50 Instagrammable Spots in Bicol

No matter where you’re traveling in Region 5, there will be a scenery, an activity, or a restaurant worthy of a spot in your feed.

Its famous Mayon Volcano alone has over 90 thousand photos on Instagram. It’s the most photographed tourist destination in Albay. Travelers will be thrilled to know that there are a lot more attractions and experiences that make amazing pics. 

Here’s a list of landscapes, parks, islands, activities, and food to explore for the ’gram.

Nature and Landscapes 

• The peak of Quitinday Hills or the Pili Nut Hills of Camalig

There’s an environmental fee of Php20. There’s no need for a guide and the trek usually takes 15 minutes.

• Every corner of Solong Eco Park 

This 6.5-hectare park has wooden chairs, teepees, and hammocks where you can pose with the forest as the background. The Solong Crystal Cave is here, too! Entrance fee is Php40. 

• The clear reflection of the Mayon Volcano at Sumlang Lake

They also have kayaking and aqua-biking activities. Entrance fee is Php20. 

• The cascades of Maligaya Waterfalls 

There’s a 30-minute trek before you reach the falls. Travelers are encouraged to bring food if they plan to stay longer. 

• This campground at Turayog View Deck 

The peak gives a 360-degree view of the towns of Panganiban and Paracale in Camarines Norte. Entrance fee is Php20. 

• The sunrise at Binurong Point

Travelers can trek as early as 4:00 A.M. and reach the summit before the sun rises. Entrance fee is Php20 per person and tour guide fee is Php250 per three people. 

• The bird’s eye view of Sacahon Beach from Bote Lighthouse

There’s a 30-minute uphill trek going to the Bote Lighthouse. Camping is allowed at the beach. 

• The meadows of Cagnipa Rolling Hills or the Little Batanes of Catanduanes

There’s no entrance fee but trekkers are encouraged to donate any amount. Cottages are available from the hill’s viewpoint and overnight camping is allowed.

• The sunset at Paraiso ni Honesto 

This park is located at the edge of the hill in the municipality of Pandan. There’s also a cave and lagoon at its foothill for spelunking and swimming. 

• This natural brook in San Miguel Nature Spring

San Miguel Nature Spring was the Del Barrio family home before they decided to open it to the public in 2003. Entrance fee is Php20 for kids and Php40 for adults. Accommodations start at Php800. 

• The enchanting Nahulugan Falls  

According to locals, the name of the falls comes from a story of a farmer and his carabao accidentally slipping while trying to cross the top of the mountain. There’s no entrance fee, and swimming and picnicking are allowed.

 

Farms and Parks 

• This sunflower field at El Miro de Shei Integrated Farm 

This seven-hectare farm is a flower sanctuary at the foot of Mount Mayon. They are open from Tuesday to Sunday. Entrance fee is Php50 from 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., and Php100 from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. They host live band shows at their in-house restaurant. 

• Sonrisa Farm 

Cherry Lo is a breast cancer survivor, and that’s why she established 4.5-hectare property to encourage her family of healthy eating habits. They produce organic vegetables, primarily lettuce. Visitors can tour the farm and learn about all-natural farming for Php150. Picnic at the farm is Php100 per person.

• The sea of clouds at Summit View Park

This roadside park gives its visitors a chance to be surrounded by a sea of clouds at the break of the dawn. It’s best to arrive at the park before the sun rises. Entrance fee is Php20.

• The mangrove forest at Bongsanglay Natural Park 

This mangrove forest is home to the biggest Api-Api tree in the Bicol region. Entrance fee is Php30. 

• This cozy accommodation at Uma Koinonia 

This 10-hectare farm is the first agri-tourism site in Masbate. A retirement home turned community center, they host fellowship programs and provide employment opportunities. Visitors may tour the place for Php150. 

• Balay Buhay Sa Uma Bee Farm 

This three-hectare farm is a peace center that takes care of Bulusan’s native bees. Entrance fee is Php150, with additional Php75 for batis swimming. 

 

Islands and Beaches 

• The wide shores of Bagasbas Beach

Surfers—both professionals and newbies—find paradise in the beach waves of Bagasbas. Lessons are at Php400 per hour per person.

• The turquoise blue waters of Calaguas Island 

This white sand beach is a destination for all beach lovers. Camping, trekking, and snorkeling are just some of the activities available. The cheapest island hopping tour is at Php2,899.  

• The view from Canimog Island or Bundok Buwaya 

This pebbly beach is composed of hills where you can trek and get an overlooking view of the island. This is part of the Mercedes de Pecados tour for Php3,500. 

• This sideways forest at Apuao Pequeña Island

Also part of the Mercedes de Pecados tour, Pequeña is a sandy beach that has a sandbar that connects to another island named Apuao Grande. One of the main attractions here is a forest where fruit bats live. 

• The sunsets at Mamangal Beach

The shores of this beach give a distant view of the Mayon Volcano and make a stunning location for sunset watching. This is also where local wakeboarders go to practice. Entrance fee is Php20.  

• This rock formation at Tuwad-Tuwadan Blue Lagoon 

Seashells called tuwad-tuwad are abundant in this part of Catanduanes. Hence, the name of the destination. There’s a lagoon right in the middle of rock formations where travelers are free to swim. This is located at the foot of Cagnipa Rolling Hills. 

• The sandbar at Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary 

Ranked as the country’s second most resilient coral reef area, Buntod has fine shores and rich underwater life. It is only 20-minutes of boat ride away from the city. 

Boat rentals range from Php500 to Php800. 

