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To get to Concepcion from Iloilo City, commuters can take a bus in Tagbak (Northern Iloilo) Terminal in Jaro, Iloilo City. HPQ buses are highly recommended, the fare is P110. Travel time takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. The first trip leaves Iloilo at 7am and last trip from Concepcion is around 4pm.

To get to Concepcion from Roxas City, take a bus going to Ajuy and from the terminal in Ajuy, take another bus to Concepcion.

How to get to the islands in Concepcion

There are daily passenger trips going to the major islands in Concepcion. They mostly leave in the morning and there’s only one trip per day. For large groups, visitors can go to the fish port or the wet market and search for boatmen willing to rent out their fishing boats. Sandbar Island Beach Resort in Bulubadiangan Island have their own pumpboat service for guests, the rate is P800 for the round trip transfers. For reference, the round trip transfers to Pan de Azucar Island is around P1,000 and P1,200 for Agho and Malangabang Island (P2,500 for a big boat).

Boat Tours of Concepcion Islands

Guests of Sandbar Island Beach Resort can also rent the resort’s pumpboat for a tour of nearby islands for P800. Several resorts in the mainland and fishermen at the fish port also rent our their boats for P1,000 – P1,500 for a half-day tour.

Located in Pan de Azucar island, Mt. Manaphag or more popularly called Mt. Pan de Azucar is the most commanding landmark in Concepcion. According to legend, a giant named Toya used to inhabit the summit of Manaphag. Toya takes a bath in a lagoon on the summit, using for a scoop the shell of a gigantic manlot or clam. It is also home to white-breasted hawks and a community of wild monkeys.
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Pan de Azucar is the biggest and most popular among Concepcion’s 16 islands because of the enchantingly tall and steep mountain, called Mt. Pan de Azucar or Mt. Manaphag, standing like a towering sentinel in the center of the island.  Tampisaw is also the name of the festival of Concepcion held in the island on the fourth week of April to celebrate Earth Day.Read the rest of Pan de Azucar Island (9 comments)

Bulubadiangan or “sandbar island” is a popular island attraction in Concepcion, Iloilo. Many local and foreign tourists visit Sandbar Island for its clear blue waters and long shifting white sandbar, which would shift from left to right depending on the direction of the wind. It is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and just about any water recreation activity. The island also offers a great view of the outlying islands of Concepcion, including the majestic Mt. Manaphag in Pan de Azucar Island.
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There are a number of hotels and resorts in the islands as well as mainland Concepcion town.

The islands of Concepcion, Iloilo as seen from the white sand beach of Agho Island

The busy City of Iloilo with the Island of Guimaras off its Coast.

Iloilo has always been one of the country’s most important provinces. Merchants from China and India have long traded with the Ilonggos even before the Spaniards came; evidences of this flourishing civilization are displayed in Museums and Private Galleries.

Museo Iloilo serves as a repository of Iloilo’s cultural heritage.

Even during the Spanish and American colonial period, Iloilo still proved to be an important trading post. Iloilo has a beautiful harbor with serene and calm waters, safe for navigation because it is protected from the open sea by scenic Guimaras Island. This excellent port facility made Iloilo the center of trade at the turn of the century, with the whole world doing business in this port especially during the heyday of the sugar industry. In fact, Iloilo was given the title of “Queen City of the South” for being the Philippine’s second city, after Manila.

You can still see the old buildings that surprisingly are European and American inspired such as stately mansions, majestic century-old churches, and heritage commercial buildings.

The Iloilo Customs House watches over Iloilo’s River Wharf. The building is a remnant of Iloilo’s glorious past

The Miagao Church is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO

Iloilo’s rich heritage is showcased in multifarious festivals celebrated in the city and various towns of the province. Dubbed as the “Province of Festivals“, Iloilo is proud of its nationally acclaimed Dinagyang Festival, together with smaller but similarly riveting festivities in the province, blends the pagan and the Christian in a street dance masquerade honoring Sto. Nino.

The famous Dinagyang Festival is held every 4th week of January

Iloilo is endowed with natural wonders. Highland attractions from the cascades and waterfalls of the mountains of Iloilo to rice terraces and heights in its hinderlands. Worth visiting are various islands and islets of Iloilo that abound with white sand beaches and ornamented with tropical palms. Experience breezy fun while on an island hopping getaway. Explorations in Iloilo’s northern coast such as the myterious caves of Gigantes island and the sea charms of Sicogon and nearby islets, as well as the splendid silhouette of Pan de Azucar in Concepcion town herald quaint stories and enchanting folklores.

