6D/5N (Iloilo, Guimaras, Bacolod) Travel Guide

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Adulting makes you want to unwind, relax and just enjoy life, with that reason I travel a lot, may it be weekend getaways or a 5/6 days trip, as long as I still have VLs left. “Yes! Sulitin natin ang mga VL natin 😁”. I choose to travel around Visayas area and this time it’s a 3 in 1 island (Iloilo, Guimaras and Bacolod) which I call B-I-G Adventure.

I booked a flight going to Iloilo, which is our first destination and going back to Manila would be from Bacolod airport. I find it more convenient as I don’t need to go back to Iloilo anymore and I would just spend my 2 days at Bacolod.

Keep reading for the detailed ITINERARY. If you don’t want a detailed one, don’t worry I’ll be providing an excel file for the summarize itinerary so you can just download it. 😉

Our trip to Iloilo was delayed and so, when we boarded the plane, the pilot took the audacity to find a faster route going to Iloilo which took us around 55 minutes to reach Iloilo airport.

📍Iloilo International airport

📍SM Iloilo

From the airport we asked around the locals there on where to ride a shuttle going to SM Iloilo and it’s just across the airport where the cars were parked.

📍Ong Bun Pension house

When we arrived at SM Iloilo, we took another ride going to our hotel ( Ong Bun Pension House). Just wait for a jeepney with a signage “Mandurriao”, it will take you straight to Ong Bun.

Trivia:

If you want to say “tabi lang po” in bisaya you say “Lugar lang”.

Arrived at Ong Bun and we checked-in and left our baggages, now we’re ready to go but before that, we decided to eat for our lunch first. Ong Bun is just a few minutes away from Robinsons Place Iloilo and that’s where we ate our lunch. We tried the famous La Paz batchoy of Iloilo at Decos. It costs Php 90.00 only, and you get this big bowl of their famous delicacy.

Deco's Lapaz Batchoy

📍Garin Farm

After lunch, we’re now ready to go on our first destination which is “Garin Farm”. From Robinsons just walk around going to the public market and look for a jeepney with a signage “San Joaquin”, fare is Php 65.00 . This will take you straight to Garin Farm, travel time is around 2 hours, so prepare yourself for a long ride. For your reference kindly see the fare matrix below:

Alight at the junction where Garin is located and ride a tricycle going to Garin Farm. Fare is 50 pesos for 3 pax. We arrived at around 2:15 in the afternoon. At this time the sun is so high that it feels like you’re skin is burning, so better bring with you your caps or anything that can cover you up so you don’t get burned. In our case we didn’t bring any so we bought one at the stores near the entrance gate.

The entrance fee costs 150 pesos per head.

Upon entering, we were amazed by it’s beautiful covered walks filled with vines. And this is where we started taking a photographs.

Keep walking and you will get here. It’s a gateway to Ascencion.

Prepare yourself for a long walk going up to the Ascencion. I didn’t know it would be this high and my decision of wearing a sandals with heels is a No no. But since I already did so I just pretended I could carry it. Haha

The tiring ascend to the top of the stairs were all worth it as you get to see the beautiful overlooking view of the place and the magnificent beauty of the giant statue of God, it feels like you are literally in heaven.

Our supposedly next destination is at Miag-ao church but we were still exhausted from our trip that's why we headed back to our hotel. Ride a tricycle going back to the junction(50 pesos) and then wait for a bus bound for Iloilo city.

We woke up early on our 2nd day because we have to be at the terminal around 5:00 AM for our departure to Carles Port. Since it’s still early there were no jeepneys yet and we have no choice but to ride a taxi. Our taxi metered fare was 205 pesos divided by 3. Our contact person for our Gigantes Island tour is Mr. Rhett Paul Bolivar, he responds swiftly whenever I ask information with regards to our tour, with that I highly recommend their tour.

Our day tour for Gigantes Island with lunch of unli scallops was only 999 pesos per pax and it’s really worth the penny. If you want to reach out to Mr. Paul you may contact him through this mobile number +63 998 981 6812.

When we arrived at Carles Port, we were very hungry so we decided to eat for our breakfast while waiting for our boat. With less than 100 pesos, you get a tocilog and a coffee. ”Hurray! Para sa nagtitipid.”

Finally, we were called for our departure for our Island hopping. I couldn’t be more excited, but I think I’m more excited with the unli scallops. 😂

Our first stop is Cabugao Gamay, because it's the farthest island that is on the tour itinerary. It took us 1 hour and 30 minutes to get to the first island.

Our next stop is Bantigue sandbar, it's 10 minutes away from our first destination.

For the 3rd island - Antonia beach, we weren't able to snorkel because we were only given a short time on this island but you can snorkel here. The next island was the best for me - The Tangke Salt Water Lagoon, looking at it seems like I'm back in Coron. And the last island is the Pulupandan island, it's getting late and cloudy that's why we decided not to go down and just took a photo of the island with a lone palm tree.

