(Quick Note:The Adventurer's Guide is a very trending feature in this blog. This travel guide series aims to give you quick, quality, and relevant travel information and tips regarding the featured destination.)
This time, I will be featuring a quiet yet beautiful island municipality in the province of Southern Leyte. Personally, I will say that Southern Leyte is just like the southern part of Cebu. Why? It is because of its tourism potential. Southern Leyte has a lot to offer like historical sites, islands, beaches, diving/snorkeling sites, and adventure spots.
The Destination: Limasawa Island, Southern Leyte
Limasawa is an island which is located about 6 kilometers off the coast of the southern tip of the province of Southern Leyte. It is also considered as the smallest municipality in the province. Measured from north to south, the island is approximately 10 kilometers long. Historically, this island was the site of the First Christian Mass in the Philippines and even in Asia where Ferdinand Magellan paved the way for Christianity in the country in 1521.
I had the chance to talk to an elder and a local resident of the island and he said that Limasawa got its name because long ago, there was a man (others say, a Rajah) who lived in the island with five wives, “Lima’y Asawa.”
According to local tourism officials, they envisioned Limasawa Island to be the next “Boracay Island” tourism site in the Visayas. Hence, Limasawa Island is indeed a great destination to explore!
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This time, I will be featuring a quiet yet beautiful island municipality in the province of Southern Leyte. Personally, I will say that Southern Leyte is just like the southern part of Cebu. Why? It is because of its tourism potential. Southern Leyte has a lot to offer like historical sites, islands, beaches, diving/snorkeling sites, and adventure spots.
The Destination: Limasawa Island, Southern Leyte
Limasawa is an island which is located about 6 kilometers off the coast of the southern tip of the province of Southern Leyte. It is also considered as the smallest municipality in the province. Measured from north to south, the island is approximately 10 kilometers long. Historically, this island was the site of the First Christian Mass in the Philippines and even in Asia where Ferdinand Magellan paved the way for Christianity in the country in 1521.
I had the chance to talk to an elder and a local resident of the island and he said that Limasawa got its name because long ago, there was a man (others say, a Rajah) who lived in the island with five wives, “Lima’y Asawa.”
According to local tourism officials, they envisioned Limasawa Island to be the next “Boracay Island” tourism site in the Visayas. Hence, Limasawa Island is indeed a great destination to explore!
Tacloban City to Maasin City – approximately PhP 220 (3-4 hours by van)
Ormoc City to Maasin City –approximately PhP 170 (3 hours by van)
Maasin City to Padre Burgos – approximately PhP 30 (45 minutes by multicab)
Padre Burgos to Limasawa Island – approximately PhP 50 (45 minutes by pump-boat)
Places to Explore
1. The National Shrine of the First Mass in the Philippines
Located in Magallanes, the National Shrine stands at the foot of the hill commemorating the first mass on March 31, 1521 and the visit of Magellan to the island.
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1. It is better to be in the port of Padre Burgos, the tip of Southern Leyte in the morning to catch the pump-boat going Limasawa Island.
2. The pump-boat going there is big and sturdy.
3. Summer time is the best season to explore the island. The waves going to the island are really big especially during the “off-season” months, the time in which there are typhoons or bad weather conditions.
4. In order to go around the island, you can hire a habal-habal (motorcycle). Just negotiate with the local drivers.
5. The people there are very friendly, talk to them.
6. Electricity in the island is very limited. It is provided to the community on a scheduled basis from 6:00 in the evening until midnight.
7. It is best to the leave the island going back to the mainland in the morning or at noon. Limasawa's port is located at Brgy. Triana.
I hope this Adventurer’s Guide is helpful to you!
