Tacloban, Philippines: travel guide
Leyte's regional hub, with museums, nearby islands and the San Juanico Bridge
Gateway to Eastern Visayas — a historic city with colonial past, local crafts, and proximity to island and natural attractions.
About Tacloban
Tacloban is the main city of Leyte and the regional centre of Eastern Visayas, sitting on a bay that faces the island of Samar. It is a practical base for exploring the island and the surrounding coast, and has a strong sense of local pride and resilience.
In town, the San Juanico Bridge, one of the longest in the country, links Leyte to Samar and makes a popular drive. The Leyte Landing Memorial at Palo marks the Second World War return of American forces, and the city has small museums that explore its history. Further afield, the beaches and island trips of the region reward the effort.
Tacloban suits travellers interested in history and in quieter parts of the Visayas. Dry weather is most likely from February to May.
- Country
- Philippines
- Currency
- PHP
- Time zone
- Asia/Manila
- Nearest airport
- TAC
- Typical trip
- 1-2 days
Last updated
Top places to visit in Tacloban
MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Bronze statues of General MacArthur and his officers commemorating the 1944 Leyte Gulf liberation landing.
Santo Niño Shrine & Heritage Museum
Museum · 4.2 rating · about 1.5 h · entry ₱100 (≈ ₹150)
Former Imelda Marcos guesthouse converted to a museum — lavish interiors and Leyte's cultural heritage collection.
San Juanico Bridge Overlook
Viewpoint · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The longest bridge in the Philippines at 2.16 km — a graceful concrete arc between Leyte and Samar islands.
Yolanda Memorial (Typhoon Haiyan)
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A solemn memorial to the 6,300+ victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in November 2013.
Calvary Hill Garden
Viewpoint · 5.0 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A hilltop garden with a large cross overlooking Tacloban City and Cancabato Bay — peaceful and scenic.
Things to do
- MacArthur Landing Memorial Park Heritage · 1.5 h
- San Juanico Bridge Sunrise Walk Sightseeing · 1 h
- Tacloban Food & Yolanda Recovery Tour Food Tour · 3 h · from PHP 180 per person
- Leyte Provincial Capitol & Heritage Walk Heritage · 1.5 h
Where to stay in Tacloban
- City Center about PHP 1,800 per night
Main commercial area with accommodation
Hotels
- Leyte Park Hotel Tacloban 4-star · PHP 3,500 to PHP 8,000 per night
- Hotel Alejandro Tacloban 3-star · PHP 2,200 to PHP 5,000 per night
Where to eat
- Sonia's Garden Café Tacloban Filipino, Waray · about PHP 350 per person
- Nanay's Carinderia Tacloban Filipino · about PHP 100 per person
- Balay Cena Una Filipino · about PHP 400 per person
Getting to Tacloban
Airport: Tacloban (TAC)
How visitors arrive in Tacloban
- Flight into Tacloban airport By air from Manila, Cebu · common
Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport is the main air entry point to Leyte, with flights from Manila, Cebu and Clark. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Long-distance bus By road from Manila, Davao, Cagayan de Oro · common
Long-distance buses reach the Tacloban bus terminal from Manila and from Mindanao cities via ferry crossings. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Ferry via Ormoc or Baybay By ferry from Cebu City · possible
There are no passenger ferries to Tacloban itself; travelers go by road to Ormoc, Baybay or Naval for boats to Cebu. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Airport taxi
Taxis run from the airport to any part of the city. Your hotel front desk can arrange one in advance. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Jeepney from the airport
Jeepneys are an option into downtown from the airport. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the bus terminal to the centre
- Long-distance bus terminal
Long-distance buses arrive at Tacloban Bus Terminal, a short distance from downtown. There are no passenger ferries to Tacloban itself. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Jeepney
Jeepneys are used to get from the airport to downtown Tacloban and around the city, though routes can seem confusing at first.
- Tricycle useful for some trips
Tricycles can be hired to reach a specific destination, which suits visitors who are unfamiliar with the jeepney routes.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Money exchange short-change
Major tourist zones
Cashier counts notes quickly, palms one, then re-counts and accuses you of being short.
How to avoid it: Use credit card. Count change yourself before stepping away.
Best time to visit Tacloban
- Jan 30°C
- Feb 30°C
- Mar 31°C
- Apr 32°C
- May 33°C
- Jun 32°C
- Jul 32°C
- Aug 32°C
- Sep 32°C
- Oct 32°C
- Nov 31°C
- Dec 31°C
More in Philippines
Frequently asked questions about Tacloban
- How many days do you need in Tacloban?
- A typical trip to Tacloban is 1-2 days.
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Tacloban?
- The highest-rated places in our Tacloban guide are Calvary Hill Garden, San Juanico Bridge Overlook, Yolanda Memorial (Typhoon Haiyan), MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park, Santo Niño Shrine & Heritage Museum.
- Where should I stay in Tacloban?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Tacloban: City Center.
- How do I get around Tacloban?
- Ways to get around Tacloban covered in our guide: Jeepney, Tricycle, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Tacloban?
- Scams reported to us for Tacloban include Money exchange short-change. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Tacloban?
- Average daytime highs in Tacloban run from 30°C in Jan to 33°C in May.
- Which airport is nearest to Tacloban?
- The nearest airport to Tacloban has the code TAC.