12 Best Aklan Tourist Spots: Boracay Island, Beaches, Nature Parks
- How to Get to Aklan
- 13. Liktinon White Rocks
- 12. Pagatpat Mangrove Park
- 11. Motag Living Museum
- 10. Tigayon Hill and Caves
- 9. Nabaoy River
- 8. Hurom-Hurom Cold Spring
- 7. Nabas Wind Farm
- 6. Hacienda Maria
- 5. Ariel’s Point
- 4. Jawili Falls
- 3. Bakhawan Eco Park
- 2. Hinugtan Beach
- 1. Boracay Island
- Where to Stay in Boracay
Photo (right) by Motag Living Museum
When it comes to white sand beaches in the Philippines, the world-famous Boracay Island in Aklan is always at the top of the must-visit list of publications and travelers. But there’s more to the province of Aklan than just the white sand beaches of Boracay.
More than a gateway to the famed Boracay Island, Aklan province boasts other must-see attractions in the Western Visayas region where Aklan is located. Kalibo is the capital of Aklan, which sits less than 80km from Boracay, as shown in the Aklan map.
Aklan is also home to the colorful Ati-Atihan Festival, an underrated beach, mangrove parks, waterfalls, rivers, and other natural wonders that deserve a spot in your Philippine vacation itinerary.
The best time to visit the Philippines is all year round, but ideally, Boracay and other Aklan tourist spots are best experienced during the dry season, from December to May. Check out our 2023 calendar with holidays in the Philippines to know the best time to plan your trip.
How to Get to Aklan
The main gateway to Aklan from Manila is Kalibo International Airport. Travel time by plane for Manila to Kalibo flights is around 45 minutes. You can book flights to Kalibo via Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, and Air Asia.
For domestic flights bound for Boracay airport, the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport or Caticlan Airport in Caticlan is your main jump-off point to the island. While most international flights land at Kalibo Airport, you still need to travel to Caticlan and ride a Boracay airport transfer to Caticlan Jetty Port.
For help getting around the Philippines, check out our Aklan airport transfer to Boracay and see the list of airports in the Philippines.
13. Liktinon White Rocks
Photo by @kissesrobillo on Instagram
One of the underrated Aklan tourist attractions is the Liktinon White Rocks, an eco-tourism site at the heart of a mountain forest in Madalag, Aklan.
Surrounding the lush landscape are huge boulders with crystal clear waters gushing down from the Aklan River Watershed Forest Reserve, one of the inland tourist spots in Libacao, Aklan.
To get there, ride a private van transfer from Kalibo, which is 40km away. Afterward, you have to trek the rocky shallows of the Timbaban River.
12. Pagatpat Mangrove Park
Enclosed in thriving flora and fauna, the Pagatpat Mangrove Park is a tourist spot in Buruanga, Aklan, where nature meets the sea. Unknown to many, the coastal town of Buruanga showcases pristine beaches and diving spots like Boracay but for a cheaper price.
Aside from island-hopping in the Philippines, you can go sightseeing on your Aklan tour, one of the many things to do in Aklan. You can stroll along the bamboo bridge at Pagatpat Mangrove Park or rest inside the nipa huts with karaoke machines. The mangrove park has access to the sea, where you can dip or soak up your feet.
11. Motag Living Museum
Photo by Motag Living Museum
The Motag Living Museum is another tourist attraction in Aklan worth checking out for history buffs seeking to immerse in the local culture of the Aklanons. Unlike modern museums in the Philippines, the Motag Living Museum is designed with a Bahay Kubo facade and built with bamboo tadtad.
The inspiration for this museum came from the Open Air Museum Ballenberg in Brienz, Switzerland. As such, the Motag Living Museum is the Philippines’ first-ever interactive museum that portrays Aklanon’s local farming practices, such as rice grinding and basket weaving.
The Motag Living Museum. This first-ever interactive museum in the Philippines lets you immerse in the traditional livelihood of Aklanons when the island was the main producer of dried fish, tobacco, kopra, and rice.
10. Tigayon Hill and Caves
Surrounded by lush flora and fauna, the Tigayon Hill and Caves are truly breathtaking. Formerly known as Bukid Tigayon, the Tigayon Hill and Caves are situated at the highest peak of the province, one of the hidden Kalibo Aklan tourist spots.
