Tag Archives: Albay

New Year Travel Resolutions For 2018

February 8, 2018 admin Leave a comment

It’s the perfect time for new adventures and we have some New Year travel resolutions that you might want for yourself.

Travelling can give you the release you want from the staleness of every day life. And while it can be costly, it is one of the best investments you can ever make in your life. Remember, spend on experience, not things! Okay, so here we go!

Travel with someone you want to know better

Travel brings out the best (and worst) in people. If you really want to know someone better, travel with them! Going out steadily with someone? Plan a trip with him/her. Your son is entering a new phase and you want to spend quality time with him? Plan a trip with your unico hijo!

It is best to know the place you are going to minimize stress. However, if you are both adventurous then you can go somewhere the both of you have never been to. Travelling together allows you to bond better and it gives you a better, pretension-free peek of a person’s character.

Travel on your own

Always travelled with a companion before? 2018 can be the year to finally try going at it solo! Solo travel is a unique experience and while there are some risks involved (getting bored in the middle of the trip), there are huge rewards.

Solo travel gives you a different perspective on things, forces you to try new ways of doing things, it can also free lots of time for actual adventures as your schedule is your own. The important thing here is to pace your itinerary and to plan ahead the next day – to make sure there are no long downtimes.

Plan your travels ahead of time

If last year your travel calendar was full of spontaneous (and costly) trips, 2018 is the best year to try well planned travels through the next 10 months. Plot it all out in your calendar, secure cheap flights to your destinations, and research in advance the places you want to go while booking hotels ahead of time. Nothing beats a well planned trip! Also plan trips with different travel companions, something new to try this year if you are used to going somewhere with a regular travel buddy – you know, for some variation.

And because you saved money on your plane tickets and hotel room, you can go to more destinations. That’s more adventures for you!

These travel resolutions can add color and something new to your trips this 2018. Trying something different is a good way to put a fresh spin on your travel experience. Make this year more memorable!

What to Expect In Boutique Hotels

October 18, 2017 admin Leave a comment

For many years people were drawn to the concept of “bigger is better”. The modern times beg to differ and while luxury is still equated with space and grandeur, the hotel industry is moving towards a different direction, counter-intuitive in fact, but very effective in today’s emerging trends in hotel accommodation. The ideas of less is more, value for money, and unique experience is making it big in the industry. The emergence of boutique hotels ride on these concepts – where the value of the offer is not on space but on the “other” things that make a hotel stay worthwhile. With many people getting more acquainted with these smaller, more compact hotels, what are the things you can expect?

Smaller rooms

While many hotels under this classification have well-appointed rooms, most have smaller square footage than the industry standard. But the story does not end there. While the rooms are smaller, the bed you sleep on is as comfortable as those you sleep on bigger hotels. While you have a smaller floor plan, the room is as comfortable as any bigger hotels in the city. For Emerald Boutique Hotel this is a very noticeable feature. We have 5-star quality mattresses on our rooms and bed linens that you can really feel are not for “budget” accommodations. Our rooms are small but it is made to impress.

Another thing that is worth mentioning for Emerald is its unmatched 5-star toiletries. You can go in any hotel in the city with the price point of Emerald and you will appreciate more how we put emphasis on subtle luxury. We have small rooms but we want to exceed expectations on the other things – things that matter a lot to our guests.

Value for money

For Emerald Boutique Hotel this is not just a consequential element. It is an intentional pursuit to provide as much comfort and convenience to our guests as possible but at the least costs. The core of our business is value. At P1,500.00 per night for our Standard Rooms, you get a fully air-conditioned accommodation complete with Cable TV, fast Internet access, shuttle service, free breakfast, and more! Peso to convenience ratio is very high.

Intimate service

There is just a nice, calming vibe in boutique hotels. Stay more than a day and the staff will start calling you by your first name. The service team will start picking up on the minute details of your preferences. They are quicker to answer to your needs (as they already anticipate it) and they give you more than what big hotel hospitality crews can ever give you. If you are into a more intimate environment, ditch the bigger hotels and come home to smaller, “boutique” options.

