We were lucky to get a room despite a lack of reservation at the Garden Orchid Hotel, just a long walk from the airport (we took a taxi though - hired to take us around the whole day for less than P1000). After half an hour on the comfortable bed, I recovered enough from the bumpy flight from Manila to take on the city. The hotel has a spa outside that gave great massages for P350, including sauna and nice hot tea.
The city felt very safe, actually, much safer than say, Manila. The AFP's Southern Command is of course within the city center to provide police presence. It might be a different matter to go to the countryside, however. We didn't try it though.
Here's a rundown of the usual tourist spots:
Barter Trade Center (Canelar)
PX heaven! Mostly clothes and stuff for the house brought in from Indonesia and Malaysia. We bought malongs and sawals (a very loose pair of pants). There's also a chocolate shop that had Cadbury flavors not available in Manila, among other wonderful stuff. Haggle like crazy here.
There are at least three barter centers in the city but the one in Canelar is recommended for sheer size and variety.
City Hall
Spend some time in the city center and see what is among the most charming city halls in the country.
Fort Pilar
Very similar to Fort Santiago in Manila. Has a small museum too.
Pasonanca Park
Like most parks in the provinces, this is somewhat of a letdown because of all the hype. Needs some sprucing up.
Taluksangay
Site of the oldest mosque in the peninsula. This is a Muslim area with Samal and Tausug villages surrounding the mosque. It's a poor area though and there's not much to see otherwise.
Yakan Weaving Village
Nice souvenirs if you're feeling touristy. Helps the local economy and the tribe too. We bought several cloth panels (I plan to frame some of them), and a very nice chest with inlaid mother-of-pearl decorations. You can try your hand at weaving using the looms in the back of the stores.
Why you should go to Zamboanga
Ambiance, barter center, curacha.
Where to stay
The Garden Orchid Hotel is the premier place right now. Lantaka Hotel is famous but old; probably worth having a meal at. Zamboanga City proper is small so places are quite easy to reach.
What to eat
Curacha! It looks like a cross between a crab and that creature attached to the guy's face in the movie Alien. We had it at Alavar's Restaurant, the restaurant that made it famous, and also at the La Vista del Mar (a sister restaurant, with nice sea view). The taste is not quite like crab meat (very sweet, and may be too exotic for some) and the thing is pricy, like lobster. The dish pictured above is about P700.
Take home some Alavar's sauce, with that distinctive sweetish taste of curacha extract, and smother it on assorted seafood sauteed with garlic. Yummy!
The Hai San / Hay Sun Seafood House was recommended. A dampa-style place that is nothing special really.
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