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Voykit pocket guide · Philippines
Burauen
Half-day trip from Tacloban or Ormoc for Mahagnao Natural Park; not a base. One night if you want to hike and soak in hot springs.
Burauen is a quiet Leyte town known as the province's Spring Capital for its rivers, lakes and hot springs. The main draw is Mahagnao Natural Park, with twin crater lakes, waterfalls and thermal pools. Most visitors come from Tacloban (about 1 h) or Ormoc (about 1.5 h) for a day trip.
- Country
- Philippines
- Best months
- Jan–May (dry season)
- Avoid
- Nov–Dec (typhoon season)
- Stay
- 1 night
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 excl. bed · Mid ₱1,500–3,000 excl. bed · High ₱3,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Globe and Smart sell SIMs at airports; SIM registration with passport is required by law.
- Emergency
- Police 911 · Fire and ambulance 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 |
|---|---|
| Meal at a local eatery | ₱50–120 |
| Bottled water (1 L) | ₱15–25 |
| Tricycle ride within town | ₱20–50 |
| Park entrance fee (Mahagnao Natural Park) | ₱50–100 |
| Hot spring entrance (Calor or Maiinit) | ₱30–50 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- TAC · Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport (Tacloban)
- About 1 h by van or jeepney to Burauen
Typical fares
- Tricycle town centre → Mahagnao Park
- about ₱150–200 one way (check)
- Van Tacloban → Burauen
- about ₱100–150 (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 cover the town and park entrance (about ₱50–100). For the park interior, hire a tricycle or guide for the day.
See and do
Known for
- Mahagnao Natural Park
- Mahagnao Lake and Malagsum Lake
- Calor and Maiinit hot springs
- Guianiban and Kangunob waterfalls
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tacloban | Van or jeepney from Burauen terminal, about 1 h | About 1 h |
| Ormoc | Van or jeepney, about 1.5 h | About 1.5 h |
| Palo | Jeepney via Tacloban, about 1.5 h | About 1.5 h |
| Baybay | Van or jeepney, about 1 h | About 1 h |
Sleep
- Poblacion (town centre)
- Basic inns and homestays near the market and transport terminal.
- Mahagnao Natural Park area
- Eco-lodges and cottages by the lake; book ahead.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much? | Tagpila?tag-pee-lah |
| Thank you | Salamatsah-lah-mat |
| Where is the lake? | Asa ang lanaw?ah-sah ang lah-now |
| 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
- No ATMs in Burauen: bring enough cash from Tacloban or Ormoc.
- Hot springs and lakes have no lifeguards: swim at your own risk.
- Typhoons can close roads and the park: check the weather before travelling.
- Last tricycles back to town leave the park by late afternoon.
Burauen is generally safe. The main risks are weather-related: typhoons and flooded roads. Watch for stray dogs at night.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Burauen yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Mahagnao Natural Park
- Mahagnao Lake and Malagsum Lake
- Calor and Maiinit hot springs
- Guianiban and Kangunob waterfalls
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: Burauen, revision 5203623 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5203623
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/burauen). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.