Brgy. Bucari, located in the mountains of Leon, is known as Iloilo’s little Baguio because of the cool climate and highland attractions that most people tag with places found in the northern part of the country such as Baguio and even Benguet. But unlike what is currently happening to those places, Bucari is still much endowed with verdant landscapes, tall pine trees, pristine springs, and even bountiful harvests from its rice terraces.
Sitio Camandag surrounded by rice terraces at the foot of Mr. Agua Colognia
The river sandwiched by green mountain terraces
Bucari is an excellent destination during the dry season since it offers an escape from the summer heat with temperatures reported to drop to as low as 15 degrees Celsius. If that’s not enough, one can visit Sitio Camandag for a dip in its natural cold springs and a view of waterfalls.
Imoy Falls and the natural cold spring in Sitio Camandag
Pictureque view of waterfalls
Because of Bucari’s mountainous terrain, farmers grow their crops at the sides of hills and mountains in rice terraces their ancestors have cultivated centuries since. The climate in Bucari is suitable for growing rice and high-value crops such as fruits and vegatables. Better not forget to taste the towns most prized crop, its mangoes, which holds the reputation of being the sweetest in the the province and a staunch rival of Guimaras’ mangoes.
Vegetables grown in rice terraces
Thriving cabbage patches in Bucari
Another culinary attraction in Leon is their delicacy called “Linagpang.” Linagpang is basically grilled native chicken, which is then sautéed in garlic, onions, and mashed tomatoes. Once cooked, a special soup, eggs, and other ingredients are added to complete the delicious treat.
Grilled Native Chicken
The delicious Linagpang of Leon
GMA TV Show, “Jessica Soho Report” once feauted Brgy. Bucari Leon in one of their episodes. Click the play button below to watch the Bucari episode of Jessica Soho Report.
The campsite in Bucari is located in Sitio Tabionan, where a picturesque view of tall pine trees and wild flowers could be found. At night, the temperature in Tabionan further drops and an exciting scene of fireflies can been seen as they dance and give light to the darkness. There are no hotels or resorts in Bucari, one can opt to bring a tent and cook their own food or arrange for accommodations through the municipal tourism officers in charge.
Tall Pine Trees at Sitio Tabionan
Leisurely lying on the Picnic Tables in Tabionan Campsite
To get to Bucari, ride a “San Miguel” jeepney in the Jaro Big Market and tell the driver to drop you off at the terminal where the Leon jeepneys are parked (15 to 20 minutes). Once there ride a “Leon” jeepney, which will drop you off in the Leon public plaza (15 to 20 minutes). Ask around to find out where the jeepneys bound for Bucari are stationed and tell the driver to drop you off in Brgy. Bucari (45 minutes to 1 hour).
Rough road going to Bucari
A challenging trek from Sitio Camandag to Sitio Tabionan, one can opt to ride the jeepney if available
There is usually one jeepney leaving for Bucari every hour from 7am to 3pm. The last trip to Leon town proper leaves Bucari at around 2pm to 3pm. If you do not wish to spend the night in Bucari, I highly suggest to reach Leon Town Proper as early as 7am so that you can catch the last trip at 2pm and reach the city at around 4 to 5pm. Be sure to inform the tourism office in Leon before embarking on your trip to Bucari so that they can help you plan your trip well.
Leon Tourism Office Contact Details:
Contact Person: Ma. Annaliza Camago, Municipal Tourism Officer
Landline No.: (+63)(033)3310036.
Click Here to View more Pictures of Bucari, Leon.
32 Comments
wow what a good pix you’ve got here! the other pix look like a famous rice terraces of Benguet! how unfortunate i am that i haven’t visited Bucari yet! to think that i came from leon, specifically from Buga! hopefully i could visit the place when i go back home!
Kudos to all Leonians for a great place and great people! Padayon!
ey meg, anu surname mo??? kc u look familiar….nways my parents are from leon but i was born cavite but i usually visit leon since my dad died 10 yrs ago, i even graduated from cpu kc have to stay with my mom after my dad died….nway tabat-calasagsag relative ko.. nway in regards to this site leon da best…..even i have the heart of a caviteno since i was born in cavite still im ilonggo in blood…….tumandok sa leon parents ko and im proud of it…
Bucari is not discovered yet by the international tourists so to speak. Once they get this access…I’ll be darned , tourists will come to Leon like the bugs from the nut hole. It’s true. I have the reason why I posted this site in my profile to help and promote Iloilo City, Philippines. God bless us all, and Cheers!!
