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Back to Palo

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Voykit pocket guide · Philippines

Palo

Spend a half‑day in Palo to see the MacArthur Landing Memorial and Palo Cathedral; stay overnight only if you need a rest before heading to Tacloban or Ormoc.

Palo is Leyte's historic and religious centre, famous for the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park and the 16th‑century Palo Cathedral. It is a convenient stop on the Maharlika Highway between Tacloban and Ormoc, with bus and UV‑Express connections. One half‑day covers the main sights; a night is optional for a relaxed departure the next morning.

AbucayAgooAlaminos, LagunaAlaminosAlcalaAlegria, CebuAlona BeachAltavasAndaAngelesAngonoAntipoloAparriApo IslandPalo200 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 (dry season)
Avoid
Jun–Nov (rainy season, possible typhoons)
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 PHP 500–800 excl. bed · Mid PHP 800–1,200 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 at a local caféPHP 30–60
Meal (rice + meat or fish)PHP 80–150
Bottle of water (500 ml)PHP 15–30
Tricycle ride (short distance)PHP 30–50

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

TAC · Tacloban Airport
Nearest airport, about 30 km (19 mi) north

Typical fares

Bus Tacloban ↔ Palo
≈ PHP 150 one way (check schedule)
Tricycle within Palo
≈ PHP 30–50 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

Walk or hire a tricycle within town; provincial buses and UV‑Express vans stop at Palo on the Maharlika Highway for trips to Tacloban, Ormoc, and other Leyte towns.

See and do

Known for

  • MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park
  • Palo Cathedral
  • Archdiocese of Palo

Day trips

WhereHowTime
MacArthur Landing Memorial National ParkWalk from town centre (≈10 min) or tricycle (≈5 min)15 min total
Palo CathedralWalk (≈5 min) on San Salvador St10 min total

Sleep

The Oriental Leyte
Hotel in Baras, near the memorial; rooms from PHP 3,340
Kugville
Budget guesthouse in Baras; rooms from PHP 1,010

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
Excuse me / SorryPasensya napasensya na
Thank youSalamatsalamat
How much is it?Magkano ito?magkano ito
Where is the bathroom?Saan ang banyo?saan ang banyo
Can I have the bill?Pwede bang magbayad?pwede bang magbayad

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

  • Check bus schedules; services may be reduced during the rainy season.
  • Typhoon season (Jun–Nov) can cause road closures.

Palo is generally safe for tourists; keep valuables secure and avoid isolated roads during heavy rain.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Palo yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park
  • Palo Cathedral
  • Archdiocese of Palo

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.

Palo

Punta dito, paki

To this address, please

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

  • Police117
  • Fire and ambulance117
  • National emergency911

US Embassy in Manila; consulate in Cebu (check address).

Voykit · checked 2026-09

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