HomeAsiaPhilippinesLuzonCamarines Sur3 Days Caramoan Itinerary – Solo DIY Tips & Guide By Marcos Detourist on August 27, 2011The commute to Caramoan takes at least four hours from Naga City, Camarines Sur. Two hours land trip from Naga City to Sabang Beach and another two-hour ferry (pumpboat) ride going to Guijalo Port in Caramoan. After quick morning tour of Naga City, I took a tricycle to the FILCAB terminal located across SM City Naga. The (L300) van left Naga City at 8:15am and arrived in Barrio Sabang, San Jose, Camarines Sur by 10am. Sabang Beach was just a couple of steps from where the van dropped us off. Looking around the long gray sand beach, it was easy to find the makeshift ferry waiting area since many of the passengers were already huddled together in that section of the beach. Toploading the ferry pupmboat to Caramoan in CamSurNaga City to Barrio Sabang, San Jose, Camarines SurFILCAB terminal located across SM City NagaL300 van drop-off in Sitio Sabang, San Jose, CamSurSitio Sabang, San Jose, Camarines SurSabang Beach in San Jose, Cam Sur River ferry terminal behind Sabang BeachFerry from Sabang Beach to Guijalo Port, CaramoanI waited for another 45 minutes until the ferry boat arrived in Sabang. The beach went into chaos as the arriving passengers were about to disembark. Several porters went into a frenzy as they rushed to the side of the boat and boisterously tried to catch the attention of the alighting passengers. As soon as the first passenger got off, I realized what was happening. Since the boat was still a couple of meters from the beach (in waist deep waters), the passengers had to be carried over the shoulder of the porters in order to avoid getting wet. Oh Shit! It meant we also had to do it to get on the boat. Special boarding procedures at Sabang Beach enroute to Caramoan, Camarines SurI was anxiously standing at the shoreline not sure how to go about the porter selection process. Apparently, one of the porters had already chosen me and signaled that he had to load my backpack on the boat first. On the off chance that he’d get out balanced, I’d have all of my stuff wet including a few electronic devices. Seeing him carrying my bag above his head and wading through the wait-deep waters was excruciating enough, now, I’d have to undergo the ordeal myself. I wasn’t really afraid to get wet … it was my camera, which I carry on my sling bag, I was worried about. It’s like … the most expensive thing I own, and I’d saved up months for it. Anyways, when the porter got in front of me, he turned the other way and bent on one knee (kinda like the typical position during an engagement proposal … only backwards). I positioned both of my legs over his shoulders with his head, you know, between my thighs. The porter then stood up and struggled a bit to keep balance. It was so awkward to be carried by some random dude like that. The experience was quite emasculating :(Ferry leaving Sabang Beach Sabang Beach Approaching Aguirangan Island Aguirangan Island Beautiful hills of Caramoan Peninsula at the left side of the boat Local fishing boat Taking a spot at the top of the boat. I had to go down after a couple of minutes since it started to rain Arrival in Guijalo Port, Caramoan, Camarines Sur Guijalo is still a tricycle ride away from the CentroFinding a place to stay in CaramoanMost tourists stay at the town center or “centro” of Caramoan. It’s in an inconvenient location for most since it’s landlocked and requires a tricycle/single motorcycle ride to get to Bikal Beach and Paniman Beach, the main jump-off points to the Caramoan Islands. I stayed at Rex Tourist Inn after reading a lot of positive online reviews. They have single rooms rented out for P300 per night (fan-cooled; shared TB). I loved my stay at Rex Tourist Inn since they had free WiFi. I wanted to visit Lake Bulusan on my last day in Bicol … it was a last minute decision and I didn’t know how to get there. Having internet access helped a lot :DI also had my laundry done there for P80 (my clothes were well under 1 kilo, so I guess it’s their minimum rate). I give Rex Tourist Inn my “highly recommended for budget travelers” stamp! Rex Tourist Inn in Caramoan CentroAround Caramoan CentroI had (late) lunch at a carinderia (local eatery) named Lutong Bahay located near Rex Tourist Inn. It ate there the whole time I was in Caramoan since it was cheap. A meal costs only around P50. Their Bicol Express was my daily staple :) It was nice to be able to eat the more authentic version of Bicol Express …. oh wait! Of course, it has to be authentic, I was still in Bicol. Their Bicol Express was kinda different from the ones I tasted in Legazpi and Naga, though.Since I arrived in Caramoan late in the afternoon and didn’t notice any tourist groups during the ferry ride, it seemed unlikely that I would find a group, who’d be willing