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Trip Report: From Iloilo City to Boracay via Antique Province
Tags: Boracay by Road, Boracay Travel, Drive Antique Province, Drive to Boracay, Drive to Caticlan, Getting to Boracay, Hotel Antique province, How far to Boracay, How long to Boracay, How to get to Boracay, Iloilo to Boracay, Iloilo to Caticlan, Kandingan Iloilo, Lipata Port Culasi, Private car to Boracay, Road routes to Boracay, San Bernadino Mountain House, Travel to Boracay, Traveling to Boracay
Traveling to Boracay. Getting to Boracay. From Iloilo City to Boracay by road, via Antique Province — our recommendations and narrative.
There are two road routes from Iloilo City to Boracay. The almost universally used route is through Passi City and Kalibo to Caticlan. The second is west across the mountains to San Jose, Antique Province and then up the Antique coast to Caticlan. Almost all Boracay-bound road traffic takes the Passi route. It’s about 30 KM shorter and, from the perspective of the transport companies, it travels through a much more populated region offering much better prospects for more passengers than the thinly populated Antique route. This narrative is from the perspective of travel by private car but should also be of interest to those traveling this route by bus or van to Caticlan (Boracay) through Antique Province.
Since private cars are banned on Boracay Island itself, almost all travel to Boracay is by air (over 200 flights per week to the small Caticlan airport alone), by bus or by the dozens of air-con vans that ply the Iloilo City-Caticlan route. All of these use the Passi route.
For travelers with their own vehicle, the Antique route is far preferable. With the exception of a rough section of road crossing the Cordillera on the Iloilo-Antique border, the roads are much better. But even more attractive are the natural beauty and enchantment and the many historical sites of Antique Province itself. You’ll travel on good roads with little traffic through a unspoiled, idyllic landscape of undeveloped seashore, bright green rice fields with soaring mountains in the background. You’ll pass through pretty, quiet, small towns with well-kept plazas, churches and schools. There will be almost no tourist facilities because this area sees so few tourists. If you stop at one of the towns to buy snacks the Antiqueños will be happy to see you. You probably will not get away until they know where you are from, where you are going, how many children you have and every other detail of your life!
- Over the cordillera from Iloilo to Antique. Sulu Sea in distance.
Leaving Iloilo City heading west on the National Highway, you’ll pass through the wonderful small towns of Oton, Tigbauan, Guimbal, Miagao and San Joaquin. These are covered in other sections of this site. Beyond San Joaquin proper you’ll come to pretty Tiolas (about milepost 60 KM) where there’s an intersection. Take the right fork leading toward San Jose, Antique. (The left fork begins a wonderful but rough road along the coast to Anini-y, Nogas Island and eventually to San Jose, Antique. This a great trip in itself, if you have the time.)
After taking the right fork at Tiolas, the road begins its climb over the mountains almost immediately. There are stretches of rough and rocky road. During the first half of the trip over the cordillera, you’ll see trucks parked on your left, dining at a “Kandingan” roadside restaurant whose specialty is goat. Toward the top, you’ll pass the San Bernadino Mountain House.
Cusinari Nena Restaurant on the right. A nice place to stop with a great view of the mountains.
While the road is rough you’ll find this is a well-populated area with villages and schools. The residents enjoy a cooler climate, pretty mountain views and cleaner mountain water.
Climbing over the mountains between Tiolas and San Jose Antique. View from Cusinari Nena Restaurant
Crossing into Antique Province from Iloilo City
By the time you reach the Iloilo-Antique border (11.8 KM from Tiolas) the road is good and continues to be good all the way to Caticlan. Near the border is Telegrafo Hill, a Japanese position during World War II. There are supposed to be good views from the hill, but we could not find a sign or trail. A small parking area, sign and trail would be a good amenity for tourism. From the border it’s all downhill to the intersection with the National Highway in Hamtic Antique.
Vista from Hamtic highlands to Sulu Sea
At the intersection of the National Highway turn right toward San Jose, the capital of Antique Province. You may wish to pause at a historic site commemorating (according to local legend) the landing in the 13th century of settlers from Borneo, said to be the Malays to arrive in the Philippines. The annual Binirayan Festival celebrates the landing on the third weekend in April.
First Malay Settlement? Malandog, Hamtic, Antique Province, Philippines
Old Antique Provincial Capitol, San Jose, Antique Province, Philippines
Evelio B. Javier Freedom Park, San Jose, Antique Province, Philippines
The park seemed a bit neglected. Time Magazine article on the 1984 murder of Harvard-educated Javier at the Antique Provincial Capital: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,960710,00.html
San Jose itself, a nice enough small city, has the curse of most smaller Philippine cities. It’s choked with tricycles, giving its downtown considerable traffic congestion, a constant din, and polluted air.
Beautiful old house, downtown San Jose, Antique.
