Crossing the border: Tips for first time Iloilo - Guimaras travelers

By atthemomentmanila@gmail.com
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30 Jan, 2019
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Let's go LOCAL! Here’s a detailed Iloilo-Guimaras travel guide with a sample itinerary, budget, spots to visit, and other essential info!

Plus a special itinerary on Islas de Gigantes!

Is Iloilo worth visiting? Yes. Definitely.

Iloilo is one of the top destinations to visit for many locals and foreigners. It serves as an entry point to some of the best local destinations in the country - Boracay, Aklan, Roxas, and many more. The city itself is worth exploring. Also known as the “City of Love”, Iloilo has a rich cultural heritage and cuisines that are worth the flight.

Be forewarned though, if you’re an adventure seeker looking for extreme activities and an offbeat island experience, you might want to visit nearby islands instead. But for those who want to experience the provincial life that's simple and a city tour that's not too tiring, this place is perfect for you!

Traveling to Iloilo for the first time? atmnl will make it easier for you to plan that trip, save money, and maximize your time. So let’s get started!

How to get to Iloilo?

MNL – ILO: There are many ways to go to Iloilo. Via land travel - you can drive and try any of these combos: train, bus, ferry, RORO. Just have enough patience and allot a one whole day for one-way travel.

*The easiest and fastest way to Iloilo is still via air!*

There are numerous flights going in and out of Iloilo. There are year-round regular trips and special local destination promos around the corner. Best promo deals are just P299.00 – P499.00 base fare. But if you are going to avail a regular flight ticket, you will spend roughly P2,000.00 one-way.

Budget?

This year might be the year when you wake up and realize that you want to pursue your dreams involving wanderlust. Hooray to that! Still, you can't just rush into things especially when it includes booking trips and spending moolah. Just be mindful!

You can roam the city and nearby islands for only Php 5,000.00. Not bad, right? Trust us, that's our budget for a 4D/3N Iloilo City-Carles-Guimaras escapade.

We know that we mentioned that going to Iloilo is cheap, but it is best to travel without stress (AFTERWARDS) so check and compare rates - we're sure you'll find a great deal that'll fit your budget.

Best time to visit Iloilo?

Consider visiting the city during the cool months of November to February. Going there during the typhoon season will surely induce lots of travel stress.

Accommodation?

Finding places to stay at is never a problem when visiting Iloilo. There are numerous types - from budget-friendly accommodations to luxury hotels. But just to be sure, make early reservations.

How to get around Iloilo?

For those who loves commuting, you can roam around the city for just P8.00 per trip!

Sample Do-It-Yourself Itinerary

Here is our 4D/3N jam-packed Itinerary. It includes Iloilo City Tour, travel to Carles (where you can see the beautiful "Islas de Gigantes) and a whole day city tour plus quick swim at Guimaras.

Our budget is just Php 5,000.00 per person and we still had change! Still, it mostly depends on how much you're willing to spend, so we didn't include a budget breakdown.

Day 1

06:35 AM ETD from NAIA 3

08:05 AM Arrival in Iloilo, travel to SM Iloilo

You can ride a cab, hire a private service or start commuting via FX/shuttle.

09:00 AM Arrival at SM Iloilo, deposit baggage at SM Traveler's Lounge

You can also freshen up here! They have shower rooms and changing areas.

10:00 AM Start half-day city tour/food trip in Iloilo City

*The Majestic St. Anne Parish Church in Molo, Iloilo City*

You can visit the popular old churches like St. Anne Parish (where you can find female saints in array), Jaro Church (one of Iloilo's oldest churches), and Miagao Church (a declared UNESCO World Heritage Site). You can also try to walk around nearby plazas and public markets a la picturesque from an FPJ movie. You can also try Iloilo favorites like the authentic La Paz Batchoy, Kakanin, Blue Ternate flower ice cream, and of course our most favorite, Pancit Molo!

14:00 PM Travel to Carles via FX/Shuttle/Van/Bus

Either by bus or van, the first trip to Carles is at 5:00 AM and last trip 4-5:00 PM. The last trip from Carles is at 4:00 PM. Approximately you will spend Php 200-500.00 per person, one way.

