To give you a glimpse of how beautiful the sea-shaped island of Antique is, here are its proudest towns crammed with splendid attractions and a sheer number of must-see destinations that are surely loved by many visitors.
Treasure cove at San Jose
Before the creation of San Jose de Buenavista into what it is today, it has an astounding past of how it became one of the prosperous towns of Antique. The Old Capitol Building, Evelio B. Javier Memorabilia (New Capitol), ADF Handicrafts; Piedra's Restaurant, La Granja & Binirayan Hills, and the San Pedro Old Church are some of the sites that blends the old and new faces of the town.
Started in 1971, the town offers an array of activities of great interest to both local and foreign tourists attracting the attention of Filipino and foreigners alike.
Quite town of Belison
The sleepy and little town of Belison is a portrayal of rural Visayan life in the province of Antique. It is located in the southern coastal portion of the province dotted the agricultural land of Antique. Belison is known for being vibrant and progressive civic administration became a good model of a growth-oriented community.
Surprises at Anini-y Town
Anini-y is a typical town of Antique that is imbued with historical facts and tourist attractions. It is filled with colorful stories which add spices to the rustic town.
Trip to Barbaza
Located in the central part, Barbaza is one of the many towns that has its own share of beauty dotted the sea-horse shaped of Antique province. Blessed with beautiful beaches, caves, falls, and churches, the province has many tourist attractions, activities, points of interest, facilities, and services to offer.
Visit to Laua-an
Laua-an is endowed with rich and aesthetic environment ideal for tourism development. Potential tourist attractions include land based, coastal based, cultural, historical and socio-economic destinations. Among the tourist attractions are Mt. Igmatongtong in Brgy. Capnayan, Maybunga Water falls in Brgy. Maybunga, and Estaka Hill in Brgy. Poblacion.
Pahinis de Laua-an Festival is the main tourism event which showcases the traditions, culture and arts of the town with emphasis on the promotion of muscovado sugar industry. Pahinis is the ritual done in cleaning of tools and equipment used in the muscovado production.
Nestled in the northern part of Antique, Pandan boasts of its one-of-a-kind eco-tourism attraction. It is bound of attractions offers a lot of interesting activities, extraordinary adventures and trails that gives much pleasure to every traveler.
Humble Town of Culasi
Nested at the northern portion of the sea-horse shaped of Antique province, Culasi is a wealth town endowed with natural and historical attractions. It is blessed with beautiful beaches, caves, falls, and churches. The province has many tourist attractions, activities, points of interest, facilities, and services to offer.
Jewel of Antique at Caluya
Caluya may not be as well known as a tourist destination as Boracay or Puerto Galera, but it is rapidly becoming recognized as a tropical paradise blessed in natural wonders, drawing in more and more visitors every year with truly unique eco-tourism attractions.
Caluya is made up of numerous islands, each with unique character but all are enchantingly attractive with white beaches and lush vegetation surrounded by clear, sparkling water. Vast stretches of sea provide probably the best sites for scuba diving and snorkeling, where one can glide underwater amongst the vibrant sea life like sea turtles, tropical fish, corals, anemones and occasionally even dolphins.
Patnongon: Heart of Antique
Located in the heart of Antique, the town is abundant in fish products and marine life. Patnongon is now is developing its tourism potentials. Numerous resorts are now open and serving visitors. In Barangay Igbarawan alone, there are more than five resorts like the Igbarawan Garden Resort, El Capitan, Bed of Roses and Bato Bugtong. In Amparo, the newly built La Parola is now considered to be the favorite destinations for family or social affairs for it offers quality service and complete amenities.
Notable Hamtic
Hamtic is proud to be the birthplace of famous Antiquenos, foremost of who is former governor Evelio B. Javier, born in Brgy. Lanag(now renamed Brgy. EBJ) and is considered as the local hero of Antique. Leandro Fullon, whose statue is erected at the town’s plaza, was the last general to surrender and the first revolutionary governor of Antique, also a Hamtic-born. Aside from the hero’s birthplace, the Rosa Mystica Park in Brgy. Dangcalan where soul-searchers can have a corner to come to and to meditate. The Park boasts of statues depicting the Lord’s Via Crucis and is situated on top of a hill, also Rosa Mystica’s image, thus the park is named. It can be reached by tricycle and has minimal entrance fee (maybe for its maintenance). It is open daily to accommodate local and foreign visitors.
