If you have been following me on Instagram, you probably know by now that I traveled to Iloilo early this month. It was also my first solo trip after the pandemic, so imagine my excitement! And not just that, it was also my first time joining a joiners tour solo. What’s the deal? Well, for an introverted person, joiner tours are a big no for me. I’ll tell you more about it on my next post, *wink.
Below are my 4 days Iloilo DIY Itinerary you could copy for your next trip! Btw, these are all DIY except for day 2. The commute guide is also based on my hotel location, which is in La Paz, so feel free to update it based on your hotel location. And also for the last day, I chose not to explore more since my flight is in the evening, and it was time to check out as well. So please feel free to make an update on your own Iloilo Itinerary, *wink.
I also didn’t inlude Guimaras Island since it’s pretty expensive for a solo traveler, huhuhu. But I will definitely go back soon with friends 😉
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL
- 5:45 AM – 6:50 AM – Flight via Cebu Pacific
- 7:30 AM – Ride van to SM Iloilo (Fare is Php100)
- Outside the Iloilo International Airport, walk to the Transport Terminal Waiting Area and asked someone where the van going to SM Iloilo is located.
- 8:30 AM – Estimated arrival at SM Iloilo
- I booked a room at Urban Inn in La Paz, so here’s what I did:
- Ride a jeepney with a sign going to La Paz Market (Php12 and Php 14 for modern jeepney)
- I booked a room at Urban Inn in La Paz, so here’s what I did:
- 9:00 AM – Estimated arrival at the Hotel.
- Ask the conductor to drop you off the La Paz Market. On the left facing the market, walk a few minutes until you see the Urban Inn Hotel, just beside 7 eleven.
- Left the bag at the hotel, since check in time is 12PM
- 10:00 AM – Eat La Paz Batchoy for late Breakfast
- Walk straight to La Paz Market until you see Netong’s Original La Paz Batchoy. (Batchoy price starts at Php105 while their puto is Php30)
- 11:00 AM– 4:00PM – City Tour
- 1st stop – Iloilo Museum & near tourist spots
- Ride a jeepney going to the provincial capitol (with a sign Iloilo proper/city) or you can just walk straight from La Paz Market.
- Get off around the Iloilo Museum or Efrain Treñas Boulevard entrance.
- Picture taking at Efrain Treñas Boulevard. FREE (I wasn’t able to change this one because it will destroy my whole itinerary for the day, but it is advisable to go there around 5 so that it won’t be too hot)
- Then Iloilo Museum. Entrance if Php50 (but when I went there on a Sunday, they didn’t ask for an entrance fee)
- Picture taking around City Hall.
- 2nd stop – Molo Cathedral, Molo Plaza and Molo Mansion
- At City Hall, cross on the other side of the road and walk a few minutes on your left facing the city hall. Walk left until you see a pedestrian footbridge or the Saint Paul’s Hospital across the street.
- Ride a jeepney to Molo with Mohon terminal (Villa) sign so it passes directly to Mohon Church and Plaza. (Fare is Php 12)
- Drop off at Mohon Church, then explore Mohon Plaza and the Church. (Mohon Church is very beautiful inside <3)
- On the other side, walk to Molo Mansion
- Lunch at Molo Mansion
- Explore Molo Mansion
- 4th stop – Jaro Cathedral and Belfry
- From Molo Mansion, ride a jeepney with Villa sign then drop off at intersection (landmark is Jollibee on the left) (Fare is Php12)
- Cross the street, then ride a jeepney with a Leganes sign. (Fare is Php12)
- Drop off at Jaro Plaza. Explore. Belfry. Jaro Cathedral.
- Don’t forget to light a candle at the Cathedral since it is known to be the home of Our Lady of Candles
- 5th stop – Back to City Proper to buy pasalubong
- Ride a jeepney going to the city proper (jeep that is also bound to La Paz) then drop off at City Hall. (Php14 modern jeepney)
- Across the city hall, go to Biscocho Haus to buy pasalubong
- 1st stop – Iloilo Museum & near tourist spots
- 6:00 PM – Back to the hotel to check in.
- Ride a jeepney with La Paz sign.
- Drop off at La Paz Market, then walk to the hotel.
- Was planning to attend mass at a nearby church, but too tired so decided to stay at the hotel and clock out early.
DAY 2 – GIGANTES ISLAND TOUR
4:00 AM – 8:00 PM – Gigantes Island tour with shuttle service via Klook.
