“In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take”
The Philippines has some of the world’s most breathtakingly beautiful destinations. Ever heard of the Kalanggaman Island? How about Limasawa? Join me as we explore beyond the usual attractions to explore one of the country’s most underappreciated destinations- Leyte.
Hello, lakwatseras! I’m Say, a travel enthusiast from the Philippines. I created this blog to help travelers by sharing my experiences, DIY trips, and other information about the places I’ve visited. For this blog (and vlog), I’ll take you to one of the most underrated places in the Philippines, you’ve probably never heard of before!
Table of Contents
A little something about Leyte
Leyte is a province in the Philippines, located in the Eastern Visayas region. Tourists are unlikely to be aware of them because these areas are battered by powerful typhoons more than half of the year. However, the beauty and breathtaking attractions this place offer still remain.
Excited about the places we’ve been to? Sharing this blog alone is not enough! Be sure to watch my vlog and be captivated by places I discovered—McArthur, Palo Leyte, Limasawa, and Kalanggaman Island.
Preparing for our Leyte trip
Since summer is approaching, and everyone during this time spends the week with the family, I also want to share a travel experience with my family. We took a day trip to Leyte last November 2019. In this short family getaway, we decided to visit remote islands and to tour around the city of Tacloban and Leyte.
For this trip, (or any trip) I always have a list of my essentials which are clothes, toiletries, slippers, my camera, phone chargers, and passport. This time, I decided to bring my drone. Bringing my drone was one of the best decisions that I’ve made. I was able to capture the beauty of the islands we visited!
Our Leyte Experience
We traveled from Manila to Tacloban City via AirAsia. We arrived at Tacloban City approximately an hour and 25 minutes later. Tacloban City is the gateway province of Leyte. Tacloban city is actually one of the busiest airports in the Visayan region.
For ticketing and other travel destination queries, you can check out Filo Online Ticketing. They’re very helpful in helping you find travel tour destinations, tickets, and accommodations. Be sure to check them out!
MacArthur Landing Memorial Park
One of the famous landmarks to visit in Leyte is the McArthur Landing Memorial Park which is located in Palo, Leyte.
Similar to what we’ve learned in school, MacArthur’s famous words “I shall return ” is one of the iconic phrases remembered today. These last words were spoken by General MacArthur when he left the Philippines for Australia during World War II. The MacArthur Landing Memorial is a park created to commemorate the historic landing of the general in his promise of returning.
As travelers, I believe that it is vital that we are able to visit historical destinations like this. Being able to relieve history like this makes us realize that the landing of General MacArthur was not only memorable but was historic. Why? The General’s return to the country allowed the Philippines to be liberated from the Japanese Occupation.
How to get to Palo from Tacloban City?
From Tacloban City, you need to arrive at the Abucay Terminal via a multicab which costs around Php7.00/ person ( I’m not sure about the prices today but I will update once I find out).
To help you determine if you’re in the right place, I’ll also be placing the map link to the Abucay terminal!
Here: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tacloban+New+Transport+Terminal/@11.2390413,124.9856766,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x330876d374d8faa5:0x3d1e62558f603f7e!8m2!3d11.2390413!4d124.9878653
From there you can ask around where the jeepney terminal is going to Palo. Don’t worry the locals there are very friendly and helpful!
Sogod
After touring around Tacloban City, we decided the next day that we’ll be exploring Sogod. Sogod is located along the Southern part of Leyte. Although I was not able to take a lot of photos here. I’ll be sharing with some things you can visit in Sogod!
- Binaliw Spring
- Ongon Spring
- Bagatyam falls
- Caves
- Calumboyan Public Beach
For more information about these places, you can read on this blog: https://shellwanders.com/things-to-do-in-sogod-cebu/
Limasawa
Limasawa is one of the most historic destinations in Southern Region of Leyte. Why? It’s because many believed that Limasawa is the site of the “First Mass in the Philippines”. This is the location under Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition that many believed the first ever Catholic mass was held.
