Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
pass through Oton (10min), Tigbauan (15min), Guimbal
(25min) and Miag-ao (50min), and plenty of jeepneys
also ply the west coast route.
ACCOMMODATION
Anhawan Beach Resort
Oton
T
033 336 2246,
W
anhawanbeach.com.
Overpriced resort not too far from
the town with several different room types, all of which have
a/c. There's also a nice pool and spa, plus an extensive
activity
line-up including jet-skiing, kayaking and horseriding.
P3600
Bantayan Beach Resort
Guimbal
T
033 315 5009.
Named after the squat, Spanish-era watchtower on the
property, this place has ordinary a/c cottages, some of
which have recently been renovated (
P1750)
. There's a pool
table and free wi-fi in the restaurant.
P1400
6
The west coast
Most of the west coast of Panay, made up largely of the province of
Antique
, is untouched
by tourism. This is one of the poorest areas of the Philippines, with a solitary coastal road
connecting a series of isolated villages and towns. It's an attractive coastline with a savage
backdrop of jungled mountains that are only just beginning to be explored and climbed.
The journey along the province's coast, from
San José
in the south to
Libertad
in the
north, provides an excellent opportunity to experience a simple provincial life, shielded
from the rest of the Philippines by mountains on one side and sea on the other.
San José
SAN JOSÉ
is a busy little port town whose major claim to fame - apart from being capital
of Antique - seems to be that its cathedral has the tallest bell tower in Panay. There are no
tourist sights here, just a chaotic wharf, a cracked plaza and a main street, the National
Highway, lined with pawnshops, canteens and rice dealers. The town's annual
Binirayan
festival
, held from April 30 to May 2, commemorates the thirteenth-century landing of
ten Malay chieftains who established the first Malayan settlement in the Philippines.
Tibiao
About halfway along Panay's west coast,
TIBIAO
is best used as a base for
whitewater
kayaking
,
rafting
and
trekking
on the Tibiao River, at the head of which the town stands.
Tibiao also stands in the shadow of Panay's highest peak,
Mount Madja-as
(2090m) - it's
possible to climb this daunting mountain, but a permit and guide are essential.
Tibiao Eco Adventure Park
Entry P50, zip-line P300, whitewater kayaking P200 • Visits can also be arranged as part of a tour with Katahum Tours (see below)
A few kilometres inland, the
Tibiao Eco Adventure Park
(aka TEA Park) opened in 2012
and offers a host of outdoors activities from gentle introductory kayaking lessons
through to whitewater rides, canyoning and rapelling. For many the highlight is the
1km long zip-line through the lush jungle.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
THE WEST COAST
By bus
San José's bus station is in Isabel St, 1km west
of the centre and the pier is on the western edge of the
town. Buses running between San José and Caticlan pass
through Tibiao.
ACTIVITIES
Katahum Tours
Tibiao
T
0919 813 9893,
W
katahum
.com.
Fish spa and tour operator who can arrange every-
thing from gentle day tours to rafting and trekking.
Tribal Adventures
See box, p.339. Professional adventure
operator running whitewater kayaking trips from their base
in Boracay (see p.337).
ACCOMMODATION
SAN JOSÉ
Centillion House
2000
Brgy Bantayan
T
036 540
9403,
W
centillionhouse.com.
shopping mall this place has
clean, well-maintained
rooms with a/
c and ca
ble TV, and also serves the best
meals in town.
P1400
Set above a small