Unique Experience

The Emerald Boutique Hotel is located right in the heart of Legazpi City. You do not need complicated transportation arrangements if you want to explore the city and the nearby tourist destinations all over the Albay province. If you are the adventurous type you can just walk to the nearest local cafés that offer amazing food. You can just take a map and start exploring on the get-go. Fancy some city-specific adventures? You can ask the front desk for some amazing tours and you are on your way to a wonderful time outdoors. Who needs a big hotel when all you want is offered at a smaller place with more affordable nightly rates?

The seat of the local government of Legazpi City. The pride of Legazpi is no other than the Legazpeno, kindhearted and welcoming bunch of people. — The seat of the local government of Legazpi City. Emerald’s location is just a short walk from this place. Talking about experiencing the city!

Good Food

Boutique hotel boasts of one thing – good food prepared in the hotel restaurant. For The Emerald Bistro Café, it offers a fusion menu with local delicacies like Bicol Express and Laing. It has two dining areas. One of those, which we call “The Garden”, features a transparent roof that allows the sunlight in. This semi-outdoor space is also great for small events and family gatherings.

Quirky offering

Do you love videoke? Sing your heart out in two of Emerald’s sound proof KTV rooms complete with state-of-the-art sound system. This is a great option for family and friends to have fun and get lost in this popular Filipino past time. For only P2500.00 you can use the KTV room for 3 hours. The package comes with food too – enough for 10 people.

Emerald's VIP Videoke rooms are second to none. Rent these out too and make your event more special! — Emerald’s VIP Videoke rooms are second to none. It is also an uncommon amenity for hotels. Boutique hotels are indeed full of surprises!

Boutique hotels are not your typical hotel options. It provides an entirely different experience. Before you reserve that room consider these things and allow yourself to ask: “is this the kind of hotel I want to spend my nights while in the city”? Our answer to that is obvious. YES. You stay with us because our “smaller rooms” make us unique and allow us to give you most hotels cannot give – value for money. And like an icing on the cake, we strive to exceed your expectations. Give us a try. Maybe on your next trip in the city? See you then!

The 3 Reasons Why You Should Stay In Boutique Hotels

August 26, 2017 admin Leave a comment

At a time of Airbnb and backpacker hotels, the pull of big, grand hotels is getting weaker – and the reasons are obvious. People care less about luxury and care more about value for money and how a hotel can help them have a great time in their destination city. So next time you book a hotel, choose a smaller one that can deliver the comforts of a typical hotel minus the high costs and the seemingly detached service many bigger hotels are known for.

Boutique hotels have better locations

Because of its small size, boutique hotels are often squeezed in right smack in the middle of a city you fancy. Location is very important in hotel selection. You just can’t afford to not enjoy the sights and sounds of a city because your hotel is tucked in a remote area with very limited transportation options, or too far you cannot just stroll around and get to know the place right when you go out the door. Emerald Boutique Hotel is right in the middle of Legazpi City. When you decide to eat local food you are just a short walk to the nearest Café. Location matters so when you book a hotel, Google it and find out how close it is to the heart of the city.

Small hotels have practical, intimate service

Boutique hotels do not need to be very rigid with its service processes. Most of its people would be willing to multitask just to please a guest. You can easily talk to the Chef and ask for some special additions to your ordered food. You can ask for small favors from the staff and there would be no need to formalize that request and then get delayed with service protocols (like in big hotels where services are very structured). This makes small hotels very intimate when it comes to delighting guests.

If you stay for three days it would feel more like a home than a hotel and you know everybody already from the housekeeping staff to the waiter in the charming restaurant downstairs. Contrary to popular belief that small hotels lack the refined service of grand, luxury hotels, what it lacks in grandeur it makes it up for quick, reliable, and personalized service.

