Land of the Howling Winds | Catanduanes Travel Guide 2020
In this travel guide, let us take you to Catanduanes, the land of the howling winds!
“Siin ka ga-estar, utoy?” grandma told me as she scooped a bowlful of Ginataang Papaya that I ordered from her store. I politely nodded, thinking she’s saying it was cooked just this morning.
I went back to my room after paying to have my lunch. Later that day, I asked my guide, Kuya Noel, what that means, and it turns out she was asking me where I am staying.
On usual days, most of the visitors going to Pandan are agents selling merchandise to the local stores. There’s hardly any visitors in there, especially during monsoon months.
Catanduanes as a whole, is still as pristine as it gets and is a rising tourist destination. This island appeals to those who loves the sight of rolling hills and natural lagoons. Moreover, it packs a number of stunning beaches, secluded waterfalls and scenic landscapes.
I still regret it to this day, that I only spent two days in here. There are still a lot of places to visit that even a week might still not be enough to cover it all.
Let this Catanduanes Travel Guide take you to some of the best spots I have visited in the Happy Island of Catanduanes has to offer!
Where is Catanduanes?
Catanduanes is the 12th largest island in the Philippines. This province is located off the coast of the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Virac and the province lies to the east of Camarines Sur, across Maqueda Channel and Lagonoy Gulf in the south.
How to Get There
By Air:
- Cebu Pacific flies directly to Virac, Catanduanes 4x a week from Manila (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday). Flight time takes an hour, departs 06:10am from Manila and arrives by 07:25am in Virac.
- I tried to mock book in Cebu Pacific a month before the departure date and the cheapest regular fare going to Virac costs around 2,416php RT.
- Alternatively, one can fly to Legazpi in Albay from Clark/Manila. From Legazpi Airport, take a van in Legazpi Grand Terminal to Tabaco City Seaport (around 45minutes travel time).
- Arriving at Tabaco Port, ride any ferry or fastcraft bound for Virac or San Andres in Catanduanes. (Travel time is 3.5-4hours for the ferries and around 1.52 hours for fastcrafts.)
- I tried to mock book in Cebu Pacific a month before the departure date and the cheapest regular fare going to Legazpi costs around 3,810php RT.
By Land and Sea (Direct Trip):
- There are direct bus trips going to Catanduanes. Travel time takes around 12 to 13 hours depending on traffic and sea conditions, costs around 1300-1500php/pax.
- Cubao to Virac (via Bicol Isarog Bus Lines) – leaves daily at 05:00pm (contact 0908 8512643)
- Pasay to Virac (Mirasol Bus) – leaves daily at 03:00pm (contact 0908 8512644)
- Alternatively: From Manila (Pasay/Cubao Terminals), take a bus going directly to Tabaco, Albay. This route is serviced by Philtranco, DLTB, Cagsawa Bus Line and Alps and Isarog Bus Line.
- Upon arrival in Tabaco City Seaport, you can take the ferries/ fastcrafts going to Virac or San Andres in Catanduanes. I prefer the ones going to Virac (although limited) since it is much accessible to hotels and fastfoods.
- Ferry Schedules: 290php (aircon), 220php (non-aircon) 3.5hrs to 4hrs travel time
- Tabaco to Virac (MV Eugene Nelson) – 06:30am daily
- Virac to Tabaco (MV Eugene Nelson) – 01:00pm daily
- Tabaco to San Andres (MV Regina Calixta) – 07:00am/01:00pm daily
- San Andres to Tabaco (MV Regina Calixta) – 08:00am/01:00pm daily
- Fastcraft Schedules: 320php, 1.5hrs travel time
- Tabaco to San Andres (Fastcraft Silangan Express) – 07:00am/ 12:30pm
- San Andres to Tabaco (Fastcraft Silangan Express) – 07:30am/ 01:30pm
Where to Stay
Virac:
- Ardci Corporate Inn – San Roque, Virac, Catanduanes (Click HERE)
- Rakdell Inn – Virac Diversion Road, Virac, Catanduanes (Click HERE)
- Marem Pension House – 136 Rizal Avenue corner Rafael Street. Sta. Cruz, Virac, Catanduanes (Click HERE)
- Catanduanes Midtown Inn – San Jose Street, Virac, Virac, Catanduanes (Click HERE)
Baras:
- Josurf Inn, Puraran at Majestics – Puraran Beach, Baras, Catanduanes (Click HERE)
- Puraran Surf Beach Resort – Brgy. Puraran, Baras, Catanduanes (Click HERE)
- Balacay Inn – Baras, Catanduanes (Click HERE)
Travel Tips
- Plan ahead and prepare, visit during summer March to May, check weather reports and avoid typhoon/monsoon seasons
- Travelling solo in Catanduanes is safe and most of the people are hospitable. But it always pays to be cautious and being street smart.
