Calbayog City: Gateway to Samar and Northern Samar

Calbayog Samar

Calbayog is a city in the province of Samar and is one of the commercial trade centers of Eastern Visayas region. It located on the north-western coast of the island of Samar, next to the border separating the provinces of Samar and Northern Samar. Waray is the major language spoken in Calbayog City.

Calbayog Samar

Calbayog is home to the biggest church structure in Samar. The Sts Peter and Paul Cathedral was built in the 1850's and underwent several repairs and renovations. Today, the architecture of the church combines elements of Spanish and contemporary designs. Sts Peter and Paul Cathedral is located in the city's Spanish quarter next to the City Hall Compound and the plaza.

Calbayog Samar

Also located within the Spanish quarters is the Calbayog Pilot Central School, the oldest public school in the city. The original building is made of wood and is still being used today.

Calbayog Samar

If you wish to learn more about the history of Calbayog, you should include The Handumanan in your itinerary. It is the first government structure built by the Spaniards in Calabayog which now serves as home to the City Tourism and Information Office and Calbayog Museum.

Calbayog Samar

Calbayog is also known as the City of Waterfalls because of the various waterfalls scattered around its land area. Here is a video that showcases some of the waterfalls that you can find in Calbayog. Video courtesy of the City Tourism and Information Office of Calbayog.



The most beautiful of all waterfalls in Calbayog is definitely the Tarangban Falls located in the barangay of Tinaplacan. According to @pallidamors, it took them 45 minutes of hike to reach the waterfalls.

Tarangban Falls
Sobrang sarap maligo sa falls na 'to. Malamig at sobrang fresh ng tubig! Para kang nagpapamasahe dahil
pwede kang maligo sa mismong pinagbabagsakan ng tubig. - @pallidamors

Another Pinoy traveler @thekynoexperience expressed his admiration to Tarangban Falls by making his favorite yoga pose. Just like yoga, the sound of waterfalls relaxes the body, mind and spirit.

Tarangban Falls
It's one of the most majestic falls that I've been to. - @thekynoexperience

For the thrill seekers, there is the Calbayog Zipline and Malajog Ridge Nature Park which features as 750m zipline with an elevation of 57 meter above sea level from its launch deck. Guests enjoy the cool sea breeze as they glide over Malajog Beach. At the other end of the zipline is Daraga Islet where the zipline crew awaits your landing. A pumpboat will then sail you back to the beach.

Calbayog Zipline
Photo courtesy of the Calbayog City Tourism Office led by Mr. Ronald Ricafort

The Calbayog Zipline is open every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Walk-in guests are welcome but we highly suggest that you book in advance by calling the Calbayog City Tourism Office through these numbers: 0917-566-2564 (Dia), 0917-586-0389 (Pretty) and 0917-792-4041 (Jesyle).

Rebelito's Calbayog City

A tiring day of adventure around Calbayog should end with a refreshing and filling meal at Rebelito's which is the locals' favorite place for meryeda. Rebelito's is known for its Halo-Halo and Siopao.

Tinapa product of Calbayog Samar

Calbayog being a coastal city is known for its fish products. A famous pasalubong item from the city is the Tinapa or smoked fish. Just take tricycle and tell the driver to bring you to Ping Ping's Tinapa and Pasalubong Center located in Barangay Matobato. They have vacuum packed tinapa and other products from around Samar province.

Ciriaco Hotel Calbayog

If you intend to spend several days in Calbayog, the we highly recommend that you book your accommodation at Ciriaco Hotel & Resort (check room rates). We have stayed here several times already and we have been consistently satisfied with our room and the hotel's amenities. Ciriaco Hotel & Resort has a total of 45 spacious guestrooms and suites. Amenities includes a restaurant, a swimming pool, meeting rooms and function hall. The hotel provides airport and van terminal transfers.

Ciriaco Hotel Calbayog

To get to Calbayog, visitors from Manila can take a direct flight from NAIA to Calbayog City Airport via Philippine Airlines. Visitors coming from Cebu no longer need to take a connecting flight via Manila or Tacloban to get to Calbayog. Starting November 19, 2016, Cebu Pacific Air will launch a four times weekly flight (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) between Cebu and Calbayog using an ATR 72-500 aircraft.

Calbayog City Airport

From Calbayog, you can easily reach other attractions in Samar and Northern Samar provinces. From Calbayog, you can take a van going to the town of Allen in Northern Samar province. Allen is the jump-off point to various island municipalities that offer some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.

Capul Northern Samar

Capul Lighthouse Northern Samar

Capul is one of the island municipalities of Norther Samar and is famous for its rugged coastline and unique landscapes. It has a rich history as evidenced by its centuries old church and lighthouse. The island also has a distinct language that is not related to any other languages in the Philippines.

Capul Lighthouse Northern Samar

Our favorite place on the island has got to be the garden behind the Capul Lighthouse. It is covered with fine grass and its edges are surrounded by cliffs. From here, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the San Bernardino Strait.


Biri Northern Samar

Biri Northern Samar

Biri is another island municipality of Northern Samar and is famous for its amazing rock formations. These six towering rock formations named Magasang, Magsapad, Macadlaw, Puhunan, Bel-at and Caranas are a product of natural erosion of a rocky landmass facing the Pacific Ocean. Each of these rock formations possess its own natural features and charm.

Biri Northern Samar

One of the amazing natural features to watch for are the natural pools scattered around and in between the rock formations. This one is the natural pool next to the Magasang Rock Formation. We enjoyed most of the afternoon in its clear turquoise blue water.

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