Lucban

Understand

Lucban lies inland in Quezon, 24 km (15 mi) north of Lucena. Most of the town is rainforest, and there is no dry season, so regular rainstorms can occur time by time. The town takes its name from the Tagalog word for the pomelo tree, "lukban", but the real origin is shrouded by ancient tales spread by word of mouth. It is home to about 54,000 people (census, 1 July 2024)

Getting there

The town is served by regular jeepney service from Lucena, all terminating at the public market. Vans from Lucena Grand Terminal can be taken if you go on package tours to Kamay ni Hesus. There are no buses to town. The easiest is to take a bus to Lucena, and transfer to a jeepney. Less common is via Tayabas: take the daily JAM bus plying Manila-Mauban, or the hourly NCR Lines ordinary buses plying Lucena-Mauban and get down at Tayabas, and take the jeepney. Lucban is served by Pagsanjan-Lucban-Lucena Road (Route 605), and can be reached via Pagsanjan or Lucena. A drive from Manila usually takes 3 hours, via Pagsanjan. Less frequent jeepney services from Santa Cruz, Laguna operate along the road. There are also limited jeepney services from Majayjay in Laguna.

Getting around

Lucban poblacion is easily walkable. To Kamay ni Hesus, take a jeepney along the highway or hail a tricycle.

See

1 Hermano Pule Monument, Lucban-Luisiana Road, Abang (Near the junction to Majayjay, Laguna). A shrine to Apolinario de la Cruz, better known as Hermano Pule, who founded the Cofradia de San José, who fought for religious and civil rights during the Spanish colonial era. Pule lead a rebellion from 1840 until his execution in 1841. (updated Jan 2020) 2 Kamay Ni Hesus Healing Church, Tayabas Road,, ☏ +63 42 540-2206. 7AM–5PM. Roman Catholic pilgrimage site on the foot of Mount Banahaw, frequently visited during Holy Week. It houses a replica of Noah's Ark, a healing church, family park and pond. Group tours can be organized from Lucena. (updated Oct 2023) 3 La Casa de Doña Ana, Quezon Avenue, Poblacion. A large Bahay na Bato (stone house) built in Neoclassical style by a local couple. Among the ancestral homes in town, only the Casa is designed with that style. (updated Jan 2020) 4 San Luis Obispo Parish Church (Lucban Church, St. Louis of Toulouse Parish), San Luis Street, Poblacion. A Baroque 18th century church that has a bone relic of its patron saint. (updated Apr 2026) 5 Mount Banahaw. An inactive volcano straddling the provinces of Laguna and Quezon. It is the highest mountain in the Calabarzon region (2,170 m a.s.l.), and a sacred monument for the Tagalog people. In the slopes of the mountain covered by Lucban is Banahaw de Lucban, a parasitic cone that protrudes from the main landmass. (updated May 2026) 6 Mortuary Chapel Ruins, Roman Catholic Cemetery, Lucban-Sampaloc Highway. Open 24 hours. These are what remains of the old mortuary church of Lucban Public Cemetery. built in the late 1700's on top of a hill overlooking the town, this church features two belfries and a magnificent ornately designed façade which is quite unique for this type of church. although the church is now in ruins the exterior is still well preserved, though weathered. Free. (updated May 2026) 7 Marcos Tigla Park, La Purisima Concepcion Street. Open 24 hours. Free. (updated Oct 2023)

Do

Festivals Pahiyas Festival - (May) Locals throughout the town decorate their houses with native materials to celebrate a plentiful harvest, before the rainy season comes (though Lucban is rather rainy at any time of year as a rainforest town). The town is frequented by tourists when this festival is held, so, accommodations like transient homes and apartments become fully booked.

Buy

1 Pamilihang Bayan ng Lucban, Gomburza Street. 5AM–5PM. (updated Oct 2023)

Eat

1 Buddy's Restaurant, 99 Rizal Avenue corner San Luis Street, Barangay 8 (in front of Plaza de Revolucion). 9AM-10PM. The flagship branch of a restaurant chain that began in Lucban in 1985 and has since spread across the Calabarzon region and Metro Manila. It serves Lucban and Quezon dishes such as pancit habhab, longganisa and hardinera and has an interior decoration inspired by the Pahiyas festival. ₱200–400. (updated Jan 2026)

Sleep

The Poblacion area hosts many apartments and homestays ("transients") that can be rented for one day, especially during Pahiyas Festival.

1 Kalesa Inn, A. Racelis Ave, ☏ +63 42 540-6592. Home stay in the Poblacion, having A/C rooms with basic amenities ₱1,505. (updated Dec 2018) 2 Samkara Restaurant and Garden Resort, Majayjay-Lucban Road, Igang, ☏ +63 907 745 4557, [email protected]. A farm-themed hotel, resort and restaurant complex in a rural setting, along the border with Majayjay, Laguna. (updated Apr 2026)