Catanduanes is geographically located in the easternmost part of Bicol and once earned the moniker “The Land of the Howling Winds”. Recently, Catanduanes Tourism has changed its tagline to “Happy Island”. I find this new name fitting because as cliché as it may sound, in my experience, traveling around the island made me happy. Catanduanes’ topography will make your jaw-drop; it is peppered with a variety of tourist spots such as island-fringed coast, green rolling hills, majestic waterfalls, surfing spots, and age-old churches.
If you are having a hard time deciding which Catanduanes tourist spot to visit, here’s my handpicked list of the top tourist attractions in Catanduanes for first-timers to help you decide where to go in this bountiful province.
WHAT'S IN THIS BLOG POST?
1.BINURONG POINT
Often likened to Batanes because of its rolling green hills lapped by incessant waves, Binurong Point easily became a top Catanduanes tourist spot. This place offers a superb view of the denim blue ocean below and the rock formations peppered on the island. You can reach this sightseeing spot in Catanduanes for about 20-30 minutes on foot from the jumping-off point. The trail is already established so even non-hikers can do this. The beautiful view here is truly worth the sweat!
- Entrance Fee: ₱25 + ₱10 Gate Pass + ₱5 Environmental Fee = ₱40 ($0.78, £0.64,€0.70)
- Parking: ₱20 ($0.39, £0.32,€0.35)
- Guide Fee: ₱200 ($3.88, £3.19,€3.49)
- How to get to Binurong Point:
1.If coming from Virac or other parts of Catanduanes, you can hire a tricycle to take you to Binurong Point. Tricycle rental/fare is ₱1,500 ($29, £24,€26) – ₱2,500 ($49, £40,€44) (depending on the destination), good for 6 persons.
2.Pay the Gate Pass (₱10) + Entrance Fee (₱25) + Environmental Fee (₱5) + Guide Fee (₱200), good for 4-6 persons.
3.Hike up to Binurong Point. Approximately 30 minutes.
2.TWIN ROCK BEACH RESORT
If you’re looking for the best beach in Catanduanes, you need not go far, because Twin Rock Beach Resort can be reached easily from downtown Virac, the capital of the province. It is definitely one of the best beaches in the province for swimming because of its calm and shallow water. As the name suggests, Twin Rock has rising rock formations that can be reached when the tide is low. This beach resort in Catanduanes is one the most developed resorts here, packed with activities for tourists such as jetski, zipline, and wall climbing.
- How to get to Twin Rock Beach Resort:
1.Hire a tricycle from Virac to take you to Twin Rock Beach Resort.
3.PURARAN BEACH
Catanduanes is a surfer’s paradise. It may not be as famous as the beaches of La Union or Siargao’s waves, but it is one of the Philippine’s best surfing spots. In fact, the eastern shore of Catanduanes boasts of “Majestics”, a surfing spot facing the Pacific Ocean that can rival Siargao’s Cloud 9. Non-surfers can also enjoy the sun and the shore at Puraran Beach, which is peppered with rock formations and powdery cream sand hugged by cerulean sea. Tourists can even enjoy a fresh seafood like crabs, fish, and lobsters from one of the native cottages along its coast.
Entrance Fee: ₱20 ($0.39, £0.32,€0.35)
How to get to Puraran Beach:
1.From Virac, take a jeepney bound for Baras.
2.Alight in Baras.
3.Hire a tricycle or motorcycle to take you to Puraran Beach.
4.BALACAY POINT
A rising Catanduanes tourist spot is Balacay Point that offers sweeping view of the Pacific. On the right side is Puraran Beach, a top surfing spot in Catanduanes. Balacay Point can now be accessed by vehicles because of the paved road.
5.BATO CHURCH
One of the most beautiful churches in Catanduanes is St. John Baptist Church, commonly called as Bato Church is now one of the top Catanduanes tourist attractions. The church was built in 1830 and completed in 1883. This age-old church located near Bato River is constructed from coral limestone and mortar. Based on anecdotes, this historic structure was built on the land where the first cross in Catanduanes was planted to mark the grave of Diego de Herrera, an Augustinian friar. It has stood the test of time and weather, including natural disasters. Highly noticeable on the façade of the church is an ancient bell that warned locals of the incoming Japanese Guerillas during the World War II.
- Entrance Fee: FREE
- How to get to Bato Church:
1.Ride a jeepney that will pass by Bato.
2.Alight in Bato town proper.
3.Walk to Bato Church or take a tricycle.