Thanks to the owner for saving and maintaining this fine old building in San Jose, Antique
Since we were traveling at a leisurely, lazy pace, exploring as we went, we decided to stay overnight in San Jose. We stayed at the Centillion House. We paid P1,000 for our basic, but clean and spacious air-conditioned room with hot water. It seemed very secure. There was a parking area for guests and a security guard at night. We were worried that our pride and joy Toyota Innova be safe at night! A very basic breakfast (toast, juice, coffee) was included. The hotel faces on two busy roads. Also there was a small mall on the first floor so it was a little noisy, but we were not really bothered by the noise. We stayed in room 208 which is toward the center of the hotel, as far away as possible from the traffic.
Centillion Hotel, San Jose, Antique Province, Philippines
The Adelaide Pensionne was across the road from the Centillion, so we decided to take a look at it. It is a quieter location, down an alley from the main road. We were shown a “VIP room”. There were smaller and cheaper rooms and bigger and fancier ones. The VIP room was P850 without breakfast, with AC and HW. It is smaller than our room at Centillion, but likely quieter. A full breakfast at the Adelaide is P130 per person. Both are very good options. Here’s a link to the Adelaide.
Here’s a link to San Jose, Antique lodging options.
Adelaide Hotel (Pension House), San Jose, Antique
Based on a recommendation in the Lonely Planet Philippines guidebook, we had our dinner at Regina’s Restaurant. I had shrimp satay which turned out to be more or less BBQ shrimp on a skewer. Carol had lengua — beef tongue. We especially liked the achara made of young bamboo which was served as a side dish with my satay. Achara is a pickled salad which is usually made with grated green papaya or green mango. It was delicious made with young bamboo. With drinks our meal was P268 or the two of us. Regina’s can be a little hard to find. Just watch for the Chow King restaurant. Regina’s is in a small mall immediately adjacent to Chow King on T.A. Fornier Street. It’s walking distance from Centillion or Adelaide.
Friends highly recommended the Private Property Restaurant, about eight kilometers out of San Jose. Call Jen Lotilla for information. 0906-726-8355.
After breakfast we continued on our way north toward Sibalom — or so we thought. Actually we took the wrong road out of San Jose and ended up on a very pretty, but long and rough back road to Sibalom. The countryside was exquisitely beautiful, but since we thought we were irretrievably lost, we did not stop to savor or photograph it. We had to stop and ask for directions several times but finally made it back to the National Highway and Sibalom proper. As we crossed the Sibalom River there was evidence everywhere of the damage done to the area by Typhoon Frank (Fengshen).
Sibalom and San Remigio, Antique, are mountain and agricultural communities of tremendous natural beauty. Exploring the backcountry of these places will be a challenge to most foreign tourists and will likely require a local guide to navigate the unmarked roads and trails. My Tagalog-speaking wife struggled to communicate with rural residents.
San Remigio is on our list for future exploration. The official San Remigio municipal website tantalizes us with the following attractions: Igbaclag Cave, the perfect cave in the “Little Baguio of Antique”, Bato Cueva, Kanyugan Cave, Magpungay Cave; the crystal clear ice water falling from Pula Falls, Timbaban Falls and Batuan Falls, the lakes of Maylumboy and Danao; the legendary stone of Datu Sumakwel, Bato Bintana and White Castle Stone and the mountain ranges of San Remigio.
Back on the National Highway, we reached Belison, Antique at KM118.5. (Note that the mile posts on the National Highway are measured from Iloilo City. We are using the same. Some maps, including the official Antique provincial map, show the distance as measured from San Jose.)
Municipal Hall, Belison, Antique Province, Philippines
Bandstand, Belison, Antique Province, Philippines
Our next stop was Patnongon, Antique. Bob worked 23 years for a historic preservation NGO in rural New York. His eyes light up when he sees old buildings so Patnongon was right up his alley. St. Augustine Academy is the centerpiece of Patnongon. The very helpful Panublion Project of the Ateneo de Manila University informs us that Patanongon was founded as a visita (outlying chapel) of Sibalon in 1761, Patnongon was placed under the patronage of San Agustin. It was made an independent parish in 1762, with Fray Francisco Amperosa as first parish priest but reverted as a visita of Sibalon in 1778. The parish was re-established in 1841 with Fray Joaquin Lopez appointed as parish priest.
Former Spanish Convent (now St. Augustine's Academy), Patnongon, Antique Province
The St. Augustine Academy was built as a convent in the late 19th century as part of a larger church complex. While we can regret the loss of other elements of the complex, the convent itself is a classical revival treasure. Hopefully we can return and explore and understand more about the former church complex.
Former Spanish Convent (now St. Augustine's Academy), Patnongon, Antique Province
Students ham it up for the camera. Former Spanish Convent (now St. Augustine's Academy), Patnongon, Antique Province
Former Spanish Convent (now St. Augustine's Academy), Patnongon, Antique Province
Abandoned stone building, Patnongon, Antique Province
Just beyond St. Augustine’s, is a roofless, abandoned old building, crying out to be explored and explained.
Old Spanish stone bridge, Patnongon, Antique Province, Philippines
The National Highway and all its 21st century traffic still utilize this old Spanish bridge or culvert in Patnongon.
