Nestled halfway on the slope of Mount Mayon is the famed Mayon Skyline View Deck also known as Mayon Rest House. Formerly the bustling Mayon Skyline Hotel, its business operations have been halted due to the unpredictable outbursts of Mt. Mayon in recent decades, but the place has been preserved and converted into a lovely nature park. It has a multi-purpose hall used for receptions and parties and some recreational facilities.
The park is a favorite place for picnics and field trips due to its cool temperature reminiscent of Tagaytay’s People Sky Park, and its panoramic views of the surrounding towns, ocean and mountains. Adjacent to the park’s multi-purpose hall is Mayon Planetarium and Science Park where photo exhibits and documentaries about volcanoes are shown. It has become one of the top destinations in Albay and is the best place to go to get up close and personal with the beautiful but dangerous volcano.
Located on the eastern slope of the volcano, the rest house is easily accessible via Tabaco City, about half an hour drive from the city proper. There is no public transport that goes directly there but motorcycles, jeepneys or vans can be rented to reach it. The journey to the top is a scenic drive through verdant vegetation with stunning vistas of blue waters and mountains from afar unfolding the further you drive.
The 15 Mysteries of the rosary are depicted in life-size statues along the slope of the steep mountain. Unfortunately, the typhoon (Reming) in 2006 toppled the huge cross over the roof of the small chapel.
The Holy Rosary Mountain
Local produce harvested from the fertile soil around the volcano are sold along the road. Despite of the constant danger posed by the volcano, the villagers who live on the slope of the mountain choose to remain within the declared danger zone as the area around Mt Mayon is their livelihood. The road on the way up is also dotted with white concrete crosses about 1 kilometer away from each other. It is a popular place for Stations of the Cross during the Holy Week.
Mayon Planetarium and Science Park
We were right on time for lunch when we got to the park coming all the way from Busay Falls. Even at the peak of the midday sun, the temperature was cool and refreshing and the place was covered with misty fog. Mt. Mayon had been elusive lately and during our visit, its peak was veiled with white fleeting clouds. It was both a blessing and a curse. The cold atmosphere was a respite from the hot temperature on the lowlands, but the mist and fog had obscured our view of the peak and the breathtaking vista around Albay.
Bonsai vendor at the park
While waiting for the sky to clear up, each of us went on exploring around the park. Nothing much has changed since my last visit two years ago. The zip line and wall climbing facilities weren’t operational again or perhaps it was only during my visits. The big cross at the Holy Rosary Mountain was still down. It was toppled by typhoon Reming in 2006. Luckily, the Planetarium and the café were open. I went inside the Planetarium again since the entrance fee was only 10 pesos and there was nothing much to do. After watching the documentary, I joined my aunt who was checking out the bonsais and other decorative plants that were for sale.
The Picnic Area
Wall Climbing facility
At the Platform of the Zip Glide
Luckily, after waiting for two hours, a sudden gust of wind exposed Mayon to us in all its glory. I ran to an unobstructed spot and started clicking my shutter. Everyone in the park, simultaneously halted what they were doing, excitedly took pictures and just stood there staring at the imposing work of Mother Nature. I was glad I didn’t waste any time because after a few minutes it went hiding again behind the clouds. I forgot what it was like to be this close to its peak. I could see closely the hot smoke coming out from its gray and bald crater and the path of lava flows. It was so dangerously beautiful indeed.
I saw Mayon on a daily basis when I was young but it was usually covered with clouds and not this intimate. It was well worth it coming back to this place. Never mind that they haven’t upgraded the facilities yet even though it is in dire need of a make-over. There are other places to zip line, wall climb, eat good food and be entertained. The Mayon Rest House is about Mayon. It is the star and the entertainment itself. Unless you’re adventurous enough to trek all the way to the top, this is the closest you’ll get to the most active volcano in the Philippines.
