Iloilo Travel Guide

In a nutshell

Iloilo is a province in the Central Philippines with a city of the same name that serves as the province’s capital, best known for its history and faded glory though it is experiencing something of a revival.

Why go to Iloilo

Like so much of the Philippines there are things to do for travellers of all stripes and even for the pickiest of voyagers, it should not be difficult to find things to do to keep busy.

With that said, if you are a beach bum interested in only spending time on beaches, there are probably destinations in the Philippines that would be a better fit. The same goes for waterfall seekers, there are locations in the country with better options if you want to spend all of your time on vacation hanging out in and around the falls. However, on there other hand, if you’re trying to convince a beach bum or waterfall fan to come to an interesting urban and historical location, there are also plenty of beaches in the vicinity.

There is something oddly charming about the mildly decrepit city. The old area of the town features squatters in old buildings and drug dealers on the corners but visiting is safe enough during the day. There are many Spanish colonial-era churches in the town, including Molo Church, where all the saints are women, Jaro Cathedral, where all the saints are men, and Miagao Church which is one of the most incredible churches in the country.

And like much of the Philippines, there are great beaches for relaxing, sunbathing and swimming as well. There are also walking tours available of the city and a nice walk along the river that runs through Iloilo City can be a nice way to spend some time. In addition to this, as the cuisine scene in Iloilo experiences something of a renaissance, there are food tours being offered to tourists to get an authentic taste of the island.

When to go to Iloilo

Unlike some of the Philippines, Iloilo has a distinct dry and rainy season. The wet season begins in May and runs through November. It is important to take note of the rainy season because while some months during the dry season can feature less than an inch of rain per month, during the rainy season, there can be as many as 14 inches of rain per month.

The hottest months are April and May and the coolest months of the year are January and February, though the average temperature only changes by about five degrees from the hottest to the coolest average temperature throughout the year. The area is very humid all year round, including during the dry season.

If you are looking for a fun beach vacation, and you are concerned about getting good weather, rest easy knowing that Iloilo will almost certainly provide you with warm weather and sunny skies no matter when you go.

Where to stay in Iloilo

In Iloilo city there are more standard hotel options - like hotels and motels that you would fid in Europe or the United States than there are backpacker hostel type options. While these hotels offer European or American-style comfort, they definitely offer Filipino pricing, so you will be getting some bang for your buck.

With that said, western chains still haven’t made it to Iloilo yet, so don’t expect to be able to use your Marriott or Hilton loyalty points during your trip.

Outside of Iloilo, there are many more small town type options like guesthouses and homestays that would be suitable for budget travellers.

Where to eat in Iloilo

Luckily for gourmands, Iloilo is known all over the Philippines for being famous for its cuisine. Two of the most famous local dishes are la paz batchoy and pancit molo, both of which are named for neighbourhoods in the city. And of course, like everywhere else in the country, there are plenty of places to get cheap and delicious lechon, as long as you eat pork.

Given the fact that Iloilo sits on an island, there is great and cheap seafood to be found. Add many Koreans that live in Iloilo, there is tasty Korean food to be had as well. Street food is very common and one of the best ways to get acquainted with the local cuisine.

How to get around Iloilo

The most convenient way to get around is by renting a car or hiring a car. If that option is out of the picture because it is prohibitively expensive, you can also get around on jeepneys.

If you are planning on staying in Iloilo city, the downtown area is walkable and most of the things that tourists are interested in seeing can be reached on foot. As for taxis, it’s better to prearrange a reputable taxi company, which your hotel can help you with.

How to get to and from Iloilo

To get into Iloilo, you can fly in to the new international airport on the island, which is the fourth busiest airport in the country. Flights with Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines to Manila take about an hour, and there are multiple flights daily. Both airlines also offer fights to Cebu and Davao.

The airport is located about 40 kilometres outside of the city and the best way to get into the city is by taking a taxi. However you can also take the shared taxis to get into the city for PHP70, and they drop off at SM City Mall.

There are also boat trips to and from Guimaras and Bacolod if you are interested in traveling to or from the island by boat.

Is Iloilo a safe destination to visit?

Crime shouldn't be much of a concern apart from only petty crime.

Reckless driving should be taken into consideration as well.

Of course, make sure that you’re wearing enough sunscreen when you go to the beach and that you stay hydrated in the hot climate! If you use common sense, you will have not only an enjoyable but also a very safe trip to Iloilo.