Iligan Tourist Attractions
The City of Iligan, also known was the City of Waterfalls, is home to 24 waterfalls within the city limits. If you are a waterfall lover, then this is the place for you.
It’s true that there are many falls throughout all of the Philippines, but they are especially plentiful in this city.
Most of the waterfalls require a taxi ride out of the downtown area but taxis are cheap to come by, and a ride to the most famous of the waterfalls, Maria Cristina Falls, shouldn’t cost more than PHP100.
Waterfalls
Maria Cristina Falls, which is famous with local families, also provide the city of Iligan with electricity, as it powers the Agus VI Hydroelectric Plant. Maria Cristina Falls is known for its unique twin-falls feature, and its height of nearly 100 meters. There is also a miniature zoo at the waterfall site that is popular with kids and features crocodiles and a garden.
Tinago Falls is yet another of the waterfalls that’s to the south of the city. It’s nestled in a deep ravine and the falls are 420 feet high. A taxi to the spot should cost more than PHP20 per person, and then admission to the actual site is PHP10. The waters are clear and particularly deep at these falls.
If you want to go north of the city to check out some of the waterfalls, try not to miss out Dodiongan Falls, which is nearly 15 kilometres northeast of the city centre. The water here is clear and cold and there are beautiful trees surrounding the pools that make it a popular spot for tourists and visitors alike.
Macapagal-Macaraeg Ancestral House
You can pair a visit to the Maria Cristina Falls with a visit to Macapagal-Macaraeg Ancestral house which is the ancestral home of Pres. Diosdado Macapagal and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo . The house hasn’t been changed much since it was lived in, and it’s full of memorabilia used by the family.
Timoga Cold Springs
Also south of the city, and also close to the Ancestral House and Maria Cristina Falls is Timoga Cold Springs, which is known for its chilly waters. If you are able to brave them, you can swim in the pools which are downstream from the falls themselves. If you get hungry there are snack shacks selling lechon on the road to the falls.
Buhanginan Hill
A trip to Buhanginan Hill, either on foot or by taxi will provide you with beautiful birds eye views of the city. It’s also a popular spot for jogging and if you go early in the morning, you’ll be able to beat the crowds. A similar spot for good views is Mount Agad-Agad, which is 1,600 feet above sea level and is the highest mountain in Iligan. It’s a popular spot for trekking and rock-climbing.
BEaches
The city also features many beaches for sunbathing although the snorkelling isn’t very good. Check out Global Steel Beach, Mago-ong Beach, Coco Palm Beach, Ceanun Beach, Saray Beach, Bayug Island Beach and Dalipuga Beach if you’re looking to get a bit tan.
St. Michael’s Iligan Cathedral
If you’re not interested in taking a trip outside of town, take a trip to the St. Michael’s Iligan Cathedral which is located downtown, near the Iligan City Public Plaza. This is the largest catholic church in the area and if you go on Sunday you’ll be able to see Filipinos celebrating mass. You can also take a walk to check out the Iligan City Hall, which was built in 1957 and features some nice, colonial architecture.
