Sorsogon: How to get to Donsol: Map, Bus Commute and Driving Directions

There are only a few places Tutubi would really love to return to. One of them is Donsol, Sorsogon that he visited in Holy Week 2003 (Good Friday) in an unplanned, spur-of-the-moment trip.

He had no snorkels, mask, fins then, even a waterproof camera.

Now that he has all of them, he didn't find the time to return there when he visited Sorsogon again due to lack of time. He just asked around for updated information and fares to Donsol for your information.

How to get to Donsol, Sorsogon:


For an online map of Donsol, please click here


How to commute to Donsol, Sorsogon:

Bus to Donsol, Sorsogon are available serviced by Philtranco and some bus companies in Araneta Center Bus Terminal and several bus lines (ordinary) on EDSA, Pasay.

Flights to Donsol, Sorsogon:

There currently are no flights to Donsol, not even flights to Sorsogon City Airport, the nearest airport to the "whale shark capital of the world." Fly in to Legazpi City via Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines or ZestAir.

In Legazpi Airport, board a tricycle (as there no taxis in Legaspi City) and ask the driver to take you to the bus terminal (or the van terminal) where vans and buses to Donsol are waiting (tricycle fare: PhP50.00).

Legazpi Airport to Bus terminal: PhP50.00 travel time about 10 minutes
Van to Donsol Fare: PhP60.00 travel time is 1.5 hours

If you're a bunch of clueless tourists, there are vans for rent at Legazpi Airport to take you to Donsol (the vans can seat 10 people, less if you have lots of excess baggage). Van rental rates to Donsol are PhP1,500.00 one-way then another PhP1,500.00 going back (the driver said he'll wait for you in Donsol after your whale shark interaction tour). The same driver also quoted PhP2200 for a tour of Legazpi's 16 tourist spots for 6 hours. (Tutubi inquired this from Legazpi City Tourism officers at the airport as well as the van driver accredited by Legaspi Tourism)

Coming from Samar or Leyte (Tacloban or Ormoc), the Ro-ro buses that pass by Bicol via ports of Allen in Samar and Matnog port in Sorsogon are the cheaper way of going to Donsol from the Visayas. Just drop off in Putiao, Pilar then ride a jeepney to Donsol.

Driving Directions to Donsol, Sorsogon:

For those with cars, follow this route that the same directions to Bicol: SLEX batangas exit, Maharlika Highway, Sto. Tomas (a few kilometers from Rose and Grace and Jollibee, there's a fork on the road. Choose left going to Alaminos, the other road leads to Sto. Tomas town proper), Alaminos, San Pablo (Laguna), Tiaong, Candelaria, Sariaya, Lucena, Pagbilao (this is Maharlika Highway or Pan-Philippine Highway) onwards to the Bicol provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay's Legazpi City, Daraga then Sorsogon province. On reaching the town of Pilar in Sorsogon, turn right on a road in an area known as Putiao. The road will lead to Pilar town proper and Donsol. Travel time from Legazpi city to Donsol is about 1 - 1.5 hours.

Notes:

Donsol Celebrates the Butanding Festival in April. this is the cheapest way to get there, unless you want to be part of a donsol package tour for convenience

Related Posts:

Legazpi Airport
Donsol Whale Sharks
Donsol Beach Resorts