We had our lunch at Gigantes Island guesthouse where they served us unlimited scallops, it's really fresh and you can easily taste that. They also served us with Binakol na manok. I love the people there, they were very hospitable and we were jokingly asking them if we could bring home some of it and we're surprised when they told us that we could. :D

Back to Carles port, we took a shower there and paid it for 50 pesos. We we're told that there's a van going back to Iloilo City proper and the fare is 250 pesos, and that's how we got home. The driver was kind enough to take us straight to our hotels, how lucky we are.

GUIMARAS

On our 3rd day, we woke up early to catch the 5:30 AM trip going to Guimaras. We rode a taxi going to Ortiz Wharf for 60 pesos.

The boat leaves at exactly 5:30 AM and the fare is 15 pesos. In a few minutes of a calm boat ride we arrived at Jordan Wharf.

We hired a tricycle to tour us around Guimaras, kuya Joel was really kind and he’s good at taking panoramic photos. You can reach out to him through his mobile number +63 956 237 4213.

Below is our itinerary on our Guimaras tour:

📍Holy Family Hills

📍Guimaras Windmills

📍Oro Verde Mango Plantation

📍The Pitstop

📍Guimaras Provincial Capitol

📍Trappist Monastery

📍Guisi Beach and Lighthouse

📍Alobijod Cove Resort

We bought our pasalubong at Trappist Monastery, my favorite is the Mango cookies, I could've bought more but since the prices are a little bit expensive I decided to just buy one. I bought some of the pasalubong at Guisi lighthouse, it's cheaper and I also bought some souvenirs there.

Mango Cookies

When the tour was over, kuya Joel took as back to Jordan wharf and we paid him 1200 pesos/3 pax for the whole tour. At Jordan Wharf we bought a ticket going back to Iloilo for only 15 pesos.

Since it's our last day at Iloilo we decided to go all in and dined at Tatoy's Manokan and Seafood Restaurant, the food was great.

BACOLOD

We booked our ticket going to Bacolod thru Weesam Express online https://book.weesam.ph/search. Book and pay at any 7/11 branch and when your payment is confirmed, you will receive thru your email the pdf file of your ticket. Print it and you’re ready to go.

We woke up early on our 4th day to catch our boarding time going to Bacolod. We checked out at Ong Bun Pension House Iloilo and rode a taxi going to Muelle Loney(Iloilo River Wharf). The travel time from Iloilo to Bacolod port is 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Upon arrival at Bacolod port, we rode a taxi going to our hotel (Ong Bun Pension House - Bacolod), since we’re not yet allowed to check in we just left our baggages at the hotel. Now we’re ready to go to Cadiz. We rode a jeepney with a signage “Mandalagan” and alighted at Ceres terminal. At the terminal, just look for a bus bound for Cadiz, bus fare is 150 pesos. I was impressed when I saw that the bus seat’s has it’s own USB chord. Travel time is around 1 hour and 30 minutes but it doesn't matter cause I got to see the green surroundings, the next thing I know we're near to our destination. We alighted at Martisan crossing and immediately rode a tricycle going to the port which cost us 150 pesos for 4 pax.

At the port, we paid for our entrance fees, boat fee, terminal fee and we also loaded our Lakawon card because Lakawon uses card for all of it’s transactions. After that, we waited for our boat that will take us to Lakawon. And finally, when it arrived it took us 20 minutes to get to Lakawon.

Lakawon is a very beautiful island, you get what you paid for. We ordered Bicol express for our lunch. After that, we walked around the island and took photographs on almost every corner. The highlight of our tour at the island was our stay at the Tawhai Floating bar - we paid 285 pesos per pax. It really feels relaxing and I think I could stay there for one whole day. It’s the perfect spot where you can capture a panoramic view of Lakawon island.

We didn’t stayed that long at Lakawon because my friend has to catch his boarding time back to Iloilo, and so we went back at around 2:40 PM. We were very lucky to have met someone who offered us a ride going back to Bacolod City proper and we decided to alight at The Ruins. Arriving at the Ruins we paid 100 pesos for the entrance fee.

We stayed at The Ruins until the sun is down and it’s the best decision ever cause we were able to witness the beauty of “The Ruins” at night. Almost all corners of the place is IG worthy but you better attentive of your surroundings as there are many people who are also taking their photos. Don't be a photobomber :D While waiting for the sun to come down we decided to eat our dinner at the Gazebo restaurant. I love their pizza.

When we’re done with our photo ops and ready to go home, that’s when someone came to us and offered us a shuttle going to Robinsons Bacolod, she’s an angel because we were about to book a taxi, we're really lucky. We paid 50 pesos for the shuttle and when we arrived at Robinsons Bacolod, we rode a jeepney with signage “Libertad -Bata”.

On our last day, we woke up a bit late since we only have one place to go this time - Campuestuhan. We decided to go to SM Bacolod to eat for our breakfast but sadly McDo is still closed so we have no choice but to go whichever restaurant is open. After that, we rode a jeepney with a signage “Homesite”, this jeepney took us straight to iMart located near Lopues East, this is where the shuttle bound for Campuestuhan is located. They have a scheduled time going to and from the resort. Fare for the shuttle is 60 pesos and the entrance fee to Campuestuhan is 150 pesos.

