Mayad nga Pag-abot!

Welcome to Amazing Aklan!

Boasting its world-class beaches and resorts, Aklan has more than meets the eye!

This amazing province has placed the country as a major destination for tourists because of its fine white sand, magnificent coral reefs, crystal blue waters, and dynamic marine ecosystem. The Boracay Island located at the north western tip of the province attracts tourists from different parts of the globe who are eager to experience a genuine tropical summer.

Tourists who love eco-tourism adventures will definitely enjoy swimming against the currents of wild rivers, kayaking or waterfalls climbing. Adventurers can explore the long stretch of Aklan’s river systems, mountains, valleys and caves. For the brave of heart, one may do spelunking, cave climbing and rappelling or trekking into the depth of the thick rainforests of the province’s mountainous terrain. The Hurom-Hurom Cold Springs in Nabas, Libacao wild river, and Kalibo Bakhawan Eco Park are prime eco-tourism destinations. Afga point, wave rock formations, Jawili Falls and Campo Verde are jewels found at Tangalan.

The Aklanons or Akeanons (from Akean, the pre-Spanish period name of the province),  are hard-working people driving the agricultural and industrial economic engine of the region. Local produce such as rice, corn, coconut, abaca, and marine resources, makes the province sustainable and provides a source of income for the people. Aklan is also famous for its world-renowned Pina (Pineapple) cloth which are used by international trendsetters such as Calvin Klein, Josie Natori, Donna Karan and Valentino in their Pina fabric collections.

The people are also always celebratory; with festivals all year-round including the “Mother of all Philippine Festivals”, the Ati-Atihan of Kalibo. This much awaited event is filled with religiosity as it celebrates the feast of Sto Nino with pulsating wave of street dancing to the inviting tribal drum beating. Aklan also pays tribute to its heroes through its Pacto de Sangre in New Washington renacting the blood compact of the revolutionaries against Colonial Spain. The event also highlights the commemoration of the 19 Martyrs whose lives were consecrated to the cause of freedom for the country.

To showcase their Pina products and Aklanons’ patience and love for work, the province celebrates the Aklan Pina Fiber Festival every April. The Bugna Festival of Tangalan is a thanksgiving for many blessings of the town like beautiful beaches, food, and hospitality.

As the country’s oldest province, the locals are proud of their unique cultural and historical heritage. The province’s history is tied to the legendary 13th century account of the Maragtas of Panay wherein the early Malay settlers divided the Panay Island into three districts namely, Hamtic (Antique), Irong-Irong (Iloilo), and Akean (Aklan).

Aklan Quick Facts

(Source: www.aklan.gov.ph)

Aklan is a mountainous province with over one-third of its land area sloping at 30 percent on the average. It is still one of the few provinces in the country to maintain a total of some 709 hectares of virgin forest.

Mountain ranges traverse the island: one; the northern “knot” of Duyang and Tagacan; and the other, the Albinian mountain ranges in the west. Mount Madyaas, at 2117 meters, is the second highest peak on Panay and is shared by Aklan and Antique. The province has no active volcano, therefore, earthquakes have not been severe, although three faults pass through it.

Much of the province is drained of water into the Sibuyan Sea. Natural inland water resources include rivers, streams, and creeks, springs and water falls. There is only one lake in the province, Lake Lapu-lapu, located in the northern Malay town. There are five major river systems. The largest and longest is the Aklan, which flows some 60 kilometers from Capiz to the mouth in Kalibo. Ibajay river flows over 30 kilometers from Madalag to its mouth at Ibajay. The Tangalan, Jalo, and Talon systems are much smaller. The highest waterfall in the province is the Dumalaylay which falls some 100 meters.

The coastline of Aklan stretches for some 155 kilometers along 10 municipalities and 73 barangays. The coastline has two major physical features: Batan Bay in the south-east and Boracay Island at the northern tip of Panay Island.

The plains of Aklan constitute an area of 100 square kilometers shaped into a diamond that includes the central towns of Malinao and Banga and the western coastal towns of New Washington, Kalibo and Makato.

Marshlands are along the coastal towns, comprising over 50 square kilometers.

The provincial population as of 2007 National Statistics Office (NSO) census, was registered at 495,122.

Among the municipalities, the capital town of Kalibo, as expected, is the most populated with 62,438 and accounts for 13.83% of the total. It is followed by Ibajay, with 39,643 and New Washington with 33,981. Lezo, the smallest municipality, is the least populous with 12,393 or just 2.74% of the provincial population figure.

Getting There: (source Department of Tourism)

Aklan is accessible by land, water, or air. From Manila, it takes only 45 minutes to Kalibo International Airport via Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, AirPhil Express, or Zest Air. International routes to Kalibo is open from South Korea, Taiwan, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Regular flights to and from Caticlan Airport brings tourists to the famous Boracay Island.

Interisland shipping line service Aklan twice weekly to Dumaguit, and New Washington, the main seaport of the province. The Roll-on Roll-off (RORO) sea and land transport system serves Caticlan on the Strong Republic Nautical Highway.

For more Information on Aklan, write or call:

Department of Tourism Region VI
Bonifacio Drive, Iloilo City

Aklan Provincial Tourism Office
Provincial Capitol, Kalibo, Aklan
Tel.: (036)262-4692

Kalibo Tourism Office
Town Proper
Tel.: (036)262-3079

Tourist Information Center (Iloilo)
Tel.: (033)337-8874
Fax: (033)335-0245

DOT Information Center (Manila)
Tel.: (632)524-1703

Internet
www.aklan.gov.ph