The locals know that most foreign or local tourists head to the Bicol region to see the scenic Mayon Volcano. Although the magnificence of the near-perfect volcano is breath-taking and captivating in itself, there are other tourist attractions that make your Albay trip more than your usual Mayon Volcano expedition.
Albay’s neighbouring province, Sorsogon, has one of the highest concentrations of whale sharks in the world. For marine lovers, a sea adventure at Donsol, which is an hour’s trip from the province, should be a staple in any travel itinerary of an Albay tourist. Here, you can explore and witness real whale sharks in their natural habitats. Whale sharks are locally known as ‘butanding” and are remarkably docile and friendly. If you feel uncomfortable swimming with the whale sharks, observing them from the boat is the best option that will still be a worthy experience.
Other nature tourist attractions include the wondrous waterfalls of Albay. These are the Vera Falls, Busay Falls and Palale Falls. Vera Falls is located in Malinao, Albay andit beckons a paradise of forest and cascading waters. Meanwhile, Busay Falls is tucked deep inside the barrios of Malilipot, Albay. It is often flocked by the locals especially during the hot summer season. Lastly, Palale Falls is very accessible by foot trails and it is located at Malinao, Albay.Visiting mysterious caves should not be missed also when in Albay. Pototan Cave in Barangay Tinucawan, Batan Island. This is a 4-hour spelunking adventure site, about 10 feet above the beach line. Feel the thrill as you explore different chambers and passageways with stalactites and stalagmites adorning the cave’s walls. Calabidongan Cave in Camalig, Albay, which literally means “cave of bats”. Exploring this cave requires heavy spelunking skill as explorers need to trek, cross over brooks and rivers and swim across a 7-foot lagoon named Lizard’s Gate. Minaroso Cave in Villahermosa, Batan Island is a rarely explored cavern as it is a haven of seabirds and believed to be an ancient burial site of early Bicolanos. Cagbulacao Cave in Misibis, Cagraray Island is another less visited cave but filled with historical contributions.Philippine adventures are not complete if tourists do not visit churches in any area. In Albay, one should find the time to go in Our Lady of the Gate Church in Daraga, Albay, which is built in 1773 on a hilltop by Franciscan Missionaries. The OAS Church, St. Dominic Guzman Church in Sto. Domingo, Albay, the Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, St. John the Baptist Church, Malinao Church, San Juan Bautista Church, St. Stephen Protomartyr, St. Gregory the Great Cathedral and Nuestra Señora de Salvacion are all architectural adventures that reflect the strong Catholic faith of the locals.
For more amusement and leisure strolls, one can also visit the different parks in Albay. Albay Parks and Wildlife at Legazpi City is a picnic grove and park rolled into. Families and friends get roam around freely while sightseeing 347 animals housed in the park. The Peñaranda Park is another escape for outdoor fun and relaxation. The Plaza Rizal is another landscaped park with lights, fountains and promenade located in downtown Legazpi. Lastly, strolling along the Legazpi Boulevard can be breath of fresh air as the sea air wafts your skin.
