Ilo-ilo is the type of province you find yourself in.
Even if your intention wasn’t to travel, there are so many conferences, weddings, and events in Ilo-Ilo city, that you might just find yourself here.
So, where do you go if you’ve got an extra day or two?
Well, let me help you out.
After visiting twice, and recently spending a whole week in Ilo-Ilo just to explore, here are my favorite 17 Ilo-ilo tourist spots!
I’ll start with inside Ilo-Ilo city, then jump towards outside Ilo-Ilo city after.
Let’s dive in!
The Best Tourist Spots INSIDE Ilo-Ilo City
Ilo-Ilo CIty is a charming place.
It’s a modern city, yes, but it’s still quite small, so you won’t feel the ickiness that comes with big city living.
And moving around it, you’ll find that it’s truly a place where the old meets the new.
You’ll find old streets, old churches, and old houses – but you’ll also find BIG highways, skyrise buildings, and everything you can expect from a big, modern city.
As for tourist spots, you can check out:
- Ilo-Ilo River Esplanade
- Molo Church and Mansion
- Calle Real
- Atria
- Plazuela
- Jaro Cathedral
- Megaworld
- Old House Hopping (Camina Balay na Bato, Lopez Mansion, Lizares Mansion, etc.)
- Food Tripping (La Paz Batchoy, Pancit Molo, Roberto’s Siopao, etc.)
We’ll get to the spots outside the city after these.
For now, let’s take a closer look at each one!
Best Ilo-Ilo Tourist Spots #1: Ilo-Ilo River Esplanade
If there’s one thing you CANNOT miss, it’s the Ilo-Ilo River Esplanade.
Not only is the Ilo-Ilo river a VITAL part of Ilo-Ilo’s history, but it’s also VERY nice to visit – even today!
Now… visiting a river running through busy city streets might not sound very appealing, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised:
Ilo-Ilo river is surprisingly clean and beautiful.
To make it even better, there’s a cozy 9-kilometer-long esplanade that runs right along the river.
This makes it the perfect place to go jogging, go biking, hang out with friends, or just go for a casual stroll.
One activity I highly recommend when you’re in Ilo-Ilo is walking the esplanade.
If you’re worried that 9 kilometers is too far, don’t. The esplanade is divided into 7 sections, with Esplanade 1 being the most popular.
It starts at the BIG “I AM ILOILO” sign, and ends 1.2km away in the River Boardwalk (you’ll know you’ve reached there when you start seeing restaurants).
Along that path, you’ll even find a floating dock where you can try kayaking in the river.
My siblings and I tried the paddle boat way back in 2018, and it’s still one of my most memorable activities from that trip!
Best Ilo-Ilo Tourist Spots #2: Molo Church and Molo Mansion
Just across the river from the esplanade, you’ll find the Molo district.
Home of the famous pancit Molo, this place has two beautiful landmarks that you can visit: the Molo Church AND the Molo Mansion.
The Molo Church stands out thanks to the pointed red spires on its bell towers. These can be seen from quite far away.
You’ll find a LOT of old churches in Ilo-Ilo (thanks to them siding with the Spanish during the revolutionary war), but Molo Church is easily one of the most impressive.
Plus, the plaza that surrounds it is very chill.
It’s a wonderful place to relax and observe how the locals live in Ilo-Ilo City.
Just across the road, you’ll find Molo Mansion.
Another feature of Ilo-Ilo City is that there are a LOT of old mansions as well (thanks to the sugar boom!).
Some of these mansions are privately owned (and, frankly, quite difficult to get into). But Molo Mansion is one of the easiest ones to go in!
The mansion itself will transport you back into the early 1900s.
With hardwood interiors, a horse fountain in the courtyard, and just the beautiful architectural style, it’s so different from the modern world just outside its gate.
Inside the mansion, you’ll find souvenirs for sale from Kultura.
And outside, you’ll find a chill spot where you can drink coffee or have some food!
Best Ilo-Ilo Tourist Spots #3: Calle Real
I didn’t visit Calle Real on my first Ilo-Ilo trip.
And I almost didn’t in my second.
