Bagasbas and Daet: beachtown potential

I already posted about my recent trip to Bagasbas beach in Daet, Camarines Norte and how it brought me back to a long forgotten place of wonder, when I first learned of the sea and its raging, waving glory.  That visit also got me thinking about the potential of Bagasbas (and Daet) as a beachtown or city.

Imagine a thriving city literally by the sea, with a long boardwalk teeming with not just the usual tourist draws of restaurants and souvenir shops, but also with the essentials of daily life: a butcher shop, school, grocery store, bakery, barbershop, offices, even low-rise apartments!!!

My only memory of such a place was in San Sebastian, Spain in 2004–fantastic beachside living, home of some of the world’s best chefs, and great tourism income for the locals.   The beach would be overflowing with sunbathers during the day (parang langgam sa dami ng tao! we literally had to zigzag our way through hundreds of people on the beach and make do with a teeny tiny spot to lay down our beach towels!), and at night, you’d see all sorts of people walking by the beach, which was a good few steps down from the road, and by the boardwalk, which was elevated by almost two storeys if I remember right.   The city even installed spotlights on two mini islands that are seen from the shore–what a winner! Behind it all though was a real city, progressive and populous.

Can it be done here?  Think Boracay with the beachfront allure PLUS a whole magnificent, active town behind it.

Daet is a slow, sleepy town, and is touted as the gateway to Bicolandia…

…but it has its own charms that make it worth it as a destination by itself (of course I’m very biased–my dad grew up here–so that’s my disclaimer).

Times bakery–home of the best buttered pandesal ever! We always order a boxful to bring home to Manila (think microwave-size box), and it never fails to impress!

Bagasbas is already gaining ground as a surfer’s destination…

…why not push the envelope further and develop a walking, biking beach culture that is integrated into a bigger, bustling provincial lifestyle?

a pretty rice field

it’s an imported cow!

stitched 180-degree view of Bagasbas beach from the lifeguard tower

More on this later…

Things to remember for visitors to Daet (reposted from Revisting Bagasbas: my first beach):

• Bagasbas is about 3km from the town center of Daet, capital of Camarines Norte in Bicol.   You can take a tricylce, kalesa, or bike from the Sentro.   Imagine biking to the beach from your house early in the morning! Fantastic!
• Although it is being primed for surfing, the current in Bagasbas is really strong and has been known to take lives.  Be 1000% on your guard if you do decide to swim.  Better careful than sorry.
• Seair launched twice-weekly flights to Daet (via the Bagasbas airport) in 2008, but I checked their website just now–seems the flights have been discontinued.  You can call SEAIR to make sure:  +63 2 8490100 / 84901999
• The Seair page on general travel tips and hotel recommendations in Daet gives a good overview of what to expect and is comprehensive enough.
• A missed beachfront restaurant that has been a staple for as long as I can remember is Leo’s.  Their buttered chicken is THE BEST!!!
• A new beachfront hotel looks promising– Catherine’s. Right beside the airport, it has a pool and uses container vans for rooms (a la CWC).
• The most recommended hotel of the moment (according to my relatives who live in Daet) in the town center is Prime Suites, next to the Central Plaza.  New rooms, good rates.
• Jollibee Daet is open 24 hours–yahooo!
• DO NOT MISS: buttered pandesal in Times bakery near the town plaza.

View more pictures of my Holy Week trip to Bagasbas and Daet on flickr.