BACOLOD TO ILOILO TO BACOLOD: Ferry Schedule, Fare Rates, Sample Itinerary and More!

How to get to Iloilo from Bacolod by ferry and vice versa? What are the updated ferry schedules and how much are the fare rates?

Bacolod and Iloilo are two of the most visited tourist destinations in the Visayas group of islands in the Philippines. You can travel from Bacolod City to Iloilo City and vice versa by taking a ferry via OceanJet, one of the most reputable ferry operators in the Philippines. With its wide selection of departure times, you can get to choose what schedule best suit your itinerary. Travel time from Bacolod to Iloilo or Iloilo to Bacolod is just one hour. So, if you're planning a side trip or a day tour, it's definitely possible!

In this travel guide blog, let me share to you the Bacolod to Iloilo ferry schedule, fare rates, and sample itinerary to help you plan your trip. I'll also include here the Iloilo to Bacolod ferry schedule, fare rates, and recommended tours & activities to do in Bacolod and Iloilo province.

8 Best Things to do in GIGANTES ISLANDS in Carles, Iloilo (Travel Guide Blog)

Islas de Gigantes in Carles Iloilo best describes what an ultimate island adventure should be. It is now one of the top tourist drawers of the province of Iloilo divided into two groups: Gigantes Norte and Gigantes Sur. The island group is composed of about 10 islands namely Balbagon, Cabugao Daku, Cabugao Gamay, Waydahon, Bantigue, Bulubadiang, Gigantillo, Gigantona, Ojatras and Gakitgakit. If you love pristine white sand beaches with clear blue waters, island hopping, seafood and nature tripping, a Gigantes Islands Adventure is right for you!

10 Interesting CEMETERIES IN THE PHILIPPINES and Things You Should Know About Them

Looking for must-visit cemeteries in the Philippines? Check out this list of 10 interesting cemeteries in the Philippines and things you should know about them.

Dark Tourism is the act of travel and visitation to sites, attractions and exhibitions which have real or recreated death, suffering or the seemingly macabre as a main theme (as mentioned by thepinaysolobackpacker.com). Honestly, I didn't know that there's such a term not until she posted an article about it on her blog. In my previous travels, I have been visiting remarkable cemeteries in different parts of our country. I have acquired a fascination not only on heritage houses but also with old and interesting cemeteries that are rich in history and has a lot of "out of the ordinary" stories to tell.

4 Underrated Tourist Spots in the Philippines You Have to Visit

Tourism is a major industry in the Philippines for good reason. There’s no shortage of natural and man-made attractions in the country that appeal to all sorts of travelers. A lot of foreign tourists visit the Philippines to enjoy its many tropical beaches, but even domestic tourists find themselves with plenty of possible options for leisurely excursions in their respective provinces and regions.

In 2021, the travel and tourism industry contributed USD 41 billion or 10.4% of the country’s gross domestic product. This is despite the fact that the country only truly opened its doors to fully vaccinated international tourists in early 2022. According to experts, this indicates that the tourism and travel industry is well on its way to recovery.

5 Must-Visit White-Sand Beaches Other Than Boracay and Palawan

The Philippines is blessed with beautiful natural respites many tourists love. Popular destinations such as Boracay and Palawan are prized for their white-sand beach resorts and stunning coastal environment. These two spots receive thousands of visitors every year and continue to cater to visitors’ leisure and wellness needs.

However, Boracay and Palawan aren’t the only white-sand paradises that will take your breath away! Yes, there are other beach resorts with ivory sand beaches and majestic blue waters you should visit on your next vacation. Here are five of them:

HOTEL REVIEW: Injap Tower Hotel in Iloilo City

Looking for a nice and decent hotel for your adventure trip to Iloilo City? Check out Injap Tower Hotel Iloilo located along West Diversion Road, Mandurriao District in Iloilo City. This 21-storey building is currently Western Visayas’ tallest building, and one of the best places to stay when visiting "The City of Love."

SOLINA BEACH AND NATURE RESORT: "Your Gateway to Gigantes Group of Islands!"

