Leyte

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Philippines

$25.99

Shop Book

Getty Images/Flickr RF

LONELY PLANET’S RECOMMENDED eSIM

Stay connected in Leyte

with

Saily is an affordable eSIM service that helps you stay connected and secure, anywhere in the world.

Get your eSIM

Overview

For students and historians of the Pacific and WWII, the word 'Leyte' conjures up images of bloody naval battles and the site of MacArthur's famous return. For Filipinos it's equally associated with the rags-to-riches rise of Imelda Marcos and the nostalgic, romanticised portrait she painted of her birthplace after she made good in the capital. For travellers, Southern Leyte, wrapped around the deep-water Sogod Bay, is one of the Philippines' many diving hotspots. The Cebuano-speaking Leyteños live in the south, and their Waray-speaking neighbours live in the cattle-ranching country of northern Leyte.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

Limasawa Island

Leyte

Tranquil Limasawa Island, a place of historical and religious significance, is well worth a visit. The island has around 6000 inhabitants and five tiny…

Lake Danao Natural Park

Leyte

Lake Danao is beautifully situated in Leyte's inland hills 18km east of town, making it a good day trip from Ormoc. There's some great hiking around the…

San Pedro Island

Leyte

This gorgeous desert island is inhabited by only 500 people, mainly fishers and their families, and has a lovely white-sand beach and good snorkelling. It…

San Roque Falls

Leyte

These pleasant, easy-to-reach falls make for a refreshing dip. The path to the falls begins just west of the turnoff to Southern Leyte Dive Resort. From…