First-time in Caramoan: Unveiling Nature’s Hidden Beatitudes

Tucked away in the province of Camarines Sur in the Philippines, Caramoan is the ultimate hotspot that wows wanderers with its mind-blowing beauty and unspoiled vistas. This off-the-charts destination is a magnet for nature nuts, thrill chasers, and sun worshipers, thanks to its epic beaches, crystal-clear waves, and lush greenery that’s straight out of a tropical dream.

Get ready to rock the rugged limestone cliffs, groove on the secluded islands, and dive into a vibrant marine world. Caramoan is your ticket to a paradise jam-packed with unforgettable experiences and memories that’ll make your social media followers green with envy. But let me share first a term I’ve just thought of:

Camsurring – v 1 my personal definition of putting Camsur in a tourist’s map; 2 enjoying the beauty of Camsur; 3 getting pleasure from Camsur’s attractions.

Going to Caramoan, Camarines Sur takes so many hours on the road from Manila. Secure a bus ticket, wait at the bus station, endure back pains…the list is endless. But, is it worth it? For an adventure, it is! Yet, the road trip is just the beginning of it all.

What’s in Caramoan?

The real adventure started when we went our way to Caramoan, a small town in Camarines Sur, more famously called Camsur. It wasn’t a major tourism destination until word got around that the French version of the TV series Survivor was shot in one of the islands near this place.

From a long and tiring land trip from Manila to a videoke night in Naga, it was surprising that we still had the energy to rise up early and embark on a trip to the town of Sabang. It was a good one hour and a half ride to the port. Because it was low tide and the boat had difficulty docking at the port, the porters had to carry not only the baggage but also the passengers to keep them from getting wet.

For two hours we were cramped in the boat. Good thing the sights and views kept us preoccupied, while sleep claimed us for the rest of the boat ride. We docked at Guijalo port of Caramoan and loaded an owner-type jeep which we mistook for our ride. The rugged zigzag road passed through mountainous terrain before it reached the main town. I was beginning to believe that this trip would top the difficulty of a journey to Camiguin.

Rex Tourist Inn

Rex Tourist Inn, located along at the heart and the busiest section of the town, was waiting for groups of travellers. We were among those groups. While in Caramoan, we took all our meals at Lutong Bahay, which was a few steps away from the inn. With about half a day left to enjoy island hopping and swimming, we rushed through our late breakfast, packed our lunch and headed to Binkal port where the boats to the islands were waiting for us.

Island hopping around Caramoan

The boat took us to the different isles and islands. We passed by Gota Beach where the Survivor France was shot. But our guides told us that where we were heading has finer sand and better beach front than Gota. And they were right.

True enough, Matukad Island offered us a breathtaking view, powdery off-white sand that can challenge Boracay’s, and serenity far from the chaotic city life and urban jungles. Time seemed to stand still in this little paradise as we dipped into the clear, cool waters and took our own sweet time marvelling at the sights.

Then, we spent a quiet and lazy afternoon at the nearby Big-ang Beach. The rock formations on this island were interesting. Campers slowly arrived in batches while rain was taunting at a distance. It was a signal that we had to go back to the main island to Caramoan (which is still a part of the Bicol Peninsula, by the way.)

As the sun has set, the main road of Caramoan fell into silence except for some songs from a nearby videoke bar. Of course, as to how several Filipinos pass time and entertain themselves at night, we also yielded to the lure of videoke, a continuation of our videoke session a night before at Naga.

Other attractions in Camsur

Another early morning, we travelled back to Naga to secure our bus tickets and have lunch. The afternoon was spent in the famous CWC or Camsur Watersports Complex. Foreigners, sports enthusiasts, families, and a few personalities were in CWC to enjoy its facilities – a restaurant, cottages and villas, spa, swimming pool and the famous wakeboarding area that boasts of having international standards. CWC is also fast becoming a famous tourist attraction of Camsur.

Watching the wakeboarders were awesome and relaxing. Sitting in one of the huts, hitting off my laptop’s keypad as I enjoyed its wi-fi connection was enough for me to be preoccupied with the rest of the afternoon. As dusk came into view, we feasted on a delectable dinner before we finally caught our evening trip back to Manila.

Yes, it was a trip we survived. Next, please.