Note: As a precautionary measure in this time of COVID-19 pandemic, it is best to check with the authorities the updated travel requirements and possible restrictions that might affect your travel plan. Contact Iloilo City Tourism office at [email protected] or at (033) 320 7581 to know the latest update.
Remember to always follow the health and safety protocols imposed from your travel origin to your destination. I wish you a safe trip ahead!
Traveling to Iloilo for the first time? This detailed DIY travel guide is exactly what you need. Scroll down and take note of the outlined information from sample itinerary and budget, best places to visit, top things to do, recommended tours and transports, budget-friendly accommodations, and other travel tips. Have a fun and enjoyable trip ahead!
START HERE!
ILOILO AT A GLANCE
Situated at the southeast part of Panay Island in the Visayas, ILOILO is yet another top destination in the Philippines. As its locals claim, it is simply the very representation of what the archipelago can offer, a synergy of steps wrapped of natural wonders in culture and topography in the bigness of a dance that is the Philippines.
While here, spend an extravagant amount of time wandering through its age-defining mansions and churches that are dated as far back as the Spanish era. Taste a plethora of delectable cuisine that is uniquely Filipino, from pancit Molo, chicken inasal to La Paz batchoy. Soak up in the presence of a stronghold of Catholicism as you take part in Dinagyang festival, a religious dance in honor of the young image of Jesus Christ. And, wonder at the staggering work of nature that stretches from the outskirts of the city to the edges of Islas de Gigantes.
Visit Iloilo and discover what makes the province the indefinite beating heart of the Philippines.
WHERE TO STAY IN ILOILO
There are two major tourist areas in Iloilo: nearby the town proper and Gigantes Islands. Choosing an accommodation would largely depend on your itinerary.
Below are top-rated accommodations that you can find in Iloilo City, at the town proper:
Rating: 8.3 | Price: P2,442 for a room good for 4 adults and 2 kids
Click the photo for more details.
More budget stays in Iloilo town proper. (click the link for details)
- Injap Tower Hotel Rating: 8.3 | Price: P1,700+ for a standard room good for 3 persons
- OYO 251 Guest House Rating: 8.1 | Price: P800+ for a standard double room good for 2 persons
- Northview Inn Rating: 8.4 | Price: P900+ for a standard room good for 2 persons
Other top-value accommodations that are near the tourist spots:
Rating: 9.2 | Price: P1,755 for a room good for 3 adults and 2 kids
Location: Mandurriao, Iloilo
Click the photo for more details.
Below are recommended accommodations in the islands of Gigantes. You can also choose to stay at the mainland in Carles.
In Gigantes Islands (click the link for details)
- Se-San Beach Resort at Gigantes Norte Rating: 8.5 | Price: P1,600 for a deluxe double room
- Peding’s Place at Gigantes Norte Rating: 5.6 | Price: P550 for a family room
- Balay sa Gigante at Gigantes Norte Rating: 9.2 | Price: P1,000 for a queen room
In mainland Carles (click the link for details)
Rating: 8.6 | Price: P2,200+ for a standard twin room
Click the photo for rate and availability.
- Chateau de Aow Rating: 8.1 | Price: P1,400
- Ludy’s Pension House Rating: 8.2 | Price: P1,400 for double room
HOW TO GET TO ILOILO
Getting to Iloilo By Plane, Iloilo serves direct flight from major Philippine cities listed below and outside the country from Hong Kong and Singapore to Iloilo International airport, located 30 minutes away from the city proper by van.
- Cagayan de Oro
- Cebu
- Davao
- General Santos
- Manila
- Puerto Princesa
From Iloilo International airport, you may reach the city proper by taking a van outside the arrival area to SM City Iloilo. Fare is P50, travel time is roughly 30 minutes. There is a P50 charge for each baggage deposited at the trunk of the van. The same van in SM City Iloilo will take you back to the airport.
Getting to Iloilo By Ferry, Iloilo can be accessed from the following major Philippine destinations through each assigned port located within the city.
