Akeanons/Aklanons as the the locals are called are highly literate. English and Filipino is widely spoken and understood. Akeanon/Aklanon is the dialect spoken which is radically different from the rest of the Ilonggo-speaking provinces in the Panay Island. Ilonggo and Kinaray-A is also spoken and understood albeit by a huge minority.
Many airlines fly direct to the Kalibo Airport once/twice a day.
Kalibo Airport in Aklan now allows night landing.
By 2008, there will be a new airport terminal at Kalibo Airport to accommodate arriving passengers in the province brought by international chartered flights from Incheon, South Korea and Shanghai, China.
Asian Spirit, Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific , Pacific Pearl regularly flies to Kalibo.
China Eastern will establish airlinks soon.
Jeepney-Php 45, FX Taxi- Php 90,Terminal Roxas Ave. Street Kalibo, Aklan Shuttle Bus-Php 100 up,Terminal Airport
Kalibo Mangrove (Bakhawan) Ecotourism Park- one of the most successful mangrove reforestation project
in the country is one of the places that must not be missed as well as the Pina-weaving industry.
Museo it Akean, the town's museum is a repository of the province's rich cultural heritage.
During the Ati-atihan festival, don't forget to visit the Kalibo Cathedral and witness the Catholic
faithful get a brief respite with the "paeapak" or the massaging of a small Sto. Nino (Christ Child)
statuette onto the devotees.
The renowned Ati-Atihan Festival is held every 3rd week of January, celebrated with frenetic dancing,
and drinking to the wee hours of the morning. (Please see wikipedia article on this.)
Kalibo, Aklan is also famous for the woven pineapple silk (pina) that is the darling of Philippine
fabrics and the choice of the elites and the landed. The silk was the fabric used in making the barong
that was worn by the leaders of the APEC countries during it's conference in the Philippines in 1996.
Aklan finally became an independent province when President Magsaysay signed into law on April 25,
1956, Republic Act 1414 separating Aklan from Capiz. This law was authored by Cong. Godofredo P.
Ramos .
Foreigners who decided to stay in Kalibo are usually retirees who are married to a local. Some maintain businesses in Boracay and Kalibo. Work is generally scarce for foreigners, however, the entrepreneural one could probably engaged in maintaining small businesses in Boracay and properties in Kalibo.
Pina Cloth (a must buy), Banana Chips, Coconut Products, Dried Fish, Mangoes, Rambutan, Lansones,
Furniture Products and recycled paper products.
During the Ati-atihan festivals and the run-up to Aklan Day, Food festivals abound where seafood, and copious amount of pork and and beef are grilled and served al fresco at the town's main streets.
Alcohol is cheap like everywhere in the Philippines, and during the alcohol-fueled days of the
Atiatihan - it is very much readily available at supermarkets, convenience stores and corner stores.
Fruit juices are widely available and made fresh owing to the abundance and proximity of
fruit-producing provinces including Aklan.
For some local brew, tuba, (fermented coconut wine) is popular amongst the locals (usually in far-flung
barangays) and might be worth the taste if you are offered one.
Due to the boomtown character of Kalibo- there is a shortage of places to stay in. Department of Tourism has devised a Homestay Program for tourists where visitors are welcomed into local homes for a fee. Please ask the Philippine Department of Tourism office in your area when planning such.
Sampaguita Gardens (New Washington) -is about 10-20 minutes away from Kalibo. It is a small sea-side resort which boasts a butterfly park, a mini-fair grounds, a year-round Christmas cottage, a Chinese and a Filipino restaurant, swimming pools and a sprawling Thai-Balinese type mansion by it's owner. At the back of the resort is a beach.
Airport Line Inn(Suggested for overnight stay)
Kalibo Queens Hotel (Near Kalibo Gaisano Mall and Wet market)
Villa Atong-Atang
...for vacation, weekends, business meetings, social function or plain relaxation.
Dona Crispina Beach Resort and Hotel is the right place for you.</sleep>
'''Dona Crispina Beach Resort and Hotel''' (Price as low as Php 400) Tel 011-63-36-265-6799 Mobile 011-919-766-5783 http://www.donacrispinaresort.com
Airport Line Inn (Price Php 300 up)
Kalibo Queens Hotel (Price Php 1500)
Sampaguita Garden (Price Php 2,500 up)
Kalibo is relatively safe - although cases of pickpockets and an occasional brawl arises especially during the Ati-atihan festival rush where people from other provinces flood the town. Kalibonhons are naturally peaceful and religious folks.
Vans, and buses abound and it takes only about an hour to get to the Caticlan port (jump off point to Boracay in the Northwest. Roads are paved and usually well-managed.