THE PROVINCE of Camarines Norte is rolling out a low-key grassroots campaign to lure travelers back next year, in keeping with the Department of Tourism’s (DoT) Visit Philippines Again program for 2016.
The province offers culture, adventure and nature, which makes it a complete experience, said Governor Edgar Tallado.
Beaches, waterfalls
and caves
The province’s tourism gem is Calaguas Islands which was named the top Tourism Gem in an online poll of Isla Lipana & Co. The heart of the Calaguas archipelago is Tinaga Island which is known for its mile-long powdery sand beach and crystalline water.
But one need not take a long boat ride to find a fine beach — the province’s Pacific seaboard is a string of these, from San Jose Beach at Talisay town, to Pulang Daga in Paracale, Cayucyucan in Mercedes, Mangcamagong in Basud, and Calalanay in Panganiban.
Just off the shore of Mercedes town are the Siete Pecados (Seven Sins) consisting of the islands of Quinapaguian, Canton, Canimog, Apuao Grande, Apuao Pequeña, Caringo and Malasugui, each with a distinct feature. The agile can paddle around the islands aboard a kayak, while at the town’s Baybay Beach, they can use the kayak to ride the waves.
Bagasbas Beach in Daet is a top destination for surfing greenhorns because of its sandy bottom and consistent waves the whole-year round. It is in the world’s surfing circuit and the first in the country to be included in the same. One can also go kiteboarding, which combines surfing, snowboarding, skateboarding, and wakeboarding with flying a kite. Bagasbas has become a haven of international kiteboarders due to the Pacific wind.
The province is gifted with waterfalls — the 70-foot tall Colasi waterfalls in Mercedes, the Nacali Falls in San Lorenzo Ruiz, and the San Felipe Twin Falls in Basud. In Labo, three waterfalls stand out — Malatap, Binuang and Maligaya Falls. Mananap Falls in San Vicente is ideal because one just has to make a short hike before enjoying the refreshing sights and cool waters.
Tucked in the bosom of Mt. Cadig in Labo town, Cadig Cave is a showpiece for those who want to be initiated to spelunking. Composed of several dark compartments filled with stalactites and stalagmites, this cave offers moderate difficulty in trekking and exploration.
Also in Labo are the Mambuaya and Pintong Gubat caves which are rich in speleological properties.
History
A must-see historic spot is the First Rizal Monument in Daet, a white stone obelisk which was built in 1898 which was the first monument to be constructed in the honor of Rizal, antedating the one at the Luneta by 13 years.
Across the park is the Daet Heritage Center, the former municipal hall, which serves as the town’s museum and sociocivic center. The Bulawan Museum at the Provincial Capitol Complex showcases the province’s heroes, archaeological finds, and a portrait by National Artist Fernando Amorsolo.
Meanwhile, Bicol’s 400-year-old religious heritage is best represented by the Nuestra Señora de Candelaria Church in Paracale, founded by Franciscan missionaries in 1581, which became a parish in 1611. Other historic churches are St. John the Baptist in Daet, the St. Peter the Apostle in Vinzons, and Capalonga Church, home of the Black Nazarene.
Based on statistics from the DoT Bicol regional office, the province drew 211,013 tourists in 2014.
