To treat your tummy, affordelicous restaurants and café are as follows Ocho Seafood & Grill, Royal Restaurant, Hukad, Calle Z Café, Café Pablo, Café Lucia and so much to mention. All of these hotels, eat places and shopping malls are in the downtown area. Talking of shopping centers, you can buy in Festivali Boutique, for native items like bags made of tikog (special reed grass), home decors made of shells and other delicacies’ of Leyte.
Now that you’re already well-informed if where to stay, dine and shop in Leyte, it’s time for backpacking. In any order, below are lists of must have essentials to bring in an Island Hopping trip.
- Water Container with a Strap.
- Camera/Mobile Phone.
- Medical Kit.
- Precise Apparels for the Tour.
- Snack Food
- Waterproof Bag
- Backpack to place the essentials listed above.
- Enough money reserve just to make sure.
All your essentials are packed and ready with the trip, I have here a bucket list of must-visit islands in Leyte and the
Canigao Island. Is the picturesque islet of Matalom, Leyte. Tourists of the island love go snorkeling to see the underwater world because of its white sand beach, tropical sea creatures and coral reefs. A tree house is present on the island, cottages and rooms are available too for those who wants to stay overnight. The fee is around Php500.00 to 1,500.00 good for group compose of 4 to 6 pax. Staying in a tent is allowed, they have tent for rent at Php 100.00 to 200.00
Here’s how to get there:
- From the bus terminal of Tacloban City, ride a van or bus going to Matalom, Leyte (about 4 hours of travel) and tell the driver to drop you off in the municipal plaza of the town. Cost of trip Php150.00
- Once you’re in the municipal plaza, you can ride a tricycle heading to the pier for Canigao Island. Cost Php7.00
- At the pier, you’ll have to ride a motorboat going to the island. The travel time is 15-20 minutes and it will cost an amount of Php80.00 which covers entrance fee.
Kalanggaman Island. This islet is in Palompon, Leyte. The magnificent sandbars, both stretching at the end of the island makes it a unique one from all islands in the Philippines visited by foreign and local tourists. Kayaking, swimming in the crystal blue beach, snorkeling are activities you can do on the stunning island. What I love most here is the not so crowded island.
Here’s how to get there:
- From the bus terminal of Tacloban City, ride a van going to Palompon, Leyte. It takes about 4 hours travel. Cost Php150.00
- Once you arrived in Palompon, go to Palompon Liberty Park. You can ride a tricycle going to the park, which cost Php7.00. From this point, you can ride a pumpboat going to Kalanggaman Island. Rate are as follows (round trip):
Php3, 000 – for 15 people and below
Php3, 500 – for 25 people and below
Php4,000 – for 30 people and below
- Pay for entrance fee. Below are the rates:
Regular Rate (Day Tour)
International Tourists – P500
Non-Palompon Tourists – P150
Non-Palompon College Tourists – P40
Non-Palompon High-school Tourists – P30
Non-Palompon Elementary Pupil – P20
Non-Palomponganon Senior Citizen – P120
Overnight Rates
International Tourists – P750
Non-Palompon Tourists – P225
Non-Palompon College Tourists – P60
Non-Palompon High-school Tourists – P45
Non-Palompon Elementary Pupil – P30
Non-Palomponganon Senior Citizen – P180
Travel while you are able and enjoy the amazing gift of Almighty Creature to us. Always keep in mind to be prepared in all your travels. Keep safe and enjoy!
It is always best to nhave an extra budget just in case of unforeseen event or if you see something that you want to buy.
I have never been to Leyte but one of my high school bestfriends lived from there. I wonder if she lives in there.
A great way to do island hopping in this place, though i’ve been to leyte many times, we never even think about doing this. This is very helpful, I’ll definitely bookmark this post.
I have not traveled to any country in Asia, but I wish I could – soon. There are so many beautiful places to visit, and of course, all those lovely beaches. Thanks for letting me know about these places in the Philippines.
Bookmarking this post just in case we do have a chance to visit Leyte.
Thanks for this detailed post. It would help moms like me who wants to budget trips ahead of time. Although from experience it never turns out as plan, but at least I know it gives a good estimate of how much you’ll be spending.
The group has been planning to visit Kalanggaman. It’s just that we aren’t sure where to go since we’re heading from Negros. Good thing that I found your post! I’ll surely let my friends know about this. Hopefully, our plan to visit your place one day will eventually happen this summer.
Financially stable when travelling is the most vital thing to do because it gives the power to explore more. Besides Leyte is very much alive for their tourist offers.
