A travel & adventure blog by Kara Santos
Most people associate the province of Oriental Mindoro with Puerto Galera. This party beach has long been a favorite summer destination for those based in the metro because of its proximity to Manila. While Puerto Galera is located at the northernmost tip of Mindoro island, down south on the opposite end lies a destination that will appeal to those looking for quiet and secluded spots for quality beach-bumming minus the crowds – Bulalacao.
Manila is not the most bike-friendly city in Asia. But if you venture a little further from the metro, you’ll be surprised to find that the Philippines actually has some pretty spectacular mountain biking destinations. Ok, so it may take a little bit of time, effort and resources to get there, but for cyclists looking for bucketlist-worthy places to bike in the country, I think we have a few that we can be proud of.
Siargao is a top tourist island in the province of Surigao del Norte in the Philippines. The island’s coastline is marked by a succession of reefs, small points and white, sandy beaches. Best known for being “The Surfing Capital of the Philippines,” Siargao has attracted local and international surfers over the years for annual sports events and competitions.
Romblon Island is the smallest of three major islands (the other two being Sibuyan and Tablas) that make up the province of the same name in the Philippines. Known for being the country’s leading producer and exporter of high-quality marble, this peaceful and laid-back island is pretty compact, with a circumferential road of just under 50 km. In fact, you can circle the island by motorbike in just a couple of hours.
After spending the morning on a boat island-hopping around Cobrador, Alad and Logbon, I decided to spend the afternoon on land, looping the island starting counter-clockwise from San Pedro Beach Resort.
Continue reading “Romblon Ride: Looping the Island by Motorbike”When you think of beach destinations in the country, the most popular islands that immediately come to mind are Boracay, Cebu and Bohol. But aside from these three spots, there are many other hidden gems that remain (and I hope will remain) untainted by commercialism. I was amazed to find some of the most stunning beaches I’ve ever seen in the country in Romblon, a province made up of a cluster of islands lying in between Luzon and Visayas.
Catanduanes is an island province of the Philippines, located in the Bicol Region. In the past, the province was known as the “Land of the Howling Winds” because typhoons would made landfall here before hitting the rest of the country. It’s second claim to fame was purely as a surfing destination. A more fitting tagline is its moniker now, the “Happy Island.”
Caramoan, a group of islands in the north-eastern portion of Camarines Sur in the Bicol Region is best known for being the filming location of several seasons of the hit reality show Survivor. The international TV show often chooses exotic locales with stunning scenery. With the clusters of islands lined with white sand beaches, deep gorges, limestone cliffs, coral reefs, diverse marine life, serene lagoons, subterranean river and caves, it’s easy to see why the production crew keeps choosing to film here.
Port Barton is a quiet fishing village located in one of the sheltered bays of San Vicente, a town on the north-western side of the main island province of Palawan in the Philippines. Compared to the top tourist hubs in Palawan like El Nido and Coron, San Vicente is still pretty laid-back, peaceful and uncommercialized.
Tablas Island is the largest of the three major islands that make up Romblon Province. While many visitors travel via sea to Odiongan, a major port on the west central coast of the island, that can be very time-consuming. It can take anywhere from 8 to 12 hours from the Batangas Port to get to the main islands of Romblon. Thankfully, there are now direct flights from Manila to Tablas. The only airport in the entire province is located in Barangay Tugdan in the municipality of Alcantara on the eastern coast of Tablas Island.
When anyone mentions Palawan, most people usually think of three main spots: Puerto Princesa (the capital and gateway via the international airport), El Nido (the backpacker paradise on the mainland) and Coron (a separate island from the main Palawan Island). Busuanga is the largest Island of the Calamian archipelago in the Northern part of Palawan province generally known for its beautiful beaches, stunning landscapes and snorkeling and diving spots.
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