Major city · Philippines
LucenaLúcená
Spend one day in Lucena for a quick look at the provincial capitol, cathedral and market; add a short ferry ride to Marinduque if time permits.
Lucena is the administrative and commercial hub of Quezon Province. Its sights cluster in the central Poblacion district, making a half‑day walk feasible. Buses from Manila stop here, and a 5‑minute jeepney ride reaches the Dalahican ferry for a quick Marinduque side‑trip.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PHP
- Best months
- Dec–May
- avoid Jun–Oct (rainy season, possible road closures)
- Airport
- MNL
- Nights
- 1
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 Lucena117 ▾
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 Lucena, 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
- SafetyLucena is generally safe for daytime travel; keep an eye on traffic, store valuables, and ask for fare totals on jeepney rides.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsCalled 'CR' (comfort room); bring tissue; many lack toilet seats.Philippines-wide
- Emergency numbers117 police · 117 fire & ambulance · 911 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.
- AirportMNL Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila) (≈152 km (94 mi) north, 2‑2.5 h by bus).MNL Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila) (≈94 mi (152 km) north, 2‑2.5 h by bus).
- Getting aroundJeepneys link the Grand Terminal, SM City and Poblacion; most attractions are within a 10‑min walk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (café)₱50–₱80 (≈ US$1–2)
- Street or quick mealStreet food (lomi, barbecue)₱80–₱150 (≈ US$2–3)
- Budget bedBudget guesthouse, a night, per person₱900 (≈ US$16)
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per room₱2,600 (≈ US$50)
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per room₱3,800 (≈ US$70)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₱1,200 (≈ US$25) · Mid ₱2,100 (≈ US$40) · High ₱3,500 (≈ US$65)
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
- MNL Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila) (≈152 km (94 mi) north, 2‑2.5 h by bus)MNL Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila) (≈94 mi (152 km) north, 2‑2.5 h by bus)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Dec–May. Avoid: Jun–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Lucena: 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
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
7 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
8 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
9 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
9 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
7 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 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
Jeepneys link the Grand Terminal, SM City and Poblacion; most attractions are within a 10‑min walk. Taxis are scarce; arrange rides via local apps if needed.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Marinduque (Burgos Port)
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h total each way
Jeepney 5 min from Dalahican Ferry Terminal, then ferry (≈1 h) to Burgos
Ferry operates limited slots; buy tickets early.
Tayabas (historic capital)
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
Jeepney from Lucena Grand Terminal, ~30 min
Spanish‑era churches and heritage houses.
Candelaria (beach & market)
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Bus via DLTBCo., ~40 min
Coastal walk and fresh seafood.
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.
Queen Margarette Hotel – Downtown
3 km (1.9 mi) from Maharlika Highway, 13‑min walk to Gintong Yaman Museum1.9 mi (3 km) from Maharlika Highway, 13‑min walk to Gintong Yaman Museum
Citilink Hotel
Across SM City Lucena, 4 km (2.5 mi) from bus terminalAcross SM City Lucena, 2.5 mi (4 km) from bus terminal
Jaelle Residences
Clean rooms, pantry area, near central market
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
- ₱1,200–₱2,100 (≈ US$25–40) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₱2,100–₱3,500 (≈ US$40–65) excl. bed
- High
- ₱3,500 (≈ US$65)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel1 × 1 night × ₱2,600 | ₱2,600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₱2,100 | ₱4,200 |
| Bus from Manila to Lucena (one‑way, AC)2 × ₱300 · check for schedule | ₱600 |
| Ferry to Marinduque (round‑trip)2 × ₱450 · check timetable | ₱900 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × ₱900 · check provider | ₱1,800 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₱1,010 |
| Trip total≈ ₱5,560 per person per day, bed included | ₱11,110≈ US$200 |
private bathroom, air‑conditioning
2026 estimate in PHP; flights and inter‑province bus fares excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (café) | ₱50–₱80 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Street food (lomi, barbecue) | ₱80–₱150 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Meal at mid‑range restaurant | ₱200–₱350 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Jeepney ride (city) | ₱10 (≈ under US$1) |
| Bus Manila → Lucena (AC) | ₱220–₱350 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Ferry to Marinduque (one‑way) | ₱300–₱500 (≈ US$6–9) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Heavy traffic on Maharlika Highway, especially mornings; allow extra travel time.
- Bus schedules can change; confirm fares (PHP 220 (≈ US$4) up) before boarding.
- Ferry to Marinduque runs only a few times daily; check the latest timetable.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Fire & ambulance
- 117
- National emergency
- 911
Pocket card
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LucenaLúcená
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Punta dito, pakiTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Fire & ambulance117
- National emergency911
Embassy
US Consulate in Manila; other embassies in Manila.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Manila → Lucena (bus, AC): about ₱250 (≈ US$5), 2‑2.5 h (check schedule)
- Lucena ↔ Dalahican Ferry (Marinduque): ≈₱400 round‑trip, 5 min jeepney to terminal
Say or show
- Pasensya na — Excuse me / Sorry (pa‑sen‑sya na)
- Salamat — Thank you (sa‑la‑mat)
- Magkano? — How much? (mag‑ka‑no)
- Nasaan ang banyo? — Where is the bathroom? (na‑sa‑an ang ban‑yo)
- Pwede ba mag‑card? — Can I pay by card? (pwe‑de ba mag‑card)
- Tulong! — Help! (tu‑long)
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 Lucena. 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 · avoid Jun–Oct (rainy season, possible road closures) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 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
- Add a night in Lucena if you want to explore the Pasayahan festival fully.
- Combine with a Marinduque overnight for island beaches.
Sources
Ask about Lucena
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