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10 Things to Do in Tacloban City, Leyte

There’s no denying Leyteños love their historical tourist spots. The province is known for its lush natural beauty, and a series of thoroughly Spanish architecture shows off the best spots in Tacloban with aplomb.

The best part, this can all be done within an easy seven-hour day trip. Who’s ready to explore?

If you’re looking for our map, you can find it right here.

Traveling to Tacloban for the first time? This detailed and curated travel guide will make it easy for you to navigate your way inside, save money, and maximize your time.

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HOW TO GET TO TACLOBAN

Direct Flights from Manila,Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and more are being served to Tacloban. Flights are operated by Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and AirAsia.

✓ ENTRY POINT MANILA (NAIA) or CEBU (MCIA) or DAVAO

By Airplane (Cebu pacific, Airasia and Philippine Airlines)

Manila to Tacloban.

✓ ENTRY POINT CEBU (Pier 3)

By Boat (Roble Shipping Lines)

From Cebu, ride the Roble Shipping lines boat at Pier 3 to Naval, Biliran. Roble Shipping Lines serves the route 6x a week and at 7:30pm. Travel Time is around 6 hours. Fare is about PHP 660.00 per person.

At Naval, Biliran ride a Van (van-vans, Duptors or Grandtours) to Tacloban. The trip will take approximately two hours and a half. Fare is PHP 120.00 per person.

By Fast Craft or Fast Boat (2GO, Oceanjet or Weesam)

From Cebu, ride any of the three boats at Pier 1 to Ormoc City, Leyte. The three fast crafts serve the route daily. Travel Time is around 3 hours. Fare is PHP 110000.00 per person.

At Ormoc City, ride a tricycle to Robinsons near Simangan. Note: make sure to point out that you will be riding a van because there are 2 Robinsons in Ormoc. Fare for the tricycle is PHP 8.00 per person.

At Robinsons Ormoc Van Terminal, ride a Van to Tacloban. Travel Time is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Fare is PHP 130.00 per person.

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10 Things to Do in Tacloban City, Leyte

DID YOU KNOW?

Tacloban, simply referred to as Tacloban City, is a 1st class highly urbanized city in the Philippines. It serves as the regional center of the region of Eastern Visayas.

These people speak Waray, officially named as Lineyte-Samarnon.

1. Walk the talk at Macarthur Memorial Park

2. Experience walking at the longest bridge – San Juanico Bridge

3. Bali-Inspired Spots at Balay Ni Tatay

4. Visit the Historical Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum

5. Eat and Buy Some Tacloban Specialty Pasalubong

6. Get some Insta-Worthy Leyte Provincial Capitol Shot!

7. San Juanico Cruise

8. San Juan by The Bay Floating Cottages and Boardwalk

9. Madonna of Japan

10. Visit Yolanda Memorial Monuments

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1. Walk the talk at Macarthur Memorial Park

Address: Historical landmark in Palo, Leyte
Entrance Fee: FREE
Opening Hours: any time of the day

Macarthur Memorial Park is a must-visit historical place when one is in Tacloban City.

One of the most poignant moments of World War II was the evacuation of Gen. Douglas MacArthur from Corregidor in Manila Bay. At his departure, he famously promised “I Shall Return”

This park marks the spot where MacArthur and Philippine President Omesna came ashore when the invasion to retake the Philippines from the Japanese began on October 20, 1944.

A site where Gen. Douglas McArthur landed on October 20, 1944, to liberate the Philippines from Japanese forces.

The statues are placed at the center of the park. They were medium-sized ones. You really can’t take photos near it because it is surrounded by water and is prohibited.

|Check out: Ultimate Cebu Bucket List (101 Things to Do in Cebu)

2. Experience walking at the longest bridge – San Juanico Bridge

Address: San Juanico Bridge, Pan-Philippine Hwy, Santa Rita, Leyte
Entrance Fee: FREE
Opening Hours: any time of the day

Tacloban City – The San Juanico Bridge connecting the provinces of Samar and Leyte is one of the monumental projects under Former President Ferdinand Marcos’ administration. The bridge is an arch-shaped truss bridge,

It is known to be the longest bridge in the Philippines spanning a body of seawater with a length of 2.162 kilometers (1.34 mi) and a width of 10.620 meters supported by 43 spans.

Recently President Marcos put up a light show on the bridge.

