It’s possible to use “Zamboanga” to refer to a wide variety of places. Zamboanga Peninsula, or Region IX, includes the metropolitan areas of Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay, as well as three provinces and four additional cities (Dapitan, Dipolog, Pagadian, and Isabela de Basilan).
History of Zamboanga City
When talking about air travel, Zamboanga usually refers to the city that is home to Zamboanga International Airport (ZAM). In this travel guide, however, we refer just to the city of Zamboanga. Zamboanga possibly derives from the Samboangan word for “mooring site,” from whence the city got its name. For Sinamay speakers, mooring poles are as samboang. Zamboanga sometimes referred to as the “City of Flowers” since its origin is linked to the Indonesian word jambangan, which implies a location for flowers.
When the Subanon (Subanen) people first arrived in the area in the 12th century, they began a long tradition of settlement that continues to this day in Zamboanga City. People from the Basilan and Sulu archipelagos, including the Tausug, Yakan, Sama-Banguingui, and Sama-Bajau, migrated to this area over the course of several centuries.
City Hall of Zamboanga
It was at Zamboanga, on the island of Mindanao, that the Spanish established a military base during their colonization of the Philippines, making way for the arrival of Christian immigrants. As a means of protection, Fort Pilar was built in subsequent years.
Zamboanga is an intricate and varied blend of cultures because of its lengthy history. Because of its location so close to Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia, it is subject to a deluge of influences from all of these countries. In practically every facet of its culture, including its languages, faiths, and cuisines, this variety is on full display.
- Zamboanga City is on the Zamboanga Peninsula in the Philippines’ Region IX. Position: 6°54′29′′ N, 122°04′35′′ E
- Known by the moniker “City of Flowers” and “Asia’s Hispanic Capital,” respectively.
- Zone 8 UTC (Philippine Standard Time). Time in Zamboanga (and the rest of the Philippines) is the same as in Malaysia and Singapore.
- The majority of the population speaks Chavacano or Chabacano, a Creole language with Spanish roots and additional indigenous words and phrases.
- The Philippine Peso (PHP, ) is the currency used.
- Money is the preferred method of payment. Most modes of transportation and modest transactions will require it. Although many businesses now take credit cards and GCash, many still only accept cash.
For Travel Vaccination
Vaccination records from a government agency for those who are not fully vaccinated. Further, verification of identity card failure 120-hour or 5-day-before-departure RT-PCR test result from a recognized lab. REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAVELERS FROM HIGH-ALERT AREAS, or other regions with documented instances of potentially dangerous variations (as reported by IATF). Furthermore, failure of an official RT-PCR test administered within 120 hours (5 days) before departure. Rapid antigen test results from an approved laboratory that are negative, and issued within the last 24 hours Children/Minors under the age of eighteen not required to take any kind of testing.
Instructions for Reaching Zamboanga City
Zamboanga International Airport (ZAM) is the primary airport servicing Zamboanga City and the surrounding towns, as well as the main entry point to the island of Basilan. Most people who are heading to Tawi-tawi from either Luzon or the Visayas have to change planes at Zamboanga.
Aircraft from AirAsia
There are several daily flights from Manila to Zamboanga, operated by most domestic carriers. But, AirAsia offers daily flights to Zamboanga City if you’re looking for low tickets. The trip should take you around 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Between the Zamboanga Airport to Downtown
You won’t have to worry about excessive travel time to and from the airport because it is right in the heart of Zamboanga. Taxi drivers will be waiting for you outside the checking tent and will gladly transport you into town. You may alternatively take a walk up to the gate, where a row of tricycles will be waiting for you.
Further, the locals we know have informed us that the following charges are standard: Flagdown fare for a taxi is P40. It should cost about P80 to go to the City Hall area. Tricycles cost P20 for the first kilometer and P5 for each subsequent kilometer. Yet the driver may try to negotiate a lower fare with you. Fees between P150 and P200 are the typical rate for such excursions.
The Question of Where to Stay in Zambaog
The majority of Zamboanga’s hotels may find in the downtown area (near the port) and the airport region. Both have several places to eat and shop. Each offers reasonably priced alternatives (although there are more expensive properties near the airport). Both are well-located and simple to reach. Yet, in-between traffic may be a headache at peak hours. Which is best, then, depends on your travel plans.
It’s best to be in the center of Zamboanga if the Pink Beach or a day excursion to Basilan are your main attractions. The neighborhood around the airport is preferable if you don’t want to stress about missing your trip, or if your primary destinations are located north of the city, such as Once Islas and Merloquet Waterfall.
