DISCOVER BILIRAN - CHASING WATERFALLS IN ALMERIA

Almeria is home to a number of waterfalls. If you are up to the challenge, take a habal habal ride for easier and quicker way to hop from one falls to another.

Ulan Ulan Falls. Located in Brgy. Sampao, Almeria. It’s a 30-minute hike from the town center. It is about 90 feet high, it cascades through lush greenery and rocks, the latter separating the water into pockets of rain. Ulan-Ulan comes from the visayan dialect which means “rain“. The force of the falling waters creates a mist hence the name. It’s cascading waters form a catch basin with water sufficient for swimming.   With its greenery and cool gushing waters, visitors will surely enjoy taking a bath. There are no cottages along the sides of the stream and it is not a place to stay for overnight. The pathways are steeped and no railing have been installed in places, so you need to be sure footed. The entrance fee is just P10 for adults and P5 for kids

Tips:

It will cost you 2 liters of gasoline( Php 80 ) for a round trip Sampao-Naval –Almeria.If you hire a local guide, a Php 100 tip will be sufficient

Habal-Habal drivers for a one way trip will charge you a minimum of Php 80.00  but if you decide to do pakyaw they will charge you Php 300 to return for you at a certain time. The cheaper alternative will be to take your chance and catch a ride at other drivers.

If you hire a local guide, a Php 100 tip will be sufficient

A entire day rental of a motor bike will cost a minimum of Php 300.00 plus the gasoline. If you hire a driver that would be negotiable plus you get a free guide; another tipid tip.

Recoletos Falls. The name Recoletos is derived from its namesake San Jose Recoletos statue that is located in a cove just beside the waterfalls. The name was given by the former University President (USJR) whom is a native of Biliran.Recoletos waterfalls is located in the wilderness of Brgy. Sampao in Almeria Municipality which is known as the land of waterfalls. It is a 5-minute walk up from the more famous Ulan- Ulan falls.Approximately 15 meters high. It has a wide pool with deep water that is perfect for swimming and cliff jumping. There are no cottages for rent, no comfort rooms and no sari- sari store. The Barangay will only charge Php 20 pesos per person for environmental fee protection.

Tips:

Bring food and water. There is no mobile signal at these places. Just make sure your phone or camera is fully charged for picture purposes. Do not travel alone and leave before sunset. Wear good trainers or quality sandals. Do not travel during rainy days. Do not travel right after a major storm for fear of flash floods. You should not travel after 5 pm especially when the weather is not good not recommended as camping area.

Sampaowan Falls. Located in Sampao Baranagy, Almeria, found deep in the forest so the trek there from the road will take some time and is along an unmade path. The Waterfall is not big, but it’s a very popular tourist attraction and is just a small part of a valley full of amazing and very beautiful waterfalls, so it’s well worth trekking further and visiting more.

Tips:

 No entry costs, but you might like to pay a local guide to show you the way through the forest to the falls and more local attractions, so its cost will vary and is by negotiation.

Kinaraha Falls / Cascades. Also located in Brgy. Sampao but further up in the jungle, the cascades can be reached through a 45-minute walk from the barangay.

Bagongbong Falls. located in Brgy. Caucab, Almeria, Biliran; 30 minutes ride from Almeria to Caucab.  It takes a 15-minute walk in a forested area before reaching the crystal-clear and ice-cold rapids of water coming from the cathedral-like falls nestled in a forested area of Almeria town.

            Tips :

If you wish to visit Bagongbong falls in Almeria, Biliran, you can contact a local tour guide but the service fee vary and can be negotiated.Wearing hiking sandals would be advisable especially when it’s raining.

Pondol Falls It is 20-minute hike from Barangay Iyusan. Though not as tall as Bagongbong Falls, it has also has a wide basin

While doing the waterfall hopping in Almeria, don’t miss the beautiful view along the road. Take the chance to see the rice terraces on the mountain slopes. 

Iyusan Rice Terraces  located in Barubohan, Barangay Iyusan, Almeria, Biliran. These rice terraces are a manmade agricultural landform and tourist attraction found in Biliran Island.

Be safe. Enjoy. SMILE!!!

DISCOVER BILIRAN : ISLAND GEM OF THE VISAYAS

Does Biliran ring a bell? Probably not. For years, Biliran has been under the shadow of Leyte and often mistaken to be still part of Leyte when in fact this amazing island has been separated from the parent province since 1992. Biliran is relatively unknown to most of the local and foreign tourists as it is situated at the northern most part of Leyte but a bridge directly linking the island to the northern tip of Leyte is serving as a gateway for Biliran to gain the spotlight, one traveler at a time.

Facts:

  

During the Spanish era, Biliran was known as Isla de Panamao—the world ‘panamao’ meaning ‘fishing net.’ Later, it took its name from the word ‘bilir,’ meaning ‘the side of a bangka.’

Biliran has two main islands: Biliran Island and Maripipi Island.

There’s no WiFi or mobile signal in many parts of Biliran. This is good for those who wants to get away from the busy life in the city.

  

How to get there:

Tacloban, Leyte is the gateway to Biliran. There are several flights available all year round. We suggest to plan and book your flights earlier to take advantage of airline promotions. Try to get flights that leave in the morning to avoid traveling by night and to enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. For a more adventurous route which saves you money, try taking a Manila-Tacloban RORO for P900-1200.

 From the airport at Tacloban you can ask a taxi to take you to the transport terminals of Duptours or Van-Van – both have vans that make several trips to Naval. Otherwise you can go to the New Bus Terminal to get buses or other vans bound for Naval. Vans usually travel much faster than buses so we opted for the former.

From Tacloban, it’s a two to three hours land trip to Biliran. Van service costs P140 per head. Traveling in a group? They have a discounted rate of P1,500 for 12 people.

How to get around:

It’s simple in Biliran. You’ve got the sikad (what locals call a pedicab), jeepney, multicab and tricycle. Expect to spend no more than P50, depending on where you’re going.

Where to stay:

You know what’s great about hotels in Biliran? They aren’t prices at expensive “tourist” rates—one local called the prices in Biliran, which range from P300 to 1200 per night, “the friendly rate.”

Agta Beach Resort | Talahid, Almeria

Each room has its own A/C, refrigerator, private bathroom and TV—not to mention easy access to a beach. While you’re there, try the restaurant’s lechon manok. Unlike the usual open-air, rotisserie-style preparation, theirs is baked inside a pugon (traditional wood-fired oven).

Rates start at P800/night, good for two and inclusive of breakfast.

Talahid Beach Resort | Talahid, Almeria

A beachfront establishment that can be found right at the center of the famous coastal line of Talahid, Almeria, Biliran; offers low priced rooms for rent at Talahid Beach Resort located just a stone throw away at the Agta Beach Resort and VRC Pool.

Rates start at P350/night, good for two and inclusive of breakfast.

Biliran Garden Resort | Villa Cecilia Sitio, Brgy. Calumpang, Naval

Each room has its own A/C, refrigerator, private bathroom and TV.

Rates start at P1200/night, good for four people.

Marvin’s Seaside Inn | Brgy. Atipolo, Naval

Each room has its own A/C refrigerator, private bathroom and TV. The inn has a restaurant; meals range from P80 to P200.

Rates start at P1200/night, good for four people.

You can also check accommodations at www.agoda.com or try to rent a room or house for a group at www.airbnb.com

What to do:

Biliran is an island that seems to have it all, pristine beaches, small beautiful islands, relaxing springs, verdant rice terraces, breathtaking waterfalls, amazing marine scenery, tropical forests, luscious mountains and more. A day or two is not enough to see the fullness of this island. Surely, a full packed itinerary will be worth it.

Island Hopping

Higatangan Island is known for its shifting sandbar and rock formations. It’s 45 minutes away from Biliran Island

Tingkasan Island is just off Higatangan. Your boat can pass through a tunnel of beautiful rock formations.

Dalutan Island is an attraction haven for its diverse marine life and white sand beach.

Sambawan Island is the best choice for island hopping in Biliran. It’s out of the way from the other islands, so plan your trip here on a separate day.

Boat rental from Biliran Island is P3000, but if you’re coming from Maripipi Island, local boats make regular trips for just P110 per person.

Waterfalls Hopping

Biliran is basically an island of waterfalls totaling to 30, 10 of which are easily accessible to tourists. Make sure to visit at least the popular ones and do some side trips to see the other waterfalls along the way.

Ulan Ulan Falls is about 90 feet high, it cascades through lush greenery and rocks, the latter separating the water into pockets of rain.

Recoletos Falls is 30mins trek further from Ulan-ulan falls which is one simple cascade into a pool of water, perfect for swimming.

Tinago Falls is Biliran’s most famous waterfalls, a powerful cascade flowing down to green pools.

Kasabangan Falls boasts refreshing but chilly waters with quiet and adventurous trail.

Springs and Terraces and more…

Almeria Rice Terraces. As Biliran has mu

ch mountains and hills, it is not surprising that it also has rice planted along its slopes.

Mainit Hot Springs.  Biliran also have several hot springs to offer, Mainit Hot springs is the most popular as it can be visited before or after going to Tinago Falls.

Forests and mountain side.  Your eyes will be refreshed by the greens along the road because mountains / forest are all around the island provice.

Sweet Water. From Biliran’s mountains also flows what locals proudly call “the sweetest water,” and indeed the tap water here is cold and refreshing with a distinct sweetness.

Tips:

Invest in a good and durable pair of footwear that you can use trekking, swimming, walking or just wandering around. It saves you space and packing hassles.

Plan your trip. Travel light. Be careful. Enjoy. SMILE !!!