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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
2016 is a promising year for local and visiting foodies in Legazpi. The food industry in the city is bound to get more interesting as local foodpreneurs are getting bolder in offering their gastronomic creations to the eager public. I am listing 4 new places to eat in Legazpi and I hope you can find the time to visit each one and tell your friends about your experience.
Retazo Diner
This resto-diner-bar watcamacallit is an interesting place to dine. For one its interior is very unique. The owners of the place seem to maximize the physical features of the building they leased for the diner and went ahead with rustic-chic décor.
Retazo Diner is so full of personality that eating here is almost irresistible. Good food and good music can be expected here.
Owned and managed by musicians, this diner is not only about good food but most especially about good music. If you are into Jazz, Bossa Nova, Pop R&B, with a touch of Pinoy acoustic sound then this is a must-visit place for you.
Cloud Embassy, one of the leading acoustic acts in the city plays regularly in Retazo. The nameplate for the diner and the photos on the wall makes this place interesting to dine in. Photo by Eli Casim
The food here is good and what makes this place more exciting is that they have an ongoing Man Vs. Food challenge – to finish a humungous spicy beef burger in Ciabata bread, fries, and with Retazo’s signature mango-graham shake in 5 minutes. So far no one has been successful in winning the challenge. Maybe that would be you?
The Retazo Burger is one the diner’s most popular entry in its menu. Pounds and pounds of beef in Ciabata bread is more than enough tickle one’s appetite.
What to eat here? The Retazo Burger would be on top of my list and so is their Bicol Express.
Mamay Ferings
Okay so this place has one of the best if not the best pancit in town. Take my word for it! Well there is a good reason why this is so. According to the owners they were just originally looking for a place to rent out for a “pansitan” but as luck would have it, they saw a huge space that they can make into a full restaurant. And the rest as they say is history.
Mamay Fering’s expansive interior makes it a nice place from some intimate events. The food here is top notch and the place is quite classic looking, charming even.
This pansitan-turned-restaurant is located in the heart of the city on the second level of a charming building that borrows its looks from a Filipino ancestral home, complete with the hard wood façade and Capiz shell-laden windows. The restaurant has a spacious interior with a sizable covered veranda that opens up to the hustle and bustle of the city below.
Mamay Fering’s Porchetta is a must try. The spices in the meat and its tenderness is mouth watering.The mixed sea foods in Mamay Ferings is unforgettable. This is one filling dish that should leave a nice memory of your Legazpi visit.
What to eat here? The Pancit Canton is a must try of course. The mixed seafoods is also a great choice and so is the legendary Porchetta.
Koron
Koron is another restaurant that is worth your try when in Legaspi City. This place boasts of native cuisines, although not exclusively Bicolano. Located in Yashano Mall this restaurant is bound to give you an authentic experience with Filipino food.
The Koron offering is authentic Pinoy food. When you eat in this restaurant, the experience is as nice as the food.
Everything here is “native” from the food presentation, to the interior décor, to the plates and cutlery. When you eat here bring your camera with you because you would be having fun taking photos of the Koron’s unique way of giving you a taste of Pinoy staple food.
Everything in Koron has a native Pinoy touch. The spoon and fork says it all!
What to eat here? There is the boneless crispy pata, the Kosidong Lapu-lapu, and pancit buko just to name a few.
El Mundo Pequeño
Are you in the mood for some pizza, pasta, or tacos? Then you do not have to go far. In the heart of the Old Albay District of Legazpi City is El Mundo Pequeño, a small restaurant that is big in taste and flavour.
El Mundo Pequeño just opened its doors last month but this restaurant is bound to increase its avid diners thanks to its amazingly good food.
The Pepperoni Pizza here is oh-so-amazing that I am tempted to say it is the best in the city. It is authentic, thin crusted, with just the right amount of everything. This resto is located in the very same building where the Locsin Pili Nut was in the past few decades.
This Pepperoni Pizza is the best in town. Try it to believe it.
The restaurant is deceivingly simple from the outside with just a few chairs and tables. But for this resto it is the not the store front that matters, it is the food.
Care for some Tacos? This place should be your destination if you are into this Mexican staple food.
What to eat here? The meatballs spaghetti is a must-try and also the beef burritos. If you are into authentic Italian pizza and pasta then this is the place to dine to your heart’s content.
The offerings of this restaurant is just amazing. It is a fusion of authentic Italian and Mexican food, a must try when in Legazpi.