Check Schedules here: San Juanico Light Show Schedule and How to Get to San Juanico Bridge

Pretty much all of the students in Leyte experienced being toured in the city of Tacloban during one of the school tours.

I remembered that our bus drop us off at the middle span of the bridge for us to take some pictures. Then, they just picked it up at the same spot where they drop us off.

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3. Bali-Inspired Spots at Balay Ni Tatay

Address: Balay ni Tatay, Villa Magsaysay, Babatngon, Leyte
Entrance Fee: PHP 50
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 07:00 PM Everyday

Balay ni Tatay Farm Resort is located in Villa Magsaysay, Babatngon, Leyte. It is surrounded by mountains and lush greenery which is really a good stress reliever and a break from city life.

As we entered the resort, we were greeted by staff who told us to pay for the entrance.

He informed us not to lose the ticket and that if we want to avail of the activities, we need to pay inside the resort. There will be a staff that will handle the payment inside.

At first, we saw their Japanese vibe huts with mini fish ponds. Then, we saw the road that leads to the attractions. We hurriedly stopped by staff who told us to park before and pay before going to the attractions.

4. Visit the Historical Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum

Address: Real St, Downtown, Tacloban City, Leyte.
Entrance Fee: Entrance for first 3 persons PHP 200.00
Opening Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Everyday

At first, you’ll see this is just an ordinary shrine – full of religious articles, but no, this is actually the home of the Romualdez.

The 2-storey structure is under the requisition of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) since 1986.

The property was one of the 20 presidential rest houses that were built by the late former President Ferdinand Marcos for his wife Imelda Romualdez Marcos, a Taclobanon.

In 1979, a religious landmark was built in honor of the Holy Child. The shrine highlights the Sto. Niño image, the patron of Tacloban City.

It serves as a chapel and museum at the same time a guest house with 21 bedrooms. Each room has its own unique motif showcasing Filipino artistry and creativeness with a blend of Asian and European fixtures.

5. Eat and Buy Some Tacloban Specialty Pasalubong

Address: Zamora St, Tacloban City
Entrance Fee: FREE
Opening Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Everyday

When it comes to local delicacies, Tacloban City may be the best place for any traveler to explore and of course, buy pasalubongs from. There are plenty of local delicacies this city has to offer.

6. Get some Insta-Worthy Leyte Provincial Capitol Shot!

Address: Located along the Palo West Bypass Road in Pawing village, Tacloban
Entrance Fee: FREE
Opening Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Everyday

The Leyte Provincial Capitol, built under American occupation, saw numerous significant events in Philippine history. It withstood destruction from the Japanese-American War, storm surges from super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, and a 6.4 earthquake just months ago while serving as the province capital from 1924 until recently. As a result, the current Leyte administration is seeking to turn the Capitol into a museum and construct a new one in Palo out of concern about public safety.

7. San Juanico Cruise

Address: Beneath San Juanico Bridge
Fee: 700/pax minimum 7 persons
Opening Hours: Thru Booking
Book Here: San Juanico Cruise

This tour started last 2015 as a community-based project. The concept of this cruise is to let tourists experience the beauty of nature and witness the iconic San Juanico Bridge from a different perspective.

8. San Juan by The Bay Floating Cottages and Boardwalk

San Juan by The Bay Floating Cottages and Boardwalk 5

Address: San Juan Santa Rita Samar but just ahead of the San Juanico Bridge
Fee: Kids below 5 yrs old – No entrance ,Kids above 5 yrs old – 10 pesos ,Adults – Php 20 pesos
Opening Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Everyday
Book Here: Need Booking as they hardly accept Walk-ins San Juanico Cruise

Dine in a floating restaurant serving local cuisine with a scenic view of the renowned San Juanico Bridge. Walk on 400 meters boardwalk along the mangrove area and you can even Kayak along the San Juanico strait.

9. Madonna of Japan

Address: Magsaysay Blvd, Downtown, Tacloban City, Leyte
Entrance Fee: FREE
Opening Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Everyday

As a symbol of peace between the Filipinos and Japanese people 33 years after world war II, this monument of the Madonna of Japan is erected in memory of the brave soldiers who fought and died on this battlefield.

10. Visit Yolanda Memorial Monuments

Address: Tacloban and Samar
Entrance Fee: FREE
Opening Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Everyday

Speaking of memorials, there have been many memorials which have been built in honor of the victims and the people who helped the survivors to build back what was destroyed by Haiyan.

Locations: