Travel PH | Our Adventure in Capalonga
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In the month of love, Capalonga invited us to partake new tourist attractions to their once quiet town. This time around we focused all of Capalonga and we had a wonderful time amidst the rains.
How to reach Capalonga via Commute
From Cubao, you can take Super Lines to Daet, Camarines Norte. There are a number of trips and it will cost you Php550 one way. Now if you want to travel in better comfort, try their First Class Bus Ride. Costing Php650. Travel time is from 7-8 hours. Check out more on Super Lines in a separate article.
From their Daet Bus Terminal, take a tricycle to the Van Terminal for Capalonga. Fare cost for the tricycle is Php10, while the Van to Capalonga will cost you from Php100-150.
Our experience
For our Itinerary, we got on the 9:00pm First Class Bus and arrived in Daet around 4:00am. We arrived in Daet so early that we have to wait for our van pick up. Good thing this town had a Jollibee branch that's open 24 hours. So we had a breakfast whilst we were waiting.
The van ride to Capalonga took an hour and half and we were dropped off at Mommy Terry's Bulaluhan while we wait for our host to arrive to take us to our first adventure.
Photo Credit - www.jonashares.com
Talagpucao Fish Port
A few meters from Mommy Terry's is the fish port. This busy port in the morning is quiet after the fishermen has come ashore. The tourism office plans to build more activities on this site. Currently they have a zipline over its waters, and soon to be launched are kayak rentals and equipment for wakeboarding will be constructed. We will keep you updated with these projects in the future.
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Banca Banca Falls
Next up, hidden in the depths of Barangay Alayao is the Banca Banca Falls. Passing through a rice field then through small river crossings, and 10 minutes of your time, you will be at the foot of this falls. It has a good number of levels and you climb up its cascades and see why the falls got its name.
The pool above is shaped like a boat, thus they called this Banca Banca Falls. The water is cool and the sound coming from the falling water has a calming effect. We do hope that this wonderful creation by nature will maintain its splendor in the months to come.
Mommy Terry's Bulaluhan
One can't have a taste of Capalonga without trying out the food at this restaurant. We had our first taste of this last year and when we came back, we are at awe at the great transformation of this place since then.
We can't help but wonder why we haven't yet tasted Bulalo in this restaurant. Not that i'm complaining, the seafoods they have been serving us is heaven sent. The mud crabs of Capalonga is a tourist attraction by itself. They pride of their waters being brackish. A right mix of salt and fresh water makes brackish waters, a very good environment in raising mud crabs.
SQ Apartelle
After a diet shattering experience with Mommy Terry's we were whisked off to our accommodation. Located at the heart of Capalonga, this hotel was surprisingly big for a town who just started promoting its tourism. Our group was a mix of visitors from Manila and Naga, using three vans so we were quite a big number of guests. Even so, this apartelle was able to squeeze us in nicely.
It had a very big roof top and all rooms except for one are airconditioned. Hallways and all facilities are clean and the staff is very attentive to its upkeep. So when you stay in Capalonga, we highly recommend this place.
Tinago Beach
A few kilometers from the town proper is Tinago Beach. Since this place can't be reached by cars or vans, tricycle is highly recommended. A large part of the trip has paved roads so going to this place is not a problem. Just make sure that you get the driver's number so when you're done, have yourself picked up on your way back to the hotel. Camping is likewise allowed on this beach should you wish to stay overnight here.
Entrance is Php10 and use of cottages ranges from Php150 to Php250. You can bring food inside but for convenience, a store is available on site.
The beach when we went were at its lowest ebb, thus the waters were a bit far from the beach head. The sand also receded so it exposed more of its rock formations showing off its splendor. Even if this was the situation, the beach retained some of its beauty.
As of now, with the recessed coast line, it shows a lot of washed up coconuts at the entrance to the beach. Don't worry, these coconuts won't affect your beach pleasure. Locals say, when the Amihan winds are gone, the coast line will go back to its original state, the rocks and the coconuts will be replaced by sand. When that time comes, its already summer.
Bamban Beach
From Tinago Beach, passing through dense growth, a three kilometer walk, you will reach Bamban Beach. This is the jump off point for Pulong Guijanlo. Bamban Beach is nice as it is and its a lot different from Tinago Beach.
Another way to Bamban Beach is a longer route over a small hill. Its more longer of a walk if compared to going through the jungle. A habal habal is available but somehow, only one plies this route so we don't know how to arrange for this. Walking to and from this place is recommended. A little exercise is good for you.
When you do reach the beach, all that walking is truly worth it.
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| Sandbar at Pulong Guijanlo. Photo credit goes to JM Babybear. |
Pulong Guijanlo
A few minutes by boat from Bamban Beach is this isolated island just off its coast line. One will be mesmerized by its beautiful sand bar and pristine waters. For our fam trip, we had to jump off from Bamban, but for future tourists, the boat will pick you up at their Baywalk and they will head straight to this island. No more tricycle to Tinago Beach then jumping off from Bamban Beach.
The island has no inhabitants yet, no facilities so better bring your tent and camp out here. Bring food and water as well to last you during your stay. The boat can be scheduled for pick up so better make these arrangement beforehand, there's no cellular signal on the island.
A boat ride would cost Php1,000 to and from the island. As of this writing, there's no entrance or environmental fees to be collected. Just sign up for a tour and your guide will make the necessary arrangements with the tourism office of Capalonga.
Also as of this writing, an ordinance is being drawn to maintain the place and regulate the influx of tourists. We will update you once this ordinance is approved.
Street Food and Going Back to Manila
After all the activities we had, at the foot of our hotel, the corner becomes alive with street food stalls. Unlike the ones we have in Manila, their street food is somewhat clean LOL. One pork barbecue stick costs Php10 and has lots of meat on it with less fat. Easily this would cost us in Manila around Php20.
Going back means we have to take a bus again. Capalonga has a direct bus to Cubao but since we opted to travel first class, we have to get back to Daet. Super Lines has the same schedule almost with Cubao and thanks to the Capalonga Tourism Office, they made ticket reservations already.
Its been a great weekend for us and we hope to be back soon. Capalonga has truly transformed and its worth the travel really.
To arrange for tours to Camarines Norte, you may reach them here at their Facebook account.
To see whats there in Camarines Norte, read our previous articles here.
To visit Capalonga, contact their Tourism Officer Mr. Rod Rawat through his facebook account.
some photos were taken by Jin Cyre of www.cyrenity.com and Jona of www.jonashares.com
special thanks to the Capalonga Tourism Office and the Camarines Norte Provincial Tourism for making this trip possible.
cover photo was taken by Kevin Magalindan of Katooga.ph
