Tourist Activities & Day Trips

Iloilo City is the perfect base for day trips. Within a few hours, you can reach a UNESCO church, a mango island, and some of the clearest water in the Visayas.

Southern heritage church tour

Drive south along the coastal highway for a full day of Spanish-era churches, beaches and weaving towns. Hire a van with a driver, or take a Ceres bus from the Mohon terminal in Arevalo and hop off along the way.

1. Oton: one of the earliest Spanish settlements on Panay.
2. Tigbauan: ornate Churrigueresque church façade.
3. Guimbal: sandstone church with watchtowers and black-sand beaches.
4. Miagao: the UNESCO World Heritage Miagao Church (finished 1797), with its famous façade of St. Christopher among coconut and papaya trees. Stop at a hablon weaving center nearby.
5. San Joaquin: church with a giant relief of the Battle of Tetuan, plus the Garin Farm pilgrimage resort on the hill.

Allow 7 to 9 hours for the round trip.

Guimaras day trip

Guimaras, the "Mango Capital" of the Philippines, is 15 minutes away by pump boat from the Parola terminal.

• Tour a mango farm and eat mango pizza and mango-everything.
• Visit the Trappist Monastery for its shop of jams and preserves.
• Go island hopping among small beaches and coves.
• See the old Guisi Lighthouse ruins on the southwest coast.

Hire a tricycle or van at Jordan Wharf for the day. Book a tour if you want everything arranged.

Island hopping in Islas de Gigantes

In the far north, off the town of Carles, the Islas de Gigantes have white-sand coves, limestone cliffs and turquoise lagoons. Highlights include Cabugao Island, Bantigue Sandbar and Tangke Lagoon. Fresh scallops are famously cheap here.

The drive to Carles takes about 3 to 4 hours, then a boat ride of about an hour. Plan at least one night. Nearby Sicogon Island has resorts if you want a more comfortable stay. Best from March to May, when the sea is calmest.

Concepcion islands

Also in the north, Concepcion has over a dozen islands. Pan de Azúcar Island is the best known, with a peak you can hike for views over the archipelago.

Biking tours

Iloilo is the country's "Bike Capital." Ride the Esplanade and Diversion Road bike lanes, or join a guided heritage ride through Jaro and Molo. Experienced cyclists can take a ferry to Guimaras for trails through mango orchards and villages.

Food crawl

Eat your way across the districts: batchoy at La Paz Market, pancit Molo in Molo, tsokolate in Arevalo, seafood on the Villa coast, and coffee and pastries in Jaro. See Food & Dining for where to go.

Sample itineraries