Leyte is easily one of the most versatile tourist destinations in the Philippines being able to offer a wide variety of experiences and memory-making opportunities for everyone! If you’re looking to explore countless natural wonders like sparkling islands, majestic mountains, stunning beaches, or hidden waterfalls, Leyte has got to be one of the places on top of your list!
It is also home to several historical landmarks, more importantly, the ones commemorating World War II. Oh, and Leyte also has a lot of must-try food delicacies and treats you shouldn’t miss like Moron, Bukayo, Suman sa Latik, Binagol, and many more. And since Leyte is surrounded by huge bodies of water, expect to score great deals on fresh and delicious seafood here!
The beautiful province of Leyte is indeed a popular tourist destination, especially in the Visayas Region and it is also one of the fastest-developing provinces in the country! It is actually home to the now Second-Longest Bridge in the Philippines, the San Juanico Bridge, which we’ll definitely explore in a short while.
With the pristine condition of its natural wonders and the amazing state of Leyte’s culture and lifestyle, I’m sure that lots of tourists would love to go back to this province after their first visit! So, what are you waiting for? Come and join me as we both explore and discover the 15 Best Tourist Spots in Leyte!
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1. Kalanggaman Island
The number one on the list and absolutely one of the must-see gems in Leyte are the world-famous Kalanggaman Island. This tropical paradise is considered one of the most beautiful island destinations in the Philippines where tourists can enjoy heavenly white sands, crystalline turquoise waters, and lush palm trees providing shade as you have the time of your lives.
Feeling pogi lang. hahaha!
One of Kalanggaman Island’s extraordinary features is its long and white sandbar where tourists usually take their incredible Instagram-worthy photos. It’d be a miss if you won’t be able to take pictures with the stunning turquoise ocean right behind you!
Kalanggaman Island is also well-secluded and tucked away from all the noise and buzz of the city. All you’ll hear is the gentle sound of winds and waves rustling towards the coast! Oh, and the island might be small but trust me when I say that you’ll never run out of fun and exciting activities to do here! There’s kayaking, snorkeling, camping, aqua-biking, and thanks to Kalanggaman Island’s thriving waters, scuba diving!
READ THE BLOG POST: Kalanggaman Island: Leyte’s Piece of Paradise
2. San Juanico Bridge
Another national landmark found in the province of Leyte is no other than the San Juanico Bridge. For the longest time, San Juanico held the record for the Longest Bridge in the Philippines with a total length of an incredible 2,164 meters. This amazingly connects the two provinces of Samar and Leyte to each other! But now with the construction of the mind-blowing 8.9-kilometer Cebu-Cordova Bridge, San Juanico bows down to the number 2 spot.
Nevertheless, the San Juanico Bridge is still an engineering wonder worth seeing when you visit Leyte! The perfectly maintained structure along with the dark-blue waters and scenic landscape in the background will never fail to amaze me.
READ THE BLOG POST: San Juanico Bridge Experience
3. Cuatros Islas
From the name itself, we can conclude that the destination we’re talking about is four beautifully distinct islands. That’s exactly why it’s called Cuatros Islas! This group of picturesque islands attracts lots of tourists lately because of its undeniably pristine beauty. The four islands, namely Apid, Digyo, Mahaba, and Himokilan all possess heavenly tropical features that you can’t resist! From white-sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and lush coconut trees surrounding the island, I’m sure that you’ll absolutely have a wonderful time casting yourselves away from all the hustle and bustle of the city.
Photo from Cuatro Islas Adventure
All of these islands are unique and definitely world-class in themselves but probably the most famous among the four is Digyo because it features a mesmerizing stretch of white sand that is comparable to the iconic Boracay Island. Well, that’s why it got its nickname “Little Boracay”!
READ THE BLOG POST: 15 Best Hotels in Tacloban, Leyte
4. Lake Danao
Another one of Leyte’s exquisite natural wonders is the famous Lake Danao. This guitar-shaped lake covers a huge area of 148 hectares. It’s somewhat similar to the famous Taal Lake because according to experts, this precious gem is actually volcanic in origin.
From View Deck
Selfie again. haha!
