by Albay Province, home to the magnificent perfect cone-shaped active volcano — Mayon Volcano, is a mountainous destination that will truly entice tourists visiting the province. Every place in Albay with a view of the magnificent volcano is truly breathtaking!
I have been to Albay three times and every time I go back, Mayon gets prettier and prettier! So if you are coming to Albay soon, don’t forget to save this Albay DIY Itinerary & Budget for your future reference!
Table of Contents
About Albay
Albay is a province in the Bicol region with Legazpi as its capital city. It was named after Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the Spanish conquistador who came to the Philippines in 1565 and started the massive colonization.
The province is home to the famous perfect cone-shaped active volcano also known as Mayon Volcano. Moreover, the province is generally mountainous with scattered fertile plains and valleys.
The Legend of Mount Mayon
Legend has it, Daragang Magayon or “magandang dalaga” “beautiful maiden” fell in love with Panganoron from another village, but was forced to marry the wealthy suitor Paratuga to save her father who had been captured. On her wedding day, Panganoron and his men attacked the ceremony in an attempt to save Daragang Magayon.
During the battle, both Daragang Magayon and Panganoron were fatally wounded. After their deaths, Daragang Magayon’s burial site grew into a large mountain that is now known as Mount Mayon, which occasionally erupts, believed to be from the warring spirits of Paratuga and Panganoron.
In another religion-based belief, Gugurang, the supreme deity who dwells inside of Mayon Volcano where he guards and protects the sacred fire in which Aswang, his brother was trying to steal. Whenever the people disobey his orders and commit numerous sins, he would cause Mayon to burst lava as a sign of warning for people to mend their crooked ways.
How to Get to Albay?
Option 1: Via Land Travel From Manila to Legazpi
There are buses from Cubao or PITX that goes directly to Legazpi in Albay. You can book it below on Klook for a discounted rate compared to booking it on site.
- BOOK BUS FROM MANILA TO LEGAZPI HERE
- USE MY CODE JOANSFOOTPRINTSKLOOK TO GET A DISCOUNT
Option 2: Via Plane MNL-DRP
You can also book a flight to Legazpi for faster and a more convenient way.
- BOOK FLIGHTS FROM MNL-DRP
- USE MY CODE JOANSFOOTPRINTSKLOOK TO GET A DISCOUNT
Where to Stay in Albay?
If you are planning to explore Albay for 3 days and 2 nights, I highly recommend 1 night at The Campsite in Ligao and the other night around Legazpi. But if you are traveling in a time-sensitive manner, staying around Legazpi will be the best option.
We stayed at the Mariners Legazpi and we only paid Php800.00/night good for 2 pax.
- BOOK ROOMS AT MARINERS LEGAZPI FOR PHP800/NIGHT GOOD FOR 2 PAX
- SELECT A WIDE RANGE OF HOTELS IN LEGAZPI ALBAY HERE
Where to Eat in Albay?
Bicol is commonly known for gata or coconut-milk based dishes that are sometimes mixed with shredded green chillies to make it spicy. Some of the popular dishes to try are (1) Bicol Express, (2) Laing, (3) Kinalas and (4) Kinunot. Furthermore, Pili Nuts are great for pasalubong from Bicol.
Additionally, if you get the chance to swing by Albay, there are sili ice creams sold in local stores. But if you want to try the original taste, I highly recommend 1st Colonial sili ice cream. They have branches in most SM Malls in Bicol.
For pasalubongs, pili nuts are the top and main pasalubong from Albay. You can never go wrong with a Pili Tart for pasalubong.
Things to Do in Albay
Albay is a rising destination in Bicol with various leisure activities to offer. Below are the top things to do in Albay. I highly recommend the ATV at Cagsawa Ruins!
ATV at Cagsawa Ruins
Explore the magnificent Mayon Volcano like no other while riding/driving an ATV from its foothill. Experience nature at its finest as you go through forests, rivers, rice fields, and thousands of volcanic rocks along these exciting trails. You can book this tour on Klook for cheaper rates compared to walk-in rates!
Take note that there is an entrance fee of Php20.00/pax at the Cagsawa Ruins. If you do not intend to ride an ATV, you can just roam around to check out the remnants of a 16th-century Franciscan church, the Cagsawa church.
BOOK DISCOUNTED ATV EXPERIENCE AT CAGSAWA RUINS HERE
KLOOK DISCOUNT CODE: JOANSFOOTPRINTSKLOOK
Camp at The Campsite in Ligao
If you are a camper, you should definitely try this! Especially if you are planning to stay in Albay for a few days. What is better than waking up in a tent and as you zip open your tent, you get a view of the beautiful Mayon Volcano in front of you! This is one of the best camping experience I’ve ever tried in my life.
