After revisiting Bicol for decades, I can honestly say that the province of where my parents grew up in has been a second home to me. So many parts of this place brought me so much sentiment. I’ll never forget the childhood memories of when I was in Bonga – chasing after baby ducks, fetching a pail of water, and catching fireflies during dusk. These untold stories of my summers were unheard of when I retold them back in my suburban hometown. Being a Filipino-American, this place has instilled in me the importance of the simple pleasures of life. Every trip I’ve taken only made me long for the summer of when I’ll visit again. Bicol was where I understood the value of family – and it’s comforting to know that my relatives will always have their doors open for me when I return.
It’s no surprise to me that my motherland has increasingly been a popular vacation destination. It’s truly more fun in the Philippines! The untouched scenic landscapes, hospitable people, and fresh tropical food can make anyone fall in love with the country. And while specific places like Cebu City, Palawan, and Bohol are huge travel spots, I believe that Bicol has something uniquely special to offer for tourism in the Philippines.
Bicol is home to many of the country’s iconic landmarks, such as the Mayon Volcano. The reality is that the prettiest, most underrated places in Philippines are located in Bicol! If you want to learn more, keep reading to discover to prettiest spots of my favorite province in the Philippines.
The Prettiest Spots to See in Bicol, Philippines
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Sumlang Lake:
Poblacion, Camalig, Albay, Philippines
Want to see the best views of the Mayon Volcano? Look no further than to visit Sumlang Lake! This is an iconic place for dreamy, cinematic views of the province. With as little as 50 pesos for the entrance fee, you can truly see the magnificent size of the volcano. When I visited myself last summer, the volcano looked so close that it almost looked as if you could touch it with an arms length! Plus, you can also go on bamboo rafts and enjoy the sweet island breeze while taking some amazing Instagrammable photos. If you decide to visit, I recommend visiting early in the morning to avoid crowds and to get the best views of the volcano without clouds blocking the way. Sumlang Lake also has a nice, romantic restaurant right by it where you can dine and enjoy window views of the lake. Whether you’re a nature lover or a luxury traveler, this place is great for any person to visit.
This is an iconic place for dreamy, cinematic views of the province.
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Hibiscus Camp:
Consocep, Tigaon, Camarines Sur, Philippines
Do you want to surround yourself with lush greenery and tropical flowers? Hibiscus Camp is the perfect spot to truly immerse yourself in the middle of the tropical forest. It’s one of the only spots where you can be in tranquility on top of the Consocep Mountain. Although this spot can be a long drive, this place is worth seeing for yourself. When I first visited Hibiscus Camp, I had no clue what to expect – yet, it was a beautiful surprise to swim in the most serene infinity pool and walk around the most beautiful garden walkways. While many have nicknamed this place “Little Baguio,” I would say that it has it’s own special, untouchable charm. If you plan to visit, I would recommend taking a day trip with friends to road trip with snacks. You’ll definitely want to spend the whole day here!
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Deer Farm Sanctuary:
#303 3rd Floor Champ Building, Ocampo, 4419 Camarines Sur, Philippines
Bicol is not just known for it’s beautiful scenery – they also have the friendliest animals! If you decided to visit the Hibiscus Farm, you might as well make a pit stop at the Deer Farm. Despite it’s name, the Deer Farm is not intended for agricultural use. In fact, it was created as a project from the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur to ensure the animals live in peace. Only a short amount of people can visit the park at a time to create a nurturing experience for both animal and human. You can have a chance to take photos of the majestic animals and see a close-up view of Mount Isarog. However, I would say that time and day does matter when you visit the Deer Farm. For the best experience, try visiting early in the morning to avoid crowds and to risk stepping in a lot deer poop (yes, it does happen).
[The Deer Farm] was created as a project from the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur to ensure the animals live in peace
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Quintinday Hills:
Baligang – Caguiba Rd, Camalig, Albay, Philippines
Move over Chocolate Hills! Quintinday Hills is the latest hidden gem of Bicol. I’m not going to lie, I heard of the magical, evergreen hill formations before I went on my trip. Ever since I discovered the place via Facebook, I knew that I had to visit the place myself. It was truly the most stunning, magical part of my time in the province! When I visited last March, there was no entrance fee. However, they were just starting to do construction with the parking area due to the increasing amount of visitors. So, the owners said they would start charging 20 pesos per person once the construction was over. However, you shouldn’t shy away from visiting – it’s the perfect 15 minute hike for some amazing views! If you arrive at Quintinday Hills early in the morning, you can catch some romantic sunrise photos once you reach the top! Overall, I highly recommend visiting this beautiful landmark.
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Cagsawa Ruins:
Daraga, 4501 Albay, Philippines
If you’re visiting Albay for beautiful historic landmarks, you’ll be astounded by Cagsawa Ruins. The iconic bell tower is actually the remnants of the 16th-century Franciscan Cagsawa Church. If you’re wondering what happened to the other parts of the church, it actually has a sad history. During 1814, the church was buried alive during mass due to a sudden volcanic eruption from the Mayon Volcano. So many of the townspeople have died during the devastation. However, many people still visit Cagsawa Ruins today to commemorate the event and to admire what is now left from Cagsawa. Today, it is the biggest tourist spot in the province and has been proclaimed the “national cultural treasure.” You can truly feel the beauty of this ancient place and enjoy the park surrounding the landmark for market food and scenic strolls.
[Cagsawa Ruins] is the biggest tourist spot in the province and has been proclaimed the “national cultural treasure.”
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Busay Falls:
Malilipot, Albay, Philippines
No matter where you are in the province, you definitely need to check out this hidden waterfall! Busay Falls can easily be reached with a tricycle and the small entrance fee (between 10-30 pesos each) will get you to this charming waterfall in minutes. What I love about Busay Falls is that it is a 7 tier fall – so you can visit multiple waterfalls in one spot! Each fall has it’s own majestic beauty, and the short trail is quite beautiful. If you want to visit, I recommend visiting during weekdays and early morning hours so you can truly enjoy the waterfalls without crowds or intense heat! I do suggest bringing your camera for some unbelievable shots!
Thank you so much for reading! Let me know what your favorite pretty spot is in Bicol in the comments below! If you want to know what I wore while I was in Bicol, I dedicated an entire post about the fashion items here. You can also follow me in my other social media channels for more of my travel adventures:
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Stay tuned for more fun posts coming your way – until next time!