See Boracay Island? Now look, Boracay rocks now, and nobody thinks it will happen. And it happened. There’s a possibility that Bucari would be the next Boracay in the near future. Good luck!
Why go to Baguio or Banawe pa e meron pala tayo dito sa Leon? The scenes are breathtaking really! Sana makapunta ako diyan, sabay hanap na rin ng mga kamag-anak diyan probabaly sa poblacion. Taga Leon ang nanay ng lolo ko na tatay ni mamu/lola sa tuhod.
been to bucari for a couple of times, and its gorgeous out there, so quite and solemn, i like the fireflies at night you thought its another constellation of stars that have not discovered yet…my mom’s from buga leon…i like the mangoes too… :)
ahmm. really? My mom to is from buga..
bka magkamaganak tau.. :) ang ganda tlga ng bucari! sarap bumalik and sa pagbalik susulitin ko tlga..
I am very proud of this place..
A pride of all Ilonggo specially leonian…
Take good care of our mother nature…
GOD BLESS ILOILO………………
how to get there in bucari?im planning to go there next month.is it safe to go there?or is there a cottage to stay or to rent?
There is usually one jeepney leaving for Bucari every hour from 7am to 3pm. The last trip to Leon town proper leaves Bucari at around 2pm to 3pm. If you do not wish to spend the night in Bucari, I highly suggest to reach Leon Town Proper as early as 7am so that you can catch the last trip at 2pm and reach the city at around 4 to 5pm. Be sure to inform the tourism office in Leon before embarking on your trip to Bucari so that they can help you plan your trip well.
Leon Tourism Office Contact Details:
Contact Person: Ma. Annaliza Camago, Municipal Tourism Officer
Landline No.: (+63)(033)3310036.
is it safe to spend a night there?
I’ve asked the same question to the municipal tourism office and they said that it is safe to go to Bucari. Just to be sure, you can inform the tourism office about your visit beforehand so they can advice you about safety concerns during your trip
Thanks Marcos for updating this topic about Bucari and uploading the episode of Kapuso Mo, Jessica Sojo featuring Bucari as well as some products and delicacies of Leon, the hometown of my father. I missed that episode in TV. Featuring Bucari through the Internet or in TV programs will help attract tourists to visit the area, whose climate is similar to Baguio and other places in the Cordilleras. Until now I haven’t visited Bucari. According to my relatives who live in Barangay Avanzada in Leon, the place is really beautiful. Hopefully the local government as well as provincial and national governments will make an effort to preserve Bucari.
[re=59890]Ronnie Calumpita[/re]: You’re welcome :) Well, I hope with the attention that Bucari been getting, they will start developing the roads into the area. Not only will it benefit its tourism industry but it will improve the delivery of their agri products to the market.
BTW, I do not take credit for the video. I just grabbed it from you tube ;)
how will I go to Bucari if I will be coming from Miag-ao? Is there a direct public transport from Miag-ao, or do I need to go to the city first? thanks!
[re=60148]rein[/re]: I think you need to go to the city first unless you have a private car then you go could go directly to Leon from Guimbal
[re=60148]rein[/re]: There is an alternative way, from miag-ao, you can drop by to tigbauan caltex station.there’s a road from tigbauan shortcut to leon just around 10kms.You can take multi-cab or a jeepney from tigbauan to leon because i saw theres a jeepney from tigbauan to leon.You’ll be passing brgy.cordova, napnapan, then to brgy agboy, leon.
Wow, I show this site and the you tube to my aussie workmates and they are impress how beautiful my hometown is. It is also good to see Tay Molong (town mayor) in the video. I am hoping I can bring my ids and hubby ther next time on vacation.
[re=64367]bingkent[/re]: truly a fascinating place if terrorist would not spoil it. just be extra careful when you go there.
Yes, Iloilo is truly beautiful and i’m truly proud of it!
