Calbayog City Forest and Marble Park photo via Calbayog City Tourism Office FB
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Top 16 Best Things to do in Calbayog City

What are the top attractions to visit in Calbayog City?

Tourist Spots, Activities, and Best Places to Visit in Calbayog City, Philippines

The City of Calbayog is a 1st class city in Samar Province, Visayas, Philippines. It’s located in Samar’s coastal region, with about 60 miles from the North to 180 miles in the South. It’s the first city in Samar and the nineteenth in the country. There are many things to do in Calbayog City -a place beaming with numerous natural attractions such as diving spots, lush forests, and rivers. For this reason, the city is becoming more and more well-known among local and foreign tourists.

Calbayog City Forest and Marble Park photo via Calbayog City Tourism Office FB
Calbayog City Forest and Marble Park photo via Calbayog City Tourism Office FB

Here are some of the best things you can do when you’re in Calbayog City.

Calbayog Zipline and Malajog Ridge Nature Park

Calbayog Zipline and Malajog Ridge Nature Park photo via FB Page
Calbayog Zipline and Malajog Ridge Nature Park photo via FB Page

The thrill-seeking activities of the Nature Park and zipline ensure visitors can get a spectacular view of the open sea.

It only takes a minute to ride the zip line. There are other activities that people can join in, like swimming, going on a banana boat ride, and Jet Ski ride on Lo-oc Beach, and a river cruise at Bolongto River.

Bangon-Bugtong Falls

Bangon Falls - Things to do in Calbayog City
Bangon-Bugtong Falls – Things to do in Calbayog City

Bangon Falls can be reached by taking a jeepney or van ride to Barangay Tinaplacan. The estimated height of Bangon Falls is 60 meters. You wouldn’t see where the water of Bangon Falls comes from since it stretches very far.

It has slippery parts due to moss and a pond at the top where people can enjoy swimming because the water is deep enough.

Sarakiki Hadang Festival

Hyperactive movements characterize the performances of the Sarakiki Festival, and it’s supposed to give thanks to their gods. It implies worship for their gods, offering sacrifices to keep danger at bay.

In earlier times, the locals would use black and white chicken feathers as an offering to venerate the spirits. The festival happens every September 1 to 8.

Busay and Tarangban Falls

Tarangban Falls in Calbayog City
Tarangban Falls in Calbayog City

These two falls can satisfy your cravings for a good swimming and chilling spot. The entrance fee for Busay Falls is free while you need a guide going to Tarangban Falls.

Both Falls need to be reached through trekking, and both are unique in their own way and filled with healthy trees and magnificent rock formations. Both waterfalls can be enjoyed while having a picnic, and you can go swimming if you want to.

City Forest and Marble Park

City Forest and Marble Park photo by CalbayogCity.blogspot.com
City Forest and Marble Park photo by CalbayogCity.blogspot.com

This isn’t really a park where you can see benches or statues but rather a place where there are a marble rock formation and many trees.

You can roam the area or take pictures, and you can go swimming in the Malajog River. The untouched forest lets you in Calbayog’s lovely surroundings.

The Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Shrine

The Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Shrine
The Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Shrine

The Holy Shrine was a project of Mr. Leonardo Hermo Oben, Jr., or Junior for short, a barangay captain of Barangay Malajog.

The property used for creating the Shrine belongs to a deceased couple, Catalino Pelito Oben and Dionesia Abayon Oben, who were blood relatives of Junior.

The Shrine became a place where many people would just pray and have quiet moments of contemplation, but today, even tourists do the same.

Karakol Festival

Karakol Festival in Calbayog by Rudy Gonzaga via FB Things to do in Calbayog City
Karakol Festival in Calbayog by Rudy Gonzaga via FB

The locals of Barangay Matobato celebrate this lesser-known festival. The shore where the image of Nuestra Senora de Porta Vaga’ Soleda’ is located is also the spot where the festival takes place.

The locals make kubol or huts line the sandy part of the sea, and from the chapel, the image will be taken out and will pass the kubols until it reaches the main kubol, where a ceremony will take place. This festival happens every second Sunday of November.

Isla Pawikan

Pawikan Islet, or Turtle Island to the locals, is an islet that resembles the shape of a turtle. It’s about 1 hectare, and a trip there can offer some electrifying adventures like deep-sea diving where you can see marine life like sea corals, rare pebbles, seashells, and some sea creatures.

If you’re not too keen on deep-sea diving, you can just take pictures of the beautiful rock formations surrounding the islet.

