Major city · Philippines
Jovellar
Half a day is enough: visit the underground river and Busay Falls, then move on to Legazpi or Donsol. Not a base.
Jovellar is a quiet landlocked town in southwest Albay, best known for its underground river and two waterfalls. Most travellers pass through on the way to Donsol (whale sharks) or Legazpi. The town itself has a public market and a few eateries; plan 3–4 hours for the caves and falls, then continue.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PHP
- Best months
- Dec–May (dry season)
- avoid Jun–Nov (typhoon season, some roads may flood)
- Airport
- DRP
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Philippines ↗Complete the free eTravel registration on the official government site within 72 hours before arrival; ignore lookalike sites that charge.
- Philippines ↗Typhoon season runs roughly June to November: flights and boats are cancelled at short notice; buy flexible tickets and keep a spare day.
- Philippines ↗Carry pesos in small notes; many stalls, jeepneys and taxis are cash-only.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Jovellar911 ▾
- National emergency911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Jovellar, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Philippine pesos (₱) in small notes for jeepneys, market stalls, tips and taxis; malls and hotels take cards.Philippines-wide
- SIM or eSIMGlobe and Smart sell SIMs at airports; SIM registration with passport is required by law.Philippines-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations cheap.Philippines-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% if no service charge.Philippines-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Philippines-wide
- SafetyJovellar is generally safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsCalled 'CR' (comfort room); bring tissue; many lack toilet seats.Philippines-wide
- Emergency numbers911 National emergency
- Sundays & holidaysHoly Week shuts much; malls open daily; banks closed weekends.Philippines-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDRP Bicol International Airport (Daraga) (About 30 km (19 mi); taxi or jeepney to Jovellar, 45–60 min).DRP Bicol International Airport (Daraga) (About 19 mi (30 km); taxi or jeepney to Jovellar, 45–60 min).
- Getting aroundTricycles from the town centre to the underground river and falls; negotiate the fare (₱50–100 (≈ US$1–2) per ride).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedBasic room (fan, shared bath), a night, per room₱500 (≈ US$9)
- Mid-range bedBasic room (fan, shared bath), a night, per room₱800 (≈ US$15)
- High-end bedBasic room (fan, shared bath), a night, per room₱1,200 (≈ US$25)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₱800 (≈ US$15) · Mid ₱1,500 (≈ US$30) · High ₱3,000 (≈ US$55)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DRP Bicol International Airport (Daraga) (About 30 km (19 mi); taxi or jeepney to Jovellar, 45–60 min)DRP Bicol International Airport (Daraga) (About 19 mi (30 km); taxi or jeepney to Jovellar, 45–60 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Mar
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Dec–May. Avoid: Jun–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest May (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jul (17 rain days), driest Apr (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Jovellar: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Tricycles from the town centre to the underground river and falls; negotiate the fare (₱50–100 per ride). Jeepneys connect Jovellar to Guinobatan and Legazpi.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Donsol (whale sharks)
goDoor to door: 40 min
Jeepney or tricycle to Donsol town, about 30 min
Whale shark season Nov–Jun; book a boat at the Donsol tourism office.
Legazpi
goDoor to door: 1 h
Jeepney via Guinobatan, about 45 min
Mayon Volcano viewpoints, Cagsawa Ruins, and city amenities.
Ligao
goDoor to door: 40 min
Jeepney, about 30 min
Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave and smaller waterfalls.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (Mercado area)
Near the public market and tricycle terminal; basic lodgings only.
Legazpi (30 km away)
Wider choice of hotels; use as a base and day-trip to Jovellar.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₱800–1,500 (≈ US$15–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₱1,500–3,000 (≈ US$30–55) excl. bed
- High
- ₱3,000 (≈ US$55)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Standard room (aircon, private bath)1 × 1 night × ₱1,500 | ₱1,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₱1,500 | ₱3,000 |
| Tricycle to underground river (round trip)1 × ₱200 · check | ₱200 |
| Underground river guide fee (per person)2 × ₱150 · check | ₱300 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₱500 |
| Trip total≈ ₱2,750 per person per day, bed included | ₱5,500≈ US$100 |
2026 estimate in pesos; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Tricycle ride (town centre to underground river)One way, negotiate | ₱100–150 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Jeepney Jovellar → Legazpicheck | ₱40–60 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Underground river entrance + guidecheck | ₱150–200 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Meal at a local eatery | ₱80–150 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Bottled water (1 L) | ₱20–30 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Underground river requires a guide (included in the fee); wear sturdy shoes and bring a flashlight.
- Busay Falls and Sigpit Falls are more impressive after rain; check local conditions.
- No ATMs in Jovellar; bring enough cash from Legazpi or Daraga.
Emergency numbers
- National emergency
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
JovellarJovellar
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Sa address na ito, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- National emergency911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- DRP airport → Jovellar: Taxi about ₱500–700 (≈ US$9–13), jeepney about ₱50–80 (≈ US$1–2) (check)
- Jovellar → Legazpi jeepney: ₱40–60 (≈ US$1–2), about 45 min
Say or show
- Magkano? — How much? (mag-KAH-no)
- Salamat — Thank you (sa-LA-mat)
- Nasaan ang ilog sa ilalim ng lupa? — Where is the underground river? (na-SA-an ang EE-log sa i-la-lim ng LU-pa)
- Kailangan ko ng traysikel — I need a tricycle (kai-LA-ngan ko ng trai-SI-kel)
Bicolano (Central Bikol) is the local language; Tagalog and English are widely understood.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Jovellar. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–May (dry season) · avoid Jun–Nov (typhoon season, some roads may flood) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Jovellar
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