While Catanduanes remains largely uncharted explored by mass tourism, it has long been known as one of the best surfing spots in the Philippines. Catanduanes’ eastern shores is home to the “Majestics”, a surfing spot facing the Pacific Ocean. But more than surfing, Catanduanes is slowly gaining attention because of its dramatic landscape and seascapes. Rising tourist attractions in Catanduanes includes Binurong Point and Balacay Point that offers gorgeous views of the azure ocean lapping the green rolling hills. Catanduanes also boast some of the finest beaches in the Philippines like Puraran Beach, Twin Rock Beach, Sakahon Beach, and Marilima Beach, among others.
If you’re planning on traveling to Catanduanes soon, here’s a sample itinerary that’s perfect for a long weekend getaway, feel free to tweak it.
WHAT'S IN THIS BLOG POST?
CATANDUANES ITINERARY: DAY 1 – BATO CATANDUANES TOUR
This sample budget is good for 2 persons traveling together. Trip expenses doesn’t cover airfare or ferry + bus fare from Manila, and souvenirs. Regular roundtrip airfare starts at ₱5187, it can go lower during seat sale. Otherwise, your next option is to take a bus from Manila to Tabaco (approximately 10 hours) and take a ferry or fast craft to Virac or San Andres (₱350).
Also, for this Catanduanes itinerary:
- DAY 1 – Resort is in Puraran Beach Baras. CHECK ROOM RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE
- Day 2 – 3 – Hotel in Virac, Catanduanes. CHECK ROOM RATES HERE
| DAY 1 | BATO CATANDUANES TOUR |
| 06:35 AM | ETD Manila |
| 07:45 AM | ETA Virac, Catanduanes |
| 08:15 AM | Hire tricycle for tour. (good for 2 -3 persons) |
| ₱2,000 /2 = ₱1,000 ($19 – €17) each | |
| 08:30 AM | Tricycle to Puraran Beach. |
| 09:00 AM | Resort check-in. ₱431/2 = ₱215 ($4 – €4). |
| Balacay Point | |
| Binurong Point. ₱40 + ₱200 (guide) = ₱240 /2 = ₱ 120 ($2 – €2) each | |
| Bote Lighthouse. Guide fee – ₱150 ($3 – €3) | |
| *Skip this is you don’t want to trek. Trail is steep and rocky. | |
| Lunch. ₱100 ($2 – €2) | |
| Sakahon Beach | |
| Poseidon Rock | |
| Bato Church | |
| 05:00 PM | Back to Puraran Beach Resort. |
| 07:00 PM | Dinner. ₱150 ($3 – €3) |
| 09:00 PM | Lights out |
| Day 1 Expenses | ₱1,735 ($33 – €31) |
This Catanduanes itinerary assumes that you are traveling from Manila to Virac by plane. Cebu Pacific flight from Manila leaves at 6:35 AM and estimated arrival in Virac Airport at 7:45 AM. Travel time is roughly 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Upon arrival at Virac Airport, you can hire a tricycle to your hotel in Virac, or Baras (Puraran) or wherever part of Virac. Rates would vary depending on the location of your hotel.
But, to maximize your time, I recommend hiring a tricycle for 1 day tour upon your arrival and ask the driver to drop by at your hotel so you can leave your luggage first. Rates depend on your haggling skill, but usually it’s ₱1,500 ($29 – €26) – ₱2,000 ($38 – €34) good for 2 – 3 persons, depending on the tourist spots in Catanduanes that you want to visit. For the sample Catanduanes itinerary above, rate is about ₱2,000 ($38 – €34) , good for 2 – 3 persons.
If you are arriving via Virac Port, there are jeepneys to Baras for ₱35 and UV Express to Baras for ₱100 per person in downtown Virac. In Baras, you can then take a tricycle to your beach resort in Puraran for about ₱50. This will save you a few bucks. You can talk to your tricycle driver regarding the Catanduanes tricycle tour. Rate should be cheaper if you hire a tricycle in Baras to tour Bato tourist spots since the distance is closer compared to Virac. Expect to pay around ₱1,000 ($19 – €17)– ₱1,500 ($29 – €26) good for 2 – 3 persons for a day tour and depending on the tourist spots that you want to visit.
For my sample Catanduanes itinerary above, for Day 1, best to stay in Puraran Beach and tour Bato for 1 whole day.
The top tourist spots in Bato that are included in the Day 1 itinerary are:
- Binurong Point
- Bote Lighthouse
- Sakahon Beach
- Poseidon Rock
- Bato Church
You may also include a trip to Balacay Point, which is still part of Baras. Then end the day by chilling at Puraran Beach.
