The cave's main entrance
Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave is a multi-level cavern of natural limestone situated at the village of Cotmon in Camalig, Albay. It was discovered during the Japanesse occupation and has since become one of the most popular and easily accessible caves in Albay. The gentle and breezy wind that blows through the numerous openings of the cave gave birth to its name Hoyop-Hoyopan which was derived from the vernacular word “hoyop” which means to blow.
No Dating!?
The cave was our 4th stop when I was guiding my balikbayan relatives around the sights in Albay. After our visit to Mayon Skyline, we headed straight to the town of Camalig via Sabloyon Road. It was nearly 4 in the afternoon when we finally reached the cave but we still had enough time to do the guided tour. It takes around 11 hours to fully explore its entire 3 levels – I guess I’ll have to leave that for another trip, when I have the right gear and right preparation.
Concrete steps near the main entrance
The walk through the cave was rather pleasant. It was cool and well-ventilated, hence the lack of reeking stench of guano like in many caves I have visited. Concrete steps are mounted at the rear of the main entrance and incandescent light bulbs are strategically placed around the cave, making it easy for the visitors to navigate the area. Some sections have puddles of water which make the pathways a bit slippery. Except for some tight squeezes through narrow passages and a bit of scrambling over some narrow sections, exploring the cave was as breezy as the place itself.
Small puddles of water can be found in some sections of the cave.
The interesting stalactites and stalagmites, and the engaging story behind each one from our jolly guide were great sources of entertainment for us. He seemed to have a talent for seeing odd and amusing shapes in the rock formations and was very informed about the history of the cave. After a fair bit of walking, we emerged into a wide open-space with a round concrete platform installed in the middle. Apparently this chamber, called the dance hall by the locals, has been used for special events in the past as well as a sanctuary for the devastating typhoons that frequent the region.
Mano po
There are small species of bats hanging from the roof of the cave while the surrounding wall has some deposits of shiny crystals that glisten when struck by light. We ended our tour resting on the concrete benches near one of the exit points while enjoying the view of the green surroundings. Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave was developed during the Marcos reign. The cave and its surrounding property is now privately owned and managed by three families.
The Dance Hall
The normal cave tour is probably too sanitized and tame for serious spelunkers and those who have explored well-known caves like Lumiang Cave in Sagada or the Under Ground River in Palawan. The more adventurous ones, however, can venture further beyond the usual tour and opt for the 11-hour exploration. But if you are on your way to Legaspi City to see Mayon, to Donsol Sorsogon to see the whale sharks or simply sight-seeing around Albay, this place would make a worthwhile side trip.
BITS AND INFO
Souvenir stall near the the entrance of the cave
1. Tour guide fee is 100 pesos, inclusive of one lamp. Additional 300 pesos if you want to turn on the lights inside the cave.
2. Parking space is available and the fee is 25 pesos.
3. Raw crystals and some native products are available for sale. Prices depend on the size of the crystal stone ranging from 50- 500 pesos.
4. Take note of the time of the last trip for public transport from barangay Cotmon back to Camalig proper if you are visiting late in the afternoon. You may inquire at the terminal of jeepneys and tricycles.
5. For those who want to do some serious spelunking, the nearby Calabidongan Cave offers more challenges and adventure.
How to get to Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave
By Public Transport
From Legaspi City, ride a bus en route to Naga City or jeepney en route to the town of Guinobatan or Polangui. Get off at Camalig town proper. From Naga City, ride any bus en route to Legaspi, Tobaco or Sorsogon and get off at Camalig town proper.
Then head to Camalig Market. From here, you may ride a jeepney bound for Barangay Cotmon and tell the driver to drop you off at the entrance of Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave. You may also hire a tricycle to take you there and back but it will be more expensive than taking the jeepney. You may ride a jeepney or tricycle from Barangay Cotmon back to Camalig proper near the entrance of the cave.
By Private Car
Camalig is about 30-minute drive from Legaspi City and about 2-hour drive from Naga City along the National Highway. From Camalig town proper, it is another 20 minute drive from the turnout to Barangay Cotmon. Some sections of the road aren’t paved yet but are manageable even for light vehicles. Look for the sign of Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave or ask the locals.
The place looks really interesting. At least you could go inside the cave without needing huge-ass equipment. Thanks for the tips, would love to go there one day.
Yep, don’t miss this one if you’re around Albay, it’s very accessible and easy to explore
i had learn a lot of knowledge here, ng pumunta kmi!!!!!!!!thank u sa info……png dagdag sa assignment…………..
i should have made a side trip here when i went to legaspi. but on the other hand, it’s discouraging. i couldn’t bring a date! hehehehe
Hahaha, pwede naman magsama ng date, boyfriend at asawa, wag lang maging too lovey-dovey sa loob
ate gusto ko man mag pa hoyop hoyopan gurang na basang ako sa albay di pa ko naka abot iyan da kaya ako kaiba,,,, ibanan mo man daw ako minsan,,,
Masyado ka kasing busy, this summer let’s try the 11-hour exploration if it’s allowed already or go to the nearby Calabidongan Cave.
Uy mukhang kaya ko tong cave na to ah, it doesn’t look as daunting as the ones in Sagada =)
Kahit mga tsikiting pwedeng-pwede, parang walk in the park lang yan.
since Ive seen the caves in Sagada, marunong nako maka-appreciate ng caves! I love this one. So enchanting. Yun lang sayang bawal mag-date.. hehe Sacred?
Hindi sacred yan, iba yata ang meaning ng date na ito, alam mo naman ang ibang mga visitors baka may ginagawang milagro sa loob ng caves
syempre pwede naman magsama ng kahit sino, natuwa lang ako sa sign na yan 
It looks really nice Claire, but I was thrown off by the concrete paths
You’re right, I much prefer the ones in Sagada, those that require you to use all your limbs to explore 
Meron din extreme side ang Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave para sa mga gusto ng extra challenge, 11 hours of spelunking
hayskul pa ako nung last ako nagpunta jan. ayan! salamat sa commuting direction, balikan ko yan pagnakauwe ako ths year!
Oo nga, daan ka muna bago diretso ng Sorsogon
anlaki ng cave.. kakaiba… nakakatuwa naman yung no dating allowed na policy hehe … bakt kaya?
curious din ako dyan Flip
sana di nila kinukuha yung raw crystals…. dapat bawal hawakan yung stalagmites.
sad
Magandang suggestions yan sa mga rules, better than no dating allowed
ikaw ba yung merong headlight sa noo with orange damit pangitaas? i just realized instead of random visiting your site i will go alphabetically starting with Albay
Yep that’s me po with the headlight
ang ganda dyan
wow! ang ganda nya! i want to visit this too!
wow..di ko alam ganyan pala kalaki sa loob..akala ko ang liit lang pero 11 hours? never been here and im asking a friend this january..hope to really visit this sooner..pero i heard pinatangal na yung ilaw..nakakasira daw ng natural beauty ng cave.
Good to know that, enjoy your visit
wanna go there!!!!!