Biliran

Biliran is an island province in the Eastern Visayas, between Leyte Island and Samar Island. The province has many smaller islands and islets, beautiful and pristine white sand beaches and waterfalls.

Cities

• 1 Maripipi — an island northwest off the coast of Biliran Island
• 2 Kawayan —
• 3 Almeria —
• 4 Culaba —
• 5 Naval — the capital of the province, population 58,000 in 2020
• 6 Caibiran —
• 7 Biliran municipality — the gateway to Biliran Province as hosts the Biliran Bridge connecting Biliran Island to Leyte
• 8 Cabucgayan —

Understand

It is bounded on the south by Carigara Bay, Samar Sea on the east, north by the Visayas Sea and the strait of Biliran on the west. A bridge connects Biliran island to Leyte Island.

The economy of Biliran is largely based on fishing. Most of its towns, especially Naval and Biliran, have excellent seaports. Being mountainous, Biliran can support various agricultural crops. The warm lowlands are conducive to rice (palay) production and other tropical crops. The cool highlands are favorable to high-value crops such as cut flowers and varieties of upland vegetables.

Biliran has been eyed as an emerging destination for mountaineers, bikers, canyoneers, hikers, and other adventure seekers. For example, Sampao River in the municipality of Almeria has been developed into a canyoning venue.

Talk

There are two spoken languages in the island: Waray which is spoken on the east side including Caibiran facing Samar, and Cebuano which is spoken on the west side facing Cebu. Cebuano and Waray are dominant in the capital town of Naval.

Get in

By bus and shuttle van

Aircon shuttle vans and buses run to Naval from Tacloban City and Ormoc City, both on Leyte Island, via the inter-island bridge. The Manila–Naval route is served by several major bus lines. The shuttle vans from Tacloban are faster than the buses, taking just over 2 hours; fare: ₱150 for Duptours-₱190.

By plane

The fastest way to get to Biliran is to fly to Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport (TAC ^IATA) in Tacloban City, then travel by land. The airport is served by major carriers such as Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and Air Asia. There are about 9 regular flights between Metro Manila and Tacloban City. There are shuttles from the airport to Tacloban City Bus Terminal, to catch a bus or shuttle to Naval.

Travelers can also connect through Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Metro Cebu and connect by ferry to Ormoc where aircon shuttle vans connect the trip to Naval.

By boat

Provide direct voyage from Naval to Cebu City. Ordinary fare, tourist and cabin accommodations are available. Shipping Schedule

• MV Super Shuttle Ferry 5 +63 53 500 9942, Cebu to Naval: Monday and Wednesday at 8PM, return Tuesday and Thursday at 8PM. Fare/Person: Economy: ₱450, Tourist: ₱550

Get around

The habal-habal (motorcycle) is the most common mode of transportation as most of the roads outside the main highway are rough and rougher. Haggle with the driver to get the best possible rates or hire on a per-day basis. there are also several buses that make the cross-country trip from Naval to the Eastern coastal town of Caibiran, taking over 1.5–2 hours, one way.

See

Islands

• Higatangan Island
• Sambawan Island
• Dalutan Island
• Capiñahan Island
• Maripipi Island

Waterfalls

• Bagongbong Falls: It is also called Bagumbong falls, crystal-clear and ice-cold rapids of water coming from the cathedral-like falls nestled in a forested area of Almeria town.
• Ulan-ulan Falls: Derived from the Visayan dialect which means “rain," the falls' cascading waters form a catch basin with water sufficient for swimming.
• Recoletos Falls: The waterfall which is approximately 15 meters high, has a wide pool with deep water that is perfect for swimming and cliff jumping. The wide and flat stones surrounding the basin of water is perfect for picnic.
• Kasabangan Falls: The nice ambience of the waterfall adds to its attraction, and its cold water is refreshing and relaxing. There are 13 layers of this waterfall from its highest level up in the mountain.
• Tingkasan Bat Cave: The bat cave is a favorite stop for tourists going to Sambawan island. The place is ideal for spelunking, diving and spearfishing.
• Iyusan Rice Terraces: A manmade agricultural landform and tourist attraction found in Barangay Iyusan, Almeria, Biliran.
• Tinago Falls
• Busai Falls
• Kinaraha Cascades
• The Museo de Panamao (at the Provincal Capitol). 8AM-5PM. free. (updated Sep 2016)

Buy

• Metro Bank, Ballesteros Street. 24-hour ATM. Has a Master Card/Visa Card ATM. (updated Sep 2016)
• Prince Supermarket, P Remedioa Street. 8AM-7PM. (updated Sep 2016)
• PNB Bank, Caneja Street. 24-hour ATM. Has a Visa Card ATM. (updated Sep 2016)

Sleep

• D Jan Dells Cabin, Padre Inocentes Garcia Street, ☏ +63 53 5009784. Check-out: noon. Fan/a.c. single/double room with own bathroom and cable TV. from ₱300. (updated Sep 2016)
• G V Hotel, Padre Inocentes Street, ☏ +63 53 5007844. Check-out: noon. A.C. single/double rooms with own bathroom and cable TV. ₱500/₱650. (updated Sep 2016)
• Marvins Seaside Inn, ☏ +63 53 5009171. A.C. single/double with own bathroom. Has a swimming pool. from ₱800. (updated Sep 2016)
• Biliran Garden Resort, Sitio Lomboy Calumpang, ☏ +63 53 5009233. Check-out: noon. A.C. single/double with own bathroom cable TV. from ₱1300. (updated Sep 2016)

Connect

Proximize Internet Cafe in the Municipality of Cabucgayan for high speed broadband