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Capital city of Isabela, Philippines
Photo: Jonald Dimaano, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ilagan 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.
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Houses a statue of Andres Bonifacio. It is also a common site for demonstrations.
There are guided tours where visitors can see the mechanized process of how Coca-Cola is produced.
Butaka
This, the largest in the world, was constructed within 29 days with a cost of ₱175,000.
40 m tunnel, once used as a Japanese army headquarters.
Formerly the seat of the Diocese of Ilagan, it houses the oldest bells in the province. The church, save for its belfry, was gutted by fire in 2024 and is undergoing reconstruction.
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.
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 official residence, known simply as Balai (House).
Housed in the old provincial capitol building, the museum has a collection on the province's history and culture.
Fuyot Springs National Park
819 ha national park. Activities include hiking, mountaineering, spelunking and birdwatching.
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.
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.
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.
May 4. Celebrates the city's founding as a town.
An annual festival celebrating Isabela's culture. Most major events are held at the amphitheater at Queen Isabela Park.
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.
Food served in a garden atmosphere.
Filipino restaurant.
Filipino food eatery in a Nipa hut.
Filipino restaurant.
American foods.
Egyptian restaurant owned by an Egyptian national. Some specialties such as Koshary require pre-order for at least a day in advance.
A/C rooms, free parking, Wi-Fi, laundry, breakfast and gym.
City-owned. AC rooms. Free laundry. No free meals.
There are some carinderias outside. Meat section may smell like cigarette smoke due to many vendors openly smoking.
Xentro Mall-Ilagan City2
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.
Xentro Mall-Ilagan City1
Shopping mall.
By plane
The nearest airports are in Tuguegarao (TUG), around to the north, and Cauayan (CYZ), to the south; both being served by Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines with one flight daily.
By car
Ilagan is 395 km from Manila, and 67 km from Tuguegarao.
By jeep
A jeepney service connects downtown Ilagan with Cauayan, Roxas and Guibang in Gamu, passing through Baligatan and Alibagu.
Tricycles are available at most parts of the city, but given Ilagan’s extensive land area, a car would be more convenient.
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Cauayan City · Regional · CYZ
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