Philippines Guide
For Travelers, Expats and Pinoys
Zamboanga Travel Guide
The Philippines is boasting with islands and cities full of nature, sights to see and special phenomena such as volcanoes, marine life, special hills or rice terraces. There is yet another city that boasts of the rich Filipino heritage, but this time it is not about special natural phenomena or volcanoes, it is about the colonial past of the Philippines. This place is called the little Spain of the Philippines and you will be part of the Zamboanga Travel Guide where we will take you on a tour around the most important parts of this place and where we also show you where to stay and to dine.
Before setting out on the places to go in our Zamboanga Travel Guide, you need to relax for a while and store your luggage safely somewhere. The hotel Lantaka is a Spanish style hotel with an ocean front view. This hotel is affordable and comfortable and you can make yourself on your way for our first stop on the Zamboanga Travel Guide tour. The most popular attraction as well as the most reminiscent Spanish attraction is the Fort Pilar. The Fort Pilar was a fort used to defend the people from invaders and outside attack. The Pettit Barracks are located right within the fort and have been captured by Americans and Japanese during the different wars and occupations in the Philippines.
Since the travel to Fort Pilar is a little tiring, let us settle to the next stop in the Zamboanga Travel Guide which will be a restaurant where you can munch your lunch. Today we opted for seafood since Zamboanga is famous for it and our favorite place to go is the Alavar Seafood Restaurant which serves Filipino seafood and will be the best place to show you how and what to eat from the local seafood cuisine in the Philippines. After your hunger and thirst have been thoroughly satisfied, we should move on with the Zamboanga Travel Guide to Abong-abong. Abong-abong is a pilgrimage site and came about by no one else than the Spaniards. This pilgrimage includes thirteen stations that you have to visit during holy week in the Philippines and one of them includes a volcano shaped like a turtle and a heart. It doesn’t only sound interesting but it looks interesting as well.
The last stop in our Zamboanga Travel Guide is a rather seasonal stop which means you have to plan your stay with the festival during the month of October. We are talking about the Regatta de Zamboanga where hundreds of colorful boats compete in a regatta during the Hermosa Festival in this city. After the day of excitement and sightseeing, you might probably slump back into the bed back in the hotel. You will be able to find many more things to do and see in little Spain of the Philippines.
Zamboanga Sightseeing Guide
This Zamboanga sightseeing guide will give you a tour of the place known as the Little Spain in the Philippines. You’ll immediately notice the heavy mix of Spanish with the vernacular the minute you talk to any of the locals. Nowhere has there been heavier Spanish influence here in the Philippines than in Zamboanga City.
Let’s begin our Zamboanga sightseeing guide with the natural attractions you’ll find here. Zamboanga has a lot of beautiful beaches that bring in local and foreign tourists. Three of the most popular beaches here are Bolong Beach, the pink sandy coral beaches Santa Cruz Island, and ever-famous La Vista del Mar. Another interesting place to see here is Pasonanca Park, which is also known as Little Baguio. Pasonanca Park is famous for camping and a cool retreat from summer due its elevation of 500 feet above sea level.
We now move on to the man-made attractions in our Zamboanga sightseeing guide. You’ll find traces of Spanish architecture all over Zamboanga City. Some of the surviving structures you’ll find would even date back to the Spanish era. For instance Fort Pilar was built in 1635 to ward off marauders. Today it stands as a shrine that marks a historical site in the Philippines.
Zamboanga’s City Hall was built in 1905. The construction was initiated by the Spanish but was taken over by the Americans when they took over. Five minutes from the city hall is the Pettit Barracks, named after James S. Pettit, a colonel in the United States Army when they captured the city.
Another reason to visit Pasonanca Park, aside from the cool soothing temperature, is its aviary. Located seven and a half kilometers from the city proper, you’ll find various local and foreign species of birds on display. It won’t be uncommon to find families spending an afternoon here.
We’ll now look into some of the delectable highlights in our Zamboanga sightseeing guide. A tour of Zamboanga won’t be complete without sampling the delicacies that make it famous. You can visit any of the alfresco and outdoor restaurants to sample the best of Zamboanga cuisine. Much of the food served are Spanish with a local twist, which is a bit unique in this part of the Philippines. Some of the must sample dishes are pochero, callos de andalucia, and arroz valenciana.
To cap off our Zamboanga sightseeing guide we have the cultural celebrations that occur year round. Zamboanga City is famous for its cultural activities that include enchanting song and dance festivals. The city streets become one of the most colorful ones in the Philippines. The most popular festival here is the Regatta de Zamboanga. It is a festival of many colorful sailboats that highlights a race across the nearby waters.
