ILOILO: HEART of the PHILIPPINES

Being the biggest city on Panay Island and the center of Western Visayas region, Iloilo City is a transportation hub whether by land, sea or air. These numerous transportation terminals facilitate day to day commerce, light & heavy industries, and tourism, among others. As this is a travel blog, this guide is aimed to tourists who want to experience and explore Iloilo and perhaps even beyond. Iloilo International Airport A little more than five years old, the Iloilo International Airpor t is among the most modern and beautiful in the country today. It is situated around 20 kilometers from Iloilo City , straddling the towns of Cabatuan, San Miguel and Sta. Barbara . It has direct links to Manila, Cebu, Clark, Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro  and Puerto Princesa plus international destinations Hong Kong and Singapore . Among the first hurdles tourists will have to contend is the distance that translates to expensive fare when traveling to and from this airp...

Ilonggos are lucky to have an escape just minutes from the hustle and bustle of Iloilo City. A lush island filled with beach and mountain resorts plus natural and man made attractions that beckons with a lot of activities from afar. Welcome to Guimaras ! More than the world famous mangoes, the famed Isla Naburot, the scenic Bala-an Bukid, the infamous oil spill and things you may have heard or read about - Guimaras is waiting to be discovered. Whether an overnight stay or just a day trip - Guimaras is surely an island that fits your taste! Transportation Despite easy and cheap access from Iloilo City, traveling in and around the island may somewhat be challenging. First and foremost upon arriving either on  Jordan  or  Buenavista  wharves, one has to register at the tourist information center just outside. They will give your suggestions where to go and what to do if you come sort of unprepared.  Tourism guides will be able to facilitate your trans...

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 pl...

 The many coves, islets and beaches of Guimaras offer great opportunities for a terrific summer getaway. Aside from beach-combing and swimming; going around the islands proves to be one exciting activity that often highlights a (day) trip to the island. The popularity of Alubihod beach makes it a good jump off point for island hopping for it offers convenience and a lot of other amenities as well. Just pay the entrance fee at any resort - no need to book for rooms or cottages. Along the beach you will find a number of boat operators offering boating services with rates standard for the whole of Guimaras. These boatmen already have an island hopping itinerary but they can also accommodate out-of-the-route requests, weather permitting. Typically, the first stop is at PawCaFS or the Pawikan Caring and Feeding Station in Brgy. Lawi in Jordan. At first you might wonder why you’re headed to an area that’s full of houses on stilts with no beach in sight. But seeing the signage of...

Still imagining of what to do this summer? Well, think no further, just pack your bags, some cash and lot of courage then head to the island of Guimaras for some adrenaline rush frolic under the sun. Commune with nature Camp Alfredo is a 4.4 hectare property of lush greens and gentle slopes in Brgy. Ravina in Sibunag and envisioned to be a family-friendly nature-adventure park. It has amenities for a really enjoyable and thrilling experience that includes a restaurant and bar, a hanging bridge and canopy walk. Future facilities will include a camping ground (where tents can be set up), a chlorine-free infinity swimming pool, stations of the cross along a walking trail, an obstacle course, cottages and a prayer deck on the highest point of the property. But the most exhilarating of them all is the 300+ meter zip line which had its blessing and soft opening last Friday, March 11, 2011. Officiated by Father of Parish, it was graced by no less than the Governor of Guimaras, H...