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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
The millennials are quite familiar with the saying, “travel now, pulubi later”. With the increasing availability and utility of credit cards, travel is becoming a source of debt for many, to the point of begging for food months after a trip. But this does not have to be your reality – if only you travel smart.
Plan your trip in advance
The first sign of trouble for cash-hungry vacations is spur-of-the-moment plans. A good example would be friends in the office are talking about how beautiful Mt. Mayon is. As the conversation unfolds, a raw, “feasible” plan emerge. “Let’s go to Albay next week”! And that my friend is how you travel with huge financial consequences.
If it is possible, go against the trend and book your hotel in the “slow” months.
The problem with spur-of-the-moment travels is that everything costs more from plane tickets to the tours you want to take, even the hotel rooms you need to book. The solution is to plan your trip months before you go. Do your research about your destination, how you can fully enjoy the sights and sounds of the city, find hotels with a view and near to everything you want to experience while in town.
The perfect cone volcano in the Philippines, Mt. Mayon. Majestic, breath-taking, magayon (beautiful in the local dialect). Credits to the owner of this photo.
Know more about the peak season of tourist arrivals in your planned destination. Summer and the Holidays are often when hotels are charging more for their rooms and airlines are cashing in with the influx of vacationers. If it is possible, go against the trend and book your hotel in the “slow” months.
File your leave at work early, start losing weight if you plan to wear that swimsuit, talk about your trip at the office or among your friends, the more the merrier! Plan out your itinerary, book the local tours early, reserve the hotel rooms, and build up the excitement as your departure date draws near!
Nothing beats a well-planned, well-timed vacation.
Book your flights early
Look out for seat sales from budget airlines. You can even call your preferred ticketing office to reserve seats for you as soon as the sale is announced.
Seasoned budget travellers even plan their vacation around the travel dates of their discounted plane tickets. This is also a good way to plot your vacation plans. Seat sales in local airlines are often in harmony with tourist peak seasons.
Wait for seat sales like these. This was a promo by Cebu Pacific 2 years ago but you can still secure this low fare in their annual seat promos. Travel period will vary.
There is a huge chance that plane tickets on sale would mean lower local hotel room rates, lower tour fees, lower price of everything plus you get to enjoy your space in the beach more.
Talk to the locals
Vacations are nice when you fully integrate yourself to the local lifestyle. The last thing that you want to happen is to fail to get the real vibe of the city. Do not insulate yourself in the comforts of your hotel room and shuttle service. Get into the local lifestyle.
Engaging locals to small talks often mean a treasure chest of tips on to-do’s and to-eat. (Phot0 by Arnel Banawa)
Talking to locals also give you a deeper experience with your destination.
The best way to do that is to talk to locals. Have short walks around your hotel or ride jeepneys to go anywhere. Engage locals into casual conversations, and perhaps ask them what you can do to really enjoy the city. It is often from these conversations popular local hang outs are revealed, something no amount of online research can give you.
Talking to locals also give you a deeper experience with your destination. This can even give you windows of opportunity to go back to the city, but this time with local friends. Now that’s exciting!
Eat where locals eat
The Sili Ice Cream pioneered by a local restaurant in Legazpi City. This is a must try for visitors of the city.
Tired of the same breakfast at the hotel? Try the local gastronomic treats of your destination city! Eat where locals do! It could be a popular carenderia right on the next corner, or a mamihan or lugawan 50 meters from your hotel. Specialty restaurants are also a good idea to have an authentic food experience.
By eating where locals eat you can have a more accurate feel of the city
Lava Bar’s Volcanic Fire Pizza is another must try for Legazpi City visitors. Lava Bar is located at Ayala Malls Legazpi. (Photo by William Ong)
In Legazpi City, the sili ice cream is a must-try and only one restaurant offers that. Go there! Then there is the pinangat, a local dish that has charmed local tourists for decades now. Small Talk Café also offers the pinangat pizza, another must-try for tourists.
Pinangat, a local delicacy in Bicolandia. You need to try this when in Legazpi City. (Photo by Claire Dee Lim)
By eating where locals eat you can have a more accurate feel of the city. It also makes a good story to friends back at home. Yeah, you ate sili ice cream and you can brag all about it.
Do not be fooled with hotel published rates
Do not settle with the rates you see on the hotel’s website and in their other booking outlets. Always ask for a better deal. At least try.
Published rates in any hotel are not always accurate. These rates are often subjected to discounts especially during the off season. Booking a room in advance can give you more flexible rates. You can even ask the hotel for some tips when to book your room/s.
The Emerald Boutique Hotel, a newly opened small, intimate hotel in Legazpi City. This hotel is bound to exceed your expectations.
Planning to book several rooms? Some hotels give discounts to rooms reserved and paid for in bulk. This is often true in small boutique hotels, or in some little inn or bed and breakfast.
Do not settle with the rates you see on the hotel’s website and in their other booking outlets. Always ask for a better deal. At least try.
Emerald Boutique Hotel’s Double Deluxe Room. Convenient and elegant.
Pursue the tours you really like
Thanks to the Internet and Google it is quite easy today to find something to do in any city in the Philippines. Travel blog abound (like this one) and your friends on Facebook often have experiences in places you want to visit. Reading and asking around is not that hard.
Malilipot, Albay’s vanishing island. This is a beach in the middle of the sea. Now that’s interesting! Credits to the owner of the photo.
Plan ahead, be informed, be intentional with your trip, and get into the local lifestyle.
But what do you really want to do? That is the question you must have an answer for especially if you are travelling on a budget. Pursue the tours that have immense personal value to you.
In Legazpi City the Mayon ATV tour is a huge hit. You do not only get to see Mayon up close but drive through its lava path up to the very foot of the majestic volcano.
The Mayon ATV Tour. Imagine driving through the lava flow from the majestic Mayon Volcano! (Photo by Melo Villareal)
You can also try the vanishing island tour in Malilipot Albay. If you love the beach then this tour should be in your thing-to-do list while in Albay.
So don’t be a “pulubi” after travelling to beautiful cities around the country. Plan ahead, be informed, be intentional with your trip, and get into the local lifestyle. Who said you have to be in debt to enjoy the perks of travel?
