Religious shrines in Southern Leyte are distinct from the churches. Most are overlooking, offering a perfect vie of the urbanity, also a great place to catch the sunset and enjoy the breeze. Why the elevation? “To oversee or protect the towns from catastrophes.” For pilgrims, climbing to these religious sites are considered a form of penitence, sacrifice, and thanksgiving.

Sto. Niňo Shrine

About 10 minutes walk from the national highway going to Sitio Pangpang in Brgy. Mahayahay, Maasin City, there you can observe from a far the beauty of the islet commonly known as Pagatpat Islet because of its abundance of pagatpat trees. From the mainland of Sitio Pangpang, a 3 minutes ride of a pumpboat to the islet there stands a Sto. Niño Shrine built as the Mahayahayon’s strong devotion to the Child Jesus, the barangay’s patron saint.

Watch fishes from above, let them entertain you.

Waves are friends too, play with them.

Photo by: Dak Dak Beach Resort

Dak-dak Beach Resort

If you want the beach, then Dak-dak beach is one of your best options when you visit Limasawa Island. It’s located at Lugsongan, Limasawa, about 10 minutes away from the docking port of Triana. It offers cream sand beach, an accommodation both air-conditioned and open-air huts , as well as a small restaurants.

Tangkaan Beach

One of the popular beach destinations because of its white sand, rock formations and coral reefs, it also has the best view of the historic Limasawa Island. Located in Brgy. Tangkaan, Padre Burgos, it has its own festival called Tangka-tangka Festival every August that features beach volley, marathon, regatta, etc. and culminates in a beach jam party.

Evashore Beach Resort

Evashore Beach Resort is a charming beach front resort. It offers you a wonderful beachside vacation in the beautiful island of Limasawa. Start the day relaxing by the sea under our cottage. Be sure to enjoy a nice swim on the beach with our swimming facilities like paddle board and kayak. And if you wish to see beyond the shore, our dedicated staff will assist you.. Evashore Beach Resort is also a great venue for any occasion of your choice.

Photo by: common.wikimedia.com

Hinunangan Golden Sand Beach in Tahusan, Hinunangan

A 6 km. stretch of powdery golden sand beach where activities such as sand sculpture, skimboarding, beach volley & marathon can be done. It has the best view of the Twin Islands, San Pedro & San Pablo.

Photo by: Mark Maylan

Flordeliz Beach Resort

Flordeliz Beach Resort is proof that nature’s beauty can be taken to the next level when we experience it with the right people. Lining the shorelines of the laidback town of Macrohon in Southern Leyte, this simple piece of nature offers everyone a good spot to chill and have a good time with the people closest to your heart. It will fill your weekend retreat with nothing but fun memories. The white sand and clear seawaters make a good setting for exciting beach activities like beach frisbee and beach volleyball. Flordeliz Beach Resort is furnished with grilling stations that will allow you prepare your favorite pinoy seafood grilled dishes. Their nipa-and-bamboo-themed cottages give an overall beach feels as we feast on a sumptuous meal. You can also rent their videoke machine and sing along with your classic family hits.

Padre Burgos Castle Resort

Padre Burgos Castle Resort is a beautiful, family-run, boutique hotel and PADI dive resort offering a sensational blend of luxurious accommodation, superb food, outstanding scuba diving and snorkeling, rewarding activities, and a true insight into Philippine culture untainted by mass tourism.

Photo by: Trish Ismaedillo

Mahaba Beach

The beachin Padre Burgos is graced with clear and cool waters. It’s one of the picture perfect places for relaxation and just chilling out which is just very accessible to the tourist. Few meters from the shore, you can see colorful school of fish when you go snorkeling. There are rock formations on the side where you can sight-seeing and the atmosphere is so peaceful.

Crater Lake Danao

Trekking Mt. Cabali-an to the crater- Lake Danao is a challenging thing considering the forest-like trail, but you’ll get rewarded with the incredible views of the pristine blue-green volcanic water as soon as you reach the lake. Nature calls! Let the adventures begin. Lake Danao located in San Juan and Anahawan, is a crater lake nestled at the top of Mt. Cabalian. The scenery the lake creates is very soothing and electrifying. Trekking Mt. Cabalian to the crater lake is physically challenging but one is rewarded because of the incredible view of the pristine blue-green volcanic water of the lake.