How to get to The Campsite in Ligao? Ride any jeepney that goes to Ligao, tell the jeepney driver to drop you off near the habal-habal area going to The Campsite. Ride the habal-habal to The Campsite.
There is an entrance fee of Php100.00/pax and you have an option to (a) camp for Php350.00 tent rental or (b) rent a kubo-type room for Php700.00/night good for 2 pax. Take note that there is no electricity and no restaurant in the area. Make sure to bring powerbanks and food that you can cook as there is a kitchen available for use.
Try the Sili Ice Cream
The sili ice cream originated in Albay and the 1st Collonial Restaurant invented this. The ice cream is made with coconut milk, labuyo chili, puréed strawberries, and sugar. Moreover, there are spiciness level too so you can try level 1, level 2, level 3 and volcano level. The price is Php110.00 each and you can find this in almost all stores around Albay.
I tried level 1 and volcano level and since the ice cream is cold, it makes the spiciness tolerable for me. I wouldn’t say it’s delicious because it’s a bit peculiar for my taste but I’d still recommend it because the flavor is kind of out of this world, lol!
Visit the Daraga Church
Our Lady of the Gate Parish Church, also known as Nuestra Señora de la Porteria Parish Church and commonly known as Daraga Church, is a Roman Catholic church in the municipality of Daraga, Albay.
Try Zipline at the Black Lava Trail
The black lava zipline adventure offers another exciting way to get a breathtaking view of the Mayon Volcano. The zipline costs Php300.00/pax or you can opt to walk to the helipad or the black lava trail.
Other Things to Try in Albay
Here are other things you can try in Albay which is also available on Klook! I highly recommend booking a tour on Klook for hassle-free touts plus it’s very cheap too!
SUGGESTED THINGS TO DO IN ALBAY
KLOOK DISCOUNT CODE: JOANSFOOTPRINTSKLOOK
Sample 3 Days & 2 Nights in Albay DIY Itinerary
This is the itinerary that we used when we spent 3 days and 2 nights in Albay. If you only have the weekend to spare (2 days and 1 night), you can skip our day 1 itinerary. Moreover, we came from Catanduanes before our recent trip to Albay. Feel free to check my Catanduanes Travel Guide here!
Budget tip: don’t forget to use my code on Klook to get a discount upon check out! For bus transportation, accommodation, and tours in Albay, use my code JOANSFOOTPRINTSKLOOK upon check out!
| DAY 0: CUBAO-LEGAZPI | ACTIVITY: | PRICE: |
| 6PM | Manila-Bicol Bus Transfer on Klook Klook Code: JOANSFOOTPRINTSKLOOK | Php1,370/pax |
| DAY 1: OVERNIGHT AT THE CAMPSITE IN LIGAO | ||
| 6AM | Arrive at the bus terminal, breakfast, head to The Campsite at Ligao | Php150/pax meal; Php35/pax jeepney to Ligao; Php50/pax habal-habal to The Campsite |
| 9AM | Early check in at The Campsite, explore the area, best at sunset and sunrise | Php100/pax entrance fee; Php700/night room for 2 pax |
| DAY 2: LEGAZPI | ||
| 7AM | Proceed to Legazpi from Ligao | |
| 9AM | Check in at Mariner’s Legazpi | Php800/night good for 2 pax |
| 10AM | Rent a motorbike at AMR Motorbike rentals Contact: 09926228699, 09669019480 | Php500/day |
| 11AM | Visit Daraga Church | NO ENTRANCE FEE |
| 12-1PM | Lunch | |
| 1-3PM | Explore Black Lava Trail; zipline; walk to the helipad | Php300/pax zipline |
| 7PM | Dinner at the Foodpark | |
| DAY 3: LEGAZPI | ||
| 6AM | Prepare for ATV at Cagsawa Ruins in the morning | |
| 7-9AM | ATV; explore Cagsawa Ruins | Php435/pax ATV |
| 12NN | Check out, travel back to MNL |
| Help me improve my Albay DIY Itinerary Travel Guide! By commenting suggestions in the comment section below, I am very open to new ideas. Drone shots by yours truly. Contact Us for paid promotions and link insertions. For proposals: email me at joansfootprints@gmail.com Follow me on Facebook, Instagram & Tiktok @joansfootprints for more travel-related contents! |
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