Between Patnongon and Bugasong a long winding side road leads to the mountain town of Valderrama and the Villa Valderrama Mountain Resort. Is this another Baguio? Valderrama is on our list for future exploration. Evidently, the Valderrama resort was developed by the municipality. A call to the provincial tourism office in San Jose may give advance information on the availability of lodging and meals at Valderrama: Mr. Florentino Egida, Antique Provincial Tourism Office, phone: 036-540-9765, email: tourism_antique@yahoo.com
Again heading north, the next town was BUGASONG (KM 139). We got lost trying to find Estaca Hill in Bugasong, Antique. We have a lot we want to see in Bugasong on our next trip, including the ruins of a c. 1867 Spanish church and convent.
Laua-an, Antique Muncipal Hall
After Bugasong, at KM 152, came Laua-an, Antique. While Laua-an did not seem to have any specific landmarks, it was very impressive for the obvious pride that the residents and their government took in their town. Everything was neat, clean and well-maintained. The immaculate central school was a very visible symbol of the importance that parents, teachers and students place on educating the children of Laua-an.
With only a few exceptions, we found that the communities of Antique Province, which certainly must not be wealthy, were proud of their home towns and kept them them painted, landscaped, neat, clean and free of litter.
Clean, green and pretty Laua-an School
Laua-an Church, Antique Province, Philippines
The National Highway follows the undeveloped Antique shore for 125 km with the ocean on the left and...
rice fields and the mountains on the right. Between Laua-an and Tibao, Antique
Gabaldon Building of Central School of Tibiao, Tibiao, Antique Province
The residents of Tibiao, Antique deserve great credit for preserving this historic “Gabaldon” schoolhouse. The school and its meticulously maintained grounds reflect pride in the community and also the importance the community gives to educating its young people. Gabaldon schools were built throughout the Philippines during the commonwealth era. Funding was provided as a result of a bill introduced by Assemblyman Isauro Gabaldon of Nueva Ecija which became known as the Gabaldon Act. Many Gabaldon schools have been neglected and have fallen into disrepair. Not so in Tibiao! For more on Gabaldon schools see: http://gabaldon.blogspot.com/search?q=gabaldon
Tibiao, Antique Municipal Hall
Enlargement of sign in front of Tibiao, Antique Municipal Hall
Another sign in front of the Tibiao Municipal Hall in Tibiao, Antique. It seems to give a public account of projects and expenditures.
African Tulip Tree (Spathodea campanulata) in clean and tidy municipal plaza, Tibiao, Antique Province, Philippines. This tree is a native of Uganda in Africa.
Tibiao Church, Tibiao, Antique Province. The tower in front seems to hold bells from a previous church.
More Tibiao information at: http://members.tripod.com/ACUSA_1/home_eng/tibiao.htm
Continuing north, Mararison Island comes into view.
We had our binoculars with us when we had lunch at Neil’s (below) and were able to take a good look at Mararison Island. It looks like a great place to visit with lots of white sand beaches and a considerable settlement on the easterly shore. Unfortunately, it’s also where a cargo ship MV Ocean Papa sank on June 21, 2008 on it’s way from Manila to Iloilo City. While the ship was salvaged, its cargo of sixteen metric tons of toluene di-isocyanate was not. While the vapors of TDI are hazardous to workers, we’re not sure of the impact of the liquid on marine life. Phaidon Resort in Pandan (see below) is said to offer snorkeling trips to Mararison. Also check with Panay Explorers.
Neil's Restaurant, between Tiabao and Culasi, Antique Province
Places to dine between San Jose and Boracay are scarce. We stopped at Neil’s Resto Grill twice, going to and coming back from Boaracy. It’s located just beyond milepost 176KM, right on the shore. It offers traditional Filipino fare such as grilled fish, nilaga (boiled pork with cabbage and potato), KBL (kadyos, baboy, langka) boiled pork with beans, and young jackfruit plus rice, beverages and chips. We enjoyed the food. The prices are very reasonable. We paid a total P135 (less than $3) for grilled fish, two other dishes, rice, buko (coconut) juice and coffee. The owner and workers were very friendly. Bob left behind his prized Nike baseball cap. The pretty waitress ran after us to return it. Neil’s is popular with buses traveling the route but this is not a problem. I was surprised that most passengers did not get off the bus when it stopped at Neil’s. There is good parking if you’re driving your own vehicle. There’s a public restroom (CR). It’s basic Filipino — no toilet seat or toilet paper but it’s kept quite clean.
Spectacular rice field and mountain panoramas continue for miles
Culasi, Antique Province with Panay's highest peak, Mt. Madja-as, as backdrop, here shrouded by clouds.
Our next stop was Culasi, Antique (KM 188), a town back-dropped by Panay’s highest mountains and having several islands arrayed offshore.