This Zamboanga sightseeing guide highlights many of the unique features of the city. It is truly one of the peculiar places in the Philippines that deserves the title of Little Spain.
Zamboanga Restaurant Guide
This Zamboanga restaurant guide will take you through three of the most popular dining establishments that primarily have seafood on the menu. And the Philippines being a collection of thousands of islands with its many coastlines is one place where you can enjoy boundless and fresh seafood any day of the year and at affordable prices too.
Alavar Seafood Restaurant
The first establishment in this Zamboanga restaurant guide for great seafood in the Philippines is Alavar Seafood Restaurant. This very popular business is located at 173 Don Alfaro St., Brgy. Tetuan. One particular item that patrons can not seem to get enough of is their curacha (local crab) with Alavar sauce. Yes, that special sauce is also sold as a separate bottled item (in addition to other Alavar pre-made products) that you take home with you.
Hai San Seafood Market and Restaurant
Situated at 60 San Jose Road, the second business in this Zamboanga restaurant guide for seafood in the Philippines is a two-in-one establishment which mainly focuses on Chinese cuisine. Going by its name – Hai San Seafood Market and Restaurant – you are given the option to buy your ingredients (fresh fish, live crustaceans in tanks, vegetables, etc.) and have them cook it as you prefer under the menu categories of “Ways of Cooking”, “Steamed”, and “Fried”. It goes to show that you can not get seafood entrées with fresher ingredients than how they do it.
Mano Mano Na Greenfield Restaurant
“Mano-mano”, when translated to English, means “to eat with ones hands” and this restaurant along Gov. Ramos Avenue is where eating without utensils is very much smiled upon. This last restaurant in our Zamboanga restaurant guide for seafood in the Philippines boasts of very affordable menu items like calamari or blue marlin that is less than 100 pesos per dish. It is a casual, hang-out place that is frequented by families and groups of friends alike that is why it is almost always packed with customers.
This Zamboanga restaurant guide for seafood in the Philippines covers three of the most popular establishments among the many seafood restaurants in the city. Breaking this Zamboanga restaurant guide down, we have Alavar Seafood first. Its well-liked curacha with Alavar sauce is arguably the most recognizable dish in the city that its sauce can even be bought separately in a bottle. Hai San, on the other hand, offers a Chinese-oriented approach to serving seafood with its method of “buy and then cook as the customer likes it”. Lastly, Mano Mano na Greenfield with its undeniable native, homey and casual atmosphere in addition to its affordable menu items is a definite must-try in the City of Zamboanga, Philippines.
Zamboanga Hotel Guidea
Staying in the Spanish town of the Philippines is not always that easy, because you need to know a little bit about the city in order to find a great hotel. There are places big and small to stay in the little Spain of the Philippines, but none that has an international recognizable brand. Let us help you find a great hotel to stay with the Zamboanga Hotel Guide.
The first place in the Zamboanga Hotel Guide is located in the heart of the city and this hotel is one of the oldest places around. The Lantaka is not the up to date facility for young people but it still has the flair from the past which makes this place ideal for elderly travelers and families. This hotel has a pool area and of course a restaurant where you can munch your breakfast before exploring the city. This hotel has a gift shop and only costs an average of $50 per night.
If you came to the Philippines for their white beaches then the Zamboanga Hotel Guide presents you the Dakak Park Beach Resort. This hotel is a beachfront establishment where you can easily go to and fro the private beach to enjoy your daily activities. The food is great and healthy and you can relax in their pools or spa. For an average of $80 per night, this beachfront beauty seems a tad too costly, but you will surely find your reasons to stay in the little Spain of the Philippines.
The Zamboanga Hotel Guide takes you now to the Garden Orchid Hotel which is one of the most popular in this city. The Garden Orchid Hotel has everything one could want in a hotel in the Philippines and we are not exaggerating. You will find a ballroom, function rooms, convention centers, laundry services, car rentals, money changer, an executive clubhouse, a gym, a sauna, a tennis court, beauty salons and barber shops, a convenience store, a souvenir shop, a travel agency, a restaurant, and a pool area. Now you know we didn’t exaggerate. The average room rate per night ranges around $60.