The lake has a very peaceful and serene environment making it the perfect relaxing place for locals and tourists alike. The water here is clean, clean, and cold so I suggest you take a dip if you have the chance! Lake Danao is within the vicinity of another majestic natural wonder in Leyte which is the Amandawin Mountain Range, so expect to breathe in the cool mountain breeze during your visit!
READ THE BLOG POST: Lake Danao in Ormoc, Leyte
5. Masaba Falls
Located in Matag-Ob, Leyte is a majestic hidden gem you definitely shouldn’t miss! The Masaba Falls is a huge waterfall consisting of seven (7) cascading slopes that have become a popular attraction for those who are looking for incredible action and adventures in Leyte.
Photo from Palompon, Leyte Gov
Tucked within the lush forests, tourists would need to trek and even rappel down some tracks and the falls themselves before being able to head down the bottom. Once you’ve successfully done that, reward yourself by taking a dip and swimming in the natural pool created by the crystal-clear waters of Masaba Falls. It’s a wonderful experience indeed so don’t miss out!
6. Canigao Island
Aside from the iconic Kalanggaman Island and Cuatros Islas, there is yet another tropical paradise worth adding to our must-visit list in Leyte. With its pristine white sands, azure waters, and thriving rainforest, Canigao Island is definitely a spot where you’d wanna cast yourself away!
Photo from Canigao Island Paradise
This precious natural gem is located in Matalom, Leyte, and is known for its mind-blowing features like its abundant fishing grounds and coral reef areas. It’s also secluded far away from the city as well as other crowded tourist spots so I’m sure you’ll be able to enjoy the beautiful island to yourself. Oh, and aside from swimming and beach bumming, Canigao Island is also the perfect place for snorkeling and scuba diving!
7. MacArthur Leyte Landing Memorial National Park
Apart from Leyte’s incredible cultural landmarks and natural attractions, the province is also known for its several historical sites such as the MacArthur Leyte Landing Memorial National Park. This is also one of the most significant historical landmarks in the country because of its major representation of our country’s victory during World War II. It commemorates the iconic quote, “I Shall Return” of General Douglas MacArthur that utterly changed the whole course of the war. That very quote sparked hope and courage towards the Filipino people and the American soldiers he left. The moment General MacArthur waded ashore on the coasts of Leyte, it symbolized that the Philippines have finally reclaimed its freedom.
At night.
Aside from the historical significance of the iconic MacArthur Leyte Landing Memorial National Park, it’s also an amazing tourist attraction because of the pristine landscape in its background. A wonderful photo opportunity indeed!
8. Santo Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum
Another significant cultural landmark in Leyte is the Santo Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum. Considered the most visited tourist spot in Tacloban, Leyte, this shrine and museum house several cultural artifacts, antiques, furniture, paintings, and many more. The fact that the Santo Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum was one of the 20 presidential rest houses built by the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. for his wife Imelda, is also one of the reasons why more and more tourists decide to visit it.
The heritage museum is absolutely the definition of grandeur luxury where you can find huge conference rooms, premier bedrooms, a replica ballroom of the Malacañang Palace, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and many more.
Indeed, exploring the Santo Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum promises a wonderful experience in learning more about our country’s culture and history, especially during the Martial Law Era. Well, it’s also a perfect opportunity to take some Instagram-worthy photos so I suggest you bring a camera with you!
9. Hindang Cave and Wild Monkeys Sanctuary
If you’re looking for yet another exciting encounter with nature, then exploring the Hindang Cave and Wild Monkeys Sanctuary should definitely be on your list. Located in Hindang, Southern Leyte, the caves are nestled on top of Mt. Bontok so expect to overcome some hiking and trekking trails before you reach them. The caves and nearby areas are beautifully improved for tourists and well-maintained to make sure that everyone gets an unforgettable experience. There are concrete chairs and tables around where tourists can take a rest while wandering around the sanctuary.
Photo from JBoy Cagumbay
The rock formations including the stalactites and stalagmites in the caves are absolutely stunning. I suggest that you hire a tour guide to help you navigate around the area better, they can even show you some secret spots where your group can take Instagrammable photos! But what really makes the trip to Hindang Caves and Wild Monkeys Sanctuary extra special is the close encounter with the wild monkeys! Don’t worry though because they are really friendly. Amazing, right?
