With its colorful attractions, melting pot of cultures, vibrant heritage, and delicious food, Zamboanga City in Western Mindanao is an emerging tourist destination worthy of attention. The unique blend of Spanish, Western, and indigenous influences makes Zamboanga City a diverse cultural experience for all types of travelers.
Here’s a look at some of the top tourist spots to visit, restaurants to try, and places to stay for those planning to explore this vibrant city in Mindanao.
Where To Go In Zamboanga City
1. Santa Cruz Island
One of the top draws to Zamboanga City is Santa Cruz Island, which was once ranked by National Geographic among the best beaches in the world. This small island is famous for its pinkish sand, which is a result of the red organ-pipe corals dissolved into the white sand’s coast. Here, visitors can experience vinta sailing, go on educational mangrove tours, and indulge in seafood feasts prepared by the local community. Getting to the island involves a quick 20-minute boat ride from the city port, making it ideal for day trips from the city.
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2. Once Islas
Once Islas, a group of 11 islands, is a new beach/island-hopping destination that you can also check out in Zamboanga City. Tours from the jump-off point, located in the remote barangays of Panubigan and Dita on the east coast, were launched to the public only in 2018, a couple of years before the pandemic hit. Four out of the 11 unspoiled islands here can be visited by tourists for swimming, kayaking, and trekking. Island-hopping trips and meals are also managed by the local communities.
3. Rainbow Mosque
Zamboanga City is home to several notable mosques including Taluksangay Mosque, the oldest mosque in the region, located on the outskirts of the city. In case your time is limited, be sure to head to Masjid Al-Islamia, a colorful mosque you can visit right in the city center. Also known as the Rainbow Mosque, this place of worship 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 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.
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4. Yakan Weaving Village
Interested in shopping for unique and meaningful souvenirs? Stop by the Yakan Weaving Village in Barangay Upper Calarian, a community of the Yakan Muslim tribe hailing from Basilan who relocated to Zamboanga City. The Yakans are considered to be among the finest weavers in the country. Tourists can witness some of the women turning brightly-colored threads into beautiful textiles from handlooms here. Visitors can shop for modern handcrafted souvenir items like apparel, shoes, table runners, wallets, bags, and other accessories here.
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5. Fort Pilar and National Museum
For history buffs, Fort Pilar is a major heritage site in the city 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.
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6. Pasonanca Park
Another notable destination for nature lovers is Pasonanca Park. This historic landmark, in the city, is ideal for birding, meditation, and communing with nature. The park is home to the city’s famous Pasonanca Tree House constructed back in the 1960s, and is now open for overnight stays. The park also houses a campsite, amphitheater, and a convention center among other modern facilities.
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NOTE: For hassle-free island-hopping and city tours, get in touch with ITravel Tourist Lane, a DOT-accredited tour agency that offers hassle-free tours in and around Zamboanga City. The agency can handle everything from hotel pick up and drop off, boat transfers, entrance fees, and optional tours. Special arrangements can also be made for food.
For tour bookings and reservations, you can call their landline (062) 991-1174. You can also text or call 0917-722-6410 / 0917-392-9474 / 0995-699-3274, contact them via email, or their Facebook page.
ITravel Tourist Lane is located at Mayor Jaldon St., Canelar, Zamboanga City (near the DHL Office).
Where To Eat In Zamboanga City
1. Alavar Seafood Restaurant
Foodies are in for a treat in Zamboanga City, as its local cuisine offers a melting pot of flavors, from Spanish influences to Zambuangeño, Chinese-Chavacano fusion, and traditional Muslim specialties. Don’t leave without trying curacha, a species of deep-sea crab found in the waters surrounding the city from Alavar Seafood Restaurant. The homegrown restaurant established in 1978 offers heirloom and seafood specialties topped with a signature Alavar Sauce that’s a delicious mix of coconut milk and spices. Other must-tries on the menu include Baked Imbao (clams), green mango served with Bagon con gata, and drinks like Kamias Shake and Zamboanga White, a creamy lychee-based shake.