6.CAGNIPA ROLLING HILLS
This sweeping tourist spot in Catanduanes is located in Pandan town. It’s Instagram-worthy topography offers scenic views of the deep blue sea and coves. The place is reminiscent of Batanes no wonder it is now one of the favorite Catanduanes tourist spots.
7.PALUMBANES GROUP OF ISLANDS
Off the coast of Caramoran is a group of islands that is slowly making it on top of the must-see Catanduanes tourist spots. Palumbanes Group of Islands was made famous by travel bloggers in recent years. These bucolic islands, namely Tignob Island, Calabagio Island, and Palumbanes Island (Parongpong), will surely take your breath away. Getting here may seem more of an adventure than you bargained for, since it is situated far north (off shore) of Catanduanes. But finally reaching the islands peppered with majestic hills and beaches is worth it. You can arrange a boat tour (island hopping tour) from Caramoran port.
8.SAKAHON BEACH
Though the town of Bato was first known for Bato Church, the island is actually peppered with dramatic vista and beaches, one of them is Sakahon Beach. This rising Catanduanes tourist spot is one of best beaches in Bato, Catanduanes. It has powdery cream sand and cobalt water. From afar, you can see Locot Island.
- Entrance Fee: FREE
- How to get to Sakahon Beach:
1.Ride a jeepney to Baras or Bato.
2.Alight in Bato town proper.
3.Hire a motorcycle or tricycle to Sakahon Beach. It’s quite far from the town proper, so prepare to shell out around ₱150 – ₱200 one-way.
Travel Tip: If you’re going to Sakahon, might as well hire a motorcycle or tricycle for half-day and include the Bato Church, Bote Lighthouse (requires a 45 minute steep hike), and Poseidon Rock in Cariroran. See more details below.
9.BOTE LIGHTHOUSE
For adventurers, one of the best things to do in Catanduanes is hiking up Bote Lighthouse that will take roughly 45 minutes. The trek is challenging as the trail is steep and rocky, so it’s not really for the faint-hearted. Situated on a towering hill in Brgy. Bote in Bato Town, Bote Lighthouse offers a mesmeric view of Sakahon Beach and the green rice fields below, including Mt.Mayon in Albay from afar. Hiking this man-made sentinel will make you wonder how much effort the local workers put in constructing it.
- Entrance Fee: FREE
- How to get to Bote Lighthouse:
1.Ride a jeepney to Baras or Bato.
2.Alight in Bato town proper.
3.Hire a motorcycle or tricycle to Bote Lighthouse jumping-off point. It’s quite far from the town proper, so prepare to shell out around ₱150 – ₱200 one-way.
4.Hike the lighthouse for about 45 minutes.
10.CARORIAN (POSEIDON ROCK)
A rising tourist attraction in Catanduanes is Carorian, a sleepy village in the town of Bato that is peppered with dramatic rock formations and bountiful marine life. A popular spot here is Poseidon Rock, known for its rock formations lapped by ceaseless waves. This tourist spot harbors abundant snorkeling site and tempting turquoise lagoons.
- How to get to Poseidon Rock:
1.Ride a jeepney to Baras or Bato.
2.Alight in Bato town proper.
3.Hire a motorcycle or tricycle to Poseidon Rock jumping-off point. It’s quite far from the town proper, so prepare to shell out around ₱150 – ₱200 one-way.
11.MARIBINA FALLS
Also located in the town of Bato, Catanduanes is Maribina Falls. If you want to cool down, you can swim in its emerald green water. The falls is located before Bato town proper (if you are coming from Virac). It is a pretty popular waterfalls, so it can be quite crowded especially during the weekend when locals go there for a quick deep.
- Entrance Fee: ₱20 ($0.39, £0.32,€0.35) (adults), ₱10 (children)
- Cottage Rental: ₱150 ($3, £2.39,€2.62)
- Pavilion: ₱300 ($6, £3,€5)
- How to get to Maribina Falls:
1.Ride a jeepney to Baras or Bato.
2.Tell the driver to drop you off at the road leading to Maribina Falls.
3.Walk for a few meters to Maribina Falls.
Travel Tip: If you plan to explore Bato, you can include this as part of your motorcycle or tricycle tour of Bato, along with Bato Church, Sakahon Beach, Bote Lighthouse (requires a 45 minute steep hike) and Poseidon Rock.
12.HITOMA LAKE
Another new Catanduanes tourist spot on the rise is Hitoma Lake. Blissfully situated in Caramoran town, Hitoma Lake is a tranquil respite from the hustle and bustle of Virac. Here you can feast on local dishes prepared by the local community while onboard the bamboo raft or simply enjoy the meals while resting in native huts.
