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Donsol

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Donsol is in Sorsogon.

[edit] Understand

[edit] Get in

By plane from Manila to Legaspi then by public van or private pick-up to Donsol.

By land from Manila via bus direct to donsol (daily) or via Legaspi.

[edit][add listing] See

  • Whale Sharks. Whale sharks, locally known as butanding, gather in the area six to nine months a year (November - June), with the numbers peaking from March to April. The largest fish in the world can grow up to 12 meters in length, and weigh many tons. They're considered a vulnerable species, and are protected in the Philippines. The first recorded sightings of baby whalesharks (under 24 inches) worldwide were recorded in 2009 in Donsol.
  • Fireflies. One of the few places in the world that holds night time firefly tour. Fireflies light up entire trees, giving off a serene scene. This can be done at the Donsol River or at the Ogod River.
  • Donsolanos. The townspeople are a very particular people. If you want to experience the life of the and walk among the locals, the town is the best place to stay.

[edit][add listing] Do

The Giddy's Place Dive Resort (listed in the sleep section) also offers a good range of activities like Diving, and it the only dive shop and resort open year round.

  • Whale Shark Interaction [1] Swimming with whale sharks. Register at the Visitor's Center located at Barangay Dancalan. Shark watchers are assigned a Butanding Interaction Officer and have to follow strict guidelines
  • Scuba Diving is a popular actitivity here, and there is a handful of operators available:
    • Fundive Asia, ☎ +63 (906) 8016852 (). Accepts credit card payments  edit
    • Frontier Scuba, (), [3]. Leads guided whale shark tours every year from February to May with experienced naturalists as guides. Tours start in Manila and include domestic flights, resort accommodation and meals.  edit
  • D'SPA is the only full service Spa in Donsol and the surrounding towns and is attached to Giddy's Place. This is another activity to add to your vacation in Donsol. You have a lot of options including scrubs, body, foot and stone massages. Accepts credit cards.

[edit][add listing] Buy

There is no ATM in the town and it is difficult to change money, so cash up before heading to Donsol. The nearest ATM is an hour away in Legaspi. To exchange Euros or US dollars, ask at Amor Resort or Hernandez Guest House, but the rate can be more than 10% less than the official one (teling you false numbers on rates in Legaspi). Alternatively in a pinch you can purchase meals and avail of accommodations and activities at Giddy's Place using a credit card.

[edit][add listing] Eat

  • Butanding Bar & Restaurant, Clemente street (Attached to Giddy's place). Open until 1AM. Popular for it's icy cold beer, mixed drinks, good food, good music and well-stocked bar and separate video karaoke area. One of the few places to eat past early dinner time. Free WiFi. Accepts credit cards.  edit
  • Casa Bianca Resto and Grill. is one of the restaurants in Donsol that serve hotel-standard foods yet in affordable prices. The "Flaming Chicken" was the highlight for 2009 season and it was the only and had be the first (if ever some would mimic) restaurant in Donsol that served Flaming Chicken, Baguio Rolls, Chicken en Whirlmeat Cheese and so on. The vast verandas, which face the sea, on the sunset building at Casa Bianca Beach Resort has been used for romantic dinners as well.  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

  • Amor Farm Beach Resort, Dancalan, ☎ +63 910-476217 (). Amor Farm Beach Resort has a nicely landscaped garden with a lot of nice places to share a beer. Attached restaurant has an ok menu. It is walking distance from the butanding visitor's center. Airconditioned rooms (king-size bed, en suite toilet and bath) - Php 1,500. Fan room (1 single bed and 1 double bed, en-suite toilet and bath) - Php 1,000..  edit
  • Donsol Bay Resort, Gimagaan, (+63) 0935 965 7840, [donsolbayresort@gmail.com]. Airconditioned room + daily breakfast for 2 pax. (1 double bed and 1 single bed, toilet & bath, balcony) - Php 1,800. (1 double bed, toilet & bath, balcony) - Php 1,500. Family room (2 bedrooms, 1 toilet & bath, balcony) - Php 2,500. Villas Room (2 double bed,toilet & bath, kitchen, balcony)- Php 2,000. Restaurant, swimming pool, dive shop, souvenir shop, shuttle service free use for the guest from resort to Donsol town proper
  • Giddy's Place Dive Resort, Clemente Street, ☎ +63 (917) 813-2494 and +63 (2) 425-2627 (), [4]. checkin: 2PM; checkout: 12NN. Only opened in April 2009, so provides quite modern amenities and up-to-date facilities, and it's the only resort open year round. All rooms except the cheap 500 Php backpacker rooms are air-conditioned with individual bathrooms and hot water. They also have a swimming pool and a rooftop bar, and the only dive shop open the whole year round (others are closed June to November). They also offer ATV and Kayak tours, Shrimp Catching and night time firefly boat trips through the mangroves of Ogod River. Free WiFi. Php 500-2,500 (Family rooms 4,000), All rates inclusive of breakfast. accepts credit cards..  edit
  • Hernandez Guest House. Php 400. Located in the downtown, this is a budget option with basic rooms (shared bath and toilet) close to a busy street. You can get to the Visitors Center in by 5 minutes/Php 15 per head tricycle ride.
  • Vitton Beach Resort, Dancalan, 09279126313, 09216904399, and +63 0921 929 3811. [buenaagua@yahoo.com]. Php 3000. Directly next to the Butanding center. Considered to be the nearest place to stay in the area near the jump-off point for whale shark interaction.

[edit] Get out

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