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3-day caramoan itinerary

3-Day Caramoan Itinerary With Side Trip To Albay For Less Than 6000 Pesos All In

This post was most recently updated on January 4th, 2018

Caramoan is a beautiful and unspoiled place. In just a day, you can go and enjoy, at least, 3 beautiful islands. Although the distance going to Caramoan can be quite long, the experience and the view are still worth every hour of travel time. Therefore, I created a perfect 3-day Caramoan itinerary for you, yes you! This will give you the opportunity to see the highlights of Caramoan with a sidetrip to Albay to see the majestic Mayon Volcano.

Considering the travel time going to Caramoan, we opted to leave Manila as early as 7pm via Philtranco Bus. We reached our first destination which is Naga City terminal around 3 am. Unfortunately, the first trip of the bus going to Caramoan already left during that day. We had to wait for the next trip which was around 6am. While waiting, we just had a porridge for breakfast and took another round of sleep.

Day 0

7pm ETD to Naga City

Caramoan Itinerary: Day 1

Long travel time

Our first day started when we left Naga City terminal. I thought it was going to be quick. Little did I know, the travel time would also take another 4-5 hours. The first hours were manageable as I was asleep, but when I woke up in the middle of the trip and realized that we were still far from the destination, I started to feel anxious and kind of irritated (I swear I’m getting used to long road but this time it tested my patience again haha). The roads going to Caramoan at that time were under construction plus the fact that the bus always stop to load and unload passengers in every barangay. It was around 11 am when we reached The Travelers Camp where we will be staying in. We just put down our things, took a brunch, then we off for the first day of the island hopping.

Finally made it! Start to explore the beautiful islands of Caramoan

First in our list was Guinahoan Island, which is the farthest island from the port. This wasnโ€™t the prepared itinerary for us due to our late arrival but still our guides managed the time for us to see the top most beautiful islands. Talking about the weather, thereโ€™s always a high percentage of rainfall in Caramoan, I think, because of the location that is near to Pacific Ocean. Thus, weather is not that predictable. Maybe it does not hurt that much if you bring your raincoat or umbrella with you. After soaking into the amazing view of Guinahoan, we then enjoyed ourselves on the powdery-white sand of Cotivas and Manlawi sandbar. It was around 6 pm when we got back in our accommodation.

Guinahoan Island overlooking the Pacific Ocean
Guinahoan Island overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
cotivas island white sandbar in caramoan
The calmness of Cotivas Island.
coastal dwellers selling seashells in manlawi sandbar with nipa huts
Selling seashells as a source of livelihood for coastal dwellers.

Day 1

3:00 ETA in Naga Terminal

4:00 Breakfast

6:00 ETD to Caramoan

11:00 ETA in Caramoan. โ€‹Check-in at The Travelers Camp/Lunch

13:00 1st day Island hopping. ETD to Guinahoan Island

14:00 ETA Guinahoan island

15:30 Cotivas Island

16:00 Malawi Sandbar

18:00 Back to inn

19:00 Buffet Dinner

Caramoan Itinerary: Day 2

It was like almost the same setup as Day 1 except that we went to new different islands and we got the whole day just for the island hopping tour. Most of the islands that we had been to in our Day 2 Itinerary were mostly used in the reality TV show Survivors. We were so lucky at that time since it didnโ€™t have that much people visiting Caramoan the same time with us.

Witness the two beaches at the same time while you’re in Lahos island, do rock climbing in Matukad island, and enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the clear waters of Minalahos island and Cagbalinad island.

lahos island shore in caramoan islands
Lahos Island.
rock formation, the white sand, and the clear blue waters of Matukad Island
Perfect combination of the rock formation, the white sand, and the clear blue waters of Matukad Island.
minalahos island in caramoan islands
Minalahos Island.

cagbalinad island in caramoan islands

If you are a fan of visiting old churches in the Philippines, then this century old church of St. Michael the Archangel is surely worth adding to your itinerary. Do this before having your buffet dinner. Although the church is sometimes closed on weekdays. Be sure to check the schedule first.

