Basilan

	WARNING: Many governments have issued warnings against all travel to this region because of terrorist activity and clashes between the military and insurgent groups.
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	(Information last updated 30 Nov 2023)

Basilan is an island province of the Philippines in Mindanao, just off the southern coast of the Zamboanga Peninsula. Basilan is the biggest and northernmost among the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago.

Understand

Basilan has a variety of natural tourist spots that dot the island's pristine beaches and cool inland resorts; it has a peninsula point called Punta Matangal in Tuburan that offers a haven for surfers, very similar to those at the north shores of Hawaii. Basilan has gradually evolved into a charming, even surprisingly hospitable place where you could relax and enjoy a laid back, stress-free vacation, but the danger from rebels and pirates persists; it is badly affected by the Moro insurgency, and bombings on civilians and kidnapping of tourists pose risks.

There are three main ethnic groups; the Yakans and Tausugs are predominantly Muslim, while Chavacanos are primarily Christian. The lingua franca is Chavacano, a Spanish creole dialect, understood by more than 80% of the population. Tagalog/Filipino and English are also widely spoken and understood.

Tourist assistance

Hja. Gigi Carama-Junudi, Basilan Provincial Tourism Officer, Provincial Capitol Building, Isabela City, Basilan.
Jayson Tubil, Isabela City Tourism Officer, Isabela City Hall Complex, Isabela City, Basilan.
Pilar Raga, Guest Liaison Officer, "Isabela City Pasalubong Center", Basilan Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc., J. S. Alano Bldg., J. S. Alano St., Isabela City, Basilan.

Cities

6.7121.9666671 Isabela City - Capital of Basilan
6.65122.1333332 Lamitan

Get in

Access to the island province is usually through Zamboanga City which lies 31 km (17 nautical miles) (narrowest point of the Basilan Strait) due north. From there, a boat ride of 1 hour and 45 mins (for conventional passenger ferries), will take you to Isabela and Lamitan. The fare ranges from ₱20 (student and senior citizen's discounted fare on some conventional ferries) to ₱70 (first-class w/ aircon).

Another fastest way to the location is by taking the "Fast Craft" which will only take about 45 minutes boat ride.

Isabela-Zamboanga-Isabela Route (1 hr, 30 min)
Lamitan-Zamboanga-Lamitan Route (1 hr, 30 min)
Maluso-Jolo-Maluso Route (6 hours)

**Schedule**
Ship	Origin	Destination	Time
M/V Stephanie Marie	Isabela	Zamboanga	6:45AM, 12:45PM
M/V Stephanie Marie	Zamboanga	Isabela	9:45AM, 3:45PM
M/V Ever Sweet	Isabela	Zamboanga	9:30AM, 3:30PM
M/V Ever Sweet	Zamboanga	Isabela	6:30AM, 12:30PM
M/V Estrella del Mar	Isabela	Zamboanga	10AM, 4PM
M/V Ever Sweet	Zamboanga	Isabela	7AM, 1PM
M/V Princess Nicole	Isabela	Zamboanga	6:50AM, 12:50PM
M/V Princess Nicole	Isabela	Zamboanga	9:50AM / 3:50PM
M/V Neveen	Zamboanga	Lamitan	3PM
M/V Neveen	Zamboanga	Lamitan	7AM
M/V Trisha Kerstin	Lamitan	Zamboanga	7AM
M/V Trisha Kerstin	Zamboanga	Lamitan	3PM

Basilan joined the "Western Philippine Nautical Highway" through the construction of 3 new Roll-On-Roll-Off ("Ro-ro") ports located in the cities of Isabela and Lamitan, and in Port Holland, Maluso. A regular four door sedan is charged ₱2500 per trip, a van/light truck ₱3500, while bigger trucks/heavy equipment may go up to ₱5000 per trip.

Basilan is served by several light plane landing fields located in Isabela (2), Lamitan (1), Maluso (1), Lantawan (1) and Sumisip (1), all of which were constructed and maintained by the multi-national plantations and have since been turned over to the Farmer Beneficiary Cooperatives.

Talk

The lingua franca is Chavacano, a Spanish creole language, understood by more than 80% of the population. Tagalog/Filipino, English and Visaya are also widely spoken and understood. Native Yakans and Tausugs have their own language which consist of 80% of the population in the island.

See

Nature spots

Kumalarang River
Tabiawan and Busay Waterfalls
Balagtasan Waterfalls
Sumagdang Beach
Malamawi Island
Alano White Beach Resort
Sunrise/Lanote Resort Row
Bulingan Falls
Matagan beach paradise
Calugusan Beach
Palm Beach

Churches and religious shrines

St. Peter's Parish Church
Monte Santo
Chapel of Peace
Santa Isabel Cathedral
Monte Santo Shrine
Kaum Purnah Mosque

Historical sites

Datu Kalun Shrine
Museo ng Lamitan
Basilan Provincial Capitol
Isabela City Plaza (formerly Plaza Misericordia)/Plaza Rizal

Do

Araw ng Basilan
Lami-Lamihan Festival
Cocowayan Festival
Fiesta Santa Isabel
Semana Santa (Holy Week) - March/April (movable)
Flores de Mayo
Fonda de Barangay or Fiestas del Barangay
Pascua (Christmas)
Isra Wal Miraj
Eid al-Fitr/Hari Raya Puasa - (movable)
Maulidin-Nabi
Chinese New Year

Buy

A definite recommended "buy" would be the intricate Yakan weaves, trinkets and souvenir items usually made of woven material and hammered brass/bronze pieces, with colorful beads and hand-painted wooden bangles, rings, and handcrafted Yakan bags, table-runners, wall-decor, etc. Be sure to visit the Isabela City Pasalubong Center for authentic Yakan craft (1/F, J. S. Alano Zenith Bldg., J. S. Alano St.). Since you're already in Basilan, don't miss out on the "Basilan Brew" coffee available in nearby Lamitan town (only 45 minutes from Isabela City). A number of retail establishments may likewise be visited before 6PM (traditional closing time).

Eat

Sumptuous local delicacies may likewise be sampled. Not to be missed are hearty Muslim dishes such as:

tyula itum
pianggang manok
baulo,
kulma

Certain Yakan festivities likewise prepare a pyramidal dullang with the delectable mountain rice sappul.

Go next

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