(SPOT.ph) Mention Bicol Region to anyone and what easily comes to mind is the countryside image of the beautiful Mount Mayon—complete with the thin veil of clouds on top. And we don't blame you. The volcano's "perfect cone," while located in Albay, can be seen from a number of vantage points on that side of the Philippines. Then there the other five provinces that have at least one distinct tourist spot: the beaches of Caramoan in Camarines Sur, the surftown of Bagasbas in Camarines Norte, Puraran's barrelling waves in Catanduanes, the pastures in Masbate, and Donsol's whale-shark sightings in Sorsogon. But the region's provinces have so much more to offer to any traveler.
Here are the under-the-radar places in Bicol that you might be missing out on:
Quitinday Falls and Underground River
If you had a great time canyoneering in Cebu's Kawasan Falls and exploring Puerto Princesa's underground river, Jovellar in Albay has equally great destinations all in one place: Quitinday Falls and Underground River. You can hop on a bamboo raft and navigate through about 150 meters of the underground cave with the most interesting stalactites, stalagmites, and rock formations. The ride ends in a gorge, where you can go jumping ala-Tarzan with the makeshift swing.
How to get there: Jovellar is one- or two-hour drive from Legazpi City, Albay. If you're going there by public transportation, you can hop on a jeep to Guinobatan town proper, then rent a habal-habal to the underground river.
Pinamuntugan Island
Pinamuntugan Island in Bacacay, Albay boasts a white-sand beach and crystal-clear waters that have yet to be explored by a large crowd. Until then, you can enjoy the wonders of this pristine island: a rock formation that makes for nice photos, undisturbed underwater life, and rows of coconut trees that complete the tropical paradise experience. You can also have a nice view of the Mayon Volcano from the island's eastern side.
How to get there: From Legazpi City, Albay, head to Legazpi Grand Terminal. Hop on a van or jeep to Bacacay, then make your way to Bacacay Port. From there, you can charter a boat to Pinamuntugan.
Also read: 10 Things You Can Do in Albay Other Than Gazing at Mayon
Parola Island
Parola Island (a.k.a. Tailon Island) off the coast of the town of Panganiban in Camarines Norte features a pink-sand beach—one of the many that can be found in the Bicol Region. The sand's pale red hue is best seen just before sundown when the color of the water contrasts that of the beach. There are no resorts and stores on the island, but that just means you can go off the grid and explore this untouched paradise.
How to get there: From Naga Airport in Camarines Sur, you can take a bus or a van to Daet in Camarines Norte. Alternatively, you can travel by bus from Manila to Daet for 10 hours. Once in Daet, hop on another bus or van to Jose Panganiban; head to Larap Port; and ride a boat to Parola Island.
Colasi Falls
Camarines Norte's mountainous terrain gives way to magical waterfalls surrounded by lush forests—one of which is the 70-foot high Colasi Falls in the municipality of Mercedes. Getting to it requires a three-hour hike from town proper, but the sweat is all worth it when you reach its cool waters.
How to get there: From Daet, you can travel by jeepney to Barangay Colasi in Mercedes for around two hours.
Also read: 10 Exciting Things to Do in Camarines Norte
Itbog Falls
Camarines Sur is home to the active stratovolcano Mount Isarog, which has hot springs, waterfalls, and triple-canopy forests in its foothills. Not too far from is the smaller volcano Mount Asog (a.k.a. Mount Iriga), which is home to lesser-known, but equally beautiful waterfalls like the 60-foot Itbog Twin Falls. You can choose to trek for about two hours through the mountainside, or rent a boat and cross Lake Buhi to get its refreshing natural pool.
How to get there: From Naga Airport, you can take a bus, van, or jeepney to Iriga City. You can also travel by bus from Manila to Naga for 11 hours. From Iriga City, ride a jeepney to Buhi.
Also read: 10 Exciting Things to Do in Camarines Sur
Hiyop Highlands
Up until 2016, all you could see in Hiyop Highland in the municipality of Pandan were herds of cows and carabaos grazing, a few bahay kubo, and hectares of grass in all directions. A two-storey concrete house now stands on one of the hill's edges, but it has opened its doors to tourists who want a view of the Pacific from the rooftop.
How to get there: From Virac airport, you can ride a tricycle to Virac Town Center; then an air-conditioned van to Pandan. From there you can book a habal-habal to take you to Hiyop.
Also read: Catanduanes' Rolling Hills Give You a Stunning View of the Pacific
Palumbanes
The Palumbanes is a picturesque group of islands on the northwestern seaboard of Catanduanes. Also known locally as Parumpong or Parongpong, it comprises three islets that can be reached by boat from the shoreline of Caramoran (not to be mistaken for Caramoan, Camarines Sur, which is also in the Bicol Region). Calabagio Island's verdant hills and rock formations make for perfect photographs, but its rocky shores make it impossible to dock on this small piece of paradise. Bitaog Beach on the main Parumpong Island is lined with a handful of cottages, making the strip an ideal stopover for lunch. The last stop, Tignob Island, is completely uninhabited, which means you can take a dip in crystal-clear waters in peace.
How to get there: From Virac airport, you can ride a tricycle to Virac Town Center; then an air-conditioned van to Caramoran. Island-hopping tours are available at Coco Beach Resort.
Also read: 10 Exciting Things to Do in Catanduanes
Bat-ongan Cave
Bat-ongan Cave in Mandaon, Masbate is known for its numerous chambers, which you can access through several openings into its dome-like formation. The in-land destination, which is a 150-meter high limestone monolith, is believed to be burial grounds in the prehistoric era. And to add to its creepy vibe, visitors can easily catch the two stones by the entrance: one that looks like an altar and another that looks like a pulpit. Just be careful when exploring the place as it is home to a large bat population.
How to get there: From Masbate City, you can take a van to the cave's jump-off point along Mandaon Road.
Also read: 10 Exciting Things to Do in Masbate
Casa Feliz
An under-the-radar destination in Sorsogon is the heritage town of Juban, which boasts rows of well-preserved bahay-na-bato. Among these is Casa Feliz, which has been turned into a bed-and-breakfast by its new owners, the Lasala family. The Spanish house was originally a gift from the father of Attorney Lioncio Grajo after he passed the bar exam in the early 1900s. It was used as the statesman’s office, especially while he served as the provincial representative in the first Philippine Assembly; and hosted grand gatherings of the town's who's who back in its heyday.
How to get there: From Sorsogon City, ride a jeepney bound for Juban. The old houses are found by the entrance of the town proper.
Subic Beach
Subic Beach on Calintaan Island, which is four minutes away from mainland Sorsogon, is a mix of creamy white sand and red-colored particles produced by crushed red corals. It is divided into two segments—Subic Liit and Subic Laki, and the latter has a few cottages where you can stay for the night. While you're there, make sure to drop by Calintaan Cave—an underwater cave that opens into a jaw-dropping cove.
How to get there: You can catch a flight to Legazpi City in Albay, then ride a bus to Matnog in Sorsogon. From Matnog Port, charter an outrigger boat to Calintaan Island.
Also read: 10 Exciting Things to Do in Sorsogon