13.CATANDUANES MUSEUM
Museo de Catanduanes is housed in the old Capitol Building of Catanduanes in downtown Virac. The museum houses several artifacts and features Catanduanes’ cultural and historical heritage. Also located in the same building is the Catanduanes tourism office.
- Entrance Fee: ₱50 (tourists), ₱20 ($0.39, £0.32,€0.35) (students), ₱30 ($0.58, £0.48,€0.52) (non-students)
- How to get to Catanduanes Museum:
1.In Virac, walk or ride a tricycle to the old Capitol Building.
13.VIRAC CATHEDRAL
The ceiling of the Virac Cathedral (Church of the Immaculate Conception) was recently renovated. The massive church is situated in downtown Virac and is a proof of the profound devotion of the locals.
- Entrance Fee: FREE
- How to get to Catanduanes Museum:
1.In Virac, walk or ride a tricycle to the Virac Cathedral.
15.MARILIMA BEACH
My favorite beach in Virac, Catanduanes is Marilima Beach due to beautiful blend of lapis blue and cerulean water. The sand here is powdery, cream. During my visit, Marilima Beach is peppered with fishermen boat as it situated in a sleepy fishing village.
- Entrance Fee: FREE
- How to get to Marilima Beach:
1.Hire a motorcycle or tricycle from Virac.
CATANDUANES TOURIST MAP
Please refer to the Catanduanes Tourist Map I created in Google Maps for its location.
HOW TO GET TO CATANDUANES
By Air
From Manila (Philippines), you can fly to Virac, Catanduanes.
By Bus + Ferry
1.From Manila, ride a bus to Tabaco, Albay. Travel time is about 10 hours. You can book your bus tickets in advance below, to make sure you secure a seat because due to limited buses, they are usually full.
2.Alight at Tabaco Port.
3.Ride a ferry/RORO (2.5 – 3 hours) or fast craft (1.5 hours) to Virac Port or San Andres Port.
Here’s the slow ferry (RORO) fare to Catanduanes:
- Adult: ₱230- $4.46 – £4 – €4 (ordinary), ₱300 – $6- £5 – €5 (air-con)
- Children (4-11 years old): ₱115 (ordinary), ₱150 – $3 – £5 – €5 (air-con)
- Senior Citizen, PWD, Student: ₱184 – $4 – £3 – €3 (ordinary), ₱240 – $5 – £4 – €4 (air-con)
Here’s the fastcraft fare to Catanduanes:
- Adult: ₱320 $6 – £5 – €6
- Children: ₱145 – $3 – £2 – €3
- Senior Citizen, PWD, Student: ₱230- $4 – £4 – €4 (ordinary), ₱300 – $6- £5 – €5 (air-con)
WHERE TO STAY IN CATANDUANES
- PURARAN SURF BEACH RESORT
Location: Baras, Catanduanes
CHECK RATES HEREOR RESERVE HERE
- MAJESTIC PURARAN BEACH RESORT
Location: Baras, Catanduanes
CHECK RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE
- CASA REMEDIOS BED AND BREAKFAST
Location: Virac, Catanduanes
CHECK RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE
- RAKDELL INN
Location: Virac, Catanduanes
RELATED POST:
CATANDUANES ITINERARY
TOP-RATED CATANDUANES BEACH RESORTS
CATANDUANES TRAVEL TIPS
- Doing a DIY trip around Catanduanes is challenging because of the lack of transportation options. Jeeps are available however they are pretty limited and almost always full. Your best bet is to book a tour package from local tour operators in Catanduanes or hire a tricycle or motorcycle (with driver) to tour you around.
- If you have limited time and want to see some of the best Catanduanes tourist spots, you can ride a jeepney to Baras and alight in Puraran Beach. Then hire and hire a motorcycle or tricycle to Binurong Point and Balacay Point. You can explore them for half day.
- Another option in Catanduanes is a tour around Bato. Take a jeepney to Baras or Bato and alight in Bato then at Bato town proper, hire a hire a motorcycle or tricycle to the following tourist attractions in Catanduanes Bato Church, Sakahon Beach, Bote Lighthouse and Poseidon Rock. It is possible to cover the said attractions for half day.
OTHER PHILIPPINE TOURIST SPOTS:
BALER TOURIST SPOTS
BATAAN TOURIST SPOTS
CAPIZ TOURIST SPOTS
DAPITAN TOURIST SPOTS