Campuestuhan Shuttle schedule:

• From iMart to Campuestuhan resort 7:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM

• From Campuestuhan resort to iMart 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM

A few hours of photo ops and we’re done, afterwards we decided to head back and eat our lunch at Aida’s Manokan Country beside SM Bacolod. It’s the best inasal I have ever tasted.

We went back to our hotel to rest for a bit and then we’re ready to go to Calea to taste their best pastries, which was recommended by some of our friends. At first I wasn’t expecting that much because I thought it would taste just like the other pastries I had, but when I tasted my order (Pistachio Sansrival), it really is the best, I love every bit of it. We also tried the pasta at Gourmandz burger and pasta, we ordered a Carbonara and I love how creamy it was. And that ends our last day in Bacolod.

We woke up early the next morning and it’s time to go the airport, it‘s really sad to say goodbye. Bye Iloilo, Guimaras and Bacolod - welcome back workloads 😢

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Breakdown of Expenses:

DAY 1

F/X going to Cubao- Php 45.00

Taxi going to Airport - Php 220.00

Breakfast at McDo airport - Php 200.00

Shuttle to SM Iloilo - Php 50.00

Jeep to Robinsons Place - Php 8.50.00

Weesam Online Payment bound for Bacolod - Php 255/pax

Lunch at Decos - 

       Php 90.00 La Paz Batchoy

       Php 33.00 Puto

Jeep to Garin Farm - Php 65.00 / pax

Tricycle to Garin - Php 50.00

Bought a cap - Php 150.00

Tricycle back to Highway - Php 50.00

Butterfly Magnet - 3 for Php 100.00

Bus going to Molo - Php 77.00

Taxi going to Ong Bun - Php 100.00

Dinner - Ordered online at Mcdo- Php 65.00

Bottled Water - Php 24.00

DAY 2

Taxi going to Van bound for Carles - Php 205/3

Van fare - Php 260/pax

Breakfast - Tocilog + coffee - Php 80

Van going back - Php 250

Dinner:

   Liempo - Php 200/3

   Rice - Php 30/3

DAY 3

Taxi going to Ortiz Wharf - Php 60

Boat fare going to Guimaras - Php 15

Food at Pitstop - ranging from Php 242-250/pax

Entrance fee at Lighthouse - Php 10/pax

Beach entrance at Alobijod - Php 25/pax

Pasalubong(Food, ref magnets, keychain) - Php 1350

Buko juice at Guisi - Php 20

Tour - Php 1200/3

Boat going back to Iloilo - Php 15 

Jeep going back to Ong Bun- Php 8.50/pax

Dinner:

   Tatoys Seafood restaurant

   Jeep Villa Baybay signage: Php 12

   Food (scallops, crispy pata, sugpo, seaweed, buko juice) - Php 500/pax

   Taxi going back to Ong Bun - Php 150

DAY 4

Taxi going to Muelle Loney - Php 76

Terminal fee - Php 30

Cup noodles - Php 30

Taxi to Ong Bun - Php 100

Jeep(Mandalagan) going to Ceres terminal - Php 8.50

Bus fare going to Cadiz - Php 150

Lakawon Entrance fee - Php 350/pax

Lunch - Php 350/3

Tawhai Floating bar - Php 285/pax 

Van going to Ruins - Php 300

Entrance fee at The Ruins - Php 100

Dinner at the Ruins - Php 760/2

Shuttle going to Robinsons Bacolod - Php 50

Jeep(Bata) going to Ong Bun - Php 8.50

DAY 5

Jeep going to SM(Punta - Taytay) - Php 8.50

Breakfast at SB - Php 220

Jeep(Homesite signage) going to Loupes East(iMart) - Php 8.50

Shuttle going to campuestuhan - Php 60

Campuestuhan Entrance fee - Php 150

Shuttle going back to Loupes east - Php 60

Dinner at G___ pasta - Php 190/2

Desserts at Calea - Php 220

Jeep(Bata signage) going back to Ong Bun - Php 8.50 

DAY 6

Taxi going to airport - Php 500/2

Hotel:

Ong Bun Pension House Iloilo - Php 2507.43/2 for 3 days

Ong Bun Pension House Bacolod- Php 1367.43/2 for 2 days

Airfare:

Manila to Iloilo - Php 2525.76/2

Bacolod to Manila- Php 2779.76/2

GRAND TOTAL: PHP 12,968.56

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FOODTRIPS

Food is love ❤️

ILOILO

📍Tatoy‘s Manokan and Seafood Restaurant

📍Deco’s Lapaz Batchoy

GUIMARAS

📍Pitstop

BACOLOD

📍 Gazebo Restaurant

📍 Aida’s Manokan Country

📍 Calea

📍 Gourmandz Burger and Pasta

Checkout my youtube video:

https://youtu.be/0ZCobexx1mQ