Photos by: Regil Antares Erispe

Summer is just around the corner! Do you already have plans in mind what to do this summer? You might want to consider having an island hopping adventure in one of the best spots in the Province of Iloilo, the Gigantes Group Islands in Carles. But to fully enjoy the beauty of Gigantes Group of Islands, one day is not enough. It's good if you stay in Carles for 2-3 days. Question is, where is the best place to stay while in Carles? The answer? Solina Beach and Nature Resort!

How to get to Garin Farm in San Joaquin, Iloilo

Garin Farm is a popular pilgrimage site and tourist destination in San Joaquin, Iloilo. Located at around 50 kilometers away from Iloilo City, it is a great place to relax, retreat, and meditate, as well as to bring yourself closer to nature and to our Creator. One of it's popular attractions is the "PILGRIMAGE: A Journey from Creation to Ascension,". For this, you will climb a hill where you will see many statues depicting different biblical events. The highlight of the Garin Pilgrimage Site is the huge cross on top and the Dark Meditation Tunnel that will lead you to the "heaven-like" installation with many angels, saints and the holy trinity at the center.

Awesome Pasalubong Ideas in Cebu Pacific’s Local Destinations

It is natural for us Filipinos to be thoughtful and always eager to share to our loved ones the joy of our travels. That is why, aside from great memories and awesome photos of our travels, we always want to bring home "something" from that memorable trips we had. Travelers often find it easy to load up on the usual and common "pasalubongs," like ref magnets of tourist destinations or key chains with the name of the city in cursive font. But that has always been the "usual pasalubong," that someone might already given to an office-mate, a friend or relative.

Best Affordable Gigantes Islands Tour Packages

Islas de Gigantes is fast-becoming one of the top tourist drawers of the province of Iloilo. Located in the municipality of Carles in Northern Iloilo (Panay Island, Western Visayas), it is divided into two groups: Gigantes Norte and Gigantes Sur. The island group is composed of about 10 islands namely Balbagon, Cabugao Daku, Cabugao Gamay, Waydahon, Bantigue, Bulubadiang, Gigantillo, Gigantona, Ojatras and Gakitgakit. If you love pristine white sand beaches with clear blue waters, island hopping, seafood and nature tripping, an Islas de Gigantes Adventure is right for you!

Awesome Celebrations and Festivals in the Philippines this January

Most of the festivals in the Philippines have some sort of cultural or religious aspect to them. Indeed, they are events that shouldn't be missed in the Philippines. We have a lot to offer with festivals and celebrations happening every month all over the country. This January 2014, we have five big festivals and celebrations to watch out for. There's the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila, Ati-atihan Festival in Kalibo Aklan, Sinulog Festival in Cebu, Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City and Chinese Lunar New Year. For your reference, here's a calendar of the festivals happening this month.

ILOILO Dinagyang Festival 2014 Schedule of Activities, Street Dancing Route, How To Get There, Things To Do and Where To Stay

Dinagyang Festival 2014 is a religious and cultural celebration showcasing the rich heritage, colorful history and passionate devotion of the Ilonggos to the Senyor Sto. Niño. Held annually on the fourth weekend of January, Dinagyang Festival is as grand as Iloilo's old churches and mansions. Dinagyang is an Ilonggo term for "merrymaking"; thus, thousands of tourists and devotees flock to the streets of Iloilo City to join the celebrations and to witness the grand performances of different tribes as they dance to the beat of the drums in excellent folk choreography.

Pinoy Festivals: Dinagyang Festival 2013 Schedule of Activities

Ilonggos take pride as they showcase rich heritage, colorful history and passionate devotion to the Senyor Sto. Niño through the annual Dinagyang Festival. Held every fourth weekend of January, thousands of visitors and devotees flock to the streets of Iloilo City to join the festivities. Aside from the many activities happening throughout the whole month of January, the highlights of the festival falls on the 4th weekend of the month with the Kasadyahan and the Dinagyang Ati competitions.