Why?
Because it isn’t exactly as tourist-friendly as some people make it seem.
Nonetheless, it’s still an important piece of Ilo-Ilo’s history. And if you want to be taken back to the old days, then walking around here will certainly do that!
Calle Real is the old center of Ilo-Ilo city.
Here you’ll find small roads (they were first made for horses) and very old-looking buildings.
The streets (or calles, in Spanish) are busy here, with plenty of Jeepneys plying this route.
All in all, it’s a pretty hectic place, which is why it wasn’t my favorite.
But I’d still say it’s worth a visit because, hey, if you want to know what Ilo-Ilo is REALLY like, this is the place to experience it! (Also, there’s this amazing siopao shop in this area. More on this soon!)
Best Ilo-Ilo Tourist Spots #4: The Shops at Atria
People say Ilo-Ilo city is where old meets new, and I couldn’t agree more.
A few kilometers away from the old Calle Real is the modern Atria!
If you’re from the Philippines, you’ll understand this:
Atria is Ilo-Ilo’s “Ayala area.”
It’s an open-air “mall” where you’ll find ALL kinds of shops and restaurants.
It’s in an extremely convenient location – just a stone’s throw away from the esplanade. It’s also right beside the SmallVille complex, where even MORE restaurants are found.
Atria has got all the foods that tourists want to try (I’ll get into which foods to try in a bit, but a lot of them can be found here).
That’s why no matter what you’re doing in Ilo-Ilo, you should probably go and visit Atria.
Other than that, there isn’t much else to say about this place.
Definitely worth a visit!
Best Ilo-Ilo Tourist Spots #5: Plazuela
Another place where you can find restaurants and shops is Plazuela.
It isn’t nearly as modern as Atria, but it’s a really nice tourist spot since this is where you’ll see the very neat highway of Ilo-Ilo.
Recently, Ilo-Ilo City made rounds on social media for having some of the best streets in the country.
The picture people were sharing?
It was the view from Plazuela.
Other than that cool story, and being a place where you can find some good bites, there isn’t much else to say about Plazuela either.
It’s a really nice place to get some pictures.
The way the road looks from here, people are going to instantly recognize that you’re in Ilo-Ilo since it’s rare to find such good-looking roads in the Philippines.
Best Ilo-Ilo Tourist Spots #6: Jaro Cathedral
As I’ve said before, there are a LOT of old churches in Ilo-Ilo.
Another one of the most notable is the Jaro Cathedral.
If you like Romanesque architecture, you’ll love this one.
The Jaro Cathedral was built as far back as 1864. Today, it still stands tall after a few fixes and renovations.
Across the road from the cathedral, you’ll find the Jaro belfry.
Originally a bell tower, it was then used as a military watch tower, and a clock tower as well.
Sadly, when I visited, the Belfry was under repair, so I wasn’t able to see it!
Best Ilo-Ilo Tourist Spots #7: MegaWorld
Right… so let’s jump from one of the oldest landmarks to perhaps the newest zone in Ilo-Ilo:
MegaWorld.
MegaWorld isn’t a “tourist spot” per se.
Instead, it’s the entire modern district of Ilo-Ilo!
Walking here you’ll see skyrise buildings all around.
The roads are very well developed, and it’s also where you’ll find the giant convention center.
If you’re in Ilo-Ilo City for business-related reasons, this is probably the district you’ll be in the most, and that’s not a problem at all!
All the new places to eat and shop are here anyway.
That’s why even though MegaWorld isn’t really a “tourist spot”, it’s still where all the tourists go to see modern Ilo-Ilo!
Best Ilo-Ilo Tourist Spots #8: Old House Hopping (Camina Balay na Bato, Lopez Mansion, Lizares Mansion, etc.)
So we’ve gone from the old to the ultra-modern, and now let’s get back in time to the old parts of Ilo-Ilo.
As history goes, when the sugar economy boomed in Ilo-Ilo during the 1920s-1930s, a number of families rose to power and prestige.
They built these beautiful mansions, which, despite the sugar economy crashing, are still standing today!
If you’re a little daring, you can go mansion hopping.
