Bicol Tour | A Kick Off in Naga City

by · September 1, 2013

Camarines Sur is more popular for the thrilling sports of wake boarding and the remarkable paradise of Caramoan but little did we know that its provincial capital, Naga City, has also something enjoyable to offer in terms of adventure and sightseeing.


Our 3-day tour around Bicol kicked off in Naga City with new adventures and surprising discoveries.


ATV Ride to Malabsay Falls

It was around 7:00 AM when we moved to Panicuason Gate for our much awaited All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) ride to the Malabsay falls.

Malabsay Falls is part of the Mount Isarog National Park which is located in the vicinity of Naga City through the town of Carolina, Camarines Sur.

We were grouped into two, first group will be taking the ATV ride to the falls before going to Panicuason Hot Spring while the second group will be getting to Panicuason Hot Spring first then the ATV ride to the falls. I’m part of the first group; the guides the instructed and assisted us about the nature ride before taking off.

The first 5 minutes going to the falls from our starting point is paved road; the remaining 20 minutes is unpaved and rocky road that extra careful attention in driving the vehicle is necessary.

A nice view of the lowland can be seen when reaching the grassy part of the route.


After the 45 minutes travelling the road, we had reached the entrance gate of the Mt. Isarog National Park. We then hiked through an unpaved path for about half an hour before we reached the foot of Malabsay falls.


I’ve been hearing from my cousins in Bicol that there are lots of waterfalls situated at the mountain of Isarog but it was just during our Bicol Tour that I was able to visit one.


Waterfalls seems like to be always cold and refreshing. I planned to take a dip but its coldness stopped me from doing so. Only one spent time to take a dip; most of us just took photographs – and of course, group shot.

Pinoy Travel Blogger (from left to right); Darwin, me, Eric, Chyng, Brenna, Anton and Melo
After a couple of minutes we then went back to the entrance gate. The hike back was a little difficult because of the upward path.

When everyone’s back at the settling area, we hopped into their respective vehicle and braced ourselves for the rough ride back to our starting point.


A half day ATV experience to Malabsay falls costs PHP 1,650.

Panicuason Hotspring Resort

One of the attractions in Naga City that I didn’t know that such one exist is the Panicuason Hot Spring. Shame on me, I’ve been visiting the city as a jump off point only to nearby provinces.

Seeing the resort, true enough the city has a lot of surprising places tourists and even locals can really enjoy.


The resort is situated near the foot of Mt. Isarog. The trip is an approximate 30 minute drive from the city going uphill to the Panicuason suburbs. Entrance fee is PHP 200. There are cottages for rent ranging from PHP 200 to PHP 500. 

The resort has flowing water downstream, fresh water pools and hot spring pools which visitors can enjoy to. What we had tried is the hot spring pools with a dept of 4 to 5 ft; with temperatures ranging from 29 degree to 39 degree Celsius.


The resort also offers adventures like zip line, rappel, trust free fall and high tension rope bridge.

J. Emmanuel Pastries

What’s a Bicol tour without visiting a food factory where the delicious Pili candies are being made. After the adventures that we had at Mount Isarog National Park and Panicuason Hotspring, we went to the city proper and went to the famous Pili nut and delicacies factory in the region, the J. Emmanuel Pastries.


The company started as a backyard scale Pili nut producer in 1997. Now, it’s one of the recognizable Pili nut factory that sells prime products and delicacies of the Bicol Region.

I bought few delicacies to take home. What I liked most among their products is the puto seko, it’s the best that I’ve ever tasted!


Bicol Business Week at SM Naga 

After taking a big snack at Bigg’s Diner SM Naga, we were brought to a nearby event named as Bicol Business Week.

Bicol Business Week is an avenue for investors, national and multinational companies to explore regional opportunities. It showcases and promotes the best of Bicol business; also provide new opportunities through business matching with exhibitors from other areas in Bicol.



It is a yearly event hosted by the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry with an objective to create more business and economic opportunity in the entire Bicol region.

Ateneo De Naga

Before going to dinner, we had visited few famous sites in Bicol and one of which is Ateneo De Naga.

The school is a private university run by the Society of Jesus in Naga City. It was established in 1940.


Avenue Plaza Hotel Naga City

After the whole day activity that we had around the city, we then settled at one of the newest landmarks in the bustling metropolis of Naga City, the Avenue Plaza Hotel.


Avenue Plaza Hotel is a nice place to stay when in Naga City because of convenience and comfort. Its facility blends with class accommodation, rich heritage and warm Filipino hospitality.


Its facility includes convention center, gym and sauna, two level infinity pool,and 24 hour coffee shop. Its location is nearby the business center and complex where most of the restaurants in the city is situated.

It was a tiring yet fun adventures and sightseeing tour in Naga City. I was so happy that finally I was able to explore the metropolis. Certainly, I’ll get more time to visit and discover what Naga City has to offer the next time I’ll be visiting Bicol region.

Thank you Bigg’s Diner for letting us experience this amazing excursion.


**********

Naga Excursions
www.nagax.com

Panicuason Hotspring Resort
www.facebook.com/mainit.tubig

J. Emmanuel Pastries
www.jempastries.com

Bicol Business Week
www.bicolbusinessweek.net

Ateneo De Naga
www.adnu.edu.ph

Avenue Plaza Hotel
Magsaysay Ave, Naga City
www.theavenueplazahotel.com

4 Responses

  1. John Marx Velasco says:
    March 12, 2016 at 1:56 pm

    Bigg's Diner and NagaX arranged our tour. You might want to contact them if you wish to tour Naga City as well.

  2. John Marx Velasco says:
    March 12, 2016 at 1:56 pm

    Bigg's Diner and NagaX arranged our tour. You might want to contact them if you wish to tour Naga City as well.

  3. January Torres says:
    March 11, 2016 at 11:15 am

    I really envy your trip to Naga City. Especially the hot spring experience. It looks so relaxing and peaceful. I also heard it has "healing" properties like the ones in hidden valley laguna or tiwi springs. Was all of this tour a part of some package? Or did you just explore and discover the activities and places with your friends?

  4. January Torres says:
    March 11, 2016 at 11:15 am

    I really envy your trip to Naga City. Especially the hot spring experience. It looks so relaxing and peaceful. I also heard it has "healing" properties like the ones in hidden valley laguna or tiwi springs. Was all of this tour a part of some package? Or did you just explore and discover the activities and places with your friends?

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