Historic and beautiful as it is, Limasawa is not a well-known destination, unlike Boracay and Palawan. Nonetheless, I recommend that you visit this place. If you happen or plan to tour around this island you’ll surely be enticed by its charm, people, and culture along with its clear, and pristine waters.
What tourist attractions are found in Limasawa you may ask? During our travel, we were able to visit Magellan’s Cross. Of course, this was one of the tourist attractions in Limasawa for this symbolizes how it paved a way for Catholicism and Christianity that is very evident and engraved in our culture today. Aside from this we were able to visit the replica of “Bahay ni Ari”, Dakdak beach, Boulevard, Lighthouse, Clams and the Blue Lagoon.
Let me share my experience with these destinations one-by-one.
Dakdak Beach
Dadak Beach, located in Dapitan, is a place you’d want to visit if you plan on taking a break from the hustle and buzzle of the city. Dakdak, the name of the village, is actually said to be inspired by the sound of a bird that exists in this place. This is actually one of the safest places in Mindanao. With breathtaking and serene scenery, you wouldn’t dare leave (I know I wouldn’t have if possible! haha).
There’s actually a lot to look forward to visiting Dakdak beach, apart from the white sand beaches, it also has a good diving spot! Just imagine yourself spending a vacation by the beach with no interruptions from work and sipping some locally made juice. What a life!
Lighthouse
This lighthouse is located by the Blue Lagoon, they’re only a few meters apart. You have to ask your driver or a local to point it out to you; but, you’ll be able to find it without It’s a lovely view of the blue lagoon from this angle. I recommend that you check this out first before going for a swim in the lagoon, as doing so in reverse will result in exhaustion.
The Blue Lagoon
Are you fantasizing about crystal clear blue waters? Blue Lagoon is a must-see destination. It’s an ideal spot for swimming, diving, and snorkeling. If you’re an adrenaline junkie in need of an incredible cliff diving experience, you’ve come to the right spot. However, I would not suggest this if you are traveling with the elderly, as the staircase is quite steep, and then climb back up maybe pretty exhausting. The water is deep, and the current can be intense at times, but non-swimmers need not fear; they’ve got you protected! They rent life jackets and floaties, but you’d always have a good time here.
Kalanggaman Island
Of course, I always tend to save the best for last. Kalanggam is an island located within Polompon, a municipality of Ormoc city. Compared to Limasawa, Kalanggam island is a more remote location, which is why many believed it to be one of the best destinations of Leyte. This island is actually found 20 kilometers West of Leyte.
The name Kalanggaman comes from the local Cebuano word, that translates “birds,” since the island’s two vaulted sandbars mimic a bird’s wingspan from above. The island is perfect for relaxing and for family gatherings. Local tourism also offers a range of water sports you can try!
How to get to Kalanggaman Island?
The island only allows a limited number of tourists per day. You’ll make sure to secure a slot by communicating with the local Ecotour offices in Palompon. From there, the office can arrange a 1 hour boat ride from Palompon to the island.
Costs you may incur throughout the Kalanggaman Island trip
Touring and entering the island requires upfront entrance fee payments. Both international and local visitors must pay 500 pesos (approximately 11 USD/10 EUR), which may sound pricey for an island, but it is well worth it! The cost of staying overnight is 750PHP (includes your day pass).
If you’ve been to any of these amazing places, feel free to comment on your experience! Alternatively, if you want to visit these places and have queries that were not mentioned in this blog. You can reach me through my social media accounts!
Instagram: lakwatsanisayph
Facebook: Lakwatsanisay
Not into local trips? You can check out my international trips and visa application experiences as well!
Europe Trip: https://lakwatsanisay.com/europe-trip-travelling-midst-the-covid-pandemic/
This blog makes me want to visit the province and explore, and it is also very informative. I hope I can visit soon.
Kalanggaman Island is the place to be,must visit this place soon