Seven hundred kilometers away from Manila, Zamboanga city sits on the southernmost part of the Zamboanga peninsula. It is so far away that my friends from Manila would always comment that it's like going to a different country already. Zamboanga city is closer to Malaysia and Indonesia than it is to Manila. The distance, however, should not discourage would-be travelers to Zamboanga city. The long flight or ferry ride is worth every penny once you get to Zamboanga Hermosa. To the older generations, Zamboanga city brings into mind the tree house in Pasonanca park (a natural park dubbed as the little Baguio of Zamboanga city because of its altitude and varying flora), the pink sand beach of Santa Cruz Island (one of only a few in the world), the sumptuous yet very affordable seafoods, Chabacano (which is the only Spanish Creole in Asia) and the mestizas. To the young ones though, Zamboanga city only brings terrorism into mind.

Airports in Zamboanga

1. Zamboanga International Airport

Zamboanga International Airport (IATA: ZAM, ICAO: RPMZ) is the main airport serving Zamboanga City in the Philippines. The airport is Mindanao's third-busiest airport after Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City and Laguindingan Airport in Cagayan de Oro City. The airport covers a total land area of 270 hectares. The airport is officially classified as an international airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, despite only offering scheduled domestic passenger services. This is the same agency that runs not only Zamboanga International Airport, but all other airports in the Philippines except the major international airports.

How to Get Cheap Flights to Zamboanga?

Traveloka is a traveller flight ticket website where it eases the travellers to find the cheapest flights to Zamboanga. All you have to do is to insert the information in the box that says origin and destination, and the website will list out the best result for you. Now they have developed the application for this website where it is mean that you can access it through your mobile phone. Just put the information and click search after that choose which packages that offer you the best price.

When is the Best Time to Fly to Zamboanga?

Unlike most of the Philippines which are typhoon prone, the Zamboanga peninsula is typhoon-free. Weather should not be a factor when planning your trip to this place. The best time to go is during the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival. This is the time of year when Zamboanga city is very vibrant and colorful. The festival features pageants, parades, street dances, concerts, a boodle fight (highlighting the city’s brand as the sardines capital of the Philippines), a Chabacano song festival, a regatta (wherein Zamboanga's traditional outrigger called locals race the Vinta), trade fairs (featuring traveling merchants from different cities in the country) and other fun activities. Just remember that public places are very crowded during the festival because people with relatives in Zamboanga city often choose to reunite with their relatives during this time. The Zamboanga Hermosa festival generally runs from October 1 to Oct 12. It culminates in a solemn activity called the Fiesta Pilar wherein Zamboangueños visit the Fort Pilar shrine to pray.

What are the Top 3 Things to Do in Zamboanga?

1. Merloquet Falls - is one of the top tourist spots in Zamboanga Del Sur that has unique features compared to other falls in the country. This one looks like a staircase where the water flows down, creating a per level waterfalls. At the bottom of the falls, you can see a basin of water which serves as a pool for tourists who want to swim.

2. Once Islas - This tourist destination is a new eco-cultural tourism spot. This place has 11 combined islets and islands which are mostly uninhabited. One good thing about this tourist place is that it remains untouched by human development. This is a perfect place if you want a natural experience in Zamboanga del Sur.

3. Sta Cruz Island - Among the top tourist spots in Zamboanga Del Sur, Sta Cruz Island is the most popular. When tourists hear the name of this province, they quickly associate it with this famous island. Who wouldn’t want a great escapade in this pink coralline sand island? Apart from the pink corals sprouting in the white sand, you can also observe the green trees swaying gracefully when the wind is active.