If you’re interested in diving in the Culasi area contact: Panay Explorers: http://www.panayexplorers.com/index.htm
About five kilometers north of Culasi proper, watch for the turn-off to Lipata port. It a short, pretty drive out to the Point. See http://goiloilo.com/culasi-antique/ From Lipata there are reported to be ferries to and from Manila and perhaps other destinations such as Semirara Island and Mindoro and the Cuyo Islands in Palawan. You might try contacting Mr. Florentino Egida, head of the Antique Provincial Tourism Office, 540-9765, tourism_antique@yahoo.com for up-to-date information. You might also stop by the Culasi municipal offices as Lipata Port is one of the few ports operated by the municipality rather than the Philippine Ports Authority.
Hard-to-see sign at turn-off to Lipata Point and Port, Culasi, Antique
There was a very active anti-Japanese guerrilla movement on Panay Island and elsewhere in the Pacific during WW II. Douglas MacArthur supplied the guerrillas by way of submarine drops of personnel and supplies. Lipata Point was the one site where drops where made. You can download an excellent overview of guerrilla activities (”Guerrilla Summary”) in the Pacific as well as an account of of the USS Narwal’s tragi-comic mission(”The Panay Narwal Incident”) to deliver supplies at Lipata Point, Culasi at http://www.chickparsons.com/downloads.htm.
Planting rice between Culasi and Pandan, Antique Province, Philippines
Municipal Hall, Sebaste, Antique Province, Philippines
Sebaste, Antique (207KM) is a unprepossessing jewel of a community. While Sebaste is the location of Igpasungaw Falls and certainly other attractions, for me the charm was more pervasive. While the Municipal Building is just off the National Highway, the church and plaza are well off the highway forming a clean, unspoiled and peaceful center to the town. It’s only steps from the church to the sea. The entire tableau was charming. When I was there the church plaza was filled with school children. The streets and plaza were clean and well kept.
Somewhere in Sebaste is Igpasungaw Falls, reported to be a 30-minute hike from the highway. We did not see the trailhead and have not been able to find any online directions. We’ll do further investigation on our next trip. If anyone can give directions, please leave a comment below.
Pretty, tidy town center, Sebaste, Antique Province, Philippines
Our next stop is Pandan, Antique (222KM). Pandan is one of those communities which has realized that protecting and publicizing its natural resources and maintaining its attractiveness is a good development strategy. There’s a municipal tourism office in the middle of town. We did not get to visit Malumpati Cold Spring Resort. It appears to be a municipally-owned swimming hole mainly intended for day use, although there may be a cottage available. You should be able to get information at the tourism office.
Environmental consciousness in Pandan, Antique
Pandan, Antique Municipal Hall
Freedom Park, Pandan, Antique, Philippines
Clean and quiet side street, Pandan Antique
Green Park Hotel, Pandan, Antique
P1,500 room, Green Park Hotel, Pandan Antique
The Green Park Hotel is located on the National Road in Pandan, Antique. Phone 036-278-96-16. We did not stay here on this trip, but wanted to check it out for future reference. The hotel has beautiful views of the surrounding rice fields. It’s a very convenient location for those traveling from Iloilo to Boracay who get a late start or don’t want do do the trip in one day.
Monument to Gen. Leandro Fullon. Bagumbayan Crossing, Pandan Antique
Watch for this monument on your right after you leave Pandan proper. The monument is at the intersection of two main roads. If you go straight you’ll take the main, paved road direct to Caticlan, Aklan, the jumping off point for Boracay Island. If you turn left, you’ll head toward Libertad and a long, dusty or muddy (depending on the season) rough but scenic gravel road that also ends up at Caticlan. We turned left toward Libertad because we planned to stay at the Phaidon Resort, 7 KM down this road. (See the comment below from goILOILO reader Francis on the road from Pandan to Libertad and Malay.)
Bugang River, Pandan Antique
The Bugang River is said to be similar to Bohol’s Loboc River, a pristine stream traversing unspoiled tropical woodlands. Cruises on the river are reportedly available through the Bugang Community-Based Eco-Tourism Organization. Check with the Pandan Tourism Office or the Phaidon Resort. Also see this link.
Mountains of the Northwest Panay Peninsula
The Northwest Panay Peninsula west of Pandan, has received considerable attention from international conservationists. It evidently differs from much of the rest of other Panay mountains, being a limestone karst region with considerable remaining forest areas and a diversity of wildlife. See the website of the Philippine Endemic Species Conservation Project for a storehouse of information on this area, including a teriffic page of links on Philippine conservation resources. PESCP says that “the last significant stands of primary, low elevation rainforest in the biogeographic region of the West Visayas, located on the northwestern peninsula of Panay, is habitat of a range of highly endangered, partly endemic species of reptiles, birds and mammals. It is one of the areas with highest conservation priorities in the world, both in terms of the number of endangered animals per unit area, and the degree of threat these species confront.” They welcome support for their efforts.
Roadside chapel on the way from Pandan to Libertad, Antique - minimalist Gothic!
