Travel Guide: Zamboanga City (2023)

Zamboanga City is one of my favorite destinations in Mindanao. With its stunning natural sights, vibrant culture, preserved history and amazing cuisine, it’s a place I don’t mind revisiting again and again. “Asia’s Latin City” is known for strong Hispanic and Latin influence. Zamboanga City is the center of economic activities in Mindanao, with its modern international seaport and airport serving as the entry point in the country to many destinations in Southeast Asia.

Because of its geographic location, Zamboanga City is a melting pot of culture and cuisine. Despite the negative portrayal of the city and the region as a whole due to isolated incidents, I feel like it’s one of the safest places to visit in Mindanao. It is one of the most populous and 3rd largest city by land area in the Philippines, where many locals go about their lives peacefully.

While I’ve traveled here about several times in the past decade to cover festivals and media tours, I’m glad to have revisited with family in February 2023, as one of our first post-pandemic family trips.

Note: The guide below and photos were compiled from various trips from 2013 to 2023.

Where exactly is Zamboanga City?

Zamboanga City is the commercial and industrial center of the Zamboanga Peninsula Region which lies between the Moro Gulf (part of the Celebes Sea) and the Sulu Sea in the South of the Philippines. Zamboanga City is an independent, chartered city but is grouped with the province of Zamboanga del Sur for statistical purposes.

How to get to Zamboanga City

By air: There are daily flights to the Zambaonga City International Airport from Manila and Cebu by Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. Cebu Pacific also has regular flights to Zamboanga City via Cagayan de Oro and Davao City.

By sea: 2GO ferries offers one ferry a week sailing to/from Manila to Zamboanga City via Diplog and Dumaguete. Aleson Shipping lines has a ferry going to and from Sandakan, Malaysia. The Port of Zamboanga is an international port of entry. It has a scheduled passenger ferry going to and from Sandakan, Malaysia. Several shipping lines also offer regular trips from and to Jolo (Sulu), Bongao (Tawi-Tawi) and Isabela City (Basilan).

Getting around in Zamboanga City

If you’re just exploring around Zamboanga City, the tricycle is the easiest mode of transport. For island-hopping trips, you can charter boats or join group tours from the port in Paseo del Mar.

If you want to maximize your time and get tips from locals, it’s best to book package tours. For those who want hassle-free tours around Zamboanga City, book with Itravel Tourist Lane.

For Booking/Reservation:
Call (062) 991-1174
Text/Call (0917) 7226410 / (0917) 3929474 / (0995) 6993274
or Visit us at Mayor Jaldon St., Canelar, Z.C. (near DHL Office)
Email: info@itraveltouristlane.com
Website: www.itraveltouristlane.com

What to do / Where to go in Zamboanga City

Santa Cruz Island (the Pink Sand Beach)

One of the city’s top draws is Santa Cruz Island (known for having pinkish sand), which was ranked in a list of National Geographic among the best beaches in the world. This small island is just a 20-minute boat ride from the city port in Paseo del Mar. The island’s coast gets its unique rosy hue from red organ-pipe coral (tubipora musica) dissolved by the waves.

Once Islas (Eleven Islands)

The newest destination in the city is ‘Once Islas,’ a group of 11 islands located in the remote barangays of Panubigan and Dita in the east coast. The site was just opened to the public in 2018. Four out of the 11 unspoiled islands can be visited by tourists for swimming, kayaking and trekking. Island-hopping trips and meals are managed by the local communities.

Ride a vinta

The vinta is a traditional boat that has sails with assorted vertical colors that represent the colorful culture and history of the Muslim community. Vintas are one of the most well-known icons of Zamboanga City. Normally, you can only see them set sail during the Regatta festival held every October.

Locally known as lepa-lepa or sakayan, these boats are made and used by the Sama-Badjao and Moros living in the Sulu Archipleago, Zamboanga peninsula and southern Mindanao for inter-island transport of people and goods. Vinta rides are now offered in the lagoon area of Santa Cruz island for tourists.

Yakan Weaving Village

The Yakan are an indigenous Muslim tribe hailing from Basilian located in the Sulu Archipelago in the most southern region of the Philippines. Some have resettled in the Yakan Weaving Village in Barangay Upper Calarian, about seven kilometers away from the city center and now make a living selling their traditional Yakan woven products for tourists. The Yakans are considered to be among the finest weavers of the Philippines. 

Tourists can witness some of the women weaving brightly-colored threads into wonderful fabric from handlooms here. You can also take home beautiful handcrafted souvenir items like table runners, wallets, bags and accessories for souvenirs.

Taluksangay Mosque

Taluksangay Mosque is the cradle of Islam in Western Mindanao. Taluksangay Mosque is the oldest mosque in the region, built in 1885 by Hadji Abdullah Maas Nuno. This mosque is said to be the oldest place of worship for Muslims in Western Mindanao. The historic mosque used to have golden minarets, but these were repainted red when the mosque was renovated to accommodate more visitors. 

Rainbow Mosque

Masjid Al-Islamia, also known as the Rainbow Mosque, can be found in Brgy. Sta. Maria along Tumaga Road (Veterans Ave. Ext.). The mosque was repainted sometime after the Marawi Siege in 2017 as a tribute to the fallen heroes and as as a call for peace and unity. The exterior walls of the mosque feature intricate details and distinctly Maranao designs with okir patterns adorning both the structure and interior of the mosque.  