According to the locals, the Tigayon Hill served as the former sanctuary of freedom fighters back in the day. On top of the hill is a small chapel overlooking the panoramic views of the nearby river. If you would like to explore the cave, it will require you to take a rough climb after passing through an arched entrance.
9. Nabaoy River
Photo by the Provincial Government of Aklan
Head to Nabaoy River for a change of scenery away from the crowd in Boracay. This natural attraction is known to be the cleanest river in Malay, Aklan.
Take a cold, refreshing dip in its crystal clear waters or go river tubing, one of the must-try adventures here if you want to pump up your adrenaline.
The Nabaoy Camp comes with relaxing amenities such as soothing kawa or hot pot jacuzzis and cozy nipa huts.
8. Hurom-Hurom Cold Spring
Photo by Hurom-Hurom Spring Resort
Up next is Hurom-Hurom Cold Spring, a hidden tourist spot in Nabas, Aklan. It has wading pools naturally flowing from the mountaintop. The water from the spring is cold enough to refresh you on a hot and humid day. You can even soak your water bottles in just a few minutes to drink iced cold water.
True to its name, “Hurom Hurom” means to dip or submerge. Tourists flock to the spring to enjoy its cold waters during the summer months. Nipa huts are available for rent if you'd want to linger a little longer.
7. Nabas Wind Farm
Photo by Nabas Wind Farm
Get ready to be blown away by this next Nabas Aklan tourist spot, which is around 25km away from the famous Boracay White Beach. Nabas Wind Farm is perched on the foothills of Baranggay Pawa, Nabas, Aklan. The next time you visit Boracay, be on the lookout for the gigantic wind turbines visible from the White Beach area.
Nabas Wind Farm is part of the sustainable development projects in the province. With the help of Petro Wind Energy Inc. (PWEI), it continues to supply renewable energy to the Visayas Grid and provides electricity to remote households in Aklan since 2015.
To get there, you need to ride a bus or van bound for Kalibo from Caticlan Jetty Port. You can ask the driver to drop you off at the Nabas - Unidos Crossing. Then, ride a habal-habal and traverse the 5km uphill road to the windmill mountain peak.
6. Hacienda Maria
Aside from secluded beaches, the town of Buruanga in Aklan is also home to natural attractions, including the eco-tourism destination at Hacienda Maria, which is located in Sitio Sapsapon, Brgy. Tigum.
Getting there will require you to trek two kilometers up a steep mountain. Once you reach the place, you’ll get mesmerized by how enchanting the waterfalls look. Then, take a refreshing dip in the cold waters that are over 10 feet deep.
Hacienda Maria has two caves with magnificent stalactite and stalagmite formations inside. However, if you're not in the mood to dip in waterfalls outside the caves, you can opt for a hot pot jacuzzi filled with lukewarm water, local limes, and herbal leaves.
5. Ariel’s Point
Just recently, Ariel’s point garnered popularity being one of the best diving spots near Boracay. What people don’t know is that it belongs to the town of Buruanga, which also boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Aklan.
Ariel’s Point has three diving planks: five-meter level, eight-meter level, and the highest level is 15 meters high. Lifeguards are ready to assist divers so you’ll be in good hands. Other activities you can try include snorkeling and kayaking.
If you get hungry, you can drop by the restaurant and have some barbecue with free-flowing drinks. The best thing about visiting Ariel’s Point is you can rent a small pump boat and visit other beaches in Buruanga, such as Hinugtan Beach and Naasog Point.
4. Jawili Falls
Located just 28.3km away from Kalibo, Jawili Falls is a hidden gem in Brgy. Jawili in Tangalan, Aklan, Philippines. What makes it unique is its natural pools rushing down the gigantic limestone staircase. Jawili Falls is an emerging tourist spot in Ibajay, Aklan that you shouldn’t miss.
The spring water that pours from the natural pools goes straight into the seven waterfalls. Like the falls in Hacienda Maria, the depth of Jawili Falls is about 10 feet deep. However, unlike other falls in Aklan, this one is kid-friendly with basins where kids can safely take a dip.
3. Bakhawan Eco Park
Like Pagatpat Mangrove Park, Bakhawan Eco Park is surrounded by lush greenery along the Aklan river in Kalibo. Its name, Bakhawan, stands for the word mangrove.
