The Greenest Town - Baao boasts expansive greenery and picturesque views across its extensive rice fields, upland farms, and mountain slopes. The captivating landscape of its agriculturally rich terrain positions the town as a potential agri-tourism destination and an industrial and trade hub for agricultural products. It is a third-class municipality in the Philippines.
It is located 480 km south of Manila and is part of the Province of Camarines Sur. Among all the towns and cities across the Philippine archipelago, this town stands out with its unique identity and is renowned for the following:
The only one without a Chinese resident
The hometown of the First Filipino Catholic Bishop
Mostly, the family names/surnames begin with the letter B
Poultry Capital of Bicol Region
A common joke goes, "When you catch a whiff of poultry dung, you're already in Baao." Yet, even as a poultry capital with the pervasive smell of poultry dung, this town is regularly recognized as one of the cleanest and greenest municipalities in the nation.
The expansive mountain range and valleys filled with rice fields, coconut plantations, and various upland crops serve as the residents' primary sources of income and livelihood. The abundance of farms allows this town to be one of the rice granaries in the Bicol region, achieving self-sufficiency in food supplies. As a key producer of poultry products throughout the Bicol peninsula, its distribution extends to nearby areas of the Philippines, including Southern Tagalog and Eastern Visayas.
The town also has excellent potential in the tourism sector, with resorts and hospitality accommodations available and prepared to welcome guests.
This town provides two major vantage points for a sightseeing adventure, allowing you to enjoy panoramic views of the city and its surrounding areas:
Mount Samurai
Antipolo Heights
Caranday Chapel
Mount Samurai
The Baao Mountain Range boasts the highest peak. It is situated in Barangay Buluang, offering views of the lush valleys and surrounding mountains:
Northeastern Side:
Mount Isarog is towering over Ocampo and Pili, the capital of Camarines Sur.
Western Side
Nabua
Bula
Balatan, the extension of Mount Tancong Vaca
Northwestern Side
On the far end is the municipality of Minalabac.
Southern Side
Mount Sumagang (Asog)
Just beneath the mountain, the flickering sparks of the Baao Lake water and the green rice fields are closer together.
Antipolo Heights
This is the highest point on the southern end of the Baao Mountain Range. Located in Sitio Tigbi, Antipolo Baao, Camarines Sur.
Attractions:
Century-Old Tree
Panoramic sights of the Hills, Valleys, and mountains surrounding the place.
From the hilltop, visitors can relish the thrilling array of colors in the views of the hills, mountain ranges, and farmlands:
Eastern Side
Lagonoy Gulf (Sagῆay town portion)
Mount Isarog
Southern Side
Mount Asog
Mount Malinao (Albay Province)
Mount Masaraga (Albay Province)
Lake Bato
Iriga City
Western Side
Vast rice fields of Baao
Baao Town Proper
Tancong Vaca Southern extension – Nabua, Balatan &
Please click the play tab below to watch the video on YouTube.
The Karagumayan Falls
Exploring Karagumayan Falls demands courage to face the challenge and endurance to endure the tiring trek to the ravine's steep 90-degree incline.
Karagumayan Falls is affected by the seasons; in summer, the water volume flowing and cascading down the rock cliff walls decreases. On the other hand, during the rainy seasons, the water volume increases, and the current becomes more vigorous.
The thrilling aspect is the challenge of navigating the ravine, which has a vertical height of about 300 meters. This trek will push your agility and endurance, leaving you tired and hungry. Nonetheless, this destination is a must-see if you enjoy this adventure.
Reaching this location involves a 20-minute walk from the century-old balete tree at Antipolo Viewing Height to the parking area and the departure point to the falls. From the departure point, be ready to walk and crawl through the forest until you arrive at the base of the cliff.
To learn more about Karagumayan Falls, please click the play tab below.
Caranday Parish Church - Our Lady of Lourdes
When you stand beside the barangay chapel, you have an omniscient point of view, beholding the sights of Mount Isarog, the tremendous gulley-like panorama of the rice field valley that connects the Baao mountain range to Mt. Isarog.
Please click the play tab below to watch the video.
Take – Off Points to Visit These Sites
Mount Simurai - Barangay Buluang
Antipolo Height & Caranday School – Barangay San Vicente
HOW TO GET TO THE TOWN OF BAAO
Coming to these sightseeing spots could be inserted into the itinerary for a one-day run to several places in Camarines Sur. Thus, your accommodation booking could be in other towns or cities.
You can book your hotel directly from Manila in Naga City, Iriga City, or Baao. Reserving a place in Naga City is the most convenient option for quickly traveling to Baao, which is included in the itinerary.
Directions:
Stop in the town proper and ask for directions to these spots. They will lead you to the tricycle terminal and door-to-door motorbike transport service.
You may arrange with the driver about the charge of bringing you to the spots.
If you're driving your car, go to the take-off point barangays; residents will point you in the right direction.
Baao is a small town, so it is not difficult to find directions.
Exciting Activities You Can Do
Mountain Biking—The road networks in the mountain area are all concrete, so biking from one place to another with exciting terrain challenges is exciting.
Mountain Hiking
Sightseeing
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