Iloilo

Introduction

Iloilo is a province in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines, occupying the southeast portion of the island of Panay. It is bordered by Antique to the west, Capiz to the north, the Jintotolo Channel to the northeast, the Guimaras Strait to the east, and the Iloilo Strait and Panay Gulf to the southwest. Its capital and largest city is Iloilo City, which serves as the regional center of Western Visayas and is politically independent from the province even though it sits within it geographically.

Iloilo City anchors the Iloilo–Guimaras metropolitan area, known as Metro Iloilo–Guimaras, and is grouped under the province by the Philippine Statistics Authority while remaining separate from the provincial government. For travellers, this means the province and its capital function as one destination on the map, with the city as the natural base for exploring the surrounding province.

Getting around

Iloilo has no rail, metro, or tram system, so you get around by road or by ferry. Jeepneys are the backbone of city transport, running a numbered route system (1 through 25) with both traditional and modernized vehicles. Route 3 links Ungka and the City Proper via Central Philippine University and UP Visayas; Route 4 runs from Ungka to the City Proper via B. Aquino Avenue and Festive Walk; Route 5 connects Festive Walk to the City Proper via B. Aquino Avenue and SM City; Route 10 runs from the Buntatala/Tagbak Terminal to the City Proper loop and also serves the airport connection and the Guimaras RORO terminal; Route 11 runs from Ticud, La Paz to the City Proper loop, passing schools including ISAT. Modern jeepneys add air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, CCTV, GPS, automated fare collection, and accessibility features. Wait for a full stop before boarding or alighting, say "Sa lugar" or tap a coin to signal your stop, and give up your seat to elderly passengers, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities.

For short hops within a barangay, take a tricycle; multicabs serve some routes too, including the budget airport connection from Bangga Dama in Sta. Barbara, though they generally leave only once full. Metered taxis and app-based ride-hailing are the most comfortable choice for longer trips or when carrying luggage: Grab offers upfront pricing, cashless payment, GPS tracking, and app-only booking, and UTOL is an all-Filipino ride-hailing app. You cannot hail a ride-hailing vehicle from the street, so be ready at your designated pickup point and confirm the driver's identity and plate number before getting in. Walking works well in the City Proper, home to heritage sites such as Jaro Cathedral, Molo Church, and Calle Real; the Mandurriao business district, with SM City, Megaworld, and Festive Walk, is best navigated with Grab or taxi plus Routes 4 and 5. For trips beyond the city, the Ceres Terminal in Jaro handles buses to Antique, Capiz, and Aklan, the Ungka Terminal serves regional buses and jeepneys to Iloilo towns, and ferries cross to Guimaras and Bacolod. Carry small bills and coins, and plan around the main interchange points: SM City Iloilo, Festive Walk, Tagbak Terminal, and the Ceres and Ungka terminals in Jaro.

Three days in Iloilo

Day one: Start in Iloilo City's City Proper, the historic core of Metro Iloilo, and get your bearings on foot before the heat builds. Jeepneys run throughout the city, so use them to reach Central Philippine University and UP Visayas along Aquino Avenue if you want a look at the university side of town. In the evening, head to Festive Walk or SM City for dinner and a stroll.

Day two: Give the day to La Paz and the surrounding districts, riding jeepneys or a Route that passes Ungka and ISAT. La Paz is known for its food, so plan your meals around what the neighbourhood does best. If you would rather be on the water, the Guimaras RORO and the crossings toward Guimaras Strait and Iloilo Strait put the island of Guimaras within easy reach.

Day three: Use Tagbak Terminal and Buntatala as your departure points if you are continuing on to Antique, Capiz, or elsewhere in Western Visayas and Panay. Otherwise, spend a last slow morning around Ticud and Sa Bangga Dama, then loop back through the City Proper. Modern jeepneys with Wi-Fi, CCTV, and GPS make getting around straightforward, though you will still want to wait for the right one.