10. Our Lady of the Assumption Shrine
One of the most anticipated religious landmarks to visit in Leyte is the Our Lady of the Assumption Shrine. Located in Maasin, Leyte, it is actually the tallest privately-owned religious shrine in the country known for its iconic 36-meter tall statue of the Virgin Mary.
Photo from Maasin City Tourism
The miraculous chapel of Our Lady of the Assumption Shrine is also one of the most visited churches not only in Maasin City but in the entire Southern Leyte. It can be accessed through a 400-step concrete staircase which will take you to the chapel and the foot of the statue at about 104 meters above sea level! The shrine has become very iconic in the city because it also gives tourists a beautiful view of Maasin’s mesmerizing landscape.
11. Kalabato Hot Springs and Eco Park
After touring and taking on adrenaline-pumping adventures around the province, it’s finally time to relax our bodies and regenerate our energy! Our next destination is no other than the Kalabato Hot Springs and Eco Park. Located in La Paz, Leyte, this new trending attraction in the province is loved by many thanks to the unique and relaxing experience it provides.
The Kalabato Hot Springs is known for its geologic rock formations where pools of hot water spring out. These rock formations are shaped like pumpkins or squashes, which are called kalabasa in Tagalog. Hence the name, Kalabato.
12. Himokilan Island
Ah, this one’s actually a part of the beautiful Cuatros Islas that we’ve mentioned earlier. Among the 4 islands, the largest one is the amazing 48-hectare Himokilan Island. Known for its boot-shaped landmass, white sand beaches, and azure waters, the island has been quite a popular gem in Leyte.
Photo from PENRO Leyte
It is also surrounded by fresh and thriving waters filled with colorful coral reefs and different species of fishes recommended for exciting watersport activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and a whole lot more. All in all, the sparkling island of Himokilan definitely is a tropical wonder worth seeing. So be sure not to miss out!
13. Palo Tzu Chi Great Love Village
Who wouldn’t want to visit a village of love, right? I’m sure everybody would love to visit something like that! The Palo Tzu Chi Great Love Village is a wonderful community established by the Tzu Chi Foundation which benefited thousands of people living in Leyte who were devastated by the Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013.
Home for Yolanda survivors, The Tzu Chi Great Love Village in Palo Leyte
God Bless the Tzu Chi Volunteers. In some parts of the world, they are called the Blue Angels. Dressed in blue shirt and white pants.
More than being a tourist spot, the Great Love Village serves as a beautiful example of a loving community that helps each other overcome adversities in life. Several projects such as housing, plantations, and even bridges all made by the people of the Great Love Village attract and impress a lot of tourists from different parts of the country.
READ THE BLOG POST: Palo, Leyte – What We Can Learn from Tzu Chi Foundation
14. Ormoc Bay
Your trip to Leyte wouldn’t be complete without visiting the mesmerizing Ormoc Bay. It is one of the largest and most beautiful bays in the Philippines featuring the pristine waters of the Camotes Sea. Lots of tourists visit Ormoc Bay mainly because of its extraordinary landscapes, the lines of colorful yachts, and the mesmerizing sunset. It’s also a perfect spot to take some awesome pictures as a remembrance of your visit to Leyte. So, what are you waiting for? Picture away!
READ THE BLOG POST: Supercat: CEBU TO ORMOC (v.v. Schedule, Fare & More)
15. Mt. Pangasugan Ecopark
Finally, standing tall at about 1,150 meters above sea level, the Mt. Pangasugan Ecopark is definitely an incredible addition to our must-visit tourist spots in Leyte. Dubbed as the “Last Forest Frontier in Eastern Visayas”, the park is relatively known for its remarkable number of vegetation, plants, and wild animals. Being closely protected by scientists and experts, the ecosystem in Mt. Pangasugan Ecopark remains in beautiful pristine conditions allowing tourists to explore designated spots like rivers, streams, and even waterfalls.
Photo from Discover Baybay City
Oh, and did you know that one of the Philippines’ iconic animal species, the cute Tarsiers, also found a home here at Mt. Pangasugan Ecopark? Yup, that’s right!
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