopping per head - Php 750   

Dinner - Php 98 + 30

Tricycle from Daniel's Place to Central Terminal - Php 75

Breakfast - Php 45   

Total:  Php 1, 348
  

Day 4

Tricycle from Daniel's Place to Central Terminal - Php 75

Breakfast - Php 45   

Bus ride from Caramoan to CWC - Php 200

Lunch - Php 95 + 42  
Habal habal - Php 20

Wakeboarding - Php 165 + 165 + 215   

Water - Php 30  

Merienda - Php 220

Dinner - Php 99 + 89  

Pasalubong - Php 100

Taxi - Php 15 + 80  

Total: Php 1, 560

Breakdown of expenses - Per Head

Transportation  - Php 3630 

Bus Isarog Cubao to Naga to Cubao - Php 1074, 1179

Bicol Transpo - Php 1377

Accommodation:  Php 4147 

Casa Bicolandia Suites - Php 1, 500 via Klook  

Matt's Tourist Inn - Php 355

Daniel's Place - Php 697

Food/Pasalubong - Php 2432 

Food - Php 2182 

Pasalubong - Php 250

Attractions - Php 3385 

Sumlang Lake - Php 65

Lignon Hill  Zipbike - Php 450

Black Lava ATV - Php 1350

ATV Tour guide tip: Php 75

Caramoan island hopping - Php  750

CWC - Wakeboarding (4 hours) - Php 695

Overall Total: Php 13, 594

More photos below:

All photos and tips are credited to Armand.You can follow me on Instagram here and him here. This is a crowdsourced DIY travel guide.