Iloilo City Trip

Iloilo City is the economic center of the Western Visayas Region in the Philippines and is also the capital of Iloilo Province. It has a busy international airport that connects the city to major destinations in the country and the rest of the world. The city's fish port complex is just as busy with millions of kilograms of fish shipped in and out yearly. Iloilo City also has a strong banking industry with different sizes of banks operating. 

The people of Iloilo City are renowned for their cooking (thanks to Rob’s mom). A very huge favorite among the many delicacies here is the ever-famous La Paz Batchoy. Restaurants in the city will most likely have this in their menu. This dish will usually cost around P50 to P60. The best of Filipino delicacies are served in restaurants like Deco's La Paz Batchoy, Afrique's Restaurant, and Barrio Inasal. 

 

Other restaurants in the city of note are Breakthrough Seafood and Restaurant in Santo Niño Norte, Mansion Garden Restaurant in 6 P. Gomez Street, Krua Thai Restaurant in Smallville Business Center, Mang Inasal Restaurant on Valeria Street, Tatoy's Manokan and Seafood in Santo Niño Sur, and the South Park Grill in Barangay Nanga.

However, if you crave for other cuisine then two places in the city that will definitely have what you're looking for are the malls. SM Iloilo and Robinsons Place house many restaurants that serve various dishes and flavors. You'll most likely find fast food stalls and restaurants here as well. 

The best sea foods we went was in Villa, were I ate 2 big tray of oyster, iced bucket of red horse (envy me Novi), different kinds of fish and shells.  After  a great dinner we went to SmallVille its the gimmick place in metro Iloilo.  A very cool place to hang around, meet new friends and some to take you home! Lol. 

 

There a lot of places to visit whe your in Iloilo but apparently I wasn’t able to get to them for I had a very limited time and need to fly back in Manila.

The most popular of all fiestas in Iloilo is the Dinagyang Festival which becomes a major annual celebration in Iloilo province. People from nearby towns, faraway provinces and even tourists flock to witness the colorful street dancing and dance festival that showcase the ancestral history of Iloilo abounding the Dinagyang Festival. 

Dinagyang festival is one among the favorite events in the province that depicts Iloilo’s rich culture through merry making, food festivals and cultural presentation in honor of its patron Señor Sto. Niño.

Watching the Paraw Regatta Festival can be a delightful sight to watch as sea farers race on colorful sailboats called Paraws along the straits of Guimaras Island and Iloilo city. Other fiestas celebrated in Iloilo include its religious fiesta of Candelaria where devotees from other provinces travel to go to Iloilo to hear the mass offered at the Candelaria Church.

Iloilo City is also rich in tourist destinations and one among the favorites include the 100 feet high Nadsadjan Falls famous for its cool Prussians blue waters that attract tourists. The falls spews water into the cauldron-like giant swimming pool. 

Moreover, Iloilo city is also a stop over destination among tourists to the different beaches along the province. It is also a 4 hour drive away from the world famous beach – Boracay. Most tourists make a point of stopping over Iloilo City when going to various destinations and try out their special delicacies of sumptuous Lapaz batchoy, pork and chicken inasal.

A visit at Iloilo province is a worthwhile tourist destination where night life brings out a lively city among its people and tourists visiting the place. Iloilo is truly a remarkable place in Western Visayas that is worth a visit.