Numerous shops, restaurants and nice park areas

By Tom from Phoenix Arizona, USA

Overall:

Tacloban is a smaller city without the big malls that are being built elsewhere. There were numerous shops and restaurants including a very nice Italian Restaurant.

The MacArthur landing site is just to the south of the town and has been developed into a nice park area.

We traveled primarily by tricycle and jeepney while we were there. I don't recall seeing any taxis but I didn't ask.

There are several hotels in the town and a resort area located near the MacArthur landing beach.




Changing Times
By Thad from Tacloban City, PH

Overall:

Tacloban is a small coastal city where life is generally slow paced. I love the laid back atmosphere - the most traffic we have occur during fiestas or festivals, and I gather no one would be complaining about that. Most of the time, people here cruise through their routines and live life simply.


                    The Tacloban City Convention Center (aka "Astrodome").

This premise is however being challenged by the changing times - a "Big Dome" was just completed to serve as venue for events, and "Mall fever" hit as Robinsons and Gaisano Malls have begun construction early this year.



         The New Gaisano Capital Mall at the place of the former Republic Theater
                                     soon to open within this year 2008.

In more than two decades of living here, it seems we're finally going to get those plush movie theaters, minus the wooden seats and hollow block projector screen that we have now.

The City of Clean and Green

By Mercy Grace Beronilla from PH

Overall:

Tacloban City, the city of Clean and Green, as our former mayor refers to it, but I prefer to call it TAC-TOWN, is the capital of Leyte. There are a lot of beaches found here.

A lot of history in this place, too. MacArthur Park is a must-see for those asking where Gen. MacArthur entered as a fulfillment of his famous promise, "I Shall Return".

There are a lot of hotels and resorts worth staying in. Leyte Park Hotel is the biggest in town. Just come and visit our beautiful city .. =)

The City by the Sea

By Joseph from Raleigh, US

Overall:

This was to be my first trip to Tacloban City on my first trip to the Philippines. I had spent about 1 week in Cebu and now on to the next place. I left the docks of Cebu City by Super Cat boat, it kind of skims the surface of the water and then arrives at Ormoc, a large city in about 2hours.

I was mobbed by porters wanting to carry my suitcase and carryon bag, and was not prepared, when I gave the man a 20pesos bill he looked like I had offended him, so asked how much and he sheepishly said 100p or at the time about $2. for his 4 minutes walk with my bags, I have since learned to find out how much FIRST and then decide, but usually I just carry the bag my self.

Okay next was a nearly 2hour bus ride to arrive in Tacloban Bus Terminal, it was modern and the people were friendly, after going to the bath room or as its called there the 'CR' I looked for a driver to take me to the city, oh yeah I was lightly tapped to remind me I had not paid the 2pesos fee to use the CR .

I got a driver to take me to go to he McDonalds there in the city, yes it was a lucky guess but they had one, he charged about 50pesos for the ride and had to drop me off 1 block from the McDonalds cause they don't let the tricycles in the main downtown areas.

The city is noisy with lots of traffic and many friendly people, all saying hello to Joe, I wondered still how so many people knew my name, then I found out that all Americans were called Joe. I asked for the location of a good hotel and then paid the normal 6 or 7 pesos fee to get my ride there.

My first day I headed back to Mickey D's for breakfast, Seeing rice served with a Big Breakfast was new to me, but not as surprising as seeing the arm guards at McDonalds and all the business places, complete with shot guns and machine guns. "Welcome to McDonalds" is the greeting the armed guard would say as they opened the door for their many customers.

Now its time for some sightseeing!

Well most of the locals travel by ‘tricycle' a commination of motorcycle with a carrier on the side for 1 to 4 people, and sometimes they will even carry two passengers behind the driver, the cost was about 6 pesos per trip.

In Tacloban they don't have red lights or stop signs, it just a matter or nerves about who yields, and if your crossing the street on foot, well it walkers ........ be careful for your life.

I visited the famous place where General Douglas MacArthur landed in Palo, Leyte, just a short ride from the city. It was great feeling being there as an American.