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-- Travel Photo: Blue Hour at Limasawa Island
-- The Solo Trip to Limasawa Island
-- Discovering Southern Leyte
-- Travel Photo: Pink Pump-boats
-- Places Less Traveled: Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte
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Ormoc City to Maasin City –approximately PhP 170 (3 hours by van)
Maasin City to Padre Burgos – approximately PhP 30 (45 minutes by multicab)
Padre Burgos to Limasawa Island – approximately PhP 50 (45 minutes by pump-boat)
Places to Explore
1. The National Shrine of the First Mass in the Philippines
Located in Magallanes, the National Shrine stands at the foot of the hill commemorating the first mass on March 31, 1521 and the visit of Magellan to the island.
2. First Cross Monument
Going up the summit of the highest hill in Limasawa which is around 450 steps, the first cross in the Philippines was planted in the afternoon of March 31, 1521.
Going up the summit of the highest hill in Limasawa which is around 450 steps, the first cross in the Philippines was planted in the afternoon of March 31, 1521.
3. The Barangays
I had the chance to stay at the house of Adventist friends in Brgy. Lugsongan, which is known as “A Barangay of Smiles” and “A Christian Community.” Lugsongan is just one of the six barangays in the island. The other barangays are Triana (the capital), Cabulihan, Magallanes, San Agustin (Tawid), and San Bernardo (Tigib).
I had the chance to stay at the house of Adventist friends in Brgy. Lugsongan, which is known as “A Barangay of Smiles” and “A Christian Community.” Lugsongan is just one of the six barangays in the island. The other barangays are Triana (the capital), Cabulihan, Magallanes, San Agustin (Tawid), and San Bernardo (Tigib).
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| A morning view at Brgy. Lugsongan. |
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| Lugsongan Barangay Celebration |
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| Limasawa Port at Brgy. Triana |
4. Natural Attractions
Limasawa offers many wonderful natural attractions too! If you like white sand beaches, you can go to Dakdak beach in Lugsongan and Gamot beach in Cabulihan. You can also explore caves in San Agustin and Magallanes. Or better yet, if you like the “underworld,” you can go snorkeling and diving in San Agustin and Lugsongan.
I have also read that in San Agustin, you can find relics of giant oyster or clamshells.
Limasawa offers many wonderful natural attractions too! If you like white sand beaches, you can go to Dakdak beach in Lugsongan and Gamot beach in Cabulihan. You can also explore caves in San Agustin and Magallanes. Or better yet, if you like the “underworld,” you can go snorkeling and diving in San Agustin and Lugsongan.
I have also read that in San Agustin, you can find relics of giant oyster or clamshells.
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| Dakdak Beach in Brgy. Lugsongan |
For Your Taste-buds:
Limasawa locals are very known in making great tasting dried fish (or bulad / buwad). Try it and bring some as your pasalubong!
Limasawa locals are very known in making great tasting dried fish (or bulad / buwad). Try it and bring some as your pasalubong!
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| Dried fish |
Travel Tips:
1. It is better to be in the port of Padre Burgos, the tip of Southern Leyte in the morning to catch the pump-boat going Limasawa Island.
2. The pump-boat going there is big and sturdy.
3. Summer time is the best season to explore the island. The waves going to the island are really big especially during the “off-season” months, the time in which there are typhoons or bad weather conditions.
4. In order to go around the island, you can hire a habal-habal (motorcycle). Just negotiate with the local drivers.
5. The people there are very friendly, talk to them.
6. Electricity in the island is very limited. It is provided to the community on a scheduled basis from 6:00 in the evening until midnight.
7. It is best to the leave the island going back to the mainland in the morning or at noon. Limasawa's port is located at Brgy. Triana.
Where is Limasawa Island on the map?
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| Map by: Wikipedia |
If you have questions and inquiries, comment below or e-mail me at ephraim.arriesgado@gmail.com.
View my previous posts of Limasawa Island:
View my previous posts of Limasawa Island:
-- Travel Photo: Blue Hour at Limasawa Island
-- The Solo Trip to Limasawa Island
-- Discovering Southern Leyte
-- Travel Photo: Pink Pump-boats
-- Places Less Traveled: Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte
Like me on Facebook:Selfless Travels
Follow me on Twitter:@SelflessTravels
Follow me on Instagram:@selfless_eph
Thank you! :)