PITOGO ISLAND, CARAMOAN: IMPORTANT TRAVEL TIPS



2019 • 02 • 20

Caramoan has all sorts of beaches from brown to cream to white-colored sand; one of the unique destinations you’ll go to is Pitogo Island. It has a pebble-lined shore and a beautiful beachscape that also includes turquoise waters and rock formations covered in vegetation. Go swimming, take pictures, and just enjoy the view during your stay.

How to Get There

Nearest Airport: Naga Airport (Camarines Sur)

By Air

  1. Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines have regular flights from Manila to Naga City.
  2. Once in Naga, there are two options to get to Caramoan — via Sabang Port or via Fuentebella Highway.
     
    Via Fuentebella Highway: From Naga City Bus Terminal, take a bus bound for Caramoan (Florencia Bus, Raymond Bus, or MRR Bus). The fare is around P350. Travel time is around 4 hours.
     
    Via Sabang Port: Go to the van terminal located at the back of SM City Naga and board a van traveling to Sabang Port, this costs around P150 and may take up to two hours. After arriving at Sabang, get on a boat bound for Guijalo Port in Caramoan; the ride costs around P120 and may take up to two hours. Visitors have to pay a P30/person environmental fee once in Guijalo.
  3.  

  4. Hire a tricycle to take you to the town center or directly to your accommodation, the ride costs around P300.
  5. After leaving your bags and/or checking in, go to Bikal Port, which serves as the jump-off point for island hopping excursions.

By Land

  1. There are buses bound for Naga from Manila; operators such as Isarog, Penafrancia, and Philtranco regularly ply this route. The fare for the overnight bus is approximately P600 for ordinary buses and P800 for air-conditioned ones.
  2. Once in Naga, there are two options to get to Caramoan — via Sabang Port or via Fuentebella Highway.
     
    Via Fuentebella Highway: From Naga City Bus Terminal, take a bus bound for Caramoan (Florencia Bus, Raymond Bus, or MRR Bus). The fare is around P350. Travel time is around 4 hours.
     
    Via Sabang Port: Go to the van terminal located at the back of SM City Naga and board a van traveling to Sabang Port, this costs around P150 and may take up to two hours. After arriving at Sabang, get on a boat bound for Guijalo Port in Caramoan; the ride costs around P120 and may take up to two hours. Visitors have to pay a P30/person environmental fee once in Guijalo.
  3.  

  4. Hire a tricycle to take you to the town center or directly to your accommodation, the ride costs around P300.
  5. After leaving your bags and/or checking in, go to Bikal Port, which serves as the jump-off point for island hopping excursions.

 


Entrance Fee and Other Charges

Pitogo Island is usually part of the island hopping tour. Check itinerary and inclusions before booking your slot.

  • Environmental Fee: As of writing, P30.
  • Boat Rental Rates: P1500 – P3000 (For island hopping, the price varies depending on the size of the boat and group and the destinations you want to include in your trip).

Don’t Miss

  • Pitogo Island has a unique pebble-lined shore, which adds to the charm of its beachscape. Take plenty of pictures of the cove and distinct beach.
  • Swim in the blue-tinged waters to douse the afternoon heat.

Don’t Forget

  • Have enough cash on hand for many transactions. Ideally, withdraw all you need before leaving Naga.
  • For those planning to go snorkeling or diving, bring your own gear if you don’t want to rent.
  • Buy snacks and drinks from the city because the smaller towns along the way have fewer options. If you plan to have a picnic or lunch on the island, buy fresh food from the market in Caramoan and have your boatman cook them for you.
  • Follow the rules. Leave nothing but footprints.

If You Have More Time and Budget

  • After exploring and enjoying the beautiful islands of Caramoan, there are other places of interest in Camarines Norte and Sur. Explore Naga City to see old churches and vestiges of colonial times.
  • You can also go to Bagasbas Beach to improve or gain surfing skills or explore Mercedes Islands for another round of island hopping.
  • If you have a couple of days to spare, go to Sorsogon to see more beaches and islands such as Subic Beach, Paguriran Island and Lagoon, and Tikling Island, just to name a few.

See additional information here: Island Hopping in Caramoan and Hunongan Cove in Caramoan

ALBAY SIDE TRIP: The Majestic Mayon Volcano


Where to Stay

The number of accommodations in Caramoan is steadily on the rise, here are some of the top accommodations according to Agoda users, in no particular order.

Photo was provided by the resort via Agoda.

For more options, search here: Caramoan Hotels


Reminders

Comments

  1. Nena espiel Brin says:

    Hi its realy nice place can i add in my listing recomendation? How pls make a tour packge

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