Atulayan Island,

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All You Need to Know

At the southernmost end of island, the has six provinces composed of , Camarines Sur, , Sorsogon, and Masbate.

Where Climate Getting To to Stay and Around Tropical, without pronounced dry and wet The most popular places to stay in Bicol are seasons in the western and southern areas and no There are short fl ights (roughly 75-90mins) the business centres of Naga, Legazpi, , dry season in the eastern and northern areas. The Department of Tourism from Manila to Legazpi in Albay, Naga City Daet, Iriga, Sorsogon, and Masbate, average temperature throughout the year ranges Embassy of the Philippines 2nd Floor, 10 Suffolk Street in Camarines Sur, Virac on Catanduanes and with generally simple, clean and affordable from about of 27°C to 30°C. Minimum monthly London SW1Y 4HG Masbate island. ’s Quezon accommodation including homestays. Naga rainfall occurs from March to May. United Kingdom province is also a gateway to Bicol. By road, and Legazpi have some upmarket options. it’s about 475km/9hrs 30mins from Manila to For an upscale beach holiday experience, Tel: +44 (0)20 7321 0668 Regional Offi ce Legazpi. Buses, jeepneys and cars are popular there’s the luxury Misibis Bay Resort & Spa on Department of Tourism, Regional Center Site Rawis, 4500 Legazpi City, [email protected] means of getting around the region. Cagraray Island in Albay. Tel: +63 52 742-5004, [email protected], www.bicoltourism.ph www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.co.uk Volcano Church Island

Welcome to Why It's More Fun the Bicol Region in the Bicol Region

Covering the southern part of Luzon Island A growing ecotourism destination by Swimming with whale sharks (known locally and nearby island-provinces, Bicol lures virtue of the need to preserve its stunning as butanding), the world’s largest fi sh, is the lovers of the great outdoors with its active natural resources, this region south of activity most people associate with this part of volcanoes, mountains, caves and cliffs, Manila overfl ows with culture and fantastic the world, but there’s plenty more outdoorsy along with blissful white-sand beaches outdoors activities as well as offering a fun to be had in the Bicol region – both on and coral reefs. growing number of nature resorts. the water and on land. And when you need to relax, there’s a lot of scope for that on the “From whale sharks to manta rays, white-sand beaches. kaleidoscopic coral to a perfectly conical volcano, a journey into the Philippines’ Bicol Wakeboarding, Camarines Sur Tinagba Festival, Iriga City Watersports Complex region highlights the extraordinary natural Cult ure riches of this island-nation.” and Food – National Geographic The Bicol Region has an array of cultural sites that showcase its rich history. Originally Masbate Island descended from incomers from China, the inhabitants of Bicol often mix Chinese, Arab and Spanish ancestry, and most are devout Catholics. Bicol is also famed for its spicy food, which is based largely on coconut and chillies – as evidenced in the likes of gulay na lada or Bicol Express (pork and local chillies cooked in coconut cream). Other dishes not to miss are laing ( leaves with meat or Top 10 Top Events seafood in coconut milk, spiced with chilli, Activities & Festivals lemongrass and more) and local specialities featuring local pili nuts. Tour the Cagsawa • See and snorkel near whale • • Tinagba Festival, Iriga sharks in Donsol in Sorsogon. Ruins – the atmospheric Bicol Express City, February – a harvest remnants of a 16th-century • Go island-hopping and thanksgiving including Franciscan church. snorkelling around parades, street dancing Take a boat-ride through Caramoan and its islands • and sporting challenges. in the east of Bicol. the Quitinday Underground • Ibalong Festival, Legazpi, Hoyop-hoyopan Cave, , Albay River, a natural cave system. • Surf on Catanduanes Island August – a celebration Visit the imposing Daraga and swim in its waterfalls • of a local legend, with Church, set on a hilltop and lagoons. masked and costumed against a backdrop of • Take an escorted tour by all- reconstructions Mayon volcano. terrain vehicle to the active of classic battles. volcano Mount Mayon. Head for Lignon Hill Nature • • Peñafrancia Festival, Park with its zip-line, hiking • Explore Bicol’s main city, Naga, September – a barge trail and valley views. Legazpi, with its Franciscan procession, fi reworks Relax in Albay Park and church, Spanish pier and • and more, celebrating Wildlife with its bike hire, Japanese tunnels. Bicol’s patron, Our Lady lagoon boating and fi shing. of Peñafrancia.

Whale shark watching, Donsol