Phaidon Beach Resort, Pandan Antique
We spent the night at the Phaidon Beach Resort. To get there, turn off the main highway and go about seven kilometers in the direction of Libertad. The road is rough but scenic. We stayed in the cheapest available accommodation at Phaidon, one of the air-con cottages shown above. The cottage cost P2400 including a basic breakfast. The resort was very beautiful. The design, landscaping and maintenance of was top-notch, exquisite really, but corners were cut in our “economy” cottage. The cottage itself was pretty but the furniture and especially the bedding were skimpy. The dim lighting made reading difficult. This is a common problem in Philippine hotels. In the future we’re going to bring our own reading light when we travel. This is one of the many luxuries of traveling in your own vehicle.
Beach at Phaidon Beach Resort, Pandan Antique
I have one more complaint or perhaps it’s a suggestion. It’s a problem that we have seen at other resorts with air conditioned cottages. The windows in the cottages are sealed so when they are vacant they get no fresh air and end up being damp and musty. There are no screens so you can’t turn off the air-con and open the windows, so you are forced to use the air con even if you’d prefer to open the windows and enjoy the sea breezes, saving the resort owner money and being a bit more “green”.
Cottages - Phaidon Beach Resort, Pandan Antique
We were delighted with our dinner at Phaidon. Some resorts gouge captive guests on meal prices, but our dinner at Phaidon was excellent and reasonably priced. Carol had beef caldereta and Bob a German specialty.
In the morning we had breakfast at Phaidon, also excellent, and returned to the main highway at Pandan and headed toward Caticlan.
Phaidon Resort may arrange outings to various destinations such as Igpasungaw Falls and the Bugang River, snorkeling at Mararison Island and perhaps other destinations.
Caticlan Port, Aklan with Boracay Island in the distance
RORO (roll on, roll off) ferries at Caticlan, Aklan. Destination Batangas.
You can travel to and from Caticlan via these ferries. The ferry from Caticlan lands you in Roxas, Oriental Mindoro. You can take your own vehicle or use one of the buses plying this route. Here’s a link to Montenegro Shipping Lines I found this site a bit buggy but finally got it to work. From Roxas you can drive to Calapan, Mindoro and take another RORO ferry to Batangas on Luzon, opening up a host of further travel opportunities. Or you could drive from Calapan to Puerto Galera. We’re not sure about the condition of the Calapan to Puerto Galera so if you you are, please leave a comment. Further information on the Nautical Highway System here.
If you drive to Caticlan (Boracay) you can leave your vehicle in a secure parking area.
If you drive to Caticlan (Boracay) you can leave your vehicle in a secure parking area. These two parking areas are just a short distance to the Caticlan (Boracay) jetty port parking lot. We used the Salido lot. Most of their parking is under cover (but not ours), an advantage. They charged us P100 per day.
New jetty port at Caticlan for travel to Boracay Island
We were quite spoiled. We arranged to stay at the Tirol and Tirol Resort in Boarcay. The resort had a helpful employee waiting for us at Caticlan. He handled our luggage, paid our fees, obtained a tricycle for us when we got to Boracay. Even if you’re on your own, this relatively new jetty port makes transport to Boracay Island quite painless. You’ll pay your “environment fee”, port fee and fare and get on the next pumpboat to Boracay Island. After a 15-minute ride to the Cagban jetty on Boracay Island, you can take a tricycle anywhere on the island. We’ll continue the Boracay part of our narrative here.
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Posted by GOIloilo on 11.30.08 6:12PM under Antique Province, Boracay Island
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Posted by Patrick on 12.02.08 7:33 am
Excellent report and great photos.
I have also done this trip but using public transport.
Looking forward to your Boracay Report.
Posted by Trip Report: Boracay Island, Philippines at goILOILO.com on 12.18.08 3:51 pm
[...] of the tropics. (You can read about our trip to Boracay through beautiful Antique Province by clicking here.) White Beach – Boracay, [...]
Posted by Francis on 12.27.08 6:31 pm
when did you take this trip? i am here in boracay and used the passi route. very disappointed with the state of the roads.
thanks.
Posted by Francis on 12.27.08 6:42 pm
i am planning to take the antique route from boracay to iloilo on monday. which would you recommend, taking the coastal or mountain route from san jose to tiolas?
thanks again.
Posted by GOIloilo on 12.27.08 8:01 pm
Our trip to Boracay through Antique Province was just last month — Nov. 08, so it should be quite up to date. I hear many report of what torture the Passi route is. Try the Antique route and see what you think. Report back here if you can.
Posted by Francis on 12.28.08 8:03 am
thanks! how about the costal or maountain route from san jose to tiolas? which is better?
how long is the trip in hours?
appreciate your response. thanks again
Posted by GOIloilo on 12.28.08 9:44 am
Driving from Iloilo to Boracay — on our way there we took two days, staying overnight in both San, Jose and Pandan, Antique. On our way back we drove with more determination. We left Caticlan at 11:45 AM and arrived in Molo, Iloilo at 6:00 PM. This included some photo-taking stops and a stop for lunch and dinner, so probably five hours or less of driving. I think that’s about how long the bus takes. Have a good trip!
Posted by natie on 12.31.08 8:14 am
oh, what lovely pictures…it makes me want to turn the clock fast so i could be there in iloilo sooner!!!
thanks again, Bob and Carol!!
