Antique Travel Guide – DIY Tips and Expenses
Antique: The Province “Where the Mountains Meet the Sea”
You will know from the province’s tagline that its primary attractions are the short distances between beautiful coastal waters and imposing mountains. This majestic elongated piece of land offers a different kind of getaway. It openly shares its stunning beaches, virgin forests, clear rivers and springs, karst cliffs, enchanting traditions, multi-level waterfalls, and a lot more to visitors.
If you are heading to Antique Province, this travel guide will provide you with all the necessary details – a quick rundown of what you can do and the places to visit, as well as some travel tips which can be handy on your trip.
HOW TO GET TO ANTIQUE
Antique is a province situated in the region of Western Visayas of the Philippines, western-most part of the Panay Island. The neighboring provinces are Aklan to the Northeast, Capiz to the East, and Iloilo to the Southeast. It faces the Sulu Sea to the West.
There are currently no direct flights to the province, but you can get here via land travel from either Aklan or Iloilo.
How to Get to Antique from Aklan (Caticlan / Boracay)
Various major airlines have direct flights daily bound for Kalibo International Airport in the Province of Aklan. From the airport, you can take a tricycle to the Kalibo bus terminal and ride a Ceres Bus bound for Antique.
- Going back to Caticlan – there are buses in Tibiao and Culasi that go directly to Caticlan. The last trip is at 5PM.
- Going back to Kalibo – just ride a bus that passes by the Crossing then take another bus going to Kalibo. The fare is around PhP100 per person.
- From Caticlan/Kalibo van/bus terminal, you can ride a tricycle to Kalibo/Caticlan airport. Fare rate is supposedly just PhP7 per person (PhP50 for Caticlan airport), but since you’re heading to the airport, expect a lot of drivers who’ll try to rip you off.
How to Get to Antique from Iloilo
- Various major airlines have direct flights daily bound for Iloilo International Airport.
- From the airport, ride a van bound for the terminal – PhP50.00.
- From the terminal, take another van or jeepney bound for Antique – PhP100 – PhP110.00. You can also ride any of the buses bound for Caticlan, Pandan, or Culasi. Travel time is 2-3 hours.
Going back, there are buses from the crossing that directly go to Iloilo. Remember that that last trip is at 3PM.
WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO IN ANTIQUE
Mararison or Malalison Island (Culasi, Antique)
Rates: PhP10 (registration fee); PhP20 (environmental fee); PhP750 (boat rental – good for 5 persons. Additional PhP150 per person in excess of 5)
If you long for crystal clear waters while enjoying the refined sand tickling your toes, this hook-shaped community island blessed with cream sand and the wonderful coral beach will sure to satiate your yearning. The picturesque mountain ridges that visitors can trek to admire the 360-degree view of the island in all its glory is an added bonus. Malalison Island is reachable by a 15-minute boat ride from Culasi Port.
Bugang River & Malumpati Health Spring (Pandan, Antique)
Rates: PhP40 (entrance fee); PhP200 (water tubing – optional)
The local government is very proud of this site as Bugang River bagged the Hall of Fame Award for Cleanest River in the Philippines several years back. The Malumpati Health Spring that feeds into the river is a favorite among locals for family picnics or swimming. Some activities you can try are water tubing, cliff diving, and kayaking. The newly built Naranjo Water Park also offers various water activities.
River Kayak (Tibiao, Antique)
Rate: PhP900 per person
The sound of the rushing river water might put you at peace; but if you are looking for something extreme, we suggest that you do the river kayaking or white water rafting and find yourself hyped up on adrenaline and desire.
Kawa Bath (Tibiao, Antique)
Rate: PhP200 per person
Have you experienced soaking in a gigantic jungle hot tub over a fire? It appears like you are being cooked in a broth filled with water, strewn, Eucalyptus leaves, and some flowers. It sounds fun, yeah? This activity actually put Antique in the map of tourism, industry. The “kawa” or the large vats were originally used in the mills to cook muscovado sugar. They have been creatively recycled to become a native bathtub to draw tourists. The practice became so prominent that it has been replicated in various parts of the Philippines.
