If you fancy forest roads, pastoral scenery and cool highland climate, then San Remigio, medi

On a recent trip organized by the provincial tourism of Antique, we had a brief tour of San Remigio, Antique.  Most of the tourist attractions in San Remigio are untainted by commercialism and clad by dense jungles. According to San Remigio Tourism, the remaining forests in San Remigio including the Igbaclag Cave form an essential connection between Sibalom Natural Park and the forests of central Panay mountain range further north.  They are therefore important to ensure genetic connectivity between these important forests.

Let me share to you this San Remigio, Antique travel blog, to help guide you in your trip:

HOW TO GET TO SAN REMIGIO, ANTIQUE

BY AIR

From Manila, there are several airlines flying daily to Kalibo, Caticlan and Iloilo.

KALIBO TO SAN REMIGIO, ANTIQUE

From Kalibo (Aklan), ride a van or Ceres bus en route to San Jose or Sibalom (Antique).   Fare is about PHP 150/ USD 3 and travel time is approximately 3 hours.

NOTE: First trip of Ceres Bus to San Jose is at 7:00 AM and last trip is at 2:40 PM, interval is every 30 minutes. Take note that return trip to Kalibo from San Jose is at 2:40 PM.

Option 1

From Kalibo, ride a bus or van bound for Sibalom or San Jose.   Alight at Sibalom and ride a jeep bound for Brgy. Aningalan in San Remigio.  Note that there is only one jeep to Aningalan here and it leaves at 6:00 AM and return trip to Sibalom from Brgy. Aningalan is at 3:00 PM only.  Fare is PHP 30/ USD 0.60.

If you miss the jeep from Sibalom to Aningalan, you can hire a habal-habal (from Sibalom) to Brgy. Aningalan for PHP 300/USD 6. Or try option 2 below.

Option 2

Board a bus en route to Sibalom or San Jose from Kalibo, get off at Sibalom, then take a jeep to San Remigio.  There are only 2 trips per day, one leaves at 12 noon.  So make sure to catch that.  Fare is about PHP 28/USD 0.56 and travel time is about 15 minutes.

At  San Remigio, you can hire a habal-habal (motorcycle) to Brgy. Aningalan or Brgy.Tubudan.  Fare is about PHP 150/ USD 3, travel time is about 20 minutes.

ILOILO TO SAN REMIGIO, ANTIQUE

From Iloilo City, board a bus to San Jose (Antique).  Fare is about PHP 80 / USD 1.61, travel time is about 2 hours.

Option 1

Alight at San Jose and ride the jeep en route to San Remigio. Fare is about PHP 30, travel time is roughly 15 minutes.  There are only 2 trips per day, try to catch the one that leaves at 12 noon.

At San Remigio, you can hire a habal-habal (motorcycle) to take you to Brgy. Aningalan or Brgy. Tubudan.  Fare is PHP 150/USD 3 per person, travel time is approximately 20 minutes.

Alternatively, if you arrive really early in San Remigio you can catch the only jeep that leaves for Brgy. Aningalan at 6:00 AM. Fare is about PHP 30/USD 0.60.

Option 2

Get off at San Jose and board the Sibalom-bound jeepney.  There are only 2 trips per day, one jeep leaves at 12 noon.

At Sibalom, you can hire a habal-habal (motorcycle) to take you to Brgy. Aningalan or Brgy. Tubudan inSan Remigio, Antique.  Fare is PHP 300/ USD 6 per person, one way.

HOW TO TOUR IN SAN REMIGIO, ANTIQUE

If you are commuting, you can get around and explore the tourist attractions in San Remigio, Antique by hiring a habal-habal (motorcycle).

Habal-habal ride to Ibaclag Cave is only PHP 20 per person (one way).   You are required to hire a guide to take you inside Ibaclag Cave for your safety.  Guides are readily available at the entrance to Ibaclag Cave, guide fee is PHP 150 / USD 3, good for 1- 5 persons.

If you want to cover the top tourist spots in San Remigio, you can hire a haba-habal (motorcycle) for only PHP 150 / USD 3.  The habal-habal tour includes the following tourist spots:  Ibaclag Cave + rafflesia, Viewdeck overlooking Matindig Peak and Lake Danao.

Alternatively, if you are traveling in groups, you can hire a car or van from Southwest Boracay.

Southwest Boracay
Contact Number: +63 (36) 268 5100
Email: [email protected]

TOP ATTRACTIONS IN SAN REMIGIO, ANTIQUE

IBACLAG CAVE

One of the most visited spots in San Remigio is Ibaclag Cave located in Brgy. Aningalan.  It is managed by Aningalan Community-based Tourism Organization.

Ibaclag Cave is just a short walk from the registration hall, approximately 10-15 minute walk, but the trail requires a bit of cliff scrambling so be extra careful and wear proper shoes.  Hiring a guide is required and guide fee is PHP 150/USD 3, good for 1- 5 persons. Entrance fee is PHP 20 and there is also a PHP 30 entrance fee collected by the village payable at the Barangay Hall in Aningalan.