Posted by Francis on 12.31.08 9:17 am
the road from caticlan to malay and libertad is terrible! it took us 2 hours to get to pandan. from there, the road condition is excellent until iloilo city.
would recommend to motorists to take the antique route via nabas and pandan instead of via malay and libertad.
thanks and we had a good trip.
Posted by Bernadette P. Tolentino on 01.26.09 10:21 am
Your narrative on your trip to Boracay via Antique is accurately interesting. I should know because my hometown is Bugasong and I have traveled those roads so many times. My only regret is you did not get to see Estaca Hill and other historical monuments of Bugasong. On your next trip, plan to visit Bagtason, where the “original patadyong” is weaved. I am from Quezon City but I always go back to my roots twice or thrice a year. So, in your next trip and if you may decide to stop by Bugasong, you may get in touch with me and I can help arrange for your tour around our town.
Posted by Augustus on 02.09.09 6:04 am
Thank you Bob amd Carol for a most informative and extensive travelogue of Iloilo to Caticlan via Antique. I have been to this part of the country just once in my life (though part of my roots originates from Dao) and I’m embarrassed to say it was an era when sugar was still king and spanish language still heard among the earlier generations. I just stumbled into this website by accident and, I’m happy to say, one of the brighter events in a recession filled world. On my next trip to PI, I will try to retrace that trek so well depicted by you, both narrative and
visual. Thanks again.
Augustus
Posted by GOIloilo on 02.11.09 1:47 pm
Thanks Augustus, Antique Province really is special. We plan to go back and visit some of the places we missed; especially Bugasong and Barbaza. Bob and Carol
Posted by Philippines, | Architecture • Design • photography on 04.22.09 10:35 am
[...] Driving from iloilo to Boracay http://goiloilo.com/iloilo-city-to-boracay-via-antique-province/ [...]
Posted by May on 04.24.09 6:45 am
Hi Bob and Carol,
Your narrative is wonderful! It gave me vivid idea how how my trip to Boracay in two weeks would be. I will be traveling with my 3 year old son and four single ladies friends. We are having coffee this weekend to tailor our own trip plan. We will be landing in Iloilo from Davao and would negotiate the road from Iloilo to Caticlan. Your travelogue is very informative and it further stimulated me about our own trip and appeased my worries too about traveling by land with a toddler. I would appreciate any feedback on any stop-over to calm my son if ever he becomes cranky along the way. Thanks.
Posted by Bob on 04.26.09 6:04 pm
May,
You may stop in San Jose, Antique. There’s a Jollibee and Chow King there. See http://goiloilo.com/category/places/antique-province/san-jose-antique/
Beyond San Jose there’s mostly carenderias except for Neil’s which is mentioned in our narrative.
You could buy take out in Iloilo City (Bluejay Cafe and Deli on Gen. Luna?), a cheap Styrofoam cooler, and picnic at one of the simple resorts along the way.
Good luck with your trip. Take your time and enjoy!
Bob and Carol
Posted by Anonymous on 05.09.09 3:26 am
im from san remigio antique but never been in that place–im all over part of the globe but never explore my beloved province antique on the island tip part of going way to boracay–im drooling to see soon after 33yrs outside p.i.im excited and elated to visit and see the island to free from stresswork and inhale the freshair
Posted by velly lomugdang on 05.12.09 2:43 am
ang probinsya nga gwapa buligay ta sa kauswagan ka lugar ta heheh
Posted by GOIloilo on 10.08.09 6:04 pm
Walter asks about the other Iloilo City to Caticlan route — going through Passi City and Kalibo
Dear Mr.Bob,
I have read your narrative on the Iloilo to Caticlan route. I have driven the same route last year with my family. What a beautiful drive it was.
However this time we’d like to try the Iloilo (via Kalibo) to Caticlan route. Have you tried this route before? Any pros and cons to this route? Any reliable blogs/sites I can go to?
Thank you for your time.
Walter
Walter,
First of all, the Passi/Kalibo route is shorter. That’s the big attractions. That why it’s the most-used Iloilo to Caticlan route. I have not driven the route myself, but have gone that way as a passenger in a friends SUV. This was a couple of years ago, so my info is not fresh. That said, I have heard numerous complaints about the roads being really terrible. One friend of mine jokes (?) that the only way that he’ll go to Boracay from Iloilo City is to fly to Manila and then fly to Kalibo or Caticlan!
The Antique Province route is more scenic but there’s lots to see on either route. Unfortunately, most (buses, vans, taxis’) are not sight-seeing. They are blasting thorough as fast as they can. The more trips they can make the more money they make. That’s part of what makes the trip so unpleasant. Hope this helps a little.
Happy travels!
Bob
Posted by zachell anne dimalaluan on 10.08.09 9:29 pm
I can hardly believe it…my eyes got teary when i saw my favorite place to visit,,,our province Antique.How i wish to stay there as much as i want but…hmm…
Posted by Quito Colayco Hertz on 10.10.09 9:24 pm
Hello Bob,
I came across this website while doing some research on getting to Hamtic, Antique, from Manila, and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed your travel journal! It makes me want to see this part of my own country….
