Lakbay sa Albay - Budget and Itinerary for My DIY Tabaco and Legazpi Tour

Things had been a bit disorganized at work from July to August, so I decided to take a much needed break. Luckily Cebu Pac had a seat sale when I thought of going somewhere. I already had Bicol in mind since I didn’t have the chance to have a glimpse of its crater from the airplane window on our flight to Cebu few years ago.

September 29, 2016, I finally saw the majestic beauty of the famous Mayon Volcano on a sunny afternoon while boarding our plane. The view of Mayon’s indescribable from my seat. Thanks to the tip given by other bloggers – I took the window seat (F) to Legazpi.

• So that’s how the “perfect cone” looks like!

It’s more practical to stay in Legazpi, Albay if you’re planning to have a city tour. Most of Albay’s attractions are within the area and as low as Php300, you can visit few of Legazpi’s famous tourist spots via tricycle.

However, I decided to check in one of Tabaco hotels which is an hour away from Grand Terminal in Legazpi via shuttle. Fare is Php50. The view of Mayon Volcano from its rooftop (rooftop with swimming pool and jakuzi), as well as the good reviews it received from its guests made me decide to try it.

• Pic of mayon from Fina rooftop

• Pool and Jakuzi: give them heads up prior to your arrival that you wish to use their pool / Jakuzi’s water’s cold. One of their attendants appeared to be confused when I asked if the water would get any warmer

• Very comfortable bed for a restful sleep

• Bathroom: everything’s clean and modern, complete with bidet and toiletries

• Restaurant: not that pricey, average food taste

 

• Fina’s entrance

Hotel Fina is in a strategic location – few steps away from the bus stop where you need to alight from your one-hour shuttle trip from the Grand Terminal. It’s very close to the PUJ and Shuttle Terminal bound to Grand Terminal in Legazpi and Watson’s Drugstore, Jollibee, Chowking, and shops (others seem to be surplus shops) are just around the corner. St. John the Baptist Church is also stone’s throw away. You can see it the moment you get off the shuttle.

• St. John the Baptist church

I started my solo tour the following day. Hotel Fina offers free service (green, bigger-than-the-average tricycle that can accommodate 4 backpackers) going to either PUJ or shuttle terminal. Decided to take PUJ this time bound to Legazpi Grand Terminal. Fare is Php 25.

I was the only passenger left just before we reach the terminal. Just like my other solo city tour travel, cheaper and faster way to explore Legazpi’s via tricycle. It would be helpful if you already have a list of places to visit for an easier haggling moment with the tricycle drivers.

Mine was Php300 and that includes:

• Park and Wildlife
• Lignon Hill
• Cagsawa Ruins
• Sidetrip on Legazpi Boulevard

 Cagsawa Ruins

 Legazpi Boulevard

Lignon Hill

Park and Wildlife

Kuya Driver told me that their usual rate should you want to visit all the attractions advertised in his tricycle is Php2,000.

Itinerary:

First Day:

10:40 ETD from NAIA

11:40 ETA to Legazpi Airport

12:00 Lunch at Grand Terminal (though our tricycle driver recommended Four Seasons Restaurant which seems to be a few-minute walk from the terminal)

13:00 ETD from Grand Terminal to Hotel Fina, Tabaco

Note: a friend advised me to get a ticket from the passengers’ booth should you want to take a tricycle to Grand Terminal to avoid pricey ride. You can easily see the booth outside the airport. Php 30 was written on our ticket, but the driver still asked for Php 40.00

14:00 ETA, Hotel Fina

15:00 Light Snack at the hotel’s restaurant

16:00 Jakuzi Time (pool’s not available)

19:00 Dinner

Second Day:

8:00 Breakfast (The hotel offers complementary Pinoy-style breakfast)

10:00 PUJ Terminal in Tabaco to Grand Terminal in Legazpi

11:00 Parks and Wildlife and Lignon Hill

12:00 Cagsawa Ruins

13:00 Lunch at Grand Terminal

14:00 Legazpi Boulevard

15:00 Shuttle back to hotel ( I was about to take a shuttle to Kawa-Kawa, but I got injured in Lignon Hill - no choice but to cut my tour short)

Third Day:

7:00 Breakfast

9:00 Church Visit and Shop

11:00 Left Tabaco

14:00 ETD from Legazpi Airport

Budget:

Plane Ticket on seat sale:         Php 1,500

Hotel Room:                            Php 3,000 (1,500/night)

Food for 3-day vacation:         Php 700

City Tour alone:                       Php 300

Others:                                     Php 400 (Depends on what activities you want to do and things to buy)

Total:                                      Php: 4,000 (estimated amount)

Take a "viirtual Albay tour" Must see places in Albay