My aunt, her fiancee Marc and my cousin
Bits and Info
Mayon Planetarium and Science Park Fee
Parking Fee – Php 10
Planetarium Fee – Php 10
Toilet Fee – Php 6
Wall Climbing – Php 50/hour
Zip Slide – Php 100
nice. highschool or elementary days pa ata ako last na nakapunta jan, over a decade na, nakalimutan ko na nag-eexist nga pala yan hehe, thanks for reminding! feature mu din kawa-kawa at lignon hill in your future episodes
Same here, I was in grade school I think when I first visited the rest house and just came back recently. Na-amaze pa rin ako nung view lalo na yung crater.
.. only seen mayon in pictures claire, i hope someday i will be able to get a chance to visit the active volcano.
Wow PHilippines!!!
Thanks for sharing Claire, Going up and around mount Mayon is something you are unable to miss. Remnants of past eruptions are clearly visible at this site *ash cloud remnants on roofs.
Wide and magnificent views and shade from the unforgiving sun makes it a five star spot to return to. Do not forget to take a vulcano bonsai with you when you exit the place. Nice blog claire, thanks for sharing. And it is good to know you are always an sms away.
I was already working when I first saw Mayon, though they said it was not in its perfect cone anymore, I still find it perfect. That’s my 1st ever “living-in-a-postcard” moment. ^_^
That’s true Chyng, my bungi na sya on one side, but on Tobaco City side, it’s still post-card perfect scenery
whoa! havent really been that close to the peak. trekking to its peak is actually on my bucket list. seeing this photos reminds me of that dream trek. i should consider this site on my next visit to albay.
Ako din, I really want to trek all the way to the top but the guide fee was a bit expensive and Mayon was off-limit yet beyond the rest house. I’ll do it on my next visit, just a day hike
kelan itong trip niyo? we’re going to bicol this weekend and i’m still praying for good weather and clear skies for a good view of mayon.
last summer, good luck on your trip, medyo maulan yata ngayon doon
i still have not seen mt. mayon except sa pictures and school textbooks.lol…sana nga maka punta ako this year
thanks, claire for this…
i hope you don’t mind, i gave you a style award
http://crazysidviciouslover.blogspot.com/2011/01/sinulog-2011-and-award.html
Malapit lang yan Carla, 45 minutes away by plane, book na this year. Thank you for the award by the way
hndi pa ako nakapunta dyan. sana one day makapunta din ako.
meron pa palang rest house dyan. Ok pang relax and enjoy ng view yan ah.
If you happen to be in Albay one day, it’s a good day trip destination in addition to the other sights.
It’s always been my dream to go up close to this mountain even when I was a child but it never materialized. I only saw a faint, distant outline of it when I visited Mt. Isarog many years ago.
Your first photo reminds me of a very active volcano which I saw closely, the Arenal in Costa Rica.
i need to visit the bicol region soon! ang saya naman ditoooo! waaah, i need to plan this trip asap!
Go, you can visit up to 10 sights in one day if you rent your own transportation, habal-habal, van or jeepney
uber-cool!
this is a big help for my students’ first time trip to the bicol region, claire! yehey!
wow, Bicol talaga ang field trip nila ha
just want to know if you still need to contact the admin in mayon skyline if your going to visit? d you have a contact number?
No need Chris, we usually just go there.
I remember the first time i saw this majestic volcano. Sabi ko sa sarili ko “totoo pala siya..” LOL! Trully breathtaking.
Ganyan din feeling ko dati sa Pagsanjan Falls, sa textbooks ko lang kasi dati nakikita
When I went here last june, The planetarium is already ruined with. Kinakalawang narin ung building and there was no zipline. I thought the set-up was just made to be like that but as I saw here, there was a planetarium. What I was able to see are the bonsai vendors.
However, the beauty and charm is always there and will always remain. Mayon is always beautiful kahit pa siguro ruined sturctures and nandun, parang cagsawa ba ang dating. Ruined nga pero mas maganda naman. parang dito rin, very impressive.
Actually the zipline and wall climb facilities weren’t operational when we went there. The planetarium was open but it wasn’t well-maintained and nothing new was added since my last visit. But yeah it’s a great place to unwind and get up close with Mayon.
hi claire, how do we get to this place? how far is this from legazpi city
It’s less than an hour from Legaspi, the most convenient way to get here is to rent a jeepney, van or motorcycle.