More good things to come as the city is fast developing into a metropolis!!!
Ilonggos let’s promote and take care of our beloved Hometown!!!
wow naman , makadto ko bala da sa bukari pag puli ko, sino masunod???
Uhmm.. Upod ko sa imo makadto didto karmoy..heheeh.. Nami na da mo, tour kita?heheh.. Galing nahadlok lng ko maglatay sa taytay nila kay kalawig.. Kung malakampuwas kna sa hanging bridge you will amazed the beauty of the nature falls.. Ang sarap maligo doon.. Sayang dati hndi kami nakapaligo jan, nagoutreach lng kasi kmi sa NSTP namin. Hope to be back there again in little bagiuo..
elow..
taga leon man ko,, architecture student.. 5th yr na,, kag ang thesis ko is development sang bucari.. i hope makabulig kmu by suggesting whats gud and not para sa bucari..
email nu ko.. melkie_villalobos@yahoo.com
This is something different in Iloilo. Bucari
Rough dirt roads from several points are the only way to travel to see a spectacular view in what we consider as our own summer destination but we need better roads and transportations. Bucari is inviting, charming, breathtaking and serene. It will attract domestic and foreign tourist. Transforming Bucari into a prime tourist destination could be just a dream. But that could be realized in a short time too if the local and national government would just put their heads together. I’m calling on the government to build concrete roads, parks and establish proper guidelines for future development. Politicians and Department of tourism cannot do this alone. Architects, engineers and environmental planners, master planners and other professionals are needed to achieve proper development and aesthetics. I am also calling on developers & private sectors to contribute in shaping to what could become as one of the best tourist destination in the country. I would like to see hotels, resorts, restaurants, a theme park (maybe), residential developments and a lot business in Bucari’s future. Let’s just develop what we have in Iloilo. This could generate income for local professionals, contactors and businesses
bucari dont really need big investors… im an architecture student and im working right now on my thesis entitled “bucari Highlands development”, a master plan of bucari..
the main principle of my proposal is that the locals will be the first to benefit in bucari’s gift. i dont want bucari to be the next BORACAY THAT HAS BEEN INVADED BY BIG INVESTORS, ALIENATED THE LOCALS BY MISPLANNING AND OVERDEVELOPMENT..
I was born in San Miguel, but was raised in Metro Manila. I have been living in the Metro since 5. I visited Bucari twice, 18 and 15 years ago, I think. It was recommended to me by my uncle who visited it in his youth. I remember the very cool climate and the waterfalls. There was also a school being run by missionaries, Americans I think. I remember asking one of the kids where he lived and he answered that he was from Antique, and that it took him three days hike to go to Bucari. I also saw a teenage caucasian girl, who spoke fluent kinaray-a. I also saw the locals drying coffee beans.
Are the pics above recent? It seems the place has been preserved well.
What a great place you have. That’s really a gift from God…as i saw sa inyo photos ang way pakadto sa Bucari is really difficult…but i know wonderful & beautiful attractions are waiting. Go on, improve your place, develop that well. You have a good views…!
Hello marcos. I just want to thank you for posting those pictures!!!! I was born in Bucari, and graduated at Bucari National High School. Now I am living in the U.S. and I really miss my homeland. My geat grandfather and his extended families pretty much own a big portion of land in Bucari. It is certainly a beautiful place; however, it needs help from the goverment before its ruined. I planted 150 pine tress before I left Bucari. When I went home 3 years ago, I was really saddend by the deforestation of the locals in order to have land for plantations. I wish that our goverment will continue to support the forestry preservation in Bucari, so in the future the next generations of the Philippines will be able to see the enchanting parts of our lands. MABUHAY!
i just want 2 correct camandag is a bgry not a sitio
pd kapamangkot sa naka balo? Kaya ayhan sakaon ang 125cc nga motor ang bucari? Bali e setup lang nga dirt bike?
thanks sa maka suggest, kay ga plan man ko mag ride pakadto dira.
Kag isa pa, wla pko ka kadto guid dira.
i like the pictures that you post….. i appreciate you the way you describe our place….i just want to correct that camandag is not a sitio of bucari..
I wish to be here…someday
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