I am a pure-blooded Irosanon. My late father and mother are both from Irosin. I call Irosin my forever home despite living in Manila and traveling to other countries. It has been two years since I arrived here after living for many decades in Manila and I couldn’t be more proud of all the improvements of Irosin’s tourism. Irosin is the only town in the province of Sorsogon that is landlocked. Meaning, it is a town surrounded by towns that’s why we don’t have beaches but we do have hot springs, lakes and waterfalls.
See below my recommended Irosin itinerary for a day assuming you are coming from Sorsogon city and beyond. I did not included time schedule because I want you to be the one who will decide where would you like to stay longer depending on what you like.
IROSIN LAKE BOATING, ZIPLINE, ATV RIDE & WATER TUBING/RAFTING
Just twenty minutes from Irosin proper, you will reach Barangay Patag which is one of the towns in Irosin being known as an emerging tourist destination in Sorsogon.
As of the moment, there is no entrance fee to come here and they only ask for donations when you avail any of these activities.
My estimate total of hours to complete these is two hours assuming that it will only take 30 minutes to try these each. However, I added one extra hour for waiting and other things that could happen unexpectedly so final total hours is 3 hours.
Naghalao Falls can be reached in 20 minutes from Irosin Lake. It’s a beginner level of hiking so it is also highly recommended before living Danao Lake in Irosin. Every list of tourist attractions to visit in Irosin include visiting this waterfalls. Naglahao Falls is located in the border between Irosin and Bulusan. Bulusan has officially acknowledged that this waterfall belongs to them and they call it as Hulugan Falls.
OPTIONAL: You can go to Zoe’s Resort and Eco-adventure instead if you have the budget. Inside this resort, you’ll be able to see two more waterfalls which is the Kambal Busay and Hidden Falls. There are two cold swimming pools inside as well. Click HERE to read our Zoe’s Resort Bulusan blog review.
TAKE A DIP IN A HOT SPRING CALLED TROPICAL HOT SPRING RESORT IN MONBON, IROSIN
There are many new resorts here in Irosin. I chose Tropical Hot Spring resort because the water here is warm and literally coming from the hot spring. It is also beside a public river that has warm water too. To be honest, there are many newly-built resorts here that look beautiful and even completely Instagrammable in terms of its physical structures but the water is the typical water that comes from our faucet at home. If you spent overnight on a bus or took a flight before coming to Irosin, would you want to swim in a place where the water is just the same as the one in a typical swimming pool? Of course, no!
Update: Tropical Hot Spring Resort is closed for now.
BRING YOUR PET TO A PET-FRIENDLY SPRING RESORT IN BAGSANGAN
It is rare to find a pet-friendly resort here in our hometown Irosin, I swear! That is why when we learned of a newly-developed cold spring resort that has no name yet but will call it LIM SPRING RESORT for now. The owner's last name I was told is Lim.
Just a stone's throw away from then well-known spring resort in Bagsangan called Burigas, this spring resort is a source of clean water. It is not so cold and not so warm so perfect for everyone. It is not so known that is why if you don't like crowd, this is your place. The entrance fees as well are much cheaper compared to other swimming resorts in Sorsogon.
Other options:
Mateo Hot Spring Resort or more commonly known as San Benon Hot Spring Resort. However, this one is the most popular so it is always full so I suggest Tropical Hot Spring Resort. Please be reminded though that some of the nipa huts look damaged but I can definitely vouch about how serene the place is!
Modesta Resort. This is the most famous and the newest accommodation here in Irosin. Water here doesn’t come from a hot spring however you will be greeted with a Bali-like atmosphere.
Nature Spring Resort and Vida Resort Irosin
EAT AND BUY PASALUBONG IN THE PILI HAVEN, GULANG-GULANG, Irosin
The Pili Haven is owned by Vicki’s Pili, Irosin’s longest and top producer of pili products. You have two options. If you’re on a budget, you can have your meal at the front of The Pili Haven called Rapid Eats Eatery featuring Filipino food that is below Php 100. They serve authentic Batangas coffee which I am a fan of.