I’ll keep this brief, as I’m not sure if this will reach you, or if you reply to emails, but on the offchance that you do…..I would like to ask your advice on travel arrangements.
I live in the UK with my Anglo-American husband and 22yr old son (recently moved to Berlin after university). the 3 of us will spend 3 weeks in the Philippines this December, mainly in Manila – where I’m originally from. My son TJ wants to visit his former ‘yaya’ who lives in Hamtic, Antique, for a few days. Which flight would you suggest best taking – Manila – Iloilo, or Manila – Caticlan? I’m afraid I don’t know how far Hamtic is to either of these airports.
I guess I’ll keep this short for now – really looking forward to your reply, and many thanks in advance!
Best wishes,
Quito
quito@talktalk.net
Posted by GOIloilo on 10.11.09 2:30 pm
Quito,
Either route should be very enjoyable. The Caticlan-Hamtic route is a bit longer but the roads are good and it’s quite scenic. If you’re taking a bus you’ll head to San Jose, Antique and then a jeepney to Hamtic, which is quite close. If you choose the Iloilo City-Hamtic route, just be sure you get a bus to San Jose, Antique. Most Iloilo to Catican buses travel by way of Passi City, not via Antique Province.
There are good places to stay in San Jose and some basic beach resorts in Hamtic. I have been in Hamtic, but just passing through. I have to go back and really explore — especially the old church.
Hope this helps a little.
Bob and Carol
Posted by jojo A on 10.17.09 9:52 pm
Quito,
I’m From Hamtic. I suggest you take Manila-Iloilo route. From Iloilo airport you can rent a cab(Php350.00 +/-) that will bring you to Antique Terminal. From there you can take vans (Php 130.00 per head) going to Hamtic. Or from airport, you can rent a Van that will bring you straight to Hamtic for Php1600.00+/-. Either mode, is safe and enjoyable.
Hope it can Help.
God bless!
Posted by cobbers on 10.24.09 12:42 am
i think ur messing some place in antique like d barbaza..thats between laua-an and tibiao..
i suggest next time u visit antique, u drop by in tibiao.theres a lot of tourist spot like bugtong bato falls and white water where kayacap white water kayaking was held last 1996.
and explore also the beauty of maralison island, i think u will enjoy ur stay there.
u can hire a boat from tibiao going to maralison.
u can stay overnight in tibiao PSCA school, they have sort of hometel,good enough for a long night stay.
Posted by Dava,Lovely on 11.23.09 11:56 am
sobrang beautiful ang antique………..love ko ung province ko ngaun super ganda talga ahhhhhh waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa mis u all take care sana gumanda p ung antique waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa,,,,,,,,,
Posted by sam on 11.23.09 4:14 pm
Hi, how about travel time… we are planning to pass this route from Caticlan to Dumangas… am hoping good roads and the sceneries would compensate against bad roads via passi…Thanks
Sam
Posted by GOIloilo on 11.23.09 6:39 pm
Sam,
I understand that the travel time is shorter on the Passi City route. There is some rough road on the Antique route too, especially crossing the mountains on the Iloilo/Antique province border. Antique is the nicer route, but likely not the fastest. That’s why most of the buses, taxis and vans use the Passi route.
Bob
Posted by Dava,Lovely on 11.24.09 10:29 am
hi sa taga antique jan especially sa taga patnongon 2.waaaaaaaaaaa,,,,,,daw hindi ko pa magpati nga amo ron ja ang antique ka beautiful…..heheheheheh………proud gid ako ba sa antique,,,,,
Posted by Tin on 01.20.10 10:27 am
Hello, you have a very informative site..We are a group of four from manila and we’d like to visit Boracay from Iloilo City for overnight.
Can you help me because I need to know how much will it cost me/us if we take a cab from iloilo to bora, i know already that this will take us 3-4 hours drive.
and do you know any rent-a-car that we can rent a transport? the trustworthy ones? can you help me with their contact nos.? please..
do we need a booking on the boat ride (in caticlan port)?
are there any boracay to iloilo vans as early as 4:00-5:00am in the morning?
thanks so much! any helpful info will be greatly appreciated..
Posted by GOIloilo on 01.24.10 4:38 pm
Tin,
I don’t know what a taxi costs. There is an official price list posted at the Iloilo airport. Lots of taxis there. Just negotiate.
You do not need a booking for the boats from Caticlan to Boracay.
Bob
Posted by love on 02.15.10 2:22 pm
i like a patnongon 2
advance happy fiesta jan sa patnongon 2,,,,san nga masay ung fiesta nagun feb
take care nlng kau jan ah waaaaaa mis u all…
magarang patongon antique maganda parin ba jan….sana gumanda p ulit jn i like it tnx very much
Posted by rico laurel on 02.21.10 9:37 am
Hello, Our motorcycle touring club, Team-YBR is scheduled to ride from Iloilo to Caticlan on Feb. 26. Our bikes were shipped to Iloilo from Manila. Thus we plan to ride from Iloilo to Caticlan.