Very helpful. 🙂 I don’t see myself island hopping anytime because I have 3 toddlers, but I would one day want to finally experience it. It feels exhillarating. 🙂 Thank you for the list, it’s also helpful for those who just want to travel in general. 🙂
My husband’s province is Leyte (from his mother’s side) and I do look forward to visiting the place soon. We’ve been meaning to visit Kalanggaman Island, too. Kahit kasi s’ya hindi pa nakaka-visit doon. So we’re both excited! Hopefully, we’ll be able to bring our kids when that time comes. Mahirap rin kasi mag-island hopping pag bata ang mga kasama. 😀
Leyte is not on my bucket list but when I saw the feature of Kalanggaman Island in the newspaper, I included it on my list. I hope we can visit the island in the near future. Thanks for sharing the information, ang layo and expensive din pala yung rates.
My mom is from Leyte but I’ve never been there. Have always wished to travel there and see where she grew up. These tips will be helpful when I finally have the resources to travel.
My husband’s hometown is in Isabel, Leyte and we are planning to visit the place this coming December, so hopefully, all will go well. I’d love to visit Kalanggaman Island too. Sana matuloy kami, but for now, that’s the plan. 🙂
Uy wow, Leyte! It’s not such a popular tourist spot, so I’m surprised it’s that great! And I like what you said: Travel while you are able and enjoy the amazing gift of Almighty Creator to us.
Oo nga, seeing the handiwork of the Creator makes you appreciate Him more!
I’ve looked through Traveloka when I did a mock planning for our Malaysian trip for next year. We’ll definitely consider the app for it since it offers the most convenient and number of options to stay at when we do push through with the trip.
Great tips for the island hopper. I plan on checking out the Philippines soon, its on my bucket list.
I would LOVE to do some island hopping there. It looks like such a beautiful destination.
I have never heard of of Leyte. I had to google where it is and some of the pictures that came up are beautiful. I am planning to a trip with my buddies to Asia this summer and might have to stop at Leyte. Thank you for the tips too!
I’ve never been here before. This is really helpful! I’d like island hop. Sounds like a blast!
Budgeting for everything especially trips is vital! These are really great tips!
I am travelling to Manila in November for work, so will definitely try to visit. This looks like an amazing place!
How cool to have a local’s perspective for tips when traveling. It sounds like a beautiful place to visit. 🙂
This sounds like a great place to go island hopping. We travel to other cities when visiting different states but usually have a home base we go back to each day. I wonder how different we would do it island hopping.
It looks amazing. I have seen a lot of great places in the Phillipines to go recently. I really should make a trip out there sometime.
We are planning a Trip to Asian countries in November, ii will share this island with my husband. i will definitely like to visit here.
Would love to visit Phillipines someday. Island hopping sounds like a great plan
I’ve never even heard of Leyte before this article so it was very informative as far as activities, rates, etc..Would have loved to see a map of its location in relation to Malaysia and maybe some pictures of the places mentioned? I’m sure it’s beautiful…
Leyte was one of the Beautiful places here in the Philippines and one of the best tourist spot, we love Island hoping too
Hubby recently traveled to Cebu and was blown away by the beauty of the islands in the Philippines. Another one to earmark now – thanks!
It sounds like a beautiful place! The Philippines is quite a country, I’d love to explore the beaches and the islands there someday soon. I think it’s worth the trip.
Leyte sounds beautiful and I would love to see it in person someday. Thanks for the tips, it’s very much appreciated!
My husband and I love visiting tropical places. The beach is definitely a place we find most comfort in! I think this place is a must see!
Wow I have heard of great things about leyte so it would be amazing to visit. Thank you for sharing tips on how to island hop because i would definitely want to be doing that.
Thank you for this detailed guide on traveling to Leyte. I have never been there but dreams of visiting the place one day soon with my boys. I read somewhere that the islands are lovely and there are pristine white beaches, too! I cannot wait to go there!
Yes, I will make a mental note to check Traveloka for cheap flights and affordable accommodations when I finally get to plan our Leyte trip! ^_^
This sound exciting! after this pandemic would be a great time to have an island hopping!!
I dream of visiting Kalanggaman island! It has been on my bucket list since the first day I learned about it. How nice it would be to walk that sand bar and capture the beautiful scenery on a drone! Thanks for letting me know about the cost to travel there. Now I can set a good budget plan for my trip in the future.
Leyte was one of our list of places to visit this year if only it did not get cancelled, Dang Covid ruined everything.
Thanks for the info and tips! Those package prices are really very affordable. We should be touring more of the Philippines as our country has plenty to offer.
Thank you sa napakagandang tips mo mommy sakto ito sa mga taong gusto mag travel dito at sempre kung san sila mag makakatipid or what else salamat sa information