Sulu Travel Guide 2022 | A Dangerously Beautiful Paradise

October 11, 2022October 29, 2022 Rex Lim Lim 2022, ADVENTURE, BEACH, BLOG, BUDGET, GUIDE, HOW TO, ITINERARY, TOURIST SPOTS, TRAVEL, TRAVEL GUIDE

Reading Time: 10 minutes

Jolo, Sulu: Beyond its troubled past, Sulu province, as of today, is no longer just for the brave, it is for every Filipino to experience paradise and to acknowledge for themselves that situations have since changed drastically.

Without a doubt, Sulu is a gem that is just waiting to be rediscovered once more and has the potential to change the lives of Sulu communities. This scarred paradise is far better today since peace and order are more established.

In this travel guide, let us take you into the dangerously beautiful paradise of Sulu!

Steady your hearts and open your minds! Here we go!

What to Expect in this Travel Guide

Table of Contents

Risk and Relaxation

“Sulu is relatively peaceful. For quite a long time, there have been no violent clashes (between our troops and the Abu Sayyaf) … Ang laki ng pinagbago ng peace and order ng Sulu, ang last kidnapping was two years ago,” – Brig. Gen. Benjamin Batara, commander of the 1103rd Infantry Brigade, MindaNews, June 11, 2022

Najib Julkipli, from the Sulu Provincial Tourism Office, told me that kids and young adults here just walk around past 06:00 in the evening. There’s nothing to worry about anymore, aside from hanging around with friends and dancing to new Tiktok crazes.

Moreover, this is a far cry from the situation a decade ago when nightfall brought people inside their homes for security reasons as early as 06:00 PM.

Also, locals said that it was a breath of fresh air to see their townsfolk like this, savoring the opportunity of sitting in an open space, unarmed, unescorted, and enjoying the cool breeze of the beach on a steady Monday evening.

We capped the day as we spent the rest of the rainy afternoon at Mauboh Beach in Patikul. There’s no more risk, just relaxation as we dined on Chicken Piyanggal and Hot bowls of Mami while Nhorly belted out Air Supply’s “Having You Near Me” at the Little Qeef’s karaoke stage.

Where is Sulu?

Sulu is a part of the Sulu Archipelago, which stretches from the tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula on the north to the island of Borneo in the south. The main island and its islets are situated between the island provinces of Basilan to the northeast and Tawi-Tawi to the southwest.

Two seas border Sulu; the Sulu Sea to the north, and the Celebes Sea to the south. In addition, Sulu has over 157 islets, some of which remain unnamed.

The Kingdom of Lupah Sug had been established centuries before Islam arrived. It is said that they adhered to local animist religions; this later changed to Hindu and Buddhist belief systems. In fact, Sulu just celebrated its 632^nd founding anniversary as led by Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan.

The Darul Jambangan (Palace of Flowers) was the palace of the Sultanate of Sulu based in Maimbung, Sulu, Philippines. It was destroyed by a typhoon in 1932. It was “believed to be the largest royal palace in the Philippines.” (Photo from wikipedia.org)

How to Get There

There are 2 options to go to Sulu from Zamboanga. You can either book a plane to Jolo Airport from Zamboanga City or ride an overnight ferry/fast craft. The second option is the cheapest and most convenient way to travel to Sulu.

By Air

Zamboanga International Airport operates daily Cebu Pacific Air from Manila
- MNL-ZAM: 4x daily. (As of September 26, 2022)
Zamboanga International Airport operates daily Philippine Airlines from Manila Check their schedule as of September 26, 2022, below:

From Zamboanga City, you can book another Zamboanga to Jolo flight via Sky Pasada.
- Zamboanga-Jolo: Monday-Wednesday-Friday
  - Regular Fare: 2,900php/pax (Departs 07:30 AM, Arrives: 08:15 AM)
- Contact Numbers:
  - Sky Pasada Zamboanga Office Mobile Numbers: 0966-711-6855, 0999-307-5446
  - Sky Pasada Zamboanga Office LandlineNumber: (062) 975-5724
  - Sky Pasada Jolo Office Mobile Number: 0966-712-9032 – Fadz

By Sea

Upon arrival at Zamboanga International Airport, take any jeepney bound for Pueblo or City Hall, then flag a tricycle to bring you to the Zamboanga Port.