If you want to splurge a bit more, feel free to go to the restaurant inside The Pili Haven. However, whether you want to just eat there or roam around that is automatically expected as leisure visit, you will need to pay the entrance of Php 50. The restaurant inside has better ambiance and serves myriad of food that cost more than the one they serve in the eatery in front. The food is more nutritious though here. The only concern I have is for several times, many of the dishes are not available inside. If you are a foodie like me and don’t care about spending a bit more, I would suggest to order in advance.
The Pili Haven features plants, pili trees and smaller gardens of veggies and fruits. The A-frame style nipa huts and wooden cabins are specially worth mentioning that are for rent for those who want to stay overnight. I would say, The Pili Haven is perfect for a morning walk when you want to have breath fresh air then fill your tummy with a heartwarming food. The Pili Haven also features many pasalubong food products.
VISIT THE ONLY SUNFLOWER FARM IN IROSIN, D’GREEN THUMB
Irosin is a town known for its rice fields and farms so it is not surprising to find a tourist attraction that showcases plants, flowers, vegetables and fruits. D' Green Thumb Irosin is like a hip millenial. Every season they change the kinds of fruits, vegetables and flowers they plant. Even the style of the farm also changes from time to time including arts that are proudly Irosanon.
The best time to visit is late afternoon to catch the majestic view of the sunset. Last year, we were happy to know that they added a canteen inside so that guests can eat. One thing that they offered is a variety of burger which included mushroom burger which is fitting to my plantbased lifestyle. Unfortunately, they stopped serving this healthier version of burger just because only very few people is ordering this compared to the beef version.
SPLURGE ON A FOODIE WEEKEND TRIP TO HACIENDA ENCINAS
Hacienda Encinas is currently an events place during weekends where a multitude of booths serving different food can be found. According to its FB fan page, it is gearing itself under farm tourism but it is still at its infancy. They have recently opened their doors to camping overnight with a fee of Php 400 each.
FRESHEN UP IN BOLOS COLD SPRING, OMAGOM COLD SPRING AND PANGGERO COLD SPRING
Left photo is taken from Bolos Cold Spring. Right photos is taken from Omagom Cold Spring. Unlike the hot springs in Irosin that are insta-famous, the cold springs are rarely featured. The top three cold springs in Irosin I highly recommend: Bolos Cold Spring, Omagom Cold Spring & Panggero Cold Spring in Barangay Patag. At the moment, there are NO entrance fees to swim in these cold springs of Irosin.
The most accessible is the cold spring of Bolos because it is located along the Maharlika Highway and near carenderias. I was also shocked when we visited Bolos cold spring last year because it is still very clean. Omagom Cold Spring is just a few minutes away from the national highway too but it is the least known. It is also the smallest in size so only locals of the barangay come here to swim.
Barangay Patag is probably the only barangay in Irosin where there are many tourist attractions! We featured from the very top where you will find the zipline, ATV, Danao lake, Naglahao Falls and more. If you have more time to spend, go to Panggero Cold Spring which is 10 minutes away. We used to swim here as kids and just recently we came here as adults. Panggero Cold Spring's charm is still the same!
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UNPLUG YOUR WHOLE DAY IN COGON LAKE, IROSIN
One of Irosin's hidden gems, Irosin Lake which is found in Barangay Cogon is the newest and not to be confused with Danao Lake or Lake Danao in Barangay Patag. The way going here is quite a challenge because it is out of the way. You will need to hire a tricycle or best a motorcycle to reach the lake. The way here is already a treat because of the lush trees specially seeing cogon, a type of grass used to make brooms. Do not be surprised why this barangay was named Cogon! I remember we have to cross a "dry" river or should I say a part of the driver without the water.
When we came here last year, nipa huts are currently being constructed to provide resting place for visitors. The place is so pristine that I honestly would like this spared. I mean this is a place I would selfishly not share to the world. I can imagine myself here waking up in the morning by the chirping of birds then while grabbing my cup of coffee, I will sit in this same spot in the photo then either meditate and do yoga.
Things to do here are kayaking and swimming. I learned that the bottom of this lake is home to different kinds of edible clams and fishes. Please make sure you only throw your plastic thrash in the garbage bins which there were none when we visited or bring yours home.