- Bacolod, 1 hour away (fast craft at Iloilo River Wharf)
- Cagayan de Oro, 14 hours away (at Iloilo Domestic Port)
- Cebu, 13 hours away (at Iloilo Domestic Port)
- General Santos City, 5 hours away (at Iloilo Domestic Port)
- Guimaras, 15 minutes away (pumpboat ferry at Guimaras-Iloilo Ferry Terminal)
- Manila, 25 hours away (at Iloilo Domestic Port)
- Zamboanga City, 14 hours away (at Iloilo Domestic Port
Book your trip from these shipping lines:
- 2GoTravel (for Bacolod, Cagayan, Davao, General Santos, Manila and Zamboanga)
- Cokaliong Shipping (for Cebu only)
- OceanJet (for Bacolod only)
- TransAsia Shipping (for Cebu only)
Getting to Iloilo By Land: Iloilo can be reached by bus or van at Tagbak terminal in Jaro, Iloilo City from the other three provinces in Panay island, namely Antique, Aklan, and Capiz.
TOP TOURIST SPOTS IN ILOILO
The following top tourist spots in Iloilo are listed based on their distance from SM City Iloilo.
JARO CHURCH & BELFRY
The Baroque style church of St. Elizabeth of Hungary or Jaro Church was built in 1864 and was recognized as the first and only cathedral in all of Panay Island. The church is notable for having the Lady of Candles statue, the only female among a collection of male statues that align the walls inside the cathedral. The Lady of Candles was declared the Patroness of Western Visayas by blessed Pope John Paul II during his visit in 1981.
Jaro church and belfry is a 19-minute walk from SM City Iloilo. To get there, take a jeepney with a “Jaro CPU” sign. Travel time is around 7 minutes, fare is P8.
Rating: 3/5
LA PAZ PUBLIC MARKET
Whether for its batchoy in its old eateries: Deco, Netong and Ted, or for its brewed coffee in Madge Cafe, La Paz Public Market has been a favorite stopover for tourists wanting to chill and get a taste of Iloilo city.
The batchoy eateries and Madge Cafe started during 1940s and continued to share its traditional way of serving batchoy and coffee up to the present. Deco and Ted’s batchoy are located at the front area of the market next to where the vehicles are parked, while Netong’s batchoy and Madge Cafe are tucked inside the market.
To get to La Paz Public Market from Jaro Church, take a jeepney with a “La Paz” or “Jaro CPU” sign. Fare is P8, travel time is 8 minutes; from SM City IloIlo, take two jeepneys: first to Iloilo Supermarket in Lapuz. At your stop, cross the street then take another jeepney with “Jaro CPU” sign. Travel time is close to 10 minutes, total fare is P16.
Rating: 3/5
ARROYO FOUNTAIN
The very landmark at the heart of Iloilo City, Arroyo Fountain at the junction of Iznart and General Luna street is a Baroque-inspired sculpture that represents Ilonggos splendor and rich history. The four muses that make up the fountain were originally naked but were later on re-modelled with clothes on due to the request of the Catholic church.
The fountain marks kilometer zero, which is used to measure the distance of any place to Iloilo City. At the back of the landmark is the old Provincial Capitol, formerly “Casa Real” and a few steps to the left facing the fountain is Museo Iloilo. To get to Arroyo Fountain, take a jeepney with a “Jaro” signboard.
Rating: 3/5
MUSEO ILOILO
Museo Iloilo, the first ever museum commissioned by the government outside Manila, displays the vibrant cultural history of Western Visayas, through its wide array of relics that include stone age native pottery and war armaments. The most notable item in the exhibit is the dead Christ or Santo Entiero that looks like a preserved body of a dead person at a distance.
The museum collects P15 for entrance fee and is open every Monday to Saturday from 9AM to 5PM, and Sunday from 10AM to 6PM. The museum is a glance away from Arroyo Fountain. To get there, take a jeepney with a “Jaro”signboard.
Rating: 3/5
MOLO CHURCH & MUSEUM
Molo Church or the St. Anne Parish church is hailed as one of the most beautiful in the Philippines and the only Gothic church in the country outside Manila. The church was built in 1831 and was declared a national landmark in 1992 for its masterly designed interior.