Agho Island, one of Concepcion town’s 16 islands, with the towering Pan de Azucar in the background

Rice terraces and lush mountains of Bucari, Leon

Iloilo takes pride in being the Food basket and Rice Granary of the Region owing to its fertile lands and seas that yield plentiful harvest. Rice is the major crop in the province of Iloilo. Fish and marine products are considered the main source of livelihood in the southern and northern Iloilo. Tourists will find many restaurants offering a gastronomic treat of fresh sea foods and famous Ilonggo dishes such as La Paz Batchoy, Chicken Inasal, and Pancit Molo.

The La Paz Batchoy, which originated from La Paz District of Iloilo City, is an Ilonggo dish that has achieved nation-wide popularity.

Iloilo is a fast-growing modern city but has kept its old charm and unspoiled environment. Today, Iloilo is a popular convention and meeting destination, with its many first class accommodations and New Airport of International standards. Tourists will find sprawling malls scattered across the city wherein they can replenish supplies as well as their energies for the hectic sand-and-water environment that are soon to follow. Hotels and restaurants abound; a world-class golf course is located just outside the city proper in Sta. Barbara.

Bars, Restaurants, Clubs, Hotels, and Coffee Shops line “Smallville“, Iloilo’s most popular night spot

The Santa Barbara Golf Course located 30 minutes from the city is the oldest Golf Course in South East Asia

Iloilo serves as the gateway to the region. It is a stopover for tourists heading to the beaches of Boracay and Palawan and the nearby provinces of Guimaras, Antique, Capiz, and Aklan.

Iloilo boasts of a new airport, considered as one of the most beautiful and modern in the country

Ilonggos travel daily to Guimaras as if it was next door, and so with Guimarasnons to Iloilo. The trip across the strait taken only 15 minutes on a smooth sailing pumpboat, or 25 minutes by barge if you are bringing your vehicle.

Guimaras is a popular weekend destination because of its white sand beaches, tranquil waters, and peaceful countrysides

People from Iloilo are called Ilonggos. They are known for their charm and sweetness that comes from the musical tonation of their dialect, Hiligaynon. You would not be able to tell if an Ilonggo is mad at you by the way they speak, which always sounds like some one crooning a love song to you. Kiniray-a, which is a dialect very similar to Hiligaynon is used in Iloilo’s countrysides. English and Tagalog are also widely spoken and understood especially in urban areas.

A nightshot of General Luna St., one of Iloilo’s major roads

Metro Iloilo-Guimaras or MIG is a metropolitan area encompassing the highly urbanized city of Iloilo City, nearby towns, island of Guimaras. Guimaras Province assumes the role of agri-eco-tourism center; Pavia as the agro-industrial center, Leganes as the center for light industries, San Miguel as the agricultural basket, Oton as the dormitory and Sta. Barbara as the international air travel gateway. Iloilo City will remain as the residential, financial, commercial, governance and educational hub not only for Guimaras Island and the five satellite municipalities but also for the entire Region VI.

A busy sunset rush hour with Iloilo City’s old structures “woven” into a modern lifestyle.

Source: Department of Tourism – Western Visayas, Wikipedia, Iloilo Province Official Website, Iloilo City Official Website
Iloilo Province Brochure by Bombette Marin, Iloilo Provincial Tourism Officer.

Ceres Bus bound for Caticlan stationed at the Tagbak Terminal in Jaro, Iloilo City

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Transportation to Nagarao Island Resort

• Location: San Isidro, Sibunag, Guimaras
• Origin: Jordan Wharf
• Approximate Travel Time: 1 hr
• Means of Transportation: Jeepney / L300 van / Pumpboat

Contact Details of Nagarao Island Resort

• Booking Office: 113 Seminario Street, Jaro, 5000 Iloilo City, Philippines
• Contact Person: Mrs. Helen Stummer / Ms. Elena Lorca
• Telephone: (63) 033 3220186 / 09189080730 / 09195866738
• Website: http://www.nagarao.com