Nonetheless, the cost of a place to stay in Zamboanga is often substantially lower than in the Philippines’ other major cities. It is reasonable to expect to pay between P1500 and P1800 per night for a double or twin room in a business hotel. Nonetheless, you may get a hotel for under PhP 1500, and sometimes much less during promotions.
Two people can stay in one of the twin rooms at the Ever O Business Hotel in Zamboanga.
We’ve stayed at three hotels in Zamboanga, and we’ve found them all to be satisfactory:
- Hôtel de affaires Ever O.
- Accommodations at Winzelle.
- W Hotel L’Meridian Hotel Marciano Garden Hotel Primera
Attractions in Zamboanga
There is just too much to see and do in Zamboanga City for us to include it all here. Hence, we decided to write a whole post only about the many tourist spots there. Visitor Attractions in Zambaogn! These are some of the more well-liked excursions, though.
The Pink Sand Beach (Grande Sta. Cruz Island)
At the tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula, there is a little island that gets a natural flush of pink from the sun. Pink Beach, Zamboanga City’s most visited landmark, was named by National Geographic as one of the 21 best beaches in the world in 2017.
The most popular entry point to the island and Pink Beach is along Paseo del Mar in Zamboanga City. From the downtown area, tourists may take a rented tricycle to the Santa Cruz Island Ferry Station on Paseo del Mar. It takes roughly 20 minutes to travel by boat.
Nevertheless, Pink Beach only takes up a small portion of the island, which is mostly made up of a huge lagoon covered in mangroves that provide food and shelter for wildlife and help to maintain healthy biodiversity. There is an optional guided boat cruise available to see it. Discover the many varieties of mangroves and swim with inverted jellyfish. Before you go, make sure you have a chance to row a traditional vinta.
Vinta de Zamboanga
However, if you’re looking for a fast sandbar adventure, you may visit Little Santa Cruz Island, a tiny islet in the area. You have 10 minutes to do your task, so hurry up.
The important data to know before going to Santa Cruz Islands.
- In order to participate, please register in advance. There are limits placed on the number of guests. We open at 7 a.m. for check-in and boat service. No overnight stays are allowed; only day trips are authorised.
- The Pink Beach boat fare is P1000 for up to 10 people. Your total cost will remain the same regardless of the size of your group.
- If you want to take a tour of the lagoon on a boat, just let the boatmen know who brought you to Pink Beach.
- You’ll need to switch to a smaller “yellow boat” at the lagoon’s entrance. Each yellow boat can hold 2 people at the rental fee of P300 per day.
- There is a P300 charge for a tour guide in the lagoon. Up to five boats may be led by one tour leader. A guide might be expensive, but if you join forces with other boats, you can divide the cost.
- A tour scheduled before noon, otherwise, it will not be available. After that time, they won’t take any further reservations. If you go on an adventure, make sure you play by the book. Both Grande and Little Santa Cruz Islands are part of a marine preserve.
- On this island, you can’t buy anything with a single-use plastic bag. We do not permit the use of plastic straws, sachets, single-use water bottles, or bags, nor do we permit the consumption of junk food packaged in plastic. Please remember to bring a refillable water bottle. If you absolutely must bring snacks, please do so in recyclable packaging. Each suitcase is searched meticulously before boarding begins. You may see an overview of the costs here.
On a Round-Island Trip (11 Islands)
Once A group of islands known as the Islas can be found just to the east of Zamboanga City. A small fraction of the islands are accessible to the general public, but those that are are wonderful places to relax in the sun, swim, and go on expeditions. There are specific snorkeling places for individuals who want to have a peep into the underwater environment. The public can visit four different islands:
Isle of Sirommon Once known as the Islas de Zamboanga. The beautiful island of Bisaya-Bisaya, with its white sand beach and dramatic rocks. Adjacent island also features a natural pool, suitable for a soak. Buko juice is accessible. Buh-Buh Island noted for a beachfront mosque.
Fair sands may be found on Baung-Baung Island. The island of Sirommon is where we regularly stop for lunch. Fine, white sand and a great vantage position are additional boons.
One can only visit the islands for the day. A restriction of 200 visits per day established, thus previous registration is essential. You must make reservations at onceislas@gmail.com at least one week in advance of your arrival. After submitting a booking request, you will get an email with instructions.
The starting point is the Panubigan Ferry Terminal, which is located around 1.5 hours from the downtown area.
- Panubigan Ferry Terminal, located in the Barangay of Panubigan
- Tuesday–Thursday, Saturday–Sunday, 7:00 AM–2:00 PM (CLOSED ON MONDAYS) (Mondays & Fridays). Keep in mind that the timetable is subject to change without notice, so make sure to double check before you set off.
