Major city · Philippines
Basey
Basey is a half-day trip from Tacloban for Sohoton Caves and the banig weaving; one night if you want a relaxed pace.
Basey is a small Samar town known for the Sohoton Caves — a river cave with stalactites and an underground river — and for handwoven banig mats. Most visitors come from Tacloban (about 30 min) for a morning or afternoon, then leave. The town itself has a 17th-century church and a few eateries, but no nightlife or beach.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PHP
- Best months
- Mar–May (dry), Nov–Feb (cooler)
- avoid Jun–Oct (typhoon season, caves may close)
- Airport
- TAC
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
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
Emergency numbers for Basey911 ▾
- National emergency911
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 Basey, 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
- SafetyBasey is generally safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsCalled 'CR' (comfort room); bring tissue; many lack toilet seats.Philippines-wide
- Emergency numbers911 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.
- AirportTAC Daniel Z.
- Getting aroundTricycles (₱20–50 (≈ under US$1) per ride within town) and habal-habal (motorcycle) for Sohoton.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedHomestay or budget inn (per person), a night, per person₱400 (≈ US$8)
- Mid-range bedPrivate room (homestay or inn), a night, per room₱1,200 (≈ US$25)
- High-end bedPrivate room (homestay or inn), a night, per room₱2,000 (≈ US$40)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₱800 (≈ US$15) · Mid ₱1,500 (≈ US$30) · High ₱3,000 (≈ US$55)
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
- TAC Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport (Tacloban) (About 30 min by van or tricycle to Basey)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Feb
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Mar
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Nov–May. Avoid: Jun–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest May (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Dec (20 rain days), driest Apr (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Basey: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
19 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
19 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
20 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
Tricycles (₱20–50 per ride within town) and habal-habal (motorcycle) for Sohoton. Walking covers the church and market.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Sohoton Caves (Sohoton National Park)
goDoor to door: About 1 h from Basey town
Habal-habal or tricycle from Basey town, about 20 min, then a short boat ride
Bring a flashlight; the cave has an underground river.
Tacloban
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Van or jeepney, about 30 min
Larger city with restaurants, ATMs and the Leyte Landing Memorial.
Catbalogan
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Van or bus via the Maharlika Highway, about 1.5 h
A full day trip; better as an overnight stop on a Samar loop.
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.
Basey town proper
A few budget inns and homestays; limited options, book ahead.
Tacloban
More choices (mid-range to business hotels); 30 min away.
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
- ₱800–1,500 (≈ US$15–30)
- Mid
- ₱1,500–3,000 (≈ US$30–55)
- High
- ₱3,000 (≈ US$55)+
Trip budget
| Private room (homestay or inn)1 × 1 night × ₱800 | ₱800 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₱800 | ₱1,600 |
| Tricycle from Tacloban to Basey (shared)2 × ₱50 · check | ₱100 |
| Habal-habal to Sohoton (return, per person)2 × ₱200 · check | ₱400 |
| Boat fee for Sohoton cave entrance2 × ₱100 · check | ₱200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₱310 |
| Trip total≈ ₱1,705 per person per day, bed included | ₱3,410≈ US$60 |
2026 estimate in PHP; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Tricycle ride (within town) | ₱20–50 (≈ under US$1) |
| Habal-habal to Sohoton (return) | ₱200–300 (≈ US$4–6) per person (check) |
| Sohoton cave entrance + boat | ₱100–200 (≈ US$2–4) (check) |
| Banig mat (small) | ₱100–300 (≈ US$2–6) |
| Rice meal at a carinderia | ₱50–100 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Bottled water (1 L) | ₱20–30 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Sohoton Caves may close during typhoon season or heavy rain — check with the tourism office.
- No ATMs in Basey; bring cash from Tacloban.
- Banig weavers welcome visitors but expect a small purchase if you take photos.
Emergency numbers
- National emergency
- 911
Pocket card
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BaseyBasey
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Dinhi lang, palihugTo this address, please
Emergency
- National emergency911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tricycle Tacloban → Basey (shared): about ₱50 (≈ under US$1) per person, 30 min (check)
- Habal-habal Basey → Sohoton (return): about ₱200–300 (≈ US$4–6) per person (check)
Say or show
- Tagpila? — How much? (tag-pee-lah)
- Salamat — Thank you (sah-lah-maht)
- Asa ang kweba? — Where is the cave? (ah-sah ang kweh-bah)
- Maayong buntag — Good morning (mah-ah-yong boon-tag)
Waray-Waray is the local language; most people understand Tagalog and basic English.
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 Basey. 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: Mar–May (dry), Nov–Feb (cooler) · avoid Jun–Oct (typhoon season, caves may close) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Sohoton Caves and Basey Church with verified opening hours and fees.
- Eat pages for the market and the two carinderias near the church.
- Sleep page for the one or two homestays in town.
- Golden-hour fixture for the cave tour (morning light) and the church facade.
Sources
Ask about Basey
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