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Panay Island, Philippines

🌴4 Days 5 Provinces🌴
🗺Western Visayas (Region VI) Solo Backpacking🗺
Antique Iloilo Guimaras
Negros Occidental Roxas, Capiz

⚠️Point Of Entry/Exit: Kalibo International Airport🛩

This spur of the moment trip started with my arrival at Kalibo International Airport, your gateway to one hell of an experience. Armed with my trusty backpack and the thought of the wise words ‘negotiate, negotiate, negotiate’ It began……….

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Mararison Island, Antique


From the airport, my plan was to visit Malalison/Mararison Island in the first instance. I caught a trike from the airport to Ceres bus terminal and from there got on a bus to Culasi. It was a bit of an old bus with no a/c and suspension that had seen better days, but it is only for 2-3 hours.

Arriving at Culasi Port I had some great cheap street food (maybe was chicken?) and had a haggle with the boat people for the trip to the island, and what I saved in my negotiations paid for my lunch 🙂 It was a small boat but seemed perfectly seaworthy and you get a life jacket just in case! When I arrived, I found a place to stay on the beach which was a basic hut with a fan and plenty of room for crocodiles. The owners can cook for you if you want or bring food with you.

Birdsview of Malalison Island

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Where to stay in Mararison

ALING JOSIE KUBO
+639-283-017-547

TESS HOMESTAY
+639-097-636-316

EL DOROTEO HOMESTAY
+639-208-576-379

ANATALIA’S HOMESTAY
+639-264-786-329

Maribel’s Homestay
250 pesos/night
+639-304-599-265‬

Daytour
Nipa cottages-P300

So, without any information about where to stay on the island, the ones I contacted were charging between 250-500php a night. I asked  Kuya Mario if he knew of a cheap place to stay and he suggested “Aling Josie” for a very reasonable 300php, which I duly snapped at! The Kubo is big enough for two people and it is situated right in front of a white sand beach. It has a shared comfort room and if you are totally lazy to go and use the bathroom, there’s a potty (arinola) in every kubos haha. Aling Josie can also cook for you for a minimal fee.

DETAILED GUIDE: MALALISON/MARARISON ISLAND SOLO BACKPACKING

day1

Day 2: Malalison Topview + Kawa Hot Bath + Garin Farm


Spent exploring the island and you must have a guide, not maybe because it is the best idea but because it is mandatory. It’s a bit like the “Batanes of Visayas” and lots to stimulate your eyeballs and people (especially the kids) are super friendly.

Malalison Topview

Detailed Guide: MALALISON/MARARISON ISLAND SOLO BACKPACKING

Later returned to Culasi Port and then a bus to Brgy. Importante, Tibiao.
When arrived, then jumped on a Habal-Habal to the Kayak Inn and a welcome hot bath 🙂

Kawa Hot Bath

Detailed Guide: Kawa Hot Bath Travel Guide – Tibiao, Antique

Where to stay in Antique

  COMPARE ANTIQUE ACCOMMODATIONS
La Parola Orchid Beach Resort
From around Php 1,800
⬇️ Compare prices here ⬇️		 Ucoy Beach Resort
From Around Php 1,900
⬇️ Compare prices here ⬇️
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 Pandan Beach Resort
From around Php 400
⬇️ Compare prices here ⬇️		  Kayak Inn Tibiao
From around Php 500
⬇️ Compare prices here ⬇️
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Garin Farm

It’s getting to be a busy day as after about a few hours it’s onwards to Garin Farm, which is known as a bit of a pilgrimage and had a ‘hark’ with the Herald Angels 🙂

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Having cleansed my soul, it was onwards to Samurai Talabahan for something to eat and night over at a cheap hotel which was at least clean.

Detailed Guide: TRAVEL GUIDE TO GARIN FARM, ILOILO

Where to stay in Iloilo

  COMPARE ILOILO ACCOMMODATIONS

Chito’s Hotel
From around Php 850
⬇️ Compare prices here ⬇️
Madison Hotel PHL
From around Php 1,600
⬇️ Compare prices here ⬇️
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Budget Inn- Valeria
From around Php 250
⬇️ Compare prices here ⬇️
City Corporate Inn
From around 700
⬇️ Compare prices here ⬇️
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day2

Day 3: The Ruins + Campuestohan (Bacolod) + Iloilo City

Undecided where to spend the rest of my 2 days, I took an unqualified, through lack of any prior info, move going to Negros Occidental. From Iloilo Port, I caught a ferry going to Negros Occidental. After approx. 2hrs of ferry ride you arrive at Bacolod Port. From there I haggled a taxi from the port for a great price to take me on a tour of the two most visited destinations in the area. Firstly, I caught the beauty of The Ruins, and after that sucked in the almost “New Zealand-ish” and certainly”The Hobbit-ish” world of Campuestohan.