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2. Hacienda del Palmeras
Hacienda de Palmeras is another homegrown restaurant that serves traditional Filipino cuisine along with Zamboangueño and Asian-inspired dishes. Be sure to try their knickerbocker, a refreshing halo-halo-like dessert of sliced fruits and gelatin topped with strawberry ice cream.
3. Paseo del Mar
If you want to enjoy an al fresco dining experience, head over to the seaside boulevard and outdoor food park known as Paseo del Mar. Here, you can find small outdoor stalls and local joints. The vibrant local food hub is a pleasant spot for afternoon snacks, dinner, and drinks at night. After a day of sightseeing, kick back with some ice-cold beer and fresh grilled while shooting the breeze.
4. Dennis Coffee Garden
Dennis Coffee Garden offers a taste of authentic Tausig Muslim delicacies and the Sulu coffee culture. This restaurant, which originated in Jolo, Sulu in 1962, serves excellent Tausug dishes. Their Dulang (set meals good for 5 persons) are served with rice, cucumber, and sambal. Specialties include Chicken Pianggang (chicken marinated in choice spices), Beef Kulma (beef cubes in mild curry paste), Tiula Itum (beef in a broth of roasted coconut and spices), Utak-Utak (fried fish cakes). For dessert, you can pair 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.
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5. Craft Kitchen Zamboanga
Looking for familiar flavors or somewhere new to visit in the city? Craft Kitchen is a new al fresco restaurant converted from a heritage house located along the San Jose Road intersection near the airport and Garden Orchid Hotel. The restaurant, which was established during the pandemic, serves a mix of traditional Filipino, Asian, and Western fare. Aside from the main dining space set within the ground floor of a heritage house, there are several cozy nooks for dining and lots of IG-friendly photo spots for visitors.
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6. Satti houses
Need a quick breakfast fix? Sati Ayam or Satti, barbecued meat similar to Malaysian satay, is a local favorite popularly eaten for breakfast in Zamboanga. This delicacy of grilled chicken and cubed rice known as ‘puso’ is served with a spicy sauce. You can find this skewered specialty in humble roadside eateries like Andy’s Satti, Johnny’s Morning Sun Satti, and Jimmy’s Satti, which are frequented by locals and tourists alike.
Where To Stay In Zamboanga City
1. Garden Orchid Hotel
Garden Orchid Hotel is one of the top hotels to stay in Zamboanga City, usually recommended for business and leisure travelers. This 3-star hotel with modern and comfortable rooms has a large swimming pool area and an in-house restaurant and bar. The hotel is conveniently located just 250 meters from the airport! So from here, guests can enjoy easy access to everything that the lively city has to offer.
Garden Orchid Hotel is located at 7000 Gov Camins Ave, Zamboanga, Zamboanga del Sur. You can book a stay through their website, or via Klook, TripAdvisor, or Agoda.
2. Marcian Garden Hotel
Marcian Garden Hotel is another local hotel that aims to promote the rich and diverse culture of Zamboanga City. This unique three-story luxury boutique hotel has a total of 60 accommodation suites and rooms, which combine the classic beauty of Spanish-Moroccan design with the warmth and festive colors of Zamboanga.
Marcian Garden Hotel is located at Gov Camins Ave. Zamboanga, 7000 Zamboanga del Sur. You can book a stay through their website, or via Klook, Agoda, or Booking.com.
3. Vista del Mar Resort by Cocotel
Want to wake up to a view of the sea? Vista del Mar Beach Resort in the main city proper offers specialty lodgings 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. The resort is ideal for those who want a serene and rustic place to stay in Zamboanga City.
Vista del Mar Resort by Cocotel is located at Labuan-Limpapa National Road, Zamboanga City. You can book a stay via Agoda, TripAdvisor, or Expedia.
With Zamboanga City’s stunning sights and diverse heritage, this under-the-radar destination promises an unforgettable getaway. Bookmark this travel guide if you’re looking for exciting new destinations to visit in 2024.
For more travel guides and stories from the author, visit her website Traveling Up.