Featuring a 1.3km long bamboo trail, the Bakhawan Eco Park shelters schools of fish and crustacean farms.
By the end of the trail, a stunning view of the sea awaits you. There are cabanas around the area for guests to take a rest. If you ever get hungry or thirsty, you can drop by a small store to buy some snacks and cold refreshments.
2. Hinugtan Beach
Photo by Hinugtan Beach
Situated just 20km away from White Beach, Boracay, Hinugtan is a private enclave in Buruanga with soft and powdery white sand just as stunning as the famed Boracay island. Surrounding the secluded beach are towering coconut trees amid a postcard-worthy scenery. Unlike Boracay, there are no fancy hotels, but there are nipa huts here available for rent.
With its rich marine life, Hinugtan Beach is perfect for diving, snorkeling, and fishing. Rugged cliffs surround the area, where you can go cliff-diving if you’re feeling adventurous. Hinugtan Beach is one of the most serene Aklan beaches away from the maddening crowd of Boracay.
1. Boracay Island
With its palm-fringed shoreline that stretches up to 4km, Boracay’s White Beach has a reputation for being one of the best white sand beaches in the Philippines and tourist spots in Visayas. Local and international travelers frequent the island to dip in its crystal waters and capture the breathtaking Boracay sunset.
To maximize your trip, don’t forget to book Boracay tours at Guide to the Philippines, an accredited travel booking website. Enjoy snorkeling in Boracay when you book our Boracay island-hopping package.
Where to Stay in Boracay
Make sure you have confirmed hotel booking in Boracay included on the Department of Tourism’s accreditation list. Boracay is home to the finest beach resorts in the Philippines, making it a family-friendly Philippine destination.
Boracay Station 1
Several resorts in Station 1, Boracay are located right on the beach. Couples can stay in honeymoon resorts when they book Philippines honeymoon packages while families can choose from an array of Boracay hotels for families.
Station 1 is home to the most luxurious resorts in the Philippines, including the Discovery Shores Boracay and The Lind Boracay where you can work from the beach.
Check out the Discovery shores Boracay packages and The Lind Boracay rates here.
Boracay Station 2
If you’re looking for cheap resorts in Boracay, you’ll be surprised to find that the best hotels in Station 2, Boracay are budget-friendly. These are centrally located beside D’Mall, the pick-up location for Boracay tour packages.
Boracay Station 3
Boracay Station 3 hotels vary from affordable Boracay family rooms to luxurious beachfront accommodations, including the Astoria Current. Check out the Astoria Current Boracay rates here.
Exclusive Boracay Beach Resorts
For those seeking to unwind away from the crowds in the White Beach area, then stay in exclusive beachfront accommodations such as Shangri-La Boracay, Crimson Boracay, and Movenpick Boracay. All of which are tucked on the northern tip of the island.
The less-crowded Boracay Newcoast offers an ultimate alternative to Boracay. If you’ve tried island-hopping in Boracay, take a detour to Newcoast Beach Boracay for a change. Then, visit other tourist spots in Boracay, including the Keyhole.
Where to Eat and Drink in Boracay
You can find several restaurants and bars in Boracay along the White Beach area. Whether you’re having breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you’ll never run out of Boracay restaurants for dining options and halal food in Boracay.
Embark on an Exhilarating Getaway to Aklan
Whether you’re traveling solo in the Philippines or planning a family vacation, Aklan is the place to go! Boracay is just one of the best places to visit in the Philippines with Maldives-like resorts for a dreamy tropical getaway. No wonder it is hailed as one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines.
With over 7,000 islands sprawling across the Philippine geography, you’ll never run out of reasons why you should visit the Philippines. Aside from Boracay, there are many other famous beaches in the Philippines with 5-star hotels in the Philippines that are worth visiting.
If you’re looking for the best Christmas destination in the Philippines, begin planning your Boracay itinerary and book a car road trip to explore the rest of Aklan destinations this coming holiday season.
Book affordable family vacation packages and Philippine tour packages at Guide to the Philippines, an online travel agency in the Philippines. When booking hotels in the Philippines, you can choose from our discounted travel packages and long-stay packages. Don’t forget to check the Philippines’ travel requirements for a hassle-free vacation.
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