48 Hours in Naga: A 'Biyahe ni Drew' Itinerary

“Tuwing bumibiyahe akong Bicol,” says Drew, “isang salita ang pumapasok sa isip ko: gutom!” Drew’s talking about two kinds of hunger: his hunger for adventure, and his hunger for dishes cooked in gata. Whether you’re after water sports or a food trip, a fun-filled and budget-friendly weekend can be found in Naga City.

Quick facts

• With a total land area of around 8,000 hectares, Naga is a relatively small city compared to Cebu or Davao.
• The name Naga is said to have come from an abundance of narra trees (“naga” in Bikolano).
• Naga is surrounded by plains, save for Mount Isarog. The borders of six municipalities in Camarines Sur (Goa, Tigaon, Ocampo, Pili, Naga, and Calabanga) converge at the peak of Mount Isarog.

How to get there

• Bus: From Cubao, it’s an eight hour ride to Naga. Ordinary fare is P600 per person, while an air-conditioned ride will set you back P900.
• Train: From Manila, you can take the Philippine National Railways’ Bicol Express. The night ride departs at 6:30 PM and arrives at 5:00 AM—book a sleeper cabin for P800 to P1000 and get a good night’s sleep. But beware - the ride is a bumpy one!
• Air: Watch out for seat sales from budget airlines like Cebu Pacific Air. You can get a one-way flight to Naga for as low as P500, exclusive of taxes.

How to get around

• Walk: Many of Naga’s sights are within walking distance from each other.
• Tricycle: P8 to anywhere in the city proper.

Where to stay
Drew recommends: Avenue Plaza Hotel
Magsaysay Avenue, Naga City
Drew’s a “suki” at the four-star Avenue Plaza, where they welcome all guest with a complimentary drink and cold towel. Room rates start at P2500 per night. The full suite with a kitchen, dining table, living room, and bathroom with tub will set you back P7000 per night.

On a budget | CBD Plaza Hotel
Ninoy & Cory Avenue, Naga City
A simple room at this inn will set you back P400 to P600 per night. No frills, just a bed, bathroom and air conditioning.

Panicuason Hot Spring Resort
Brgy. Panicuason, beside Mount Isarog National Park
P1,500 get you an overnight room and unlimited use of their hot pools filled with sulfuric water from Mount Isarog.

What to eat
Chef Doy’s Gourmet Restaurant
Magsaysay Avenue, Naga City
Don’t just taste Bicolano food—experience it. Chef Leandro “Doy” Sto. Domingo’s open kitchen lets diners watch how famous local dishes like laing (gabi leaves cooked in gata) are prepared. Be sure to order Pinakro, a dessert made from guava, saba bananas and gata.

If you’ve got the afternoon off, you can enroll in an additional four-hour crash course in baking or Italian cooking. This personal session with Chef Doy costs P2400, inclusive of all materials and ingredients. And of course, you get to eat the feast you prepared!

Street food at Plaza de Rizal | Budget: P20-50
Take a tricycle to Plaza de Rizal in the afternoon for a budget merienda. Try the ihaw-ihaw and bulastog, the Bicolano version of kwek-kwek.

What to do
Haciendas de Naga  | Admission: P200
Carolina, Uptown Naga City
For the past 10 years, Naga has been growing its eco-tourism efforts. Their landmark project is the Hacienda de Naga, where you can try outdoor activities like wall climbing and zip line, and even pick your own pili nuts!

The tough-shelled nut is one of the province’s most famous exports. In the hacienda’s Pili Park, you can pick your own nuts for no additional charge. To get to the park, rent a tricycle or take a jeepney to Carolina in Uptown Naga City.

Camsur Watersports Complex
Provincial Capitol Complex, Cadlan Pili, Camarines Sur
Colloquially known as CWC, this is a watersports park for wakeboarding, wakeskating and waterskiing. Check out the complete rates on their official site.

Drew’s Tipid Tip: Choose a whole-day rate instead of the hourly one. Not only will you save money, you also spend less time falling in line.

What to see
Mount Isarog National Park
Take a P30 jeepney ride from Naga City proper to Barangay Panicuason. “Kahit wala kang kotse, walang problema,” says Drew. “Sobrang reachable siya.” From there, it’s a 30-minute, slightly uphill trek to the Mount Isarog National Park. Make sure you’re wearing trekking shoes, though—the rocks can get mossy.

Once you’re there, take a dip in the Malabsay Falls. Admission is just P20 for locals and P40 for foreigners.

Churches | Admission: Free
Naga is a popular pilgrimage destination because of the many Spanish-era churches within walking distance from each other. Three main stops along the Roman Catholic pilgrim’s route: Naga Cathedral, Basilica Minore de Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia, and the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Shrine. The Peñafrancia festival is celebrated in September, and is the peak season for pilgrimages.

Museo Conciliar del Seminario de Nueva Caceres  | Admission: P45
Located inside the Holy Rosary Minor seminary along Elias Angeles Street, Naga City
The museum is divided into two parts: the Ecclesiastical Exhibit features Roman Catholic relics from the Spanish era, while the Archeological Exhibit features artifacts from pre-colonial life.

Travel expenses

• Transportation P300, excluding fare from Manila to Naga
• Accommodation P1,200
• Food P1,000
• Activities P1,420
• Pasalubong P100
• Total: P4,020