to let me join their island hopping tour of the islands. I walked around town hoping to find other tourists but didn’t find any … probably because I went to Caramoan during low season (on a weekday) and the tourists that arrived that day were probably already off in the islands. The main street in Caramoan Centro Caramoan Church / St. Micheal de Archangel Parish Small chapel beside the main Caramoan ChurchBooking an Island Hopping Tour of Caramoan IslandsI eventually inquired at one of the souvenir shops in town about the island hopping tours. They told me they could arrange the tour for me since the shop owner’s father owns a boat at Paniman Beach. There are two main island groups in Caramoan. I’m not sure what their formal names are but they’re known as the “Matukad Island Group” and the “Manlawi/Sabitang Laya Island Group.” Both are located at a considerable distance from each other (probably 30 minutes by boat). Bikal Beach, situated at the mainland is the main jump-off point to Manlawi/Sabitang Laya Island Group. While Paniman Beach is the main jump-off point to Matukad Island Group.I was quoted a rate of P1,500 to visit the “Matukad group of islands,” P2,000 for “Sabitang Laya/Manlawi island group,” and P3,000 to visit 9 islands covering both island groups. My gosh, so expensive considering I’d have to pay for everything myself. Of course, I couldn’t leave Caramoan without going to any of its famed islands. I hope I still have enough cash to get back to the city … there aren’t any ATMs in Caramoan if I spent too much.It was already mid-afternoon, too late to go island hopping. Spent two nights in Caramoan so I’d have a full day for the island hopping the next day. Caramoan Municipal Hall Golden Hub Tourist Inn La Casa Roa Hostel Villa Juliana InnDIY trip to Camarines Sur Tips Naga City to Sabang Beach, San Jose, Camarines Sur Van (2 hours) – P90 per person Sabang to Guijalo, Caramoan Ferry (2 hours) – P120 per person; Caramoan Ferry Schedule: hourly from 5AM to 11AM only Tip for the porter “shoulder back ride” – P25 per person(no set rate, tip as you please) Guijalo Port to Caramoan Centro Tricycle – P50 per person(not sure how much the actual fare was but I think I saw the locals paying P20/P30 only) Rex Tourist Inn (Caramoan Centro) Single fan room with shared TB – P300 per night (x2 nights = P600) Laundry – P80 (minimum) Lutong Bahay Carinderia (eatery) Bicol Express + 2 rice – P40 Pork Steak + 1 rice + coke – P40 Fried Chicken + 1 rice (packed lunch for island hopping tour) – P60 (x2 incase I get too hungry, haha = P120) Caramoan souvenir t-shirt – P170 Whole day Caramoan island hopping tour – P1,500 (Matukad group of islands) Roundtrip single motorcycle (habal-habal) ride to Paniman Beach from Caramoan Centro – P200 Read more about Caramoan Islands in Camarines Sur, Philippines Next up: “Caramoan Islands: My Solo Survivor Escapade.”Don’t leave yet. There’s more!Caramoan to Legazpi Commute: CamSur PARTIDO Coastal HighwayOne Week in Bicol - Solo Backpacking & DIY Tips7 Days Bicol Itinerary - Camarines Sur, Legazpi,…Naga Penafrancia Festival Photos: My First CamSur ExperienceSorsogon to Legazpi City: Return Flight to ManilaWhere I've Wandered Off To in SeptemberComments senyor lakwatsero saysAugust 27, 2011 at 5:59 pmi love how you referred to caramoan as the survivor island. so true! Marcos saysAugust 28, 2011 at 4:28 pmhehe… rip-off lang ng “Survivor TV Series.” Truly, the scenery of Caramoan captures the images of a remote island paradise. pinaytraveljunkie saysAugust 27, 2011 at 8:19 pmArgh! Buti ka pa nakapunta na :( May araw rin sa ‘kin ang Caramoan… Hihi. Marcos saysAugust 28, 2011 at 4:30 pmIkaw pa :) thanks for dropping by gay. Ezra AB saysSeptember 8, 2011 at 4:18 pmHi marcos, nice pictures… I’m so excited to go there too… And I know how it feels to spend money alone =)We are going to caramoan 2 weeks from now. We plan to have the 9 islands. Kaya ba whole day yung 9 islands (including the Lahuy Island, Cotivas Island)? And last price na ba ang P3000 for that? And may we know ano yung 9 islands na yun?Hope you can answer my questions… dame pala… Marcos saysSeptember 9, 2011 at 8:53 pmKaya siya for the whole day … Better to talk to the boatman na lang :) Hanggang Matukad lang kase ako, I’m not entirely sure about the other islands. jlyic saysApril 17, 2012 at 7:38 pmwhen we’re there 2200 for 10 island hopping . mho-ann saysApril 22, 2012 at 4:24 pmHi. Ask ko lang po kung ano po available time ng ferry from sabang to guijalo? thanks. mho-ann saysApril 22, 2012 at 6:44 pmung last trip po pala..kasi when I went there before, the last trip is 2pm. thanks! Marcos saysApril 28, 2012 at 12:01 amDuring my visit, the last trip was also 2pm. aica saysAugust 4, 2012 at 8:34 pmhi! do you have the contact number nung boatman for island hopping? thanks! :) Marcos saysAugust 19, 2012 