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San Juanico Bridge - 9 Things to Know Before Visiting

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About San Juanico Bridge

The San Juanico Bridge is a 2.16-kilometer long bridge that connects the islands of Leyte and Samar in the Philippines. The bridge spans the narrowest point of the San Juanico Strait, which separates Leyte from Samar. The San Juanico Bridge is one of the most iconic structures in the Philippines and is a symbol of national unity.
Address : Leyte, Philippines

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Things to Do at San Juanico Bridge

The bridge was completed in 1973 and is considered to be one of the most beautiful bridges in the Philippines. Visitors to San Juanico Bridge can enjoy stunning views of the strait, as well as of the nearby mountains and islands. They can also go for a walk or bike ride along the bridge, or take a boat ride underneath it.


Top Activities Near San Juanico Bridge

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History of San Juanico Bridge

The San Juanico Bridge spans the San Juanico Strait between the provinces of Samar and Leyte in the Philippines. It is considered as one of the country's most important bridges, as it connects the two most populous islands of Visayas: Samar and Leyte. The bridge was constructed during the Marcos administration from 1969 to 1972 at a cost of US$22 million. It was opened to traffic on March 18, 1973. Upon its completion, it became the longest bridge in the Philippines and held that title until 1984 when the Cebu-Mactan Bridge was completed.

The bridge was originally designed to have a live load capacity of 60 metric tons (59 long tons; 66 short tons) but was upgraded to accommodate 80 metric tons (79 long tons; 88 short tons) in 2003. In 2006, the structure was again strengthened to carry vehicles weighing up to 100 metric tons (98 long tons; 110 short tons).

Aside from its economic importance, the San Juanico Bridge has also become a popular tourist destination in recent years, with visitors coming from all over the world to admire its beauty and experience its amazing views.

The bridge has been featured in several films and television shows, including Regine Velasquez's music video "Pangarap ko ang ibigin ka", which was shot entirely on the bridge.


Best Time to Visit San Juanico Bridge

If you are planning to visit this magnificent work of engineering, the best time to go would be during the daytime so that you can get a full view of it. You can also go early in the morning or late in the evening to catch a glimpse of the sunset or sunrise. However, avoid going during typhoon season as San Juanico Bridge is prone to flooding and strong winds which can damage the structure.


Tips for Visiting San Juanico Bridge

  1. Arrive early morning or late evening to avoid the midday heat and crowds. The best time to visit is either in the early morning or late afternoon.
  2. Wear comfortable shoes. There is a lot of walking involved in visiting the bridge, so you'll want to make sure you're wearing comfortable shoes.
  3. Don't forget to bring sunscreen and water. The sun can be incredibly strong in the Philippines, so it's important to stay hydrated and protected from the sun's harmful rays.

Interesting Facts and Trivias About San Juanico Bridge

  1. The San Juanico Bridge has a total of 42 spans, with each span measuring 50 meters (164 feet) in length.
  2. The main span of the bridge is 165 meters (541 feet) long, making it the longest span among all the bridges in the Philippines.
  3. The total length of all the cables used in the construction of the bridge is 11,700 meters (38,412 feet), which is enough to circle around Manila three times.
  4. The bridge has awidth of 12 meters (39 feet), comprising two 3.5-meter (11-foot) lanes and two 1.5-meter (5-foot) sidewalks.
  5. The original design of the bridge called for a bascule type drawbridge at its center
  6. The San Juanico Bridge was built with financial assistance from the government of Japan. 

How Much Time Did Visitors Spend at San Juanico Bridge

Most people find that an hour is enough to take in the scenery and snap some pictures. Visitors spend an average of 30 minutes crossing it by car. There are several viewing platforms along the length of the bridge, which offer panoramic views of San Juanico Strait and the surrounding islands. 


How to Reach San Juanico Bridge

To reach the San Juanico Bridge, visitors can take a bus or jeepney from Tacloban City. The journey takes around 1 hour, depending on traffic conditions. There are also several tour companies that offer day trips from Tacloban, which include stops at other key attractions in the area.


Entrance Fee of San Juanico Bridge

The entrance fee for private vehicles is PHP200 (US$3.85), while the toll for buses and trucks is PHP400 (US$7.70). Motorcycles are exempted from paying the toll fee. The collected toll fees are used to pay the loan used to construct the bridge.


Attractions Near San Juanico Bridge

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Santo Niño Parish ChurchA beautiful church that was located in the heart of Tacloban city. The Church of Santo Niño de Tacloban became the bastion of Catholicism in this city of 220,000, The Sto. Niño safeguards the evangelical faith of approximately 70% of Taclobanons who are Catholics. The Taclobanons continues to enjoy the miracles and graced lavished by their beloved King. it is now one of the main pilgrimage centers in this area.
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MacArthur Landing Memorial ParkLocated at Red Beach, Palo, the Leyte Landing Memorial is a park reminding us of an important event in history — the return of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. This was the fulfillment of his promise to the Filipino people to come back an help free the Philippines from the Japanese. At the heart of the park, by the beach, is a manmade pool with bigger than life bronze statues of Gen. MacArthur, President Sergio Osmena, Jr. and more.
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Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lord's TransfigurationThe Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lord’s Transfiguration. Also known as Palo Cathedral, a gigantic and elegant church built in the year 1956 by the Jesuits which became their residence for some time. In the year 1768. In 1850, the church was repaired with the supervision of Fr. Agustin de Consuegra, who oversaw the construction of the two towers of the church. The church was declared a cathedral on March 25, 1938, with Msgr. Manuel Mascariñas as its’ first bishop. Now it is one of the main pilgr
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Sohoton Caves & Natural Bridge ParkSohoton Natural Bridge Natural Park is divided by the Sohoton river which is surrounded by thick, lush jungle covering majestic limestone cliffs. The Natural Park is situated on the island of Samar in the Eastern Visayas and can be accessed easily from Tacloban city. The entire area is 455,700 hectares, home of the various wildlife, rivers, and cave connections.
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Lake DanaoLake Danao is considered as Ormoc City’s main natural attraction. This violin-shaped lake on the mountains of Ormoc was previously named Lake Imelda but was changed to Lake Danao Natural Park afterwards. It is covering an area of 148 hectares and is about 700 meters above sea level. The lake that also includes the Amandawin mountain range is 18 kilometers northeast of Ormoc City, half an hour drive along the Milagro – Lake Danao and San Pablo – Tongonan roads.
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TubabaoA beautiful island in the heart of Samar. It was used by the International Refugee Organization in 1949 and 1950 to provide a temporary refuge for 5,000 Russian refugees escaping from China. it is now becoming a tourist destination now.

Discover More Attractions in Leyte, Home of San Juanico Bridge

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Leyte
Leyte isknown as the site of the largest naval battle in modern history, the Battle of Leyte Gulf, which took place during the Second World War.

Location of San Juanico Bridge


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