Thursday, March 6, 2014

Calaguas for the Newbies



You've finally heard about this nice beach (oh please be mindful this is an understatement) in Camarines Norte and pictures are just too teasing. Amongst the beaches i have visited in the Philippines, this is by far what I consider the best. And, having been to Maldives, I consider this better because, more than the water, the landscape here is just pure stunning.

To all my (growing no of ) fb friends who has been asking about Calaguas island, this is all for you (once in for all). lols :-)



Minimum System Requirements:

2days and 1 night (Sat-Sun Recommended)
P1,700 or more depending on your eating, drinking and haggling habbits

Step 1: Going to Paracale (most convenient i'd say rather than Vinzons)

Superlines bus co in Cubao have direct routes to Paracale. Last trip is at 8pm for aircon. There may be another trip after 8pm, ordinary or airconary (our coined term for that aircon bus that has ordinary seats and fare). Especially during beach months like february onwards, seats may be filled quickly so as soon as one in the group arrives in Superlines, it is best to reserve seats. In case you're a student, bring your student id for around P100 savings in the airconditioned bus fare.

For those coming from alabang or nearby, you may reserve tickets, or your friends coming from cubao may reserve the seat for you. The bus will pickup passengers in Alabang. Just let the conductor know that a seat is in place for your friend there.

Hereforward, There will be 3 stops all in all. First stop is a quick pick up in turbina. Then, a longer meal stop in Atimonan, Quezon, and last is a drop off, and some pickup in Sta Elena. You might want to pack some food so as not to kill some of your pesos in the bus stops. You should be wary of how much abusive these stops are when it comes too prices.

The bus will arrive in Paracale at around 6am. Tricycle operattors will call your attention, but seriously, the port or any other destination in paracale is no more than 15mins walk. Do some exercise.. you sat so long after all. 

At your arrival, you may want to have some breakfast in Malaya Tourist Inn (suking suki ko yan si Ate Katrina. Say Ian recommended her breakfast. lols). Malaya touristt inn is justt right next to the shell station (or after the bridge, which is under construction at the time of writing).

After your breakfast, in case you didn't have your food supplies prepared, you may want to walk to the wet market to purchase your stocks. 

Prices aren't too cheap in Paracale; Not even the fish really. Goods are almost the same price as manila (as opposed to other towns in other provinces). You may want to consider ginataang pagui for your lunch or dinner. They are sold at P100-p130 per kilo in the wet market.

Next up, it's time to leave the mainland and head to the beautiful island group of Calaguas. 



Pre-arrange your boat service thru the ff boatmen:

My long term contact Mang Boy may be contacted at (0908) 546 0683. You may borrow some utensils from him such as spoons, pots, knifes, coolers, etc. Just tell him upfront when you negotiate so he can prepare it rightaway. He also sells charcoal and drinking water (sold at P100 for the 5gallon with the faucet). In case you are so tight in the budget, you may walk to the water refilling station, in front of the rural bank. Water is at P50 per 5gallons, and you can deposit P200/gallon for the container. You'll get the deposit upon return.

Speaking about banking service, there is only one bank in town. It is a rural bank, though it has an atm with P40 service charge for withdrawals. Meantime, it is best to withdraw while still in the city as there are also times when it is offline. 

Rates for baot rental depend on the no of people. They normally charge P500/person though it is up to your haggling skills. 

For solo travellers or in pairs (and I trust you are probably this acquainted with the drill by now), there are boats going to brgy Mangkawayan. Brgy mangkawayan is a 15-20 minute walk away from the Mahabang Buhangin in Calaguas. Boats normally leave early, at around 6am. These boats are private boats of residents, though depending on how well you blend, they may take you in their boats. Average rate is P100 per passenger per way. Lately, I heard the association of calaguas boats have banned taking passengers in these boats, but again, it is very relative. After all, 500 is too much (although that is already a return fare). By the way, the 500 may increase or decrease depending on the size of your group. In case of less number of people, you may ask your boat contact to merge you with other groups so you don't blow up your cost. Only draw back is you'll have to agree on the time of pickup with the other group.

