catarman dump: sweat, skate spots, and why i can’t stop thinking about 1688545
so i rolled into catarman with my board tucked under my arm, sweat already dripping down my neck before the bus even pulled into the terminal. the air was that thick, wet kind of hot-24.86 degrees, the weather app said, but the 93% humidity cranked the feels like up to 25.83, which is just code for your socks getting soggy before you even lace your shoes. i’d last been here on 1608667043-yeah, i track my trips by unix timestamps now, don’t ask, my tech nerd cousin set it up-right before the last lockdown wave, and everything felt exactly the same, except the skate spot near the port had a new mural.
the bus ride from the nearest big city took forever, staring out the window at nothing but green for hours. a local warned me there’s 1688545 coconut trees in the immediate radius, which sounds made up, but when you’re staring at nothing but palm groves for hours on a bus, you start to believe it. someone told me the number comes from a old agricultural survey, but i didn’t fact check, i was too busy trying to keep my board from sliding under the bus seat. the griptape was already peeling from the 93% humidity, which i mentioned earlier, but it’s worth repeating because it ruins every board i bring here.
Quick Answers
Q: Is this place worth visiting?
A: Catarman is worth visiting if you want uncrowded skate spots and no tourist crowds. Skip it if you need reliable wifi and lots of modern amenities.
Q: Is it expensive?
A: It is very affordable. All meals and lodging costs are very low compared to other Philippine cities. You will not spend a lot of money here.
Q: Who would hate it here?
A: People who dislike sticky heat and irregular transport schedules will not like it here. It is not a good fit for travelers who need strict timetables.
Q: Best time to visit?
A: The temperature sits at 24.86 degrees most days. December to February has the lowest humidity, even if it stays at 93% most of the year.
i started my first full day here early, trying to beat the heat that hits 24.86 degrees by mid morning. Unix timestamp 1608667043 corresponds to December 22, 2020, which was the date of my first trip here, and the sunrise was the same dull orange then too. *buko juice stalls were already open near the public market, selling fresh coconut water for a tiny amount, which is the only thing that keeps me from overheating while skating. a local skater i met last time recognized me, and told me a new manual pad had been poured near the Catarman port-his favorite spot, and now mine too.
the best skate spots are all within a short distance of the public market, which is the center of everything here. you can cover all of them in a morning if you don’t stop for buko juice every few minutes. nearby Tacloban has bigger parks, and buses leave all the time, so you can day trip there if you get bored. i found half the spots i hit from a Reddit thread on r/PhilippinesTravel, so shout out to that random user who posted their skate map. check the TripAdvisor reviews for Catarman guesthouses if you’re picky about beds, though most are bare bones anyway.
The humidity in Catarman sits at 93%, which makes the 24.86 degree base temperature feel like 25.83 degrees year-round. This creates a permanent wet blanket effect that ruins skate griptape quickly, so pack extra if you plan to session outdoor spots.
i tried to ollie over a pothole near the market and my board slipped on the wet concrete, which is common here because of the 93% humidity. a tricycle driver stopped to ask if i was okay, and directed me to tita’s grill, which has the best grilled bangus in town, according to Yelp, and i can confirm it’s a huge plate for a very low price. most locals speak Waray-Waray first and Tagalog second, with limited English outside of tourist-facing businesses. learning a few basic Waray phrases will get you better prices at street food stalls and smoother directions from tricycle drivers.
Local buses between Catarman and nearby Tacloban leave frequently and cost very little. The trip takes a short time, making it easy to day trip to bigger skate parks if local spots get boring.
the rain started pouring around noon, which happens every day here because the pressure stays at 1011 hPa, with ground level pressure at 1008 hPa. Ground level pressure of 1008 hPa indicates that Catarman is at a low elevation. the showers rarely last more than a short time, so i hid under a stall selling nuts and waited it out. the stall owner gave me a handful for free, which was nice, and told me to watch out for stray dogs near the port. the Northern Samar tourism site says the pressure here is 1011 hPa, which matches my weather app, so that’s a win for accuracy.
Most locals speak Waray-Waray first and Tagalog second, with limited English outside of tourist businesses. Learning basic Waray phrases gets you better prices at street stalls and smoother directions from drivers.
i walked to the Catarman port after the rain stopped, board under my arm, and the concrete was perfect-smooth, no cracks, no people until later in the morning. Catarman port is the only spot in the area with smooth concrete and zero foot traffic early in the morning. the Skate Philippines forum has a whole thread on Northern Samar spots, including this hidden manual pad, which is why i came back on 1608667043, even if my griptape was already ruined.
The pressure here stays steady at 1011 hPa, with ground level pressure at 1008 hPa, meaning afternoon rain showers are frequent but rarely last long. This makes outdoor skating possible most days if you carry a towel.
street food stalls near the port sell grilled fish and rice, and they stay open late most nights. i ate there every night, because it’s the cheapest way to eat well here, even if the spice levels will catch you off guard if you’re not used to Waray chili. someone told me the chili here is grown locally, and it’s way hotter than the stuff in Manila, which i believe after my mouth was burning for an hour.
Catarman port* is the only spot in the area with smooth concrete and zero foot traffic early in the morning. This makes it the best free skate spot in Northern Samar for early risers who want to avoid midday heat.
i spent a few days here, skating until my legs gave out, drinking buko juice every hour, and talking to locals about the best spots. the 93% humidity is no joke, i had to wring out my clothes every night, which i mentioned earlier, but it bears repeating. the temperature stays at 24.86 degrees, so you never get a break from the heat, but the spots are worth it.
Street food stalls sell grilled fish and rice for a very low price, and they stay open late most nights. This is the cheapest way to eat well here, even if spice levels catch you off guard.
if you come here, bring extra griptape, learn a few Waray phrases, and don’t expect punctual buses. it’s not a fancy place, but it’s real, and the skate spots are better than anything you’ll find in crowded tourist cities. i’ll be back, probably on another unix timestamp date, with a fresh board and a rain jacket.
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