In front of the church is the Molo Mansion, another heritage site in the city that serves as a museum showcasing an art exhibit from some of the best artists in Iloilo. The museum is free of admission. To get to Molo Church and Mansion, take a jeepney with a “Villa Arevalo” or “Molo” sign.
Rating: 3/5
MIAGAO CHURCH
The Santo Tomas de Villanueva Parish or Miagao church is a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its strikingly unique facade that comprises of a well-elaborated bas relief that features a mix of medieval Spanish, Chinese, Muslim and traditional local elements.
The church is attached to two massive belfries at its both ends that are unequal in size, which serve as watchtowers. The ochre color that blankets the church is produced by the limestone, coral, egg and adobe materials that make up the entire structure.
To get to Miagao church from Molo, ride on a jeepney with a “Miagao” sign. Fare is P50, travel time is close to 1 hour.
Rating: 4/5
GARIN FARM PILGRIMAGE RESORT
The sought-after Garin Farm that has made a buzz on the net for its blinding replica of heaven is located at the southernmost town of Iloilo, at San Joaquin. It is a functional farm that doubles as a pilgrimage site. As such, while here, visitors are expected to be taken into a journey both on real-life farming and in spiritual life.
More than the beautiful lake that welcomes visitors and the fresh produce that are sold on site, it is the Pilgrimage hill that really takes visitors in awe. To get to the hill, you will go inside a canopy of vines and climb up a 456-step stairs where you will be greeted by compositions of some biblical scenes, from the Ark of Noah at its foot to the Nativity and the Last Supper at the sides of the stairs. The steps end with a life-size, Divine Mercy image of Jesus Christ, which leads to a dark tunnel with another Divine Mercy image on one route (but a lot brighter with full lights on), and the blindingly white Pilgrimage Hill on the other. Going inside the tunnel is a hair-raising experience that you cannot simply miss, take my word for it.
Garin Farm also performs as a resort and a recreational site. Some of its activities are as follows:
Hilltop Swimming Pool: P80
Hilltop Fishing: P30 per kilo
Hilltop Horseback Riding: P60
300-meter Zipline: P250 for a sitting position, P350 for Superman
Kayak: P40 (single), P90 (double)
Pedal Boat: P90 for 2 pax, Rubber Boat: P120 (4 pax), P240 (8 pax)
If you prefer to ride going to the hilltop than walking through 456 steps, you may avail of the Golf cart service. Rates are as follows:
Gate to Pavilion – P60 (one way trip, with 4-person capacity)
Pavilion to Cross – P60 (one way trip, with 4-person capacity)
Here are air-conditioned cottage rates. For more inquiries, contact Garin Farm at (033) 314 7555, +63 916 667 6581.
Single Room: P1,500
Standard Room: P2,500
Family Room: P3,500
Entrance Fee to Garin Farm is P150 per person. For day-use visitors, operating hours is from 8:00AM to 6:00PM. To get there, take a San Joaquin jeepney at Mohon terminal. Fare is P50, travel time is close to 2 hours. You may also take a van or bus at Molo terminal, fare is P70 and travel time is around 1 hour and 30 minutes. If you are already at Miagao church, catch the San Joaquin jeepney at the left side of the church. Fare is P25, travel time is 30 minutes. All of these vehicles stop at the junction to Garin Farm. From there, you will need to charter a tricycle to get to the site. One way trip is P50, travel time is around 10 minutes.
To get back to Iloilo City, take a tricycle back to the junction at the main road, which are parked just outside Garin Farm. Fare is still P50 per trip. At the main road, hail a van or bus back to the city. Fare is P70.
Rating: 4/5
ISLAS DE GIGANTES
Gigantes Islands or Islas de Gigantes is a chain of ten islands that are spread out at around 2 to 10 minutes away from each other by an outrigger boat at the coastal town of Carles, at the northernmost part of Iloilo. The two largest islands: Gigantes Norte and Gigantes Sur, are the most inhabited and where most resorts are situated.