It’s important to note that these houses are mostly privately owned.
They’re not exactly “tourist spots”. They’re houses that the owners allow visitors to since a lot of people want to see these mansions.
Some of the popular old houses include:
- Camina Balay na Bato – Probably the easiest one to get in since they have set opening hours and a hot chocolate tour
- Lizares Mansion – This mansion is now a school. You can ask the guard at the gate if you want to get pictures from the outside. To get inside, you’ll probably have to get in touch with someone
- Lopez Mansion – Mostly used for events like weddings, I read somewhere that you can call them and ask for a guided tour
- Casa Mariquit – Built before the sugar boom, this is one of the oldest houses in Ilo-Ilo. You can ask the caretaker for a quick and cheap tour of the house, where you’ll see a glimpse of Ilo-Ilo’s culture over the past 250 years
- Molo Mansion – Already mentioned this, but the Molo Mansion is one of the easiest stops if you’re house hopping!
There are a LOT of other old houses around Ilo-Ilo City.
Some of them are restaurants now, while others are still privately owned.
It takes quite an adventurer to go and visit these!
Best Ilo-Ilo Tourist Spots #9: Food Tripping (La Paz Batchoy, Pancit Molo, Roberto’s Siopao, etc.)
One of my fondest memories from our 2018 visit was the FOOD.
4 years later, it was still as good as I remembered!
That’s why when you’re in Ilo-Ilo City, you NEED to go on a food trip.
Ilo-Ilo is one of the provinces that is KNOWN for its delicious food, so why miss out???
The great news is, there’s something for everyone here. Ilo-Ilo isn’t a place where there’s only one special dish, and the rest are ordinary.
Nope.
There’s LOTS of food to try. My personal favorites are:
- La Paz Batchoy – Perhaps the most famous dish from Ilo-Ilo. It’s a noodle soup made from chicken stock, and is full of topping like beef, chicharon, liver, and some greens. You can get this anywhere in the city thanks to chain stores like Ted’s, Netong’s, and Deco’s, but for a hardcore experience, you can go to the actual La Paz market where the dish originated from!
- Pancit Molo – Another dish that originated from Ilo-Ilo is Pancit Molo. It’s a Wonton Soup with a little Filipino twist – pork dumplings, shredded chicken, shrimps, and just a little greens. You can have this in Punot if you’re feeling fancy, or Kap Ising’s if you want it as fast food.
- Roberto’s Siopao – An absolute local favorite! I had to wait in a long line just to get my hands on some of Roberto’s famous siopao. It isn’t too different from any other siopao you’ll taste. But it’s cheap, it’s VERY filling, and it’s funny how Roberto’s Siopao runs like a burger place. If you’re already visiting Calle Real, this is a must-try to experience what locals really like!
- Madge Cafe – Like coffee? Then you’ll love Madge Cafe! Madge Cafe is the most popular coffee shop in Ilo-Ilo, and for good reason. Not only are their drinks great, but the ambiance is very chill as well. Pair your coffee with puto, you’ll have a Filipino snack for the ages.
- Ramboy’s Liempo – Another local favorite, and one of the foods that I couldn’t get my mind off for 4 years. The main restaurant is found on Ilo-Ilo Boardwalk, but they do have several stalls around the city. Just make sure you have someone to share with! They don’t have solo meals, so I ordered a kilo from one of the stalls, and shared it with the caretakers of the bnb I was in!
- Tatoy’s Manokan – Lechon manok house! The difference between Tatoy’s and your everyday lechon manok is that they use native chickens. At first, it might just look like a skinnier, more boney lechon manok. But once you try it, you’ll find that it’s exploding with so much more flavors! You can try Tatoy’s nearby Atria and Ilo-Ilo boardwalk, or at the airport road just before taking your flight home!
There’s also Bacolod-esque chicken inasal all over the city that you can try – such as Jo’s Inato.
All in all, the food of this place is absolutely remarkable!
The Best Tourist Spots OUTSIDE Ilo-Ilo City
So let’s say you have an extra day or two in Ilo-Ilo, and you want to escape the city life and see the great outdoors.
