Kalibo, to most travelers, is primarily an alternative port of entry to the world renowned island of Boracay. But the city is more than just a passage to paradise, it is a must explore travel destination in its own right.
It is home to the Mardi Gras of the Philippines, the yearly Ati-Atihan Festival during January. The festival is describes as a “hodgepodge of Catholic ritual, social activity, indigenous drama and tourist attraction”. The week-long street party peaks on the third Sunday of January with street dancing and music to fill in the party vibe.
Kalibo is also the center of pinya cloth weaving, the traditional way to produce fine cloth from silk and pineapple leaf fibers, abaca for stiff cloth and nito weaving for woven baskets and mats.
For nature lovers, the Bakhawan Eco-Tourism Center and Mangrove Park (open from 7am-5pm, 10php for admission) is the base for the 170 hectare mangrove reforestation area. It has become a thriving ecosystem where guides are available to explain the ecology and provide an informational tour around the vicinity.
So the next time you are off to paradise, make sure to set time for the Kalibo and discover its own wonders.
To get there:
Philippine Airlines flies between Manila and Kalibo twice a day.
More flights may be added depending on market requirement.
Book your Flight now!
http://www.philippineairlines.com
Photo from: www.lakbaypilipinas.net
Nscb.gov.ph
