Travel Guide: Legazpi City
A progressive city by the bay nested in the backdrop of the Philippines’ most beautiful yet active volcano – Mt. Mayon, dubbed as the world’s most perfect cone, is Legazpi City.
The capital of the Province of Albay and regional hub for Bicolandia, Legazpi City beckons everyone with its amazing scenery, natural wonders, delicious cuisines and delicacy, and lovely people.
But Legazpi City not only boasts of its own attractions, it also serves as gateway to the province and the region’s amazing destinations. Trek the trails of Mt. Mayon; dip in the hot springs of Tiwi; rekindle the volcano’s tragic past at Cagsawa Ruins; experience adventure and the best view of the city at Lignon Hill; enjoy the sun, sea and sand of Misibis Bay; discover the unspoiled white sand beaches of Cagraray, San Miguel and Rapu Rapu; be amazed with the black sandy beaches of Bacacay; visit the province’s old churches and structures; enjoy the cold water of its countless waterfalls; or explore its beautiful hidden caves.
If these do not excite you, go further south, swim with the whale sharks of Donsol, see the other virgin beaches and hidden treasures of Sorsogon, dive in Manta Bowl and hop to the islands of Masbate, try wake-boarding in Naga, head on and be mesmerized in Caramoan Peninsula, surf in Catanduanes and Daet, or fall in love with Calaguas.
Truly, Bicol is the land of beauty and wonders, and in the middle of it all is Legazpi City, your gateway to Bicolandia!
How to Get There
By Air
There are daily flights from Manila to Legazpi City. Airlines servicing this route are Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Airphil Express. It is approximately one hour flight.
Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific and Airphil Express also fly to the city from Cebu.
By Bus
Bus lines from Metro Manila going to Sorsogon, Visayas and Mindanao or vice versa, stop at Legazpi City. These include Philtranco, Superlines, Cagsawa Tours, Amihan, Isarog Line, St. Jude Transit and Goldline Tours. Travel time is 9 to 10 hours.
By Train
Philippine National Railways’ used to service Albay Province with their Bicol Express. The end terminal was in Legazpi City until the service stopped in 2006 after the line incurred damages due to typhoons. In 2011, the PNR Bicol express resumed its Bicol Express service albeit only up to Naga City, Camarines Sur.
Bicol Express operates a daily trip from Tutuban in Manila to Naga City at 630PM, travel time is 10-12 hours. Return trip is also at 630PM. Fare is P416 for economy, P548 for reclining air-con, P950 for family sleeper and 1426 for executive sleeper. Reservation is required prior to boarding. Please visit their page (http://www.facebook.com/pnrailways) for announcements and latest updates on schedules, prices and discounts.
- The bell tower of the old Cagsawa Church in the nearby town of Daraga
Where to Stay
Various accommodations for various market segments are available in Legazpi City. From fancy hotels to backpackers hostel , lodges and inns, you will sure find a place perfect for your budget. Here’s the list of places to stay as compile by Wow Legazpi (www.wowlegazpi.com).
