Legazpi Travel Guide

In a nutshell

A premier tourist destination, Legazpi City has everything every wanderlust would die for. Its tagline, City of Fun and Adventure, does not even begin to cover it.

Why go to Legazpi

Nature, you say? Check. Authentic local cuisine? You bet! Adventure? Does getting on a lava trail sound just about right?

Admittedly, there were only two things that motivated us to spend a weekend in the city: Mayon and Bicol Express. We ended up staying for a week. Legazpi City has so much to offer that it's more than just a gateway to other tourist destinations in the region.

For one, there's the 2D perfect world famous Mount Mayon, it's symmetrical beauty is almost omnipresent. Secondly, if you crave adventure, you've definitely come to the right place. Try hopping on an ATV and brave the lava trail that surrounds the active volcano from a safe distance.

Something less risky but equally adrenaline pumping? We would highly recommend ziplining from Lignon Hill and get an added bonus of a spectacular view.

If you're on a gastronomic quest, the city will not disappoint with an extensive selection that range from local favourites like the aforementioned bicol express to more sophisticated fusion dishes. One thing's for sure, if you love spicy food you just landed in paradise.

When to go to Legazpi

The best time to visit Legazpi would be around April to May as this is your best chance to see Mount Mayon in its naked grandeur. It is also the hottest months though with temperature as high as 33°C. On the other hand, rainy season starts from June until around October with temperature ranging from 28°C to 31°C

Where to stay in Legazpi

Being a tourist city for decades mean there are a myriad of accommodation options in Legazpi. If you're a backpacker on a budget, you can get yourself a bed in a hostel for as low as PHP150. If you don't fancy making small talk with strangers however, you can get a private, non-air conditioned room at a number of inns from PHP200 to PHP600.

Standard hotel rooms will set you back somewhere between PHP800 to PHP4,000. Hotel amenities normally includes free wifi, private parking, and airport transfer with check in time at 2pm and checkout time at 12pm.

If money is not an issue then there are a couple of resorts in the city that will certainly give new meaning to luxurious holiday. Depending on the season, rates start from PHP2,500 to PHP12,000.

Where to eat in Legazpi

In Legazpi City, adventure does not just refer to physical activities. Their local cuisine is an adventure in and of itself.

Bicolano dishes are known for its two main ingredients, coconut milk and chili peppers. Personally we wouldn't leave Legazpi without trying Bicol Express which is basically pork cooked in coconut milk with lots and lots of chili. Another must try, and you won't probably experience this anywhere else in the country, is the sili (hot chili) ice cream. That hot and cold sensation in your mouth is unforgettable.

Fret not if you're not a fan of perspiration inducing dishes, there's a local food chain more popular than Mc'Donald's that serves up burgers and baby back ribs. Despite the gastronomic delight that they offer, a lot of restaurants really provide good value for money with dishes in ranging in price from PHP100 to PHP200.

How to move around Legazpi

Commuting around the city is convenient and inexpensive with hundreds of jeepneys plying the route between its two main districts. They are available 24/7 and the minimum fare which covers the first four kilometres costs only PHP8. The route is normally displayed on the windshield in front of or on the side of the jeepney, when in doubt you can simply ask the driver before getting on.

Tricycles are also fairly common although they normally wait at terminals and would require about 4 to 8 passengers before leaving. Taxis are not common and expensive.

Motorcycles (with the driver) and tricycles offering to drive you from point A to point B is not uncommon but I would recommend agreeing on the price before you depart.

Legazpi City is not huge but depending on the weather, it may not be practical to walk around. Besides, riding a jeepney is another experience unique to the country so we would say to ride it as much as you can.

How to get to and from Legazpi

The fastest and most convenient way to get to Legazpi City from Manila is by air. Two major airlines, Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines have several flights daily with travel time at approximately 45 minutes to an hour. If you're lucky, you might be able to grab a special deal but if not, expect to shell out between PHP1,000 to PHP7,000, one way. Cebu City is also only just an hour away from Manila by plane.

If you're not pressed for time, several bus liners have daily trips out of Manila. Tickets costs between PHP759 to PHP1,100 and travel time is between 9 to 10 hours. The recommended bus companies are Philtranco, ALPS The Bus Inc.Cagsawa Travel and Tours Inc., Isarog Bus, Peñafrancia Bus, Amihan Bus Lines, DLTB, Raymond Transportation, and St. Jude Transit and Goldline Tours. If you leave in the early evening, you can start touring the following day, albeit dead-tired and sleepy. If you depart during the day, the view around the countryside will make you forget that achy bum.

Those who are coming from other provinces such as Leyte or Cebu have an option to come in by sea. Several shipping lines such as WG & A, Trans Asia, Superferry, and Negros Navigation have trips to Legazpi via Masbate. Please check their websites for updated schedule and rates.

At this time, there are no direct international flights to Legazpi except for an occasional chartered flight to and from China.

Is Legazpi safe?

Still having second thoughts? The people of Legazpi are warm and accommodating and the city is generally free from safety-related issues that normally plague urban communities. In fact, the only threat that we'd worry about comes from the possibility of Mayon volcano erupting.

Despite some restlessness displayed in recent years though, the resilient city remains to be a safe haven for tourists.