There are daily 8 pm regular ferry trips from Zamboanga to Jolo, Sulu via Aleson Shipping Lines, Montenegro, or Ibnerizam Shipping Lines. Travel time 10-11 hours, departs 08:00 PM and arrives at 06:00 AM the following day.

Make sure to book your ticket in advance since they get sold out quickly. Check their schedules below:
Aleson Shipping Lines – Regular Fare is at 680php/way
- M/V Danica Joy 1
  - Zamboanga to Jolo – Monday and Thursday
  - Jolo to Zamboanga – Wednesday and Saturday
- M/V Kristel Jane 3
  - Zamboanga to Jolo – Wednesday and Friday
  - Jolo to Zamboanga – Tuesday and Thursday

- You may contact Aleson Shipping at the following numbers:
  - Main Office: 172 Veterans Ave., Zamboanga City
    Fax # (062) 991-2099
  - Cargo Office: Alejo Alvarez St., Zamboanga City
    Tel # (062) 992-3853
  - Ticketing Office: Alejo Alvarez St. & Port Area, Zamboanga City
    Tel # (062) 992-6410, 992-4585

Ibnerizam Shipping Lines – Regular Fare is at 680php/way
- M/V Prince Glory
  - Zamboanga to Jolo – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
  - Jolo to Zamboanga – Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday

- M/V Bounty Cruiser
  - Zamboanga to Jolo – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
  - Jolo to Zamboanga – Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday
- You may contact Aleson Shipping at the following numbers:
  - Ticketing Office: SKT Bldg. 41 Rizal St. Zamboanga City – 0926 441 5237

Montenegro Shipping Lines:
- M/V Maria Matilde
  - Zamboanga to Jolo – Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday
- M/V Maria Erlinda
  - Zamboanga to Jolo – Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday

Alternatively, Weesam Express resumed their daily fast craft operations from Zamboanga to Jolo and vice versa last September 12, 2022
- Zamboanga to Jolo
  - Departure: Every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 9:00 AM, arrival at1:00 PM
- Jolo to Zamboanga
  - Departure:Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at 1:00 PM, arrival at 5:00 PM
- Weesam Express Fare
  - First Class Accommodation – 1,500php/way
  - Economy Accommodation – 1,200php/way
- Weesam Express Contact Numbers
  - Zamboanga City Office:0935 697 6654, 0906 837 1454, or 0926 583 2883
  - Jolo Office:0927 351 1510 or 0935 719 4479

Where to Stay

Sulu Peacekeepers Inn, Camp Kasim, Jolo, Sulu
5 Single Beds	2,700.00php/night
4 Single Beds	2,200.00php/night
3 Single Beds	1,800.00php/night
2 Single Beds	1,200.00php/night
1 Single Beds	750.00php/night
1 Queen Size	1,100.00php/night
2 Queen Size	1,400.00php/night

Big Bites Inn and Restaurant
Family	2,500.00php/night (Good for 8-10 pax)
Matrimonial	1,800.00php/night (Good for 2 pax)
Double	1,600.00php/night (Good for 2 pax)

Getting Around Sulu

A Do-It-Yourself tour is discouraged when visiting Sulu. Prior to your planned visit, it is important to coordinate first with the Sulu Provincial Tourism Office at 0917 573 4191 and look for Ms. Almira.

You will then be instructed to submit a letter of intent stating the reason for your visit, what places you want to visit, names of visitors, and the date/number of days in Sulu then email it to sulutours@gmail.com. Alternatively, you can send it to Sir Julkiram Arastam, Provincial Tourism Head of Sulu at jules.arastam17@gmail.com. Make sure to indicate your contact number(s) for faster communication.

