Caramoan: A Hidden Paradise Emerging as a Top Philippine Travel Destination

Popular among travelers because of its colorful history and rich culture, the Philippines also attracts tourists because of its many beautiful beaches and its authentic and non-commercialized mountains and forests. There’s Boracay island and its fine, white sands; there’s Palawan and its rich marine life; there’s Banaue and its unique rice terraces; and many others. But, while these places are popular, these are just what you’d call as the frontliners. Among those considered as even more beautiful places in the Philippines are those that you seldom hear of, those that are not frequently talked about or advertised, still hidden and unexploited. One such travel destination in the Philippines is Caramoan Island.

What is Caramoan?
People in the Philippines refer to Caramoan islands as a hidden paradise. It’s a group of isolated islands that offer the perfect balance between earth and water. From afar, the lush greens stand out to approaching visitors. But, once you reach the islands, you’ll be awed by the crystal clear waters and the powdery beaches. From the trees and the wild animals in these islands to the rich and diverse living creatures underwater, you get all the ingredients that bring you closer to nature – serene and calm but fun and exciting.

Despite this closeness to nature, however, you’ll find resorts in Caramoan that are equipped with all your needed amenities – you won’t feel completely out of touch with the world. There are resorts that offer luxurious cabanas and rooms for those who want a pampered vacation and there are also affordable inns and pension houses for those who are traveling on a budget.

Experiencing Caramoan islands
There are many ways to experience Caramoan. You can have marine adventures, land explorations, or a combination of both.

Island hopping. The place is foremost known for the island hopping adventures that it offers. There are island hopping tours offered in the area, and you have the chance to explore some or all of the islands depending on the tour that you choose.

Snorkeling. If you want to experience the marine life in this paradise, that’s easy! All you need is your snorkel and some basic skills underwater to get a chance to see the corals and fishes down there.

Spelunking. Although Caramoan is popular for its rich islands and beautiful waters, the place also boasts of marvelous caves. Cave exploration is one true adventure as you may have to maneuver through mud, climb cliffs, swim in deep water, and balance on rocks just to see the beauty of the caves. But, the adventure is all worth it when you see the inside. The stalactites and stalagmites form a spectacular architecture, and there are thousands of bats or kulapnit that may be scary but are actually harmless. The experience and beauty of the place is one that you’d remember long after your vacation is over.

Rock climbing. If you are adventurous at heart and you’re not afraid of heights, you may want to give this activity a try. It’s fun and exhilarating, but it also requires some form of experience.

Trekking and mountain biking. For those who love forests and greens, these are perfect activities. The lush vegetations are refreshing, and the view from the top is truly magnificent – stretches of blue and green water as far as the eyes could see. You might want to climb the 500 steps to see the statue of Our Lady of Peace in Mt. Caglago (tiring but rewarding), or explore unchartered areas in the islands (just be sure you have a guide). You can walk or trek, or bike, in order to enjoy the sceneries in any of the islands.

Kayaking. Kayakers will surely have fun exploring the waters of Caramoan. A word of caution, though: if you’re planning to go kayaking during your visit, choose a quiet month when there aren’t storms – the storms are common during certain months (later part of the year).

Some of these activities, you can avail together in one single tour. Prior to visiting the place, you can already check online for available tour packages.

To get to Caramoan, you can either take a 10-hour bus ride or board a plane from Manila to Camarines Sur. Then, you can take a fast craft or an outrigger pump boat to Caramoan. You can also arrange a boat rental with the resort you’re staying in, coordinate with a Philippines specialists travel agency or get in touch with the tourism office for transfers.