TRAVEL GUIDE: Leyte and Southern Leyte - Tourist Spots and Attractions, How To Get There, Accommodations, Transportation, Expenses, Itinerary and Contact Details

HOW TO GET THERE

Airport to the City Center
In Tacloban, the city center is called downtown. From the airport, take a jeepney bound for "downtown". Remember to take the regular jeepneys which only costs 15-20 pesos compared to the "special trip" jeepneys that costs 60 pesos for a trip to downtown Tacloban City.

Airport to MacArthur Landing Memorial
From the airport, we take a downtown-bound jeepney and alight at the Coca-Cola Plant at the turn around in Brgy. San Jose. Fare is is 7 pesos, travel time is around 5 minutes. From there, take a multicab bound for St. Paul's and get off at Campetic Crossing (7 pesos). You can walk or take a pedicab for 7 pesos each in going to the Landing Memorial.

Tacloban to Canigao Island
From Tacloban City, take a van (Duptours or Van-Vans) bound for Maasin City. Tell the Driver to drop you at Brgy. Nonok or Sta Fe in Matalom, Leyte. Fare is around 200 pesos and travel time is about 3 hours. From here, look for banca operators that shuttles passengers to Canigao island. Fare is 50 pesos and travel time is 15-20 minutes.

Tacloban to San Juanico Bridge
From the City center, ride any jeep or bus bound for Samar. These will pass by San Juanico Bridge. Fare is around 15 Pesos. Alternatively, you could also hire a tricycle to take you to and from the bridge. Contract price is 200 pesos including the waiting time.

Tacloban to Agas-Agas Bridge
From Tacloban City, take a van bound for Maasin, Southern Leyte. Tell the driver to drop you at Mahaplag crossing. Fare is 150 PHP and travel time is 1.5 - 2 hours. From there, hire a habal-habal for 300 pesos (2-way) going to Agas-Agas bridge. Travel time is around 30minutes.

Tacloban to Maasin City
From the city center, take a van (Duptours and Van-Van's) bound for Maasin City. There are vans that ply the Tacloban - Maasin City Route. Travel time is around 3 to 3.5 hours, fare is 220 pesos.



TOURIST SPOTS AND ATTRACTIONS

LEYTE

• Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum in Tacloban City
• Gen. Douglas MacArthur's Landing Site
• Canigao Island in Matalon Leyte
• San Juanico Bridge
• The Neoclassical Leyte Provincial Capitol Building
• Paru-parong Bukid Nature Conservation Center
• Palo Metropolitan Cathedral
• Tacloban City Hall
• CAP Building (formerly Price Mansion)
• Hill 522
• Hill 120
• Japanese War Memorial Cemetery
• Mahagnao National Park
• Lake Danao in Ormoc City
• Cuatro Islas in the towns of Inopacan and Hindang
• Madonna of Japan, located at the foot of Kanhuraw Hill, Tacloban City
• Crucified Christ and the Map of Leyte Pilgrim Monument(Kanhuraw Hill, Tacloban City)
• Kalanggaman Island
• Rafael's Farm

ACCOMMODATIONS

Being the the largest city and regional center of the Eastern Visayas region, there are a number of accommodations available in Tacloban City, Leyte. From expensive hotels and resorts to cheap and affordable hostels, inns, pension and lodging houses. If you are on a tight budget (like me), the cheapest hotel could be GV Hotel.

[ CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIST OF HOTELS IN TACLOBAN CITY ]

GV Hotel, Tacloban City

• Address: Avenida Veteranos Cor. Juan Luna Sts., Tacloban City
• Contact No.: (053) 523-0267
• Room Rates: starts at 350 PHP per night for a double fan room with private toilet and bath.
• Notes: As it is located at the city center, it is very accessible and near business establishments. Clean and spacious rooms, toilet and bath is okay and television set is working properly. It's a well secured 4 storey building with elevator. I highly recommend this when staying in Tacloban.

Other Options:
Welcome House Pension
161 Sto. Niño St. Tacloban City
(053) 321-2739

Rosevenil Pensione
302 Burgos St. Tacloban City
(053) 321-2676

Hotel La Roca
Zamora St. Tacloban City
(053) 325-3337

Asia Stars Hotel
Zamora St. Tacloban City
(053) 321-5388

Alejandro's Hotel
Paterno St. Tacloban City
(053) 325-7033

Leyte Park Hotel
leyteparkhotel.com.ph
(053) 325-6000

[ CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIST OF HOTELS IN TACLOBAN CITY ]

Since we didn't spend a night in Southern Leyte, I won't be able to recommend any accommodations. But there are a number of accommodations available, from expensive resorts and hotels to cheap and affordable hostels, guest houses and inns. Here are some options that you might want to consider:

[ CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIST OF HOTELS IN MAASIN CITY ]

Ampil Pensionne
Tomas Oppus St. Maasin City
(053) 570-8084

National Pensionne House
Kangleon cor. Del Pilar Sts., Brgy. Agbao, Maasin City
(053) 381-2102 & 570-8424

Maasin Country Lodge
Maasin City
(053) 570-8858

Verano Pension House
Kangleon St., Brgy. Matahan, Maasin City
(053) 381-2253

Villa Roman Hotel
Maasin City (053) 381-0639

Cacao Mountain Resort
Brgy. Combado, Maasin City
(053) 381-3013



EXPENSES

DAY 1 NAIA Terminal 3 Fee Breakfast Jeepney Fare, Airport to Rotonda Jeepney Fare, Rotonda to Campetic Crossing Tri-sikad to MacArthur Landind Memorial Van fare, Tacloban - Mahaplag Crossing Habal-Habal, Mahaplag to Agas-agas Bridge Zipline Van fare, Mahaplag Crossing to Matalom Boat fare to Canigao island Entrance to Canigao island Space rental per tent Dinner/Drinks TOTAL DAY 2 Breakfast Shower Fee Canigao to mainland Matalom Bus fare, Matalom to Maasin Lunch Van fare, Maasin to Tacloban Tricycle rental to San Juanico Bridge Dinner Accommodation (1 night) TOTAL DAY 3 Jeepney fare to the Airport Terminal Fee TOTAL GRAND TOTAL

200 80 7 7 7 150 150 280 100 50 20 50 100 1,201.00 70 20 None 25 100 220 100 100 350 985.00 14 30 44.00 PHP 2,230

This is an estimated budget per person for a group of 2.



ITINERARY

Here's my suggested itinerary for a 3-day weekend getaway in Leyte and Southern Leyte.
DAY 1
05:00 AM - ETD in Manila
06:00 AM - ETA in Tacloban City
06:30 AM - ETA in MacArthur Landing Memorial
07:00 AM - Breakfast
08:00 AM – ETD Sogod, Southern Leyte
10:30 AM – ETA Agas-agas Bridge / Zipline
12:00 NN - ETD for Matalom
02:00 PM - ETA in Matalom / Lunch
03:00 PM - ETD for Canigao Island
03:20 PM - ETA in Canigao Island
04:00 PM – Set-up camp, explore, cook/buy dinner
06:00 PM – Dinner
07:30 PM – Socials
10:00 PM – Lights out / Sleep

DAY 2
05:00 AM - Wake-up / Explore Canigao island
07:00 AM - Breakfast
08:00 AM - Swimming
09:00 AM - ETD for Mainland Matalom
09:20 AM - ETA Matalom
10:00 AM - ETA Maasin City / Explore
11:00 AM - Lunch
12:00 NN - ETD for Tacloban City
03:30 PM - ETA in Tacloban City
04:00 PM - Traverse San Jaunico Bridge
05:00 PM - Visit Leyte Provincial Capitol
06:00 PM - Check-in at GV Hotel / Freshen up
07:00 PM - Dinner
08:00 PM - Experiecnce night life in Tacloban
11:00 PM - Sleep

DAY 3
04:30 AM - Wake-up / Prepare
05:30 AM - ETD to the airport
06:00 AM - ETA Airport
06:30 AM - ETD for Manila
07:30 AM - ETA in Manila




CONTACT DETAILS

Department of Tourism
Regional Office No. 8
Adress: Rm 204 & 205 F. Mendoza Building 141 Sto. Nino Street, Tacloban City
Contact Numbers: (053) 321 2048 / 523 0295

Tacloban City Tourism Operations Office
City Hall. Kanhuraw Hill, Tacloban City
Telefax: 053 – 325 8955 / 325 2491

Provincial Tourism Office of Southern Leyte
Contact Nos.: (053) 570 8300 / (053) 570 9018


SEE ALSO: Kalanggaman Island, "Palompon's Island Paradise"

This is a part of my Leyte and Southern Leyte Adventure Getaway last October 1-2, 2011. This is my 2nd time to visit Leyte, the 36th province on my list. Kudos to my friend, JM, for accompanying me and for preparing everything on this trip. Join me as I unravel Leyte's rich history, culture and natural resources.
Map By: Wikipedia	Reliving Gen. Douglas MacArthur's Historic Return to the Philippines Arriving at Canigao Island, an Overnight Camping Trip Waking up in an Island Paradise called Canigao San Juanico Bridge, A Walk To Remember The Neoclassical Leyte Provincial Capitol Building Leyte and Southern Leyte - How To Get There, Accommodations, Transportation, Expenses, Itinerary and Contact Details

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