Legazpi City in the Bicol Region

It's located within city limits, and is a four-star with a three-star rating. Clean, spacious room. Deluxe room had a queen bed, ref, and cable TV. Very nice pool.

Room rate per day was about $50 (rate conversion $ to Phil. pesos March 2005). Not bad for such type of hotel, which is far much better than most 3-star hotel in Manila.

If you're adventurous enough, one can climb to the top of Mayon Volcano. However, for mere mortals like us, we did what most people do and drove up to the Mayon Volcano Park, which is situated more than halfway up the volcano. From that vantage point, one can look down on Legazpi and looking up, see the top of Mayon much closer.
Tip : No restaurant, so bring food and drink just to be sure.

Private car (van) rental (with driver) for 8 hours was at 2,000 pesos (2002). The drive itself took only about 45 minutes (but give yourself enough time for stops and photo shoots) so one may even just allot 4 hours for the trip. However, take advantage and ask the driver to show you other places along the way, as a bit farther (20 minutes more) is the Tiwi Hot Springs.

From Manila, flights to Legazpi take about 35-45 minutes. However, flights are normally cancelled when visibility is very poor, which is rare, and normally happens in the rainiest months (July-Sept).

Roadtrip would be about 9-11 hours with normal stops. I have not taken one for more than 15 years, but have heard that there are still a lot of kilometers that are quite bumpy, which therefore makes the trip longer.

In Legazpi, walking is the best way to get around. However, "tricycles", a motorcycle with a sidecar, seating 2 passengers, is the most common transport. Fare per person per ride/route was about (Phil. pesos) 1.25 (July 2002). Private car rental/cabs and the jeepney are also available.