DiscoverParacale
Discover the natural beauty, culture and heritage of Paracale.
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Top 10 Reasons to Visit Paracale
Reason 01
A Sneak Peak into Paracale
- To visitors going on a holidays to Paracales, Camarines Norte, the town itself serves as a sunny gateway to the rocky coast of the island of Bicol and an ancient history of gold mining.
- The Philippine turquoise sea borders the waterfront and the hinterland is a smooth ridge that conceals the ancient mining areas.
- The design of Paracale is a mixture of the old Spanish brick buildings and the new wooden walkways which are reminiscent of the colonial past of the town.
- There are fishermen and miners buzzing around every corner of the streets and this serves to remind the visitors that people here make their livelihood out of the tide and the earth.
- The small population of the town also assembles in festivals where they present the traditional songs, dances and the art of gold panning.
- You can either come by sea or land but it will be a warm, welcoming community that is willing to share its culture and history.
- Capital (of the province): Daet
- International airport: None in Paracale
- Nearest commonly used airports:
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila) – primary international gateway
- Bicol International Airport (Daraga, Albay) – main domestic airport for the Bicol Region (~5–6 hours by land from Paracale)
- Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP)
- Time zone: UTC+8 (Philippine Standard Time)
- Driving side: Right-hand side
- Main electricity: 220 volts, 60 Hz
- Official / local languages: Tagalog, Camarines Norte Bikol, Filipino, English
- Major religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic
Reason 02
Highlights
- The storey of gold-mining is the core of the town, as it influences its economy, buildings, and social values.
- Paracale is a major launchpad that can take you into the world-renowned Calaguas Islands that feature white sands and crystal waters.
- The beach scenery is serene with easy access to the serene waves of the Philippine Sea and marine life.
- Pabirik Festival is a colourful event that takes place annually, where street dancing, local food, and demonstrations of gold-panning are observed.
- The old churches in the town especially the St. James the Apostle Parish Church are a monument to centuries of devotion and architecture.
- The local market is a feast to the senses, fresh fish, tropical fruits, and hand made items that show the creativity of the Bicolano.
Reason 03
Seasons to Travel
- Dry season (March to May) is the most conducive weather condition to go on a trip around the islands and visit beaches.
- The weather in this time is hot but not too humid and the temperatures are also not so hot that the heat is oppressing.
- During the dry seasons, calm seas mean that it is safe to take boats to the Calaguas Islands because the rough waves are unlikely to occur.
- Heavy rains and typhoons are likely to occur during the period between June and October and interfere with travel arrangements and reduce the duration spent on the beach.
- February and November are transitional months and provide cooler temperatures and lower number of crowds, which is ideal when doing cultural tours for holidays to Paracale.
- The rainy season usually produces green vegetation to the interior hills that provides a beautiful scenery to photo-hunters and nature enthusiasts.
Reason 04
Discover More
Local Market and Seafood
- Early-morning shoppers will be greeted by the market with stalls of freshly caught tuna, mackerel, and sardines.
- There are local suppliers of spices and sauces which go well with grilled fish and rice.
- There are also aromatic stalls in the market that are selling tropical fruits, root vegetables and hand made pottery.
- Vendors also discuss how to season seafood in the most optimal way and provide recipes that reflect the Bicolano tradition of food.
- Small snacks can be sampled by the tourists on the spot and experience the true local taste of the area.
- The open plan of the market allows communication and cultural interaction between the vendors and visitors.
Gold Panning, Pabirak Traditional
- Although the activities in mining are controlled, the town provides demonstrations on the old method of Pabirik gold panning.
- Tourists observe craftsmen searching silt to find shinning gold flakes.
- This process is based on patience, rhythm and profound respect to the gifts of earth.
- Local guides show how the technique changed throughout the course of the Spanish era and how it evolved.
- Visitors have a chance to pan, which used to be a livelihood of whole families.
- The presentation ends with a small hand-made gift, which is a cultural symbol of the community.
Local Beaches
- The more secluded areas of beach as per the town is a quiet retreat of sun-bathers and nature-lovers.
- The natural shade with soft sand, soft waves, and palm trees is a creation that attracts relaxation.
- During evenings, the residents come together and sit by the Philippine Sea to view the sunset and tell tales by fire.
- The coast is lined with small fishing boats which move over the water contributing to the picture beauty.
- Other pursuits such as kayaking are also common in the region which gives a special view of the coastline as it is reflected on the edge of the water.
- Families prefer to play in the sand, or to just walk down the beach, enjoying the serenity.