Where do you go?
Well, here are my favorite spots OUTSIDE Ilo-Ilo City!
- Islas de Gigantes
- Garin Farm
- Bucari Pine Forest
- Mt. Napulak
- Nadsadjan Falls
- Miagao Church
- Guimbal Town
- San Joaquin Town
Now let me tell you why I love these spots so much…
Best Ilo-Ilo Tourist Spots #10: Islas de Gigantes
If every province was only allowed to have one tourist spot, Ilo-ilo’s would be Islas de Gigantes.
This group of islands – found 4 HOURS away from the city – are perhaps the most beautiful pieces of nature in Ilo-Ilo.
The rock formations of these islands are to behold. And the powdery white sand beaches? They’re the epitome of what a tropical island should be.
But okay…
Don’t expect another Coron! They’re quite similar, so you miiiight not be able to stop yourself from comparing the two.
The difference is that while Coron prides itself in RAW nature and adventure, Islas de Gigantes is more of an Insta-worthy group of islands.
There are LOTS of cool places to get awesome pictures, but you won’t really get the sense of adventure.
I’d say, the best way to enjoy Islas de Gigantes is with your family or friends!
Facts About Islas de Gigantes
The best way to explore the Islas de Gigantes is to book a tour package. I booked a day tour with Gigantes Island Tours and Services for php999 ($20). I also paid an extra php350 ($7) for a van transfer from Ilo-Ilo City to Bancal Port in Carles (and another php350 back to the city).
You can also take a bus bound for Carles, but I’d advise against it. Most Gigantes tours start at 8am, so either want to drive yourself or get a van transfer!
The islands in the day tour included:
- Pulupandan Island – The smallest island on the tour. It was small, but there’s a pretty big, flat, rock formation where you can climb to get pictures. You can swim on this island, but the tour boat only stays for so long!
- Cabugao Gamay – If you’ve ever seen pictures of Islas de Gigantes, this is most likely where they were taken. There’s a tall rock on the edge of the island that gives you an amazing panoramic view of the white sand and coconut trees below. The only problem is… there’s a LONG line to get pictures up there.
And I mean LONG! I waited over 15 minutes just to get a shot. If ever you want that picture, try to get there first once your tour boat arrives. Or… if you don’t care about pictures, just skip the line and spend your time enjoying the white sand of the beach instead.
There are also plenty of other props to take pictures with. It’s fair to say that they made this island into an Instagram spot – with hanging shells, stacked rocks, swings, and all these things which will look great in pictures!
- Lantangan Beach – Lantangan Beach is your lunch stop. Unlike the other islands, this one is inhabited by fishermen and tour operators. If you’re exploring Gigantes for more than just one day, this is one of the islands where you can sleep over. Other than the food, there isn’t much else to see or do here.
- Antonia Beach – Antonia Beach is similar to Cabugao Gamay in a lot of ways. White sand, coconut trees, cool rock formations – you know, the island paradise that we always imagine. The main difference is that there’s a marine sanctuary here too. You can rent a snorkel and swim out to see some small fish and corals. It’s not the most impressive reef, but it’s a nice change from the other islands.
- Tanke Lagoon – Probably my favorite island of them all. Tanke Lagoon is like a mini-version of Kayangan Lake in Coron. The tall limestone rocks, the crystal-clear blue water, and the feeling that you’re all alone in nature… or not. If it wasn’t for the HOARD of selfie-takers that come along with a tour, this would be an absolutely breathtaking spot. If you’re brave, you can also go cliff diving here!
The tour was also supposed to stop by Bantigue Sandbar, but we weren’t able to go due to high tides. As you can guess from the name, this is one of those beautiful white sand splotches in the middle of the ocean.
I think it’s unique that it goes underwater depending on the tides. Other sandbars, like White Island in Camiguin, stay above the waves all throughout. So Bantigue does sound really interesting.
Best Ilo-Ilo Tourist Spots #11: Garin Farm
Strange.
That’s how I’d describe Garin Farm.
Or maybe I should say “unique” instead.
Whatever the case, Garin Farm is quite an unusual “tourist spot”. And that makes it well worth visiting when you’re in Ilo-Ilo!
