Aklan is the country’s oldest province, established early in the 13th century. This destination of scenic wonders with waterfalls, beaches of powdery white sand and a mangrove forest is alive with outdoor adventures. Meanwhile, inside its towns are cultural treasures to explore. Visit shrines, tour old churches, participate in watersports and explore shallow and deep dive sites.
One of Aklan’s biggest natural attractions is Boracay IslandOpens in a new window, a small tropical island of palm-tree-fringed white sand beaches and turquoise water. Try waterskiing, kitesurfing and parasailing. Scuba dive to see white-tip and gray reef sharks and enjoy the island's nightlife in resorts and beach bars.
Explore even more nature on your travels through the province. Visit Nabas and plunge into the town’s natural springs, known for their cold water. Hike to the Jawili Falls in Tangalan and scuba dive, snorkel and swim off the beaches of Buruanga, the most westerly town in Aklan. Explore the Bakhawan Eco-Park, a vast mangrove forest in Kalibo, the capital of the province. This 540-acre (220-hectare) site features a long bamboo boardwalk that leads through part of the forest.
While you are in the capital, visit its cultural attractions. Stop at the Aklan Freedom Shrine, dedicated to the 19 martyrs executed during the revolution against Spain in the late 1800s. Tour the early 19th-century St. John the Baptist Cathedral. Study the antiques and artifacts of the Museo It Akean, which reveal much about Aklan's history.
Cultural treasures abound elsewhere in the province. Go to New Washington for the ancestral home of Jaime Cardinal Sin, a controversial Filipino archbishop who played a key role in toppling the country’s former president, Ferdinand Marcos. Spend some time in Lezo, known for its pottery products.
Aklan is located on the triangular-shaped island of Panay. Reach the province by flying into Kalibo International Airport and get around by rental car, taxi and public transportation. Enjoy a vacation of cultural, historical and underwater pursuits.