Other attractions: Bugtong Bato Falls in Tibiao, Sira-an Hot Springs in Anini-y, The Patnongon Church and Convent in Patnogon, the sleeping volcano Mt. Madia-as (aka Mt. Majaas), and the province’s highest peak Mt. Nangtud.
Our travel partner Sole Adventours offers a package that will bring you to all the places listed above for only PhP1,500. You can send them a message here.
WHERE TO STAY IN ANTIQUE
You can book a room and take advantage of special discounts by clicking on the links under each image or by clicking on the hotel/resort photo.
Phaidon Beach Resort is 7KM from the city center and 47KM from the airport. All guest accommodations feature thoughtful amenities to ensure an unparalleled sense of comfort. The hotel’s hiking trails, snorkeling, private beach, outdoor pool, diving are ideal places to relax and unwind after a busy day. Whatever your purpose of visit, Phaidon Beach Resort is an excellent choice for your stay in Antique. Room rate starts at PhP2,000. BOOK HERE.
Nestled in the heart of Pandan, Pandan Beach Resort is an ideal spot from which to discover Antique. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms, luggage storage, Wi-Fi in public areas, car park, room service is just a few of the facilities that set Pandan Beach Resort apart from other hotels in the city. Rates start at PhP1,300. BOOK HERE.
Whether you’re a tourist or traveling on business, Kayak Inn Tibiao is a great choice for accommodation when visiting Antique. Only 14.7 km from the city center, the hotel’s strategic location ensures that guests can quickly and easily reach many local points of interest. With its convenient location, the hotel offers easy access to the city’s must-see destinations. Rates start at PhP1,300. BOOK HERE.
We recommend that you read reviews of travelers/tourists who stayed in the provided accommodation above to set your expectations. For other lists of available accommodations/hotels/resorts, you can check here.
ANTIQUE ONE-DAY SAMPLE ITINERARY (as a side trip from Boracay)
If you want to visit Antique on a day trip, it is advisable that you start early. It’s best to leave Boracay around 6AM and visit 3 towns of Antique: Pandan, Culasi, and Tibiao.
| TIME | ACTIVITY | NOTES |
| 0600 | Board a Ceres bus (PhP75) bound for Antique from Caticlan. Travel time is 1 hour. | Just tell the driver/conductor that you’re going to Malumpati Cold Spring, and request that you be dropped off in Pandan. |
| 0700 | ETA Pandan, Antique. Ride a tricycle (PhP50) to Malumpati Cold Spring. | You can ask the driver to wait or pick you up when you decide to leave the area. |
| 0730 | ETA Malumpati Cold Spring. Pay the entrance fee (PhP40 per person) | Depending on your preferred activity, you can stay here for 1-2 hours to enjoy the place. |
| 1000 | Head back to Pandan Highway and ride a bus (PhP40-PhP50) bound for Iloilo or San Jose | Tell the driver or the bus coordinator to drop you off in Culasi Port. Travel time is around 30 minutes. |
| 1030 | Culasi Port. Pay the environmental fee (PhP20 per person), registration (PhP10 per person), and secure a boat service PhP750 (good for 5 persons). Quick lunch. | An additional PhP150 pesos/person for more than 5 pax. The boat ride is 15 minutes. |
| 1100 | ETA Mararison Island. Picture taking. Trekking requires at least 2 hours. | Tour guide rate is PhP200 (good for 5 persons) |
| 1400 | Leave the island. Go back to port and ride a tricycle (PhP40-PhP50) to Barangay Importante Crossing. Ride a habal–habal (PhP70 good for 2 persons) | Travel time from Culasi Port to Barangay Importante crossing is 30 minutes. From the crossing to Kawa Hot Bath is 15 minutes. |
| 1600 | ETD to Barangay Importante crossing to take the last bus (PhP75) trip bound for Aklan at 1700. |
Since Antique is accessible from Aklan, we decided to see the province after our Boracay trip (Boracay Travel Guide).
We would like to thank the Aguirre Family (especially Karol) for accommodating us during our Antique escapade. Our trip has become more exciting and memorable because of your kindness and hospitality.
- If you want to take advantage of Antique Tour package, you may get in touch with our partner travel agency, Sole
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