Antique Tourist Spots, Philippines

ANTIQUE PHILIPPINES TRAVEL GUIDE | TOURIST SPOTS, HOTELS

 Antique, Philippines: The Province “Where the Mountains Meet the Sea”

Coming from an island once shrouded in mystery, the province of Antique is truly a unique place to visit. Not only is the old notion banished from many people’s beliefs, but it also paved a way to ideas that will make tourists flock this place in a heartbeat.

Forget about the notion that the whole island of Western Visayas is home to the “aswang” or the western equivalent of monsters such as the “manananggal,” which earned it infamy from its neighbors. The people from the island are as human as they appear, and the island itself is far from being the hell that these monsters would have come from. The province of Antique in the western part of the island, especially, is a stray far from this notion.

Antique Tourist Spots, Philippines

Bearing the tagline “Where the mountains meet the sea,” the province of Antique is an exciting place to visit if you are in both seawater and land terrains. If the tagline is not already ostensive in what it means, it meant the short distances between the province’s coastal waters and rising mountains as both terrains parallel each other across an elongated piece of land.

Neighbored by the provinces of Aklan to the northeast, Capiz to the east, and Ilo-Ilo to the southeast, Antique, Philippines, is nestled at the western-most part of the Panay Island which subsequently exposed it to the Sulu Sea where entry by boat is possible. However, of these provinces, only Ilo-Ilo, and Aklan act as an entryway to the area by land. Capiz is cut off from the province due to the steep mountain range, which divides the two.

 

Malalison | Antique Tourist Spots, Philippines

As you had probably guessed, this province’s selling points are its majestic mountains and amazing white sand beaches.

But of these towering mountains, an erected and dormant volcano, Mt. Madia-as, is perhaps the most prominent due to the mystical belief that it was the home to the Bulalakaw—the supreme god of the ancients—which piques interest among hikers and trekkers. This mystery is further embellished by the idea that the volcano is surrounded by lakes and waterfalls, which makes the trip on it all the more worthwhile experience.

If the sleeping volcano does not put much of a challenge, then the province’s highest peak—Mt. Nangtud—might. Of course, this mountain may not be at par nor half as tall as the Himalayas. Still, there is a sense of victory and accomplishment in reaching the top of this mountain, especially when you are rewarded with a one-of-a-kind view of the area’s unexplored sites.

There are also some water activities you can engage yourself within this province. If you are in Tibiao, white river rafting and kayaking offer an exciting experience by the water. Anini-y, on the other hand, is the home to the Sira-an Hot Springs, where you can relax.

But if you are in the more adventurous side, the province is also an abode to enchanting islands that will want to make you go offshore to venture to.

Antique, Philippines | Tourist Spots

Antique Tourist Spots, Philippines

Kawa Hot Bath in Tibiao, Antique, Philippines

Have fun and experience the Kawa Hot Bath in Tibiao. The “kawa” was previously used in the sugar mills to make muscovado sugar.

To know more about my personal experience, click Kawa Hot Bath, Tibiao. 

Anini-y Church | Antique Tourist Spots, Philippines

St. John Church in Anini-y, Antique, Philippines

The ( St. John Church) 19^th century San Juan Nepomuceno Parish Church, otherwise known as Anini-y Church, was constructed during the Spanish era using blocks of coral stones egg whites as a binder.

To read my review of San Juan Nepomuceno Parish Church, please click Anini-y Church

Address: Anini-y, Antique

Antique Tourist Spots, Philippines

Lumang Simbahan: San Pedro Church Ruins in San Jose, Antique, Philippines

Another interesting point of interest in the province is the Ruins of San Pedro Church located in San Jose, Antique. This place is loaded with stories and remains to be a reminder to the people of Antique of the early histories of Christianity in the area.

To read my review of the Lumang Simbahan, please click San Pedro Ruins

Antique Tourist Spots, Philippines

Casa Azurin in San Jose, Antique, Philippines

One old structure found in San Jose, Antique, Philippines, is the Casa Azurin, which was constructed in the 1800s. The historical architecture is getting deteriorated every day, so visit this place while it’s still there.

To read my review of this place, please click Casa Azurin in San Jose  

Antique Tourist Spots, Philippines

Malalison/Mararison Island

Off the beaten path attraction of Antique, Philippines is located in Culasi. The beauty of Malalison or Mararison Island for the locals was only exposed to the media after the Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) hit the province.

Mararison or ‘Malalison’ for travelers is a small island beach destination and a barangay in Culasi in Antique. The beauty of the island was only seen by media after the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan in the province.

To read about the complete direction of this place, please click: Malalison Island Travel Guide

Antique Tourist Spots, Philippines

Patnongon Church

On your way to Tibiao, you will see an old Spanish Church and Convent, The Patnongon Church. The building could have been the biggest Catholic Church in Antique and one of the oldest churches in the Philippines if it was not bombed during World War II by the American. The old structure is home to Saint Augustine’s Academy of Patnongon, Inc.

 Other Tourist Attractions in Panay Island

If you are traveling via Iloilo City, you can also explore some attractions near the area prior to your visit to Antique. Below are some of the attractions within and near Iloilo City:

Guimaras Island

Guimaras Island Travel Guide
List of Resorts in Guimaras Island
Nature’s Eye Resort 
Magic Island Resort 
Manggahan Festival, Guimaras

Iloilo City

Molo Church
More Reasons to visit Iloilo
Islas de Gigantes Travel Guide

Kalibo

Kalibo Ati-atihan Festival

If you are traveling via Caticlan, you might want to check the following attractions:

Boracay Travel Guide
Boracay Pub Crawl
List of Hotels and Resorts in Boracay

Pitcher Plant in Malalison/Mararison Island | Antique Tourist Spots, Philippines

How to get to Antique, Philippines ( for the Tourist Spots )

Via Iloilo City

Take a cab to bring you to the Ceres Terminal. Take a bus bound for Caticlan, Pandan, or Culasi. If you are heading for San Jose, Antique, Philippines, buses are passing that town on the same terminal

Via Caticlan

If you are also visiting Boracay, this route will be best for you.

From the airport, take a tricycle to bring you to the Jetty Port. Just asked around where the ceres Buses are stationed. They can easily be seen because of their yellow color.

Via Kalibo

If you are attending the Kalibo Ati-atihan, this is, of course, the best route to take.

From the airport, take a tricycle to Ceres Bus Terminal. Take the bus going to San Jose Antique (the capital of Antique, Philippines). If you want to go to Tibiao, then inform the conductor of your destination. The bus driver knows where to drop tourists off.

Antique Tourist Spots, Philippines

 

 Antique, Philippines List of Budget Hotels and Resorts

You can book a room by clicking on the links/names of the Resorts/Hotels below. These links will bring you to the booking site. Take advantage of the discounts offered by these resorts/hotels.

Bugang Riverside Inn
Pandan – Libertad – Aklan Boundary Road, Pandan, Antique, Philippines

H&P Inn
Duyong, Pandan, Pandan, Antique, Philippines, 5712

Kayak Inn Tibiao
Tibiao River, Tuno

La Parola Orchids Beach Resort
Brgy. Amparo, Patnongo,  Antique, Philippines, 5702

Le Palme Beach Resort
Barangay Zaldivar, Pandan

Phaidon Beach Resort 
Tingib, Pandan, Antique, Philippines, 5712

Pandan Beach Resort
Barangay Dionela, Pandan

RosePoint Beach Resort
Brgy. Mag-Aba, Pandan, Philippines, 5712

Ucoy Beach Resort
5710 Union Libertad, Other