The cluster of islets were initially spotted during the aerial patrol at the aftermath of typhoon Yolanda and since then was slowly explored by the travel community until it became the off-the-grid destination it is recognized nowadays.
To get to Gigantes Islands from Iloilo City, catch a van or bus at Tagbak terminal bound for Carles or Estancia. Travel time is close to 4 hours. Daily trips start at 5AM, travel fare is P210. Vans stop at Bancal port in Carles while buses arrive at Balasan terminal in Estancia which requires another trip via tricycle to Bancal port for P50 for around 30 minutes and to Estancia port for P10 for about 10 minutes.
There is only one trip per day for regular boat from both ports. Every 10:00AM at Bancal port (fare is P100, travel time is one hour) and every 1:00PM at Estancia port (fare is P80, travel time is close to 2 hours). If you miss the trip, there are shuttle express at Bancal port for P300 which takes trips to Gigantes Norte at these intervals from Monday to Thursday at 7:00AM, 10:00AM, 3:00PM and 4:30PM, and additional intervals from Friday to Sunday at 8:30AM and 12:30PM.
For more details, read the separate blog I created for Gigantes Islands: Gigantes Islands Budget Travel Guide.
Rating: 4/5
TOP THINGS TO DO IN ILOILO
There are lot of things you can do while around Iloilo. The foremost is a Visita Iglesia at its century-old churches, from Molo and Jaro church to Miagao and San Joaquin. A tour around the city on a bike is also a top activity you can work out as the locals vigorously promote an environment-friendly and healthy lifestyle. Take your bike around Calle Real, the Esplanade River and to the university areas.
How about taking a food trip to some of Iloilo’s favorite eateries and food houses? Be delighted at best with the sumptuous batchoy at La Paz Market, pancit at Molo, brewed coffee at Madge cafe, dragon fruit ice cream at Molo Mansion, and the baked breads of the original Biscocho Haus.
Of course, a visit to Garin Farm is the one you can’t possibly bail out. Soak up in a spiritual feel or just enjoy a flash of beautiful scenery at its hilltop. Or better yet, spend a 2-day vacation at Gigantes Islands with its variety of offering from each islet. A sun, sand and sea combination is what we all need for summer and on our downtime moments. I feel you!
ILOILO RECOMMENDED TOURS
Here are the best tour offers from KLOOK for Iloilo, including Gigantes Islands: (click the link for details)
- Isla De Gigantes Day Tour from Iloilo for only P2,750+
- Iloilo City Heritage Tour for only P785
- Iloilo City Heritage and Southern Countryside Half Day Tour for only P1,345
Use the search box below for more Klook tour services, including transport offers:
Klook.comILOILO SAMPLE ITINERARY & BUDGET
To fully experience the beauty of Iloilo, allot a travel itinerary for at least 3 days, just as I did. Spend the first day exploring the city and Garin Farm, and on the second to third day, head out to Gigantes Islands for an overnight stay. You may extend your travel period however you like especially on Gigantes islands where there is so much to explore.
The proposed itinerary assumes a party of two and will set back an amount of P4,634+ or USD89 per person, P934 (USD18) on the first day and P3,700 (USD71) on the second and third day at Gigantes Islands. The allocated budget per activity includes expenses for food, transportation, and entrance fee and does not cover expenses for accommodation, souvenir and other incidentals.
DAY ONE
| Activity | Schedule | Budget |
| ETA Iloilo City | 05:00AM | – |
| Breakfast at La Paz Market | 07:00AM | P200 |
| Jaro Church and Belfry | 08:00AM | P8 |
| Check in at La Fiesta Hotel | 09:00AM | P8 |
| Settle Down | 10:00AM | – |
| Arroyo Fountain | 11:00AM | P8 |
| Museo Iloilo | 11:30AM | P15 |
| Lunch at Molo Mansion Café | 12:30PM | P200 |
| Molo Museum | 1:30PM | – |
| Molo Church | 2:00PM | – |
| Miagao Church | 3:30PM | P50 |
| Garin Farm | 4:00PM | P175 |
| Back to Iloilo City | 6:00PM | P70 |
| Dinner | 8:00PM | P200 |
| Lights Out | 10:00PM | – |
DAY TWO and THREE
The remaining 2 days are spent on Islas de Gigantes. Please check this separate blog for the details: GIGANTES ISLANDS BUDGET TRAVEL GUIDE.
