Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hilongos, the port town of
BATO
is a useful jump-off point for Padre Burgos. At the
mouth of the Maasin River in southern Leyte, the otherwise dull, industrial port of
MAASIN
makes a good starting point if you're heading for the far south of Leyte, an
area that is opening up for scuba diving and whale shark-watching. All four towns
have ferry connections to Cebu.
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
THE SOUTHWEST COAST
By boat
Hilongos (Kinswell 1 daily; Roble Shipping 1 daily;
3hr 15min), Baybay and Bato are all connected by regular
slow ferries to Cebu and have onwards transport connec-
tions by bus, jeepney and van further south. From Maasin,
Cokaliong and Trans-Asia Shipping Lines both run ferries to
Cebu City (daily; 6hr). The boats are sometimes full, so
make sure you book in advance; both these firms have
o
ces at Maasin pier.
By bus
If you're arriving by air in Tacloban you can catch
an a/c minivan direct to Maasin (4hr; P180). Otherwise,
buses from Tacloban take up to 6hr, an unpredictable and
frustrating trip.
Tourist information
You can get up-to-date information
on diving and whale shark-watching from the Provincial
Planning Development O
ce in Maasin's Provincial Capitol
Building (
T
053 570 9017).
6
ACCOMMODATION
Ampil Pensione
Tomas Upos St, Maasin
T
053 570
8084.
Located in the middle of town, this bare-bones
budget place has f
an roo
ms and slightly more comfortable
a/c rooms with TV.
P250
Maasin Country Lodge
Mambajao, Maasin
T
053
570 8858.
A little inland in a quiet, leafy location on the
banks of the Canturing River, with comfortable a/c rooms
that are spacious and well
l mai
ntained, some with a TV,
and there's also free wi-fi.
P650
Padre Burgos and around
he area around
PADRE BURGOS
on Leyte's southern tip is making a name for itself
as an exciting
scuba-diving
destination, with more than twenty sites documented by
local divers. The town has a half-decent beach at
Tankaan
, a couple of kilometres to
the south, while whale sharks, dolphins and manta rays can be seen in
Sogod Bay
immediately to the east.
Limasawa Island
Bangkas leave Padre Burgos 2-3 times early in the morning for Magallanes Brgy on Limasawa (45min; P60); if you miss the boat back you
shouldn't have much trouble finding a home to stay in for the night (enquire first with the mayor)
It was atop a prominent hill on tiny
Limasawa Island
, that Magellan is said to
have conducted the first Catholic Mass in the Philippines on March 31, 1521.
After an often choppy boat ride from Padre Burgos, visitors can walk up concrete
steps to a monument at the top of the hill, from where there are commanding
views over the whole island. Limasawa also has some marvellous beaches and coves
for snorkelling.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
PADRE BURGOS AND AROUND
By ferry
The closest major port to Padre Burgos is Maasin,
which is served by ferries from Cebu City (see above),
although it's quicker to take a fast ferry to Ormoc, then a
minivan (4hr).
By jeepney
Jeepneys head up the coast to Maasin (P30;
1hr) from where there are transport connections to the rest
of Leyte.
ACCOMMODATION
Peter's Dive Resort
Padre Burgos
T
0917 791 0993,
W
whaleofadive.com.
Affordable accommodation in
standard rooms or duplex cottages for two and breath-
taking views of Sogod Bay. The main building's lower
terrace has a games room, where you can enjoy a
round or two of pool, or play ping-pong. There's also
a pool and an excellent little restaurant where the
owners serve home-cooked food. The resort provides a
pick-up service fro
m Maas
in (P650), Hilongos (P1800) or
Tacloban (P4000).
P1790
Southern Leyte Divers
San Roque, Macrohon
T
0921
663 1592,
W
leyte-divers.com.
Some 15min northwest
