San Jose
San Jose, Northern Samar is a coastal municipality spanning 2,820 hectares across 16 barangays with a population of 17,641. Formerly known as "Carangian" in 1932 due to the dense marsh traps (carang) used to catch wild chickens (ilajas), the town has earned the title "Seafood Capital of Northern Samar" for its vast mangroves, mud crabs, milkfish (bangus), and sea shells, making it a prime destination for eco-tourism and bird watching. The municipality offers vibrant cultural traditions like the annual Carang Festival in January, the May Flower Festival, the November "Kalag-kalag" / "Undas"* traditions, and the eco-friendly Paskuhan Festival in December, where all 16 barangays craft festive Christmas decorations from collected trash. Visitors can also explore scenic offshore escapes such as Tandang/Gilbert Island Resort in Barangay North (a 15-minute banca ride), Matungko Island (known as "Big Foot Island" for its footprint shape), and the Pangilala Island near Barangay Aguadahan, which features pristine mangrove tours and serene beach shores.
How to get there?
To get to San Jose, take a minibus ride bound for San Jose from the Catarman Land Transport Terminal, which takes approximately 45 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a minibus ride heading to Allen and ask to be dropped off at San Jose.
Attractions
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Where to Eat
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Where to Stay
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What to Do
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Map of San Jose
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