ALSO READ: CATANDUANES TOURIST SPOTS
CATANDUANES ITINERARY: DAY 2 – BARAS + VIRAC TOUR
| DAY 2 | BARAS + VIRAC TOUR |
| 08:00 AM | Breakfast. ₱100 ($2 – €2) |
| 09:00 AM | Resort check-out. |
| 09:30 AM | Depart for Virac. Hire tricycle. ₱800 /2 = ₱400($7 – €7) each |
| Maribina Falls. ₱20 ($0.38 – €0.24) | |
| Twin Rock Beach. ₱50 ($0.96 – €0.85) | |
| 12:00 PM | Hotel check-in. ₱1,050/2=₱525 ($10 – €9) |
| 12:30 PM | Lunch. ₱100 ($2 – €2) |
| 01:30 PM | Tricycle to Catanduanes Museum. ₱10 ($0.19 – €0.17) |
| 01:40 PM | Catanduanes Museum. ₱50 ($0.96 – €0.85) |
| 02:30 PM | Tricycle to Virac Viewing Deck. ₱10 ($0.19 – €0.17) |
| 04:00 PM | Virac Viewing Deck. ₱15 ($0.29 – €0.26) |
| 04:15 PM | Tricycle to FIAT House Inspired Cave Chapel. ₱10 ($0.19 – €0.17) |
| 04:30 PM | FIAT House Inspired Cave Chapel. |
| 05:00 PM | Tricycle to hotel. |
| 05:30 PM | Freshen up. Rest. |
| 07:00 PM | Dinner. ₱150 ($3 – €3) |
| DAY 2 EXPENSES | ₱1,440 ($27.16 – €25.71) |
For Day 2 and Day 3, it is recommended to stay in Virac as it is closer to Virac Airport and Virac Port.
For the sample Catanduanes itinerary above, you can check out from your Puraran Beach Resort on Day 2, in the morning. There are UV Express (₱100 – $2 – €2) and jeepneys (₱35 – $0.67 – €0.60) from Baras to Virac. But you can also opt to hire a tricycle and make a side trip to Maribina Falls in Bato and Twin Rock Beach Resort in Virac. I’ll go for the tricycle rental to maximize the time. Expect to shell out approximately ₱800 ($15 – €14) – ₱1,000 ($19 – €17).
After visiting Maribina Falls and Twin Rock Beach Resort, it’s time to check-in at tour resort in Virac. By then, it should be time for lunch. Virac is peppered with restaurants and eateries, so you’ll have a lot of choices for dining. After lunch, you can opt to rest, or better yet, explore Virac tourist spots since you’re already there.
Below are some of the tourist attractions in downtown Virac. No need to hire a tricycle, you can just hail one and then ride to your preferred destination below. Regular fare is ₱10 ($0.19 – €0.17) per person.
- Virac Museum
- Virac Cathedral
- Virac Viewing Deck
- FIAT House Inspired Chapel
After your quick tour of Virac, you can catch the sunset at Virac Port, and have dinner before retiring to your hotel.
CATANDUANES ITINERARY: DAY 3 – DEPARTURE
| DAY 3 | DEPARTURE |
| 06:30 AM | Tricycle to Virac Airport. ₱150 ($3 – €3) |
| 08:20 AM | ETD Virac |
| 09:30 AM | ETA Manila |
| DAY 3 EXPENSES | ₱150 ($3 – €3) |
Day 3 is departure time. If your headed to Virac Airport, your best bet is hiring a tricycle. It’s about a 10 minute ride from downtown Virac, so fare shouldn’t cost you an arm and leg. Prepare around ₱150 ($3 – €3) – ₱200 ($4- €3).
But, if you’re taking the ferry to Tabaco from Virac Port, you can walk to the wharf from your hotel or take a tricycle for ₱10 ($0.19 – €0.17) per person.
CATANDUANES TRIP EXPENSES
So, there you go. That’s a sample 3 Day 2 Nights Catanduanes itinerary for budget travelers, perfect for a long weekend trip. The above itinerary should cost you roughly ₱3,325 ($63.16 – €59.71) per person if you are a party of 2. Airfare and ferry + bus fare not included in the calculation. The sample budget above can be higher if you opt to stay in a more expensive resort or hotel or dine in a fancy restaurant.
| TOTAL EXPENSES | ₱3,325 ($63.16 – €59.71) |
HOW TO GET TO 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 ferry fare to Catanduanes:
RORO (roll-on, roll-off/slow ferry)
Adult: ₱230 (ordinary), ₱300 (aircon)
Children (4-11 years old): ₱115 (ordinary), ₱150 (aircon)
Senior Citizen, PWD, Student: ₱184 (ordinary), ₱240 (aircon)
Here’s the fast craft fare to Catanduanes:
Adult: ₱320
Children: ₱145
Senior Citizen, PWD, Student: ₱230
By Air
1.From Manila (Philippines) or Clark (Pampanga), you can fly to Virac, Catanduanes.
CATANDUANES TOURIST MAP
Please refer to the Catanduanes Tourist Map I created in Google Maps for its location.
WHERE TO STAY IN CATANDUANES
PURARAN SURF BEACH RESORT
Location: Baras, Catanduanes
CHECK RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE
MAJESTIC PURARAN BEACH RESORT
Location: Baras, Catanduanes
CHECK RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE
RAKDELL INN
Location: Virac, Catanduanes
CASA REMEDIOS BED AND BREAKFAST
Location: Virac, Catanduanes
CHECK RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE
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