Aklan

There’s more to the island province of Aklan than Boracay.

The capital city of Kalibo, for example, is the home of the Ati-Atihan Festival. Held every third weekend of January, the festival coincides with the feast day of the Sto. Niño. The Ati-Atihan Festival is far from being religious however and is more akin to being a giant street party. Everyone is welcome to join the parade, whether or not they’re local.

There’s also the Kalibo Piña Village, where you can watch locals weave pineapple fibers into material for traditional Filipino formal wear like the Barong Tagalog (male dress shirt). For those who want to get to know the history of the area, there’s the Museo It Aklan. The museum features artwork and artifacts from the province.

Also in Kalibo is the Bakhawan Eco Park. A mangrove restoration project put up by the local government, the park features a 800 m (2,600 ft) bamboo bridge where visitors can stroll and take in the sights.

There’s also a tamilok (woodworm) demonstration at the park. A delicacy among Aklan natives, tamilok is first dipped in vinegar and then eaten raw. Guests are shown how the woodworm is carefully removed from tree branches. They can also try tamilok themselves, if they’re brave enough.

Venture out of Kalibo and into the the town of Tangalan to see the Jawili Falls, whose water flows down into seven different basins below. You can choose to dive from the top of the falls or take a dip at any one of its basins.

Tired of jumping off waterfalls? Then why not try jumping off a cliff?

Ariel’s Point in Buruanga features five different levels where you can cliff dive from. You can also kayak or snorkel around these parts. It’s only 30 minutes away by boat from Boracay making it popular among tourists.

Speaking of Boracay, it’s not the only beach in Aklan. Check out the secluded Hinugtan Beach, also in Buruanga, for some quiet alone time. There’s also Wasak-Wasak Beach in Alegria, known for its clear crystal blue waters.

One of the best ways to experience Aklan’s culture is through their food. There’s binakoe, native chicken with lemongrass and onions cooked in a bamboo shoot. Linapay is another local favorite. It’s freshwater shrimp mixed with coconut meat, wrapped in a taro leaf then cooked in coconut milk. For dessert, you can try out inday-inday, a rice cake topped with muscovado sugar and coconut milk.

Sure, come to Aklan for Boracay, but make sure to stay for everything else that this province has to offer.