mahabang buhangin beach » The Pinay Solo BackpackerThe Pinay Solo Backpacker

It was July 2009 when I embarked on a solo trip to the now famous virgin beach of Calaguas (Mahabang Buhangin, also known locally as Halabang Baybay) undoubtedly one of Philippine’s best beaches. I haven’t read any bad reviews about Calaguas yet, and most of my travel blogger friends whose been to “The Beach” will most likely agree with me. Of course it makes me proud being a Bicolana, it’s another impressive tourist attraction in Bicol in addition to the Butandings/ Whalesharks of Donsol, Sorsogon, Subic Beach in Matnog, Mayon Volcano, CWC wakeboarding and Caramoan.

So after 3 freakin’ years, I decided to write a travel guide and I promise to update this when I hit Calaguas again pretty soon!

How to get to Calaguas from Manila (by land/ by bus): (more…)

July 2009

After leaving Apuao Grande Island I decided to start the search for the virgin beach. Took me 5 hours to find the nearest fishport or pandawan. Thanks to my map, the helpful locals, & of course to the Man above. My original route was: in Daet -> board a jeepney to Vinzons or Mercedes and ask around for the fish port, hire a boat to take me to the island -> at Vinzons fish port, I will hire boats to Brgy. Banocboc –> I will rent a boat to take me to Mahabang Buhangin on Calaguas Island. But when I reached the fishport in Brgy Banocboc, no one wants to take me there syaing it’s too far. One tricycle driver offered to take me to the nearest tricycle lane to the highway with buses passing by that are bound to Paracale, Camarines Norte. That’s the nearest jump off point to the virgin beach.

The beach is called Calaguas Island, it was featured in Jessica Soho as the next Boracay (which I highly doubt because of it’s storm-stricken location ). It’s actually Mahabang Buhangin located in Pinagtigasan Island. (more…)