The last hotel on our Zamboanga Hotel Guide is the Grand Astoria Hotel. There are many other Astoria hotels scattered throughout the Philippines but this one promises very spacious rooms and they do not disappoint. The food is good, but can also be avoided yet the rooms are a great investment. The Astoria also has a fitness gym and it is in walking distance of all the major malls. The average cost for a single room is around $80.
Enjoy your Zamboanga Hotel Guide further and maybe you will find so many more places to stay in the little Spain of the Philippines.
Zamboanga Beach Guide
Zamboanga is a region in Mindanao. The main dialect spoken in Zamboanga is Chabacano. Tourists go there to do many things including a vacation in the beach.
A group of friends and a family will surely have a fun time visiting the city and the beaches in Zamboanga.
1.The Pink Beach in the Big Santa Cruz Island – This is a beach that one can find in the big Santa Cruz Island. It is very popular in Zamboanga and it is ranked as one of the best beaches to visit in the Philippines. The color of the sand is indeed very unique. The sand appears to be pink because of the effect of the red coral which gives out eons and then it gets mixed with the surf and then touches the sand. The corals are just close to the shore of the island. The pink beach is not a common thing all over the world. The pink beach is three miles in length and it actually encircles the island.
The bigger Santa Cruz Island has a huge lagoon filled with mangroves where the level of the water rise and fall along with the rise and fall of the ocean’s tide. There is a tiny village of Badjaos and that place serves as their burial area. There is so much vegetation in the inner part of the island. There are some trees with flowers as well giving sufficient shade from the hot sun. There are many crabs living in the mangroves. You can reach this island via a motorized boat or what the locals call a vinta from the city in just twenty minutes for eight hundred pesos. There are several kinds of boats so the fare depends on the kind of the boat you choose.
2. The Little Santa Cruz Island – This is close to the big one with the pink sand. It has white sand. A military base installed there. Diving and snorkeling in the beach is a famous recreation in this island. There is a good amount of marine animals under the waters and the clear waters give good visibility however it can be affected by the weather. In the big or great Santa Cruz Island there are coconut huts with roofs which are ideal for picnickers. There are enough bathrooms as well.
3. Bolong Beach – This is the beach that you can go to if you don’t want to ride a boat. It is just forty five minutes away from the city via a car or a van. Some locals just rent a jeep so a big family can all come together. The rental for a jeepney can reach up to seven hundred pesos. The whole beach is one and a half kilometers in length. There are many coconut huts in the beach which you can rent. You can even cook food like barbeque. When you go home you may stop in the Sangali town where you can buy fresh seafood.
4.Pitas Island Beach – This is in front of the Bolong beach. Some people can even swim from Bolong going to the Pitas beach. There are some fishermen living in the Pitas island. You can reach the Pitas island by riding a vinta with the motor. There are eleven islands in this area and offers good areas for swimming and snorkeling.
5. The Yellow Beach - This is a private resort however people are welcome for a very minimal payment of ten pesos for each person. It is one kilometer in length with many trees and restaurants. There are some bars where you can sing with the karaoke as well. There are small stores where you can buy several things as well.
6. La Vista del Mar Beach Resort – This has become the most popular resort for the rich urban dwellers. There are several amenities in this resort. It is the closest resort to the city. The beach of the resort may not be compared to the ones in the Santa Cruz islands but the amenities are some of the best in the resort industry. Many people who live in the city like it her because of the proximity of the place.
General Santos Travel Guide
Known as the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, General Santos City plays home to numerous tourist destinations that attract a great number of travelers in the country. To accommodate travelers who want to take a look at the attractive sites in the province, General Santos City, Philippines, features hotels, lodges and inns, where people can have a comfortable and relaxing stay. In addition, the city also offers restaurants that serve sumptuous and mouth-watering dishes to everyone. Hence, to avoid worry-free travels to the place, it is best that people refer to General Santos travel guides for the best places to see in the city.
Tourist Attractions
One of the special sections of General Santos travel guides is the tourist destination section. In this section, people can have ideas about the famous and beautiful tourist spots in General Santos City, Philippines. For travelers who have interest in visiting natural attractions in the place, they can always take a look at Kalaja Karst Area, which features beautiful waterfalls and an attractive cave. Other attractions to see in General Santos City, Philippines, are Lake Sebu and Lake Maughan, which are known for their serene and peaceful atmosphere.
Restaurants
For the comfort of all the travelers in General Santos City, Philippines, most General Santos travel guides provide a section on restaurants or dining places in the area. Individuals who like to visit restaurants that serve authentic Filipino dishes can always go to Sud-an, Kanto, and Jam’s Restaurant. However, for people who prefer to dine in some fast foods in the city, they can refer to General Santos travel guides to know the exact locations of Jollibee, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and McDonald’s. Additionally, for those who prefer to eat light meals like pastries, pastas, and pizzas, the city also features Pizza Hut and Red Ribbon.
