Destination: Albay

The mountainous Philippine province of Albay is most famous as the home of the picture-perfect but often angrily erupting Mt. Mayon Volcano. With a host of natural and man made attractions from Mt. Mayon, the local volcanic black sand beaches, plentiful wildlife and sealife, and areas of thriving nightlife, Albay province is a popular destination for both local and overseas tourists. 

Albay province’s rugged and mountainous terrain is offset by flat rolling pastures, criss-crossed by a network of smooth, well maintained roads, which makes touring the province easy. A good example is the excellent coastal road that runs from Tigaon in Camarines Sur all the way to Legazpi - certainly worth exploring. The views as it twists and curls its way along the slopes of the coastal mountainsides are not to be missed.

By the early 17th century, the once tiny, mangrove swamp settlement of Sawangan had grown to a town called Albaybay, meaning “by the bay.” This name became shortened to Albay, and later changed to Legazpi. Since then, the town has become a thriving city and is capital of what is now Albay Province. An ideal base for touring the province, Legazpi City has a thriving nightlife of bars and clubs and, in common with many towns in the Bicol region, a number of fantastic restaurants – especially if you like your food hot and spicy!

Close to Legazpi City you find many examples of Albay’s fascinating black sand beaches. The heat-retaining color and rather coarse sand on these make walking barefoot along these beaches a warm, tickling sensation not to be missed. Fourteen kilometers north of Legazpi city, the black sand beaches of Sto. Domingo are very popular, as are the area’s resorts and small entertainment bars – probably because the area is an ideal place for romantic moonlight strolls.

A little further north, up the scenic coastal road, Tiwi is approximately 40-kilometers from Legazpi City. This area of Alabay has a number of beaches, with the best for swimming being those around Joroan. There are a few resorts near Joroan, but happily the local beaches are not overcrowded even during the busiest time of the year.

Few visitors to Albay fail to recognize the almost perfectly symmetrical, triangular slopes of the Mt. Mayon Volcano. This majestic volcano stands proud, dominating the skyline for miles around. 

Named from the Bicolano word “Magayon,” meaning "beautiful", locals know that Mayon’s beauty is only skin deep. Like any beautiful lady, she likes to stand out from the crowd and be noticed - and as the most active volcano in the Philippines, (quite a distinction in itself), this frisky lady regularly gains attention by spewing ash and smoke – much to the anxiety of those living around her spectacular slopes.

Mt. Mayon’s long history of activity can best be viewed on a trip to Cagsawa Ruins Park, near Daraga, Albay. Within the park you can wander around the ruined remains of the village of Cagsawa, buried by Mt. Mayon’s 1914 eruption. The Cagsawa Church steeple, the only man-made landmark left standing, is a solitary sentinel to the dead, providing probably the best view of the mountain as she sits quietly waiting to again show the world her violent temper.

For divers, Albay offers a number of great dive sites. The dive area around San Miguel Island is reckoned to be the “best of the best,” but Bamba Dive Site, just off the Island of Rapu-Rapu, is also highly regarded as a worthwhile dive.  

Cavers are spoiled for choice in Albay province; just south of Camalig can be found Calabidongan and Hoyop-hoyopan Caves, while Cagraray Island, just to the east of Bacacay, boasts the Mataas and Masibis Caves. However, as inviting as these cool caves may be, you should always seek the knowledge and expertise of a local guide before entering any cave system.

While Albay province has some spectacular waterfalls, such as the Vera and Taki Falls on the slopes of Mt. Malinao, by far the most accessible is Busay Falls. From a well signposted turnoff on the National Highway just outside Malinao, a couple of kilometers drive down the unpaved track brings you right up to the falls. Here, cold mountain run-off water cascades over a 90-meter drop to the fall’s shallow base pool. With the ambiance provided by the surrounding crags and unspoiled vegetation, this is an idyllic spot to wile away a hot afternoon.

Whether seeking picturesque views of Mt. Mayon and the local black sand beaches, the adventure of marine life-filled dive sites or exploring deep caves, the fun nightlife and fantastic cuisine of Legazpi City, or the romantic walks along Albay’s moonlit palm fronted beaches, Albay province should be included in an tourists Philippine destinations. 

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