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Voykit pocket guide · Philippines
Basey
Basey is a half-day trip from Tacloban for Sohoton Caves and the banig weaving; one night if you want a relaxed pace.
Basey is a small Samar town known for the Sohoton Caves — a river cave with stalactites and an underground river — and for handwoven banig mats. Most visitors come from Tacloban (about 30 min) for a morning or afternoon, then leave. The town itself has a 17th-century church and a few eateries, but no nightlife or beach.
- Country
- Philippines
- Best months
- Mar–May (dry), Nov–Feb (cooler)
- Avoid
- Jun–Oct (typhoon season, caves may close)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- PHP
- Money
- Philippine pesos (₱) in small notes for jeepneys, market stalls, tips and taxis; malls and hotels take cards.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₱800–1,500 · Mid ₱1,500–3,000 · High ₱3,000+ (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Globe and Smart sell SIMs at airports; SIM registration with passport is required by law.
- Emergency
- National emergency 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B, C · 220 V · 60 Hz · US flat pins common; check your devices for 220 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% if no service charge.; Grab / taxi: Round up.; Boat crew: ₱100–200 per tour.; Massage: ₱50–100.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; refill stations cheap.
- Toilets
- Called 'CR' (comfort room); bring tissue; many lack toilet seats.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Tricycle ride (within town) | ₱20–50 |
| Habal-habal to Sohoton (return) | ₱200–300 per person (check) |
| Sohoton cave entrance + boat | ₱100–200 (check) |
| Banig mat (small) | ₱100–300 |
| Rice meal at a carinderia | ₱50–100 |
| Bottled water (1 L) | ₱20–30 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- TAC · Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport (Tacloban)
- About 30 min by van or tricycle to Basey
Typical fares
- Tricycle Tacloban → Basey (shared)
- about ₱50 per person, 30 min (check)
- Habal-habal Basey → Sohoton (return)
- about ₱200–300 per person (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Tricycles (₱20–50 per ride within town) and habal-habal (motorcycle) for Sohoton. Walking covers the church and market.
See and do
Known for
- Sohoton Caves (Sohoton National Park)
- Banig (handwoven decorative mats)
- St Michael the Archangel Parish Church
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sohoton Caves (Sohoton National Park) | Habal-habal or tricycle from Basey town, about 20 min, then a short boat ride | About 1 h from Basey town |
| Tacloban | Van or jeepney, about 30 min | About 30 min |
| Catbalogan | Van or bus via the Maharlika Highway, about 1.5 h | About 1.5 h |
Sleep
- Basey town proper
- A few budget inns and homestays; limited options, book ahead.
- Tacloban
- More choices (mid-range to business hotels); 30 min away.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much? | Tagpila?tag-pee-lah |
| Thank you | Salamatsah-lah-maht |
| Where is the cave? | Asa ang kweba?ah-sah ang kweh-bah |
| Good morning | Maayong buntagmah-ah-yong boon-tag |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Smile, handshake; 'po' to elders; avoid: Loud confrontation
- Beckoning: Palm down, wave; avoid: Palm up (used for animals)
- Invitations: Accept food offered or decline politely; avoid: Refusing bluntly
- Time: Expect 'Filipino time' socially; avoid: Lateness for flights and boats
- Churches: Covered clothes; avoid: Loud tours during Mass
Scams and watch-outs
- Sohoton Caves may close during typhoon season or heavy rain — check with the tourism office.
- No ATMs in Basey; bring cash from Tacloban.
- Banig weavers welcome visitors but expect a small purchase if you take photos.
Basey is generally safe. The main risks are weather-related (typhoon season, cave flooding) and the lack of medical facilities — the nearest hospital is in Tacloban.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Basey yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Sohoton Caves (Sohoton National Park)
- Banig (handwoven decorative mats)
- St Michael the Archangel Parish Church
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Basey, revision 5203720 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5203720
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Basey
Dinhi lang, palihug
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- National emergency911
Waray-Waray is the local language; most people understand Tagalog and basic English.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/basey). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.