Best of Antique at Tibiao
Tibiao is one of the vibrant towns in Antique where the new leadership continues to strive for the upliftment of Tibiaonons’ life. It is undeniably exceptional when it comes to adventure tourism; it offers a complete package for an escapade for all seasons.
Tibiao River is one of the best rivers in the country ideal for those who want adventure and thrill of white water kayaking. Bugtong Bato Falls is a place to soote sensation of small fishes that nibble on your dead skin, cuticles and calluses in Tibiao Fish Spa. Tibiao Fish Spa has become the talk of the town not just in the province but across the nation and even around the globe.
Apart from the abundance of Tibiao’s inland resources, the town is also gifted of marine life. Tibiao’s underwater lies the Poblacion (Nasan) and Lapaz Coral Reefs. Tibiao’s culture is expressed through the yearly celebration of Panguyang Festival. Panguyang
Alluring attractions at Libertad
Tourist destinations here will truly allure the visitors. Libertad’s attractions start from its scenic roads. Whether you drive on four wheels or two, you will love the roads along the beach with dashing marble stones, green forests and peaceful communities. Indeed, Libertad is a place of varied range of adventures and attractions.
Wealth town of San Remigio
San Remigio is a rich town where people are like the flock of birds. They are a hardworking people who struggle to make their lot in life a better one. Thus, they are motivated to labor hard and to live well in order to have a meaningful celebration of the abundant life with joy, thanksgiving and contentment.
San Remegio also boasts of tourist attractions like the mystic Igbaclag Cave and Igmatindug Peak in Brgy. Aningalan, Mt. Igtolahong in Nagbangi, Bato Cueva in Brgy. La Union and the Pula Falls in Brgy. Baladjay.
Natural Wonders at Valderrama
The town is endowed with vast natural resource for it is surrounded by mountain ranges and peaks. It is home to various endemic and endangered species. Among these are eagles, hawks, rare species of the wild boars, spotted deer and species of dove. These species are subject for protection. The municipal government is doubling its effort to preserve the inhabitants of these species.
Also Valderrama is home to Iraynun or Bukidnon, an indigenous group distinguished as being short, white skinned blonde-hair. Their rich traditions and customs manifest the noble civilization we have even before the Spaniard arrived.
The rich natural resources blended with rich its culture, Valderrama, is opening its door for adventure tourism to both local and foreign visitors.
Resilience of Sebaste Town
The young town has gone through various challenges and tests of the time but with the unwavering support of Sebastehanons: local and abroad and their government officials, Sebaste survived and will continue to soar high towards greatness. This dream will never be afar, for Sebaste is gifted of vast natural resources.
Blooming industry of Bugasong
Poultry and livestock raising are considered an integral part of the agricultural economy of the Municipality. Cattle, goats and swine are raised either for breeding or fattening in limited farm lots while carabaos are kept mainly as source of draft power for land preparation in agricultural production.
Bugasong is famous for its handloom weaving. Barangay Bagtason is known for its hand-woven products such as hat, handkerchief and the patadyong. Since the 18th century, people from Bagtason engaged in weaving using the various native raw materials such as abaca, silk and piña fibers for patadyong, kimona and barong. But in terms of quality and design, patadyong is considered the most popular product of the municipality.
Rustic town of Tobias Fornier
Tobias is a rural town in Antique province array with bounty of natural wonders that will surely no disappoint tourist. Like the other towns, it is like a pearl dotted the beautiful island of Antique.
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Why love Antique? The province is indeed a great destination where one will surely enjoy its beauty in many ways.
Travel to Antique
Antique is accessible via RORO (Roll-On Roll-Off) from Manila and major cities in the country. There are buses and vans plying from Iloilo City, Iloilo, Kalibo, Aklan to San Jose and vice versa. Travel time to Antique is about two and a half hours from Iloilo International Airport and one and a half hours away from Kalibo International Airport. When touring around the province, jeepneys and tricycles also available in the area.