Ang sarap siguro mag motor dito. All the time I was in Catanduanes traveling by van with fellow travel bloggers, I couldn’t help but think how great it would be to go on a motorcycle tour of the place.

While visiting the various tourist spots in this island province in the Bicol region, we passed through long coastal highways devoid of traffic and off-road areas zigzagging through the mountains, only to reach stunningly beautiful spots with amazing views. Our hosts saved one of the best for last in our itinerary: Binurong Point.

Binurong Point

When you mention Catanduanes, the first main point of interest that comes to mind is Puraran, the top surfing area known worldwide for its majestic waves. But in recent years, Binurong Point has also come into the spotlight. This pastoral cliff and hiking destination along the coast in Baras has scenic views which locals and visitors alike have compared to Batanes.

And while there’s really no need to liken one destination to another, I get why tourists would draw comparisons. For the longest time, Batanes has been the poster child when it comes to scenic views in the Philippines. Everyone is familiar with the beauty of Batanes and has it on their bucket-list. But for some reason, a lot of people aren’t yet aware where Catanduanes is. For people who prefer off-the-beaten path destinations, the “Happy Island” has a lot of hidden gems to offer.

Our trip to Binurong Point started around 7:00 am from the Virac downtown area by private van. It took about an hour to get to Brgy. Guinsaanan Proper in Baras Town, the jump-off point for the trek. You can tell that tourism has really boomed with the number of cottages and sari-sari stores that have sprouted in the area. When we got there, we were assigned guides (mandatory), with one guide to a group of 5-10. We were told that the one-way trek usually lasts from 20 – 30 minutes depending on the person’s pace.

The trail took us through a mostly forested area going steadily uphill. Some parts were slippery and muddy, but it was pretty manageable. The path eventually forked in two and we took trail to the right, which our guide said was flatter and easier to navigate (though we passed the left trail going back downhill after the trek). We eventually reached an open area where we started to feel the scorching sun. Then we reached the lush hills and the rewarding views of the sea.

Binurong Point gets its name from the process of preserving food by salting and soaking in vinegar or “buro”. Locals call the place as such because they traditionally brought fish they caught to to preserve it here. Binurong” is also a Bicol word meaning “Healed”. But now, thanks to social media, it’s become a popular hiking destination in the province, with tourists of all ages trekking to enjoy the view.

There are four main spots in the area, each offering unique vantage points. My companions and I tried to get as many clean landscape and souvenir solo shots with signature poses while the rest of our group (of tour operators) hadn’t arrived yet.

Our first stop was an area with large boulders facing a rocky coast. From here, we trekked down to an area with a pond in the middle and up a small hill to another vantage point right across a cliff. I noticed areas near slopes have now been marked with sticks and danger signs to prevent tourists from crossing.

I kind of wish we had visited earlier during the day so we could stay and enjoy the place longer. Apart from a few low shrubs and rocks, there’s no place to take refuge from the heat. But the view is just amazing and the hike is well worth your effort. The best and most dramatic viewpoint here is reachable by a narrow trail along the ridgeline.

As always when I’m traveling, I find myself torn between making sure I have enough decent photos for guides like this to share with readers and putting the camera down and just enjoy the place. Usually when I visit a destination once, I have no real urge to return, but Binurong Point (and Catanduanes in general) is the kind of place I really wouldn’t mind going back to again and staying longer.

For those interested to visit Binurong Point, here’s some useful info to help you plan your trip.

Location

Binurong Point is located in Brgy. Guinsaanan Proper in Baras Town, Catanduanes, Philippines.

