Location: Calbayog City
Top Things to do in Calbayog City
Top 10 Things to do in Calbayog City, Philippines
Calbayog, officially the City of Calbayog, (Waray: Syudad san Calbayog; Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Calbayog; Filipino: Lungsod ng Calbayog) and often referred to as Calbayog City, is a 1st class city in the province of Samar, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 183,851 people.
Restaurants in Calbayog City
1. Tarangban Falls
Overall Ratings
5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By WJFraser - Fort McMurray, Canada
The 1st thing you should know about this attraction is that it is not actually in Calbayog City, we had to drive about 40 minutes north of the Calbayog Airport to where the multi cab and driver I hired stopped and made arrangements to have motor bikes known as Habal Habals (300 PHP each) take us up a road as far as they could go. It was rainy season in Nov. when we went here and they roads were slippery in some areas but the bike operator was very good at getting us up there safely. Extensive construction was being done on that road to turn in from a regular dirt road to concrete in which one may go up by car three or four kms. We also had to hire a local guide to go with us, (about 200 PHP) he had some sort of official looking badge around his neck and helped us carry some of our things. For security, I also had my cab driver and his assistant go with us. You could walk that road in, it's 3 or 4 kms but it's a hard walk, lots of ups and downs, better to take the bike ride.
After the bike ride, we had to hike about 1 hour, half of that was uphill and it was quite a challenge for us despite the fact that we have hiked many, many times before because the path was very rocky and slippery. Make sure you have good foot wear. One of my friends did not have proper hiking shoes and she decided it was easier to walk barefoot.
Once we arrived to the river, we had to walk along side it for about 150-200 feet to reach the falls. Those rocks tend to be extremely slick, so take your time and be careful. Our guide was really good at showing us the best way to go and also gave us a helping hand when needed to climb up and down the rocks.
We finally got to the falls and it was pouring rain but I did not care, the pay off was well worth the effort! It sure made me feel grateful to be alive, it was beautiful!
If you love hiking, the great outdoors and Waterfalls, then I recommend going. But you do have to to physically fir to a certain degree to do this. Bring plenty of water and some food.
2. Malajog (Looc) Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By tianneXtianne
"Three-way adventure". That was what our guide, Ate Reza, described our way to the zipline: Trecking, sort-of mountain/rock climbing, and of course the Zipline.
True enough, we had to walk 915 meters to get to the zipline which travels down to Daraga island. We had to go up, down, up and straight on the sometimes steep steps of the mountain.
One of the amazing things in this trail was that the developer preserved the rocks and the trees in the mountain. the path would go around the trees and its roots, as well as the limestone rocks.
Another amazing thing/person was our guide Ate Reza. she pointed out stuff like the hidden caves where the Japanese hid during WWII and knew the spots where we could take amazing pictures. :)
The sitting zipline costs 200 and the superman costs 300. the guides don't have a fixed rate though, so please give them their well-deserved tip.
3. St. Peter and Paul Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By Victorianlad - Melbourne, Australia
There was some work underway around it when I called in at this large Cathedral opposite the Municipal tourism office.
It is an imposing structure externally but inside I found it hard to detect much of what must have been the original Spanish influence as it has been much changed over the years.
The dome however is imposing and inside it was a cool place to pray on a hot day.
4. Guinogo-an Cave
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By SreyLien - Haarlem
We took a small jeepney(or big tuktuk, depends on how you look at it) from the terminal in Calbayog. Ask the driver to take you to Lungsob.(about 30 mins)
From there you can take a boat going to the Maposo hotspring and Guinogan-cave.
We paid 20 pesos each for the jeepney. A local helped us with the boatdriver and we agreed on a price of 350 pesos for the 2 of us. He'd take us to the Maposo hot spring and wait there and then take us back. We were told that the Guinogan caves were to far and that it was already too late to do both(it was 12 noon).
De boattrip was amazing, beautiful scenery. After about 30 mins we arrived at the hot spring. There was a swimming pool and indeed a very small hot spring. Not very interesting in my opinion. We started chatting with some locals and they helped us translating with the boatdriver. He knew someone who could guide us to the cave.
It is about 30 mins walk to the cave. There is a little dam in front and if you want you can walk/swim into the cave. The walk through the jungle was beautiful too. Without a guide we would definitely have been lost.
The guide asked 200 pesos, but we paid him 100 and he seemed happy with this(not sure if this is a good price)
The cave is nice, nothing more. But the journey to these attractions was the best part of the trip.
To go back to Calbayog just stand on the side of the road until a jeepney comes by.
5. Almagro Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By fareastman214 - New York City, New York
Stayed with a friend. Strictly native living. Food consists of rice, freshly caught fish, freshly killed pork and chicken and locally grown sweet potatoes and yuca. Bare essentials can be purchased relatively cheap at "home" trading shops and it appears that everyone on the island is extended credit. People are very friendly and very poor. Electricity is provided from 3:00 pm until about 11:00 pm. Boat service to the surrounding Islands and Calbayog City is very succeptible to to weather conditions and always subject to last minute cancellations (but cheap. 100 Pesos for a trip into the city).
6. Tabokno Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By zed c - Calbayog City, Philippines
The other day, I visited the popular waterfall and swimming hole known as tabokno Falls. The waterfall was flowing strongly after all the rains we’ve been having. tabokno Falls was far but enjoyable trip that was quite different from the usual expeditions I do
its a perfect Waterfalls, it looks like a fantasy paradise island too good to be true.
7. Daraga Island
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By Victorianlad - Melbourne, Australia
I paid about P300 for a fisherman to take me 10 minutes from Samar island's coastline to this pleasant island, albeit that it has an extremely rocky shoreline.
The snorkelling was nothing special but I saw a small number of fish. Waters were clear. Sunscreen lotion was a must given the inecessant afternoon heat, although it did not seem to be very humid.
8. Calbiga Falls
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Yasirfriends - Calbayog City, Philippines
Deep in the watershed forest of Calbayog City, a cool and refreshing place is waiting for visitors. This is Calbiga Waterfall located in Brangay Dawo of this city. There are actually many falls related to this in just one location, but the tallest of them is called Calbiga by locals.
Because of it's remoteness, the area is in pristine condition. It is a favorite picnic site for locals who wanted to be secluded in a beautiful place. The forest is dense, but there is a trail that leads every visitor to the falls.
9. Nijaga Park
Overall Ratings
3 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By Victorianlad - Melbourne, Australia
This attractive park beside the Calbayog River and opposite the heart of this fast growing city is smaller than it appears in the tourism videos on YouTube.
I liked its Fountain and how neat it was.
It commemmorates Dr Jose Rizal and a local hero. There is some shade to briefly get away from the blazing sun.
10. Maposo Hot Spring
Overall Ratings
2.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By Rat S
It's about a 20 minute boat ride to the place, that is slowly becoming a resort. There is a full in-ground swimming pool, small hotel, plus a few small hut rooms that stand alone. Beautiful Gardens aside the path that leads to the spring. The spring is piped into a small swimming pool to submerge yourself, but the actual spring itself is gated off and is only a wishing pool with a few scattered piso at the bottom. We spent half the day there in relaxation, it's worth the trip.