Caramoan Church known as St. Michael the Archangel,
Caramoan Church, St. Michael the Archangel, Read more

Day 2

05:00 โ€‹Wake-up call/breakfast

07:00 โ€‹Breakfast

10:00 โ€‹2nd day Island hopping with swimming and snorkeling

10:30 Lahos Island

12:00 Matukad Island

14:00 Minalahos Island

16:00 Cagbalinad Island

Note : lunch to be served in any one of the destinations above.

18:00 Back to inn

19:00 Buffet Dinner

Caramoan Itinerary: Day 3

Getting ready for next destination

Day 3 has nothing to focus more in Caramoan since the Day 1 and Day 2 itinerary covered most of the top places in Caramoan. We just prepared our things, ate breakfast, and waited for our check out time in the inn. This time we chose port Guijalo route going back to Naga city. Boat costs 120 pesos each and it will take 2 hours going to Sabang port. The boat is kinda small but it could take up to 20+ passengers including the 6 boatmen. So the whole time we were just praying that the boat would not sink. haha! Once arrived in Sabang port, you will see vans and ask the dispatcher to lead you to vans going to Naga. Travel time is only 1 hour. We took the time to visit SM Naga city and had our lunch, too. I also recommend visiting the plaza, where you can buy souvenirs. For tourists, probably the most well-known delicacies in Bicol region are tarts and pili nuts!

Guijalo Port in caramoan
Guijalo Port.
sunlight in the feeder port with boat
Light shining upon us.
crowded boat in caramoan
Felt like sardines in a small boat.
Plaza in Naga City for souvenirs
Plaza in Naga City.
Food and souvenir store in Naga
Food and souvenir store in Naga.

Going to Cagsawa Ruins

Finish off your 3-day Caramoan vacation with a visit to one of the nearest (although that not that near) side trip which is to go to Cagsawa Ruins. From Naga city we rode a bus with a signage of Legazpi which is roughly 3 hours. Entrance in Cagsawa Ruins costs 20 pesos each, and the place is open until 6pm only. Although the Mayon Volcano didnโ€™t show its full perfect form at that time, we just enjoyed ourselves with the food. You should definitely try the chili ice cream. It comes with different flavor however I strongly suggest the mango. I will surely come back go Albay next time when it’s not that cloudy. According to some, the Mayon shows during morning. I’ll probably consider that when I come back. There are already buses outside Cagsawa Ruins that will take you back to Manila.ย  We reached manila around 4am the next day.

Cagsawa Ruins with sunlight
Cagsawa Ruins.
photo with cagsawa ruins
Taller than ever. haha!
Local stores inside Cagsawa Ruins
Local stores inside Cagsawa Ruins.
local store in cagsawa ruins albay
You can buy anything from this store. Food and souvenir shirts.
Mango flavored chili ice cream
Mango flavored chili ice cream.

Day 3

06:00 โ€‹Wake-up call/breakfast

08:00 Check-out @ The Travelers Camp

08:15 โ€‹Drop-off at Guijalo port

08:30 ETA in Sabang port

10:45 ETD to Naga city via van

12:00 Lunch in SM Naga city

13:00 Tricycle going to plaza for shopping of souvenirs and pasalubong

14:00 ETD to cagsawa ruins

17:00 ETA in cagsawa ruins

18:00 ETD albay to manila

04:00 ETA manila (next day)

3-Day Caramoan Itinerary With Side Trip to Albay: Travel Budget and Expenses

To give you some additional info and guide for the 3-day Caramoan itinerary with side trip to Albay, here’s a breakdown of our expenses mostly are fares and tour fees. When food and other expenses inclusion it still will not exceed 6000 pesos. Do you have any questions? Drop them at the comments section! Happy trip!

3-day caramoan itinerary and budget

Kevin del Prado

Kevin is currently working as a Business Analyst. Interests also include traveling, watching movies, outdoor activities, and photography. He graduated from the University of Santo Tomas with a degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering.

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