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Back to Borongan

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Voykit pocket guide · Philippines

Borongan

Spend 2 days: one day for surf and beaches, a second for city sights and a short trip to nearby waterfalls.

Borongan, capital of Eastern Samar, offers surf on Baybay Boulevard, nearby beaches, waterfalls and a modest historic centre. With tricycle transport and modest accommodation, two days cover the main attractions without feeling rushed.

AbucayAgooAlaminos, LagunaAlaminosAlcalaAlegria, CebuAlona BeachAltavasAndaAngelesAngonoAntipoloAparriApo IslandBorongan200 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Philippines
Best months
Feb–Mar (cooler, less rain, good surf)
Avoid
Jul–Oct (typhoon belt, heavy rains)
Stay
2 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 ₱500–800 excl. bed · Mid ₱800–1,200 excl. bed · High ₱1,200+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
Globe and Smart sell SIMs at airports; SIM registration with passport is required by law.
Emergency
Police 117 · Fire and ambulance 117 · 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

ItemPrice
Coffee (café)₱80–₱120
Local snack (Salukara)₱30–₱60
Meal at Jollibee₱120–₱200
Beer (bottle)₱70–₱100
Tricycle ride (5 km (3.1 mi))₱55
Entrance fee (Hebacong park)₱20–₱100

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

TAC · Tacloban Airport
3 h UV‑Express from Borongan; only commercial airport in Eastern Visayas.

Typical fares

Borongan‑Tacloban UV‑Express
≈₱1,200 round‑trip, 3 h (check)
Tricycle (per km)
≈₱11 per km (check)
eSIM 7‑day data
≈₱800 (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 dominate town travel; base fare PHP 11 per km. Hire a tricycle for beach trips (5–30 min rides).

See and do

Known for

  • Surfing at Baybay Boulevard
  • Cabong Beach
  • Kaputian Falls
  • Hebacong Sea of Clouds
  • Ganap Cave

Day trips

WhereHowTime
Kaputian FallsTricycle 5 km (3.1 mi) south, 10 min ride≈30 min round trip
Hebacong Sea of Clouds & Nature Park40‑min drive or tricycle hire≈1 h
Ganap Cave13 km (8.1 mi) NW, hire tricycle or motorbike≈45 min

Sleep

Hotel Dona Vicenta
A/C rooms, from ₱995 per night.
GV Hotel
Fan/air‑con rooms, from ₱550 per night.
Domsowir Hotel
Fan/air‑con rooms, from ₱350 per night.
Primea Hotel Borongan
Comfortable rooms with breakfast, price check.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
Excuse me / SorryPasensya napa‑sen‑sya na
Thank youSalamatsa‑la‑mat
How much?Magkano?mag‑ka‑no
Where is the bathroom?Nasaan ang banyo?na‑sa‑an ang ba‑nyo
I need a tricycleTricycle potri‑si‑kle po
Can I pay by card?Pwede ba mag‑card?pwe‑de ba mag‑card

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

  • Borongan Airport has no scheduled commercial flights (Cebu Pacific ceased service).
  • The city lies in the typhoon belt; check forecasts during July–October.
  • Limited night transport; arrange return tricycle before dark.

Borongan is generally safe for tourists; stay alert during rainstorms and keep valuables secure on tricycles.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Borongan yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Surfing at Baybay Boulevard
  • Cabong Beach
  • Kaputian Falls
  • Hebacong Sea of Clouds
  • Ganap Cave

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Borongan

Punta rito

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

  • Police117
  • Fire and ambulance117
  • National emergency911

US consulate in Manila; nearest Philippine embassy in Manila (check address).

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/borongan). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.