Is Iloilo safe?
Calm for a Philippine city of this size. Petty theft, tricycle price games and typhoon-season flooding are the main issues; violent crime against visitors is rare.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-05-07.
- Homicide rate in Philippines: 4.3 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Philippines: 12.0 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: All emergencies 911.
Safety in Iloilo at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Phone and bag snatching in markets and on jeepneys, and occasional theft from rooms. |
| At night | Restaurants in Mandurriao and the esplanade stay busy until late; elsewhere is quiet. Use Grab or hotel taxis after dark. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women. Streets are busy and well-lit in central areas; usual care with drinks and late rides. |
| Other risks | Typhoons and flooding Aug–Nov; Dengue in the rainy season; Rough boat crossings to Guimaras and Gigantes |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Tricycle drivers quoting double fares without agreeing first
- Taxi drivers refusing the meter at the airport
- Island-hopping touts selling Gigantes tours with hidden extras
Take care
- Market areas in Jaro and La Paz in crowds
- Motorbike and tricycle traffic on main roads
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Smoking and vaping in public places are banned in many cities, with fines
- Drug laws are harsh; even small amounts can mean long detention
How Iloilo compares in Philippines
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Boracay | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Palawan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| El Nido | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Siargao | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Coron | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bohol | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Panglao | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Makati | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Moalboal | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Baguio | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| La Union | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Davao | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Dumaguete | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Siquijor | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Puerto Galera | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Malapascua | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Port Barton | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Tagaytay | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sagada | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Banaue | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Vigan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Iloilo | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| BGC | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bantayan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Manila | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Cebu | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Angeles City | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Iloilo safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women. Streets are busy and well-lit in central areas; usual care with drinks and late rides.
Is Iloilo safe at night?
Restaurants in Mandurriao and the esplanade stay busy until late; elsewhere is quiet. Use Grab or hotel taxis after dark.
What is the crime rate in Iloilo?
Phone and bag snatching in markets and on jeepneys, and occasional theft from rooms. Nationally, Philippines records 4.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Iloilo?
All emergencies 911.
More about Iloilo
Going to Iloilo solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Philippine Department of Tourism
- Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines
- Grab Philippines
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.