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Sorsogon Travel Guide

Posted on July 26, 2012 by journeyingjames 24 Comments
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Sorsogon Travel Guide/Map/Attractions

Sorsogon is not on everyone’s list of must-visit provinces. But you would be surprised that this no-so-familiar Province offers a lot of secrets to the passionate traveler. I’ve been to this province thrice and I hope I can offer an overview of things to do when visiting Sorsogon.

Sorsogon is part of the bigger Bicolandia Region or Region 5. It is the gateway of Luzon to the Visayas and Mindanao because of the roll-on-roll-off service in Matnog.

Going to Sorsogon: 

By bus: Buses are available in Pasay Bus Station and Cubao Bus Station. Travel time take 12-14 hours depending on the traffic. Take the AC bus as non-AC buses are slower.

By air: Major Airlines have daily flights to Legaspi City, Albay. From Legaspi City, you can take the van or buses that goes to Sorsogon, travel time more or less 2hours.

I prepared a tourist map guide for everyone wanting to visit Sorsogon

Sorsogon Tourist Map

History

A little history first, Sorsogon came from the word “Solsogon” (you would notice that Bicolanos change “L” to “R,” Daraga from Dalaga, Mauran from Maulan, etc). Solsogon means “tracing the river by going upstream.” As many of Filipino name origins, it supposedly from a local who was asked by a Spaniard ‘what do you call this place?’ The local not understanding Spanish thought the foreigner was asking for direction. So it was named Solsogon and later became Sorsogon.

Robert Fox also did some archaeological excavations and found some burial jars, stone tools and some artifacts that dates back 91 B.C. to 79 A.D., most came from Juban and Bulan. I won’t be surprised as there are a river in these towns. When there is a river, there is civilization.

10 Sorsogon Tourist Attractions

Okay, before I bore you with history, here are 10 Tourist Attractions in Sorsogon Province.

10. Watch the Sorsogon Sunset at Donsol. 

Lovely sunset at Donsol Bay

I love sunrise and sunset. Sunrise gives me hope and sunset reminds me to relax and enjoy the sight. The romance of sand and sea while the sun fades, it gives hues that are relaxing to the eyes. After a tiring day of biking and and whaleshark watching in Donsol, I sat down on my sarong to be awed by the beauty of the sun. If you are a sunrise person, Rizal Beach in Gubat offers a nice viewpoint too.

9. Pagugiran Island, Bacon District, Sorsogon City.

Pagugiran Island Lagoon, Photo by Lakwatsera de Primera

A proud Bicolano recounts her experience in Pagugiran island, “After checking out the mangroves at the other end of the beach and walking back to the resort, I saw people emerging from what looked like a islet with a rocky outcrop. Then it dawned on me this was actually the same islet with a beautiful lagoon inside that I had seen on the brochure before.”

Blog: Pagugiran Island: A Whirlwind Affair

8. Bayugin Falls, Bulusan.

Bayugin Falls, Bulusan

The falls is easy to visit and you just have to ay Php5 for entrance. There is a shallow part below it where kids can swim. Its also amazing to get inside the waterfalls and be massaged by the falling waters. Bayugin Falls is a good sidetrip coming from Bulusan Lake.

7. San Benon Hospring, Irosin.

San Benon Hotspring, Irosin

San Benon Hotspring is there because of the Bulusan Volcano. Its good that the government developed this spot for some local tourists. Families from the nearby towns visit the hot and cold spring to relax on weekends. I haven’t tried this yet but will surely visit next time.

6. Barcelona Church Complex, Barcelona.

St. Joseph Church, Barcelona

Aren’t you surprised that we have a town named after one of the great cities of Spain? Barcelona is a historic town in Sorsogon named Barcelona by homesick Spaniards because it reminded them of home. When we went there I saw a ruined watchtower and an old building called “La Presidencia” which is actually the office of the “Governadocillo.” Meaning this town served a very important role during the Spanish rule. The watchtower actually served as protection during the Moro raids replete during the 18th and 19th century. There is a tunnel from the watchtower leading to the Church in case of retreat from the invading Muslims.

I saw that the church, St. Joseph Church, made of sea corrals and put together using lime and egg white is undergoing altar repairs. The original altar is being altered. Sigh.

5. Kayaking at Bulusan Lake, Bulusan.

Marky and Niqui on double kayak

At Php200 for some kayaking session? Why not? It was a refreshing sight to see the flourishing trees around the lake making the lake so green. I also saw a lawin flying over the lake to catch some fish. You will also notice the nets around the lake as some locals grow tilapia here.

