Major city · Philippines
Catbalogan
Spend 1–2 days in Catbalogan to see the historic church, provincial capitol and waterfront; add a night if you want to join the August Manaragat Festival.
Catbalogan is the capital of Samar Province, a modestly sized city on the Pan‑Philippine Highway. Its main attractions – St Bartholomew’s Church, the provincial capitol park and the riverside port – are within walking distance. A short stay lets you sample fresh seafood, browse local markets and, in August, experience the city‑wide Manaragat Festival. Longer stays are only needed for beach‑resort hopping on nearby islands.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PHP
- Best months
- Dec–May (dry season) and August (festival)
- avoid Jun–Nov (rainy season)
- Airport
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Philippines ↗Complete the free eTravel registration on the official government site within 72 hours before arrival; ignore lookalike sites that charge.
- Philippines ↗Typhoon season runs roughly June to November: flights and boats are cancelled at short notice; buy flexible tickets and keep a spare day.
- Philippines ↗Carry pesos in small notes; many stalls, jeepneys and taxis are cash-only.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Catbalogan117 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Catbalogan, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Philippine pesos (₱) in small notes for jeepneys, market stalls, tips and taxis; malls and hotels take cards.Philippines-wide
- SIM or eSIMGlobe and Smart sell SIMs at airports; SIM registration with passport is required by law.Philippines-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations cheap.Philippines-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% if no service charge.Philippines-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Philippines-wide
- SafetyCatbalogan is generally safe for day visitors; exercise usual caution at night and during festival crowds.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsCalled 'CR' (comfort room); bring tissue; many lack toilet seats.Philippines-wide
- Emergency numbers117 police · 117 fire / ambulance · 911 National emergency
- Sundays & holidaysHoly Week shuts much; malls open daily; banks closed weekends.Philippines-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCatbalogan Airport (Small domestic airstrip; limited scheduled flights).
- Getting aroundMotored tricycles (≈₱10 per ride) and pedicabs dominate downtown; jeepneys and multicabs from the public terminal reach surrounding barangays and…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (café)₱30–50 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedBudget guesthouse, a night, per person₱300 (≈ US$6)
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per room₱1,200 (≈ US$25)
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per room₱1,800 (≈ US$35)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₱600 (≈ US$11) · Mid ₱1,100 (≈ US$20) · High ₱1,500 (≈ US$30)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- Catbalogan Airport (Small domestic airstrip; limited scheduled flights)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Care
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Dec–May. Mixed: Aug. Avoid: Jun–Jul, Sep–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest May (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C) low), wettest Jun (15 rain days), driest Jan (12). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Catbalogan: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Motored tricycles (≈₱10 per ride) and pedicabs dominate downtown; jeepneys and multicabs from the public terminal reach surrounding barangays and nearby islands.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Paranas
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Jeepney from Catbalogan Bus Terminal, about 45 min
Coastal town with waterfalls and caves.
Calbiga
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h total
Jeepney via Paranas, about 1 h 20 min
Visit the Sohoton Caves; check opening days.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
G V Hotel
City‑hall area, air‑conditioned rooms from ₱550
Casa Christina Hotel
San Roque St, air‑conditioned rooms from ₱300
Rose Scent Pensione House
Curry Ave, fan‑cooled rooms from ₱400
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₱600–900 (≈ US$11–16) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₱900–1,400 (≈ US$16–25) excl. bed
- High
- ₱1,400 (≈ US$25)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel1 × 1 night × ₱1,200 | ₱1,200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₱1,100 | ₱2,200 |
| Tricycle ride (≈5 km)2 × ₱10 · check | ₱20 |
| eSIM (1 week data)2 × ₱500 · check | ₱1,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₱442 |
| Trip total≈ ₱2,431 per person per day, bed included | ₱4,862≈ US$90 |
2026 estimate in PHP; flights and inter‑island ferries excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (café) | ₱30–50 (≈ under US$1) |
| Meal (local restaurant) | ₱80–150 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Tricycle ride (≈5 km) | ₱10 (≈ under US$1) |
| Bottle of water (500 ml) | ₱15–25 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Roads can be flooded during the rainy season – check conditions before travel.
- Limited night transport; arrange return rides before 9 pm.
- Festival crowds in August can fill streets; keep valuables secure.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Fire / ambulance
- 117
- National emergency
- 911
Pocket card
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CatbaloganCatbalogan
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Palihug padulong diriTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Fire / ambulance117
- National emergency911
Embassy
US consulate in Manila; check for local honorary consulates.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tricycle (5 km): ≈ ₱10 per ride
- Jeepney (city‑terminal to Paranas): ≈ ₱30 one‑way
Say or show
- Pasaylo-a ko — Excuse me / Sorry (pasaylo‑a ko)
- Salamat — Thank you (salamat)
- Tagpila ini? — How much is this? (tagpila ini?)
- Asa ang kasilyas? — Where is the bathroom? (asa ang kasilyas?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Catbalogan. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–May (dry season) and August (festival) · avoid Jun–Nov (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night for the Manaragat Festival (August).
- Combine with beach resorts on nearby islands (Buri Baras, Igot Cove).
Sources
- officialCatbalogan official website
- secondaryWikidata – Catbalogan
- secondaryWikivoyage: Catbalogan, revision 5339252 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Catbalogan
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