Leyte

Leyte is where American forces returned to the Philippines in World War II, and it now draws travelers to volcano parks, lakes and offshore islands.

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Leyte is an island in the Visayas group in the central Philippines and the country's eighth-largest island. It is split into Northern Leyte and Southern Leyte, and a bridge links it to Biliran, a separate island province to the north. Tacloban on the eastern shore and Ormoc on the west coast are the main cities. Most of the island is forested and mountainous, and the Leyte Valley in the northeast holds most of the farmland.

World War II history is the main draw for many visitors. American forces landed here in 1944 to begin the reconquest of the Philippines, and the four-day Battle of Leyte Gulf, fought around the island, is described as the largest naval battle in history. MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park in Palo marks the landing site. Nature draws others too. Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park, near Burauen, has lakes, craters and hot springs, and Kalanggaman Island, off Palompon, has white sand. Typhoon season runs roughly from June to November, so check forecasts before you book.

Leyte in five

Check typhoon bulletins the week you travelSuper Typhoon Yolanda struck Leyte on 8 November 2013, and Tropical Storm Megi affected the island in 2022. Check PAGASA forecasts before you fly and keep a spare day in the trip for delays.
Set up offline maps before the mountain roadsMuch of Leyte is forested and mountainous, so download offline maps for Tacloban and Ormoc before you leave the city.Phones and eSIM
Carry small peso notes for tricyclesTricycles, small stalls and town markets work mainly in cash. Keep small peso notes handy.Money and costs
Arrange a driver for the war sitesRed Beach in Palo, where US forces landed on 20 October 1944, is separate from the Tacloban sites. Book a driver or taxi for the day, since the stops are spread out.Getting around
Get insurance that covers trip changesTyphoons can cancel flights and ferries and close roads. Read the policy's trip interruption and weather exclusions before you buy.Travel insurance

Things to do in Leyte

See all attractions in Leyte

Sight · LeyteSan Roque

Historic site · LeyteM/V Eva Jocelyn Shrine

Museum · LeyteSanto Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to LeytePut the places you like in Leyte on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Philippine peso (PHP)
Entry: Visa-free short stays for many passports; check with Philippine immigration Read more
Emergency: 911 for police, fire and ambulance
Tipping: Not expected in most places
Time: UTC+8, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best

JanuaryRain20 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Rainy, windy
FebruaryRain16 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Drier, windy
MarchRain17 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Dry, hot
AprilRain18 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hot, dry
MayRain25 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Hot, rains start
JuneRain28 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Rainy, typhoons
JulyRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Typhoon season
AugustRain26 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Typhoon season
SeptemberRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Typhoon season
OctoberRain28 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low24°Typhoon season
NovemberRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Typhoon season
DecemberRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Rainy, windy

Average daily high and low in Tacloban, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Leyte

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 27°
Humidity: 92%
Wind: 8 km/h
Chance of rain: 96%

Leyte

04:36 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+8

Today30°23°96%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 96%.
Wed29°23°85%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 85%.
Thu28°23°86%Thursday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 86%.
Fri28°23°88%Friday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 88%.
Sat29°22°67%Saturday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 67%.
Sun29°22°87%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 87%.
Mon27°22°65%Monday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 65%.

Updated 12:48 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 63.7 PHP

Amount

Converted to

PHP · Philippine Peso

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Before you go to Leyte

eSIM for LeyteOffline maps for mountain roadsRead the guide

Insurance for typhoon delaysCheck typhoon and medical coverRead the guide

Money and cardsCash for tricycles and small townsRead the guide

Driver for the war sitesSites are spread out, so hire for the dayRead the guide

Rules for Leyte, checked

Many passports enter the Philippines visa-free for short stays. Check the requirements with the Bureau of Immigration at immigration.gov.ph before you book.
Declare cash, currency and goods above the limits on the customs declaration at arrival. Check the Bureau of Customs rules before you fly in.
Dial 911 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere on Leyte.
Tipping is not expected in most places, but check the bill for a service charge before you add anything.

Plan around Leyte

All of the Philippines

Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Philippines trip

Read the guide Getting around

Buses, tricycles and driver hire between Tacloban and Ormoc

Read the guide Money and costs

Cash habits, cards and typical daily spending in the islands

Read the guide Visas and entry

Who can enter visa-free and what to check before you book

Read the guide Where to stay

Places to base yourself in Tacloban, Ormoc and Burauen

Read the guide Plan the trip

Tools and checklists for dates, routes and bookings

Read the guide

Leyte FAQ

How do you get to Leyte?

Fly into Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban, or drive in over San Juanico Bridge from Samar.

How many days do you need on Leyte?

Two nights in Tacloban covers the MacArthur landing sites and the city. Add a night in Burauen for Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park, about 66 km from Tacloban.

Is the MacArthur landing site worth visiting?

Yes if you want the war history. The memorial park at Red Beach in Palo commemorates the 1944 landing, and a life-sized statue of MacArthur stands by its lagoon.

Is Kalanggaman Island worth the trip?

Yes for a beach day with pure white sand. It is a virgin island off Palompon, reached by boat, and local authorities have kept its natural environment in good condition.

Where did tinikling come from?

The tinikling bamboo-pole dance started on Leyte and is now performed across the country.

Is Leyte safe after Typhoon Yolanda?

Super Typhoon Yolanda hit Leyte in November 2013 and destroyed between 70 and 80 percent of buildings in its path. Check PAGASA forecasts before you travel, since Tropical Storm Megi also affected the island in 2022.