Where is catanduanes

Viga The site of the original settlement of Viga was believed to be at sitio Caviga-o, now called Small Viga. Pandan PANDAN, the name of the municipality was termed from pandan shrubs, which then surrounded the poblacion to protect the inhabitants from Moro pirates who used to invade the place.

The municipality lies on the northern tip province of Catanduanes, 96 kilometers from the capital town of Virac. Himbutan became the largest barrio when Baras became an independent municipality. Another version is….

Bato When the Spanish conquest adores led by Juan de Salcedo set foot in , Bato was relatively unexplored. Local Spanish officials assigned to the place once asked a woman who was washing clothes in the natural stone well the name of the place.

She thought that the Spaniards were asking the name of…. Getting around Catanduanes, one may take a bus, jeepney, van, tricycle or a motorbike. In the capital town of Virac, tricycles are the common public transport. Some accommodation establishments have their own transport vehicle for visitors checked in at their hotels.

Bicol is the common language used with different nuances and variations in tones especially when one gets to the northern towns. English and Tagalog are commonly spoken and understood. Close Skip Complete Loading Lucky Hotel and Resort is a small hotel near the Virac town center and offers comfortable accommodations without making a huge dent in your wallet.

The hotel also has rooms that can accommodate groups of up to 8 people. Located in Baras town around 30 kilometers northeast of Virac, Majestic Puraran Beach Resort is a beachfront property that offers a great view of the Pacific Ocean. Accommodations range from native cottages along the beach to air-conditioned rooms. You can also rent a tent and pitch at the property.

Marem Pension House. This two-story budget guesthouse in the middle of Virac town proper has rooms for solo travelers, couples, families, and groups.

It has basic facilities and amenities, but there is also a restaurant and rooftop deck, as well as a tour desk offering tour packages. Video by the Philippine Department of Tourism. The capital of Catanduanes is more than just a jump-off point or rest stop for travelers looking to go around the whole island. Virac has numerous pristine, creamy to golden white sand beaches that are open to the public and are easily accessible via van or tricycle tours.

Most of these beaches have shallow, calm waters that you can wade into. Swim with your kids at the child-friendly Amenia Beach. For divers, you can go underwater off the coast of Mamangal Beach. Looking for peace and quiet?

Balite, Batag, and Marilima Beaches offer quiet stretches of beaches lined with coconut trees to give you shade. See the face of Jesus Christ on a natural rock formation at Talisoy Beach.

Adventure-seekers should get ready for fun activities, both on the beach and in the water, at Igang Beach. Surfers can head over to Puraran Beach on the eastern coast of the island. Not a fan of beaches? There is also the Hicming Falls near Virac.

Be awed by the lush forest surrounding these falls, and swim in their refreshing natural pools. Catanduanes is proud of its Roman Catholic heritage and faith like most of the Philippines. This is evident with the beautifully-preserved stone churches around Catanduanes. Visit the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Virac Cathedral at the center of town and marvel at its stained-glass windows and its central dome that looks very similar to the St.

Make a stop at the St. John the Baptist Church Bato Church , the oldest church on the island. While on the island, include a stop at the Museo de Catanduanes. There is no shortage of beach resorts on this island, and you can choose to visit any of these resorts depending on the activities you want to do. For those looking to be active, you can go wild at the Twin Rock Beach Resort, where you can do everything from rock-climbing to ziplining, windsurfing to cliff diving, and more.

Picturesque viewpoints in Virac and the rest of Catanduanes are not limited to its beaches. Hike up to Binurong Point to see the waves from the Pacific Ocean crash onto the rocky cliffs.

Another beautiful spot that offers a great view of where the sky meets the land and the sea is at Balacay Point in Baras town. Located on top of a hill, the weather station also offers a spectacular view of Cabugao Bay and the islets in its waters. Swimming, surfing and hiking will make you hungry—but in Virac, you will never go hungry. Catanduanes is part of the Bicol Region, a region well-known for its spicy cuisine, and most Virac restaurants and eateries serve these types of dishes.

Make sure to try the Bicolano staples laing and Bicol Express cooked in gata coconut milk. Other Filipino dishes such as kare-kare and caldereta are also available. Fresh seafood is also a must-try when you visit Virac. Crab, fish, shrimp, and lobster are available throughout the province depending on the season.

But in Virac, your go-to place for the best seafood is at Sea Breeze Restaurant. Craving for coffee? You can also try their very popular Ala Nachos, which are actually made from fried spring roll wrappers. Desserts at Sunday Blossoms are not to be missed as well.