Proximity to Jose Panganiban (Regional)
- Jose Panganiban is only a short drive away which has a similar mining and cultural history with Paracales.
- Tourists have an opportunity to follow picturesque path which runs through the hilly areas with pine trees and green plantations.
- The town nearby has more gold-panning exhibitions and a small museum devoted to the mining history of the town.
- There is a common joint festival which unites the two towns and it is accompanied by traditional music and dance.
- Tourists can visit Jose Panganiban to have an extensive regional experience in addition to visiting Paracale.
- Freshwater streams that flow across the hills in the route also contribute to the adventure as it can be characterised by the beauty of nature.
Reason 05
Culture Traditions
- Bicolano is the language that prevails in the region, and the language that has tonality as well as expressive movements.
- Mining energies, fishing knowledge, and community togetherness are the ingredients that make the local community flourish.
- Festivals are accompanied by traditional music played on drums, guitars and the resonant strings of the bandurria.
- During festivals, Community kitchen gathers and the families prepare huge pots of Bicol Express and other delicacies of the community.
- Woven mats, embroidered shawls and carved wooden figures are the handicrafts which are sold in the market.
- Storeys of gold seekers and sea-magi are passed on by the elders and pride in the town is instilled.
Reason 06
Food Fun Fashion
Food
- One of the dishes that signify the affections of the region towards spice and hotness is the Bicol Express, a coconut milk pork stew.
- Pinangat or Laing is a Taro leaf dish in a creamy coconut sauce, which demonstrates the culinary adaptability of the local ingredients.
- The fresh seafood is fried or stewed using local spices and they are caught daily straight out of Philippine Sea and the taste is truly memorable.
- Pili nuts which are produced locally are made into sweet delicacies or garnishing to dishes that are crunchy.
- One purpose of visiting the street is to have one of the most common snacks, a kwek-kwek, boiled quail eggs wrapped in a bright orange batter, served with a splash of vinegar.
- As a dessert, the town has dessert called kakanin which are sticky rice cakes that are coated with coconut milk and sweet beans on top.
Fun
- The main adventure is island activities in the Calaguas, and the activities include snorkelling, kayaking, and beach picnics.
- Gold-mining sites can be visited by history lovers, where they can find out about gold-mining methods that once attracted the adventurers.
- The vibrant nature of the port encourages tourists to have a feast of fresh sea food by the sea and the waves as the musical accompaniment.
- Seasonal festivals are a combination of dance, music, and local cuisine, which enables a traveller to dive into.
- Hiking trails in the hills are ideal to those who enjoy being in the outdoors as they give a panoramic view of the coast, inland valleys.
- The low-key atmosphere in the town contributes to making the spontaneous communication with locals memorable and thus results in the cultural exchange during holidays to Paracale.
Fashion
- Cotton and linen are light materials that one needs to keep as the weather is hot and humid.
- Yet, swimwear, broad-brimmed hats, and rugged sandals are essential items needed to go out on the island and spend the day on the beach.
- The high SPF sunscreens are used to cover sensitive skin area against harsh tropical rays.
- Evening festivals require simple dresses or shirts with bright patterns which praise local art.
- It is also recommendable to wear comfortable walking shoes in case of visiting the port, mines or market stalls.
- The essentials are stored in a small backpack or a tote bag with hands being free to have more adventure.
Reason 07
Nature Safari
- Calaguas Islands have perfect coral reefs that support high populations of coloured fish, thus forming a colourful underwater scenery.
- The waves in the Philippine Sea are so friendly as they offer a playground to kayak and paddle-board.
- The hills inside the country are laden with minerals and this provides information on how the geological processes formed the veins of gold.
- Some high perspectives allow hearing the distant cry of native bird species, including the call of a Philippine eagle.
- Flora consists of coconut palm, mangroves and tropical shrubs in the region.
- The rains fall on the hills during the season turning them into green shining carpets which are a delight to hikers and even to nature photographers.
Reason 08
Events Fiestas
- The holidays to Paracales Pabirik Festival is an annual event held in February which commemorates the traditions of gold-mining in the town through dances and parades.
- At the festival, there are traditional tricks of gold-panning, which are demonstrated by the performers, who welcome the audience to observe the dexterity.
- On July $25^\text{th}$, the central celebration of the town is dedicated to St. James the Apostle, which is celebrated with Mass, processions and also common feasts.
- Local brass bands and folk bands play music on the streets to provide a vibrant communal environment.
- The town has vendors that sell handmade crafts, local delicacies and souvenirs, which contribute to the economy of the town.
- The fiestas end with a spectacular fireworks show along the sea that leaves long time memories to all the attendees.