Other contacts for boats are:


Try arranging for some side trips with your boatman too. Interesting islands in Calaguas are Pinagcastilluhan, Maculabo, Balagbag, and there's a marine sanctuary in Pinagtigasan (though it's not as stunning as moalboal or anilao).



In case you don't alert your boatman, the boatman will normally drop you anywhere they'd like to drop you (whichever resort provides them commission). The range of entrance fees in the island range from 120-175 pesos. Cottage rates are at P200 up.

Meantime, you may want to consider staying in the LGU. The LGU side charges only P20/head and P350 for the cottage rates (cottage is optional; don't worry). Others may say it's almost the same as paying the P120 rate as they charge P10 per pail of water, but not really the case. ON the left side of the LGU lot, there is a well that is available for everyone's use for free. 

You may also want to contact the LGU in charge ahead so he can reserver a cottage for you:

Roberto Delos Santos (0930) 165 2214 or (0920) 803 5771 (again, kindly mention Ian referred you to him).

He can also do some cooking for you. Just say Ian suggested it. He cooks my pagui for me. Also, ask him if he can scout some white shark for you. He cooks it real well. You can setup camp anywhere in the vicinity at no cost.





Tatay bert delos santos also owns a store in the island. Goods sold are cigarrettes, some canned goods, few chips, softdrinks, purified water. Cost is 130% higher than in paracale of course. Leave his store for all the small things you might have forgotten. For the rest, buy all supplies from mainland.

Also, you may have seen some photos with a topview of the calaguas island. This is on the far left side of the island when approaching Mahabang Buhangin from Mainland. Until recently, they now charge P25 environmental fee to access this 5minute trek to the viewpoint.



In the morning, while water level is still low, you may want to walk to the left side (again facing Mahabang Buhangin when coming from mainland) of the island. There are some more hidden sand on this part of the island. 



Finally, you wake up and it's a sunday already. Inasmuch as you'd like to say furtther, you did not file a leave, or yourr boss won't allow you...

The bus from Paracale to Manila leaves at around 6pm. For this, make sure to leavve the island latest at 2pm. Upon arrival in the mainland, securre your seats by (at least one from the group) making your reservation. A lot of people would have been bound back to manila by now, and you might be accomodated only into the latter trips.

Other option is to head all the way to Daet, where there are more buses bound to Manila and so. There are vans and buses that ply paracale-daet forr P65 fare.

Another option is to take a trike (P300/ride) or bus (P25) to talubatib. In this junction, you can wait and catch for buses that go to Manila.

No need to rinse in the island as you might get some more saltwater splash on your trip back to mainland. You may wash up from your boatman's houses in Paracale. Or perhaps, you can do minor cleaning while in the island, and then just clean up again, or change, when in the mainland. 

(by the way, there is no signal in the island. There are only 2 critical locations with signals; One for smart and the other for globe users; location are on both volleyball courts. One volleyball court pole standing next to the beach, has smart signal, and the other court, close to waling waling resort, has the globe signal).

In case you're wondering what pasalubong you can bring, in paracale, some households prepare this bagoong shapped like a meatload. It tastes good sliced (as how you'd slice a meatloaf), fried, and served on calamansi juice. sarap sawsawannn!


Any questions left??? lolz :-)

29 comments :

  1. how many hours is the travelling time from the main island to maputing buhangin?

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  2. Depending on the situation in the sea, and the speed of the boat, it may take between 1.5-2.5 or even 3hrs po

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  3. This is so helpful. Sir Ian, you mentioned $1700 budget above? For a 2-night stay? Would this apply do you think, if there's only two of us travelling? I also heard that the big boats from Paracale to the island can be high as up to PHP4k?

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    Replies
    1. Contact mang boy mam and tell him friend ka ni ian.tas dalawa lang kayo, and kung pwede kayo isabay nalang sa ibang groups

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  4. Thank you much. The waves are more okay naman na siguro around this time Sir right?

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  5. Very useful sir Ian.
    Paano po kung may dala kaming car going there? meron po kaya mapag iwanan?

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    1. try asking your boatman sir, where it will be safe to park your car. It will most likely be beside the church. Otherwise, you may go to Malaya tourist Inn, look for Mam Kat, sabihin mo friend ka ni Ian, and ask where you can park your car...

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  6. hi, the volleyball court is in mahabang buhangin ba?