It starts out simple.
A nice arched walkway leads you deeper and deeper into the farm. On the sides, you’ll see the farm animals: chickens, goats, ducks, turkeys, and most other animals you can think of.
I’ve read reviews where people complain about the smell. But hey, you’re on a farm, what do you expect???
Things start getting interesting when you begin climbing up to the main deck. On the way there, you’ll see Tamaraws.
They might look like carabaos (water buffaloes), but Tamaraws are endemic to the Philippines. You can usually only find them in Mindoro, so it’s cool/strange that you can find them at Garin Farm!
The main deck is a cozy place. There’s a restaurant, a pond, doves, and even a small swimming pool. Garin Farm has rooms available if you want to stay overnight.
But the real star of the Garin Farm experience is the pilgrimage – the 456 steps to “heaven”!
At the base of the steps, you’ll find sculptures of the story of creation – from Adam and Eve, Noah’s ark, Moses, and more. As you start climbing, it switches to Jesus’s story to the cross.
At the very top, you’ll get to Jesus’s crucifixion, which, if you aren’t paying attention, might seem like the end of the journey. But oh no no! On the side of the cross, there’s a dark, DARK tunnel.
Seriously, it’s very dark. All you’ll see are these blue lights leading the way. Then after a short walk, you’ll come out in… HEAVEN!
Or, at least that’s what it’s supposed to be.
The whole place is strikingly white. There are angel sculptures all over, blasting “heavenly” music. There are pearly white gates. And inside, you’ll see what’s supposed to be God.
Seriously though, the place is super bright white – especially since you come from a pitch-black tunnel. Make sure you bring shades or you’ll end up having to squint all the time like me!
Overall, it’s a bit strange, but a very unique experience too.
Facts About Garin Farm
Garin Farm is about 1.5 hours south of Ilo-Ilo city.
If you don’t have transportation, the best way to get there is to ride a jeepney or a van bound for San Joaquin. You can find these at Molo terminal or Mohon terminal. Just tell the driver to drop you on the road leading to Garin Farm.
From there, it’s a little over a kilometer away, so you can hail a tricycle to take you to the farm.
Entrance fee is php150, with additional fees if you’re planning to do other activities (like use the swimming pool, kayaking in the pond, or even ziplining).
You can stay overnight starting at php1,500 for the single room as well!
Best Ilo-Ilo Tourist Spots #12: Bucari Pine Forest
(I couldn’t find my SD card with pictures of Bucari Pine Forest! It’s such a shame since this is easily one of the most beautiful places in Ilo-Ilo.)
Ilo-Ilo is flat.
At least most of it is.
As your airplane descends to the runway, the landscape you’ll see is flatness upon flatness.
That’s why the highlands of Ilo-Ilo are super popular among locals – and tourists too!
When you want to escape the flatness and go where the breeze is cooler, Bucari Pine Forest is one of the first places that’ll come to mind.
Bucari is a pine forest in the middle of Leon, a mountain town about 1.5 hours away from Ilo-Ilo city.
You can camp out here, rent a room, and there are several great treks you can go on.
One of these hikes is to the Mansiga view deck. And for non-hikers, there are a set of steps that’ll take you up there (it’ll take around 20 minutes to get up there).
At the view deck, there are a number of great places to get pictures!
First, the pine trees themselves are very picture worthy. Pine trees are rare in the Philippines, so having a forest full of them is wonderful.
Then there’s the fallen tree over the cliff. Sounds scary, but it really isn’t. They even built rails on the tree so you can get up there and get those snaps.
Finally, there’s the rock. It seems a bit out of place, but it’s a nice little rock overlooking the flatness of Ilo-Ilo below.
If you can get to the view deck before sunrise, you’ll get one of the best EPIC sunrises you’ll ever see.
Additionally, you can also hike to a nearby waterfall, but we weren’t able to visit when we were there.
Facts About Bucari Pine Forest
Getting to Bucari is a bit tricky if you don’t have your own transportation.
You can ride a jeep or a van to Leon town from behind Jaro Cathedral.