4. Surfing at Rizal Beach, Gubat.

Local Surfer Noli with the surfer wannabes James, Marky and Arvin

I’m a wannabe surfer and when I hear that there is a surf spot in an area, do count me in. I’m always on the look out of places where beginners like me can have a ride. We were lucky when we had a glimpse of swell while we were in Gubat last June. Local surfers say that surf season begins October and continues til May.

UPDATE: I went back to Gubat and guess what? There was a 3-day swell because of a low pressure area in the Pacific. Here’s one of my many rides:

So, let’s? I can’t control myself from saying STOKED. \m’

3. Beach Camp at Subic Beach, Matnog.

Subic Beach, Photo grabbed from tripwow.tripadvisor.com

For beach lovers like me, the sight of a white sand beach and the thought that its secluded is a welcome sign me. I guess I really need to add this on my itinerary this year. Who wants to tag along? Camping-style only, dirt cheap travel.

Blog guide: Subic Beach and Tikling Island, Matnog by The Pinay Solo Backpacker

2. Hike Bulusan Volcano, Bulusan.

Bulusan Crater, Photo by Pinoy Mountaineer

When I was asking Sir Gideon on what’s the most beautiful mountain he hiked, he mentioned to me Bulusan Volcano. Those words are very promising, coming from someone who hiked more than 100 mountains in the Philippines. In fact, the title of the Bulusan Album in his FB Fanpage is Bulusan: The Craddle of Beauty.

Blog guide: Bulusan Volcano Hiking Itinerary and Guide

1. Whaleshark Interaction, Donsol. 

I wish it was me… But the experience is as awesome as the photo (Photo: somewhere from Google)

Here’s my short note of how heavenly the experience was, “For 10 solid minutes I was just there, peacefully swimming with the whaleshark. I don’t know how to compare the experience- but you could say that it was like __________ (fill the blank with anything you think is blissful, unbelievable and paradise).”

Blog guide: Close Encounter with the Whaleshark

 

If you are a Sorsogon local and knows a stunning destination that I forgot, please add to the list. Thanks in advance.

Accommodations:

I stayed at Dancalan Beach Resort in Donsol, Hilton Lacsa Beach Resort in Gubat and Xandra Hotel in Legazpi City, Albay. Don’t ask me about the price. 🙂

Additional blogs for reference:

Pasyar sa Bicol: Things to do in Sorsogon Province by Azial Batanggala

10 Things to do in Sorsogon by Lakwatsera de Primera

Travel Guide: Sorsogon by Pinoy Adventurista

 

Hope this encourages you to visit Sorsogon one of these days. Plan now!

Related Posts with Thumbnails
This entry was posted in Luzon, Philippines, Travel Guide and tagged Barcelona Church Complex Sorsogon, Bayugin Falls Bulusan, Bulusan Lake Sorsogon, Hike Bulusan Volcano, Kayaking at Bulusan Lake, Pagugiran Island Bacon District Sorsogon City, San Benon Hospring Irosin, Sorsogon, Sorsogon History, Sorsogon Sunset Donsol, Sorsogon Tourist Map, Sorsogon Travel Guide, Subic Beach Matnog, Surfing at Rizal Beach Gubat, Whaleshark Interaction Donsol. Bookmark the permalink.

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24 thoughts on “Sorsogon Travel Guide”

  1. mervz | pinoyadventurista.com said:
    Reply
    July 26, 2012 at 5:20 am

    a jewel of the Bicol region… I like the tourist map you created, very helpful… and oh! thanks for the mention… 🙂 Cheers!!!

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      July 30, 2012 at 7:17 am

      thanks mervs! you have a very helpful blog about sorsogon

  2. joan | the backpack chronicles said:
    Reply
    July 28, 2012 at 3:02 pm

    James, I would like to join dun sa event ng Book Sharing project na mangyayari dito sa Sorsogon. I’ve never been to that place yet and I believe na magiging one-of-a-kind experience yung event na yun. Kanino ibibigay yung deposit at kelan ang deadline?

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      July 30, 2012 at 7:10 am

      hey joan! i sent all the details on your FB.

  3. emm said:
    Reply
    July 30, 2012 at 5:34 pm

    super like! am a proud sorsoganon! its more fun in sorsogon!wohoo! tnx james for this..yey!

