Eastern Visayas is the third-largest region in the Philippines in terms of landmass area measuring 23,251.10 km 2 or 8,977.30 sq mi. It is consists of 4,440,150 (4.40% of total Philippine Population) according to the 2015 census. The region is consists of 3 main island Samar, Leyte, and Biliran. It is consists of 6 provinces namely Northern Samar, Samar (Western), Eastern Samar, Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte. It has an independent City - Ormoc City and a Highly Urbanized City -Tacloban City. But aside from its big landmasses, the region is also known for its a beautiful gift of nature, rich culture, and inherited traditions.
What are the 10 must go to places in Eastern Visayas?
1) Sambawan Island, Biliran.
Sambawan Island is located in the province of Biliran. Facing the South Samar Sea. Its beauty is consists of white sandy beaches, blue warm waters, and the Green Mountains covered by Grass. It is also a home of marine wildlife such as sea snakes, Green Turtles,
and Reef sharks. From Tacloban City, you will reach Naval Biliran thru van travel for 130.00 pesos approximately 2 hours travel. From Naval Port, you will now ride to ferry boats reaching Maripipi Biliran. Travel time is approximately 1.5 hours. There is no other mode of land transportation in Maripipi Island aside from the motorcycle Habal-Habal. From Maripipi Island, you will now jump-off points to Sambawan for 50 pesos (one-way travel). Finally, will now enjoy the white sandy beach and warm blue water of Sambawan Island.
2) Kalangaman Island, Palompon Leyte.
Kalanggaman Island is part of the municipality of Palompon Leyte located in the Province of Leyte. To the natives, it is known as Isla Calanggaman but as tourism boosts in this province, it is now popularly called Kalanggaman Island. (Photo owned by Tony's Travel Adventure/ Youtube)
There are 2 gateways to the Municipality of Palompon. The most common way is to travel from Tacloban City to Palompon thru Van express for 160 pesos approximately 3 hours while the trip from Ormoc City to Palompon will cost 120 pesos for approximately 2 hours. Now in Palompon, you will be needing to go to the Municipal Tourism Office to pay for Tour cost. For Local tourist (PHP 150), for Foreign Tourist (PHP 500), for Senior Citizens (PHP 120) and for Students (PHP 40). It is also encouraging that everyone should bring power banks as the island doesn't have access to electricity. For safety purposes, the municipal government discourages everyone to swim in the sandbar area because the rip currents are dangerous.
3) Agas-Agas Bridge, Southern Leyte.
From plain white sandy beaches to heights. The Agas-Agas bridge is located in the southernmost part of the region - Sogod, Southern Leyte. The bridge is known to be the tallest bridge in the Philippines with a height of (89 meters) 292 ft.
(Photo owned by: Kamsky of Flicker.com)
It was originally constructed in 2016 with the help of Japan International Corporation Agency to avoid troublesome section and cut down the driving time of motorists as the place is prone to Landslide during heavy rains. Nowadays, the bridge is also engaging in tourism as it is now known as "Zipline Leyte". Be ready for the jaw-dropping experience.
4) Son-ok Pintuyan, Southern Leyte.
Unlike Sambawan and Kalanggaman Island, the Son-ok Pintuyan is a bit far from the gateway airport in Tacloban as it is the southern tip of the region. The travel time is approximately 5 to 6 hours drive from the mainland of Tacloban to Padre Burgos. The cost fare for van travel is approximately 480-500
(Photo owned by: Tommy Schultz)
pesos. From Padre Burgos, we rented a boat that would take us to Pintuyan. The locals would offer you to ride thru their boats. It cost 4000 pesos at the lowest price and 8000 pesos as a maximum. The tour will take you to Son-ok Pintuyan and Limasawa Island. It is important to remember the following rules while watching whale sharks: Do not touch the sharks. Do not feed the sharks. Keep a minimum distance of 3 meters from the body and 4 meters to the tail. No flash photography as whale sharks is sensitive to lights. No Selfie Sticks. And always consider the welfare of whale sharks first.
5) San Juanico Bridge, Tacloban City Leyte.
From tallest to Longest, the eastern Visayas still holds the longest bridge in the Philippines as San Juanico is measured 41 m in height and 2,220 m long. Considered as part of Pan-Philippine Highway that
(Photo taken from I love Tacloban page)
connects the Island of Samar and Leyte. Historically known as the Marcos bridge as construction started in 1969 during Marcos Era. It is said to be a representation of the former President's love to her wife Imelda Romualdez where the former first lady originally from. In the modern times, San Juanico is not only known for it's beautifully constructed design that connects 2 mainlands but as tourist spot inviting place as there are floating restaurants below the bridge offering local food and delicacies. Proudly you will say, "Nakatamak na ako ha Tacloban!"
6) Tarangban Falls, Calbayog City Samar.
