Leyte Tourist Attractions and Activities

Historical Sites

Gen. Douglas Macarthur Landing Memorial

Situated in Red Beach, Palo, Leyte, the monument marks the spot where General Douglas MacArthur landed with the American Liberation Forces in 1944. The statues of the liberators stand in a lagoon, 1.5 times bigger than lifesize. It is also the site of the 50th Leyte Landing Anniversary Commemorative Rock Garden of Peace. A beautiful beach can be found in the area.


Hilongos Bell Tower
Located in Hilongos, Leyte. Highest existing bell tower built during the Spanish era; historic viewing of Spanish fort/marker at churchyard.

Palo Metropolitan Cathedral

Located in Palo, Leyte, 12 km. from Tacloban City. Converted into an evacuation hospital of the Allied Forces of Liberation and refuge of civilians during World War II. Founded in 1596 by Augustinian friars; view of the famous Hill 522 overlooking Palo. Catholic church; landscaped grounds; gold-plated altar and stations of the cross carved by local artist.

Cultural Heritage

Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum

Located in Real Street, Tacloban City. Paintings of the 14 stations of the Cross done by Filipino artists, wooden bas-relief of the legend of the First Filipino man-woman (Si Malakas at si Maganda); tastefully decorated guestrooms of varied Filipino motifs; image of the Holy Child; a collection of original paintings by Fernando Amorsolo; spacious ballroom; priceless collector’s items.

Natural Formations

Red Beach

Located in Brgys. Baras and Candahug, Palo Leyte, 10 km. from Tacloban City. Landing site of the Allied Forces headed by Gen. Douglas MacArthur during the liberation of the Philippines in 1944; panoramic view of Leyte Gulf and Samar Island; ideal place for promenading; picnicking, swimming, and windsurfing. Beach resort with restaurant, other guest services, and sports facilities, native beach, kiosks with wooden picnic tables, and benches for rent.

Himokilan Island

Hindang, Leyte, 140 km. from Tacloban City plus 30-minute pump boat ride.Hindang, Leyte, 140 km. from Tacloban City plus 30-minute pumpboat ride. Largest island of the Cuatro Islas where the big delicious coconut-cracking crabs called “tatus” are found.

Lake Danao

Located in Ormoc City, 125 km. from Tacloban City. A violin-shaped lake 2,100 feet above sea level and 3 km, long; hemmed by cloud-capped-mountain ranges of undetermined depth; wild animals roaming its surrounding forest; hunter’s paradise; lake said to be the habitat of giant eel.

Cuatro Islas
Located in the towns of Inopacan and Hindang, Leyte; plus pump boat ride. Four lovely isles namely, Digyo, Apid, Mahaba, and Himokilan bordered by white sandy shore; surrounded by beautiful coral gardens, the best in Leyte island. A total of 287 species of reef building corals can be found in the islands waters; rich fishing ground.

Religious Structures

La Purisima Shrine

Located in Brgy. Guindapunan, Palo, Leyte, 12 km. from Tacloban City. Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception replica which has been the object of devotional pilgrimage since its erection in 1879. Steps leading to Hill 522; shrine.

Man-Made

San Juanico Bridge

Crossing over San Juanico Strait, connects Brgy. Cabalawan, Tacloban City (Leyte side) and Sta. Rita town (Samar side), approximately 10 minutes from Tacloban City; accessible by passenger jeepneys, buses, motorcabs and private vehicles. Longest and most beautifully designed bridge in the Philippines; picturesque San Juanico Strait with a thousand whirlpools; lovely islets; picturesque views.

Festivals

Sanggutan Festival (May 18; Barugo, Leyte)

The Barugo Sanggutan Festival honors the age-old process of coconut wine (tuba) making that has been and will always be a part of the life of the Barugueño. Sanggutan, the festival, is a dance of celebration. It is dance of men (the managgetes) and women (their wives, sisters, daughters) involved in the production of the red wine. It is also a dance of men and women enjoying the spirit of this gift from, literally, up high. The costumes are the everyday wear of the mananggete and his family, which is to say the dominant color is red, because the tuba dyes everything and everyone

Come and Visit Leyte!!