Pinoy Festivals : Dinagyang Festival 2011 in Iloilo

The Iloilo Dinagyang Just like most festivals in January, Dinagyang is a thanksgiving for and a celebration in honor of Sr. Santo Nino. But it prides itself as a festival of excellent folk choreography, a showcase of Ilonggo heritage and culture. It is as grand as Iloilo's old churches and mansions. It is as crisp as pinasugbong saging, as delectable as pancit molo and batchoy. Highlights of the Festival The religious highlight is the fluvial procession along Iloilo River. The cultural highlights are the Kasadyahan and the Ati-atihan parades and competitions. The fluvial procession is on a Friday of the Dinagyang week. Devotees carrying assorted images of the Child Jesus ride in motorized bancas from the mouth of the river towards the pier area where the foot parade would start and then back to the church. Held on a Saturday, Kasadyahan is a cultural parade. The presentation is theatrical and in local color. The Ati-atihan contest on a Sunday, is a big event. Participated in by at least twenty groups or tribe, the warriors wipe black soot all over their body and dance to the drumbeats. Primary reason for starting the Dinagyang Festival. The festival was first started to celebrate the feast of the Sto. Nino. From a parish church festivity to honor the Child Jesus, the celebration has evolved to become a religious-cultural activity. It is now a vehicle to promote Iloilo as a tourist and investment destination.

ILOILO TOURIST SPOTS: Miagao Church, A UNESCO World Heritage Site

The town of Miagao is a 1st class municipality located approximately 40 km southwest of Iloilo City. It is well known for its 18th century church, the Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church. Built in 1787 by the Spanish Augustinian missionaries, it was declared as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site - "Baroque Churches of the Philippines" in 1993. Its fortress-like design suggests its dual purpose - as a place of worship and as a fort used in defending the town against Moro raiders during that time.


In Baroque-Romanesque style, the church sinks six (6) meters deep into the ground with walls one-and-a-half (1 1/2) meters thick and buttresses thrice thicker in size. A truly 'Philippine Church', it exudes a native touch. Its artistic facade is decorated with a relief sculpture of St. Christopher carrying the Christ child amidst coconut, papaya and guava shrubs. A large stone image of St. Thomas of Villanueva, parish patron saint, dominates the center. Carved life-size statues of the Pope and St. Henry with their coat-of-arms above them flank the main entrance. (source)

ILOILO TOURIST SPOTS: Campo Santo in San Joaquin Iloilo

Another must see attraction in the town of San Joaquin, Iloilo is their Campo Santo or the chapel at a century-old Roman Catholic cemetery. Located on the national highway, it is just a few meters away from the town proper and the San Joaquin Church.


Sitting on a hill overlooking the sea, it is popular for its chapel with intricate baroque architecture with oriental influence. It is even made more attractive by the grand stone staircase approaching the beautiful chapel.

ILOILO TOURIST SPOTS: San Joaquin Church, San Joaquin Iloilo

San Joaquin is the southernmost town of the province of Iloilo. It is the last southern town before the province of Antique.


The San Joaquin Church is the only church in the Philippines that has a militaristic-themed facade. The masterpiece in its facade depicts the Spaniards' victory at the Battle of Tetuan. It is made of lime stones quarried from the town of Igbaras and white coral stones that can be found in the town's shorelines.

Iloilo - Budget Inn, SM City and Mooon Cafe

From Guimaras Island, we ride again the ferry boat bound for Iloilo City. Goodbye my lovely Guimaras, we'll see you again... =D



Upon reaching Ortiz Port, we took a cab and told the driver to bring us to a place where we could stay. As I mentioned in my previous posts, we are on a tight budget, so we asked him to help us find a budget hotel within the city. He then dropped us at Budget Inn located at Castilla EL-98 Jaro Iloilo City. It is indeed a budget hotel. A twin room only costs 700 pesos per night. It's clean and well maintained. The staffs are very accommodating. With all its amenities such as cable television, stand-by generator and WIFI zone, I guess it's a great deal!

Iloilo & Guimaras Adventure - November 20-22, 2010

I just came back from a 3-day vacation in Iloilo and Guimaras with my good friend Benj.



We arrived at Iloilo Airport early morning of Saturday. We took a van from the airport going to SM City Iloilo, fare is 50 pesos each. From there, we took a cab going to Ortiz Pier, taxi fare is around 80 pesos. This pier services boats that transfers passengers from Iloilo to Guimaras Island. We paid 13 pesos each for our tickets and boarded the boat. After a little over 10 minutes, we reached the port of Jordan, Guimaras Island.

Our day 1 of adventure started as we set foot in this beautiful island.