Then once you arrive, you can ask a habal-habal (motorcycle) taxi to take you up to the pine forest.
There are rooms for rent in Bucari Pine Forest. But don’t expect anything classy! These are very simple wooden cabins, so you’ll somehow still feel like you’re out in the wild.
You can also bring a tent and camp out here. There are a few stores in the entrance area where you can buy food and snacks – we ate dinner at Earl Jasper Batchoyan when we were there.
Finally, for a more laid back experience, there’s actually a classy resort nearby – Pineridge. We didn’t get to stay there, but the rooms are php3,500 ($70) for an airconditioned room for 6, and php1,500 ($30) which is good for 2 with no airconditioner.
Best Ilo-Ilo Tourist Spots #13: Mount Napulak
If you love nature, then a trek up Mount Napulak should definitely be on your itinerary!
1,239 meters above sea level, Mt. Napulak is a popular hiking spot, and for good reason!
It isn’t too difficult (although you do have to be physically fit, unlike in Bucari), there are LOTS of interesting things you’ll come across, and the views from the top are breathtaking!
The climb itself takes anywhere from 3 – 5 hours depending on your pace. At the start, you’ll come across local farmlands and meet some cows before entering the forested area.
The climb gets quite steep for a while, and then you encounter one of the most unique features of this trail: the aqueducts!
Hugging the side of the mountain, you’ll be walking along the flowing water for a good 30-45 minutes. It’s all flat, so you can chill and enjoy the amazing views you’ll get.
After the aqueducts, there are a number of stream crossings. Don’t worry, these aren’t full-fledged rivers, so it’s really not dangerous to cross.
Next, you’ll get to the last of three water sources. Rest and fill up your bottle because you’re about to go for the final assault!
The final push to the peak is pretty steep. And there isn’t much tree cover either. You can find resting spots by the shrubs, and enjoy the cool breeze blowing through the Igbaras mountains.
If you’re hungry, there are plenty of wild berries that you can pick for a light snack. But don’t rest too long because the summit is just over the hill.
And by “just over the hill” I mean it quite literally. The magnificent rock of Napulak appears almost out of nowhere as you scamper up the hill.
It’s VERY impressive. And quite strange too. How did such a giant rock get up such a tall mountain you have to wonder.
Now, this is where things get dangerous. Climbing the rocks to the cross isn’t easy. But with a good guide, you should get it done.
From there, you did it! 1,239 meters into the sky, and you’ll get to enjoy glorious views of Igbaras and Miagao below, Negros Occidental on the horizon, and the other majestic mountains of Antique.
Facts About Mount Napulak
The jump-off to Mt. Napulak is found in Igbaras, 1.5 hours away from Ilo-Ilo City.
You can take an Igbaras bound jeep from the Mohon terminal, and ask them to drop you at the Igbaras tourism office.
There, you can arrange a hike, and they can help you get a habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) to the jump-off point.
You’ll need a guide for your trip, which costs php1,000 ($20), and pay an environmental fee of php50 ($1) as well.
You can contact the Igbaras Tourism page on Facebook for more information.
Or… if you’re like me and you want to go straight to the guides instead, you can find a few in this Facebook group. The group is run by sir Ven, and he was very helpful to me in finding a guide and making sure I found the right jump-off area!
Best Ilo-Ilo Tourist Spots #14: Nadsadjan Falls
If climbing a mountain sounds too strenuous for you, but you still wanna get a hike in and enjoy nature, then Nadsadjan Falls is your spot!
Nadsadjan Falls is also found in Igbaras – along with Mt. Napulak and a bunch of other natural attractions.
And this isn’t your typical falls!
Instead of the water in a straight line from high above, Nadsadjan Falls has a beautiful sloping effect. This makes it look really, really good in pictures.
The swimming area is right below the falls. When I got there though, there was just heavy rain the night before, so it was too dangerous to swim in.
But the real adventure is on the hike towards the falls!
Don’t worry, this isn’t a steep hike or anything. Instead, it’s a simple trek along the river.
After signing up at the Igbaras Tourism Office, and taking a habal-habal to the jump-off point, finding the actual trail can be a little tricky.