Ibaclag Cave and Stone Castle is a limestone cave, reminiscent of the towering cliffs of El Nido and Coron that is shaped like a castle.   There is a hanging bridge that connects to the entrance of the cave for easier access.   Inside, there is a balcony crowned by pointed karsts.  It is a great spot for photo but for the adventurous, you can try climbing the tower that offers a panoramic view of the surroundings.  Please be extra careful as it is quite dangerous, you will only hold on to pointed karsts, do not overestimate yourself.   There are no gears, ropes or helmets available here.

Recommended Tour Guides in Aningalan:

Joy, contact #: +63 905 5916 793

Karen Alejo, contact#: +63 907 0689 612

RAFFLESIA

Out of 28 Rafflesia species, the biggest flower in the world, 10 can be found in the Philippines.  And thankfully, it is abundant in Antique province.  Rafflesia can be found in San Remigio, Valderrama, Sibalom, Barbaza and Culasi.  And thankfully, you can easily find them in San Remigio, without the need for an arduous hike, a mere 10-15 minute walk.

You can find two species of rafflesia in Ibaclag Cave in Brgy.Aningalan and Mount Igtulahong in Brgy. Tubudan: Rafflesia speciosa and Rafflesia lobota.  But as always, it is a matter of timing.   There was no rafflesia in bloom during our visit.

Rafflesias bloom all year round, most especially during rainy season.  But once they bloom, they only last for about 5 days. Rafflesias thrive near the vines because they are actually parasites of these plants, they spread their organ inside the tissues of the vines, that is why we can only see their flower.

IMPORTANT:  Rafflesias are very sensitive, avoid touching their petals as it will shorten their lifespan.

Same tour guide rate (like in Ibaclag Cave in Aningalan) applies if you want to see the Raffleasia in Mount Igtulahong, PHP 150/USD 3 for 1-5 persons.   Entrance fee is PHP 30/USD 0.60.

If you want to know if there is a rafflesia in bloom before proceeding, inquire at the following numbers:

Aningalan Community-Based Tourism Organization (CBTO)

Contact #: +63 906 1589 454 / +63 905 8231 021

Tubudan Community-Based Tourism Organization (TBTO)

Contact #: +63 915 1810 756

SAN REMIGIO RICE TERRACES

If you are looking for more adventures, you can hike the rice terraces of Sam Remigio for about 4-5 hours.   The rice terraces is located at Brgy. General Fullon inSan Remigio, home of the Iraya-Bukidnon indigenous people.   There is no electricity here, but there is a generator open from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM only.  There is only one homestay in the village with spartan rooms.  To give you an idea of how the San Remigio rice terraces looks like and the lifestyle in Brgy. General Fullon, below is the video of Jessica Soho TV Show.

San Remigio Terraces is accessible via Valderrama town.  You can hire a habal-habal (motorcycle) to take you to the jumping-off point, habal-habal drivers are readily available in Valderrama town, just ask around.  Then hire a guide to take you here.

For assistance in hiring a guide, contact Charity Sanchez of San Remigio Tourism office at +63 908 5663 379.

WHERE TO STAY IN SAN REMIGIO, ANTIQUE

 Homestays abound in Brgy.Aningalan, tourism here is handled by Aningalan Community-Based Tourism Organization.  You can just inquire at the barangay hall or contact the following:

Lucy Alejo Homestay

Brgy. Aningalan, San Remigio, Antique

Contact Number: +63 975 922 2010

Room Rate: PHP 150 / USD 3 per person

Genevieve Pedro Homestay

Brgy. Aningalan, San Remigio, Antique

Contact Number: +63 906 158 9454

Room Rate: PHP 150 / USD 3 per person

Jenelyn Gabriel Homestay

Brgy. Aningalan, San Remigio, Antique

Contact Number: +63 926 2921 434

Room Rate: PHP 150 / USD 3 per person

WHERE TO EAT IN SAN REMIGIO, ANTIQUE

There is an eatery beside the Barangay Hall in Aningalan that serves Filipino dishes.

At Sibalom and San Jose, there are really good restaurants:

KANYOGAN GARDEN AND RESTAURANT

Bantayan Road, Atabay

San Jose de Buenavista, Antique

Must-try restaurant and by far my favorite in Antique!  Kanyogan Garden and Restaurant serves really good food.  I love their crispy kangkong, native chicken binakol with coconut meat and grilled fish. We also tried kanyogan seafood soup and gambas.

Island Choice

S.A Lotilla Street; 5713 Sibalom, Antique

They serve halo-halo, bachoy, pizza and burgers.

SAN REMIGIO, ANTIQUE ITINERARY

Here’s a sample San Remigio travel itinerary to guide you in planning your trip.

SAMPLE SAN REMIGIO, ANTIQUE TRIP BUDGET

Here’s a sample budget for San Remigio, Antique in case you are planning to visit soon.

DISCLOSURE: Our trip to San Remigio was made possible by Antique Tourism.

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