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Back to Catarman

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Voykit pocket guide · Philippines

Catarman

Spend a half‑day to a day in Catarman: cathedral, Sacred Heart Plaza, then catch a flight or bus onward.

Catarman is the provincial capital of Northern Samar on Samar’s north coast. Its main sights are clustered near the cathedral and Sacred Heart Plaza, and transport links are limited, so a short stay (½–1 day) fits most itineraries.

AbucayAgooAlaminos, LagunaAlaminosAlcalaAlegria, CebuAlona BeachAltavasAndaAngelesAngonoAntipoloAparriApo IslandCatarman200 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
Dec–May
Avoid
Jun–Nov (rainy season)
Stay
0.5–1 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 ₱600–900 excl. bed · Mid ₱900–1,300 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 (local café)₱50–80
Meal at a small eatery₱80–150
Tricycle ride (short distance)₱20–30

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

CRM · Catarman National Airport
PAL Express flights from Clark; schedule may change (check).

Typical fares

Catarman Airport → town centre (tricycle)
about ₱100–150 (check)
PAL Express Manila ↔ Catarman (one‑way)
≈ ₱3,500–5,000 (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 and walking cover the town centre; no public bus service within the town.

See and do

Known for

  • Catarman Cathedral
  • Sacred Heart Plaza
  • White Beach Resort
  • Gaisano Grand Mall

Day trips

WhereHowTime
CalbayogBus from Catarman bus terminal, about 2 h, then walk 10 min to town centre≈ 2 h 30 min
CatbaloganBus via Calbayog, about 3 h total, then tricycle 5 min to centre≈ 3 h 30 min
LaoangBus to Laoang via Calbayog, about 4 h, then tricycle 5 min≈ 4 h 30 min

Sleep

G V Hotel
Fan single/double rooms, bathroom, cable TV. From ₱500.
Sasa Pension House
Basic rooms. From ₱800.
Pink City Pension House
From ₱750.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
Excuse me / SorryPasensya napah-sen-sya na
Thank youSalamatsa-la-mat
How much is this?Magkano ito?mag-ka-no i-to
Where is the bathroom?Saan ang banyo?saan ang ban-yo

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

  • Runway crossing the main road; traffic may be halted.
  • Flight schedules are limited; check PAL Express dates.

Catarman is generally safe for tourists; petty theft can occur in crowded areas and traffic near the runway crossing, so keep valuables secure and watch for vehicles.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Catarman yet. Suggested stay: 0.5–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Catarman Cathedral
  • Sacred Heart Plaza
  • White Beach Resort
  • Gaisano Grand Mall

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.

Catarman

Punta rito, pak

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; other embassies in Manila.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

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