Iligan City is known as the City of Majestic Waterfalls. It’s not a claim based on air. This city south of the Philippines boasts a total of 23 waterfalls in its vicinity, making it one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Mindanao, both for backpackers and tourists alike.

Located in the province of Lanao del Norte, it is the industrial center of the south. Its name is derived from the Higaonon word Ilijan. The name of the city originally means fortress of defense, being the site of frequent pirate and Muslim attacks during bygone eras. The area was initially settled by sea dwellers before being invaded by Visayan migrants from the island of Panglao in the 16th century, making Iligan one of the earliest Christian settlements in Mindanao.

 

 
HOW TO GET TO ILIGAN CITY

       Iligan City is located in the province of Lanao del Norte in Mindanao. Although there are no operational 
            airports in the city as of this writing, it is still pretty accessible to tourists wanting to visit its many waterfalls.
            There are numerous ways into getting to Iligan City.

   VIA CAGAYAN DE ORO
   Cebu Pacific, AirAsia Zest and PAL Express flies to Cagayan de Oro from Manila, Iloilo, 
   Davao, Cebu and Bacolod daily (1hour 20mins). From there, one can take a 
   1.5-hour bus ride (Php90.00) from Bulua Terminal that would directly land you in Iligan City.

   VIA OZAMIZ CITY
   Cebu Pacific and PAL Express has daily flights from Manila and Cebu to Ozamiz (1hour
   20mins). From Ozamiz, one can board a two-hour ferry from Cokialong Shipping Lines  
   (Php200.00) that would directly dock in Iligan City.

   VIA CEBU CITY
   There are numerous flights to Cebu from all over the world daily. From Cebu, one can
   then board an overnight ferry from Cokialong Shipping Lines (Php880.00) that would drop
   by Iligan City.

► BOOK AN ILIGAN BUS, FERRY, PRIVATE TRANSFER, FLIGHT ONLINE

 
SPEAK ILIGAN CITY

       Iliganons, as the people of Iligan City are called, use Cebuano as their native dialect. But since Iligan is also a 
            mix of people from different regions—as is the case in most cities in the Philippines—there are those who are also
            fluent in Maranao, Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Chavacano and Waray. Most locals can converse in Filipino (Tagalog) and
            English.

  Thank You – Salamat
  Good Morning – Maayong Buntag
  Good Evening – Maayong Gabii
  How Much? – Tag-Pila?
  Where Is… – Aha… / Hain…

 
HOW TO GET AROUND ILIGAN CITY

       Jeepneys, taxis, tricycles, habal-habals (single motorcycles) and karitelas or tartanillas (horse-drawn
            carriages) are the main modes of transportation in Iligan City.
          Minimum fare for jeepneys is Php8.00 while tricycles start at Php7.00,
  depending on where you want to get dropped. Habal-habal’s are mainly used 
  for going out of the way places, haggle with the driver before boarding.
  Fares usually start at around Php25.00 upwards depending on the distance
  you’re gonna go. 
          Karitelas are usually found in Poblacion and in Barangay Pala-o and
  Tambacan. They have a fixed route but it’s fun to experience riding one.
                                                             Minimum fare is at Php5.00 to Php7.00 per person.

         

 
WHERE TO STAY IN ILIGAN CITY 
     There aren’t that many lodgings and accommodations in Iligan City. There are no big fancy hotels, most 
            are simple inns and lodging houses which are usually frequented by people transacting business in the city.
            Overnight lodgings usually start at the Php300.00 range, which is perfect for budget traveling.

  R E N E ’ S   D I N E R   A N D   P E N S I O N   H O U S E
  Rates: Starts at Php 350.00 (2pax)
  Address: Andrada Compound, Roxas Ave. Ext., Brgy. Mahayahay, Iligan City
  Contact Number: (063) 221-3701 | (063) 221-8360
  GPS Coordinates: +8° 13' 27.46", +124° 14' 26.87"

 
WHERE TO EAT IN ILIGAN CITY  
      While Iligan City isn’t really known as a food destination, it does offer a wide variety of restaurants and
           fastfood chains that most cities of its size have. Besides the usual Jollibees and McDonalds, there are numerous
           restaurants where tourists can try local dishes and specialties. Don’t forget to try the numerous durian stalls along
           the road too. 