What is the most ideal (shorter, less traffic) route from Iloilo to Caticlan? I understand there is one route through Passi, and another through Capiz. Which one would you recommend? What are the road conditions? Are they paved all the way?
Need your advise please!!!
Ezeeryder of Team-YBR
Posted by GOIloilo on 02.21.10 9:53 am
I definitely recommend the Antique Province route for a group such as yours. The traffic is less, but more importantly it’s more scenic. There is some unpaved portions as you cross the mountains from Antique to Iloilo Province. Have a great trip! Bob
Posted by pinoydok of new york on 03.07.10 1:02 pm
Hi, Bob and Carol.
Being an Antiqueno from Laua-an, I am very much pleased that you appreciate the scenery that our province offers. You mentioned not being able to find Estaca Hills in Bugasong. It’s because this landmark is Laua-an’s and it is viewable from the town plaza.
I was in Antique May, 2009 after being away for quite some time. Oh, my goodness. I’ve never realized that our province is this beautiful.
Posted by zoe on 03.14.10 5:40 pm
hi…how long was the trip from antique to aklan ?
Posted by julian on 03.29.10 8:20 am
Hi,
What a beautiful scenic trip you had. Do you think it would be easy to take transit from the caticlan jetty to iloilo? I was thinking of doing the opposite of your trip, and going through antique AFTER some time in boracay, eventually en route to the airport in iloilo (since it’s much cheaper than caticlan anyways). I wonder if it would be difficult to take such a scenic trip with public transport, or even a hired taxi/van. I’m guessing they might not want to stop so often to see things. Any ideas on this?
Posted by GOIloilo on 03.29.10 12:47 pm
Julian, there should be no problem in catching a bus or van from Caticlan to Iloilo but they go just as fast as they can. You’ll be holding on for dear life more than sightseeing. Even if you get a taxi at Caticlan, they too like to make the trip as quickly as they can. Maybe you can pay more and convince them to slow down, but you’ll have to be persistent. Good luck. Bob
Posted by vilma on 04.02.10 10:34 am
Pls. a want to know how many hrs to travel from sibalom antique to boracay. please help me in details. thanks!
Posted by BITTERSWEET on 04.22.10 10:57 pm
Hi Bob,
I’m so glad to come accross your site, I’m from Hamtic. The last time I was there was 8 years ago. I will be finally back home in a week and a half, I can’t wait! After I saw the pictures and read your articles, it made me more excited…so many changes! Thank you so much for featuring our province. Keep up the good work!
Posted by MOCCA on 06.03.10 3:27 pm
hi, where can we get an aircon van or bus from iloilo city direct to san jose de buenavista, antique? how much per person?
are there any stops along the way?
thanks!
Posted by Emiliano M. Bernardo III on 06.04.10 8:42 pm
Based on your recommendation, my family and I drove to boracay two weekends ago (may 22) via the antique route.
I confirm that the Antique route is better, your description of the trip is EXTREMELY accurate. It took me 4.5 hrs to get to caticlan at a leisurely driving pace.
Thank you for the information.
Posted by GOIloilo on 06.06.10 6:25 pm
I’ve never taken the van but I’m sure you can catch one at the Molo, Iloilo bus terminal.
Posted by darl on 06.10.10 10:05 am
i appreciate your pictures of different towns of Antique! Sayang because you don’t have pictures of Bugasong..next time! But thanks for all these info..they’re very useful! Hopefully we’ll see more progress from Antique..
Posted by vj vince on 07.15.10 6:29 am
hello bob…….. madamo gid nga salamat sa site mo nga ini,kuha man hidlaw ko sa iloilo ba… i hope makakuha ka damo nga litrato sang oton… taga dira ako…cge goodluck gid da ah….
Posted by Jhun on 07.23.10 2:19 pm
hello,
how much is the bus or van from iloilo-caticlan via passi? and via antique?
thanks.
jhun
Posted by claire on 08.06.10 10:55 pm
Hamtic Antique where my fathers hometown. Happy and kind people are living there. But many people leave the place and working in other counties now. It’s nice that you introduce the beutiful spots to go in antique. I wish to go back in antique again.
Posted by William (Bill) Scruggs on 08.14.10 1:27 pm
A very nice clean stop over point. Nice rooms, good price, great host. Will be staying there again in the near future.
Posted by Merle Ortega Dirks on 08.21.10 11:23 pm
Wow this is good..bring back memories..I was am a native to this Island but never been..I missed the boat!..someday..I will visit this place, before its too LATE!
Posted by Neal Woolery on 08.30.10 2:50 am
Thanks Carol & Bob for the very helpful narrative and great photos! I was planning this very same trip when I found your post. My wife’s family (mother’s side) is from Patnongon and we’re hoping to visit this area and other parts of Antique in 2011. Her parents now live in Iloilo so we’ll be spending time there as well. You & I, Bob, communicated briefly thru Mag-Anak a time or 2 awhile ago. Hope you both are doing well!