- I decided to book the shuttle service, since it is said that the bus fare is 700 back and forth. Plus, shuttle service is convenient since they will get us from our hotel back and forth with the same price. (Klook price is Php 999 shared tour, 700 shuttle service)
- This tour also comes with free lunch with unlimited scallops.
DAY 3 – OUTSIDE ILOILO CITY TOUR
- 9:00 AM – Miagao Church (read as Miag-ao)
- From the hotel, ride a jeepney to city proper (Fare is Php12)
- From city hall, cross the street and on your left facing the city hall, walk until you see the pedestrian footbridge or when you’re already across the St. Peter’s Hospital.
- Ride a jeepney bound to Mohon terminal with Villa sign. (Fare if Php22)
- Get off at Mohon terminal and ride a jeepney going to Miag-ao. (Fare is Ph60)
- Get off at Miag-ao Church
- 10:00 AM – Miagao Church picture taking
- 10:20 AM – Garin Farm
- Facing Miagao Church, on your left ride a jeepney with San Joaquin sign. (Fare is Php30)
- Get off at Garin Farm junction.
- Ride a tricycle going to Garin Farm. (Fare if Php15 and Php50 if you’re the only passenger)
- 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM – Explore Garin Farm (Php150 entrance)
- Lunch
- 3:30 PM – Buy souvenir outside Garin Farm
- Recommended to buy keychains or ref magnet here, since it’s less expensive than in the city.
- 3:40 PM – Back to Iloilo City
- Ride a tricycle in the intersection (Php15 and Php50 if you’re the only passenger)
- Ride a jeepney bound to Mohon or with Iloilo sign. (Php91, this is for modern jeepney)
- Drop off Mohon terminal, then ride a jeepney with signboard Mohon or with Villa, then drop off at Molo Mansion (Fare if Php15)
- Eat Pancit Molo at Molo Mansion
- 5:30 PM – Back to hotel
- Ride a jeepney going to the city proper, drop off at Plaza Libertad. (Fare if Php12)
- Ride a jeepney to La Paz, then drop off at La Paz Market. (Fare if Php12)
- 5:45 PM – Pack bags. Lights off.
Day 4 – Departure
- 11:00 PM – check-out hotel
- 12:00 PM – Brunch
- 1:00 PM – SM Iloilo
- Walk back going to hotel, around entrance of La Paz Market, across Mercury drug, wait for a jeepney going to SM Iloilo
- Ride a modern jeepney going to SM Iloilo. (Fare is Php14)
- Leave bag at SM Travel Lounge. Open 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- 2:30 PM – Festive Mall
- Across SM, ride a jeepney bound to Festive Mall. (Fare Php14 modern jeepney)
- Explore
- 2:30 PM – Snack
- 3:30 PM – Back to SM Iloilo
- Ride a jeepney going to SM Iloilo. (Fare is Php12)
- Get off at SM Iloilo
- Explore SM Iloilo for a while
- Get back at the SM travel lounge. (Charge is Php30 since I only have 1 bag)
- 4:30 PM – Iloilo International Airport
- Ride a van going to Iloilo airport at the side of the SM travel lounge – jeepney terminal. (Php120)
- 7:45 PM – Departure
Other Iloilo Destinations:
- Guimaras Island
- Nelly Garden
- Camiña Balay nga Bato in Iloilo
- Casa Mariquit
- Plaza Libertad
- Sicogon Island
- Kuliatan Marine Sanctuary
- Nadsadjan Falls
Budget Friendly Hotels in Iloilo
- Urban Inn – this is where I stayed
- Ong Bun Pension House
- City Corporate Inn
- One Lourdes Dormitel
Expenses Breakdown
I stayed in a budget friendly hotel in La Paz which is very near the La Paz Market so there’s a lot of areas to eat from. It is also within walking distance of the city hall, the boardwalk, and Gaisano Mall. There’s also a nearby church. So it is very accessible, *wink.
Btw, I didn’t include food and souvenir expenses below, and this is computation is good only for 1 person:
So there you have it! I hope this article will help you in planning your trip in Iloilo. And I hope you’ll enjoy your stay as much as I did, *wink.
Thank you for this, v helpful especially the commute guide!
I’m very glad to help 🙂 Enjoy your travel to Iloilo soon!
Thank you. Very helpful
I’m glad it helps 🙂