19:00 PM Late check-in hotel/dinner/wandering around the area

Be sure to book your hotel near the Bancal Port so you can start your island hopping early. Try not to expect too much from the hotels - they offer the same amenities and it'll be a win for you if you find a hotel with a 3-star rating for bathroom/comfort rooms. Just charge it to experience!

21:00 PM Back to the hotel/lights off

Day 2

06:00 AM wake-up call

07:00 AM breakfast

08:00 AM start Gigantes Island Day Tour

*Just outside the entrance of Tangke Lagoon*

The price of an Island Tour in Gigantes is approximately Php 1,600 per person. The tour includes entrance, environmental fee, lunch, and at least 4-5 islands to visit, if time permits you can have 6-7. So make sure to start your tour early or else, you might not really enjoy the swimming, snorkeling, and the scenery.

Our day tour included six of the well-known and beautiful places in Islas de Gigantes, particularly in Gigantes Sur – Isla Pulupandan, Tangke Lagoon, Antonia Island, Tinagong Dagat, Cabugao Gamay, and Bantigue Island sandbar.

*Carles Islands, Iloilo is also known as the “Scallops Capital of the Philippines”*

Reminder: Bring meds if you have allergies, the popular food served in most tour packages are fresh seafood. There are also no banks and ATM Machines at Bancal Port nor Gigantes Island. So bring enough cash.

17:00 PM end tour/back to the hotel to freshen up

18:00 PM dinner/socials

21:00 PM lights off

*Posing for a very quick snap at Cabugao Gamay's Viewpoint*

Day 3

07:00 AM wake-up call

08:00 AM breakfast

09:00 AM free time to roam around Carles.

12:00 NN check out from the hotel

13:00 PM aeparture from Carles, back to Iloilo

17:00 PM ETA Iloilo, check-in hotel or airbnb

18:00PM dinner/socials

22:00PM lights off

*Everybody loves to have a ladies drink to cap off the night.*

Looking for a good spot to dine and unwind in Iloilo city?

You can visit or walk around Iloilo Esplanade. You can also visit their new business district – Megaworld’s Business Park. The business park is very similar to what you can see in any Megaworld property. There are restaurants, fast-food chains, and branded shops.

*Wandering at the "Land of the Sweet Mangoes "- Guimaras!*

Day 4

06:00 AM wake-up call

07:00 AM breakfast

08:00 AM travel to Guimaras

Going to Guimaras is so easy! Just drop by at Ortiz St. Iloilo City proper where you can buy boat/ferry tickets going to Jordan - Guimaras wharf, port.

09:00 AM start Guimaras Day Tour

We only spent Php 325.00 each for the tricycle day tour.

*Guisi Lighthouse - an 18th century Spanish-colonial lighthouse built beside the beach to guide mariners passing the Iloilo and Guimaras strait.*

The tourist spots we’ve visited: smallest plaza, Windmill (they are all over the place, so just trust your tricycle driver to bring you to the good spot), Guimaras signage, Mango plantation (depending on the season, you can try their mango-picking activity too!), Trappist Monastery and Gift Shop, Guimaras overlooking wherein you can also find the Cuisi Lighthouse and beach areas. We dined and swam at the Reymen's Resort. The resort is well known for their restaurant, they have reasonable and yummy food choices. Reymen's Resort also offers island hopping tour packages so be sure to check it out!

Last trip going back to Iloilo is at 7:00 PM, so make an arrangement with your tour driver. Allot at least 45 mins going back to Jordan, Guimaras wharf, port.

14:00 PM travel back to Iloilo, AirBnB

15:00PM free time/buy pasalubong!

18:00 PM check out/dinner

21:45PM ETD from Iloilo

23:10PM ETA NAIA 3

*Our friend posing with the majestic mango trees at Oro Verde Mango Plantation*

The fun thing about a DIY itinerary is that you can be spontaneous, alter the schedule, and push yourself to the limits like what we did! It is challenging because of the travel time, zigzag roads, and some dramas during the trip, but it is really enjoyable and memorable especially when you are with good friends and/or loved ones who are more than willing to explore the country.

We hope this entry for #atmnlWander has been helpful for you! If you have some questions, feel free to message or contact us!

You can also read our Travel Tips and other #CrossingTheBorder articles at ATMNL Wander.

Enjoy your #FirstLocalTravel2019!