- Prices for boats range from P1,200 (BiBa or Bisaya-Bisaya and Baung-Baung Route, good for 5 pax) to P2,000 (Island Cruise, good for 5 pax)
- The costs are as follows: P100 entrance fee; P100 environmental fee; P300 guide fee (valid for 5 people), and P150 per person (Cottage Fee)
Traveling around Zamboanga City
Some of the city’s rich history may be gleaned through the many museums, parks, and other attractions scattered over the downtown and surrounding areas. These are popular sites for guided tours, but you may easily get there on your own using public transit.
Zamboanga’s Fort Pilar
The history and culture of Zamboanga, Philippines, are on display in the two-gallery El Museo de Zamboanga. Beautiful Pasonanca Park is home to the Scout Limbaga campground, a conference center, an amphitheater, an aviary, a flower garden and butterfly sanctuary, and many public swimming pools. In honor of the late Mayor of Zamboanga City and local hero, Cesar Climaco, Climaco Freedom Park bears his name.
Dating back to the 17th century, the Spaniards built the Fort Pilar Shrine and Museum as a defensive outpost. It serves as a protective overhang for an outdoor Marian shrine from the 18th century called Our Lady of the Pillar, complete with an altar and stone benches for the devout.
Within the grounds of the Zamboanga State College of Marine Science and Technology is a protected area where great white egrets breed and flourish; this area is known as the ZSCMST Bird Sanctuary.
Paseo del Mar is a waterfront area where you may relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city. It also has a beautiful sunset view. The Municipal Building in Zamboanga is a National Heritage Landmark. For a while, it served as the official house of the US Military Governor of the then-named Moro Province.
Some Recommendations for Zamboanga Dining
Zamboanga City’s wide variety of tasty treats is one of its outstanding attributes. From its inception, the city’s food has been a real representation of the cultural melting pot that it has become because of its rich and convoluted past. These are some of the most well-known restaurants in the world, along with suggestions on what to eat there.
The Tiyulah item, the centerpiece of Bay Tal Mal’s Latal Moro cuisine, is flanked by (from top left) cucumber sambal, piyassak, chicken kiyaliya, utak-utak, beef adobo, fried fish, beef kulma, chicken piyanggang, and fried shrimp.
Famous for its curacha (spanner crabs) in a special Alavar sauce (coconut milk, aligue (crab flesh), and spices), Alavar Seafood Restaurant is a must-visit for seafood lovers. On the downside, it’s not cheap. Each kilo serves four people but costs between P1500 and P1700.
The Moro cuisine in Bay Tal Mal. You can’t go wrong with the latal (P749), a sampler of ten different Filipino meals including beef kulma and tiyula itum (beef in black soup, created from burned coconut) (similar to the familiar beef curry). The origins of the Dennis Coffee Garden may be found in the Suluan city of Jolo. For P65 you may have a variety of native merienda products, including as rice cakes, deep fried bananas, and sweet potatoes, as well as the traditional Tausug coffee, kahawa sug.
Satti, which is comparable to chicken or beef satay and is coated in a sweet and occasionally spicy sauce, is a popular dish at Jimmy’s Satti. Andy’s Special Satti came highly recommended from a local acquaintance.
Tetuan, where a whole street is devoted to stalls selling kilos and kilos of succulent lechon! Prince Delicious Lechon is a well-known marinade for pork that calls for calamansi, onions, garlic, pepper, and bay leaf. Priced at P550 per kg, or P350 per half-kilo.
Secrets of Zamboanga City 2023
When would you recommend visiting Zamboanga City?
The months of January through May are the driest. Zamboanga welcomes visitors all through the year. Atypical of the Philippines, this area has rather consistent weather and is rarely hit by destructive typhoons. Nonetheless, the months of January through May offer the ideal weather for vacationers.
The Climate Change Knowledge Portal’s Graph and Data (World Bank)
The wettest months are June through November, with October being the wettest. But you shouldn’t worry too much because the amount of rain in Zamboanga is still quite minimal compared to other locations. While October is the wettest month, it is still a great time to visit Hermosa Beach because that’s when the Hermosa Festival is held.
To celebrate their miracle patron saint, La Virgen Nuestra Seora del Pilar de Zaragoza, the city hosts the annual Hermosa Festival. The festivities begin on September 12 and continue for a full month until the feast day on October 12. Exciting events, such as the Regatta, a vinta race!, take place during the first two weeks of October.