About Samar
Samar Province, the third-largest island in the Philippines, is a treasure trove of natural wonders and cultural heritage. Known for its rugged landscapes, it boasts breathtaking waterfalls, pristine beaches, mysterious caves, and lush forests teeming with wildlife. The province is also home to historic sites and vibrant festivals that reflect the rich traditions of its people. Adventure seekers will find plenty to explore, from the world-renowned Sohoton Caves to the majestic Lulugayan Falls. With its blend of natural beauty and cultural charm, Samar offers an unforgettable travel experience.
How to Get to Samar
- By Plane: Book a flight to Tacloban City (TAC). Take a Taxi or Jeepney to their Integrated Bus Terminal. Ride a UV Express Van to your destinations.
- By Bus: In Cubao, Alabang, Pasay Five Star, or PITX, ride in a bus bound for Calbayog City, Samar. The travel time is around 14 hours, which includes the RoRo transport.
Tourist Destinations in Samar
- San Juanico Bridge
- Samar Provincial Capitol
- Imelda Park
- The Unique Jose Rizal Monument
- St. Bartholomew Church
- The statue of The Pieta
- Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral
- Sohoton Caves & Natural Bridge Park
Solo-Backpacking Itinerary
This is Day 1 – Solo-Backpacking in Region 8 (6 Provinces for 6 Days)
The Province of Samar is an hour and ten minutes from Manila by plane. I arrived at Tacloban Airport at 8 AM. Since I had no idea about the means of transportation and routes, I asked one of the guards at the airport. In fairness, they were accommodating. As instructed, I rode in a jeepney to “Downtown” by the street in front of the airport and alighted at McDonald's. Travel Time: around 20 to 30 minutes. I had my breakfast. Then, I checked DupTour’s schedule at their terminal, but no available schedule for Catbalogan City (the capital of Samar). So, I rode in a trike to Grand Tours Terminal.
What made my backpacking in Samar and Leyte provinces exciting? It was Typhoon Samuel that hit the region on Day 1. I was okay with it because I was using the Project NOAH mobile app. By using the application, I was able to monitor the weather with an actual photo taken by the Himawari IR satellite. As expected, upon arrival at Catbalogan City, I was welcomed by rain showers and the stratus clouds from above. Aside from the weather, I had a walking tour of the tourist attractions below using the Project NOAH App.
The Obelisk at Imelda Park is located in front of the Samar Capitol building. On the sides, it depicts the four major events in the province, such as the Balangiga Encounter during the Philippine-American War (1899-1902). On the other side, the 1649 Sumuroy Rebellion was led by Juan Sumuroy against the Spaniards. The other is about the arrival of the first Jesuit missionaries in Samar on 15 October 1596. The last side is the declaration of Samar as an independent province by Queen Isabella II of Spain on 11 August 1841.
The rain showers stopped, but the ground remained wet. I continued walking on the streets of Catbalogan. I entered a few restaurants but ended up at a carinderia, where I had my early dinner. I also bought food and water before heading back to the GV Hotel. Bathed. Relaxed and rested. By the way, the St. Peter and Paul Cathedral photo was taken on Day 2 while en route to Capul Island. View my expenses from Day 1 to Day 3, and Day 4 to Day 6.
Cheap Hotels to Stay in Samar
GV Hotel, Catbalogan City - Before my backpacking, I had already booked an overnight stay at GV Hotel online, just in front of the Jose Rizal Monument and a few blocks away from some van terminals. While roaming around the City, I found Rolet Hotel, Summer’s Garden Pension, Traveler’s Home Lodge Inn, and many other cheap hotels.
Book your hotel stay with Agoda and get the best deals!
As someone who has visited all 82 provinces in the Philippines, I’ve created a complete guide to help you explore each one. Check out my Philippines 82 Provinces Travel Guide here.
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