- Alicia Hotel
Capt. F. Aquende Drive, Legazpi City, Philippines
Telephone: 481-0801 / 481-4808 / 820-4412
Fax: (052) 481-4444
Email: info@aliciahotel.com.ph
Mobile: +639186253696 - Arimbay Shell Inn
Arimbay,Legazpi City
Tel: +63 (52) 820 6283, +63 (52) 820 0558 - Carlo’s Hometel Bed and Breakfast
Rawis, Legazpi City
Tel: +63 (52) 482 0738 - Casablanca Hotel
185 Peñaranda St., Legazpi City, Philippines, 4500
Tel No: +6352 480-8334 to 35; 820-1428; 821-6684
Fax No: +6352 480-8338
Website: http://www.casablancahotel.ph
Email: info@casablancahotel.ph - Dreams Inn and Café
F. Imperial St., Legazpi City
Tel: +63 (52) 820 0885 - Hotel Venezia
Telephone: (63 52) 481-0877, 481-0888 and 820-0888
Telefax: (63 52) 820-4790 and 820-5824
Email: hvrsvn@discovery.com.ph - Hotel Villa Angelina
32 Rosario St., Old Albay District, Legazpi City
Telephone: (052)480-6345
Email: villaangelina_bicol@yahoo.com - Ibalong Traveler’s Hostel
BDB Bank Bldg, 210 J.P Rizal St, Legazpi City
Tel: +63 (52) 820 3333 - Jennifer’s Kababayan Hotel
J. Estevez St., Albay Dist., Legazpi City
Tel: +63 (52) 245 5172, +63 (52) 480 1086, +63 (52) 245 5172
Fax: +63 (52) 820 4467
Email: info@jennifers-hotel.com - Legazpi Pension
Rawis, Legazpi City
Tel: +63 (52) 231 33 c/o Casablanca Hotel - Legazpi Tourist Inn
3rd Floor, V&O Bdg, Quezon Ave cor. Lapu-lapu Street Legazpi City, Philippines 4500
Telephone: (+6352) 820-4880
Telefax: (+6352) 480-6147
Email: legazpitouristinn@yahoo.com - Lita’s Lodging House
Albay District, Legazpi City - Magayon Hotel
Peñaranda St., Legazpi City
Tel : +63 (52) 214 3121/ +63 (52) 214 3919 - Mayon View Apartelle
Tel. no. (052) 482-0463,
Mobile: 0920-932-9581
Email: sa.bukid@gmail.com - Neuhaus Tourist Inn
Magayon Dr., Daraga, Albay
Tel; +63 (52) 820 0453 - Pepperland Hotel
Airport Road, Legazpi City
Telephone: (52) 481-8000 Fax: 481-8004
Email: pepperlandhotelbikol@yahoo.com - Rawis Pension House
Rawis, Legazpi City
Tel: +63 (52) 820 1702 - Sampaguita Tourist Inn
Rizal St., Legazpi City
Tel : +63 (52) 480 6258 - Tanchuling Hotel
Imperial Subdivision, Legazpi City
+63 (52) 480 6003, +63 (52) 227-88 - Vista Al Mayon Pensionne
Washington Drive, Legazpi City, Philippines 4500
Telephone: (+6352) 820-5814,
Mobile: (+6352) 481-0308
Email: vistaalmayon@yahoo.com - Xandra Lodging House
Peñaranda St., Legazpi City
Tel: +63 (52) 820 4808
- Aerial view of Legaspi City and Mayon Volcano
What to do in Legaspi City
- See Mayon Volcano up close (or trek the volcano and drop by to Mayon Resthouse Observatory).
- Experience adventure at Lignon Hill. Trek up, try zipline, see the unobstructed view of the surrounding and check out the observatory.
- Hang out Embarcadero, Legazpi City’s newest commercial and entertainment hub.
- Climb up the Kapuntukan Hill for the panoramic view of Albay Gulf, Mayon Volcano and the surroundings.
- Explore the Japanese Tunnel at the foot of Lignon Hill.
- Feast with spicy Bicolano cuisines. Try laing, pinangat, ginataang langka or bicol express.
- Join the fun of Magayon and Ibalong Festivals
- Visit Magayon Art Gallery and Legazpi City Museum
- Stroll in Bicol Heritage Park and Albay Park and Wildlife
- See the Liberty Bell in front of Provincial Capitol
- Drop by to the nearby town of Daraga to see the Cagsawa Ruins and the century old Our Lady of Gate Church
- Dip in the hot springs of Tiwi
- Try caving in Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave of Camalig
- Dive and snorkel in Albay’s unspoiled dive sites
- Discover the white sandy virgin beaches of Bacacay, San Miguel and Rapu-Rapu
- Experience the luxurious Misibis Bay Resort
- Explore more of Bicol wonders in Sorsogon, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes and Masbate
Hi! We will be in Legazpi this June 6 and would like to inquire about pocket friendly but good place to stay, and tour offers… please help give details on my email… lenyregalado@gmail.com
Thanks!
