Top 10 Things to Do in Kalibo

The cabin lights were turned down, and the plane levelled off at thirty thousand feet, and the roar of the engines formed a cocoon of silver sound. My seatmate was a young traveller, a young lady, having a map of the Philippines in the side pocket of her bag, looking out the window with both excitement and uncertainty.

As a travel expert working with World Pinoy Flights, I have spent years guiding travellers across these islands, but I never tire of watching that first look of wonder.

“Going to Boracay?” I asked softly. She nodded with a smile. Just like everybody, “I guess. We arrive in Kalibo, and then it is on to the jetty port, eh? Is there anything worth seeing in Kalibo?” I could not help bending back with a familiar smile on my lips. I lived my life in pursuit of horizons, and there is one thing that I have come to learn, and that is that the most interesting stories are usually found in those places that people have to wait in.

If you are looking for the best things to do in Kalibo, I said, as the poet Hans Christian Andersen wrote, “To travel is to live. But thou hast to live with where men only stare. Kalibo is not a gateway; it is a hanging garden of antique rhythm and green shadows. “By your leave, I have a thing or two to say about why you should explore Kalibo before the white sands of the coast overpower you.

She closed her book and was intrigued. And there, somewhere out on the Sibuyan Sea, I broke the ten secrets of the heart of Aklan with her to help her visit Kalibo with fresh eyes.

1. The Primal Pulse: The Ati-Atihan Festival.

“You will be in the middle of the ‘Mother of All Philippine Festivals’ when you arrive on time,” I said to her. Think of a city whose heartbeat has been sold to the beat of a drum. It is hosted every January, though the spirit of it sticks around all year round. Experiencing this rhythmic celebration is one of the most essential things to do in Kalibo.

It is a maniacal, sooty, ecstatic dance in honour of the Santo Niño. The street is your stage, as opposed to other festivals where you sit in a grandstand. It is not watching Ati-Atihan that one does, but being an Ati-Atihan. The scream of ‘Hala Bira!’ is a soul-shattering challenge to lose yourself in the rhythm. Seeking out such fun things to do in Kalibo will leave you breathless and inspired.

2. The Emerald Labyrinth: Bakhawan Eco-Park.

When there is too much noise in the world, you have to go to the mangroves. Bakhawan is a miracle of nature in the Philippines. It is a forest covering 220 hectares of mudflats. Searching for peaceful things to do in Kalibo leads many here. It has a bamboo walk that extends into the sea, covering 1 kilometre.

One can walk through it and feel that he is strolling through a tree cathedral. It is different there; the air is cool and smells of salt and wet soil. It is somewhere to get the kind of silence that tells something. If you are making a list of things to do in Kalibo, Aklan, this ecological treasure must be at the very top.

3. The Thread of the Queen: Dela Cruz House of Piña.

You will find numerous fabrics on your way, but not such as the Piña. It is liquid silk extracted from pineapple leaf fibres. I asked her to go to the Dela Cruz House to the weavers. They are sitting on wooden looms with their fingers moving like spiders, turning invisible fibres into cloth that is worthy of royalty. For those who appreciate heritage, witnessing this craft is among the top things to do in Kalibo. A single garment can only be prepared within months. In a fast-paced world, it is a beautiful, humbling thing to see a craft that takes such immense patience and time.

4. Kalibo Cathedral: A Sanctuary of Faith.

The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist is in the center of the town and a highlight of Kalibo sightseeing. Since the 1800s, it has been reconstructed numerous times, yet it is a serious one that makes you freeze in your steps. Although you are not religious, there is a procedure called Paapak, which is made by rubbing a small picture of the Christ child upon you as a form of healing.

Adding a visit here to your list of things to do in Kalibo offers a moment of reflection. It is faith or tradition. There is something in those stone walls that makes the moist afternoon seem to be sacred. Finding spiritual things to do in Kalibo, Aklan adds a layer of depth to any journey.

5. The View of the Heaven: Tigayon Hill.

You would have to climb Tigayon to see the world through the eyes of the birds. It is a limestone outcrop which protects the Aklan River. At the bottom, there are caves where ancient people used to live, but the true treasure is on top. Make sure you pack for the Philippines with comfortable shoes for this hike. You must go about at twilight, or you can see the river winding off through the valley like a mercury vein and going all gold as the sun sets on the mountains. This hike is one of the most rewarding and fun things to do in Kalibo for nature lovers and a must-include on any Kalibo itinerary.

To those who want to feel the heartbeat of the place, there is the Province of Aklan – Official Tourism Board, which has made known that these places serve as the cultural foundation of the Visayas.

6. The Challenge of Tamilok: The Taste of the Wild.

When I said this one, she laughed. Travelling is all about courage, right? They also harvest Tamilok, woodworm, which is, in fact, a wood-boring mollusc, in the mangroves. They eat them raw with the local vinegar and bird’s eye chilli. For the adventurous foodie, testing your palate with this local food is one of the bravest things to do in Kalibo. It is sea salted, milky, salty, and sharp. It is impossible to claim that you have really met Kalibo until you sit at a table with one of the natives and enjoy a meal of Tamilok. It is a passage to the aimless soul and certainly one of the most unique things to do in Kalibo, Aklan.

7. In Stone History: Museo it Akean.

You can never know where people are going unless you see where they were. The museum occupies a lovely old Spanish schoolhouse and remains one of the premier Kalibo attractions. It is full of 12th-century burial vases and revolutionary-era blades. It is small, silent, and smells like old wood and paper. It is the ideal place to have an hour to appreciate the fact that you are standing on the ground that has been fought over and loved for a thousand years.

8. Papierus Arts and Crafts Art Review.

I never want to miss a souvenir with a soul. In Kalibo, that’s Papierus. They use agricultural waste, such as pineapple husks and coconut leaves, and then transform them into beautiful handmade paper. Everything is handmade, starting with journals and up to the delicacy of lamps. Exploring this workshop is one of the most creative things to do in Kalibo. It is a beautiful way to remember that beauty can be created out of things the world discards. Supporting local artisans is among the most meaningful and fun things to do in Kalibo. And looking for more meaningful mementoes? Our Philippines souvenirs guide will help you find authentic treasures to bring home.

9. The Sacrifice of Martyrs: Aklan Freedom Shrine.

In town, there is a spot that has nineteen steps that contain the remnants of martyrs who died in the cause of Philippine independence. It is a gloomy spot, though well-maintained, and a poignant stop for those following a Kalibo travel guide. It is a reminder that the celebrations and the dancing of the festivals cost a very high price. It provides the town with some dignity that cannot be found in a brochure.

10. The Smooth Sail: Lagatik River Cruise.

Lastly, I told her when the aviator announced we were going down, to go on a short tour to New Washington and have a cruise on the river to see the scope of Kalibo tourism. It is possible to rent a floating cottage and simply drift. They will give you the freshest oysters and crabs you have ever tasted as the mangrove forest passes over your head. According to the poet Anatole France, it was true that, until one had loved an animal, a part of one’s soul was asleep. I think that is also what happens with the water. Flowing, flow, take away your cares.

Parting Thoughts

The sign ‘Fasten Seatbelt’ sounded, and she stared at me with a totally different light in her eyes. She had the map of the Philippines still; only the destination had changed.

‘I think I may stay in Kalibo a few days, after all,’ said she.

I smiled and looked out at the green islands rising out of the clouds. The greatest adventures, I said, are those that begin right where you did not want them to. As you plan your Kalibo holidays, remember that the heart of Aklan is waiting. Take your time. The world is not going anywhere either.

FAQs about Things to Do in Kalibo

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