You’ll know you’re on path when you come across this red bridge.
Make your way across, and the Falls itself is just after the next river bend.
If you walk a little further downstream after visiting the Falls, you’ll also come across a cool dam.
Facts About Nadsadjan Falls
You can go straight to Nadsadjan Falls without stopping by the Igbaras Tourism Office and paying the environmental fee.
Just ask a motorcycle taxi to take you to the jump-off, find the river, and start walking upstream until you get to the bridge!
But if you’re in a big group and you want guides, the tourism office is probably the best place to have that arranged.
Once again, you can get to Igbaras by riding an Igbaras-bound jeep at the Mohon Terminal!
Best Ilo-Ilo Tourist Spots #15: Miagao Church
Of all the old Spanish churches dotting Ilo-Ilo, my personal favorite has to be the Miagao Church.
You don’t get declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for nothing!
I’m not the best at architecture, so I don’t fully understand what a Baroque-style church means. But what I do understand is that this church is magnificent – it truly stands out from the rest.
Miagao is not only big, but it’s also very well preserved. And its intricately carved facade is something to behold.
Its color is a shade of orange. It was built from a mix of adobe, egg, coral, and limestone, which is why it’s colored this way.
Inside, you’ll find the traditional long hallway with long pews leading all the way up to the front.
Another interesting fact about the Miagao church is that its two bell towers used to double as watchtowers. Moro pirates used to invade through Ilo-Ilo’s many rivers, so these watchtowers were a crucial part of history.
Facts About Miagao Church
Most tours of Ilo-Ilo will include Miagao Church in it (since it’s literally a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
To get there, you can take a Miagao-bound (or any south-bound jeep for that matter) in the Mohon Terminal or the Ilo-Ilo Public Market Terminal.
There’s no entrance fee, so just walk right in!
Quick fact: Miagao is a university town. So you’ll run into quite a lot of students while you’re here.
Best Ilo-Ilo Tourist Spots #16: Guimbal Town
One of the most striking things you’ll see as you drive south Ilo-Ilo is Guimbal Town.
Just an hour away from the City, getting here is quite easy. All you have to do is hop on any south-bound van or jeepney.
If you’re just passing through, the pearly white gates line the streets, with bright yellow suns painted on them are quite a site to behold.
But if you’ve got time, why not stop by and check out some of the attractions they have here?
There are three cool things to see in Guimbal:
- The Guimbal Church
- The Guimbal Tower, and
- The Guimbal River Park
The Guimbal Church is one of the oldest in the country, and you can easily tell!
Made from dark sandstone, its appearance is a striking contrast to the white gates of Guimbal.
Just down the road is another landmark, the Guimbal Tower – or Pescadores Balwarte (Fisherman’s Bulwark).
It’s honestly not the most impressive thing in the world, but still interesting nonetheless.
Again, the history of these small Moro Towers was that Moro pirates from Mindanao used to invade Ilo-Ilo. That’s why you’ll find towers like these guarding the entrance to rivers.
It’s not super tall, but you can still climb up and get a pretty decent view of the sea (and you can pretend you’re a watchman looking for pirates!).
Lastly, and my favorite part of Guimbal is the River Park.
It’s VERY simple. I don’t even think it was meant to attract tourists.
Instead, it’s really just a cozy place by the river for locals to hang out in. Think the Ilo-Ilo River Esplanade, but without much development.
There are many benches where you can sit down. And there’s also a steel footbridge bridge that runs across the river.
And what do you do when you see a random bridge?
Why… you cross it of course!
The bridge shakes when the wind blows, which gives it a little bit of a thrill.
All in all, Guimbal isn’t exactly a tourist town. But in turn, that’s why it was so charming for me.
Best Ilo-Ilo Tourist Spots #17: San Joaquin Town
Another town down south is San Joaquin.
It’s the same town where you’ll find Garin Farm, but there’s a lot more that this place has to offer.
For one, like most other Ilo-Ilo towns, it also has a nice old church and plaza. I wasn’t able to get pictures since I was just passing by, but its facade has carvings of horsemen – it’s supposed to symbolize good’s victory over evil.
