Ultimate Guide for Budget Traveler and Adventure Seeker

The reason why some travelers don't consider Sulu to be part of their travel bucket list is because of its peace and order situation. So...

The Ultimate Travel Guide to Sulu 2024

The reason why some travelers don't consider Sulu to be part of their travel bucket list is because of its peace and order situation. Some of us read and heard about the dark side of the province and I feel so sad about it.  Is it really safe to travel to Sulu? Honestly, I'm not sure about that. Even we have a police escort the whole time, I felt a little bit of fear. The good thing I met a lot of friendly locals making me feel secured and welcomed. My overall Sulu trip experience was awesome! So if you are planning to travel to Sulu, let me share a quick guide to this laid-back province in Mindanao.




How to get to Sulu


Airlines such as Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific fly between Manila and Zamboanga City. There are also available flights from Clark, Cebu, Davao bound for Zamboanga City


From Zamboanga International Airport, you may take a tricycle going directly to the port /pier. Another option is to take a Jeepney going to Paseo Del Mar. From the terminal, you can walk going to the port /pier which is around 15 minutes.




From the pier, take Aleson or Montenegro lines going to Jolo, Sulu. Travel time is around 7 to 8 hours. Fare is around P600-700 per person. It's recommended to book as well your return trip to Zamboanga City. 


If you are coming from Tawi-Tawi, you may take a ferry from Bongao to Jolo.




Getting around Sulu


Tricycles and habal-habal ( motorcycles)  are the main mode of transportation in the city. If you are not locals and not familiar with the area, a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) tour is not advisable to do in Sulu. It's highly recommended to contact the Sulu Provincial Tourism Office at 09175929225 and look for Ms. Jainab. A tourism officer will arrange the itinerary including the tour guide, accommodation, and military/police escort. The tour package includes land and boat transportation, permit and entrance fee, and tour guide fee.




When is the best time to visit Sulu


Just like other provinces in the country, the best time to visit Sulu is during the dry season, from February to April. This period enjoys hot yet pleasant temperatures. This is also the season that has fewer typhoons or storms.  



Where to stay in Sulu


If you are planning to stay overnight in Sulu, you may stay at the Peacekeepers Inn. Located at Camp Kasim in Jolo, this accommodation is the only lodging area for tourists at the moment. It's inside the camp to make sure each guest is safe and secured. 





Where to eat in Sulu


Shara’s Coffee Shop


A small restaurant near the port offers a local dish called bangbang. It is a set of Tausug traditional pastries made of rice, coconut, mongo, kamote and egg. You can also order a black coffee called Kahawa Sug. This coffee is made from robusta coffee beans. Having this kind of breakfast is good to start the tour. 




D Cousins


D Cousins is one of the popular restaurants in the province. It offers latal or dulang, a set of dishes that include tiulah itum (black soup).  There's a live band that entertains customers. If you love to jam with them, feel free to ask the band




Cafe 'A Sug

Millennials would definitely love to eat in Cafe A Sug. This little cafe serves coffee, milkshake and refreshing beverages. It also offers pasta, chicken dishes, and pasta. 


Places to visit in Sulu ( Tourist Attractions ) 




Sulu Provincial Capitol


Located in the humble town of Patikul, the Sulu Provincial Capitol is a must-visit in Sulu. It's the seat of the Government. The building is painted with pure white and gold added with huge colorful glass windows making the structure more stunning. Don't forget to go to the viewing deck to see the park facing the Provincial Capitol. 




Sulu National Museum and Library


Established in 1981, the Sulu National Museum houses the history, culture, and heritage of the province. It features artifacts, relics, documents, paintings, and other historical memorabilia of Sulu. The museum and library are located in Jolo just walking distance from the Sulu Provincial Capitol.





Camp Bud Datu


One of the interesting places to visit in Sulu is Camp Bud Datu. It's a military camp situated on the mountain with an overlooking view of the  Sulu Sea and nearby towns. There's a place which they call Starbucks that offers a venue to enjoy a local coffee while looking at the beautiful view from the top. 




Masjid Tulay


The Masjid Tulay is one of the famous landmarks and considered to be the oldest mosque in Sulu. It's also said to be the biggest mosque in the province and one of the most visited attractions in the area.






Tandu Beach in Parang


Sulu is home to unspoiled white sand beaches dotted with towering tropical trees. We visited the popular beach destination in the province called Tandu Beach. Located in Parang,  this beautiful beach features a stretch of white powdery beach, crystal clear waters, and surrounded by coconut trees. There are available cottages in the area where you can rest and chill while looking at the sea view. 




Sulu Public Market


If you are looking for souvenir shops, the Sulu Public Market or Jolo Market is the place to be. Here you can find a lot of souvenirs - from keychains, clothes, wallet, to bags, you can find almost everything in this area.  The best souvenir to buy is their colorful "malong" and pants. Price negotiation is still applicable in several shops. 



Maubu Beach


One of the local's favorite destinations in Sulu is Maubu Beach. It's a public beach located in Patikul. It's a long stretch of a white beach just 20-30 minutes away from Jolo, the capital of Sulu. We saw some plastics and soft drink bottles in the area and hoping the people nearby the area did not throw their garbage on the beach. 


Other destinations to visit in Sulu include Istambak Beach ( Zhimar Knights House Resort ), Cabucan Island, Marungas Island, Lahat-Lahat Island, Mangroves at Kannaway, Bubuan Island, Sionogan Beach, Panglima Tahil, Lake Seit, Seit Higad Beach, and other beaches in Panamao. 



Activities to do Sulu


There are many things to do in Sulu. You can do swimming, free diving, snorkeling, food tripping, and island hopping. Hiking is not advisable to do in the province. 





Frequently Asked Questions in Sulu


Can I travel alone? Yes! That's perfectly fine. I recommend to bring with your travel buddies because it's cheaper especially if you go island-hopping. 


Can I travel to Sulu on the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) way? No. The LGU of Sulu is recommending everyone to contact the Sulu Tourism office to arrange an itinerary and to give you a police escort during the tour.


Do I need to wear a proper dress? Yes, as much as possible, please wear decent clothes.  Don't wear skin-revealing clothes especially in the public area. 


How can I contact Sulu Tourism? You may contact Sulu Provincial Tourism Office at 09175929225 or you may email them at herssulu@yahoo.com.ph. You can also send them a private message on their FB page 


Is that possible to take a day tour only? Yes, the tour will start early in the morning and will end in the afternoon. There's an available night trip going to Zamboanga City. Please make sure to book a return ticket in advance. 

How much is the tour package?  The tour rate will depend on the destinations that you want to visit.  It will also depend if you will do a day tour or will stay there overnight or for a couple of days. 


Is it worth to visit Sulu. Absolutely! 


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