Fort Pilar & National Museum

For history & culture buffs, Fort Pilar is a major heritage site worth visiting. Originally built by the Spaniards to defend Zamboanga against pirates, the Fort is now a shrine for devotees of the Lady of Pilar, the city’s patron saint. The Zamboanga National Museum located within Fort Pilar houses paintings, cultural memorabilia, and antiques from centuries of rich local history. Walking tours around Pueblo Viejo are offered by the Local Tourism Office.

Pasonanca Park

Pasonanca Park is a historic landmark in the city, ideal for birding, meditation, and rejuvenating communes with nature. The park houses a campsite, amphitheatre, and a convention center among many more modern facilities.

Merloquet Falls

Merloquet Falls is a two-tiered waterfall located in Barangay Sibulao, roughly 78 kilometers east of the city. From the jump-off point, it’s a brisk 15-minute downhill hike to this crystal-clear natural landmark.

Canelar Barter Trade Market

Before heading home, you can stop by the Canelar Barter Trade Market to shop for native costumes, malongs, batik textiles, pearl accessories and local delicacies including cheap Malaysian food products.

Learn more about the culture

Beyond the landmarks and sights, one of the best aspects of Zamboanga City is the rich culture and the people. There’s a lot to learn by appreciating the local culture, a confluence of native Subano, Malay, Islamic (Yakan, Samal, Tausug and Badjao), Spanish and American cultures that spanned the course of centuries.

What / where to eat in Zamboanga City

Zamboanga City serves a wide array of local cuisine with dishes having a melting pot of Spanish influence, Zambuangeño, Chinese-Chavacano fusion and traditional Muslim cuisine. You can’t leave without feasting on curacha (deep-sea spanner crab) in Alavar sauce, satti (a local version of satay), knickerbocker (a variation of halo-halo) and Zamboanga White (lychee fruit shake).

READ MORE: Food Trip: Zamboanga City

Aside from Alavar’s, the most popular dining destination is the seafront plaza of Paseo del Mar, where you can enjoy fresh grilled seafood and ice-cold beer while shooting the breeze.

You can also get a taste of Tausug Muslim delicacies and the Sulu coffee culture at Dennis Coffee Garden by pairing kahawa sug (Sulu’s best coffee) with native pastries on small plates collectively called Bangbang. This includes Jualan (deep fried bananas served with a tasty dip), Daral (moisture-rich crepe with sweet coconut filling), Pulihmandi (purple rice balls rolled on coconut flakes) and apam (Sulu’s native pancake), to name a few.

Satti is also popular breakfast dish in Zamboanga. This delicacy of grilled chicken and cubed rice known as ‘puso’ is served with a spicy sauce.

Where to stay in Zamboanga City

Garden Orchid Hotel is one of the best hotels in Zamboanga City, usually recommended to business and leisure travelers who don’t mind splurging for creature comforts.

This 4-star hotel has a large swimming pool area and its own large restaurant and bar. They’re conveniently located just 250 meters from the airport. Book here.

• Address: Gov. Camins Avenue, Barangay Baliwasan, Zamboanga, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines
• Contact numbers: 0923-3544809
• Facebook: Garden Orchid Hotel Zamboanga

Marcian Garden Hotel aims to promote the rich and diverse culture of Zamboanga City. This unique three-story luxury hotel has a total of 60 accommodation suites and rooms, which combine the classic beauty of Spanish-Moroccan design with warmth and festive colors of Zamboanga. Amenities include event & function rooms, bar & restaurant, coffee shop, prayer room, swimming pool, spa and souvenir shop. The home-style Hotel is strategically located just 300 meters away from the Zamboanga City International Airport and 2.5 kilometers from the City Proper.

• Address: Marcian Group, Governor Camins Avenue, Zamboanga City, Philippines
• Main Line: +63 (62) 991-2519 to 21, Mobile: +63 943-1289150, Business Center: +63 925-7558999
• Website: http://marcian-group.com/garden-hotel/ 
• Room rates 

Vista del Mar Beach Resort, which runs a restaurant serving delicious food also offers specialty lodging along the beach. You can rent eco-friendly casitas in their garden or the specialty treehouse where you can enjoy the breeze of fresh air and wake up with a view of the sea. The resort is ideal for those who want serene and rustic place to stay in Zamboanga City.

• Address:Labuan-Limpapa National Road, Zamboanga City
• Contact numbers: Call (062) 983 0319
• Facebook Page: Vista del Mar Zamboanga

For backpackers on a budget, there are also more more affordable places to stay in the city. Casa Don has budget friendly rooms where you can pay based on 12 to 24 hour intervals. There’s also N. Atilano New Pension House located near Casa Don in the same compound. Other cheap hostels include AA Bed and Breakfast Pension House and Alavar Bed and Breakfast.

NOTE: As of October 2018, Lantaka Hotel by the Sea, one of the oldest hotels in Zamboanga City has closed.

Festivals & special events in Zamboanga City

• The Zamboanga Hermosa Festival celebrated every October is one of the oldest and grandest festivals in the region. This month-long festival celebrates the city’s devotion to the miraculous Lady of Pilar, the city’s patron saint. The major highlight is the Regatta de Zamboanga, where hundreds of fishing boats with rainbow-striped sails compete and the Streetdance competition and main program.
• Dia De Zamboanga (Zamboanga Day)
• Zamboanga Summer Festival (April and May)
• Pascua de Zamboanga

Additional photos of me by Potpot Pinili of Travel Trilogy. Check out his travel guide here.