Boutique hotels give the best value

While it is good to make your vacation as affordable as possible, you have to remember that the quality of your sleep will dictate the overall experience of your vacation. It is easy to be a cheapskate and stay in very affordable hotels and inns but if you do this there is a big chance you will regret it later – plumbing does not work, the room is too humid (no air-conditioning), bed is uncomfortable, awful smell inside, and many more “issues”. Staying in a boutique hotel, though priced higher, can give you the best experience with its air-conditioned room, very comfortable beds, and simple yet very nice rooms with amenities that you need and want for a comfy stay.

At Emerald Boutique Hotel we go beyond what people expect in a small hotel. We have 5-star hotel quality mattresses, well maintained and brand new rooms, cable TV, fast Internet connection, an impressive menu at our restaurant, and many more things that can surely impress you.

If you plan to visit Albay or the Bicol Region, Emerald is a very good hotel to book in. Our location is an ideal jump-off point to the many tourist attractions in the Albay and Sorsogon provinces in Region V. Visit our website at www.emeraldboutiquehotel.com or like our FB page at www.facebook.com/emeraldhotellegazpi to know more. See you soon!

4 Ways To Get The Best Out Of Your Vacation

June 5, 2017 admin Leave a comment

Vacations are not fun by default. Seasoned travelers can always identify better trips and can single out their worst adventures. So if you are planning to go on a vacation of your own you need to do it right and steer clear from the most common blunders of leisure travel. Heed these pointers.

Start with a solid plan

There is certain charm of going on a spontaneous adventure but more often than not this can lead to problems that can easily break your trip. So always have a plan before you go. Where are you staying? Are you already booked? What about your flight details and airport transfer? Is your tour package all set? Do you where you are going? Are you packed according to your destinations? These questions are very basic but it can make all the difference.

The more details you cover, the better your trip will turn out. It means you have more time to focus on the fun side than addressing logistical concerns. All you have to do is just let things unfold. Of course there will still be problems along the way but these would be easier to deal with than starting blind and unprepared.

Get psychologically ready

This is one of the most overlooked parts of taking a vacation. Many go on a dreamy trip only to have their minds thinking about work problems, worrying about imagined fears, doubting the plan, and minding the small stuff, the negative vibes. If you are in a vacation turn your happy thoughts on. Decide to let go of your worries, convince yourself you are out to have fun. When bothersome thoughts come, shove them away. Be mentally aware of its effects on your mood and attitude towards your vacation.

If you are not mindful of your mindset one wrong turn and you will be fuming mad. One wrong order from the hotel cafe and your day is ruined the whole day. Remind yourself the reason why you are taking the trip – to unwind, to relax, and to break free from the stale repetition of life.

And be sure to remind yourself things can easily go wrong. That is a reality for every vacation. Be mentally prepared to deal with situations with a cool head. Things will not always go your way. Even in those situations, smile and shrug it off!

Connect with people

Many vacationers are more keen on the attractions and the things that a destination has to offer, often forgetting to enjoy one of the best parts of taking a trip to somewhere you have not been before – knowing people in the locality. Building local friendship can easily cement your experience of the place. Striking casual conversations with locals can enhance your feelings towards the city. Learning a few local words can also boost your confidence in connecting with people everywhere you go. Knowing the local words for “thank you”, “please”, and “take care” can prop up your appeal to locals, encouraging them to engage you.

Keep a journal

This can be a digital journal if you are not the “writer” type. You can make an FB album with your photos on your destination city and then make sure to include captions that best describe the photo and the story behind it. This can help you record your trip and the whole experience. It is easy to get through the photos later on and remember all the fun you had, the people you knew, the places you visited, and the things you learned.

There you have it. Vacations are expected to be fun. Do not come short of that. Follow these pointers and have a blast. Vacations do not come often. Make sure to do it right the first time. And remember to take note of your bad experiences. That way on your next trip you can work on that and make sure your adventures will only get better.

