Legazpi City Itinerary 2 Days
Legazpi City in Albay province belongs to the Bicol region which consists of five other provinces namely Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Masbate, Catanduanes, and Sorsogon. Going to these places one after the other on a single journey is indeed an achievement for the hardcore traveler. It requires plenty of planning and research not to mention the time, money and vigor that comes into it. We're going to do it one step at a time and for now I'm featuring our travel to Legazpi City in Albay province.
For us Filipinos, what's the first thing that comes into mind when you hear Albay? Yes you got it right! Albay province is where you find Mayon Volcano, the most active and perfect cone shaped volcano in the Philippines. It had its most catastrophic eruption in February 1, 1814 where it buried surrounding houses and the Cagsawa Church leaving only the belfry standing up to this time which is currently known as the Cagsawa Ruins.
To kickoff our tour, we first checked in at Neuhaus Inn which is only 5 minutes away from Legazpi City airport. Neuhaus Inn is recommended by the Department of Tourism Albay.
To kickoff our tour, we first checked in at Neuhaus Inn which is only 5 minutes away from Legazpi City airport. Neuhaus Inn is recommended by the Department of Tourism Albay.
click link to view Neuhaus Inn blog
Commuting is not a problem in Legazpi City, you can either ride a jeepney or tricycle to your destination within the city. From Nuehaus Inn, we chose to ride on a trike going to Daraga because it was past 3PM and we're pressed for time to catch a clear view of Mayon Volcano in Cagsawa Ruins and Daraga Church. Fare is Php50.00 and travel time is approximately 15 minutes.
While our trike was going up the road to Daraga Church, it suddenly stopped and can no longer continue to go up the steep road so we just decided to walk uphill roughly around 300 meters more. Well, we needed a little bit of exercise.
It would have been a nice shot with Mayon Volcano in the background from Daraga Church if the clouds weren't covering her up. We expect the same thing once we get to Cagsawa Ruins. From Daraga church, trike fare to Cagsawa Ruins is Php50.00. As expected, plenty of clouds still covering Mayon Volcano but we still enjoyed taking pictures of the belfry and Mayon Volcano at the background. You can also buy different Albay souvenirs at the entrance. Fare going back to Daraga town proper is Php70.00 and we spotted Biggs Diner and tried their menu. Fare back to Neuhaus Inn is Php50.00. Entrance fee to Cagsawa Ruins is Php 10/person.
Cagsawa Belfry
thick clouds covering Mayon Volcano in Cagsawa Ruins
same as in Cagsawa, thick clouds covering up Mayon Volcano in Daraga Church
click link to view Things to do in Daraga
Prior to our trip to Legazpi City, we hired the services of a van rental company there to take us to Cagraray Eco Park. Along the way, we stopped by Lignon Hill and Nature Park. It was 7AM and we can see Mayon Volcano in her naked glory, and wow! It was a picturesque view. One of the best spot to take photos of Mayon Volcano is at Lignon Hill indeed and the best time to get that nice profile picture is from 7AM to 9AM. Entrance fee is Php 20/person.
There is also a zipline at Lignon Hill
Legazpi City Airport Runway
click link to view Lignon Hill and Nature Park
Just beside Lignon HIll is Albay Parks and Wildlife. It is a vast educational park featuring different animal species, moving dinosaurs with sounds, playground for the kids, biking area, fishing on certain occasions and cottages for relaxation. Entrance fee is Php 20/person.
just one of the dinosaurs you can see at Albay Parks and Wildlife
click link to view Albay Parks and Wildlife
After a remarkable moment seeing Mayon Volcano without the clouds at Lignon HIll and an impressive and relaxing time in Albay Parks and Wildlife, off we go now to Cagraray Eco Park. I've read wonderful things about this place and this pushed me to discover its beauty first hand and to know why it mesmerizes every visitor.
Taking a tour of Cagraray Eco park is not on the regular city tour being offered by car or van rental companies. It is a bit pricey but you can haggle with the price. It is a 1 hour drive from Albay Parks and Wildlife to Cagraray Eco Park. We definitely admire the beauty and serenity of the place and surely more tourists will visit Cagraray Eco Park in the coming years. Entrance fee is Php 20/person.
The Amphitheatre
from the view deck
Jump for joy shot
Sula Bridge linking Legazpi City to Cagraray Island
click link to view Cagraray Eco Park
Everybody loves to eat especially if you want to try a certain delicacy that is new to your taste buds. Well our next stop is the highly regarded 1st Colonial Restaurant. They offer different Bicolano dishes at very affordable prices and you must also try their best selling and extra ordinary flavoured ice creams. Nothing extravagant in the interiors of the place just your ordinary daily restaurant but the appearance and taste of the food makes it more desirable.
Tinapa Fried Rice
Grilled Tuna Belly
Laing
Bicol Express
from left to right Pili nut ice cream, Tinutong rice ice cream and level 1 Sili Ice cream
You won't go back home without the souvenirs and one place to go to is the Albay Pili Nut Factory. It is a place to buy food products made from Pili Nuts and the Mazapan de Pili is their best seller, that's guaranteed. Just be prepared for the long line at the cashier because passengers of chartered tourist buses regularly stop here to buy their souvenirs.
This is their best seller
Our final itinerary for the day is going to Embarcadero. From Neuhaus Inn where our service dropped us off, we hailed a tricycle and it was the same trike that we rode going to Daraga Church where the motorcycle suddenly stopped and cannot go further up and guess what happened now, this time the motorcycle ran out of fuel luckily there was a gasoline station nearby to fill her up. That was an awkward but funny moment and we just laughed it off while going to Embarcadero. Trike fare back and forth is Php 190.00.
Next day was our early flight back to Manila. Trike fare to Legazpi City airport is Php 40.00. The whole trip to Legazpi City was an awesome experience and seeing Mayon Volcano at her finest and admiring the beauty of Cagraray Island was just unbelievable.
Expenses for 2adults and 1 child
Air fare = Php 2615.00
Van rental = 3000.00
Trike fare = 490.00
Hotel = 2300.00
Food/Bev = 3365.00
Souvenir = 1285.00
Entrance fees= 190.00
Total = 13,245.00
Until our next trip,see you on Tara... Let's go...
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