PHILIPPINES · BICOL REGION
Mayon, underground landscapes and a quieter side of southern Luzon
We spent five days in Legazpi and used the city as a base for exploring Albay and the coast of nearby Sorsogon. Our trip combined an ATV ride towards Mayon, the Jovellar Underground River, local food and a scooter day trip to a quiet beach on the Sorsogon coast.
Plan your Legazpi trip
Plan around your airport transfer, transport for day trips and the time you want to spend beyond the city.
Getting there
We arrived by air from Manila. Allow for a separate transfer from Bicol International Airport to your accommodation.
Getting around
We used tricycles for shorter city journeys and rented a scooter for independent day trips. A private driver is an alternative if you prefer not to ride.
How long to stay
We stayed for five days. Leave room for longer excursions and changes in the weather, especially around Mayon.
How we travelled from Manila to Legazpi
We flew from Manila to Bicol International Airport and continued to our accommodation by tricycle. The transfer worked, but it was a fairly long and uncomfortable ride with luggage. If comfort matters, ask your hotel about a shuttle or arrange a private van in advance. It costs more, but the journey into Legazpi is easier.
Our tip: Leave enough time for the return transfer to the airport, especially when travelling with luggage.
OUR BASE IN LEGAZPI
Hotel Lucca
We stayed at Hotel Lucca in the Legazpi Port District. It was a practical base for exploring the city, with casual evening food nearby.
During our stay, the hotel frequently hosted conferences and was busy with guests. If you have fixed travel dates, check availability in advance and compare room types and recent guest reviews.
The hotel photo and booking button link to Agoda. If you book through these affiliate links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
ANOTHER OPTION · SELF-CATERING
Andy’s Place Legazpi
If Hotel Lucca is unavailable or you prefer a place with your own kitchen, Andy’s Place is another option to consider. This self-catering accommodation in Cruzada offers a different style of stay, with a kitchen for preparing your own meals.
We have not stayed here ourselves. Compare the available unit, facilities and recent guest reviews before booking.
The accommodation photo and booking button link to Agoda. If you book through these affiliate links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Experiences from our five days in Albay
Our day trips took us from Mayon’s volcanic landscape to Jovellar’s caves and the quieter Sorsogon coast.
VOLCANO LANDSCAPE
ATV ride towards Mayon
We joined an ATV tour towards Mayon and drove the vehicles ourselves. It was one of the most active experiences of our stay and a memorable way to see the volcanic landscape from closer viewpoints.
Routes and access can change with weather and volcanic conditions. Choose an established local operator, follow the guide’s route and check current official advisories before booking. Do not assume that an older itinerary or viewpoint is still accessible.
Compare the available ATV trails and confirm the meeting point before booking.
The ATV booking link is an affiliate link. If you book through it, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
CAVE AND RIVER EXPERIENCE
Jovellar Underground River
Jovellar showed us a very different side of Albay. On arrival, we were offered a choice between an underground river tour and a tour of the limestone formations. We chose the limestone cave tour, which felt far removed from Legazpi’s busier streets.
After the cave tour, we also had time to walk around the grounds, with flowing water, small waterfalls and dense greenery adding to the experience. The site offered more than the cave visit alone, so leave time to explore the surroundings and ask locally about the available tours.
We travelled to Jovellar by scooter from Legazpi. The ride along the paved road through dense tropical forest was part of the experience.
We did not come across places to eat along the way, and fuel stops were scarce, so bring water and snacks and fill up before setting off. Keep an eye on your fuel level throughout the journey.
Treat it as a proper excursion rather than a quick stop. Confirm current access locally, wear footwear suitable for wet and uneven ground and protect phones or cameras from water.
DAY TRIP TOWARDS SORSOGON
A quiet beach on the Sorsogon coast
We rode from Legazpi to a quiet beach on the Sorsogon coast. The quiet shoreline, palms and largely undeveloped surroundings were a strong contrast to the city and one of the most peaceful parts of our stay.
This is a longer scooter day, so start early and avoid building a tight schedule around it. Check the weather, fuel level and road conditions before leaving, and only make the journey independently if you are confident riding for a longer distance.
A LOCAL TIP FOR THE SORSOGON COAST
Ozi Camp Resort
During our day trip to the Sorsogon coast, locals suggested Ozi Camp Resort as a place to stay on the Sorsogon coast. We returned to Legazpi instead, and the ride back felt long by the evening. We have not stayed at the resort ourselves.
Ozi Camp Resort is elsewhere on the Sorsogon coast. If you prefer to spend a night in Sorsogon, check its exact location against your route and confirm current rooms and facilities directly before making plans.
CASUAL EVENING FOOD
Our food park experience
During our stay, we ate at a local food park in the Legazpi Port District and tried freshly grilled seafood and meat in a simple, lively setting. We remember it as possibly being called Bahay Food Park, but we could not verify the name with certainty afterwards.
When we checked after our trip, the food parks we found online were marked permanently closed. Treat this as inspiration rather than a current recommendation: check current listings or ask locally for active food parks, night markets and street-food stalls shortly before visiting.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
A relaxed five-day Legazpi outline
Day 1 – Arrival in Legazpi: Fly from Manila, transfer to Hotel Lucca and keep the first evening relaxed around the Port District.
Day 2 – Mayon ATV: Plan the ATV experience towards Mayon and leave time for changing weather or visibility.
Day 3 – Jovellar Underground River: Make a separate excursion to the underground river and allow enough time for the journey.
Day 4 – Sorsogon coast: Allow enough time for a scooter day trip to the Sorsogon coast and the return to Legazpi.
Day 5 – Legazpi: Keep time for the city, a casual local meal and the onward journey.
OUR LEGAZPI MAP
Explore our Legazpi & Albay map
Open the interactive map to see our airport, hotel, Mayon ATV starting point, Jovellar Underground River, Legazpi Port District and Ozi Camp Resort on the Sorsogon coast.
By loading this map, you consent to a connection to Google Maps and the transfer of personal data, including your IP address. See our Privacy Policy.
Practical notes
- Mayon is an active volcano. Check current PHIVOLCS advisories and follow local restrictions before planning an ATV route or viewpoint.
- Mayon is often partly hidden by cloud. Avoid making the entire stay depend on one short viewing window.
- Carry cash for smaller transport providers, entrances, food stalls and fuel.
- If renting a scooter, inspect and photograph its condition, check the helmet and clarify fuel and return arrangements.
- For longer day trips, keep enough time for the return journey rather than filling the entire day with stops.
CONTINUE YOUR ROUTE
Where to go next
Connect Legazpi with Manila by domestic flight, or compare the other destinations from our Philippines route.