Legazpi: Just A Stone Throw’s Away From You

March 28, 2017 admin Leave a comment

Legazpi is one of Philippine’s most visited cities by local and foreign tourists today. The amazing beaches, the majestic Mt. Mayon, the many stone churches in and around Albay, and other scenic places to visit (not to mention the many festivals year round) makes Legazpi a tourist favorite.

legazpi-city-big1 — An aerial view of the city. It is beautiful and captivating with the miles and miles of shoreline framed by the majestic Mayon in its rear. What a sight to behold!

But do you know that this city is much easier to visit than ever before? Both the increased number of flights from Manila and Cebu and the many bus lines that have Legazpi as one of its key destinations in South Luzon makes it very possible and affordable to enjoy the natural beauty of this city.

So some basic things:

Where to stay?

There are many hotels in town, many of which have just the perfect location for either a quick spin around popular local destinations or a long-term exploration of the Sorsogon-Albay-Catanduanes provinces.

13383773_10154243954719793_20391708_o (2) — One of the newest hotels in Legazpi – the Emerald Boutique Hotel. It might be small compared to some of its competitors but this hotel aims to go above and beyond their guest’s expectations. Book with them and experience the difference.

Legazpi sits right in the middle of the tourism frenzy so it does not matter what you are after, you will surely get it here. Aside from hotels there are also small bed and breakfast businesses and mid-sized Inns in the city. Hotel rooms can cost you P6000 and up if you are into luxury accommodations. But you can also have a decent place to sleep for as low as P500 a night, a must-have option for the more frugal traveler.

How about available tours?

There are many tour operators in town. If you are into guided tours there are several local companies that can cater to that need, some can even get you halfway to Mayon’s crater (if the ban is lifted anyway). Do you want more daring adventures? Perhaps an ATV ride all the way to the foot of Mayon, or zip-lining over the water at Embarcadero? That can be arranged too.

xIMG_0804 — Riding the ATV to the foot of Mayon is loads of fun. You should try it!

How about navigating a hanging bridge on the side of Lignon Hill with Mayon as the background? You can even have a swim with butandings (whale shark) at Donsol. If you love the ocean then the vanishing island in Malilipot is the ideal kind of adventure for you. All these attractions and activities can be had easily with local tourism service operators.

How to get to Legazpi?

Talking about accessibility, Legazpi can be reached by air and land. Your options:

By Plane

There are many flights to Legazpi from Manila and vice versa. You will have no problem going in and out of the city by air. There is a 4:55 AM early flight from Manila to Legazpi. The same plane would fly passengers to Manila for its turnaround flight. There is also a daily flight from Cebu to Legazpi at 3:25PM. With Manila and Cebu welcoming flights from all over the world and the Philippines, flying to Legazpi is easy and thanks to budget airlines – affordable!

Untitled — The flight schedules for Manila to Legazpi. This should make your flights plans easier!

By Bus

Travelling by Bus to Legazpi is more convenient than many people think. There are many bus companies that focus on the Bicol market, coming up with services that improve the travel experience of Bicolanos who frequent Manila. This consequently allows for the overall improvement of the by-land travel of tourists from Manila to Legazpi and vice-versa.

12193659_506882292810383_5352250870372188859_n — Cagsawa’s Royal Class Bus. This boasts very generous legroom with seats that recline almost completely allowing passengers to sleep through the Manila-Legazpi trip.

Two of the leading bus lines serving the Manila-Legazpi route are Cagsawa and Penafrancia. They have multiple trips all throughout the day. The most convenient of all are the night trips that depart from Manila at around 7:00 PM. These buses have a very spacious leg room with recliner seats and foot rests that will allow you to sleep thought the 12-hour trip to Legazpi. The same bus departs from Legazpi to Manila at around the same time. Bus fares differ from one bus lines to the next but with the quality of your trip at stake, go for the more expensive and convenient trip available.

Emerald Boutique Hotel Opens Its New Events Venue

February 28, 2017 admin Leave a comment

When it seems like Emerald Boutique Hotel is done surprising people with its affordable rooms and beyond-expectations service, it is now announcing another exciting addition to its offering – opening the doors of its one of a kind events venue they call “The Garden”.