The Ruins

Campuestohan Highland Resort

Detailed Guide: Campuestohan + The Ruins, Negros Occidental

 

Iloilo City

Having got through these quicker than I thought I was undecided on whether to go to Guimaras or to Lakawon island next and looking at my budget (well lack of cash really), decided to leave the island and spend more time to Iloilo City. I left all my things in the SM City Iloilo Tourist lounge and explored the city before heading back to my hotel.

Where to stay in Bacolod

  COMPARE BACOLOD ACCOMMODATIONS

The Suites at Calle Nueva
From around Php 650
⬇️ Compare prices here ⬇️
The White Hotel Bacolod
From around Php 680
⬇️ Compare prices here ⬇️
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Java Pension House
From around 450
⬇️ Compare prices here ⬇️
Vermilion Pension & Dormitel
From around Php 500
⬇️ Compare prices here ⬇️
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day3

Day 4: Guimaras + Roxas City, Capiz

Early start to catch the first boat going to Guimaras. I took a jeepney from my hotel going to Ortiz Wharf and it only took me 15mins to go to the island. Hired  a trike for a land tour, which includes:

Guimaras

🚩Smallest Plaza
🚩Capitol
🚩Raymen Beach Resort (20php Entrance fee)
🚩The Pitstop (Mango Pizza)
🚩Trappist Monastery
🚩Mango Plantation🌳
🚩San Lorenzo Windmills

Finished my tour early (10 am) and as my flight back to Manila was at 9 pm so I decided to visit Roxas City, in Capiz first before catching my flight 🙂 From Ortiz Warf, hopped on a jeepney going to Tagbak Terminal, then caught a bus going to Roxas City. It took me 2 hours to reach the place and the first thing I did on arrival was to hop on a trike to take me on a tour around the city.

Where to stay in Guimaras

  COMPARE GUIMARAS ACCOMMODATIONS

Jannah Glycel Beach House
From around Php 1,000
⬇️ Compare prices here ⬇️
The Clara Beach
From around Php 450
⬇️ Compare prices here ⬇️
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Costa Aguada Island Resort
From around Php 850
⬇️ Compare prices here ⬇️
Valle Verde Mountain Resort 
From around 550
⬇️ Compare prices here ⬇️
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Roxas City, Capiz

🚩Roxas Cathedral ⛪️
🚩Roxas City Fountain
🚩Roxas City Bandstand⛩
🚩Provincial Capitol🏛
🚩Pan-ay Church💒
🚩Big Bell
🚩Dried Fish Factory🎏

By this stage it was 5 pm when I finished so just to ensure I did not miss my flight, I hopped on a van back to Kalibo as the airport was 2 hours away.

Where to stay in Roxas City, Capiz

  COMPARE ROXAS CITY, CAPIZ ACCOMMODATIONS

Backpacker’s Inn
From around Php 750
⬇️ Compare prices here ⬇️


Permano Residence at Lawis Baybay
From around Php 680
⬇️ Compare prices here ⬇️
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Pete’s Inn
From around Php 380
⬇️ Compare prices here ⬇️
Tiza Manor Inn 
From around Php 500
⬇️ Compare prices here ⬇️
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The whole trip was fantastic – the open road, wind in your hair, new friends met and new experiences of some amazing places.

 

Related Blogs
DIY Travel Guide: Malalison / Mararison Island Solo Backpacking
Kawa Hot Bath Travel Guide – Tibiao, Antique
DIY Travel Guide: Campuestohan + The Ruins, Negros Occidental
Travel Guide to Garin Farm, Iloilo
STAY IN TOUCH WITH OUR WORLD OF ADVENTURES BY CHECKING OUT:
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62 Comments

  1. Informative ive been wanting to visit panay island particularly places you been to.Sana safe for solo female but sabi mo nga liberating.thanks sa info😊😊😊

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  2. llang araw ko nang iniisp kung itutuloy ko ba ang flight ko to Iloilo para sa solo travel for 4 days. Nang mabasa ko ang blog mo parang na-excite ako. Safe lang ba ang babae doon magsolo travel?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. HI jay, good afternoon! been reading through your blogs and i find it so friendly and helpful in our upcoming trip next month in Visayas. but, gusto ko lang sana i check ko, yun bang mga hotel accommodations mo and yung mga tours mo is all pre-arrange or on the spot mo ina arrange .i’m afraid! baka pagka inapply ko sa group tour namin yung on the spot arrangements baka mas mapa mahal kami.. Your answer will be very much appreciated! Thank you.