at 7:51 pmSorry, I didn’t take note. jpldeluna saysNovember 22, 2012 at 5:00 pmHi! Thanks for this helpful post. I also wanna ask if you know the vans’ schedule of departure from Sabang to Naga? Jewel Rose saysMarch 21, 2013 at 1:08 pmI think last trip po is 2 pm. regina saysJanuary 14, 2013 at 3:34 pmhi, my friend and I are planning to visit Bicol this coming May 2013. Our travel itinerary are Albay then Sorsogon for butanding experience then Caramoan for island hopping then last Naga to experience CWC. Is it advisable to travel with luggage coz after seeing your pictures it seems like the travel route will not be that easy. Please give advice on how to get to Caramoan from Sorsogon and travel time…thank you so much! Jewel Rose saysMarch 21, 2013 at 1:04 pmHi, I am a tour coordinator and a native of Caramoan. I arrange all kinds of tours and give you the rate from the most expensive to the most conservative. I also send guest to travel agencies and tour operators that you may want to work for your needed tour. If you are interested, you may contact me @ 09106534561 / 09155870668 or email me at [email protected]. My American husband who traveled around the world and with his worldly experience wants the best tour and I’ll give it to you. jay saysMarch 8, 2013 at 12:44 pmhi, may mag hotel ba sa sabang? kasi baka hindi kami umabot sa last trip. jay saysMarch 8, 2013 at 12:48 pmhi, may mga hotel/inns sa sabang baka di kami umabot ng last trip papuntang caramoan. Jewel Rose saysMarch 21, 2013 at 1:06 pmMeron pong hotel sa port. Check niyo na lng po. I have a porter there named Rolly. Patulong n lng po kayo. You can trust him. Posting of new comments is disabled temporarily.Connect with Marcos on:Detourista.comMarcosDetourist.comFacebookInstagramTwitterDetourista.comDiscover more travel guides and blogs about the Philippines and beyond by Marcos DetouristChoose your next destination: Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
senyor lakwatsero saysAugust 27, 2011 at 5:59 pmi love how you referred to caramoan as the survivor island. so true!
Marcos saysAugust 28, 2011 at 4:28 pmhehe… rip-off lang ng “Survivor TV Series.” Truly, the scenery of Caramoan captures the images of a remote island paradise.
pinaytraveljunkie saysAugust 27, 2011 at 8:19 pmArgh! Buti ka pa nakapunta na :( May araw rin sa ‘kin ang Caramoan… Hihi.
Ezra AB saysSeptember 8, 2011 at 4:18 pmHi marcos, nice pictures… I’m so excited to go there too… And I know how it feels to spend money alone =)We are going to caramoan 2 weeks from now. We plan to have the 9 islands. Kaya ba whole day yung 9 islands (including the Lahuy Island, Cotivas Island)? And last price na ba ang P3000 for that? And may we know ano yung 9 islands na yun?Hope you can answer my questions… dame pala…
Marcos saysSeptember 9, 2011 at 8:53 pmKaya siya for the whole day … Better to talk to the boatman na lang :) Hanggang Matukad lang kase ako, I’m not entirely sure about the other islands.
mho-ann saysApril 22, 2012 at 4:24 pmHi. Ask ko lang po kung ano po available time ng ferry from sabang to guijalo? thanks.
mho-ann saysApril 22, 2012 at 6:44 pmung last trip po pala..kasi when I went there before, the last trip is 2pm. thanks!
aica saysAugust 4, 2012 at 8:34 pmhi! do you have the contact number nung boatman for island hopping? thanks! :)
jpldeluna saysNovember 22, 2012 at 5:00 pmHi! Thanks for this helpful post. I also wanna ask if you know the vans’ schedule of departure from Sabang to Naga?
regina saysJanuary 14, 2013 at 3:34 pmhi, my friend and I are planning to visit Bicol this coming May 2013. Our travel itinerary are Albay then Sorsogon for butanding experience then Caramoan for island hopping then last Naga to experience CWC. Is it advisable to travel with luggage coz after seeing your pictures it seems like the travel route will not be that easy. Please give advice on how to get to Caramoan from Sorsogon and travel time…thank you so much!
Jewel Rose saysMarch 21, 2013 at 1:04 pmHi, I am a tour coordinator and a native of Caramoan. I arrange all kinds of tours and give you the rate from the most expensive to the most conservative. I also send guest to travel agencies and tour operators that you may want to work for your needed tour. If you are interested, you may contact me @ 09106534561 / 09155870668 or email me at [email protected]. My American husband who traveled around the world and with his worldly experience wants the best tour and I’ll give it to you.
jay saysMarch 8, 2013 at 12:44 pmhi, may mag hotel ba sa sabang? kasi baka hindi kami umabot sa last trip.
jay saysMarch 8, 2013 at 12:48 pmhi, may mga hotel/inns sa sabang baka di kami umabot ng last trip papuntang caramoan.
Jewel Rose saysMarch 21, 2013 at 1:06 pmMeron pong hotel sa port. Check niyo na lng po. I have a porter there named Rolly. Patulong n lng po kayo. You can trust him.