  4. joad said:
    Reply
    August 27, 2012 at 5:25 am

    wow! very much like … you visit bulusan lake , and the bayugin falls ,, why no side trip in dancalan beach and other places in bulusan ,,,thanks for visiting in our places ,,,,

  5. G300 adventures said:
    Reply
    August 27, 2012 at 7:03 am

    I am a Sorsoganon and thank you for featuring my home place. There is a small lake not very familiar even for locals. It’s the Pulog Lake situated in Bgy. Sta. Cruz, Bacon District. I was dreaming to see this lake for quite some time now, but the problem was no one could accompany me. Last summer, I invited my HS batchmates but didn’t pushed trough for some reasons. I’m still dreaming see it on my next summer 2013 vacation.

    g300

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      September 3, 2012 at 5:24 am

      thanks for the info. is the lake beautiful?

      • ryan escalora said:
        Reply
        September 19, 2012 at 9:30 am

        maganda yung lake na yan..

  6. tommy louie james said:
    Reply
    September 2, 2012 at 7:01 am

    after iloilo city,i visit donsal sorsogon..i m a nature lover ..sorsogon my next destination..

  7. jhudy said:
    Reply
    September 14, 2012 at 3:31 pm

    Ang ganda talaga ng bicol, keep on blogging

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      September 17, 2012 at 2:03 am

      i agree with that. im actually staying here for a week in sorsogon. just want to surf at gubat

      • noli said:
        Reply
        September 17, 2012 at 1:10 pm

        salamatonon sa gabos sir james…

  8. lovella fercol said:
    Reply
    September 17, 2012 at 4:26 am

    …MGA MAURagon sorsoganon

  9. lovella fercol said:
    Reply
    September 17, 2012 at 4:40 am

    bulusan…

  10. Rowi said:
    Reply
    November 20, 2012 at 10:00 am

    Hi,
    I came across your blog today as I was googling Binondo Walking Food tours. Will take note of your tips and suggestions, thanks.
    I like your candid and pragmatic approach to travelling which is not typical Pinoy, so it’s nice to know that there is an increasing interest among Filipinos to discover and re-discover the many beautiful places around the country. It’s heartwarming for a Pinay like me who lives abroad to read your posts. I’m planning to visit Albay and Sorsogon in beginning of January together with my husband and most likely end up in Donsol for butanding sighting. I’ve read and heard contradictory comments regarding the butandings that these start to show up in February and not earlier. What do you think?

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      November 22, 2012 at 6:54 am

      Butanding season is late February- early May 🙂

      please dont consider watching the butanding in oslob

  11. John Hilton said:
    Reply
    November 30, 2012 at 11:21 pm

    Thanks for mentioning our resort: Lacsa Hilton Beach Resort. We hope you enjoyed your stay. We are working hard to make improvements and hope you will return in the future.

  12. Mary Anne Dela Cruz said:
    Reply
    October 15, 2013 at 8:40 am

    Thanks for the blog. I’m not from Bicol but I have fallen in love with BICOL. I’ve been to Matnog although the whirlpools are kind of scary going there BUT you’d be fascinated how beautiful the places in Sorsogon are. We went also to an area where there are small, big fishes. I don’t know how it’s called but the place is beautiful. You can actually buy feeds for these fishes. Thanks again for all the beautiful places! Take note this is just one part of Pinas! It’s more fun in the Philippines!

  13. jcamor said:
    Reply
    December 29, 2013 at 3:03 am

    its nice to know that my hometown has its very own nature to be proud of..ni hindi ko man langcna experience yan nung nanjan ako …wow an dami pala pwede mapuntahan…thak you… ihope local officials should promote tourist attractions and destinations…i also live in barcelona since i was young at age of 5 i wonder how la precedencia exist..yun pala yun…

  14. Sanx said:
    Reply
    May 7, 2014 at 6:30 am

    “There is a tunnel from the watchtower leading to the Church in case of retreat from the invading Muslims.”

    May tunnel pala yang watchtower papunta sa simbahan. Ngayon ko lang nalaman. Mapuntahan nga ulit yan ngayon june.

  15. juliana said:
    Reply
    December 9, 2014 at 11:01 pm

    BEAUTIFUL SORSOGON

  16. Ken said:
    Reply
    March 8, 2017 at 4:13 am

    I’m a huge fan james! I love sorsogon too! Been passing by the province everytime I drive to Samar. I miss the serenity of the road and the unfamiliar feeling of breathing fresh air. Way to go James!

  17. LastFrancisco said:
    Reply
    January 16, 2018 at 4:58 pm

    I have noticed you don’t monetize your blog, don’t waste
    your traffic, you can earn additional bucks every month because you’ve got high
    quality content. If you want to know how to make extra bucks, search for:
    Mertiso’s tips best adsense alternative

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