The Kosta Alcantara Beach Resort is located between two rocky promontories at one end of the white, kilometer-long Marilima Beach. The residence of Severo Alcantara who retired here with his wife and opened it to the public a few years ago. The atmosphere of the resort is a reflection of the graciousness of Mr. Alcantara and his staff.

The house is surrounded by a garden where Mrs. Alcantara lovingly tends some magnificent species of orchids. The beach is bordered by coconut trees and the back of the resort leans against a hill, giving it an air somewhat of the Chocolate Hills of Bohol. The resort is made up of only one low concrete building, parallel to the beach. A large sheltered terrace on the ground floor, which occupies nearly the whole length of the building and ends with a bar. This sheltered terrace is largely open and offers a splendid view of the sea. You can see the elegant silhouette of Mayon Volcano and its neighbor, Bulusan Volcano, in the distance. At sunset, soft clouds which sometimes drape the volcanoes evoke the fragility of a Japanese etching.

The locally inspired furniture, the bar and the covering of certain walls, are made largely from the beautiful speckled anahaw wood. The interior decor exudes a sober elegance, reinforced by the gray-pink tone of the floor tiles. Overlooking the terrace, which is transformed into a dining room during meal-times, are two rooms with a view of the garden at the back. On the first floor, linked by a gallery over-looking the terrace, are four other rooms. These are quite charming, largely due to the sloping ceiling covered with anahaw leaves intertwined to form overlapping fans. These rooms with pretty blue flooring have simple, dark wood furniture. The only inconvenience is that there is only one adjoining bathroom to be shared by two rooms.

At low tide, the sand is laid bare for miles as the water recedes; you have to walk quite far out to swim, At high tide, however, the waves roll at the foot of the terrace, completely covering the shore. Visitors sometimes come to rent the huts on the beach for a couple of hours.

It is possible to explore the surrounding countryside on foot, with tricycle or by a car belonging to the resort. You can also hire a banca to discover the rocky coast and the other bays rimmed with turquoise waters.

How to get there

By air and land, 75-minute daily flights on Asian Spirit from Manila to Virac, 35 minutes by car from Virac airport to the resort.

By air, land, sea, 55-minute daily flight on PAL from Manila to Legaspi, 1 hour by bus from Legaspi. 4 hours by ferry from Tabaco to Virac.