The Garden was originally an outdoor space that allowed guests to enjoy the fresh air outside. However due to Bicol’s unpredictable weather, the management chose to install a roof over the outdoor space. However it was also important for the hotel to keep the outdoor charm of the area so the perfect compromise would be to install a transparent roof that will keep the water out but will let the natural light in. This also allows guests to have dinner under the stars, a pretty romantic place to enjoy a meal for two.

17016616_1882361525339468_1579513430_o — The Garden with its transparent Resin Roof Panels that allow natural light to flood the place without exposing guests to the elements. The Garden is fully air-conditioned.

The Garden can accommodate up to 60 people. It is fully air-conditioned and it comes with comfortable tables and chairs. But the deal clincher for this venue is its very reasonable rental costs.

The Garden has attractive food packages and there are also inclusions that will surely make your event not only memorable but cost-effective.

13457633_10154262540819793_2018391200_n — With Emerald Bistro Cafe providing for the food in the new events venue, you can be sure you are not only getting a nice place to have your party, you are also dining with amazingly good food prepared by Emerald’s in-house Chef.

The food is provided by the Emerald Bistro Café. This means amazingly delicious menu options prepared by no other than Emerald’s in-house Chef.

There are also two VIP videoke rooms you can use (separate fees apply). These can add another fun element to your event. These rooms have direct access to The Garden so your guests can conveniently enjoy this added amenity.

Interested to book at The Garden? Call/text Emerald Boutique Hotel at these numbers: (052) 201 – 0402 or +63 917 322 5232.

Why You Will Probably Hate Legazpi City

November 7, 2016 admin Leave a comment

Legazpi City, the seat of power of the province of Albay, with a population of 1.23 million is a rising tourism destination in the Philippines. It is one of the most visited cities in the country today thanks to the efforts of the local government and its Department of Tourism counterpart.

Legaspi has seen rapid growth in the past few years. Housing projects are sprouting everywhere, shopping malls are coming in the latest one is Ayala Malls Legaspi. SM will follow which will start construction on January 2017. Robinsons is also expressing their intent in building a store in the city. This growth spurt is a sign that this city is getting a lot of attention, a good hint for people to come and visit it.

The growth of Legazpi City is unstoppable. Now is the best time to visit. Credits to the owner of the photo.

But there are some things I hate about this city. I think you need to know about these before pushing for your trip.

Mayon is an Intimidating Stalker

Everywhere you go in Legaspi City you will see Mayon and its majestic slopes. The moment your plane touches down, as long as you have clear skies, Mayon will be there staring at you, and you will be captivated by its beauty so that you will have no choice but to stare back at it – all the time.

6730414111_6b57f43898_b — Mayon and its seeming omnipresence in the city of Legazpi. Credits to the owner of the photo.

There are only a few hotels that do not have a Mayon view simply because this perfect cone of a volcano is a landmark in the city, an omnipresent topographical feature you can never miss while in Legazpi.

Of course if you love Mayon this will not be such a big nuisance. Ready your camera, pray for good weather, and rape that camera button because selfies with Mayon as background is really, really cool!

14055061_292443931122349_1559131106262357526_n — The spectacular view at the Baywalk in Legazpi. Photo by Miel Protacio

Too Many Things to See and Do

Legazpi is a very convenient gateway to many tourist attractions that you will have a hard time prioritizing things you want to do and visit. You can choose to go to Cagsawa Ruins, a World Heritage Site, or travel south to Donsol for some Whale Shark interaction, or go up to Lignon Hill for a 360 view of the city.

may2013legazpi-45_zps3e03f4da — Cagsawa Ruins, one of the world’s celebrated heritage site is just a short drive from Legazpi proper. Credits to the owner of the photo.

You can also choose to go for a day tour at Misibis Bay, do some ATV adventure at Mayon’s lava formation, or explore nearby islands with amazing white sand beaches, and the list goes on and on.

resized — The view on the way to the foot of Mayon in the ATV trail. Credits to the owner of the photo.

The truth is there is just too many places to go to you can never go to each one of them. You might end up going home frustrated at least that is how it was for me.

