Ethereal light filtering through the ancient limestone chambers of Sohoton Cave, Samar

Discover the Spirit of Samar

Ancient caves, wild rivers, artisan craft, and heirloom flavors — Samar is waiting.

A narrow wooden torpedo boat racing through the emerald jungle waterways of the Ulot River, Samar

Ride the Ulot River

The Ulot River Torpedo Boat experience is Samar's most exhilarating adventure. Board a narrow wooden torpedo boat and race through emerald jungle waterways, past ancient rock formations and cascading waterfalls. A 27-kilometer journey through the heart of Samar's wilderness — raw, untamed, and unforgettable. Guides navigate every rapid with precision honed over generations.

Book Your Adventure

27 km Distance

3–4 hours Duration

Extreme Difficulty

Woven by Hand. Worn with Purpose.

Lara Samar brings the ancient Banig-weaving tradition of Samar into the world of contemporary fashion. Each handbag and accessory is handcrafted by local artisans using the same techniques passed down through generations — intricate patterns woven from pandan leaves, dyed with natural pigments, and finished with meticulous care. These are not accessories. They are heirlooms. Pieces that carry the identity of a people, the memory of a craft, and the beauty of a land that refuses to be forgotten.

Explore the Collection

Banig Tote Bag — hand-woven pandan tote with natural earth-tone geometric patterns, crafted by Lara Samar artisans — Banig Tote Bag

Woven Clutch — compact clutch featuring traditional Samar diamond-weave motif, handcrafted by Lara Samar — Woven Clutch

Artisan Shoulder Bag — structured shoulder bag with hand-dyed pandan and leather trim, by Lara Samar — Artisan Shoulder Bag

More to Explore

Samar's wonders stretch far beyond the headline destinations. From cathedral-like cave systems and thundering waterfalls to dramatic rock formations rising from the sea — every corner of the island holds a story worth discovering.

Lulugayan Falls — a multi-tiered waterfall cascading through the lush rainforest of Samar — Lulugayan Falls

Marabut Rock Formation — dramatic limestone karst islands rising from the Philippine Sea, Samar — Marabut Rock Formation

Kandiwata Rock Formation — ancient volcanic rock formations on the shores of Daram Island, Samar — Kandiwata Rock Formation

Lobo Cave — a cathedral-like cave system with dramatic stalactite formations in Samar — Lobo Cave

Saob Cave — a hidden cave near Basey, Samar, with crystal-clear underground pools — Saob Cave

Zipline adventure — soaring above Samar's lush jungle canopy on a high-speed zipline — Zipline Adventure

Buscada Church — a centuries-old Spanish colonial church in the heart of Samar, Philippines — Buscada Church

St. Michael the Archangel Parish — a historic Baroque church in Basey, Samar — St. Michael the Archangel Parish

Sohoton Cave — the crown jewel of Samar's cave systems, accessible only by boat at high tide — Sohoton Cave

Watch & Discover

See Samar come alive — from the rush of the Ulot River to the craft of Banig weaving and the warmth of its secret kitchens.

SparkSamar

LARA Samar

Secret Kitchens of Samar

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Secret Kitchens of Samar

Hidden behind unmarked doors and passed down through generations, the Secret Kitchens of Samar are the island's most closely guarded culinary treasures. These are not restaurants — they are living heirlooms. Each kitchen is run by a family matriarch who has spent decades perfecting dishes that cannot be found anywhere else on earth. Kinilaw made with freshly caught lapu-lapu. Binagol sweetened with wild taro and coconut. Suman wrapped in banana leaves and steamed over open fire. To eat here is to understand Samar — its land, its sea, its people, and the love they pour into every meal.

Reserve Your Table

Kinilaw na Lapu-Lapu — fresh grouper cured in coconut vinegar with ginger and chili, a Samar heirloom dish — Kinilaw na Lapu-Lapu

Binagol — wild taro sweetened with coconut milk, wrapped in banana leaf, a traditional Samar delicacy — Binagol

Suman sa Lihiya — glutinous rice steamed in banana leaves over open fire, a beloved Samar tradition — Suman sa Lihiya