Souvenir and Pasalubong Shopping

Calbayog Tinapa via Lavezares Northern Samar
Calbayog Tinapa via Lavezares Northern Samar

One of the biggest income sources of Calbayog City is its fish industry. They make good dried and smoked fish.

Take some cured fish home with you but make sure you pack them tightly because they smell. Just don’t forget to let it breathe once you get home so it won’t rot.

Butterfly Sanctuary at Antonio’s Garden

The butterfly sanctuary at San Antonio’s is not as big as other attractions, but it’s worth the visit if you just want to spend an hour and look at their man-made mini-falls, butterfly garden, and koi pond.

The kids will love this one-of-a-kind haven because they can see the animals up close.

Guinogo-an Cave

Ginogo-an Cave photo via Calbayog.gov.ph Things to do in Calbayog City
Guinogo-an Cave photo via Calbayog.gov.ph

Entering the cave is no problem because the entrance is large, but what will make your spelunking trip to Guinogoan Cave different is that you’ll walk through the water where the ceiling can go high on some parts surprisingly low on the others.

It’s a magical adventure, especially when you reach the cave’s dark recesses, where the only things you’ll see are lighted torches for guidance. Try this adventure if you’re brave enough.

Mapaso Hot Spring

Mapaso Spring photo via Calbayog.gov.ph
Mapaso Spring photo via Calbayog.gov.ph

Feel refreshed after a natural and hot water therapy at Mapaso Hot Spring. Its name ‘Mapaso’ means hot in Filipino because the water there reaches extreme temperature. If you like some muscle relaxation for your body during the colder months, then head on to Mapaso Hot Spring, where you can really enjoy yourself with your family and have your nerves loosen up a little.

Nijaga Park

Benedicto Nijaga Park
Benedicto Nijaga Park

This quaint park is set near the Calbayog River, so it’s easy to relax and spend an afternoon looking at the horizon. You can find a fountain in the middle of this humble park and colorful houses in the area.

The park also comes alive at night when the whole area is lighted, and everyone can walk peacefully.

Samar Archaeological Museum

Samar Archaeological Museum in Calbayog City
Samar Archaeological Museum in Calbayog City

It’s always a nice thing to visit at least one museum when you travel because it’s a way to know about the history of the place you’re visiting, and you get to see exciting stuff you won’t see elsewhere.

The Samar Archaeological Museum houses excavated pieces like cups, saucers, chalices, old household items, and old coins. These were the items used by the locals back in the day.

Spanish Quarter

Most Philippine provinces have been influenced by the Spaniards because the country has been under their ruling for many years. Many of the evidence are structures that can be seen and intact up to this day. This includes the houses in Calbayog City they call ‘Spanish Quarter.’

You’ll see some preserved Spanish houses to this day, and you can take a picture of those houses but of course, ask nicely. You can also ask the locals about the history of each house.

Muro-Puro Snorkeling Site

Muro-Puro Snorkeling Site photo by Calbayog City Tourism Office
Muro-Puro Snorkeling Site photo by Calbayog City Tourism Office

Muro-Puro isn’t a popular diving site yet, so you can still enjoy the open waters and swim to your heart’s delight, but it’s just a matter of time because the marine site here is astounding. Take the time to visit this spot while it’s still untouched.

Best Things to do in Calbayog City - The City of Waterfalls
Best Things to do in Calbayog City – The City of Waterfalls

Do you have other recommended fun and exciting things to do in Calbayog City? Please feel free to share by posting a comment below.

Calbayog City Travel and Tour Packages

To help you plan out your visit to Calbayog City, we listed places to visit and other amazing things in Calbayog City. We also listed some of the best travel deals, tour packages, and excellent flight deals and accommodation.

Searching for the best hotels, resorts, and affordable flights in the nearby Cities? Check out our list of cheap Calbayog City hotels and resorts via Agoda, Booking, or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.

Want more updates about new package tours and tourist spots in Calbayog City, Philippines? Follow #TeamOutofTown, on Facebook, TwitterInstagram, and Pinterest for more travel ideas.

Also read: Samar Travel Guide: Top 10 Best Things To Do In Samar.

Written by Melo Villareal

Melo Villareal is the Online Publisher of Outoftownblog.com. He is an Accountant by profession who left the corporate world at the age of 23 to explore his beautiful country and the rest of the world. Today, Melo works as a part-time Social Media Manager for local and international clients. His full-time work focuses on discovering interesting culture, explore different cuisines and take memorable photos from local and international destinations he's visiting.

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