Bacacay (Misimis Bay) Hotels

Already thinking about your summer plans? Why not explore the many caves and beaches at the town of Bacacay, Albay. This peaceful town provides a breath of fresh air for travelers and adventure junkies because of its one-of-a-kind caves and waterfalls.

At A Glance

Bacacay is a coastal town located on the eastern slope of the famous Mount Mayon in the province of Albay. Because of its strategic location, certain areas of Bacacay has been developed into sought-after resorts, making the town a perfect summer destination.

On the eastern side of the town, you can get fantastic views of Mount Mayon, an active stratovolcano hailed because of the volcano’s perfect cone shape.

How to Go

By plane

Take any daily flight from Manila to Legazpi City, then board a van or bus going to the town.

By land

You also have the option to board a bus from Manila to Legazpi City as well. Travel time though is longer, so it may not be advisable for people who have motion sickness.

Getting Around

The town is quite small, so basic establishments are pretty walkable. You can also board a sikad (open sidecar attached to a bicycle or motorcycle) if you do not wish to commute, or are heading to the sea port or bus port for a side trip to a neighboring island or town.

Tourist Attractions

The Cagraray Eco-Energy Park is worth a visit. This nature park offers unobstructed views of the Albay Gulf and the Pacific, especially at sunset, so whip up your camera and document the natural wonder. The park was developed in the shape of an ancient Greek amphitheater and has wall climbing and zipline facilities for you to have a great time with Mother Nature.

Climb up the lone hill and take in the majestic architecture of Stella Maris Mary of the Sea Chapel. The glass chapel is among the most sought-after churches for island weddings, considering the fact that it is just a few meters away from the famous Misibis Bay Resort,

Another natural wonder worth visiting is the Sula Channel ruins. The Sula Channel connects the Bacacay Bay to the Albay Gulf. Formerly used by Spanish galleons as a refuge against sea storms, Sula Channel is now a haven of small motorboats and floating cottages. The Marble Reserve at Barangay Mataas showcases natural formations of first-class marble.

Top Things to Do

Go on a spelunking expedition at several of Bacacay’s caves. Mataas, and Tanagan Caves offer easy to challenging paths as wild fruit bats fly around. The Pinaghulugan Cave at Barangay Cagbulacao is believed to be a prehistoric burial site for the town’s ancestors.

Tanagan Falls offers an ecological adventure for nature enthusiasts. Go on a hike and discover the local flora and fauna, and cap it off with a cool dip at the base of the falls.

If you want something different, explore the black sand beaches along the shores of Barangays Panarayon, Hindi and Sogod. The colors of the sand were supposedly a result of the natural erosion of volcanic rocks and sands from the nearby volcano.

Going on an island hopping tour will give you a unique appreciation of Bacacay and the east coast altogether. You’ll also get to explore the lesser known but equally beautiful islands along Lagonoy Gulf, like the Manaet Monkey Sanctuary, for example. Manaet is the home of coconut-eating monkeys, so it’ll be a wonderful sight to see one in action.

Where to Eat

The entire province of Albay is known for its pili nut, so expect to eat this in any form possible. Usually, the locals sell them off raw, steamed, or fried in sugar as a delicacy or as a crunchy add-on to pastries like pulvoron and Mazapan, a local butterscotch bar.

Another local signature is their affinity to cook dishes in “sili” (chili) or in “gata” (milk). As such, don’t miss their original version of Bicol Express, which is minced meat cooked in spicy, coconut milk. Check out 1st Colonial Grill and savor local dishes like Kadingga (a version of bopis), Camalig Pinangat, and laing (sauteed sili leaves, meat and chili in coconut milk).

The locals did not spare the dessert too. Try the restaurant’s Sili ice cream if you want a special kick in your dessert. Some food stalls offer Bicol Express Fruit Shake and Sili Shake for those who have a chili craving.

Nightlife

Don’t expect a party atmosphere here at Bacacay. Unless your resort or hotel has an event or a bar that offers live band music, nightlife in Bacacay is pretty tame. Locals would either head to an eatery and order cheap beer and pulutan (bar food).

Where to Stay

The majority of the resorts are in beaches in or near Bacacay. Some of the most notable ones are Misimis Bay Resort, Kuron Beach Resort, Viento de Mar Beach Resort, VRT (Tanchuling) Beach Resort, and Michaelangelus Beach Resort.

Travel Tips

• Carry enough cash with you on your trip. Establishments in small towns rarely accept credit/debit card payments and/or travelers’ cheques.

• If you’re on a budget, check with the Department of Tourism for affordable accommodations.

• To make the most out of your trip in Bacacay, schedule a city and/or an island tour.