But the more unique feature of this town is the San Joaquin Cemetery.
It’s another striking landmark you’ll see by the roadside, and I couldn’t help but stop and go inside to investigate.
This really isn’t a tourist spot per se.
Yes, the architecture is very impressive, so taking a quick stop and getting a few photos is fun – but always remember it’s an actual cemetery!
This is where people’s loved ones are taking their final rest, so PLEASE be respectful!
It’s also creepy in a way – because hey, you’ll be surrounded by literal graves, some of which are VERY old.
You can also enter the main building, where you’ll find some of the oldest tombs in the cemetery.
Aside from that, there are several other things to do and see in San Joaquin. I was told that there’s a marine sanctuary somewhere around here, but I wasn’t able to go and visit.
BONUS #1: Bulabog Putian National Park
One place that I realllllllllly wanted to visit was the Bulabog Putain National Park in Dingle, northern Ilo-Ilo.
It’s a forest reserve with a number of caves that you can explore.
Unfortunately, there was so. much. RAIN when I visited, I couldn’t quite make the trip on my motorbike (*cries).
Here’s a video showing what’s in the park (that I so longed to see!)
BONUS #2: Other Igbaras Nature Spots
I’ve heard of Mt. Napulak and Nadsadjan Falls before. Those are the two most popular Igbaras tourist spots.
But when I got there, I was told by the locals that there are so MANY more!
In Igbaras, you can also explore:
- Igcabugao Cave – spelunking
- Bato Puti – rock climbing
- Mount Opao
- Mount Igmatin-dog
- Guiritsan Falls
- Libog Falls
- Lagsakan Falls
- Mount Loboc
Check out Igbaras’ tourism Facebook page for more information and any inquiries you might have!
BONUS #3: Guimaras
The land of mangoes!
Taking a quick boat trip to Guimaras is one of the most popular tourists to do while in Ilo-Ilo.
I’m adding it as a bonus here because:
- I didn’t get to visit Guimaras yet! And, more importantly…
- Guimaras is a different province from Ilo-Ilo.
Since it’s a different province, I really want to visit someday, explore it, and write about it as much as I explore the other provinces!
I’m sure taking a day trip here and putting together a quick blog won’t do this amazing place any justice.
But whatever the case, when you’re in Ilo-Ilo and you want some nice beaches, head on over to the Ilo-Ilo port and take a quick trip to Guimaras!
BONUS #4: Capiz, Aklan, and Antique
There are 4 provinces to explore on Panay Island – Ilo-Ilo is just one of them!
That’s why you can use your stay in Ilo-Ilo city as a jump-off to explore the other three provinces.
Capiz is where you’ll find Roxas City, one of the main cities in Panay. The most unique attraction here though is the Alcatraz Ruins. Unlike ordinary tourist spots, this one is the ruins of a beach resort by a cliff, so get ready for interesting views from here!
Aklan is most famous for Boracay, (which you can read about here!). But aside from that Kalibo is also known for its festival where people dance with these funny-looking native masks.
And finally Antique. Antique doesn’t have a lot of famous tourist spots, but everyone in the mountaineering community LOVES this place. It’s where you’ll find famous peaks like Mt. Madjaas, Mt. Nangtud, and Mt. Baloy-Daku.
Again, all of these provinces deserve a full exploration and a full write-up. I’ll get to that someday, but for now, if you wanna go and visit any of these, Ilo-Ilo City is a great “base”.
Which Ilo-Ilo Spot Are YOU Checking Out?
Whether you’ve found yourself in Ilo-Ilo, or if you’re actually planning a trip here for a vacation, there’s a LOT to see and do here!
Whether that’s walking along the River Esplanade…
…visiting the numerous old churches…
…basking in endless sunshine in Gigantes…
…or surrounding yourself with nature in Igbaras, there’s truly something for everyone in Ilo-Ilo.
So which one are YOU most excited about checking out?
Let me know in the comments below!
And if you still have more questions about traveling Ilo-Ilo, check out my travel guide here!
Cheers!
Manoling