French
DeutschIlagan is the capital city of Isabela. It is one of the largest cities in the Philippines, but it has a small town feel, and has a vibrant tourism scene. It is along the main highway to Tuguegarao.
Understand
[edit | edit source]The site of a Spanish-era settlement that disappeared following a revolt by the natives in 1621, it was reestablished in 1678. It used to be the northernmost town of Nueva Vizcaya until 1856, when it found itself in the middle of the newly-created province of Isabela and became its capital. In 1998, a referendum to convert Ilagan into a city failed. A second attempt in 2012 was successful.
With a land area of about 117 ha (290 acres), Ilagan is the fourth largest city in the Philippines by land area. It is also the most populous city in Isabela, with a population of about 158,000 (2020).
The city basically has three central areas, Alibagu, Baligatan and the old city proper (poblacion). Baligatan is along the highway to Tuguegarao, and has the junction leading to the poblacion, the main public market, and the park which houses the giant armchair. The old downtown is far northeast, nestled at the convergence of the Cagayan and Ilagan rivers. Alibagu hosts the provincial government headquarters and the Northstar Mall with its transport terminal. All of these neighborhoods are situated on an upland promontory overlooking the junction of the Cagayan and the Abuan or Pinacanauan Rivers.
Get in
[edit | edit source]By bus
[edit | edit source]There are many buses that ply the highway to Tuguegarao.
- 1 Victory Liner (Terminal near the Coca-Cola plant). 4 buses and 2 return trips daily. Buses depart from Sampaloc, Manila at 2:30PM, 4PM, 6:30PM, and 7:45PM, and arrive at Ilagan at 12:57 midnight, 2:27AM, 4:57AM, and 6:12AM. Return trips depart at 4PM and 6:30PM. About ₱790, not including food stop at Solano.
- 2 G.V. Florida Transport, Paguirigan Avenue, Poblacion. One departure daily from Sampaloc, Manila
For buses that do not terminate at Ilagan, the stopover is at Bonifacio Park, along the highway at barangay Baligatan.
- 3 Ilagan City Central Terminal, Alibagu (beside Northstar Mall). A consolidated terminal for buses, jeepneys and other PUVs.
By plane
[edit | edit source]The nearest airports are in Tuguegarao (TUG IATA), around 70 kilometres (43 mi) to the north, and Cauayan (CYZ IATA), 20 kilometres (12 mi) to the south; both being served by Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines with one flight daily. From either airport, you can transfer to a bus headed for Ilagan.
By car
[edit | edit source]Ilagan is 395 km (245 mi) from Manila, and 67 km (42 mi) from Tuguegarao. The main highway is Cagayan Valley Road (Maharlika Highway/Pan-Philippine Highway/Route 1/AH26), which bypasses the city proper, but passes through the main commercial district at Baligatan.
By jeep
[edit | edit source]A jeepney service connects downtown Ilagan with Guibang in Gamu, passing through Baligatan and Alibagu. The barangays along Maharlika Highway are served by passenger vans plying the Tuguegarao-Santiago City route.
Get around
[edit | edit source]
Tricycles are available at most parts of the city, but given Ilagan’s extensive land area, a car would be more convenient.
See
[edit | edit source]- 1 Bonifacio Park, Maharlika Highway, Baligatan, ☏ +63 917 441 2975. Open 24 hours. Houses a statue of Andres Bonifacio. It is also a common site for demonstrations held in Ilagan. Free.
- 2 Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines Ilagan plant, Calamagui-Ilagan Road (Near the Victory Liner terminal). 8AM-5PM. There are guided tours where visitors can see the mechanized process of how Coca-Cola is produced.
- 3 Giant rocking chair (Butaka), Maharlika Highway, Baligatan (in Bonifacio Park). Open 24 hours. This, the largest in the world, was constructed within 29 days with a cost of ₱175,000. Free.
- 4 Ilagan Japanese Tunnel, Brangay Santo Tomas. 8AM–7PM. 40 m (130 ft) tunnel, once used as a Japanese army headquarters.
- 5 Saint Ferdinand Parish Church, Santa Ana Street, Poblacion (beside St. Ferdinand College), ☏ +63 78 624-2467. Formerly the seat of the Diocese of Ilagan, it houses the oldest bells in the province. The church was gutted by fire in 2024 and is undergoing reconstruction.
- 6 Queen Isabela Park, Maharlika Highway, Alibagu. Open 24 hours. In front of the Provincial Capitol, it hosts concerts and various booths during the Bambanti Festival and has a pond, an amphitheater, and a monument to Queen Isabella II of Spain, after which the province was named. Free.
