A typical itinerary for a vacation in Iloilo usually centers on the historical attractions and gastronomy delights with a day trip to Guimaras. For a 3-day and 2 night stay, it is recommended to make Iloilo City as the home base for convenience.
This guide is merely a summary and the more detailed itineraries are linked within. It offers an overview of places to visit, things to do, what to buy, where and what to eat and what to bring home as pasalubong.
Read more >>> BACKPACKERS GUIDE to ILOILO
Day 1: Welcome to Iloilo
Travel to Iloilo City via shuttle vans, PhP50, from the airport all the way to SM City Iloilo. From there one can take taxis or just jeepneys to their hotel of choice.The historic town of Sta. Barbara is a must visit for it has a lot to offer - a historic century old church and covent, a museum, a heritage zone, the oldest golf course in the country, the only Belgian lace making in the Philippines plus gastronomic offering like baye-baye and traditional puto-bingka and a drinking water that "burns" - all within 10 minutes away to/from the airport. Read More
Lapaz batchoy restaurants abound in Iloilo City that almost there is one near you. Ted’s Oldtimer along Diversion Road is my top pick for it is very touristy and open 24/7. To have an authentic Lapaz batchoy experience, why not drop by the Lapaz Public market and look for Netong's Batchoyan.While there, also look for Madge Coffee for a dose of native Ilonggo coffee
Restaurants along Villa beach abound but usually it’s between Breakthrough and Tatoy’s Manukan. ------
The former having a very nice ambiance with good food while the latter more iconic food.
Restaurants along Villa beach abound but usually it’s between Breakthrough and Tatoy’s Manukan. ------
The historic and gastronomic attractions of Molo and VillaAfter which, visit the church and plaza of Villa Arevalo then check out hand woven creations and pasalubong items at the Sinamay House. A must visit in this district is the Camiña Balay nga Bato, an ancestral house built in 1860. It is now a living museum with a heritage curios shop and "The Tsokolate Experience".
Downtown Iloilo City - Culture, heritage and gastronomyDowntown tour of Iloilo City would mean a visit to Museo Iloilo, the Capitol grounds and the Arroyo fountain. Walking along Calle Real brings back the nostalgia of Iloilo City’s colonial past alongside iconic restaurants.
Further, Fort San Pedro offers a closer look at Guimaras and offers a nice view of the sunset. It is now undergoing a restoration but it is on the finishing stage.
The view atop the new Iloilo City Hall( Or one might opt to walk leisurely along the riverside boulevard known as the Iloilo Esplanade in MANDURRIAO after MOLO. It’s just a few minutes ride the Molo Plaza and starts at the foot of Carpenter’s bridge. It’s a jogger’s paradise but also offer a lot of photo ops – nice sunset, river scenery and more. It is the new gathering place especially at night)
Sunset along the Iloilo EsplanadeDinner time offers a lot of promise but if one has “night life” in mind after dinner then its better have it all in one. The Nightlife Centrale of Iloilo City is commonly referred to as Smallville but the area comprises more than the original complex. From the restaurants along Diversion Road to those at the Riverside Boardwalk, Smallville and The Avenue, it’s a one stop place for fine dining, carefree drinking, club partying, and more – even a waterpark! Fridays and Saturdays often see this area overflowing with people who have nothing in mind but fun.
The Avenue Complex highlights the best in dining and entertainment in Iloilo City's nightlife
Day 2: G-DayIt is recommended to start early with this one since it time will surely fly fast. Welcome to Guimaras – an island that fits your taste. Weather permitting a day trip from 9am to 6pm would surely add a new perspective in your vacation. Guimaras is just 20miniutes from Iloilo City but once there it’s a world away.
Take Guimaras bound boats from either Ortiz or Parola wharves to Jordan or Buenavista wharves on the island. Once there, register at the tourist kiosks and decide on your mode of transport, usually renting tricycles or multi cab jeepneys for the trip on top of commuting.
From the Jordan wharf, attractions would include Bala-an Bukid, the Guimaras Capitol and Museum, Trappist Monastery, Valle Verde Mountain Resort, Guisi beach and lighthouse and Alubihod beach. Raymen Resort in Alubihod beach is the most popular as it offers the most versatile accommodation and often is a good jump off point to island hopping.Island hopping might as well be the highlight of any trip (even just for the day) to Guimaras. From marine sanctuaries to limestone formations and isolated beaches to caves and coves – one can easily forget about time.
The last trip back to Iloilo City is around 6pm and from then and there, it’s another night of gastronomic funSee GUIMARAS in details
Day 3: South departure
A trip down the southern towns of Iloilo for heritage churches and other attractions, it is recommended to start the day early. Also to have none of the inconvenience of running against (check out) time at the hotel (12nn), it is advisable to check out early. Best option is to leave things at the Travelers Lounge at SM City Iloilo which opens at 530 am.
Southern and Western towns of IloiloThen have a heavy breakfast to jumpstart the day. Travel down to Mohon Terminal in Villa and take jeepneys bound for San Joaquin, the southernmost town of Iloilo. Then travel back to Miag-ao, Guimbal, Tigbauan and Oton. These places offers heritage churches (UNESCO recognized Miag-ao, San Joaquin), cemeteries (San Joaquin), beach resorts (Guimbal), animal sanctuaries (Garin Farm, Racsos, SEAFDEC Fishworld), beautiful plazas (Guimbal), native delicacies (bandi, baye baye, and buko pie among others) and a lot more.
Depending how early one starts and how long one stays in a town, this trip may last for 4-5 hours and lunch can be done back in the city.
JARO would make a perfect finale as this district takes pride of it’s past – from mansions and churches to restaurants and pasalubong. Visit Nelly Garden and the Lizares mansions then the Jaro Cathedral, belfry and plaza and grab some pasalubong from numerous pasalubong shops like Biscocho Haus and Deocampo Barquillos. See ILOILO SOUTH, JARO in details
A final round up of pasalubong buying can be made at SM City Iloilo then finally travel to the airport via shuttle vans (PhP70).
At the pre departure area, there are some pasalubong shops (usually marked up) and food shops - some actually have the same price as their other branches or just slightly higher but still offers very affordable food items.Bon voyage and bon apetit!
For this itinerary, it is assumed that travelers arrive in the morning (around 10am) and would depart on the third day around 6pm. Just make adjustments with this itinerary based on your arrival and departure hours.