  A R U M A   C O F F E E   L O U N G E
  Type: Cafe; Coffee, Pizza, Pasta, Sandwiches
  Address: Preface Building, De Leon cor. Burgos St.Poblacion Iligan City
  Contact Number: (063)221-7913‎
  GPS Coordinates: 8°13'45.6"N 124°14'17.0"E

  D E L E C T A   D I N E R   A N D   C A F E
  Type: Diner, Cafe; Coffee, Salad, Steaks, Rice Meals
  Address: Gen. Aguinaldo St. Ext. Palao, Iligan City
  Contact Number: (063) 221-3397‎
  GPS Coordinates: 8°13'40.4"N 124°14'26.4"E

  E L   C A N T O   G R I L L   A N D   S E A F O O D   H O U S E 
  Type: Restaurant; Rice Meals, Grillhouse
  Address: At the of Cathedral, Zamora cor. Lluch St., Iligan City
  Contact Number: (063) 221-6905 ‎
  GPS Coordinates: +8° 13' 46.78", +124° 14' 24.11"

  F L A M O O
  Type: Burger House; Burgers, Fries
  Address: The Strip, Quezon Ave. Extension, Pala-o, Iligan City
  Contact Number: (063) 222-3331‎
  GPS Coordinates: 8°13'37.4"N 124°14'57.5"E

  J A C K O ’ S   K A N – A N A N
  Type: Restaurant; Rice Meals, Filipino Dishes
  Address: National Highway, Hinaplanon, Iligan City
  Contact Number: (0917) 716-8773 | (063) 222-4610
  GPS Coordinates: +8° 14' 56.74", +124° 15' 40.24"

  T I T A   F A N N I E S   L I E M P O   &   C H I C K E N   H O U S E 
  Type: Restaurant; Rice Meals, Lechon Dishes
  Address: Zamora St., Brgy. Poblacion, Iligan City
  Contact Number: (063) 223-1899
  GPS Coordinates: +8° 13' 46.84", +124° 14' 20.01"

 
WHAT TO SEE IN ILIGAN CITY 
       Iligan City is home to the country’s arguably most famous waterfall, the Maria Cristina Falls. But besides
            this giant of a waterfall, it is also home to 22 other falls that are also not to be missed. The city isn’t dubbed as
            the City of Majestic Waterfalls for nothing.
                     The city also has a couple of other attractions that tourists and backpackers would find interesting,
            like its church, the country’s former presidents’ ancestral house, museums, some parks and cold springs.
                     With more time, one can also explore the nearby coastal town of Linamon, if one is inclined to go 
            beaching. For the braver souls, the Islamic City of Marawi is also just an hour ride away via fixed route vans. 
            

  C E N T E N N I A L   P A R K
  Address: Butuan-CDO-Iligan Road, Sitio Mapalad, Brgy. Dalipuga, Iligan City
  Contact Number: N/A
  GPS Coordinates: +8° 19' 12.30", +124° 14' 52.77"

  H I N D A N G   C A V E
  Address: Brgy. Hindang, Iligan City
  Contact Number:
  GPS Coordinates:

  I L I G A N   C A T H E D R A L 
  Address: Quezon Avenue, Brgy. Poblacion, Iligan City
  Contact Number: (063) 221-5325
  GPS Coordinates: +8° 13' 45.47", +124° 14' 22.07"

  M A C A P A G A L – M A C A R A E G   A N C E S T R A L   H O U S E  
  Address: Brgy. Buruun, Iligan City
  Contact Number: (063) 223-6992
  GPS Coordinates: +8° 11' 28.48", +124° 10' 44.08"

  M A G O – O N G   B E A C H
  Address: Brgy. Mago-ong, Linamon, Lanao del Norte
  Contact Number: N/A
  GPS Coordinates: +8° 11' 7.23", +124° 9' 24.12"

  T I M O G A   S P R I N G S
  Address: Sitio Timoga, Brgy. Buruun, Iligan City
  Contact Number: 
  GPS Coordinates: +8° 11' 28.54", +124° 10' 47.25"

  D A L I P U G A   F A L L S 
  Address: Sitio Kalubihon, Brgy. Dalipuga, Iligan City
  Contact Number: N/A
  GPS Coordinates:

  D O D I O N G A N   F A L L S
  Address: Brgy. Digkilaan, Iligan City
  Contact Number: N/A 
  GPS Coordinates: +8° 16' 20.53", +124° 18' 48.77"

  H I N D A N G   F A L L S
  Address: Brgy. Hindang, Iligan City
  Contact Number:
  GPS Coordinates:

  K A L U B I H O N   F A L L S
  Address: Sitio Kalubihon, Brgy. Dalipuga, Iligan City
  Contact Number: N/A 
  GPS Coordinates: 

  M A R I A   C R I S T I N A   F A L L S  
  Address: NPC Nature’s Park, Maria Cristina, Iligan City
  Contact Number: (063)221-3988 | (063)221-9032 to 33
  GPS Coordinates: +8° 11' 0.06", +124° 11' 39.32"

