CANDELARIA, QUEZON: Travel Guide

This hidden gem has stolen my heart, and I’m about to spill the beans on the top reasons why you should make it your next travel escapade. 

The town of Candelaria is a landlocked municipality of Quezon Province. Sharing the foothills of Mt. Banahaw and Mt. Cristobal, the tourism potential of the town is indeed beckoning. The hinterlands feature farm landscapes plus cooler climates and the lowlands feature lush agritourism destinations dotted with myriad choices of accommodations and dining destinations. It is a usual stop to break the arduous journey from Manila to the Bicol Region. With many connections available, traveling to Candelaria has proven to be convenient. If you are just passing by this town, you might want to extend your stay and spend a longer exploration experience and marvel at the glorious and magical beauty of Candelaria. Here are 9 destinations and experience you should try while in the town:

Annual Candle Festival of Candelaria

To further deepen their devotion and faith to the Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, they hold the annual Candle Festival between January and February with myriad of festivities and activities. During its 20th year, we got to marvel at their Marian Devotion segment where a Grand Streetdance parade and Showdown at their church patio. With the immediate area splattered in green, this year’s color theme, the performances ignited the crowd’s attention and surely gave the official judges a tough job.

Bangihan ni Kuya

Bangihan means Grilling Station, and from the name itself means grilled goodness! Located at Bypass Road, it offers its guests straight-to-the-point Boodle Menu choices perfect for groups. We are able to try their Boodle 2 and 3 Menu featuring grilled seafood, and side dishes like their kangkong atchara and pork barbecue. The grill restaurant features open-air dining halls and huts, a spacious parking space, an in-house cafe, and interactive sections such as its playground and balconies. It operates daily from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Best to try their seafood choices. Locally sourced, hence, assured freshness. I love the plump shrimps skewered and grilled to perfection. This is a highly recommended restaurant in the town of Candelaria.


Uma Verde Organic Farm and Junedel Secret Spot

Uma Verde Organic Farm is a farm sanctuary for those seeking an escape into a serene agritourism site. The farm complex is a green haven where tranquility, organic farming, and sustainability go hand in hand. A game-changing farm staycation experience at Junedel Secret Spot they offer is staying at their loft-style rooms above a stenchless piggery. Yes, you read it right a piggery without foul odor. Personally encountered the area and it is such. Only the characteristic snorts of the pigs make it evidently a piggery. The rooms feature double deck beds and a private toilet and shower room. The farm staycation also features dipping pools for adults and kids that use only freshwater that fills up only for 3 days. The Uma Verde Farm is also a training and assessment center of TESDA for agriculture-related courses. 

Aquawood Garden Restaurant Hotel Resort

Modern architecture and heartfelt hospitality right in the heart of Candelaria town that exudes a luxurious escape. This is one of the modern-style accommodations of choice in the town and is strategically located along the main highway. Its facade features a unique slanted balcony configuration that catches attention. The reception hall features a long slender crystalline chandelier that welcomes you at the entrance and a lounge area with plush seats. The hotel features multiple swimming pools and villas as well to cater to larger groups. Surrounded by curated ornamental plants, it is my favorite spot to lounge. Room rates start at Php1,998.

Coco Deli Vegetarian Snack House

Coco Deli is a culinary haven where vegetarian and farm-to-table delights take center stage. Their Lettuce Hydroponics system would welcome you in their front yard surrounded by strawberry plants. The snack house dining hall features an immersive dining hall complex decorated with vines and ornamentals. What is striking is their vertical mushroom farm that you can actually view from the main dining hall.

We are able to try their Lettuce Chips, the Salad, and their 3-ways oyster mushroom prepared in sisig, tapa, and tocino style. My takeaways are the Lettuce Chips that tasted fresh and its crispy texture despite being drenched in their rich mayonnaise-based sauce. The tocino and tapa mushrooms are my top favorites. The deep savory flavors are embedded in every fibre and each bite releases the flavors coating my palate. The snack house can comfortably house about 30 pax. It operates from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM. From savory snacks to sweet treats, each dish is a celebration of local, fresh ingredients. The menu caters to diverse tastes, making it a must-visit for food enthusiasts and health-conscious travelers alike.

  • Address: Barangay Malabanban Sur, Candelaria, Quezon Province 
  • Email: info@coco-deli.com

Jijf Lutong Bahay ni Inay Restaurant

Jijf Lutong Bahay ni Inay is the epitome of Filipino Cuisine in Candelaria. Famous for their Crispy Pata that is tender inside yet crispy outside in every serving. Both branches exude the same warm and welcoming ambiance with pocket gardens and wooden furnishings, the hearty meals are served freshly cooked, and authentic Filipino flavors create a dining experience that feels like a comforting embrace from home.

