Zambaonga City is a city located in Mindanao, Philippines. The city that holds the title “Asia’s Latin City” because of its dialect, Chavacano, that sounds similar to the Spanish Language. Its culture and tradition has deep roots that connect to that of the country’s Spanish colonizers. Zambaonga City is a truly magnificent city that has different sites and activities to offer its visitors and tourists.
Call up your friends and family, start packing your clothes, camera and sunscreen, and get ready to discover the beauty of Zambaonga City through the different sites and activities listed down below.

 Beach Bumming at the Pink Sand Beach of  Sta. Cruz island

Pink coral-line sand. Yes, you heard it right. The beautiful beach of Sta. Cruz island will not only fascinate and amaze you because of its beautiful view but its uniquely colored sand will surely make you want to bring out your phone and take hundreds of photos. The pink highlights in the sand come from crushed organ pipe corals (Tubipora musica) that, once blended with the other crushed white corals, look pink in broad daylight.

Watch musically gyrating fountain at Paseo del Mar

The dancing fountain in Paseo Del Mar may not be the first fountain built in the city but it is the biggest and the most sensational of them all. The dancing musical fountain runs a show for about 30 mins filled with rhythmic dancing, music, lights, fire and special effects that surely captivates its audiences from the youngest to even the oldies.

Mangrove tour at Sta. Cruz island

If a unique nature experience is what you are looking for, the mangroves in lagoon of Sta. Cruz island would be perfect for you. Through a paddle boat and with a guide, you would see some of the huge mangroves found in the lagoon that have lived for about a hundred years already. The guide would also explain to you the different types of mangroves found in the area.

Visit the City Hall

The Zamboanga city hall is a historic building that has been standing for more than a hundred years. This city hall is a beautiful representation of the city, a mixture of both historic and modern, a building that also gives you an idea of the city’s culture.

 Learn History at Fort Pilar

Enjoy learning about the history of the city through visiting Fort Pilar and its Museum. Trivia: The museum is actually a regional museum of the National Museum of the Philippines. Visit the fort and the museum to discover the different artifacts that makes the whole area a tourist favorite. Have a quick time travel through these places.

Chasing the sunset at Paseo Del Mar

Want to stroll and be relaxed through the scenery around you? Paseo Del Mar is the perfect place for strolling and enjoying the view of the sunset through its path along the coast. You’ll see the various species of birds in the area. If you get hungry, there are stores owned by locals that sell delicious food close by.

Try Knickerbocker

Craving for something to quench your thirst from the heat? Try out the halo-halo counterpart in Zamboanga. The Knickerbocker is a combination of undeniably delightful fresh fruits (watermelon, pineapple, melon, apple, mango), jellies, condensed milk and a very delicious strawberry ice cream. This is a very famous and the all-time favorite dessert of the locals.

Dine at Jimmy’s Satti house

A true delicacy in Zamboanga is there Satti’s. Satti is a Tausug food that is extremely spicy (so better prepare yourself) which makes it the perfect “waker upper” in the morning. It is served with a side of puso (sticky rice that is cooked on weaved coconut leaf) and with sticks of freshly grilled beef with the side of hot and sweet sauce.

Eat seafoods at Alavar’s Restaurant Seafoods

Your trip would never be complete without having a taste of the local seafood and the perfect place to try them is at Alavar’s Restaurant. A must try in their menu is their famous and delectable, Curacha. Curacha is a spanner crab grown in Zamboanga. The Curacha is truly a head turned because of its “worth the money” size and because of its undeniably mouthwatering sauce.

Be amazed by the life above the sea at Rio Hondo

Rio Hondo is famous for its houses on stilts. The houses are on stilts because of the deep river that surrounds the village. Although, the area isn’t exactly included on the “must visit” list of tourists because the families in the area experience extreme poverty but one thing about traveling is to truly immerse in the culture of where you go. And because of the area, most people overlook the part that it actually gives a great view of the sea through its stilt houses. It gives you a different perspective, literally and figuratively.