- 7 Isabela Provincial Capitol, Maharlika Highway, Alibagu. 8AM–5PM. A monumental office complex. In the courtyard is a statue of the province's longest serving governor, Faustino Dy Sr. At the back is the governor's residence, known simply as Balay (House).
- 8 Ilagan City Welcome Monument, Maharlika Highway, Alibagu. Open 24 hours. Free.
Do
[edit | edit source]- 1 Ilagan Sanctuary (Fuyot Springs National Park). 819 ha (2,020 acres) national park. Activities include hiking, mountaineering, spelunking and birdwatching.
- 2 Ilagan Sports Complex, Paguirigan Memorial Park, Rizal Street. A large modern sports center opened 2015 to replace the older Paguirigan Memorial Sports Complex. It has badminton, basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts, an 8-lane swimming pool, and an IAAF-certified track and field.
- 3 Isabela Sports Complex, Maharlika Highway, Alibagu (beside Queen Isabela Park). A massive stadium with a track and field course. During the Bambanti Festival, this hosts the street-dancing competition involving teams from the different municipalities of Isabela.
- 4 Capital Arena, Maharlika Highway, Alibagu (at the back of Ilagan Central Terminal and Northstar Mall). A stadium with a seating capacity of 10,000. Opened in 2024, it hosts national-level competitions for indoor sports such as basketball and volleyball.
Festivals
[edit | edit source]- Aggaw na Ilagan. May 4. Celebrates the city's founding as a town.
- Bambanti Festival. An annual festival celebrating Isabela's culture, held every January 25. Most major events are held at the amphitheater at Queen Isabela Park.
Buy
[edit | edit source]- 1 Ilagan Public Market, Maharlika Highway, Baligatan. 6AM-6PM. There are some carinderias outside. Meat section may smell like cigarette smoke due to many vendors openly smoking.
- 2 Northstar Mall (Xentro Mall-Ilagan City2), Maharlika Highway, Alibagu. 9AM-8PM. Two-story mall with a cinema, a Savemore supermarket, a McDonald's, and a hotel (see #Sleep. While air-conditioned, it may feel hot though inside.
- 3 Central Market Ilagan (Xentro Mall-Ilagan City1), Rizal Street, Baligatan. 9AM–7PM. Shopping mall.
- 4 Robinsons Supermarket Ilagan, Ilagan-Delfin Albano-Mallig Road (in Talavera Square Mall). 8AM–8PM.
Eat
[edit | edit source]- 1 Superior Restaurant, Rizal Street, Poblacion (below a three-story building). 7AM-8PM. One of the best Pansit Guisado in the City of Ilagan, Isabela. Superior Restaurant serves also delicious Pinoy recipes like Igado, Pork Adobo, Adobong Pusit, Lechon Kawali and more.
- 2 Tita Ludy's Garden Cafe, Calamagui Road. 6AM-9PM. Food served in a garden atmosphere.
- 3 Street Tastes Ph, Paguirigan Street. Filipino restaurant.
- 4 Mike's Lechon, Maharlika Highway. Filipino food eatery in a Nipa hut.
- 5 Macie's Kitchen, Ilagan-Delfin Albano-Mallig Road, ☏ +63 967 775 1636. 7AM–8PM. Filipino restaurant.
- 6 Classic Burger, Maharlika Highway. 8AM–8:30PM. American foods.
Drink
[edit | edit source]Sleep
[edit | edit source]- 1 Dreamwave Hotel, Maharlika Highway, Alibagu (at Northstar Mall). A/C rooms, free parking, WiFi, laundry, breakfast and gym. From ₱1,600.
- 2 Ilagan City Hotel & Convention Center, B4 L18 Cityhomes Subdivision, Maharlika Highway, Alibagu, ☏ +63 78 262-0456. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. City-owned. AC rooms. Free laundry. No free meals.
- 3 Hotel Mills and Rain, Maharlika Highway. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
- 4 Meaco Royal Hotel, Gangan Avenue. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
- 5 The Blanket Hotel And Restaurant, Taft corner Rizal Streets. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
Stay safe
[edit | edit source]The lowland areas along the Cagayan, Abuan and Pinacanauan Rivers are highly vulnerable to flooding during the rainy season, with the national highway being inundated on several occasions.
Stay healthy
[edit | edit source]- 1 Governor Faustino M. Dy, Sr. Memorial Hospital (Isabela Medical Center), Osmeña Street, Baligatan, ☏ +63 78 622 3172. 24 hours daily.
Connect
[edit | edit source]- 2 BM Surface Internet Cafe, Rizal Street, Poblacion. 8:30AM-10:30PM.
Go next
[edit | edit source]| Routes through Ilagan |
| Tuguegarao ← Tumauini ← | N  S | → Gamu → Santiago City |