3-Hour Bicol Itinerary: Things to Do Near Bicol International Airport
Looking for things to do near Bicol International Airport? You don’t have to travel far. In fact, you can experience some of Albay’s most important cultural attractions within just three hours of landing.
Welcome to Daraga, Albay, the municipality where Bicol International Airport (BIA) is located and the gateway to Mayon Volcano. Daraga is also home to three National Cultural Treasures: the Cagsawa Ruins, Budiao Ruins, and Daraga Church.
So if you have a few hours before hotel check-in, a connecting trip, or your next adventure, here’s your 3-hour Daraga itinerary from Bicol International Airport.
Okay. The three hours start now!
0:00 — Head to Cagsawa Ruins
Your first stop: Cagsawa Ruins, one of the most iconic tourist attractions in Albay.
From Bicol International Airport, you can take a tricycle to centro Daraga and continue by jeepney to Cagsawa. Taxis and other local transport options are also available. If you prefer a more convenient ride, check Grab first, it can sometimes be surprisingly affordable.
Before heading to the ruins, secure your Cagsawa Ruins Park Pass through Viaje at www.viajekita.com/cagsawa. The pass gives you access to one of the Philippines’ most recognizable historical landmarks.
The surviving Cagsawa bell tower stands dramatically against Mayon Volcano, making this one of the best places in Albay for photographs. But Cagsawa is more than a scenic backdrop. The ruins are a powerful reminder of the devastating 1814 eruption of Mayon Volcano and the communities that once lived around it.
Walk around the grounds, take your Mayon photo, explore the site, and soak in the history of the 5 historical structures still existing in the Cagsawa Town Complex.
Suggested time: 45 minutes.
0:45 — Visit the National Museum Bicol
Next, add some culture to your quick Bicol itinerary.
The National Museum of the Philippines – Bicol is conveniently located beside the Cagsawa Ruins, making it one of the easiest cultural stops to add to your trip.
The museum provides a deeper look into Bicol’s archaeology, natural history, and Mayon Volcano overview. Visiting after Cagsawa makes the experience even more meaningful, you’re not simply looking at ruins; you’re learning about the people, history, and environment that shaped them.
If you’re searching for cultural attractions near Bicol International Airport, this is an easy one to include.
Suggested time: 45 minutes.
1:30 — Explore Budiao Ruins
Ready for something less familiar? Head to Budiao Ruins, another of Daraga’s National Cultural Treasures.
Located only a short distance from Cagsawa, Budiao offers a quieter look at Bicol’s Spanish-colonial heritage. The area was once an established settlement before the catastrophic 1814 Mayon eruption transformed communities across the region.
Unlike Cagsawa, Budiao receives considerably fewer visitors, making it an intriguing destination for travelers who want to explore off-the-beaten-path attractions in Daraga.
And there’s an even better way to get there.
2:00 — Book an ATV Ride
Upgrade your three-hour Daraga adventure with an ATV ride along the Cagsawa Trail.
ATV tours typically run for around 30–45 minutes, giving you enough time to experience Bicol’s countryside without committing your entire day.
The ride itself is only half the experience. The trail offers spectacular views of Mayon Volcano, with the iconic perfect-cone volcano appearing throughout the landscape as you navigate the route.
ATV rides can be booked for around ₱400, making this one of the most accessible adventure activities to add to a short Bicol itinerary. You can easily book a ride at www.viajekita.com/atvrides.
2:30 — Visit Daraga Church
Before wrapping up your three-hour Daraga adventure, make one more cultural stop at the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Porteria, better known as Daraga Church.
Perched on a hill overlooking the surrounding landscape, the church is one of Albay’s most recognizable heritage landmarks and one of Daraga’s three National Cultural Treasures. Built in the 18th century, its façade is particularly notable for its intricate volcanic-stone carvings and distinctive Baroque design.
But Daraga Church is more than an impressive building. Its history is closely connected to the 1814 eruption of Mayon Volcano, when residents of Cagsawa sought refuge in higher ground around Daraga. The church and the community that grew around it became part of the story of how Daraga emerged as an important settlement in the aftermath of the disaster.
Suggested time: 20–30 minutes.
And just like that, three hours are up.
You’ve explored three National Cultural Treasures, visited the National Museum, discovered an overlooked historical site, and ridden an ATV beneath Mayon Volcano.
Not bad for three hours after landing.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor to Albay, a traveler with a short layover, or simply looking for things to do near Bicol International Airport, Daraga gives you a surprisingly complete Bicol experience in just a few hours.
And this is only the beginning.