Camp Danao in Malapoc Sur, Maasin City

Aside from the variety of trees, this natural playground boasts of a lagoon, cave, trails, 360 degree viewing deck, tracks, camp area, etc. with an area of 320 hectares, over the heart of Maasin City, is the official Jamboree site of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. It is 30 minutes away from Maasin City proper. Formerly the Maasin City Forest Park, this natural playground boasts of a lagoon, cave, trails, Maasin City Zoo, tracks, camp area, etc. with an area of 320 hectares and 1,099 ft. above sea level, 15 km away from the city proper.

Silago Tropical Rainforest

This forest reserve is rich in flora and fauna plus its interior land and water forms make it a perfect tramping experience. This nature wonder will soon rise as a major adventure travel attraction with the tree-top closed canopy walk facility as the initial offering.

Photo by: Bongbong Legaspi

Magsuhot Park

Only 3-kilometer from Phil-Japan Highway (Agas-agas Bridge) in Sogod, it has forested area of 500 hectares. It has waterfalls falling into a common basin and is 20 meters high. Other sights 12 kilometers away are Lum-an and Mahayahay Falls with a 60-meter fall.

Guinsohotan Cave and Cagnituan Falls

The beautiful waterfalls are located just within Maasin City, it is one of the most visited natural attractions in Southern Leyte. Not surprisingly, nature lovers will find plenty things to see and do here. Clear blue waters are ideal for swimming and picnicking. It has fresh and crisp subterranean river leading to its enchanting cave, which is rich with amazing stalactite and stalagmite formations. Its clear blue water is ideal for swimming and picnicking. A large subterranean cave, 15 km from the city center and 276 meters above sea level. Those who do enter the cave by wading or swimming can find small “in-cave” waterfalls, bats and impressive rock formations. The water coming out of Guinsuhotan Cave flows down in cascades to form a natural lagoon frequently visited by bathers and patrons of cool therapeutic treatment.

Cambaro Caves in Cambaro, Macrohon

The caving capital of Southern Leyte is located in Brgy. Cambaro, Macrohon. Get a close encounter with nature! Get fascinated with the jaw-dropping and unique speleothem, rocky formations, cave corals. With unique speleothems, rock formations, a variety of cave tunnels of more than 100 caves waiting to be explored which made it fit for wild and thrilled spirit adventurers. To get to the cave, one has to experience mountain trekking activity and see the wonders of the mountains nearby.

Naputjukan Under Water Cave in Anan, Hinundayan

With a white sand beach and cave with an estimated area of 200 sq. meters with only boulders of rocks identified as stalagmites and arch-design stalactites. Once inside the cave, one can experience the illuminating sight of the cave’s ceiling which is made up of limestone reflected by the light coming in through the opening and the deep aquamarine waters. It can be accessed thru an opening facing the sea by a banca or pumpboat.

Hindag-an Falls and Forest Park in Hindag-an, Saint Bernard

A perfect destination to relax, chill-out and bond with families and friends. It has cascading natural waterfalls that flow down to fill in the man-made pools with built-in waterslides. It is surrounded by different species of plants and trees. The area is provided with shade and fresh air. It also has facilities such as cottages, restrooms and barbecue areas to cater other needs of the guests, however, no overnight services are available. It is about 30 minutes away from the town proper of Saint Bernard via any type of vehicle, except cargo-types.

Bosong-bosong Spring and Tinugpahan Falls in Tomas Oppus

A newly developed grove, surrounded with verdant foliage coupled with relaxing scenery. It’s cool and tempting waters gives the visitors a refreshing experience distant from the frenzied activities of a city life. A two-hour river trek takes the visitors to Tinugpahan Falls. The spring itself is enough to unwind one’s soul but the river trekking towards Tinugpahan Falls makes it more satisfying and much more when entering the arena-like pool made from the cascading waterfalls. One can also start trekking from the Falls to the Spring.

Photo by: Febe Marie

Mainit Hot Spring in Anahawan

A hot spring of sulfuric water believed to be medicinal. It is one of the thermal features of Mt. Cabalian. It has a temperature of 63.4-63.9-degree Celcius.