While at the park this guy was following me around with some sort of shopping card with a large box wrapped in aluminum foil. I was not sure if he was following me and he said nothing but finally after about 10 minutes I turned and faced him and asked him what he wanted and why he was following me. He opened up the ‘box' and asked me if I would like to buy some ice cream.......I smile I guess he was like a local "Good Humor Ice Cream Man" I smile and said how much, and walked away with a ice cream sandwich and he had a few of my pesos.

Also I travel to areas of the city by Jeepnay, the local bus but because I am over 6 feet tall and no longer skinny I had to sit either in the front next to the driver or at the end with my legs hanging out the back. If you visit you must experience the ride, I think again it was about 6 pesos, but as I like to say, it was almost free

Tacloban - always worth a visit
By Donna Aguilar from Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, PH

Overall:

Last holy week my adventurous feet took me to Eastern Visayas ... My Tito, Tita and couzins are waiting and eager to see us. We arrived in Tacloban around 10:00 am.

The days that we were in Tacloban with my couzin we went to the Sto. Niño Shrine which is the mansion of Imelda Marcos. All the things inside the mansion were still original.. the beds, the paintings, the chandeliers, tables and chairs etc ...

We also went to the MacArthur Monument in Palo, Leyte and the Palo Cathedral. And of course our visit will not be complete without passing by the famous San Juanico Bridge.

Although the travel was quite long, its worth it to visit Tacloban City and hopefully i can come back and explore the island of Samar. By the way, thanks to my Uncle Marvin and Auntie Menchi and my couzins Clem and Tan2x for taking care of us.....Till my next trip...

Want some fresh buko juice?

By AgnesDV from Tacloban, PH

Overall:

After all that sightseeing, you might want to stop by for some fresh buko juice. Buko in any Philippine language (we have more than 100 languages, did you know?) means 'young' and is mostly used to describe young coconuts, not persons.

Lined on the side of the street on your way to McArthur Park (just a few yards from there), you will see these small bamboo kiosks with buko piled high on tables or on the ground. You drink and eat a buko without any utensils while you try to sit back on the creaky bamboo benches and look out to the sea which is just across the street.

Cars rarely pass here, so the sea breeze is not polluted. One buko costs P10-12, it's very refreshing and better-tasting than a soda. Best time to come here.. around 3 in the afternoon, when the sun is not hot anymore.

Place is the locals' secret. I never see a tourist here, they're probably thinking 'is it safe? is it clean?'. Haha.. (Note: buko is rich in fat, so if you're dieting don't do this everyday.)

The best place to be

By Randy Salentes from Tacloban City, PH

Overall:

Tacloban City is a city within the bay ... If you look beaches just near your hotel, Tacloban is the best place to be. You can also check out the different low cost hotel for your stay and enjoy with the different fresh sea foods.

You can also visit the different municipalities nearby such as Palo Leyte which is historically the first place landed by Gen. Douglas McArthur during the WWII.

You can find the memorabilia of the said general and enjoy watching the sunset having fresh coconut while setting at the green grass on its park.

It rocks ... Have fun !!!

By a Contributor from Chicago, IL

Overall:

I'm from the Philippines particularly from Tacloban City...all I can say is "It Rocks"...you are safe, friendly and hospitable people...if you are a tourist "It's like home"...and if your looking for fun and trying to know the place you just have to be with the right person...meaning from Tacloban itself to tour you around...Have fun!!!

I like Tacloban!

By radzdude, Tacloban-Makati, PH

Overall:

I'm from Tacloban working in Makati. It's been a year na since the last time I was home. I miss na my beloved city. All I can say, Tacloban is not that big but in the future it will eventually evolve like Cebu City. I like the setting of Tacloban, it looks like a well-planned city. If cleanliness is only being observed by the people, maganda talaga ang tacloban. Another thing is that, the government should make some major repair on the road system of the city.

Nostalgia, Affordability and Smoke
By a Contributor from Arizona, USA
11/12/07
Overall:

Tacloban is a place where World War II history comes alive. It has some good restaurant selections at remarkably low prices. But watch out for the air quality--tricycles, multicabs and jeepneys are emitting lots of pollution, to the point where you may need a breathing mask while walking around on the downtown streets. Still, Tacloban has affordable hotels, and you get the signature Philippine commitment to personal service wherever you go, so it is overall a trip worth taking.