Hotels
Regarding accommodations, travelers have nothing to worry for General Santos travel guides provide information on the amenities, as well as accommodation rates of hotels, lodges, and inns at General Santos City, Philippines. For individuals who like to have a luxurious and comfortable stay in the place, they can always make advance reservations in three-star and four-star hotels like Family Country Hotel, Phela Grande Hotel, and Matutum Hotel. Meanwhile, for people who prefer to stay in hospitality service providers that offer affordable rates, they can always take a look at lodges in General Santos City, Philippines, like Maharlika Lodge, Shanghai Lodge, and Clara’s Lodge. Hence, with the use of General Santos travel guides, people can surely have a remarkable and enjoyable stay in the wonderful city of General Santos, Philippines.
General Santos Sightseeing Guide
General Santos is one of the modern cities in the Philippines. It ranks as among the best cities to live in Mindanao. The city is home to many companies and factories. It is now known as one of the best places to visit while you are in the Philippines. There are many things you can see and do if you are interested in visiting General Santos.
1. Kalaja Karst Area - This is a place you should definitely visit if you are in General Santos. It is located nine miles from the town of Conel. This is a reserve with natural wonders that feature different animals as well as a camping sight for campers. You can even check out the Kalaja cave and have a spelunking adventure. In the cave is water about ten feet deep. They always give a guide when you are visiting the cave. The reserve also has some of the best waterfalls in General Santos. You can also have a hiking or climbing adventure with your friends while going around the reserve.
2.Lake Sebu – This is where the tribe known as the T’boli lived before. They like living within a short distance from the lake. The lake is so clear and pure. The whole area surrounding the lake is peaceful. Many people believed that it is a mythical and miraculous body of water.
3. Lake Maughan - This is another lake with a natural reserve. Tourists visiting can see exotic flora and fauna.
4. The Kalsangi Golf course – This is a good place to visit for golf fans. This is next to the Mountain called Matutum.
5. The settlements of the tribe of the T’bolis – There are still some T’bolis living in the western side of Sebu lake. Tourists can visit the place and you can have an educational experience about their culture.
6. Mountain Matutum – This is a mountain that is two thousand meters tall. This is one of the highest peaks in Mindanao. Many Filipino climbers have climbed the mountain and they enjoy the nice view and the variation in the landscape.
7. Nopol Hills- These are hills near General Santos city. If you are coming from Kalaja Karsts you can easily go to the hills in just thirty minutes. From the hills tourists can see the Sarangani Bay and have a good view of it. Most people go there to enjoy the sunset with their families and friends.
General Santos Restaurant Guide
General Santos City is a city in Mindanao which attracts more and more tourists every year. Today General Santos has more businesses than ever before including restaurants offering varied cuisines to the locals and the tourists.
1. Tatay Pepe’s Restobar - This is a restaurant in General City which is a popular hangout among the residents there. This is a restaurant where many young adults hang out. The setting of the restaurant is very simple and casual. The cost of the food in Tatay Pepe’s is very affordable. A complete meal can cost seventy five pesos only. This restaurant is situated in Osmena Avenue which is a major street in the city. You can visit their website at tataypepes.com.
2. La Veranda Café - This cafe and restaurant belongs to the latest and hippest restaurant in General Santos. La Veranda is a coffee shop offering international foods like pastas, salads and American dishes. They are proud of having different systems for brewing their coffee. One of their best sellers is the mocha coffee. The price of the coffee in La Veranda begins at eighty pesos. There is a good area on the top of the restaurant where some tables are arranged so lucky patrons can enjoy the view outside including the General Santos city sunset. La Veranda is established at the top of the Tandem building in the in the city’s national highway.
3.Ranchero’s Grill - This is a smaller restaurant in the city compared to others when it first began which today has branches in many towns and other Mindanao cities. This grill became a hit with many residents in the city including tourists because of the grilled foods. They are also known for the affordability of the dishes. You can bring one hundred pesos and enjoy a complete meal. Their best seller is the grilled tuna.
4. Dimsum Diner- This is a diner which offers tasty Asian dishes like Japanese and Chinese foods. The ambience in the whole restaurant is very cozy where customers can choose from a wide selection of platters of dimsum. They also have platters made from bamboo. Their best seller is the dumpling. They are located at the East Asia Hotel.