Banahaw Cold Spring in San Joaquin, Macrohon

It is a man-made pool filled-up with cold water from the spring. It is frequently visited by locals and visitors, especially during the summer season, to cool down and freshen up. Cottages for day use, overnight rooms, restrooms, video-k area, barbecue area, and a restaurant, are available for visitors. It is 13kms away from Maasin City with travel time of 20-30 minutes. It is accessible by any type of private vehicle, except cargo-types. Public vehicle, such as motorcab and multicab, are also available for visitors.

Uwan-uwanan Gorge

A Gorge is a narrow valley between hills or mountains, typically with steep rocky walls and a steam running through it. Discover the inner adventurer in you and let’s move out into the great outdoors! Climb, swim and trek to your heart’s content. The eco-adventure site is located at Brgy. Kawayan, Libagon. The term Uwan-uwanan literally means “resembling a rainfall.” It is derived from the Visayan word “uwan” which means rain because of its constant water droppings like rain coming from the rocks and cliffs that spread down waters to create the continuous rainfall effect. It is considered a world-class adventure by outdoor enthusiasts.

Agas-agas Bridge

The tallest bridge in the Philippines. It is a bridge with a view, standing at 84 meters. This uniquely designed bridge is part of the Phil-Japan Highway, situated in sitio Agas-agas, Brgy. Kahupian, Sogod. The bridge is surrounded by greeneries making it a natural blend. Enjoy the great view of the valley at the top and photography opportunity as well for enthusiasts .

Photo by: Ronald Reyes

Abiera’s Museum

In the fast-paced Maasin City life, the museum not only stands as a premier place for people who may have lost grip of their sense of history but also serves as a solid reminder of the dedication, diligence and desire of one Maasinhon luminary: Salvador “Boy” Abiera.

Some displays were on ancient artifacts like stone oil lamp from Jerusalem presumably dated back into the time of Jesus, fossils from Cenozoic era, a 12th century burial jar, Chinese porcelains, and even old bladed weapons like the kris and a sword believed to be brought by Ferdinand Magellan’s men when they landed in Limasawa island in Southern Leyte in 1521.

Also showcased are a cornucopia of extraordinary personal collections, from keys, amulets, old coins, religious icons, shells, stones, crystals, embroidered works, early musical instruments, sketches, drawings, paintings, war memorabilia to awesome display of stuffed exotic wildlife (preserved by the owner himself) like the civet cat, piranha, and large migratory birds like the albatross and great brown herons from Japan and Australia.

Photo by: MrNightmare

Hapitan Beach & Magrove Eco- Forest Park

Hapitan Beach is a place you can visit and hangout during summer season. It has both Sea and Fresh Water. The beach is just about 10-15mins. drive from the city of Maasin. You can drive straight to the place as it is accessible by both a car and motorcycle. It is located in barangay Manhilo, you can simply ask the locals in the area and they will be willing to point you to the right direction.

Photo by: Pacifictravelblog

The Guinsaugon Eco-adventure National Park

Commonly known as the Ground Zero in Saint Bernard is a memorial remembrance of the tragic landslide that happened in the area on the year 2006, burying the entire village. It has been declared as a national park by virtue of (Congress) House Bill No. 2527, sponsored by Hon. Roger G. Mercado. Activities for visitors involve candle-lighting and trekking. A view deck, which will also serve as an information center, is still unfinished as of now. It is accessible by any type of vehicle. Upon arrival at footbridge/view deck, visitors have to travel by foot.

Pelada Rock in Silago

A structure designed by nature itself lying in the town’s deep blue sea. It is also known as “Batong Dako”, meaning large rock, which was occupied and utilized as a camp by the Japanese Imperial Army during the Second World War. The peculiar beauty of this rock is enhanced with the abundance of birds hovering and built their nest on it, sea snakes making the rock as their dwelling place, with fish and other marine products surrounding it. It is located just a short distance from the shore of barangay Laguma and barangay Salvacion in the municipality of Silago.

Photo by: NinYappy

Totoy-Totoy Peak

One must not miss the remarkable setting of the sun at Limasawa. More or less thirty (30) minutes from starting point (Brgy. Triana), catch the dazzling sundown at Totoy Peak and the overlooking view of the sea and nearby barangays with your digital shutters. It’s one great spot for beauty gazers and photo freaks.

Photo by: Mikko

Napandong Rock Formation in An-an, Hinundayan

A captivating canopy-like formation at the side of the cliff that truly manifests the wonders of nature. One would be amazed to witness such extraordinary landscape, and question how it came to be.