Baao, Camarines Sur. The birthplace of the first Filipino bishop.

I always pass this town every time I go to Naga City or Manila because this town is just the neighboring town of my home city, the Iriga City. Actually, there’s not much of a tourist destination in this town. Baao is known as the egg and chicken producer of Bicol Region. There are several large chicken farms in this town.

Baao is typically an agricultural town. The major industry is rice farming, coconut, fish and poultry farming. There’s also a lake in this town, the Bula-Baao Lake. It is a small lake shared by the town of Bula and Baao. During summer months, when the water is at its lowest level, parts of the lake is being converted into rice farm and the fishermen became farmers. And then during the rainy season, these fishermen-turned-farmers returns back into their original work and will start using again their fish nets for fishing.

Baao Church

Baao Church

The town of Baao is one of the oldest towns in the Bicol region. It is also full of history. There are only few establishments in Baao that offers lodging or accommodation. Some of these are the Hotel Emelie, Lendes Tourists Inn and Baao Recreation Center. The Baao Recreation Center is the only resort that I know existing in Baao. There are no large restaurants in Baao or any fast food chain, but there are many small eateries located in downtown Baao. Some of the places to visit in Baao are the Bishop Barlin monument, the Baao Church and Baao Recreation Center.


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Baao Recreation Center rates

Baao Recreation Center

Baao Recreation Center

Bishop Jorge Barlin Monument

Sta. Monica Academy

Bishop Barlin birthplace marker

Hotel Emelie

Luis Dato monument

How to get to Baao:

By Plane:

Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines have several daily flights to Naga Airport, which is locally known in Bicol as Pili Airport. From Naga Airport, located in the town of Pili, you can ride a bus or a taxi bound for Iriga or Legazpi City and then get off at Baao. The town is about 45 minutes to 1 hour ride from the airport. The bus fare from Pili to Baao is 20 pesos. If you’re coming from Naga or Pili, you will be passing the forked road in Baao town going to downtown Baao and Iriga City. Just after the railroad crossing, turn left going to Iriga City, because if you turn right, that’s the road going to Nabua and Legazpi City.

By Bus:

From Manila, there are several buses bound to Bicol region. Ride a bus that is bound for Iriga City or Legazpi City and then get off at Baao.  If you’ll be riding a bus bound for Legazpi City or Tabaco City, be sure to ask the driver or the conductor if the bus will pass by downtown Baao because some buses will not pass downtown Baao and will just use the diversion road at Nabua town. The usual travel time from Metro Manila to Baao is 8 to 10 hours. There are a number of bus terminals in Cubao, Quezon City, that have buses bound for Iriga City, Legazpi City and Tabaco City. There are also bus terminals in Pasay City, near Pasay Rotonda.

By Train:

The PNR has a regular train schedule for the Manila-Ligao City route. The train departs at Tutuban Station in Manila every 6pm and 8:30pm and arrives at Ligao City at around 6am the next day. Ride the train and get off at Baao. The last station is Ligao City station which is 45 minutes away from Iriga City so be sure to get off at Baao. The usual travel time is 10 to 12 hours.