  M I M B A L O T   F A L L S  
  Address: Purok 3, Mimbalot Buru-un, Iligan City
  Contact Number:
  GPS Coordinates: +8° 10' 49.31", +124° 10' 13.25"

  P A M P A M   F A L L S  
  Address: Sitio Kalubihon, Brgy. Dalipuga, Iligan City
  Contact Number: N/A
  GPS Coordinates: 

  T I N A G O   F A L L S  
  Address: Brgy. Ditucalan, Iligan City
  Contact Number: N/A
  GPS Coordinates: +8° 9' 34.06", +124° 11' 8.66"

  M A R A W I   C I T Y
  Address: Marawi City, Lanao Del Sur
  Contact Number: N/A
  GPS Coordinates: +8° 0' 11.14", +124° 17' 6.28" 

 
WHAT TO BUY IN ILIGAN CITY 
       Iligan City is not as touristy as some of the more famous tourist destinations in the Philippines. There
            are only a few stores selling souvenirs but one can still bring home a piece of Iligan City thru its native
            delicacies.            

  C H E D I N G ’ S   P E A N U T S 
  Address: Sabayle St., Iligan City
  Contact Number: (063) 221-5164
  GPS Coordinates: 8°13'51.8"N 124°14'07.4"E

  P I N A K U R A T   V I N E G A R
  Address: #5 Sparrow Rd., Isabel Village, Pala-o, Iligan City
  Contact Number: (063) 225-3045
  GPS Coordinates: 8°13'38.2"N 124°15'23.5"E

 
FESTIVALS IN ILIGAN CITY
       Iligan City has an annual festival in the form of Diyandi Festival. Celebrated every September, it is a
            month-long celebration dedicated to the city’s patron, St. Michael. Expect trade fairs, street dancing, concerts
            and other events leading to the final festival week.

  D I Y A N D I   F E S T I V A L  
  Address: Quezon Avenue, Iligan City
  Contact Number: N/A
  Schedule: Every September

 
ILIGAN CITY TOURIST SPOT MAP       

  
ILIGAN CITY SAMPLE ITINERARY

       The usual three-day vacation is enough to cover most of the tourist spots in Iligan City. But it would be ideal
            if one could stay for at least five days to spread one’s waterfalling adventures much more thinly. Visiting the city’s
            waterfalls usually comes with a fair amount of hiking and it does get tiring if one plans to visits more than three
            falls in a single day. 


                D A Y  1

                Morning arrival in Iligan via Cebu, Ozamiz or Cagayan de Oro
                Check in at Hotel (leave your bags at the lobby if early check in is not allowed)
                Breakfast at any nearby Carinderia or Restaurant
                Visit Maria Cristina Falls and Nature Park
                Lunch at any nearby Carinderia or Restaurant
                Visit Tinago Falls
                Visit Mimbalot Falls
                Dinner at Tita Fannies Liempo and Chicken House

                D A Y  2

                Breakfast at any nearby Carinderia or Restaurant 
                Visit Dalipuga Falls
                Visit Pampam Falls
                Visit Kalubihon Falls
                Late lunch at any nearby Carinderia or Restaurant 
                Afternoon and Sunset at Centennial Park 
                Visit the Iligan Cathedral
                Dinner at Jacko’s Kan-Anan

                D A Y  3 
                Early Hotel Check Out - I suggest you leave your bags the lobby first
                Breakfast at any nearby Carinderia or Restaurant 
                Visit Dodiongan Falls
                Visit Macapagal-Macaraeg Ancestral House
                Visit Timoga Hot Spring
                Late lunch at any nearby Carinderia or Restaurant
                Depart from Iligan City    END OF 3-DAY ITINERARY

                D A Y  4   -   E X T E N D E D   I T I N E R A R Y 
                Early Hotel Check Out - I suggest you leave your bags the lobby first
                Breakfast at any nearby Carinderia or Restaurant
                Visit Linamon Beach
                Depart for Marawi City
                    Visit KM Zero
                    Visit Mindanao State University
                    Lunch at the Mindanao State University
                    Visit Aga Khan Museum
                    Visit the Capitol Mosque
                    Visit Padian Market
                    Visit the Darangen Dolls Store
                    Visit the Mindanao Islamic Center Mosque
                Go back to Iligan City before 5PM
                Dinner at any nearby Carinderia or Restaurant
                Depart from Iligan City    END OF 4-DAY ITINERARY

I L I G A N   C I T Y   T R A V E L   G U I D E   A N D   I T I N E R A R Y
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