Panay Island, Philippines
Table of Contents
⚠️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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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With over 8 years of global travel experience and a Master’s degree in Travel Journalism, our author brings a blend of academic expertise and real-world exploration to ByAJayRo.com. Passionate about discovering unique destinations and sharing insider tips, they provide practical advice and authentic insights to enhance your travel experiences.
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