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Voykit pocket guide · Philippines
Guiuan
Spend 1–2 days in Guiuan for beaches, historic church and surf; arrive via Tacloban bus/van, stay near the town centre.
Guiuan is a coastal municipality in Eastern Samar with quiet beaches, a 400‑year‑old church, surf‑ready waves and WWII sites. It is reachable only by land from Tacloban, so a short stay (1‑2 days) fits most itineraries.
- Country
- Philippines
- Best months
- Dec–May (dry, cooler); surf best Sep–Dec
- Avoid
- Jun–Nov (rainy, rough seas)
- Stay
- 1–2 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 ₱1,200–2,000 excl. bed · Mid ₱2,000–3,500 excl. bed · High ₱3,500+ excl. bed (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 |
|---|---|
| Grilled fish meal | ₱150–250 |
| Bottle of water (500 ml) | ₱20–35 |
| Tricycle ride (short distance) | ₱30–50 |
| Bus ticket Tacloban → Guiuan | ₱500–800 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- GUI · Guiuan Airport
- Can accommodate turboprops; no commercial service since 2012.
Typical fares
- Tacloban → Guiuan bus
- about ₱700, 2½ h (check)
- Tricycle within Guiuan
- ≈₱40 per short ride
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
Buses and UV‑Express vans from Tacloban (≈2½ h) or Borongan. Within town, tricycles and motorbikes are common; walk to nearby beaches.
See and do
Known for
- Calicoan and Sapao beaches
- Immaculate Conception Church
- Surfing at Sulangan
- Pearl Island diving
- Linao Cave
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pearl Island | check | check |
| Linao Cave | check | check |
| Tubabao Island | check | check |
Sleep
- Tanghay View Lodge
- Fan/air‑con rooms, price from ₱300 per night.
- Addison Pension
- Basic rooms, contact +63 9364563950.
- Guiuan Pension House Ext.
- Fan/air‑con rooms, price from ₱300.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much? | Magkano?mag-ka-no |
| Where is the beach? | Nasaan ang tabing-dagat?na-sa-an ang ta-bing da-gat |
| I need a taxi | Kailangan ko ng taksika-kin-han ko nang tak-si |
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 commercial flights; plan land travel via Tacloban.
- Limited dining options; bring cash for small eateries.
- Surf season (Sep–Dec) brings strong currents; heed local warnings.
Guiuan is generally safe for day visitors; stay alert in remote beach areas, keep valuables secure, and follow local advice on surf conditions.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Guiuan yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Calicoan and Sapao beaches
- Immaculate Conception Church
- Surfing at Sulangan
- Pearl Island diving
- Linao 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.
- Guiuan municipal page: www.guiuan.gov.ph/
- Wikivoyage: Guiuan, revision 5244187 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5244187
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Guiuan
Paki-dala ito
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- National emergency911
US Embassy in Manila; contact for consular assistance.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/guiuan). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.