Charming Tacloban

By firelaydy28, Tacloban, PH

Overall:

Tacloban is a small charming city in Leyte. It is the center of commerce, trade, culture, and government in the Eastern Visayas.

The city has hidden charms for unknowing visitors. A bridge walk in the beautiful San Juanico Bridge is a must. Enjoy the night at Magsaysay Boulevard over cold San Miguel Beer and a clean sea breeze . For book lovers theres the bookstore/reading room/cafe along Burgos street, called Libro.

Cafes are all over the city. There is Sanzibar for its good pasta, Kyles Folkhouse for cheap beer and good ambiance, Calle Zaragossa is an open air garden cafe, and Guiseppes for finedining .

San Miguel Beer price starts at P25 up to P35.

Taclobanons love to eat which accounts for the numbers of resto/bar and eateries which cater to every budget and craving.

Do not forget to sample the city's delicacy: Binagol, Its sweet, sticky, and rich:

Toast to the best tuba the Bahalina. Tuba is a native wine from coconut . Aged tuba is bahalina. You can buy a bottled bahalina at Kokoys Grocerette.

There are daily flights from Manila to Tacloban City. From Cebu, the best way to get to Tacloban would be to ride on a fast boat, such as the Supercat fast craft, to Ormoc City and then take a 2 hour van for hire from Ormoc to Tacloban. It is very easy to cross to Cebu as well from Tacloban as there are van trips to Ormoc every one hour, and the fast ferry from Ormoc to Cebu has three trips each day.

From Tacloban , it is easy to cross down to Butuan and Surigao via bus and a scenic ferry crossing from Lilo-an to Butuan. If you are lucky, you might even spot dolphins swimming along with the ferry.




When in Tacloban City, Leyte ...

By annaveloso
1) Stay in Hotel Alejandro;
2) See MacArthur Park and the San Juanico Bridge;
3) Give in to that Italian food craving --oooh, gelato--- at Giuseppe's, and pick up your lazy weekend/beachbum reading at the Montejo newspaper supply next door;
4) Applaud Philippine design and architecture at the Sto Nino Shrine;
5) Drive 3.5 hours to Calicoan and surf, surf, and surf;
6) Recharge and unwind for a night or two in a comfy beach villa at Caluwayan (around 1.5 hours away from Tacloban);
7) Spend the afternoon catching up with old friends at cozy and eclectic San Rafael, and don't leave until you see the trees sparkling with fireflies;
8) Sample Ayo Cafe's healthy dishes;
9) Purchase children's books and indulge that sweet tooth at Libro; and
10) Catch a gorgeous sunset

Loved it

By Ray A from Philadelphia Pa

Home Sweet Home

By a Contributor from las vegas

 

 

 

 

life changing

By a Contributor from fort lauderdale fla

Wile it is a little dirty and outdated i will return and soon i loved it they need help[a paint job] but are the nicest people in the world i allways felt safe and the value is incredible i will move here!if you are looking for a tourist destination stay home if you want a great local experiance and simpler life in paradise go and enjoy
ps bring toilet paper and a toilet seat they seem to have misplaced all theirs lol

 

 

 

 

Intend to go back

By a Contributor from Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Tacloban is a very pleasant seaport on the edge of the island of Leyte. It is becoming quite crowded and growing faster every day. There is a very nice restaurant overlooking the bay on the 2nd story of a store. We see many large and small boats coming and going. Mostly what they call the banca. A canoe with two outriggers. It could use some new electric wiring throughout the city as I recall. But the people are very pleasant to an Americano. We lived for a few weeks with the wife's aunt prior to returning to our little bario called Borseth, near alang-alang. Transportation was by what is called Jeepney and scooters with sidecars. We were fortunate to view a celebration that took place at the time. The parade was excellent.

Tacloban Rocks

By cArLo AnGeLo from Philippines

Tacloban is very nice.
The people there are very friendly.
You will feel the people's hospitality.
Tacloban is a great place.