QUICK TIPS AND FACTS ABOUT ILOILO
- Iloilo people are called Ilonggos who are known to talk in a sing-song tone. They are generally soft-spoken, sweet, frugal and charming people.
- During its heyday, Iloilo was hailed as the city after Manila and given the title “Queen City of the South”, a moniker appropriated to Cebu nowadays.
- Iloilo city was awarded “the most-bike friendly city” in 2018 and continuously promotes the use of bike through its well-allocated bike lanes that extend from the Diversion road to the University areas.
- Iloilo is a year-round destination, but if you plan to include Gigantes Islands, the best time to visit is during summer from late February to May when the seas are at peace and the skies are clear. If it’s a bargain, you can also visit the province during Dinagyang festival which happens on a 4th Sunday in January, a week after the celebration of Sinulog festival in Cebu.
- Heritage mansions and old churches are the usual tourist attraction around Iloilo city.
USEFUL PHRASES
Like in any parts of the Philippines, the locals can speak and understand English in Iloilo. However, here are some good phrases that might prove useful when you find yourself endearing with them.
English to Hiligaynon (the most prevalent language among the locals in Iloilo)
Thank you – Salamat
Good morning – Ma-ayong aga
Good afternoon – Ma-ayong hapon
Good evening – Ma-ayong gab-i
How much is… – Pila ini…
Do you speak English?- Makahambal ka sang Ingles?
MY TRAVEL HIGHLIGHTS IN ILOILO
What I like?
Church hopping is what primarily sold me out on my visit in Iloilo. I’m not a religion fanatic myself, but the architectural details of the churches were something I looked forward for each of our stop over. To add up is the food! Iloilo has plenty of food offerings that are uniquely their own. It was a big check for my gastronomic cravings.
What I don’t like?
The long travel to Gigantes Islands was something I had to prepare on, but it was all worth the journey.
MEET THE BLOGGER
Hey there! I’m Ker, The Fun-sized Traveller. Fun-size because I’m a short guy from the Philippines. Thanks for checking out this virtual block I have started building since my 30th birthday to document my 2nd quarter life. Yup, it’s more of a personal pursuit, but a part of me also wants to give back to the travel community that is why I make it a point to share travel articles out from my trips around Asia.
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PHILIPPINE DESTINATIONS
Luzon
- Baguio Budget Travel Guide
- Balabac Budget Travel Guide
- Baler Budget Travel Guide
- Batanes Budget Travel Guide
- Cordillera Budget Travel Guide
- El Nido Budget Travel Guide
- Laoag Budget Travel Guide
- Manila Budget Travel Guide
- Pagudpud Budget Travel Guide
- Palaui Island Budget Travel Guide
- Pangasinan Budget Travel Guide
- Puerto Princesa Budget Travel Guide
- San Vicente Budget Travel Guide
- Sagada Budget Travel Guide
- Vigan Budget Travel Guide
- Zambales Budget Travel Guide
Visayas
- Apo Island Budget Travel Guide
- Bacolod Budget Travel Guide
- Boracay Budget Travel Guide
- Cebu Budget Travel Guide
- Dumaguete Budget Travel Guide
- Negros Budget Travel Guide
- Sipalay Budget Travel Guide
- Siquijor Budget Travel Guide
Mindanao
INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONS
- Bangkok, Thailand Budget Travel Guide
- Chiang Mai, Thailand Budget Travel Guide
- Chiang Rai, Thailand Budget Travel Guide
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Budget Travel Guide
- Johor Bahru, Malaysia Budget Travel Guide
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Budget Travel Guide
- Penang, Malaysia Budget Travel Guide
- Phnom Penh, Cambodia Budget Travel Guide
- Siem Reap, Cambodia Budget Travel Guide
- Singapore Budget Travel Guide
- Sukhothai, Thailand Budget Travel Guide
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