- Pack lightly and buy provisions before heading out to the destinations. In addition, there’s hardly any stores near the tourist destinations.
- In Pandan there’s only a few groceries and eateries in town so buy what you need before going back to your lodge/room.
- Data reception for Globe is weak at Virac, and Smart works much better.
- While data reception for Globe is much better in Pandan and Caramoran.
- Contact your guides in advance, from the airport my guide Kuya Michael already waited for me to tour me around.
- You can contact Michael Tanael at 0948 742 3206 for Virac, Baras and Bato tours
- You can contact Kuya Noel at 0927 180 0840 for motorbike tours around Pandan
Things to See in Catanduanes
- Binurong Point, Baras, Catanduanes – The Mighty Hills of Binurong Point | Baras, Catanduanes
- Pandan, Catanduanes – Unlocking the Last Frontier | Pandan, Catanduanes
- Bote Lighthouse, Bato, Catanduanes – Bote Lighthouse | Bato, Catanduanes
- Sakahon Beach, Bato, Catanduanes – Bote Lighthouse | Bato, Catanduanes
- Puraran Beach, Baras, Catanduanes – Surf Town of Baras | Puraran Beach, Catanduanes
Extend Your Trip
- Mercedes Group of Islands, Camarines Norte – Belle of the Pacific – Apuao Pequeña Island, Camarines Norte
Itinerary and Expenses
Catanduanes (Pandan-Virac-Bato-Baras) Solo 2-day Trip
Day 01
0700 Depart for Virac, Catanduanes
0800 Arrival at Virac Airport via Cebu Pacific (RT Promo Airfare 1250php)
0845 Virac Town Center (20php tricycle), breakfast
0930 Van to Pandan, 150php
1130 Arrival at Pandan, check in at Pandan Travel Lodge 400php/night, Lunch
1230 Start tour, 700php
1300 Cagnipa/Orland Rolling Hills
1330 Tuwad-tuwadan Lagoon
1400 Muraw Beach
1430 Cagnipa Cove, Beach 1 and 2
1600 Hiyop Highlands
1730 Pandan Church, buy dinner and supplies
1800 Back at lodge
2100 Lights off
Day 02
0600 Wake up, breakfast
0700 Take Capatrasco or Virsacapan Van back to Virac (150php)
1010 Arriva at Virac Town Center, meet guide
1030 Start your c/o Joel Tanael (1500php)
1130 Puraran Beach
1300 Brgy. Guinsaanan, register 20php, guide fee 200php
1330 Binurong Point
1430 Back at jump-off point, tidy-up
1500 PAGASA Weather Station
1545 Sakahon Beach
1630 Bote Lighthouse, register 10php, guide fee 200php
1700 Back at jump-off point
1745 Bato Church
1815 Back at Virac Dinner
1900 Check-in at Tolledo Travel Lodge 200php (fan room)
Day 03
0830 Depart for Manila via Cebu Pacific
0945 Arrival at NAIA Terminal 3
Total Damage for this 2-day trip: 3,350php excluding airfare, food and tips (solo travel)
Namoot ako sa imo, Catanduanes! And I will surely be back for more adventures!
Chasing Catanduanes: This 2-day adventure series takes us to the pristine pastoral hills, stunning beaches and sweeping coastline views of Catanduanes. This happens to be my 64th province that I visited last December 09-10, 2019.
The Land of the Howling Winds and the Happy Island; this island facing the Pacific has been sculpted by devastating typhoons passing through here since time immemorial. This made its awesome topography truly a work of nature.
Catanduanes Adventure 2019
Taming the Land of the Howling Winds – Catanduanes
Land of the Howling Winds | Catanduanes Travel Guide 2020
Surf Town of Baras | Puraran Beach, Catanduanes
Unlocking the Last Frontier | Pandan, Catanduanes
The Mighty Hills of Binurong Point | Baras, Catanduanes
Bote Lighthouse | Bato, Catanduanes