Calbayog City will not be called the city of waterfalls for nothing. With its gracious flowing waters, Tarangban falls is known to be one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Calbayog City. It is part of the flows of water connecting 2 other waterfalls namely Larik and
Bangon Falls. From Calbayog City proper you have 2 options to reach Bgy. Tinaplacan. You can ride thru van express which would cost 100 pesos, travel time is 30 minutes or thru local Jeep that would cost 40 pesos, travel time is approximately 1 hour. From Bgy. Tinaplacan Highway, you will go to the entrance post and pay for the entrance fee. For an adult the cost would be 10 pesos while for children (7 years old and below) the cost will be 5 pesos. The local will offer you will ride Habal Habal for 250 pesos going Bangon Falls as it is the last stop that a habal habal can reach. It is important to remember to bring the first aid kit as it is slippery on the way to Tarangban Falls.
7) Langun - Gobingob Cave, Calbiga Samar.
"An entrance to the underworld." The Langun -Gobingob Cave also known as Calbiga Cave is considered to be the oldest cave in the 12 caves of Samar Island Natural Park. It covers an area of approximately 2,968 hectares.
Its main chamber is huge that it would take you 2-4 hours to explore. Before arriving at Langun-Gobingob Cave, you need to contact the municipal tourism office as it is not advisable to visit without a tour guide. From Catbalogan City you will ride a local bus going to Calbiga Samar, approximately 70-100 pesos. Arrived in Calbiga Samar you will now ride local Habal Habal going to Bgy. Panayuran where local tourists are there. The cave is wet and slippery so wear proper attire like shoes or sandals instead of slippers. Also, it is advisable to wear a helmet you can rent for 50 pesos, a headlamp for 50 pesos and a complete set of rappelling for 500 pesos. Don't forget to bring your own trash bag to maintain the cleanliness of the cave and you may now explore the beauty of the biggest cave.
8) Biri Rock Formation, Biri Island Northern Samar.
Facing the pacific coast, the Biri Rock Formation is shaped by the strong waves of the pacific ocean. Located in the Northern point of the Samar Island. Biri Island is consist of 11,767 per 2015 census and 2,262 total number of household. Considered to be one of the small Islands in Northern
Samar. From Allen port, I took a tricycle going to Lavezares Port where a small boat will take you to Biri Island, It cost 60 pesos and approximately 1-hour travel. Then you will go to the municipal tourism office to book a tour of Biri rock formation which includes Habal Habal fare (195 pesos - group of 3), Tour guide fee (300 pesos - group of 5), and ecological fees (50 pesos). Remember to wear proper attire for safety measures.
9) Pink Beach of San Vicente, San Vicente Northern Samar.
Covered by the pink sand, the Pink beach San Vicente is one of the most popular beaches in Northern Samar due to its unique pink colors especially during sunrise. As the local said,
pink sand is due to the disintegration of the red coral drift to the shoreline and mixes with white sand causing the reflection of the pink sand. From San Isidro Northern Samar, you can travel in a boat going to Destacado the main island of San Vicente Island approximately 2 hours that will cost you 100 pesos. From Destacado to Sila Island where the pink beach is located, you can travel thru a motorboat approximately 30 minutes. You can bring your own camping gear like tents and lamps. Some locals will allow you to use their toilet facilities.
10) Canhugas Nature Park, Hernani Eastern Samar.
If you want some thrilling adventure, Eastern Samar is the best place for you. Canhugas Nature Park is an ideal place for people who love adventure as it offers not
just beautiful scenery but an experience to breathtaking waves. Just like Biri Rock Formation, Canhugas has beautiful rock formation and big waves as it is facing the pacific ocean. Some people are attracted to experience big waves of Canhugas attempting to go to the most tip of the rock formations while others just stay on the natural pools which waters brought by waves fell into. There are 2 ways to go to Canhugas the first one is to travel in a van from Tacloban going to Hernani Eastern Samar for approximately 3 hours which would cost 230-250 pesos. While the way from Catbalogan to Borongan is approximately 3 hours as well for 350 pesos. For residents the entrance fee to canhugas is 10 pesos while for nonresidents the entrance fee is 20 pesos and for foreign nationals 50 pesos. You can also rent a cottage for 400 pesos. Umbrella for 75 pesos. Table for 50 pesos and chair for 10 pesos. It is also encouraging that everyone would help to maintain cleanliness to the natural park.
There is no doubt Eastern Visayas offers world-class beauty of nature. We just have to Explore, Experience, and Express the beauty of Eastern Visayas by visiting these places or encouraging your friends to someday add these places to your bucket list. To experience another level of adventure and thrilling moments is what this region can offer you. I hope you like these new ideas and I hope to see you guys in our region. This is just 10 of much other new beauty of nature. Are you ready to see more experience as we explore more places in the region? What do you like the most and you think you would try in the near future? What other places you would want me to explore in Eastern Visayas? I hope this is just the first of many #Explore#Exprerience and #Express that we could go to. See you in another post here in The Waray Explorer.
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