Sulu Provincial Tourism Office – Capitol Building, Bangkal, Patikul, Sulu
Contact Numbers: 0966 385 9437/ 0926 372 6275

A Sulu Tourism officer will arrange your itinerary, tour guides, and police escort. Alternatively, you can ask them for a tour provider who will take care of your tour package, including all payments to entrances, food, and guide/police escort fees.

However, if you are on a budget or visiting for a day tour like what our group did, you can just rent out a vehicle and pay for the guide and entrance fees. Then make sure that you treat them to a good meal and provide tips at the end of the day.

Vehicle Types and Rates as approved by Sulu Provincial Tourism Office (Daily Rates as of September 2022)
Van	5,000.00php (Good for 15 pax)
FX	3,500.00php (Good for 3-5 pax)
Jeep	4,500.00php (Good for 12 pax)
Terra/ Hilux with Aircon	3,500-4,000.00php (Good for 3-5 pax)

Things to do in Sulu

Try their local delicacies

Frolic at the White Sand Beaches of Parang

Watch the Sunset and have Dinner in Patikul

Visit the Sulu Provincial Capitol

Check out the Panoramic View at Bud Datu View Deck

Visit the Loom Weavers of Lagasan to witness Pis Syabit Making – home to Darhata Sawabi a GAMABA Awardee

Make a Quick Stop at the Central Mosque and Abdusakur Tan Square

Other Tourist Attractions

Check out the Tandang Mairan Rock Formation at Capual Island
Mangrove tour at Kannaway
Island Hopping in Panglima Tahil and visit Lahat-Lahat Island, Bubuan Island, and Bangas Island (this is another option for a day tour with Jolo city tour)
Mount Daho National Park and Patikul Peak
Cabucan Island, Marungas Island, Pangasinan Island

Travel Tips

Mobile Signal and data reception is reliable for Smart/Sun and intermittent for Globe/TM
If you are doing the full Zambasulta tour and Tawi-Tawi or Basilan comes first, make sure to book your ferry ticket first in Zamboanga City for your Zamboanga-Sulu trip.

Consequently, make sure also to book your return ticket upon arrival in Jolo, Sulu since ferry tickets get sold out fast.
There are banks in Jolo if you need to withdraw cash, banks include Landbank at the provincial capitol
Bring enough cash with you

Respect local culture and tradition, Sulu is a Muslim province so avoid wearing revealing dresses and outfits
Best to plan your trip ahead, and coordinate with the Provincial Tourism Office and guides prior to your visit
Plan to visit during the summer months to experience calm seas and sunny skies
Do not litter. Bring your trash with you or put it in proper trash bins.
Protect your gadgets, bring waterproof bags, and apply sunscreens, sunglasses, etc.

Itinerary and Expenses

Sulu Day Tour Itinerary

This is the fourth day of our Zam-Ba-Sul-Ta 2022 Adventure:

Day 04

1315 Arrival at Zamboanga Airport from Tawi-Tawi
1330 Buy Pasalubong and Malong at Canelar Barter Trade
1430 side trip at Rainbow Masjid
1530 Late lunch
1830 Zamboanga Port
2000 Ibnerizam Shipping Lines, MV Bounty Hunter, depart for Jolo, Sulu (680php/pax)

Day 05

0600 Arrival in Jolo, Sulu
0615 Shara’s Coffee, breakfast
0730 Masjid Tulay
0830 Mang Sali Beach, Brgy. Tumangas, Parang, Sulu
0930 Tanduh Beach (500php cottage rental)
1200 Lunch
1320 Depart for Lagasan
1345 Guimba Lagasan Weaving Center
1500 Bud Datu Peak, Indanan
1600 Sulu Provincial Capitol
1630 Litayon Beach, Mauboh, Patikul
1830 Port of Jolo
2015 Depart for Zamboanga via Aleson Shipping Lines, M/V Danica Joy (680php/pax)

Day 06

0700 Arrival in Zamboanga Port
0800 Zamboanga Airport, breakfast
1000 Depart for Manila
1200 Arrival in Manila