Visit Yakan Weaving Village

Looking for unique souvenirs to bring home for your family and friends? Yakan Village is known for its creative handicrafts and weaved mats. You get to choose from varied colors and unique designs. Bags, wallets, table runners, they have so many different things you can choose to buy and take home. Buying here would not only help support the native weavers but what you’re also bringing home a piece of their culture with you.

Shop at barter trade center

Are you familiar with Divisoria in Metro Manila? Well Zamboanga city has a counterpart for this called Canelar Barter Center. It is a long street that is filled with different crafts, clothes, food, and well anything you can think of it. Extremely cheap and you can even try to haggle to get even a cheaper price. You would notice how the stalls have their own designs. Definitely a must go to place for cheap shopping.

 Experience Hermosa festival

And if you decide to travel to Zamboanga City during October, you might be lucky you might be able to even celebrate the annual Zamboaga Hermosa Festival or known as “Fiesta Pilar”. It is celebrated for as long as 12 days and nights filled with different events and activities. This is the festival the locals of Zamboanga truly prepare for, making it a very grandiose celebration. The celebration is in honor of the miraculous image of Our Lady of the Pilar Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragosa.

Pray at Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragosa

Discover the history of the city through another historic and majestic site of Nuestra Señora La virgin del Pilar de Zamboanga. The fort has been able to withstand constant threats of fierce warriors and invaders back so many years ago. This is a very quiet and calm place, where you can go and sit and take in the beauty of the history of this fort.

Visit BPI Lifestyle Museum

Museums are always a great place to visit when travelling to a new place. The branch of BPI in Zamboanga was the second established branch of BPI. And when they celebrated its centenary, the management decided to convert the second floor into a lifestyle museum that highlighted what the city once was. Furniture found in the era the building was created could be found inside.

Pray at Zamboanga City Cathedral

Yet another magnificent structure in Zamboanga city. The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, most commonly known as Zamboanga City Cathedral, is where the Roman Catholic Archdioces of Zamboanga resides. Because of its very modern design the cathedral has, it has been able to catch the eye of many travelers when going to Zamboanga city. Both exterior and interior designs are things you would not want to miss. But when taking pictures be cautious on whether or not masses are ongoing.

Staycation at Garden Orchid Hotel

For those taking a plane going to Zamboanga and if you’re having quite some travel looking for a place to stay, the Garden Orchid Hotel may just be the place you are looking for. This hotel is just 2 minutes away from the airport and 10 minutes away from the city. It is located at the heart of the city which makes it the perfect spot to start your tour around Zamboanga city.

Visit Taluksangay Mosque

There is a beauty in differences. To appreciate the beautiful architecture of this mosque, you do not have to be Muslim. One of the treasured structures, most important gems, of Zamboanga city, Taluksangay Mosque holds stories of the many generations that have passed. The uniquely modern colored red dome has caught the attention of many tourists and pilgrims. And it is one of the oldest mosque standing today in Zamboanga city.

Ride the Vinta

Looking for another place to enjoy the beautiful sunset view? Try riding a Vinta, the most recognizable icon of Zamboanga city, found at Paseo Del Mar so you can get another spectacular and different view of the sunset. The fee is Php50 for adults, Php20 for students and Php15 for children. Sail the waters, take pictures of the uniquely crafted Vinta and sunset, and enjoy the view.

Visit Merloquet falls

A true scenic and breathtaking place, Merloquet falls is very famous across Western Mindanao. The cools waters of the two waterfalls are just one of the reasons why it is continuously flocked by visitors and tourists. They aren’t sandy and comparatively more isolated from the city. Its vegetation and the rock formations make it an Instagram worthy post or even a desktop background for your laptop.

Visit Pasonanca Park

Want to have a quick dip in the pool? Or maybe just sit and relax in a tree house? Or enjoy the beautiful flowers being pollinated by butterflies? Well, the Pasonanca park can give you all that. They offer 3 different sizes of pools (an Olympic size, natural flowing and kiddie pool with water slides), a tree house that you can climb, and also a butterfly park where you can walk around and watch these butterflies fly.

With all these sites, food, and activities listed down, there is no question that must visit Zamboanga city.