The solution to this “problem” is to have a list of your favorites, shorten your list more, and pursue the places you cannot afford to miss while in the city. This is the only way you will know right from the get-go that you came and did what you really wanted to see and do. No regrets!

Weight Gain is Inevitable

Bicol is known for its amazing gastronomic offerings and when you visit Legazpi prepare to eat – as in eat without minding the extra calories. This is the only way you will not end up hating yourself for not enjoying the great food this place is known for. The Sili Ice Cream of Colonial Grill, the Laing Pizza of Small Talk Café, the Emerald Burger of Emerald Boutique Hotel, the Pancit Canton of Mamay Ferings, the Crispy Pata of Bob Marlin, the Bicol Express of Koron Native Restaurant, the no-fuss food at Boklan.

Chili-Ice-Cream-at-1st-Colonial-Grill-in-Albay — Sili Ice Cream from the Original 1st Colonial Grill.

Good food is so easy to find here that even bike drawn stalls in Penaranda Park can get you to gastronomic heaven with the sandwiches of Eat N’ Run, or the favorite Filipino dish of Mike Sisig.

If you are adventurous enough even the small canteens along the road (carenderias) will have a version of some popular Bicol dishes like laing, bicol express, ginataang santol, and adobo sa asin.

ginataang-santol-recipe — Ginataang Santol is a local delicacy in Albay. Credits to the owner of the photo.

You will hate Legazpi because it will surely make weight gain easy. The secret to overcoming this “crisis” is just to let go of your calorie limits. When you visit Legazpi, accept the fact that you will eat – lots.

Laing_Pinangat — The highly regarded laing has become a trademark for Bicol. In Albay it is one of its most respected local dishes. You gotta try it when around the city. Credits to the owner of the photo.

You will probably hate Legazpi. You will be stalked by a majestic, beautiful volcano, your time management will be challenged with so many things to do and see, and you will gain weight. But then you will also probably love all of these things about Legazpi. And you will probably keep coming back.

The 4 Things You Need To Know About Mayon

August 3, 2016 admin Leave a comment

One of the most known symbols of Bicolandia is the beautiful, symmetrical mound of rock and sand called Mt. Mayon. This volcano is indeed a sight to behold – breathtaking, majestic, and yes, dangerous. But you probably do not know these four things that make Mayon more interesting.

The Magayon Folklore

The name Mayon is from the bicol word “magayon” which translates to “beautiful” in Enlgish. Bicolanos know this by heart and. But the folklore behind it is not just talked about too much. “Magayon” is actually the name of a princess who was forced to wed a wicked lover named Pagtuga.

Princess Magayon, or the “beautiful princess” is shown in this artistic illustration. Her tragic story is the interesting narrative behind the beautiful Mayon Volcano. Illustration credits thevolcanoprincess.com

Pagtuga captured Princess Magayon’s father and her hand was the price for his freedom. However, even with an attempted rescue by the princess’ real lover Paganoron, the story still had a tragic ending when both lovers die in the violence that ensued. The place where Magayon was buried is where Mayon stands today, or so the story narrates.

Mayon’s Scary Side

Mt. Mayon is Philippines’ most active volcano. Even present-day Albayanos can attest to this fact. In a span of 400 years the volcano have had 50 eruptions. The first recorded eruption of Mayon was in 1616 as chronicled by the Dutch explorer Joris van Spilbergen.

2930267 — Mayon Volcano erupting. Horror and fear replaces beauty when she shows her other side. Photo credits R. Madronero

Mayon is known to have huge and extended eruptions, one lasted for 7 full days (imagine that!). This eruption started on the 23d of June 1897. This uninterrupted eruption launched red hot rocks into the air and released a sea of lava that trapped and killed hundreds in the towns of San Roque, Libon, and Bacacay.

The Death Of 1,200

Mayon is no doubt beautiful but like everything in this world, nothing is perfect. Mayon’s weakness would be her fatal wrath expressed through huge eruptions. One of these catastrophic eruptions happened one fateful February day in 1814.