• This view from Ticao Island Resort

The resort captures the beauty of Ticao Island with hundreds of coconut trees sprawled across its shoreline. Their cheapest room is Php1,200 per night, inclusive of full-board meals from their in-house restaurant. 

• This natural cave at Minalayo Islet 

Also known as Snake Island to the locals, this tiny island is where travelers can find sea snakes, highly venomous snakes that thrive in the water. Going inside this cave is part of the South Ticao Island Hopping tour for Php12,000 (max of eight people) per boat. 

• The beachscape of Tinigban 

Among the activities offered by resorts in this area are snorkeling, jet skiing, kayaking, and banana boat riding. For those who are not staying overnight, there is an entrance fee of Php100. 

• The back-to-back beaches of Tikling Island 

This privately-owned island accepts visitors for free. It is also a part of the Matnog Island Hopping Tour which usually costs Php1,800. 

 

Activities and Experiences

• The Mayon Volcano ATV Adventure 

There are three types of trails: the ATV challenge (Php599 per person), the Mayon lavafront (Php1,800), and the summit trail (Php6,500). Travelers can book through Mayon ATV Tours in Pawa, Lagazpi.  

• Pineapple picking & harvesting at Basud Plantation 

This is where Camarines Norte’s famed Formosa pineapples are found. These are considered the sweetest variations of the fruit. Travelers can buy them from Basud farmers per kilo. 

• Zipline at San Lorenzo Ruiz Eco Adventure 

This eco-park is home to the longest zipline in the Bicol region. Two types of zipline packages are available. The first one is the Sitting Package (Php250), which allows travelers to zip just like in the photo. The second one is the Superman Package (Php350) for those who want to zip with their belly in the air and arms stretched forward. 

• Wakeboarding at CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC)

CWC is the first world-class watersports park in Asia. Wakeboard rental is Php165 per hour. 

• Glamping at Fleur de Lilies 

This quaint flower farm and glamping site is the place to be for those looking to experience glamorous camping. Their non-airconditioned A-frame huts are Php800 per night. 

• Pedal boating at Lumawig Land and Water Adventure 

This community-managed adventure park offers a 30-minute cruise and water activities like pedal boating (Php250 per hour) in the mangrove forest of Lumawig. 

• Kayaking at Luacan Waterpark 

Entrance fee to the park is Php10. Kayaks can be rented for Php100 per hour. 

• The cowboy ranch tour at Sese Brahmans 

As one of the largest cattle farms in the province, this place allows travelers to meet real life cowboys and tour the ranch. Entrance fee is Php50. 

• Zipbiking at Villa Candelaria Resort

This privately-owned resort is packed with family-friendly activities like ATV riding, biking, and ziplining. Zipbiking is also available for rent at Php250. Swimming pool entrance is Php200 per person.

• Fishing at Bulusan Lake 

This lake is one of the attractions at Bulusan Volcano Natural Park. Entrance fee is Php20. Visitors may go fishing for Php20 as well.

• Snorkeling at Juag Marine Sanctuary

This aqua park is established to preserve the thriving marine life in Matnog. Here, animals are taken care of for travelers’ appreciation and education, not for commercial use. There’s no entrance fee, but donations are encouraged. 

 

Churches 

•  The façade of Daraga Church 

This church is hailed as a National Cultural Treasure. It has a façade made of volcanic stones.

• The historic Parroquia de San Pedro Apostol

In 2012, the people of Vinzons exemplified a bayanihan effort to restore this church after it was razed down by fire. Since then, it’s become a sanctuary for its community. 

• The black façade of Naga Metropolitan Cathedral 

This is the first cathedral built in Naga. It has been home to generations of pilgrims since 1595. 

• The painted ceiling of Peñafrancia Minor Basilica 

Aside from being miraculous for its believers, this church’s interiors boast intricate paintings of scenes from the Holy Bible. It is one of the largest Marian pilgrimage sites in Asia, enshrining an image of the Virgin Mary that was sculpted in 1710. 

 

Food and Restaurants 

• The First Colonial Grill 

This homegrown restaurant is where you can find the must-try sili (chili) ice cream. They specialize in serving authentic and innovative Bicolano food. 

• This tiny nook at Bidi Bidi Crafts Café 

This arts and crafts café allows travelers to buy embroidered bags and handmade items by the Burikbutikan Artists Collective. They serve coffee, cakes, and burgers. 

• The specialties of Bigg’s Diner 

This homegrown restaurant is inspired by American retro diners. Their specialties are their crispy fried chicken, baby back ribs, and burgers. They also serve American and Filipino breakfast food.

• Every dish at Chef Doy’s Gourmet Restaurant 

Chef Doy serves Bicolano and Filipino fusion cuisines. Prices of their panira (viand) range from Php195 to Php345.

• Pizza Laing at CamSur Watersports Complex

The popular Bicolano dish laing made from shredded taro leaves in coconut milk is given a twist at CWC. The pizza dough substitutes as rice and gives a unique dining experience to travelers. 

• Tabugok from Carorian Island Tour 

Tabugok is a local term of red octopus. This dish is a specialty of the Carorian community and can be requested as an island hopping meal inclusion for Php300. 

• And finally, the Matnog Island feast

The only thing better than island hopping is island food. This is included in the Matnog Island Hopping Tour Package (Php1,800). 

Travel Safely! 

All tourist destinations in Region V have health and safety protocols in place to protect locals and visitors alike. Everyone is expected to comply by wearing face masks, regularly washing their hands, and practicing physical distancing.

To check out up-to-date information regarding local destinations that are open and the safety protocols and requirements needed for each location, you may visit http://www.philippines.travel/safetrip or download the Travel Philippines app at app.philippines.travel on the Google Playstore.