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Travel Plans: 10 Reasons I Want to Return to Bacacay, Albay

When it’s safer to travel long distances, one of my destinations is Bacacay, Albay.

What’s a place you want to revisit?

I visited Bacacay for the first-time in 2018 for work.

Did my eyes enjoy the view!

EnPTinio with Mayon, Malinao and Masaraga.
EnPTinio with Mayon, Malinao and Masaraga.

The community quarantines have hindered our travels and curtailed wanderlusts.

When all this is over, or at least when it’s safer to travel long distances, one of my destinations is Bacacay, Albay.

Location of Bacacay © Eugene Alvin Villar
Location of Bacacay © Eugene Alvin Villar

I promised myself I would bring my family there so they too can experience this must-know destination in Albay.

Here are 10 reasons I want to return to Bacacay.

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1. It’s just a full sleep away!

Time is gold!

Going on vacation, I do not want to spend more time on the travel than in the destination.

With night trips on buses, travelling to Bicol is just a full sleep!

11PM in one of the stops to Bicol.

In my two bus trips from the new Cubao Terminal, I arrived at Bacacay after around 9 to 12 hours.

With only three stop overs and comfortable bus seats, the trip to Bicol was complete once I woke up from my sleep!

2. Wake up with Mayon in your view

What better way to wake-up than to feast your newly-opened eyes to a perfect masterpiece.

Mayon welcomes me to Albay
Mayon welcomes me to Albay

On a fair-weathered day, the Mayon Volcano welcomes you as you awaken inside the bus!

In Bacacay, you can also stay in one of the beach houses in Sogod and be amazed by the beautiful Mayon every waking hour.

3. Beach! Beach! Beach!

My first trip to Bacacay was all for work.

By touring the whole municipality, I saw how different the beaches of the different barangays were.

The beach of Barangay Mataas, Municipality of Bacacay
The beach of Barangay Mataas, Municipality of Bacacay

When I return, I want to enjoy the stretches of Sogod Beach and the coasts of Cagraray Island.

Renting a boat for two days is worth the number of islands to visit.

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4. I need to visit the Vanishing Island

One of the must-go destinations in Albay is in the adjacent municipality of Malilipot.

Taking off from Bacacay Port, it takes about 45 minutes to reach the “magical island.”

Watch the video to see its magic.


5. I want another picture with the 3 Mountains of Albay.

Boat rides on the Lagonoy Gulf are surely Instagram-worthy experiences.

Boat rides will give you the opportunity for a 3-in-1 photo with Albay’s wonderful mountains: Mayon, Malinao, and Masaraga.

Mayon, Malinao and Masaraga from a boat
Mayon, Malinao and Masaraga from a boat

It does not get any better than that!

Prepare your best pose and hope for clear skies.

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6. Drew Arellano already went there.

The ultimate Filipino Biyahero has been in Bacacay! And he visited places we did not get to explore because of exclusivity.

How to become a Filipino Environmental Planner?

Specifically, Misibis Bay Resort, a first-class accommodation.

Before I return, I should save some money so we can pay for exclusive entrance. 

7. Casa Simeon is a memento of Spanish and American architecture.

The quality of accommodation is a good memory for any traveler.

During our pre-fieldwork trip, we stayed in Casa Simeon.

Casa Simeon gave me a great taste of classic architecture.

Eat in a classic setting inside Casa Simeon.
Eat in a classic setting inside Casa Simeon.

This ancestral-home-turned-guest-house provides the traveler with superb food and commendable rooms.

Casa Simeon also hosts a library with old books to help you disconnect while on vacation.

8. I want to support the local weaving industry.

Bacacayanons produce home-woven products from karagumoy, a species of pandan.

Karagumoy laid out under the sun
Karagumoy laid out under the sun

Due to storage issues, I was not able to bring home any on my last visit.

I will surely not let it happen again!

Maybe, we’ll go on an August, during the karagumoy festival.

9. Beautiful rock formations

It is wonderful to see rock formations!

If going to El Nido is too expensive for your budget, a trip to Bacacay is a cheaper alternative.

The coastline of Cagraray Island facing Lagonoy gulf features structures that will make you thank God for His creation.

Rock formation along Cagraray Island
Rock formation along Cagraray Island

10. Locals inspire positive interactions with nature

No travel is complete without learning about local culture.

Culture shapes places, as places shape culture.

In one of the barangays we visited, we saw how a whole community worked together to haul large nets out of the sea.

My students even helped...as much as they could.

Locals of Bacacay (with my students) hauling a net from the sea.
Locals of Bacacay (with my students) hauling a net from the sea.

Let’s travel local!

After the quarantines are lifted, satisfy your itchy feet.

Become a local traveler! #ChoosePhilippines first!

How to become a Filipino Environmental Planner?

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