The Ultimate Tacloban Tourist Spots Road Trip is Right Here – And You’ll Want to Do It
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.
Best part, this can all be done with in 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 boat at Pier 1 to Ormoc City, Leyte. The three fastcrafts serves the route daily. Travel Time is around 3 hours. Fare is PHP 600.00 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.
Philippines 3G/4G internet data sim card & pocket WiFi rental
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Pre- Travel Tips
✓ When is the best time to do a Road Trip?
✓ Travel Must Haves
When is the Best Time to do a Road Trip?
Anytime of the year.
Travel Must-Haves
✓ Google Map App – A life-saver for me because without it, I might get lost.
✓ Google Translate – Super powerful app. Translate anything.
✓ Sunscreen – Protect yourself from sunburn or much worse – Cancer.
✓ Pocket Wifi or Sim Card – The convenient of searching anything is a go-to. Please don’t forget this baby. It is a life-saver for me though.
TACLOBAN ROAD TRIP
DID YOU KNOW?
Tacloban, or 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 speaks Waray, officially named as Lineyte-Samarnon.
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1. Walk the talk at Macarthur Memorial Park
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
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.
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
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
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-story 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. Visit Korean Veteran Memorial Park
The Korean park was built by Korean army and helped the people of Leyte, Philippines — particularly those in Tacloban, Palo and Tanauan — restore their homes, schools, and livelihood after the wrought of Supertyphoon Haiyan (or Yolanda in our local name).
6. See the Ship named M/M Eva Jocelyn Shrine
“M/V Eva Jocelyn” is the name of a large cargo vessel that was swept ashore in the coastal barangay of Anibong.
The ship ruin is one of three ships that landed the streets of Tacloban City during Supertyphoon Haiyan, 8 November 2013.
TACLOBAN ROAD TRIP ITINERARY
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| Road Trip Itinerary around Tacloban | |
| 07:00 am | Ormoc-Tacloban |
| 10:00 am | Arrive at Korean Veteran Park and MacArthur Memroral Park |
| 11:00 am | Arrived at Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum |
| 12:00 nn | Lunch |
| 1:30 pm | Going to M/V EVA JOCELYN SHRINE |
| 02:15 pm | Arrived at San Juanico Bridge |
| 03:45 pm | Arrived at Bala Ni Tatay |
| 05:30 pm | En route to Ormoc |
| 08:30 pm | Dinner at Ormoc |
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REMINDERS, TIPS AND NOTES
1.Study Your Location
Every location is unique and so are the rules while trekking on it. Carry a map with you all the time so that you know exactly where you are so that you can find your way back.
2.Medical Kit
Stuff your bag with all the necessary medicines and medical tools.
3.Emergency Contacts
Remember “Prevention is better than cure.” This is just a precautionary step. I genuinely do not want to see you in any trouble at all
4.Please Inform
“Leaving a simple text to your family or trusted friends.” If something unfortunate happens, your loved one’s will find you.
5.Plenty Of Essentials
Carry at least 3 liters of water and plenty of nutrition bars. They are light and filling till the time you find any other source.
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🏷️10% OFF [SALE] Oslob Whale Shark Watching from Cebu City or Mactan Island
🏷️12% OFF 4G/3G WiFi (MY Airport Pick Up) for Philippines
MAP TO HELP YOU LOCATE THE PATH WE TOOK
Try Road Tripping in Tacloban! Thank you for reading.
Always remember to “Develop your One Days to Day Ones!“
XOXO,
