Getting to Palapag

You'll find the experience of visiting Palapag different from most other journeys. North-eastern Samar has yet to get itself firmly on the tourist map and facilities and transportation for visitors are quite limited at the moment. The Cobadonga Inn was created to help fill that void.

The local Waray people are very friendly and both happy and proud to welcome people from outside. Because of historical and political reasons, the region has remained largely cut off from the hustle, bustle and pollution of much of the rest of the Philippines. Palapag's residents are keen to keep it that way, and intend to carefully bring the town into the 21st century through improved communications and good municipal planning.

Since the area hasn't experienced much tourism in the past or even visits from up-country business people, there have been reports of some visitors being over-charged by a few unscrupulous transport drivers, and the like. At the Cobadonga, we're happy to offer our advice to any visitor, to seek guidance in any instances of suspected over-charging.

Here are some tips for traveling to Palapag:

Firstly, as you'll probably have to ride a boat from Rawis, be careful of your belongings there and try to negotiate with an honest boatman before you set out for Palapag. A "special" trip should not cost you more than P350. If you would like the Cobadonga to help arrange a boat for you, you can call 0908-4339232 and they will try their best to help. Aim to travel during the daytime , the boat trip after dark can be very romantic, with fireflies adorning the mangroves like Christmas lights along the route, but it will cost twice as much and it may not be easy to find a boatman willing to make the journey then.

Remember that you'll need to pay porters for any large baggage to be put on the boat for you. If you can manage your own luggage and don't want help, it's best to make that clear at the beginning, to avoid misunderstanding.

The bancas, or pump boats, are noisy! The small engines are unmuffled and if you'd prefer to still be able to hear well at the end of your journey (although the effect soon wears off), you may wish to bring some ear plugs with you. A small umbrella can also be handy, to keep rain or spray off you. High-heeled shoes aren't very practical for a journey like this, either' sandals are more applicable.

At the end of the 40 minute boat trip, in Tinampo Port, you'll find you're still a few miles from the town proper itself. The "port" (which is several kilometers inland, up the Palapag river) is a busy, intertwined mass of outrigger boats crammed into a narrow neck of the river.

Once off the boat, look for a tricycle to get you into the town proper. The fare should be only P40 for the 5 minute trip, unless you have plenty of baggage, in which case it may be a little (but not a lot) more. There have been reports of some drivers asking for P500 from first-time visitors, if you encounter one, make it clear, politely, that you know the fare is only P50 and you should find the would-be overnight millionaire will quickly back down! Actually, once you mention that you want to go to the Cobadonga, you should find that everyone around you will be at their most helpful best.

We look forward to you enjoying your stay in Palapag. It will be a great experience, and a unique one at that. You will have reached a place held in time, unscathed by some of the less wholesome aspects of 20th century progress and with less than perfect roads and infrastructure. It's therefore inevitably somewhat less convenient to get to and move around in than most other places in the Philippines. But that is amply made up for by its very laid back atmosphere - you shouldn't expect anything to be done with any great sense of urgency here. Just take in the atmosphere, relax, stay awhile, forget about the rat race and enjoy yourself!