PRAY INSIDE SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CHURCH ON TOP OF A HILL
No worries! This hill is located in the center of Irosin. You have two options to reach the top: take the stairs which is 70-80 steps or in the flat road going up where you can either walk or hop on a car. Both of these will only take you less than 10 minutes. The view on top here will make you forget the tiredness if you opted to take the stairs. Promise! Here you will see the oldest and only college in Irosin which is called Veritas College of Irosin and the parish that manages this church.
Irosin's tourist spots are growing in numbers each day so please expect that I will add more in this list. I will come suggestions from fellow Irosanons specially in the history side. I haven't seen any old houses worth featuring that would have included my grandparent's two-storey ancestral house, the Balaguer Ancestral House. Not far from this is also another bahay na bato house that is ruined completely now which is the Camara Ancestral House.
KAWA HOT BATH and FISH SPA IN 401K RESORT, IROSIN
No need to go to Antique to experience Sorsogon's first ever kawa hot bath. For Php 25, you can experience the therapeutic way of immersing your whole body in a big giant kawa. At the moment, the kawa hot bath in 401K Resort is only for photography purposes. However, I suggest it is already 95% real. The missing 5% is the medicinal herbs and aromatic leaves that will make this 100%. Flowers do not have any medicinal value and only added for the photo to be aesthetic. I have been to Antique myself and have tried it so I know the feeling!
PAMUNAYAN SA LAKE, PATAG
A-frame wooden nipa houses sitting at the end of Lake Danao, Irosin. Imagine walking up in the morning with a view of a placid lake. If you are game, you can walk more to swim in the nearby river or trek to see the waterfalls. This place is quite out of the way but it is guaranteed that you will be able to experience what it is like sleeping in the wilderness and hearing mysterious crickets in the night!
IROSIN BOULEVARD
Locals call this as Irosin Boulevard which is part of the road currently under constuction starting from barangay Buenavista and ends in Liang, Matnog. This is an alternate route that is 8 kilometers long that will cut travel time compared to taking the Maharlika Highway. According to DPWH, the project is named Bypass Road Barangay Carriedo-Liang-Hidhid-Irosin-Matnog. It will take 3 years for this route to finish. At the moment, the cemented area is only covering first few kilometers. No public vehicles are allowed to pass by. During afternoon to evening, this is a new favorite hangout place for locals who want to watch sunset, eat fishballs and catch up with friends.
EAT SOME OF SORSOGON’S ALL-TIME FAVORITE DELICACIES: SUMAN NA KALABASA, IBOS, MOLIDO OR PILI CANDIES
My mom is one of the best in cooking suman na kalabasa in Sorsogon! I can vouch because I have seen her dedication and love whenever she cooks them. This is the reason why I would like to invite everyone to get to know our province’s pride. You may also ORDER in advance as pasalubong. Let us know.
- Suman sa kalabasa - instead of glutinous rice which is typical to any human, Sorsoganons have a version of it in the form of pumpkin. This is my all-time favorite. Whenever I’m home, I always ask my mom to cook this almost every breakfast! Best served with a cup of hot table. The wrapper is made of banana leaves.
- Ibos - It is also a form of suman but made of glutinous rice. A typical human is also made of glutinous rice but usually it is sweet. This one is for those who do not have a sweet tooth like mine. Also, the process to cook is a bit complicated compared to suman sa kalabasa even from preparing the wrapper made of coconut leaves.
- Molido - Sweet potato candy. It is a tedious process that I always tell Mom to stop doing it because she’s selling it a very low price. This requires a lot of time of cooking and preparation.
- Pili candies - Of course, the most famous of all - pili nuts. A superfood, pili nuts is a favorite pasalubong from people coming here in Bicol. Mom can show you how to cook this and even show you how to eat a boiled pili pulp that is equally nutritious than the kernel.
Help me add more in the list by adding a comment below or shooting me a message via our fan page Lantuag sa Sorsogon.
If you want to read my 2016 blog post entitled " What to see, things to do, tourist spots in the center of Irosin, Sorsogon and where to stay - click HERE.
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