5. Grab-A-Crab - This is restaurant is a combination of an elegant but modern restaurant. They offer gourmet foods and the restaurant is designed to evoke intimacy and class. Many elite residents in the city dine here. They serve good Filipino and Chinese dishes. They are popular for their seafood meals.
General Santos Hotel Guide
General Santos is also called as the boom town of Mindanao. This city has become an excellent destination for tourists. They have many beautiful beaches and landmarks. They also have top resorts and hotels. Most of the hotels have excellent services and some are very affordable too. Many guests keep coming back to them because they all make their stay memorable and nice.
1. Dolores Tropicana Resort - This resort is in the town of Tambler in the city. This resort is a franchise company from South Cotabato. The whole resort has a peaceful surrounding where you can enjoy a quiet time to relax from the hectic city life. Many residents like holding special celebrations with them like weddings, business seminars and meetings. There are different types of rooms. They are Taub, Katunggan and Balud rooms. The cost of staying in a room for one night can cost one thousand two hundred pesos up to two thousand eight hundred pesos. Every room has the standard amenities like television, telephone and bathrooms.
2. Days Hotel - This hotel is in the town of Lagao. Many guests like coming back to stay here because the people are reliable. They are also proud of their friendly service. They have good amenities like spacious parking space, deposit boxes for safety and huge conference rooms. A room with one bed costs sixty five dollars up to ninety five dollars. The room with two beds costs seventy five dollars up to one hundred five dollars for one night. Each room has all the amenities like telephones and televisions.
3. East Asia Royale Hotel - This is situated on the national highway. It is known for its elegance and good hospitable staff. They have different room for huge banquets. They also have a center for business. The hotel has its own coffee shop, restaurant and one bar with a pianist. The guests are offered different rooms like superior, standard, deluxe and
suite rooms. Most of the rooms costs one thousand nine hundred fifty pesos and the suites cost three thousand two hundred pesos.
4. Dolores Hotel - This hotel is along the boulevard called Santiago in the city. They have many halls for conventions and other function rooms. They also have their own restaurant. The hotels offer single, matrimonial, family and twin rooms for their guests. The price of the rooms range from five hundred pesos up to nine hundred pesos. The rooms have the standard amenities like telephones, televisions and one bathroom with the shower.
5. Phela Grande Hotel - This was established on the corners of Atis Street and Magsaysay. This is one of the biggest hotels in General Santos. They have a big restaurant, souvenir store and other rooms for different functions. The guests are offered with different rooms like standard, single and family rooms. The price of the rooms varies from nine hundred pesos and two thousand two hundred pesos. The rooms have standard features.
General Santos Beach Guide
There are a lot of activities that you can do when in this beautiful city, but definitely one of the most exciting would be to go visit the beaches in and around the area. This General Santos beach guide can give you an idea of where to go.
One of the destinations that would definitely be worth checking out is Gumasa Beach, which is only a couple of hours away. This General Santos beach guide can inform you that there are several valid reasons why it is so popular among tourists. The waters are very clear and unspoiled, with none of the problems that afflict other beaches that are frequented by too many people. Moreover, the sands around the beach are exceedingly fine, perfect for daily strolls.
Another site that should be in any General Santos beach guide is London Beach off Siguel. Siguel is only a few minutes away by motor vehicle from General Santos, and once you get there, you will be able to savor the pure air and water around the area. There are also resorts nearby so finding a place to stay in will not be a problem.
Nearby is Tropicana Beach. Compared with other beaches, it is quiet and serene, which would be welcomed by tourists and travelers who just want to spend some quiet time by the ocean shore. The cool breeze that emanates from the sea can be felt night and day, so you can visit it at any time and still savor the breeze.
Tuka Beach is also a place worthy of inclusion in this General Santos beach guide. It is situated off Kiamba in Sarangani, which is not that far off from General Santos. The beach is divided into Tuka Beach 1, 2, 3 and 4. Each one is filled with interesting sights, not the least of which are the hills and mountains covering the surrounding landscape.
All of the beaches in Tuka have their own distinct features, and there are several things that you can enjoy. You can go on a boating trip, or as most people now do, go to the nearby theme park, for which the entire place is named. This General Santos beach guide can point out that you will see a wide array of exotic animals in the area, several of which are located only in the local seas.
This General Santos beach guide only gives you an overview of the features of these sites. Once there, you will find other hidden treasures and thrills that will make your stay even more exciting.