Mayon_1928_1 — One of Mayon’s early eruptions. This photo captured its 1928 eruption. This volcano might be beautiful but it is also a killer. Photo credits Wikimedia

There were many villages in Albay and CamSur that were destroyed with raining ash, hot stones, and sand spewing from the crater. 12,000 people died in that day making it the deadliest eruption in Mt. Mayon history.

What’s In A Name – Cagsawa Ruins

Many do not know this but before the big Mayon eruption of 1814, Cagsawa was actually a town and Daraga (soon to be a city) a little village. With many people dead in Cagsawa after the huge eruption, people were forced to resettle in Daraga, changing the concentration of population in the area to this very day.

cagsawa4 — Tha Cagsawa Church framing Mayon Volcano (as always). This photo however shows the church as an intact structure, unlike the iconic photos widely distributed of these two. where the bell tower is the only surviving feature of the church. Photo credits Jenny Exconde

Cagsawa are from the two word “kag” which translates to “owner” and “sawa” which means “python”. Put the two words together and you have a place “owned by snakes”. Legend has it that Cagsawa Church was a haven of snakes and the name just stuck to be later recorded in the annals of history.

There you have it! The next time you visit and look up at Mayon’sperfect cone, be sure not only to be in awe of its ageless beauty but also be reminded of its interesting and violent history.

Cover Photo Credits: Andrew Chamberlain

Pinamuntugan Island: Your Beach Destination When in Albay

July 4, 2016 admin Leave a comment

Is there a beautiful white sand beach in Albay? The answer to that is a big yes! In fact this beach is as beautiful as the more popular beaches in Sorsogon like the Subic Beach and Tinikling Island, or beaches in Camarines Sur like the Caramoan Islands, or beaches in Catanduanes like the Puraran Island, Mamangal Beach, and Twin Rocks Beach Resort.

So where is this “convincingly” white sand beach in Albay? Pinamuntugan Island is just an hour’s boat ride away from Bacacay Port. This is good news to those who are planning to visit Legazpi City sometime soon because Bacacay is just a short drive from the said city.

Mayon Volcano Eruption 2014 - Legazpi City, Albay — Legaspi City at night, Mayon Volcano framing its skyline from afar. Mayon can be seen almost anywhere in the city. Photo credits to the owner

There are numerous flights every day from Manila to Legazpi. The city is a tourist’s gem in its own right with its majestic views of Mayon Volcano. So if this city is in your travel radar then list Pinamuntugan Island down as a must-go destination.

maxresdefault — There is so much going on for Pinamuntugan Island – white, fine, powdery sand, secluded location, clear waters, very minimal visitor traffic.

The good news is even if this island is a private property you do not have to pay a single centavo to have your boat dock in its beaches. You do have to pay for the boat and the boatmen who will navigate the channel from Bacacay to the island. The fee would depend on your haggling skills but typically this would range between P1700 to P2500.

439615660_1280x720 — This is how boatmen in the area park their “bangka” in the beach. For just P2500, the boat is yours for the whole day. Photo Credits JC Co

Pinamuntugan Island is not a resort in itself so do not expect man made cottages around. This is good news especially for travelers who want their beach experience raw and natural. But you need to bring with you a tent, drinking water, and food. There is no store in the island so it is necessary for you to cover all the basics. Consider yourself warned.

pinamuntugan_beach — Busdac Beach in Pinamuntugan Island. Imagine yourself frolicking in that amazing beach! Photo credits Ryan Baliza

The white sand beach is amazing here and thanks to its low volume of visitors (that might soon change though) the water around the island is pristine, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. It is a picture-perfect beach so don’t forget to bring your camera with you.

pinamuntugan11 — Snorkeling is an ideal activity in the island with its rich marine life and clear waters.

Update your Legazpi itinerary today and look forward to a breath taking beach experience in Albay only at Pinamuntugan Island. No long road trips and excruciating route, just pure fun under the sun!

Fly Me To Mayon!