Beach · Lamitan, Basilan
Calugusan Beach
A white-sand public beach in Lamitan, a short drive from Bulingan Falls.
Best: Avoid high noon, when the sand glares and the heat is fierce
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Mountain · Lamitan, Basilan
Basilan National Park
Also known as Basilan Peak, Puno Mahaji.
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The place
Mountain in Lamitan, Basilan
The forested heart of Basilan, dominated by Basilan Peak at around 971 metres.
Mountain
Traced to its sources since the guide was written.
Safety in Basilan
Basilan carries standing foreign-government advisories, and several countries advise against all travel to parts of it. The situation around Lamitan and the coastal corridor is markedly better than the advisories’ blanket framing, and Filipinos travel there routinely. That is not the same as it being unremarkable. Coordinate with the provincial or city tourism office, travel with local contacts, stay on the main corridor, and do not improvise into the interior municipalities.
About this place
Basilan National Park covers the eastern part of the island's remaining public forest, between Isabela City and the municipalities of Lamitan, Tipo-Tipo and Sumisip. Its highest point is Basilan Peak.
The Yakan's old name for the island, Uleyan, comes from this peak, which traders crossing the Celebes Sea used as a landmark.
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It is one of the few densely forested areas left in the province, with many endemic species.
Basilan's highest point, Punu Ulayan, rises to about 1,000 metres and is the highest point in the Sulu Archipelago. Long a passage for the Abu Sayyaf, it was opened to hikers with the first official climb on 14 September 2025, after Basilan was declared free of the group; hikers are advised to arrange a vehicle to the trailhead, make a courtesy call at the military camp and register through the provincial tourism office.
What to do
See Basilan Peak from Lamitan or from the sea
Locals advise visitors to stay in the city centres rather than go into the interior, so view the park's forested peak from a distance.
langyaw.comClimb Punu Ulayan from Mahatalang
The trail starts at about 600 metres on a rough road in Mahatalang, Sumisip, and follows an old logging path into forest; the first official party took just over 2.5 hours up and about an hour down.
pinoymountaineer.comLook for pitcher plants above 800 metres
Higher up the forest turns mossy, with pitcher plants, sunbirds and the Zamboanga bulbul.
pinoymountaineer.comRespect the grave on the second summit
The first summit is marked by a giant tree and the slightly higher second one by the grave of a village ancestor; keep it quiet, and bring no alcohol.
pinoymountaineer.com
Before you go
- Most of Basilan's interior is still not visitor country. Climb only as the 2025 parties did, through the provincial tourism office and the military; otherwise locals advise staying in the town centres and seeing the peak from Lamitan or from the sea.
Where you’ll be
Lamitan, Basilan
Sources
Crafts made in Lamitan
Every craft of the region
textileYakan weavingYakan tennun is the dense, brightly patterned woven cloth of the Yakan of Basilan, made in named categories such as the seputangan, sinaluan and bunga sama. The seputangan, worn by women at the waist or as a head cloth, is the most intricate design.Valenzuela400 · CC BY-SA 4.0Photo by Valenzuela400, CC BY-SA 4.0. Open the source file.
Where to sleep in Basilan
resort
Sitti Auna Riverland Resort
Lamitan
Resort in Lamitan City; venue of an MIPA workshop, October 2026
bangsamoro.gov.ph · as of 2026-10- No photo of this pension yet
pension
ARCAR Pension House
Lamitan
Listed by Lamitan City under accommodation
lamitancity.gov.ph · as of 2024-05 - No photo of this guesthouse yet
guesthouse
Lamitan City Terminal & Hostel
Lamitan
Hostel at the city terminal, listed by Lamitan City under accommodation
lamitancity.gov.ph · as of 2024-05
Named where a public source names them; no rates or availability. Ask the place directly.
More to see nearby
Everything in Basilan
Museum · Lamitan, Basilan
Datu Kalun Shrine and Museum of Lamitan
A park honouring Lamitan's founder, and the museum of the Lami-Lamihan festival.
Best: Around June 29, for the Lami-Lamihan Festival
Heritage · Lamitan, Basilan
Monte Santo Shrine
A Catholic pilgrimage shrine on Mount Ubit, walked as the Stations of the Cross in Holy Week.
Best: Holy Week, when pilgrims walk the Stations of the Cross
Nature · Lamitan, Basilan
Forever Tulip Garden
A garden in Lamitan of 30,000 tulips cut from recycled plastic bottles.