Tourism Profile: Daet, Camarines Norte
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Table of Contents
The surfing town of Daet is the capital of Camarines Norte. Daet is bounded in the east by Mercedes, in the south by Basud, in southwest by San Lorenzo Ruiz, in the north by Pacific Ocean, in the west by San Vicente, and northwest by Talisay. Daet is the second smallest town in Camarines Norte after Talisay.
As with most Bicol towns and cities, locals will speak to tourists in Tagalog or English. A dialect of the Central Standard Bicol language is spoken throughout Daet. Many signs are also in English.
Villages
Daet, Camarines Norte has eight urban barangays (villages) and 25 rural villages.
Urban villages:
- Barangay I
- Barangay II
- Barangay III
- Barangay IV — most populated village with malls.
- Barangay V
- Barangay VI
- Barangay VII
- Barangay VIII
Rural villages:
- Aliwihao
- Awitan
- Bagasbas — popular as a surfing destination amongst Bicolanos and visitors.
- Bibirao
- Burabod
- Calasgasan
- Camambugan
- Cobangbang
- Dongogan
- Gahonon
- Gubat
- Lag-on
- Magang
- Mambalite
- Mancruz
- Pamorangon
- San Isidro
Getting There and Getting Around
By car, Daet, Camarines Norte is about seven to eight hour’s drive away from Metro Manila, four hours from Legazpi City, and two hours from Naga City.
Upon arriving at the Bicol International Airport in Daraga town, one may hire a taxi to the Legazpi Grand Terminal in Legazpi City, and then board the bus or passenger van to Naga City. At the Bicol Central Station in Naga City, one may take the van to Daet.
Locals usually get around via tricycle and jeepneys.
When to Visit
Daet, Camarines Norte records the most amount of rainfall in the month of December and the least amount of rainfall in April, so it is best to visit the town during the first two quarters of the year, especially since the town is most popularly known for a thriving surfing community in Bagasbas Beach. On the third week of June, the town celebrates Pinayasan Festival, which honors the its pinya (pineapple) industry.
Places to Visit
Bagasgas Beach. Daet, Camarines Norte prides itself as “the true birthplace of surfing in the Philippines.” The town claims that as early as May 12, 1970, there is already a surfing community. (Read: Why Daet is the ‘Home of Firsts’)
Tourists in Bagasgas Beach may avail surfing lessons for about 400 pesos, but visiting the beach is free.
Bantayog Monument. This monument is the first-ever monument dedicated to the bravery of Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines who was martyred during the Spanish colonial era. The monument’s design takes inspiration from masonic symbols. This monument is located at Rizal Park, which is just a stone’s throw away from the Daet Heritage Center and Museum. At the same park where this monument can be found is a memorial dedicated to the martyrs of Camarines Norte during the Daet Revolt. Visiting the monument is free.
Daet Surf Museum. This museum is at the Daet Heritage Center and Museum, which shares the same building as the town’s tourism office. In this museum, there are surfboards used and signed by popular surfers who have visited Bagasbas. There are many other surfing-related artifacts that visitors will be interested in. There is also a copy of the newspaper that mentioned a surfing event in the 1970s, which the locals say prove that Daet is the true birthplace of surfing in the country. Admission is free.
Martir ng Camarines Norte Historical Marker (Martyrs of Camarines Norte Historical Marker). This faces the Bantayog Monument at the Rizal Park. Visiting the marker is free.
Museo Bulawan. This museum and its staff are active members of the Bicol Association of Museums. Admission is free.
Food and Drinks to Try
The Formosa variety of pineapples grow abundantly in Daet, Camarines Norte, so there are various pineapple products available in local stores.
Daet is also popular for its version of sinantol, a viand made from the tropical fruit santol (Sandoricum koetjape), coconut milk, and chili.
Dinailan is a shrimp paste made from seafood and sundried for at least a day. Its strong smell may not be popular with newbies, but it makes fried rice and Bicol express even more delicious.
Recently, a local has found a way to make wine out of hala plant (Pandanus tectorius), which also grow abundantly in shores. The hala wine is not yet available commercially, however.
Sources
Facts and Figures. (n.d.). Municipal Government of Daet Website. Retrieved August 28, 2024, from https://lgudaet.gov.ph/facts-and-figures/
Contributors
Rey Anthony Ostria
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