Major city · Philippines
Virac
Give Virac one full day for the port, the WWII fountain and the market; add a second night only if you want a slow pace or an early ferry to Tabaco.
Virac is the capital of Catanduanes and the island's main transport hub, with the airport 3 km west of the centre and daily ferries to Tabaco in Albay. The sights sit within a 15-minute walk of each other, so one day covers them; a second night buys you a relaxed ferry morning or a run out to the coast.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PHP
- Best months
- Dec–May
- avoid Jun–Nov (rainy season)
- Airport
- Virac (VRC)
- Nights
- 1
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 Virac117 ▾
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 Virac, 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
- SafetyVirac is generally calm for visitors; the real risks are road traffic when crossing, rough weather at sea in the rainy season…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsCalled 'CR' (comfort room); bring tissue; many lack toilet seats.Philippines-wide
- Emergency numbers117 police · 911 fire and 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.
- AirportVRC Virac Airport (San Isidro Village, about 3 km (1.9 mi) west of the centre; Cebu Pacific flies daily from Manila (NAIA).).VRC Virac Airport (San Isidro Village, about 1.9 mi (3 km) west of the centre; Cebu Pacific flies daily from Manila (NAIA).).
- Getting aroundJeepneys, motorized tricycles and pedicabs cover the town and nearby villages; the centre is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café₱80–120 (≈ US$2–3)
- Street or quick mealJollibee meal (breakfast 7–11 AM)₱120–180 (≈ US$3–4)
- Budget bedFan room, own bathroom (Rakdell Inn), a night, per room₱350 (≈ US$7)
- Mid-range bedFan room, own bathroom (Rakdell Inn), a night, per room₱450 (≈ US$8)
- High-end bedFan room, own bathroom (Rakdell Inn), a night, per room₱600 (≈ US$11)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₱1,500 (≈ US$30) · Mid ₱2,500 (≈ US$45) · High ₱4,500 (≈ US$80)
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
- VRC Virac Airport (San Isidro Village, about 3 km (1.9 mi) west of the centre; Cebu Pacific flies daily from Manila (NAIA).)VRC Virac Airport (San Isidro Village, about 1.9 mi (3 km) west of the centre; Cebu Pacific flies daily from Manila (NAIA).)
Map of Virac
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Dec–May. Avoid: Jun–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest May (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C) low), wettest Jul (18 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Virac: 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
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 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, motorized tricycles and pedicabs cover the town and nearby villages; the centre is walkable. Tricycle across town, about 2 km: ₱30–50.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 4 h to the Tabaco pier
Peñafrancia shipping lines ferry from Virac Port, 3½ h, ₱240 (≈ US$5) non-AC / ₱290 (≈ US$6) A/C
From Tabaco: van to Legazpi ₱40 or Naga ₱180, or a bus onward to Manila.
San Andres fast ferry
goDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min including the ride to the port
Fast ferry from San Andres port (17 km (11 mi) from Virac) to Tabaco, 1 h, ₱330 (≈ US$6) A/CFast ferry from San Andres port (11 mi (17 km) from Virac) to Tabaco, 1 h, ₱330 (≈ US$6) A/C
Faster and pricier than the town-centre ferry; check sailing days before you commit.
Door to door: Check locally
Jeepney or van south along the circumferential road
Useful if you are heading on around the island rather than back to Virac.
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.
Rizal Avenue and town centre
Marem Pension House, Catanduanes Midtown Inn and Solybel Lodge cluster here, walking distance to the port, market and museum.
San Pedro (Rakdell Inn)
Fan single/double with own bathroom and cable TV, ₱350–450; the inn runs its own restaurant.
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
- ₱1,200–1,800 (≈ US$25–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₱2,000–3,000 (≈ US$40–55) excl. bed
- High
- ₱3,500–5,000 (≈ US$65–90) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Fan room, own bathroom (Rakdell Inn)1 × 1 night × ₱450 | ₱450 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₱2,500 | ₱5,000 |
| Virac–Tabaco ferry, one way, non-AC2 × ₱240 · 3½ h; AC class ₱290. | ₱480 |
| Fast ferry San Andres–Tabaco, AC2 × ₱330 · 1 h; San Andres port is 17 km from Virac. | ₱660 |
| eSIM data for 1 week2 × ₱1,200 · check | ₱2,400 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₱900 |
| Trip total≈ ₱4,950 per person per day, bed included | ₱9,890≈ US$180 |
Rakdell Inn lists fan single/double with own bathroom and cable TV at ₱350–450; higher bands are an estimate.
2026 estimate in pesos; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | ₱80–120 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Jollibee meal (breakfast 7–11 AM) | ₱120–180 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Ferry Virac–Tabaco, non-AC | ₱240 (≈ US$5) |
| Tricycle ride within town (about 2 km) | ₱30–50 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ferry times change with weather and demand: confirm at Virac Port the day before you sail.
- Transport thins out in the evening; if you miss the last boat or flight, plan to sleep in town.
- Roads to outlying beaches can be rough in the rainy season (Jun–Nov).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Fire and ambulance
- 911
- National emergency
- 911
Pocket card
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ViracVirac
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Dito po, pakiusapTo this address, please
Emergency
- National emergency911
- Police117
Embassy
No embassies in Virac; the US embassy and most others are in Manila (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Virac Port → Tabaco ferry, non-AC: ₱240 (≈ US$5), 3½ h; AC ₱290 (≈ US$6)
- San Andres → Tabaco fast ferry, AC: ₱330 (≈ US$6), 1 h; San Andres is 17 km (11 mi) from Virac₱330 (≈ US$6), 1 h; San Andres is 11 mi (17 km) from Virac
- Tabaco → Legazpi / Naga van: ₱40 (≈ under US$1) / ₱180 (≈ US$4)
Say or show
- Salamat — Thank you (sa-LA-mat)
- Magkano ito? — How much is it? (mag-KA-no i-TO)
- Nasaan ang pier? — Where is the port? (na-SA-an ang pier)
- Dito po, pakiusap — To this address, please (di-TO po pa-KI-u-sap)
- Puwede bang mag-card? — Can I pay by card? (pu-WE-de bang mag-card)
- Nasaan ang banyo? — Where is the toilet? (na-SA-an ang BAN-yo)
Cash is king outside the malls. 24-hour ATMs in town: BDO on San Juan Street and PNB on Rizal Avenue at Santa Cruz Street; BPI Direct BanKo and China Bank keep shorter banking hours.
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 Virac. 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–Nov (rainy season) · 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
- Airport-to-bed contract for VRC: tricycle or taxi from San Isidro Village, 3 km, plus a late-arrival bed rung.
- Ferry-to-Tabaco ticket purchase at the port the day before, with the San Andres fast ferry as the fallback.
- Walking cluster for the centre: fountain, Old Capitol museum, capitol and Imelda Avenue, with opening hours checked.
Sources
- officialVirac Port info
- officialVirac Airport Facebook group
- secondaryWikivoyage: Virac, revision 5335777 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Virac
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