Planning a trip to Gubat, Sorsogon?
Today, let’s feature the coastal town of Gubat in the province of Sorsogon in the Bicol Region. Things to do, where to stay, where to eat and what not to miss? Check out this interview we had with Jordan Fajardo Estareja, a local from Gubat, Sorsogon. He shared to us some of the must-do activities, best hotels and resorts to stay at, best places to eat and some useful travel tips that will surely be very helpful when planning a trip to Sorsogon, especially for first-time travelers. Tara na! Hamus na! Kana na!
GUBAT SORSOGON TRAVEL GUIDE: 10 Tips and Tricks for First-time Travelers
1. How to get to Gubat, Sorsogon?
There are two ways to visit Gubat:
By air: The nearest airport is located in Legaspi City in the nearby province of Albay (approx. 1h20min flight). The flight is serviced by either Philippine Airlines or Cebu Pacific. From the airport, you can take a cab or a tricycle to SM City Legaspi where you can find the transport terminal to Sorsogon City and other key cities and towns in the Bicol Region (5-10mins). You can take either a van or bus to Sorsogon City (about 1 hour). [I prefer to ride the van from Legaspi City to Sorsogon City since it is faster. Just tell the driver to dropped you at the jeepney terminal near Sts. Peter & Paul Cathedral]. From Sorsogon City, take a jeepney ride to Gubat (30mins).
By land: (public transport) There are several bus companies in Pasay City and in Araneta Center in Cubao like CUL, DLTB, Philtranco, Raymund, Peñafracia and Elavil to name some. They travel daily from Manila direct to Gubat (approx. 14 hours including 2 stopovers). (private vehicle) From Manila, take SLEX to exit NCR. Follow the road signs that points out the direction towards the Bicol Region and its key cities and towns along the way until you reach the province of Sorsogon and finally the town of Gubat.
2. Best time to visit Gubat?
Probably the best time to visit Gubat is during the town fiesta. A two-week long celebration from June 1-13 in honor of its patron saint, San Antonio de Padua. There are lots of activities to do like shopping in bazaars, watching colorful Ginubat Festival parade that highlights the rich history of the town, cheering at the candidates for the Gat Silo and Dayang Mara pageant and jamming with friends at a local concert. If you’re lucky enough, you might spot an invited celebrity guest in town. Check out the posts from last year’s Ginubat Festival at www.facebook.com/gubatourismo.
Another awaited event especially for those who loves to surf is the “Lunad sa Balod” which literally means “riding on the wave”. It’s a National Surfing Competition & Music Festival that happens around October and held at the Buenavista Surf Camp. You may check their FB page for updates at https://www.facebook.com/lunadsabalod
ALSO READ: Surfing in Gubat, Sorsogon (with How to Get There, Rates and Contact Details)
3. Best places to stay in Gubat?
Here are some accommodations in Gubat:
- Lola Sayong Eco-Surf Camp
- Website: www.lolasayong.org
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Lola.Sayong.Surf.Camp
- Nana’s Place
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/NanasplacePH
- Siama Hotel
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/SiamaHotel
- Book via Agoda: See room rates and availability
- GSAC Hotel
- Website: www.gsachotel.com
4. Where to eat and must-try dishes?
If you’re looking for budget-friendly and delicious meals in town, locals will surely recommend Linda’s Halo-Halo, Bakeshop & Eatery. Gubat also offers varieties of must-visit-place to eat like:
- Leonardo’s sa Gubat
- Café Rosita
- Fusion Café & Restaurant
- Faty Cakes, Pastries & Restaurant
- KKB Food Garage
- La Comida Linda
Gubat also offers its own kakanin or native snack called Timitim. A steamed grated cassava mixed with evaporated milk, sugar, coconut milk and topped with latik and pili nut.
5. Best places to visit? Tourist spots and attractions
Lola Sayong Eco-Surf Camp is on top when visiting Gubat. It was already featured by Atom Araullo on I-Witness last January 12, 2019. Here’s the link: https://youtu.be/eCxtzZlZ4nM. Beside it is another surf camp, the Buenavista Surf Camp. Erwan Heussaff also visited the surf camps and shared a video on his Facebook page last December 15, 2017. Here’s the original video posted by a known luggage brand: AmericanTouristerPh.
Famous to the local is Rizal Beach with its long-stretched white sand beach. An approximate of 5km morning jog from the town to Rizal Beach would be great to stay fit. Gubat also cares for the environment that’s why our next destination is the Tulay sa Tibo, wherein “tibo” is the local term for mangrove. It’s an ecotourism site that shows awareness for us to take care of our coastal areas and provide livelihood to the locals.
Currently, the municipal government of Gubat is restoring the Escurel-Sabater House located at the corner of Diaz & Quezon street. It is one of the remaining old houses in town that will soon open its doors to the public as a museum and tourism office.
Gubat is also the hub if you are planning to visit the neighboring towns of Barcelona [not in Spain, but still in Sorsogon 😊], Prieto Diaz and as far as Bulusan.
6. Must-do activities?
Early birds will surely love to watch the sunrise at the surf camps and at the Gubat Boulevard (make sure to bring some to-go breakfast for our next stop 😊). After watching the sunrise, you can visit the nearby Agoho Forest Reserve, a beachfront nature reserve with huge agoho trees where you can enjoy your picnic breakfast. You can also have a dip at the beach but if salt water isn’t your style, there is Pahayahayan just right beside Agoho Forest Reserve where you can enjoy your swimming at the pool constructed beside the Aropag River and nipa palm trees.
7. Secret spots in Gubat Sorsogon?
Liyang Cave & Spring in Brgy. Nazareno. Well, it’s no longer that secret since it was already featured in Jessica Sojo’s KMJS aired last May 5, 2019. The featured cave was at 5mins & 55 sec. on the link www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_II3pJ7BDc. Just remember that the spot has no accommodations where you can stay means you are truly with the nature. (Bring some extra clothes as you might feel cold after swimming 😉)
8. How to get around?
Getting around the población area is easy through tricycles. They are normally roaming around to spot some passengers. There are also lines for tricycles and jeepneys for going to and from far barangays. You can wave at the tricycle passing by and ask the driver to take you to the nearby tourist spots. If you wish to have a quick visit to Sorsogon City, there are RJ Line and GuSoJODA jeeps.
9. What's the best pasalubong to bring back home?
- Pili Nut Products like molido (minced candied pili), caramel coated and sugar coated
- Timitim
- Pinangat from Bigaho Eatery
- Shell Crafts like bracelet, necklace, figurines, windchimes, etc. from Rizal Beach
- And of course, memories and lots of pictures
10. Where to shop?
At the market site there are lots of stores selling delicacies and native or local goods for pasalubong. (Make friends with manang tindera. She might give extra pasalubong on your next visit as her suki. 😊)
So, what are you waiting for?! Go pack your bags, enjoy, have fun, and discover Gubat, Sorsogon!
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