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    Reply

    1. dito po sa Panay on the spot sila haha as solo backpacking lang ako nun and it was may first time pero para less hassle you can pre arrange na po yung mga tours na gusto niyo 🙂

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  7. hi. ang galling ng iti mo. can you recommend kung anong magandang pagkakasunod sunod kung ang entry point ko is Iloilo and exit ko is Bacolod? thanks in advance!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. hi. ang galling lang ng iti mo at na-squeeze mo lahat in 4 days. pwede ba akong maghingi ng tip kung ang entry point ko is Iloilo at exit point ko is Bacolod? ano kayang pwedeng pagkakasunod sunod?

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        1. kaya po. 2 days kasi required sa gigantes ee. from iloilo pwede iloilo tour muna kayo then guimaras, then akyat pa gigantes then tawid pa bacolo like sa lakawon then campuestohan and the ruins plus more places doon 🙂

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    1. Sorry i dont have it. Actually, they give me their numbers (calling cards) but i lost it on my way to the airport.

      But there are plenty of them there once you reached the port. just dont forget to haggle 🙂

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      Reply

        1. Ganyan nga din offer sa akin before lalo na kapag whole day yun activity, ee sabi ko half day lang ako gang 12noon lang so mabilisan lang kami kaya siya nagbigay nung price. My bad nawala ko number niya haha first solo travel ko kasi ito ee tas newbie palang sa blogging kaya di ko naingatan yunh details hahaha

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  11. Hi, great help ang blog mo sir, hingi po ako advice or suggestions please. Bali ang entry point namin ay Iloilo airport, gusto namin e copy ang itinerary mo sir. San po kami magsisimula at ipahuli? Plan din namin mag bucari trip. Eight days travel time namin sir, gusto sana namin sulitin as budget backpackers. Baka may ma suggest pa kayo na puwede puntahan. Thank you,

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Hi Ms. Rona! Sorry i dont have it. Actually, they give me their numbers (calling cards) but i lost it on my way to the airport.

      But there are plenty of them there once you reached the port. just dont forget to haggle 🙂

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      Reply

  15. Taga-Iloilo ako pero ni-hindi naman ako aware na may mga ganitong kagagandang place sa kalapit-probinsiya like Antique, puro aswang dun binabalita sakin e haha lol 😂 Anyway, thanks for this! Bookmarked na tong page na to para pag umuwi ako sa January next year alam ko na kung saan ako makakarating 🤘🏻

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. HAHA agree! was so scared din before kasi first time ko magtravel magisa dito and yung nga sabi nila madami daw aswang and so on haha first night ko is sa Malalison, Antique pa haha so di ako nakatulog kasi iniisip ko yun haha tho wala naman lol safe naman yung travels ko and people are very accomodating ❤ super friendly pa. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Wahahaha mag-iipon na talaga ako ng lakas ng loob! XD Sabi nga nila, kahit saang lugar naman daw may mga ‘ganung kwento’ at syempre maging aware sa paligid at doble ingat pag nag-tatravel 🙂 Anyway, more power sa blog niyo 🤘🏻

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        Reply

  20. Hi Jay! I am wondering why you were not able to explore and do anything in Kalibo, Aklan though your point of entry is Kalibo international airport? There are places to go and see in Kalibo, Aklan…

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. 👋 Hi Ms. Karol! thanks for that beautiful question lol no kasi May Boracay ako after ng Panay trip ko since Aklan din namn ako bababa ginamit ko nalang yung Ibang days ko sa ibang part ng Panay and Negros 🙂 Para kapag nagboracay ako dun ko nalang ivisit yung ibang Places sa Aklan 🙂

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    1. Welcome po 🙂 Happy travels 🙂 you can add lakawon pa or any other tourist spot if maaga kalang sa bacolod. Late na kasi ako nakadating dati from Iloilo City 🙂

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  22. Pingback: DIY Travel Guide: Campuestohan + The Ruins, Negros Occidental – BYAJAYRO

    1. Hi po 😉 sadly wala po sa kaburaraan ko nakalimutan ko saan ko nasave haha tho pagbaba niyo or pagdating niyo sa area may mga nagaabang namn na tricycle. galingan niyo nalng tumawad 🙂 haha

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  27. Pingback: Travel Guide to Garin Farm, Iloilo – BYAJAYRO
  29. Pingback: All steamed up – The Kawa Hot Bath Of Antique – BYAJAYRO
  30. Pingback: DIY Travel Guide: Malalison/Mararison Island Solo Backpacking – BYAJAYRO

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