San Pedro Bautista Parish

Photo from Wikimedia Commons

It is hard to miss the church since it is strategically located fronting the Municipal Hall. The structure features a twin bell tower topped with a tetrahedral spire. Stepping into the San Pedro Bautista Parish felt like a journey in the deep devotion of the locals to the Nuestra Señora de Candelaria and San Pedro Bautista. The very church stands as a testament to Candelaria’s rich religious history. One must explore the spacious church patio surrounded by towering trees, feel the echoes of the past, and immerse yourself in the religious heritage of this charming town.

Jade and Jillians’ House of Pies: Mango Pie

Candelaria’s culinary scene extends to its desserts and pastries, and the mango pie of Jade and Jillian’s House of Pies is a must-try. Being at the crossroads between the National Capital Region and Bicol Region, the town of Candelaria gets to be a stopover place and the Mango Pies is a frequented choice of travelers and commuters. The flaky pastry features a savory and bitey texture and the sweet mango filling is the rockstar. The sweet tangy slivers of ripe mango meat would make you down much more than a single serving. Their store is strategically located in front of Jollibee Poblacion Branch in Candelaria. The Mango Pies sell like pancake hence it is best to call ahead of time for their stock availability.


Girasoles Farm and Restaurant

Photo from Will Explore PH & The World

The love of ornamental plants and vegetable cultivation led the agripreneur partners Rudy and Mavivian to transform a one-hectare land into a sprawling vibrant blaze of petal glory. From golden sunflowers that splatter the farm with warmth embrace, the Girasoles Farm has grown into an agritourism destination in Candelaria town and offers relaxing farm experiences. Moreover, the farm spurred a microeconomy where the employment and tourism ecosystem thrived. You can purchase different potted blooms such as dwarf sunflowers, petunias, 

Activities you can do apart from visiting are dining at their restaurant, scheduling a photoshoot for prenuptial or birthdays, marvel the larger-than-life installations such as the hot air balloon or lounge at their multileveled modern-style barn. 

A perfect spot for nature lovers and Instagram enthusiasts, Girasoles Farm is a sunflower paradise waiting to be explored.

How to go to Candelaria: 

From NCR via Public Transportation: Buendia and PITX

  • Take any Lucena-Bound Bus takes around 4 hours
  • Alight at Candelaria

From Bicol via Public Transportation

  • Take any Manila-bound bus
  • Alight at Candelaria 

Once at Candelaria, you can charter a tricycle to bring you around. 

Via Private Vehicle, you can Waze your destination or use Google Maps 

  • From Metro Manila: Take the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and continue onto the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR Tollway). Exit at Ibaan Interchange, and then head towards Rosario. From Rosario, take the Maharlika Highway (AH26) towards Candelaria. This route bypasses the usual traffic in San Pablo City, Laguna, and Lipa City, Batangas.

Airport

Nearest Access: Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)

  • From NAIA, take a taxi to PITX or Buendia. From there, take buses bound to Lucena and alight at Candelaria.

Alternative Air Access: Naga Airport (Direct Flights from Cebu with Cebu Pacific | Monday Wednesday Friday Sunday)

  • From Naga, take tricycle to Naga Central Terminal.
  • Take Manila bound bus and alight at Candelaria

It is recommended to visit the Municipal Help Desk at the Ground Level of their Municipal Hall during Official Business Hours for concerns and inquiries.

Basic Statistics About Candelaria Municipality:

  • Candelaria is a first-class municipality in Quezon province.
  • It has a growing population, with a diverse mix of cultural influences.
  • The municipality is strategically located, making it accessible for both local and international travelers.
  • Candelaria is emerging as a key player in Quezon Province’s tourism, with a significant increase in tourist arrivals in recent years.

Emerging Tourism Destinations in Candelaria:

  • Aside from the popular attractions mentioned, emerging destinations include [mention any new spots, developments, or upcoming projects.
  • The local government is actively promoting sustainable and eco-friendly tourism initiatives to preserve the natural beauty of the town.

Candelaria town is a multifaceted gem that deserves a spot on every traveler’s itinerary. From cultural/religious celebrations to natural wonders and culinary delights, it is a destination that caters to diverse interests. So, what are you waiting for? Let Candelaria’s charm embrace you, and embark on a journey that promises to be nothing short of magical. Safe travels!

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