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  7. Sir ian, one more. Do they still have the tents for rent there?

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    Replies
    1. there are, but you may want to reach mang boy, he may be able to rent (or lend) you tents

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  8. Nice article, I'll definitely base our DIY trip here. Tho couple of questions: Is it possible to just camp, no cottages whatsoever? how much will we pay for that? any place you can suggest as a side trip while we're on the island? Does Mang Boy Accomodate for parking? We're 7 people, is that good enough for a single group ride to island?

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    1. I think 7 is a group no. Parking? No.. Eskenita kasi yung daan papunta sa kanya, but you can leave it to mam kat.kain nlang kayo breakfast sa kanya. For camping, yes.. Dun sa LGU.sabihin nyo dun kayo dalhin ni mang boysa tig 20 pesos entrance.side trip.. Yung mga isla katabi ng calaguas, especially, pinagcastilyuhan.or kung sawa na sa saltwater, sa sinagtala sa labo

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    2. Awesome! thanks sir Ian!

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  9. Hi po. You're blog is very helpful. Just another query po, what will be the best way if I'm coming from Caramoan? Do i still need to go to Naga to go to Daet or can I hail a bus somewhere on the way? Do you have a Blog for Consocep mountain resort? I am thinking of dropping by there as well. Thanks in advance.

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    Replies
    1. Your options start in naga. But it is most convenient to take a bus/van to daet and from there take a van to paracale.

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  10. Hi Sir! Thanks for this article, one of the most helpful I've checked. Ask ko lang po if you know un sched ng boat travel from Paracale to Calaguas? every hour po ba?

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    Replies
    1. wala po sched yun sir since private boats yun, usually namimili lang, or nagdedeliver ng goods sa mainland.

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  11. Just wanted to share our experience during our Calaguas trip this Febuary 2015, this is after heavy rain in so waves are really rough and my heart is about to jump. Good thing our tour guide Noly is really helpful to us and comfort us during that time.
    When we reach the island, it was majestic and pristine as it could be. We had 4 meals a day (heavy meals) and when we go back to Vinzons, Noly asked us to eat at their house (no additional charge) before we head out to Manila. It was an experience for a lifetime, not just because of the beautiful beach. But our tour guide is really helpful and hostpitable.
    You can contact him Noly – 09179595985 / 09206611018 or http://www.calaguasislands.com/ (not affiliated in any way, just a happy traveler)

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  12. Hi ian. My kontakt number k ba ng malayan inn balak kase namen magdala ng sasakyan papuntang paracalye. Thank you.

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    1. wala po mam. meron nman pong parking area dun sa simbahan. sabihan nyo nalang ang bangkero nyo na ihabilin sa kakilala nya dun

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  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  14. I'm planning to go here this holdiday, solo!
    Any tip for a solo traveler like me? This will be a new experience for me since camping ang accommodation dito. May mabibilan ba ng lutong ulam sa mismong isla? Salamat!

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  15. going solo? Nice!i think you can bring books or kahit anong trip mo, i mean the island is purely stunning but since there is no signal you may get bored for an hour or two since you're alone. unless you can be very very friendly. :)
    for lutong ulam, i think there is but really not sure so i suggest you ask locals there or the boatmen that Ian gave out contact numbers.
    hope this helps and for sure you'll ENJOY! :D

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    Replies
    1. sa brgy (15 minute walk) may nagbbq kapag hapon. tas makisuyo ka nalang ng rice dun sa tindera (just offer to pay P10 for the scoop). or yeah, dont ever be afraid to ask.

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  16. Hi, Thank you for this informative post. Planning to go solo to calaguas, but it's still best to go with someone. Anyone here looking for a travel buddy? please let me know, btw you may join this group in FB as well if you're trying to find a travel find. Just go to this link. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1642231026048917.

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  17. Hi Ian! I find this really helpful. Thanks for posting this! May kuryente kaya dun sa island na pwede mong pagchargean ng gamit? Malamok ba doon? Hehe.

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    1. hi abby. walang kuryente don, solar lang. pwede ka makiusap sa mga bahay dun sa beach, or dun sa barrio (15mins away). dala ka na din repellant, P8 lang sachet yung hindi OFF na brand. :-)

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