Mayon Volcano, laing (taro leaves with coconut milk), and my father’s roots are the first three things that spring to my mind when I think of Albay, Bicol.
Odd that I’ve been to Bohol, Bukidnon, Cebu, Sagada, Camiguin and abroad but not to my Tatay’s hometown.
So last April, I fulfilled that simple dream: visit Albay and get to know it a little better.
Where to Stay in Legazpi, Albay
I planned my Legazpi trip on my way there (which is not the best thing to do when you’re traveling solo and it’s your first time in a new place).
But since I managed to return happy and unharmed, maybe I did some things right. Below I share how I spent 48 hours in Legazpi, Albay.
Cheap Accommodations in Legazpi, Albay
When you have no one to share expenses with, cheap lodgings are your best choice. Glad I found RMJ Apartelle (Rost St., Imperial Court Subdivision 2, Legazpi City, located at the back of Tanchuling Hotel , near Gaisano Mall and Legazpi City Terminal | Mobile Number: 0917.5589100 ) through a fellow blogger who has recommended it.
You can book this room for P700. It has a serviceable bed, bathroom, cabinet, sink, desk and chair. The AC unit works fine, too. I would have stayed here until my second night in Legazpi but the entire property was booked by DILG delegates. That’s saying something about its quality. 🙂
The next day, there was a scheduled power outage from 6am – 6pm and most inns and hostels didn’t have a generator to keep guests comfortable. (That’s the obvious downside of booking at cheap properties.)
I found Bicol Travelers Inn (at Obrero Bariada Road, it’s near Legazpi Water District) while searching for a place to stay.
Here’s a shot taken by a Google cam.
They have rooms with AC and fans. I chose a fan room worth P350/night. Here’s how it looks inside.
The restroom is shared and it’s a few steps away from my room. There’s no Wi-fi and 3G/LTE is weak inside.
Both accommodations are a few minutes away from Legazpi airport and the main points of interest in the city.
Legazpi Tourist Attractions
Tired from my trip and sleepless the night before, I dozed off from 10AM to 1PM. When I woke up, I asked RMJ Apartelle’s owner if he knew a driver who could take me on a city tour. A few minutes after the request, my guide and driver came to pick me up.
Here are the tourist spots we visited:
Legazpi Boulevard
Magayon Festival Floats
April is the month for Albay’s most creative and prestigious celebration called the Magayon Festival. It showcases the unique and intriguing Mayon Volcano legend and celebrates the bounty of the province. Stay tuned for a post about it on #IslandTrotters
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Daraga Church
Cagsawa Ruins
Lignon Hill
En route to these tourist attractions, I saw Bicol University and the Cathedral of San Gregorio Magno. I paid my guide/tricycle driver P650 for this tour (The usual rate is P500; P150 was the tip I gave for his photography skills.)
The next day, ATV driving to Mt. Mayon was my main priority.
Mayon ATV Tour at Brgy. Pawa
Never thought ATV driving would be this fun! Haha.. I can totally do this all day if someone is willing to pay for it. *wishful thinking
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For this activity, I sought the help of Your Brother Travel and Tours ATV Service. The 30-minute drive with a guide costs P1,100 (P100 was the tip I gave the guide). Since that was my first time driving an ATV, I didn’t dare choose the longer, more exhilarating lava trail.
My gastronomic adventure around Legazpi deserves a separate post. Stay tuned for the second part of this post as I unravel the dishes so unique in the Bicol region.
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