How to get to Binurong Point

By public transportation

• Getting here by public transportation is possible, but trips do not leave regularly. There are jeeps and vans located in the port area in downtown Virac that go to Baras (roughly one hour travel time). Fare is P100/one way for van or P35/pax one way (jeep).
• Budget travelers can opt to charter tricycles or motorcycles to drive them to Binurong and Puraran Beach.
• From Virac, hired tricycles charge around P1500-P2500 (round trip) depending on the number of passengers.
• From Puraran/Baras, the habal-habal (motorbike with a driver) usually charges roughly P300 – P500 (round trip) for one passenger. Tricycles charge around P50 per passenger one way.
• The Baras-Gigmoto-Viga road heading to Binurong Point is only partially paved road with some steep sections.
• Once you reach the registration site at Brgy. Guinsaanan, pay the P20 entrance fee and P10 parking fee. Guides are required for the trek. There is no fixed guide fee, but the minimum payment ranges from P150-200 per group.

By private transportation

• If you’re in a large group, it’s best if you have a private vehicle to get there. Some sections of the road are very narrow and can only accommodate one vehicle at a time to pass.
• From Virac, drive southeast along the Catanduanes Circumferential Road heading to Baras, roughly 35 km away
• Turn right to cross the bridge near the Bato Church and continue on the Bato-Baras Road.
• Turn left when you reach the Baras Municipal Hall.
• Follow the main road until you reach Brgy. Guinsaan.

NOTE: The main road is mostly paved but there are some off-road areas which is nice and challenging for motorcycle drivers and mountain bikers. You will have to leave your vehicles at the jump-off point. There’s no road where you can drive smaller vehicles up.  If you want to drive all the way up to get a good view, consider visiting Balacay Point, a smaller viewpoint reachable by all types of vehicles.

What to wear

• You will sweat a lot during the hike. FYI: We just wore casual wear (shirt and shorts over swimwear since we were planning to swim in Puraran that afternoon) but changed into dresses once we got to the top of Binurong for photo ops. :p I spotted several other ladies who actually trekked while wearing dresses.
• Bright colors usually stand out better in photos.
• Eyewear/shades
• You can wear rubber slippers/outdoor sandals during the hike, but it’s better to wear trekking shoes so you don’t slip in the muddy areas.
• You can borrow trekking poles and sticks from the jump-off point.

What to bring

• Camera
• Phone and powerbank
• If you’re hiking from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, you might want to bring an umbrella or hat/cap/headwear/scarf to cover your head (it can get very hot)
• Enough drinking water for the hike
• There are sari-sari stores at the jump-off point where you can buy snacks like halo-halo and softdrinks before or after your hike

Cost / Fees

• Entrance Fee: P10/each
• Environmental Fee: P20/person
• Parking Fee: P10 for tricycles and cars, P5 per motorcycle
• Local Tour Guide Fee: P200 per group

Travel tips & Useful info

• The best time to hike up is early morning, so you can catch the sunrise and it’s not too hot.
• Mid-afternoon to sunset is also a good time to visit. They only accept tours until 5:00 pm.
• If you want to catch the sunrise, you have to start traveling from Virac to Binurong Point at 4:00 A.M.
• The main viewing areas are not sheltered by trees and it can get really hot here if you hike during mid-day.
• Tour guides are required/mandatory.
• It can get crowded during weekends, with up to 300 tourists a day climbing during peak season according to local guides.
• If photography is your main goal and you want to avoid the crowds, it’s better to visit during weekdays.
• There is a toilet and restroom at the jump-off point. There is none at the top/viewing area.
• Bring enough water/hydration. There are no stores or vendors selling drinks at the top.
• For a day trip, hikes to Binurong Point can be combined with visits to Balacay Point, Puraran Surf Resort and Bato Church (on the way back).

Tour Operators

Accredited tour operators usually include Binurong Point as part of their package tours which includes hassle-free transport services in and around the island.

• Island Escape Travel & Tours is a Virac-based DOT accredited travel agency that offers package tours around Catanduanes. Facebook: Island Escape Travel & Tours. Email:islandescape_traveltours@yahoo.com.ph Contact: 0949-4622641
• Katandungan Travel & Tours is another Virac-based tour operator who can assist adventure seekers and nature lovers who want to experience the perfect Catanduanes vacation getaway. Facebook: Katandungan Travel & Tours. Email: tours.katandungan@yahoo.com. Contact: 0995-8832865