In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Philippines
Iloilo City
Give Iloilo City 2 nights: walk Calle Real and Molo in the morning, eat La Paz batchoy, and day-trip to Guimaras or Miagao from here.
Iloilo City is the capital of Iloilo province on Panay, a highly urbanized city facing the Iloilo Strait. It is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy with Spanish and American-era streets, seven districts, and a modern airport 19 km out. Most travellers use it as a 2-night base for food and heritage, then push on to Guimaras or the province.
- Country
- Philippines
- Best months
- Dec–May (dry season)
- Avoid
- Jun–Nov (wet season)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- PHP
- Money
- Philippine pesos (₱) in small notes for jeepneys, market stalls, tips and taxis; malls and hotels take cards.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₱1,500–2,500 excl. bed · Mid ₱2,500–5,000 excl. bed · High ₱5,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Globe and Smart sell SIMs at airports; SIM registration with passport is required by law.
- Emergency
- National emergency 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B, C · 220 V · 60 Hz · US flat pins common; check your devices for 220 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% if no service charge.; Grab / taxi: Round up.; Boat crew: ₱100–200 per tour.; Massage: ₱50–100.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; refill stations cheap.
- Toilets
- Called 'CR' (comfort room); bring tissue; many lack toilet seats.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| La Paz batchoy (bowl) | ₱80–150 |
| Jeepney ride | ₱13–20 |
| Taxi or Grab across the city | ₱150–300 |
| Ferry Iloilo → Guimaras | ₱30–60 |
| Coffee in a mall café | ₱120–200 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ₱300–800 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- ILO · Iloilo International Airport
- About 19 km northwest of the city proper in Cabatuan; van shuttle, taxi or GrabCar to town, 30–45 min.About 12 mi northwest of the city proper in Cabatuan; van shuttle, taxi or GrabCar to town, 30–45 min.
Typical fares
- Airport → city centre, van shuttle
- about ₱70–100, 30–45 min
- Airport → city centre, taxi or GrabCar
- ₱400–500, 30–45 min
- Iloilo → Bacolod, fast ferry
- from about ₱200 one way
Get around
Jeepneys are the cheapest way around and now run numbered routes; taxis and Grab are the easiest for door-to-door trips. Tricycles and trisikad cover short neighbourhood hops. Buses and UV Express vans leave from Tagbak and Mohon terminals for the rest of Panay.
See and do
Known for
- Calle Real heritage street
- La Paz batchoy
- Molo Church
- Jaro Cathedral and belfry
- Dinagyang Festival
- UNESCO City of Gastronomy
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Guimaras (Jordan and Buenavista) | Ferry from Parola Wharf, Iloilo City Proper | About 30–45 min including boarding |
| Miagao | UV Express van or bus south from the city, then a short tricycle ride | About 1 h |
| Passi | Bus or UV Express van from Tagbak or Mohon terminal | About 1.5 h |
| Bacolod | Fast ferry from Iloilo Fastcraft Terminal, Lapuz | About 2 h including boarding |
Sleep
- Mandurriao
- Modern business and nightlife hub; malls, hotels and the convention centre, close to the airport road.
- Iloilo City Proper
- Historic and commercial centre; walk to Calle Real, San Jose Church and the ferry terminals.
- Jaro
- Heritage houses and Jaro Cathedral; near the northbound bus terminals for Panay and Boracay routes.
- Molo
- Quiet heritage district around Molo Church; good for a slower stay, 10–15 min by jeepney to the centre.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Thank you | Salamatsa-LA-mat |
| Good morning | Maayong agama-A-yong A-ga |
| How much is it? | Pila ini?PI-la i-NI |
| Where is the toilet? | Diin ang kasilyas?di-IN ang ka-SIL-yas |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Pasensya napa-SEN-sya na |
| This one, please | Ini, palihogi-NI pa-LI-hog |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Smile, handshake; 'po' to elders; avoid: Loud confrontation
- Beckoning: Palm down, wave; avoid: Palm up (used for animals)
- Invitations: Accept food offered or decline politely; avoid: Refusing bluntly
- Time: Expect 'Filipino time' socially; avoid: Lateness for flights and boats
- Churches: Covered clothes; avoid: Loud tours during Mass
Scams and watch-outs
- Wet season runs Jun–Nov; Jul–Aug is the wettest stretch.
- Jeepneys wait 5–10 minutes at loading areas before leaving: not for tight schedules.
- Van shuttles from the airport may stop after about 22:00; arrange a taxi or GrabCar for late arrivals.
- Carry pesos: cash is still preferred for small purchases and transport.
- Ask the fare before boarding tricycles and trisikad; they cost more than jeepneys.
Iloilo City is generally calm for a Philippine city of its size. Agree the fare before boarding tricycles and trisikad, and keep an eye on the weather in the wet season.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Iloilo City yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Calle Real heritage street
- La Paz batchoy
- Molo Church
- Jaro Cathedral and belfry
- Dinagyang Festival
- UNESCO City of Gastronomy
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Iloilo International Airport (CAAP): caap.gov.ph/iloilo-international-airport/
- Wikivoyage: Iloilo City, revision 5312930 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5312930
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Iloilo City
Palihog, sa address nga ini
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- National emergency911
No embassies in Iloilo City; most countries keep embassies in Manila and some consulates in Cebu City.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/iloilo-city). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.