Calabanga

Understand

Calabanga is a prosperous municipality in Camarines Sur province. It is a major supplier of fish and other marine products, as well as agricultural products, in the province and in Manila. Mount isarog and Bicol River are popular tourist spots.

History The town's origins are shrouded in legends and folk tales, but some facts seem to have survived: In 1578 when the Qipayo Roman Catholic mission was established, forming a parish, Calabanga was no more than a neighborhood. At that time, the place had vast forests and swamps and an abundance of wildlife such as monkeys, wild chickens and forest lizards. Since then it grew, and became a town in 1749, when it was separated from Quipayo, which no longer exists except as a historical site. Calabanga keeps developing and is slated to attain city status.

Getting there

By plane There are no flights to Calabanga. However there is an airport 40 minutes away. It is the Naga Airport in Barangay San Jose, Pili.

By land An 8-hour trip from Manila to Naga City.

By sea There are daily trips from Cabusao, Tinambac, Siruma, and Sipocot via boat, and Seasonal trips from Mercedes, Daet in Camarines Norte and Camaligan, Canaman and Libmanan.

See

1 Harubay Falls, Harobay. A cascade on the slopes of Mount Isarog (updated Jun 2026) 2 Quipayo Church (Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish Church), National Highway, Quipayo. A Spanish-era Roman Catholic church. (updated Jun 2026) 3 Our Lady of La Porteria Parish Church, National Highway, San Francisco. A Spanish-era Roman Catholic church in downtown Calabanga. (updated Jun 2026) 4 Hinulid Church, San Miguel. A small religious shrine hosting an image of the dead Christ (Santo Entierro). It is a popular pilgrimage spot in Bicol, particularly during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. (updated Jun 2026) 5 Cabgan Island. (updated Jun 2026) 6 Kawit Island. (updated Jun 2026)

Do

Explore the new fish pond near Bagacay in Tinambac Hike in Barangay Harubay Fishing

Buy

There are a couple of shopping areas in the town:

1 LCC Calabanga, National Highway, San Francisco. (updated Jun 2026) 2 Calabanga Public Market, Pagatpat Road, San Isidro. (updated Jun 2026) 3 Puregold Calabanga, Pagatpat Road, San Isidro. (updated Jun 2026) 4 Bichara Mall, National Highway, San Antonio. (updated Jun 2026) 5 Angena Trading, National Highway, San Antonio. (updated Jun 2026) 6 CitiTrends, National Highway, San Antonio. (updated Jun 2026)

Eat

Top rated:

Nikko's Kinalas, Santa Cruz Ratay Mamay's, Poblacion Pizza hut, LCC Mall Nilabay: by chef Mosj, Pagatpat Mister Donut (2 branches Poblacion)

Drink & nightlife

There are several bars in the town, including the Barangay of Sabang.

Sleep

San Bernardino Hotel Cates Resort Nesting Place Sophie's place (Canaman)