Me and my wife booked whale shark sight seeing thru http://www.bicolaventura.com/contact-us/.. we were told the cost of the tour would be 1100 php per person for the entire tour since we would not require transportation to Donsol since we had our own car. On arrival we were told that since we were only two people we would need to put a deposit down for the entire capacity of the which is six tourist. Our tour guide told us that this would reserve us a spot that day since the government limits how many boats and people go out in one days time. The guide said that 6000 php would reserve us a boat and once other tourist arrived and we had four other tourist to join us we would recieve all but our 2200 php back. We were eventually joined by four other tourist and set out to see the whale shark. Upon returning to land and finding our tour guide to recieve our deposit back ee were only given 2600 php. When we asked for the rest we were told that was all there was. We then showed the TXT message we had recieved from the number on the website to the tour guide that stated 1100 php per person, he called his agent who told us that the 1100 php did not include the rental of the snorkel equipment and the enviromental fee and tourist fee. My wife explained to the lady on the phone that this was notbwhat we were told at which point the lady replied to my wife “tuff shit you did not understand” and hung up the phone. In short not only were we not given the rest of our money, now I alsohad to deal with a very angry wife on Valentines day. Best advice never use this agency and do not let any agency talk you into giving a deposit just wait till there is a group of six people. Also be forwarned that it is not guaranted you will see a whale shark, your tour will last for a maximium of 3 hour and there is no refund or raincheck.
Thanks for the review and feedback US Guy! Well, I hope you still enjoy your time in Bicol.
HELLO… we’re planning to have a tour in legazpi on January3-5, 2013… someone offered us a tour package good for 2pax..Php 4900 per pax …
INCLUSIONS:
Round trip airport-Balay Dela Rama-airport transfers
2 Nights accommodations at Balay Dela Rama
Whole Day Albay Tour around these destinations: Daraga Church, Cagsawa Ruins Park, Mayon Skyline, Tiwi Ceramics Plant, Tiwi Original DJC Halo-Halo, Tabaco Cutlery, Busay Falls, Sto. Domingo black sand beach, Padang Monument, Ligñon Hill, Japanese Tunnel, Embarcadero de Legazpi, and Legazpi Boulevard. You may also have the option to drop by Colonial Grill for lunch and try its sili ice cream.
2-3 hour ATV Ride to and from Mayon Lava Bed
Round trip transfers to and from Mayon Lava Bed
Driver and fuel in all tours
Daily breakfast
please tell me naman kung mura ung total of Php 9800 for 2pax? or DIY trip nalang?
Thank you so much!
Hi, were also in legazpi on January 17-20 (husband and me) can I ask for the contact number of the person who offered you the package. thank you
Hi, were also in legazpi on January 17-20 (husband and me) can I ask for the contact number of the person who offered you the package. thank you. …..
hi.. you may email her at alc_tours1616@yahoo.com ..
Cherie A. Viñas
Manager
ALC Migration and Tours Management Services
Hi Karen! I hope you enjoyed your stay in Legazpi last year. Can you also give me the contact number of that person who gave you the package tour quotation? I’ve been looking around for quite some time now. Kindly forward me your reply. Thanks!
Yes. Legazpi, Bicol, and the whole Philippines has a lot of good place to offer and good stuff to do. Visit this one http://julieivieorido.blogspot.com/ for more.
Just want to express my gratitude sa Legazpi City. Yes super ganda d2! I do hope na lahat ng tao makapunta. Gusto ko rin sana tingnan nyo ung new hotel nila sa Legazpi city! Ganda! If ever you need good tlga na hotels for groups, astig d2, try nyo yo guys check nyo website nila
http://legazpi.theorientalhotels.com/
#Itsmorefuninthephilippines
Nakapunta na ako dyan un nga lang di pa siya bukas, pero now OK na!!
Wow, you can do a lot of things in Legazpi City in an overnight trip only… I hope to make this part of my 2012 trips!